2020 NISSAN FRONTIER starting and driving

For descriptions specified for 4-wheel drive
models, amark is placed at the be-
ginning of the applicable sections/items.
As with other vehicles with features for
off-road use, failure to operate 4-wheel
drive models correctly may result in loss
of control or a collision. For additional
information, refer to “Driving safety pre-
cautions” in the “Starting and driving”
section of this manual.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD DRIVING
This vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from an ordinary passenger
car because it has a higher center of
gravity for off-road use. As with other
vehicles with features of this type, fail-
ure to operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or an accident.
For additional information, refer to “On-
pavement and off-road driving precau-
tions”, “Avoiding collision and roll- over”
and “Driving safety precautions” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
This vehicle should not be modified.
Modification could affect its perfor-
mance, safety, emissions or durability
and may even violate governmental
regulations. In addition, damage or per-
formance problems resulting from
modifications may not be covered un-
der NISSAN warranties.
WARNING
Installing an af termarket On-Board Di-
agnostic (OBD) plug-in device that uses
the port during normal driving, for ex-
ample remote insurance company
monitoring, remote vehicle diagnos-
tics, telematics or engine reprogram-
ming, may cause interference or dam-
age to vehicle systems. We do not
recommend or endorse the use of any
af termarket OBD plug-in devices, un-
less specifically approved by NISSAN.
The vehicle warranty may not cover
damage caused by any af termarket
plug-in device. This manual includes information for all
features and equipment available on this
model. Features and equipment in your ve-
hicle may vary depending on model, trim
level, options selected, order, date of pro-
duction, region or availability. Therefore,
you may find information about features or
equipment that are not included or in-
stalled on your vehicle.
All information, specifications and illustra-
tions in this manual are those in effect at
the time of printing. NISSAN reserves the
right to change specifications, perfor-
mance, design or component suppliers
without notice and without obligation.
From time to time, NISSAN may update or
revise this manual to provide Owners with
the most accurate information currently
available. Please carefully read and retain
with this manual all revision updates sent
to you by NISSAN to ensure you have ac-
cess to accurate and up-to-date informa-
tion regarding your vehicle. Current ver-
sions of vehicle Owner's Manuals and any
updates can also be found in the Owner
section of the NISSAN website at
https://
owners.nissanusa.com/nowners/
navigation/manualsGuide . If you have
questions concerning any information in
WHEN READING THE MANUAL

Table of
contentsIllustrated table of contents
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
Instruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and care
Do-it-yourself
Maintenance and schedules
Technical and consumer information
Index
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Loose fuel cap warning message
Press the change/reset buttonOAfor more
than 1 second to reset the LOOSE FUEL CAP
warning message af ter the fuel cap has
been tightened. For additional information,
refer to “Fuel-filler cap” in the “Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section of this
manual.
Check tire pressure warning
message
The CHECK TIRE PRES (pressure) warning
message is displayed when the low tire
pressure warning light is illuminated and
low tire pressure is detected. Check and
adjust the tire pressure to the recom-
mended COLD tire pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label. The
CHECK TIRE PRES (pressure) warning mes-
sage turns off when the low tire pressure
warning light turns off. The low tire pressure warning light remains
illuminated until the tires are inflated to the
recommended COLD tire pressure. The
CHECK TIRE PRES (pressure) warning mes-
sage is displayed each time the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position as long
as the low tire pressure warning light re-
mains illuminated.
For additional information, refer to “Low tire
pressure warning light” in this section, “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the
“Starting and driving” section, and “Wheels
and tires” in the “Do-it-yourself ” section of
this manual.
LIC4378LIC4379
2-6Instruments and controls

CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine. The following lights (if
so equipped) will come on:
or,,,,
The following lights (if so equipped) will
come on briefly and then go off:
,or,,,,,
,,,,.,
If any light fails to come on or operate in a
way other than described, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb and/or a system mal-
function. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
WARNING LIGHTS
This vehicle has various warning lights that
may illuminate to indicate a potential prob-
lem. For additional information, refer to the
specific light in this section.
4WD warning light
(
model)
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 the engine or vehicle is not functioning
properly, the warning light will either re-
main illuminated or blink. For additional in-
formation, refer to “Using 4–wheel drive
(4WD)” in the “Starting and driving” section
of this manual.
CAUTION
• If the warning light comes on or
blinks during operation, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
• Do not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4H or 4LO position. If the
4WD warning light turns on when you
are driving on dry hard surface roads:
– In the 4H position, shif t the 4WD
shif t switch to 2WD. –
In the 4LO position for automatic
transmission models, stop the ve-
hicle and shif t the shif t lever to
the N (Neutral) position with the
brake pedal depressed and shif t
the 4WD shif t switch to 2WD.
• If the warning light is still on af ter the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the ABS warning light illuminates
and then turns off. This indicates the ABS is
operational.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while
the engine is running or while driving, it
may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Instruments and controls2-15

If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system
then operates normally but without anti-
lock assistance. For additional information,
refer to “Brake system” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
orApply parking
brake warning
light (if so
equipped)
This warning light appears when a mal-
function occurs in the electric shif t control
system below 3 mph (5 km/h).
Have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Automatic Transmission
check warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on for about 2
seconds. If the light comes on at any other
time, it may indicate the automatic trans-
mission system is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Automatic Transmission
Park warning light (
model)
WARNING
• If the ATP light is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(Park) position will not function and
the transfer case is in neutral.
• When parking, always make sure that
the 4WD shif t indicator light illumi-
nates and the parking brake is set.
Failure to engage the transfer posi-
tion in 2WD, 4H or 4LO could result in
the vehicle moving unexpectedly, re-
sulting in serious personal injury or
property damage.
• Shif t the 4WD switch into the 2WD, 4H
or 4LO position again to turn off the
ATP warning light when the shif t le-
ver is in the P position and the ATP
warning light is ON. (Before shif ting
the 4WD switch into the 4LO position,
move the shif t lever into the N posi-
tion once, shif t the shif t lever into P
again and make sure the ATP warn-
ing light is OFF.) This light indicates that the automatic
transmission parking function is not en-
gaged. If the transfer control is not secured
in any drive position while the shif t lever is
in the P (Park) position, the transmission will
disengage and the drive wheels will not
lock.
orBrake warning
light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the park-
ing brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine
is running with the parking brake not ap-
plied, stop the vehicle and perform the fol-
lowing:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Brake fluid” in the “Do-it-
yourself ” section of this manual.
2-16Instruments and controls

CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Low fuel warning light
This light comes on when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon
as it is convenient, preferably before the
fuel gauge reaches E (Empty). There will be
a small reserve of fuel in the tank when
the fuel gauge needle reaches E (Empty).
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) that moni-
tors the tire pressure of all tires except the
spare.
The low tire pressure warning light warns
of low tire pressure or indicates that the
TPMS is not functioning properly. Af ter the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light illuminates for about 1
second and turns off.
Low tire pressure warning
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the warning light will illumi-
nate. A CHECK TIRE PRES (pressure)
warning message is also displayed in the
odometer.
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust
the tire pressure of all four tires to the
recommended COLD tire pressure shown
on the Tire and Loading Information la-
bel located in the driver's door opening.
The low tire pressure warning light does
not automatically turn off when the tire
pressure is adjusted. Af ter the tire is in-
flated to the recommended pressure,
the vehicle must be driven at speeds
above 16 mph (25 km/h) to activate the
TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure
warning light. Use a tire pressure gauge
to check the tire pressure.
The low tire pressure warning light remains
illuminated until the tires are inflated to the
recommended COLD tire pressure. The
CHECK TIRE PRES warning message is dis-
played each time the ignition switch isplaced in the ON position as long as the low
tire pressure warning light remains illumi-
nated.
For additional information, refer to “Check
tire pressure warning message” in this sec-
tion and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section
and in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
TPMS malfunction
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the
low tire pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position. The
light will remain on af ter 1 minute. Have the
system checked. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
The "CHECK TIRE PRES" warning does not
appear if the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates to indicate a TPMS malfunction.
For additional information, refer to “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the
“Starting and driving” section and “Tire
pressure” in the “Do-it-yourself ” section of
this manual.
2-18Instruments and controls

• The supplemental air bag warning lightdoes not come on at all.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for these services.
Unless checked and repaired, the supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
and/or the pretensioner(s) may not func-
tion properly. For additional information, re-
fer to “Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag
and/or pretensioner systems will not
operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. It
is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
This vehicle has various indicator lights
that may illuminate to indicate a system
status. For additional information, refer to
the specific light in this section.
4WD shif t indicator light
(
model)
The light should turn off within 1 second
af ter placing the ignition switch in the ON
position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shif t
indicator light will illuminate the position
selected by the 4WD shif t switch.
The 4WD shif t indicator light may blink
while shif ting from one drive mode to
the other.
Automatic transmission
position indicator light
For additional information, refer to “Driving
the vehicle” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion of this manual.
CRUISE indicator light
The light comes on when the cruise control
ON/OFF switch is pushed. The light goes
out when the ON/OFF switch is pushed
again. When the CRUISE indicator light
comes on, the cruise control system is op-
erational. For additional information, refer
to “Cruise control” in the “Starting and driv-
ing” section of this manual.
Electronic locking rear
differential (E-Lock) system
ON indicator light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on when the electronic
locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
clutch is fully engaged.
The indicator light flashes when the sys-
tem is first turned on. When the system fully
engages, the light remains on. If the switch
is on and the indicator light continues to
flash, the system is not engaged.
For additional information, refer to “Electronic
locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
switch” in this section and “Electronic locking
rear differential (E-Lock) system” in the “Start-
ing and driving” section of this manual.
Engine start operation
indicator light (if so
equipped)
For vehicles equipped with push-button igni-
tion this indicator illuminates when the igni-
tion switch is in the LOCK, OFF or ON position
with the shif t lever in the P (Park) position.
This indicator means that the engine will
start by pushing the push-button ignition
switch with the brake pedal depressed.
Instruments and controls2-21

Front passenger air bag
status light
The front passenger air bag status lightwill be lit and the passenger front air
bag will be off depending on how the front
passenger seat is being used.
For additional information, refer to “Front
passenger air bag and status light” in the
“Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemen-
tal restraint system” section of this manual.
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This blue light comes on when the head-
light high beams are on and goes out when
the low beams are selected.
The high beam indicator light also comes
on when the passing signal is activated.
Hill descent control system
ON indicator light (if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light comes on briefly and
then turns off.
The light comes on when the hill descent
control system is activated. If the hill descent control switch is on and
the indicator light blinks, the system is not
engaged.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the hill descent switch is on, the sys-
tem may not be functioning properly. Have
the system checked. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this ser-
vice.
For additional information, refer to “Hill de-
scent control switch” in this section and “Hill
descent control system” in the “Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or
blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The MIL may also come on steady if the
fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, or if the
vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make sure
the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least 3
gal (11.4 L) of fuel in the fuel tank.
Af ter a few driving trips, the
light
should turn off if no other potential emis-
sion control system malfunction exists. If this indicator light comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds
when the engine is not running, it indicates
that the vehicle is not ready for an emission
control system inspection/maintenance
test. For additional information, refer to
“Readiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) test” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
Operation
The MIL will come on in one of two ways:
• MIL on steady — An emission control sys-
tem malfunction has been detected.
Check the fuel-filler cap if the LOOSE FUEL
CAP warning appears in the trip com-
puter. If the fuel-filler cap is loose or miss-
ing, tighten or install the cap and con-
tinue to drive the vehicle. The
light
should turn off af ter a few driving trips. If
the
light does not turn off af ter a few
driving trips, have the vehicle inspected. It
is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. You do not need to
have your vehicle towed to the dealer.
• MIL blinking — An engine misfire has been detected which may damage the emis-
sion control system. To reduce or avoid
emission control system damage:– Do not drive at speeds above 45 mph (72 km/h).
2-22Instruments and controls