∙ Lower your speed when encounteringstrong crosswinds. With a higher cen-
ter of gravity, your NISSAN is more af-
fected by strong side winds. Slower
speeds ensure better vehicle control.
∙ Do not drive beyond the performance capability of the tires, even with 4WD
engaged.
∙ For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not at- tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shif t the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result
in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result
in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury. ∙ Do not attempt to test a 4WD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dyna-
mometer (such as the dynamometers
used by some states for emissions
testing), or similar equipment even if
the other two wheels are raised off the
ground. Make sure you inform test fa-
cility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with 4WD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong
test equipment may result in drive-
train damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in seri-
ous vehicle damage or personal
injury.
∙ Accelerating quickly, sharp steering maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
∙ If at all possible, avoid sharp turning maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN 4-wheel drive
vehicle has a higher center of gravity
than a passenger car. The vehicle is
not designed for cornering at the
same speeds as passenger cars. Fail-
ure to operate this vehicle correctly
could result in loss of control and/or a
rollover accident. ∙ Always use tires of the same type,
size, brand, construction (bias, bias-
belted, or radial), and tread pattern on
all four wheels. Install tire chains on
the rear wheels when driving on slip-
pery roads and drive carefully.
∙ Be sure to check the brakes immedi- ately af ter driving in mud or water. For
additional information, refer to “Wet
brakes” in this section.
∙ Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you get out of the vehicle and it
rolls forward, backward or sideways,
you could be injured.
∙ Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud or water as deep as the
wheel hub, more frequent mainte-
nance may be required. For additional
information, refer to “Maintenance
schedules” in the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual.
5-10Starting and driving
Warning light or warning message
Warning light (if soequipped) Warning message
Warning light or warning
message comes on when:
Trip computer (if so
equipped) Vehicle information dis-
play (if so equipped)
Illuminates 4WD ERROR4WD Error: See Owner’s
Manual There is a malfunction in
the 4–wheel drive sys-
tem
— 4WD TIRES FRT & RR tire size differ-
ence: See Owner’s Manual The difference in wheel
rotation is large
The 4WD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position.
It turns off soon af ter the engine is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD sys-
tem when the igntion switch is in the ON
position, the warning light will either re-
main illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shif t indicator light goes out.
If the “4WD TIRES” warning message comes
on, change the 4WD shif t switch into 2WD
and do not drive fast.
CAUTION
∙ If the warning light or warning mes-
sage comes on during operation or
rapidly af ter stopping the vehicle for a
while, have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
∙ Shif ting between 4H and 4LO is not recommended when the 4WD warn-
ing light or warning message turns
on.
Starting and driving5-51
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As
a result, your braking distance will be lon-
ger and the vehicle may pull to one side
during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake
pedal to heat up the brakes. Do this until
the brakes return to normal. Avoid driving
the vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever
the stopping effect of the parking brake is
weakened or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drums/rotors are replaced,
in order to assure the best braking perfor-
mance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
∙ The ABS is a sophisticated device, butit cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slip-
pery surfaces. Remember that stop-
ping distances on slippery surfaces
will be longer than on normal sur-
faces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if you
are using tire chains. Always maintain
a safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you. Ultimately, the driver is
responsible for safety.
∙ Tire type and condition may also af- fect braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the specified size of tires on all four
wheels. – When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and
type as specified on the Tire and
Loading Information label. For ad-
ditional information, refer to “Tire
and Loading Information label” in
the “Technical and consumer infor-
mation” section of this manual.
– For additional information, refer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Do-it-
yourself ” section of this manual.
The ABS controls the brakes so the wheels
do not lock during hard braking or when
braking on slippery surfaces. The system
detects the rotation speed at each wheel
and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding.
By preventing each wheel from locking, the
system helps the driver maintain steering
control and helps to minimize swerving
and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
Anti-lock Braking System will operate to
prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
Starting and driving5-57
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be lef t outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system, in-
cluding the engine block. Refill before oper-
ating the vehicle. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Changing engine coolant” in
the “Do-it-yourself ” section of this manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed toprovide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance
of these tires will be substantially re-
duced in snowy and icy conditions. If
you operate your vehicle on snowy or
icy roads, NISSAN recommends the use
of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES
on all four wheels. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for the tire
type, size, speed rating and availability
information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However,
some U.S. states and Canadian prov-
inces prohibit their use. Check local,
state and provincial laws before install-
ing studded tires. Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used. For additional information, refer to “Tire chains” in the
“Do-it-yourself ” section of this manual.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
∙ A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re- move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
∙ A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the jack to give it firm support.
∙ A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow- drif ts.
∙ Extra washer fluid to refill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
∙ Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip” un-
der these conditions. Try to avoid driv-
ing on wet ice until the road is salted
or sanded.
∙ Whatever the condition, drive with caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shif ting too fast, the drive wheels will
lose even more traction.
∙ Allow more stopping distance under these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
∙ Allow greater following distances on slippery roads.
∙ Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while on
the ice, and avoid any sudden steering
maneuvers.
5-70Starting and driving
10. Securely store the flat tire beneath thevehicle, from where the full size spare
was removed.
11. To reinstall the jack and tool kit, reverse steps 1 through 5.
CAUTION
Be sure to center the spare tire sus-
pending plate on the wheel and then lif t
the spare tire.
Getting the spare tire and tools
(Single Cab models)
1. Move the front passenger seat to ac-cess the tools. For additional informa-
tion about seat functions, refer to “
Seats” in the “Safety–Seats, seat belts
and supplemental restraint system”
section of this manual. 2. Remove the lid from the tool storage
compartment.
3. Release the straps
A.
4. Remove the tire stopper bag
B.
5. Remove the tool kit and jack
C. 6. Assemble the pieces of the jack rod.
Find the oval-shaped opening above
the license plate, slightly to the lef t of
the middle (driver’s side). Pass the
T-shaped end of the jack rod through
the opening and direct it toward the
spare tire winch, located directly above
the spare tire.
CAUTION
Do not insert the jack rod straight as it is
designed to be inserted at an angle as
shown.
LCE2280WCE0150
6-6In case of emergency
7. Fit the square end of the jack rod intothe square hole of the wheel nut
wrench to form a handle.
8. Seat the T-shaped end of the jack rod into the T-shaped opening of the tire
winch. Apply pressure to keep the jack
rod engaged in the spare tire winch
and turn the jack rod counterclockwise
to lower the spare tire.
9. Once the spare tire is completely low- ered, reach under the vehicle, remove
the retainer chain and carefully slide
the tire from under the rear of the ve-
hicle. 10. Securely store the flat tire beneath the
vehicle, from where the full size spare
was removed.
11. To reinstall the jack and tool kit, reverse steps 1 through 5.
CAUTION
Be sure to center the spare tire sus-
pending plate on the wheel and then lif t
the spare tire.
Getting the spare tire and tools
(King Cab® models not equipped
with rear seat)
1. Open the passenger side rear door andremove the lid from the tool storage
compartment.
WCE0151LCE2327
In case of emergency6-7
10. Securely store the flat tire beneath thevehicle, from where the full size spare
was removed.
11. To reinstall the jack and tool kit, reverse steps 1 through 5.
CAUTION
Be sure to center the spare tire sus-
pending plate on the wheel and then lif t
the spare tire.
Jacking up vehicle and removing
the damaged tire (all models)
WARNING
∙ Never get under the vehicle while it issupported only by the jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle, sup-
port it with safety stands.
∙ Use only the jack provided with your vehicle to lif t the vehicle. Do not use
the jack provided with your vehicle on
other vehicles. The jack is designed
for lif ting only your vehicle during a
tire change.
∙ Use the correct jack-up points. Never use any other part of the vehicle for
jack support. ∙ Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
∙ Never use blocks on or under the jack.
∙ Do not start or run the engine while vehicle 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.
In case of emergency6-9
∙ Before taking a long trip, orwhenever you heavily load your
vehicle, use a tire pressure
gauge to ensure that the tire
pressures are at the specified
level.
∙ For additional information re- garding tires, refer to “Impor-
tant Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information”
(Canada) in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet.
Tire and Loading Information
label
1Seating capacity: The maximum
number of occupants that can
be seated in the vehicle.
2Vehicle load limit: For additional
information, refer to “Vehicle
loading information” in the
“Technical and consumer infor-
mation” section of this manual.
3Original tire size: The size of the
tires originally installed on the
vehicle at the factory.
LDI2926
8-36Do-it-yourself