2018 NISSAN FRONTIER differential

For additional information, refer to “Hill de-
scent control system ON indicator light” in
this section and “Hill descent control sys-
tem” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.The E-Lock system can help provide added
traction if the vehicle is stuck or becoming
stuck.
To activate the E-Lock system:∙ The 4WD switch must be in the 4LO po- sition (4-wheel drive vehicles),
∙ The vehicle must be stopped or moving at 4 mph (7 km/h) or less, and
∙ The E-Lock system switch must be turned on. When the E-Lock switch is turned on, the
indicator light will flash until the system
engages. However, if all operation condi-
tions listed above are not met or the sys-
tem becomes disengaged, the indicator
light will continue to flash.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is dis-
abled and the ABS light illuminates when
the E-Lock system is on. Also, the Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system is disabled
and the VDC light illuminates when the
E-Lock system is on.
For additional information, refer to “Elec-
tronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) sys-
tem” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual for further explanation and
system limitations.
WARNING
∙ Never leave the E-Lock system on
when driving on paved or hard-
surfaced roads. Turning the vehicle
may result in the rear wheels slipping
and result in an accident and personal
injury. Af ter using the E-lock system
to free the vehicle, turn the system off.
LIC0729
ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR
DIFFERENTIAL (E-Lock) SYSTEM
SWITCH (if so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-37

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving..........5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ..............5-2
Three-way catalyst ...........................5-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)........................................5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................................5-6
Avoiding collision and rollover ................5-6
Off-roadrecovery ............................5-7
Rapid air pressure loss .......................5-7
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-8
Driving safety precautions ....................5-8
Ignition switch .................................. 5-10
Automatic transmission
(if so equipped) ............................... 5-11
Manual transmission (M/T)
(if so equipped) .............................. 5-12
Key positions ................................ 5-12
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
(if so equipped) .............................. 5-12
Before starting the engine ......................5-13
Starting the engine ............................. 5-13
Driving the vehicle .............................. 5-14Automatic transmission (A/T)
(if so equipped)
.............................. 5-14
Manual transmission (if so equipped) ........5-18
Parking brake .................................. 5-21
Cruise control .................................. 5-22
Precautions on cruise control ................5-22
Cruise control operations ....................5-22
Break-in schedule .............................. 5-24
Fuel efficient driving tips ........................5-24
Increasing fuel economy .......................5-25
Using 4–wheel drive (4WD)
(if so equipped) ................................. 5-26
Transfer case shif ting procedures ...........5-26
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system (if so equipped) ......................... 5-33
Parking/parking on hills ........................5-34
Power steering ................................. 5-35
Brake system ................................... 5-35
Brake precautions ........................... 5-35
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..............5-36
Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) system .........5-37
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .........5-38
Brake force distribution ......................5-40

The E-Lock system can provide additional
traction and should only be used when a
vehicle has become or is becoming stuck.
This system operates by electronically
“locking” the two rear drive wheels to-
gether, allowing them to turn at the same
speed. The system is used when it is not
possible to free a stuck vehicle even when
using the 4LO position (4-wheel drive ve-
hicles).
When added traction is required, activate
the E-Lock system by pushing the switch
ON. For additional information, refer to
“Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch” in the “Instruments and
controls” section of this manual. Once the
system fully engages, the indicator light in
the instrument panel will remain ON. When
the system is activated, both rear wheels
will engage, providing added traction.
The rear wheels may momentarily slip or
move to engage the system, and the sys-
tem will only engage up to approximately
4 mph (7 km/h). Once the vehicle is free, the
system should be turned OFF and driving
resumed.The Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) system is dis-
abled and the ABS light illuminates when
the E-Lock system is ON. Also, the Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system is disabled
and the
light illuminates when the
E-Lock system is ON.
WARNING
∙ Never leave the E-Lock system ON when driving on paved or hard-
surfaced roads. Turning the vehicle
may result in the rear wheels slipping
and result in an accident and personal
injury. Af ter using the E-Lock system
to free the vehicle, turn the system
OFF.
∙ Use the E-Lock system only when freeing a stuck vehicle. Try the 4LO po-
sition before using the E-Lock system.
Never use the E-Lock system on a slip-
pery road surface such as snow or ice
surface. Using the E-Lock system
when driving in these road conditions
may cause unexpected movement of
the vehicle during engine braking, ac-
celerating or turning, which may re-
sult in an accident and serious per-
sonal injury.
CAUTION
∙ Af ter using the E-Lock system, turnthe switch OFF to prevent possible
damage to driveline components
from extended use.
∙ Do not drive the vehicle at speeds faster than 12 mph (20 km/h) when
the system is engaged. Doing so could
damage drivetrain components.
∙ Do not turn on the E-lock system while the tires are spinning. Doing so
could damage drivetrain
components.
ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR
DIFFERENTIAL (E-Lock) SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
Starting and driving5-33

∙ Do not start or run the engine whilevehicle is on the jack. It may cause the
vehicle to move. This is especially true
for vehicles with limited slip
differentials.
∙ Do not allow passengers to stay in the vehicle while it is on the jack.
∙ Never run the engine with a wheel(s) off the ground. It may cause the ve-
hicle to move.
Always refer to the illustration for the cor-
rect placement and jack-up points for your
specific vehicle model and jack type.
Carefully read the caution label attached
to the jack body and the following in-
structions. 1. Loosen each wheel nut 1 or 2 turns by
turning counterclockwise with the
wheel nut wrench. Do not remove the
wheel nuts until the tire is off the
ground.
WCE0152
In case of emergency6-9

6Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires
an inner tube (“tube type”) or not
(“tubeless”).
7The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown if the tire
has radial structure.
8Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is
shown.
Other Tire-related Terminology
In addition to the many terms that
are defined throughout this section,
Intended Outboard Sidewall is (1) the
sidewall that contains a whitewall,
bears white lettering or bears
manufacturer, brand, and/or model
name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same molding on
the other sidewall of the tire, or (2)
the outward facing sidewall of an
asymmetrical tire that has a particu-
lar side that must always face out-
ward when mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
∙ When changing or replacing tires, be sure all four tires are of the same type
(i.e., Summer, All Season or Snow) and
construction. A NISSAN dealer may be
able to help you with information
about tire type, size, speed rating and
availability.
∙ Replacement tires may have a lower speed rating than the factory
equipped tires, and may not match
the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
∙ Replacing tires with those not origi- nally specified by NISSAN could affect
the proper operation of the low tire
pressure warning system. ∙ Always use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction and tread
pattern on all four wheels. Failure to
do so may result in a circumference
difference between tires on the front
and rear axles which can cause the
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system
to malfunction resulting in personal
injury or death, excessive tire wear
and may damage the transmission
and differential gears.
∙ For additional information regarding tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
All season tires
NISSAN specifies All Season tires on some
models to provide good performance all
year, including snowy and icy road condi-
tions. All Season tires are identified by ALL
SEASON and/or M&S on the tire sidewall.
Snow tires have better snow traction than
All Season tires and may be more appropri-
ate in some areas.
Do-it-yourself8-37

∙ The TPMS sensor may be damaged ifit is not handled correctly. Be careful
when handling the TPMS sensor.
∙ When replacing the TPMS sensor, the ID registration may be required. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for ID registration.
∙ Do not use a valve stem cap that is not specified by NISSAN. The valve stem
cap may become stuck.
∙ Be sure that the valve stem caps are correctly fitted. Otherwise the valve
may be clogged up with dirt and
cause a malfunction or loss of
pressure.
∙ Do not install a damaged or deformed wheel or tire even if it has been re-
paired. Such wheels or tires could
have structural damage and could fail
without warning.
∙ The use of retread tires is not recommended.
∙ For additional information regarding tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.Four-wheel drive models
CAUTION
Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted
or radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires
on the front and rear axles which will
cause excessive tire wear and may
damage the transmission, transfer case
and differential gears.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with
tires of the same size, brand, construction
and tread pattern. The tire pressure and
wheel alignment should also be checked
and corrected as necessary. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required. Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.
∙ For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety In-
formation” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
Care of wheels
∙ Wash the wheels when washing the ve- hicle to maintain their appearance.
∙ Clean the inner side of the wheels when the wheel is changed or the underside
of the vehicle is washed.
∙ Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing the wheels.
∙ Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or corrosion. Such damage may cause
loss of pressure or poor seal at the tire
bead.
∙ NISSAN recommends waxing the road wheels to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Do-it-yourself8-41

Spare tire (FULL SIZE TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire)
When replacing a wheel without the TPMS
such as the spare tire, the TPMS will not
function.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a full
size spare that is a different size or brand
than the tires originally installed on the ve-
hicle. This full size spare tire is intended for
temporary use only and should be re-
placed at the first opportunity.
Observe the following precautions if the
FULL SIZE TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire
must be used. Otherwise, your vehicle could
be damaged or involved in an accident:
WARNING
To help reduce the risk of a crash which
may result in personal injury or death:
∙ The TEMPORARY FULL SIZE spare tireshould be used for emergency use
only. It should be replaced with the
standard tire at the first opportunity
to avoid possible tire or differential
damage. ∙ Drive carefully while the TEMPORARY
FULL SIZE spare tire is installed. Avoid
sharp turns and abrupt braking while
driving. The vehicle driving perfor-
mance may be affected when driving
on wet or snow covered roads.
∙ When the TEMPORARY FULL SIZE spare tire is installed, the Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) will normally not
be affected.
∙ When the TEMPORARY FULL SIZE spare tire is installed, the following
systems may not work correctly:
– Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
– Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) (if so equipped)
∙ Periodically check the TEMPORARY FULL SIZE spare tire inflation pressure.
Always keep the TEMPORARY FULL
SIZE spare tire inflated to the pressure
specification shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
∙ With the TEMPORARY FULL SIZE spare tire installed do not drive the vehicle
at speeds faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h). ∙ When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY FULL SIZE
spare tire should be used on the front
wheels and the original tire used on
the rear wheels. Use tire chains only
on the drive wheels.
∙ Do not use the TEMPORARY FULL SIZE spare tire on other vehicles.
∙ Do not use more than one TEMPO- RARY FULL SIZE spare tire at the same
time.
∙ Do not tow a trailer when the TEMPO- RARY FULL SIZE spare tire is installed.
CAUTION
∙ Do not use tire chains on a TEMPO-RARY FULL SIZE spare tire. Tire chains
will not fit properly and may cause
damage to the vehicle.
8-42Do-it-yourself

or equivalent with the proper mixture. (For
additional information on the proper mix-
ture for your area, refer to “Engine cooling
system” in the “Do-it-yourself ” section of
this manual.)
NOTE: Mixing any other type of coolant
or the use of non-distilled water may re-
duce the recommended service interval
of the coolant.
Engine oil and oil filter:Replace engine oil
and oil filter at the specified intervals. For
recommended oil grade and viscosity refer
to “Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
Evaporative emissions control vapor
lines*: Check vapor lines for leaks or loose-
ness. Tighten connections or replace parts
as necessary.
Fuel lines*: Check the fuel hoses, piping
and connections for leaks, looseness, or
deterioration. Tighten connections or re-
place parts as necessary.
Spark plugs: Replace at specified intervals.
Install new plugs of the same type as origi-
nally equipped.CHASSIS AND BODY
MAINTENANCE:
Brake lines and cables: Visually inspect for
proper installation. Check for chafing,
cracks, deterioration, and signs of leaking.
Replace any deteriorated or damaged
parts immediately.
Brake pads and rotors: Check for wear,
deterioration and fluid leaks. Replace any
deteriorated or damaged parts immedi-
ately.
Exhaust system: Visually inspect the ex-
haust pipes, muffler and hangers for leaks,
cracks, deterioration, and damage. Tighten
connections or replace parts as necessary.
In-cabin microfilter: Replace at specified
intervals. When driving for prolonged peri-
ods in dusty conditions, replace the filter
more frequently.
Steering gear and linkage, axle and sus-
pension parts, drive shaf t boots: Check
for damage, looseness, and leakage of oil
or grease. Under severe driving conditions,
inspect more frequently. Tire rotation:
Tires should be rotated every
5,000 miles (8,000 km) according to the in-
structions under “Explanation of general
maintenance items” in this section. When
rotating tires, check for damage and un-
even wear. Replace if necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil: Vi-
sually inspect for signs of leakage at speci-
fied intervals.
9-6Maintenance and schedules