The transfer case 4WD shif t switch is used
to select either 2WD or 4WD depending on
the driving conditions. There are three
types of drive modes available, 2WD, 4H and
4LO.
The 4WD shif t switch electronically controls
the transfer case operation. Rotate the
switch to move between each mode, 2WD,
4H and 4LO.
To change into or out of 4LO, the vehicle
MUST be stationary, move the shif t lever
to N (Neutral), and depress the brake
pedal. The switch must be depressed
and turned when changing into or out of
4LO.
WARNING
• When parking, apply the parking
brake before stopping the engine
and make sure that the 4WD shif t in-
dicator light is on and the ATP warn-
ing light goes off. Otherwise, the ve-
hicle could unexpectedly move even
if the A/T is in the P (Park) position. •
The transfer 4LO position indicator
light must stop blinking and remain
illuminated or turn off before shif ting
the transmission into gear. If the shif t
lever is shif ted from the N (Neutral)
position to any other gear when the
transfer 4LO position indicator light
is blinking, the vehicle may move
unexpectedly.
CAUTION
• Never shif t the 4WD shif t switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.
• The 4H position provides greater
traction. Avoid excessive speed, as it
will cause increased fuel consump-
tion and higher oil temperatures, and
could damage drivetrain compo-
nents. Speeds over 62 mph (100
km/h) in 4H is not recommended.
• The 4LO position provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the maxi-
mum speed is approximately 31 mph
(50 km/h).
•
When driving straight, shif t the 4WD
shif t switch to the 2WD or 4H position.
Do not move the 4WD shif t switch
when making a turn or reversing.
• Do not shif t the 4WD shif t switch (be-
tween 2WD and 4H) while driving on
steep downhill grades. Use the en-
gine brake and low gears 2 (Second
gear) or 1 (Low gear), for engine
braking.
• Do not operate the 4WD shif t switch
(between 2WD and 4H) with the rear
wheels spinning.
• Do not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4H or 4LO position. Driv-
ing on dry hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO
may cause unnecessary noise and
tire wear. NISSAN recommends driv-
ing in the 2WD position under these
conditions.
• The 4WD transfer case may not be
shif ted between 4H and 4LO at low
ambient temperatures and the
transfer 4LO position indicator light
may blink even when the 4WD shif t
switch is shif ted. Af ter driving for a
while you can change the 4WD trans-
fer case between 4H and 4LO.
5-26Starting and driving
4WD shif t indicator light
The 4WD shif t indicator light is located in
the odometer display.
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. When the shif ting is com-
pleted, the 4WD shif t indicator light will
come on. • If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shif t indicator light goes out.
Warning light Comes on or
blinks when:
Comes on There is a mal-
function in the 4–Wheel Drive system
Blinks slowly The difference
in wheel rota- tion is large
The 4WD warning light is located in the me-
ter.
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 ignition switch is ON, the
warning light will either remain illuminated
or blink.
LSD0147
5-28Starting and driving
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shif t indicator light goes out.
A large difference between the diameters
of front and rear wheels will make the
warning light blink slowly (about once per 1
second). Change the 4WD shif t switch into
2WD and do not drive fast.
WARNING
• The VDC system is designed to help
the driver maintain stability but does
not prevent accidents due to abrupt
steering operation at high speeds or
by careless or dangerous driving
techniques. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driv-
ing and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
• Do not modif y the vehicle's suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs, sta-
bilizer bars, bushings and wheels are
not NISSAN recommended for your
vehicle or are extremely deterio-
rated, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly. This could adversely af-
fect vehicle handling performance,
and the
indicator light may flash
or theindicator light may
illuminate.
• If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and
both the
andindicator
lights may illuminate. •
If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may
illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or theindicator
light may illuminate. Do not drive on
these types of roads.
• When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
indicator light may
flash or theindicator light may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the engine af ter driving onto
a stable surface.
• If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or theindicator
light may illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.
BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION
During braking while driving through turns,
the system optimizes the distribution of
force to each of the four wheels depending
on the radius of the turn.
indicator light may flash
or theindicator light may
illuminate.
5-36Starting and driving
•If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the VDC sys-
tem may not operate properly and
both the
and theindicator
lights may illuminate.
• If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, both the
andindicator lights may
illuminate.
• When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or theindicator
light may illuminate. Do not drive on
these types of roads.
• When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the
indicator light may
flash or theindicator light may
illuminate. This is not a malfunction.
Restart the engine af ter driving onto
a stable surface. •
If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not oper-
ate properly and the
indicator
light may flash or theindicator
light may illuminate.
• The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.
WARNING
• Never rely solely on the hill descent
control system to control vehicle
speed when driving on steep down-
hill grades. Always drive carefully and
attentively when using the hill de-
scent control system and decelerate
the vehicle speed by depressing the
brake pedal if necessary. Be espe-
cially careful when driving on frozen,
muddy or extremely steep downhill
roads. Failure to control vehicle
speed may result in a loss of control
of the vehicle and possible serious
injury or death.
• The hill descent control may not con-
trol the vehicle speed on a hill under
all load or road conditions. Always be
prepared to depress the brake pedal
to control vehicle speed. Failure to do
so may result in a collision or serious
personal injury.
The hill descent control system helps
maintain vehicle speed when driving under
15-21 mph (25-35 km/h) on steeper down-
hill grades. Hill descent control is useful
when engine braking alone in 4H or 4L can-
not control vehicle speed. Hill descent con-
trol applies the vehicle brakes to control
HILL DESCENT CONTROL SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
Starting and driving5-37
WARNING
• Always turn and look back before
backing up. The RSS is not a substi-
tute for proper backing procedures.
• Read and understand the limitations
of the RSS as contained in this sec-
tion. Inclement weather may affect
the function of the RSS; this may in-
clude reduced performance or a false
activation.
• This system is not designed to pre-
vent contact with small or moving
objects. •
The system is designed as an aid to
the driver in detecting large station-
ary objects to help avoid damaging
the vehicle. The system will not de-
tect small objects below the bumper,
and may not detect objects close to
the bumper or on the ground.
• If your vehicle sustains damage to
the rear bumper fascia, leaving it
misaligned or bent, the sensing zone
may be altered causing inaccurate
measurement of obstacles or false
alarms.
The RSS sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the
shif t lever is in R (Reverse). The system may
not detect objects at speeds above 3 mph
(5 km/h) and may not detect certain angu-
lar or moving objects.
The RSS detects obstacles up to 5.9 f t (1.8
m) from the rear bumper with a decreased
coverage area at the outer corners of the
bumper (refer to the illustration for approxi-
mate zone coverage areas). As you move
closer to the obstacle, the rate of the tone
increases. When the obstacle is less than 10
in (25.0 cm) away, the tone will sound con-
tinuously. If the RSS detects a stationary or
receding object further than 10 in (25.0 cm)
from the side of the vehicle, the tone will sound for only 3 seconds. Once the system
detects an object approaching, the tone
will sound again.
The RSS automatically turns on when the
shif t lever is placed in R (Reverse) and the
ignition is ON. The RSS OFF switch on the
instrument panel allows the driver to turn
the RSS on and off. To turn the RSS off, the
ignition must be on, and the shif t lever in R
(Reverse). An indicator light on the switch
will illuminate when the system is turned
off. If the indicator light illuminates when
the RSS is not turned off, it may indicate a
malfunction in the RSS.
Keep the RSS sensors (located on the rear
bumper fascia) free from snow, ice and
large accumulations of dirt (do not clean
the sensors with sharp objects). If the sen-
sors are covered, it will affect the accuracy
of the RSS.
WSD0103
REAR SONAR SYSTEM (RSS) (if so
equipped)
Starting and driving5-39
Push the switch on to warn other drivers
when you must stop or park under emer-
gency conditions. All turn signal lights flash.
LIC0394LTI2502
Crew Cab model
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER SWITCHFIRST AID KIT (if so equipped)
To shut off the engine in an emergency
situation while driving, perform the follow-
ing procedure:
– Rapidly push the push-button ignitionswitch three consecutive times in less
than 1.5 seconds, or
– Push and hold the push-button ignition switch for more than 2 seconds.TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with TPMS. It moni-
tors tire pressure of all tires except the
spare. When the low tire pressure warning
light is lit, and the CHECK TIRE PRES (pres-
sure) warning message is displayed in the
odometer, one or more of your tires is sig-
nificantly under-inflated. If the vehicle is be-
ing driven with low tire pressure, the TPMS
will activate and warn you of it by the low
tire pressure warning light. This system will
activate only when the vehicle is driven at
speeds above 16 mph (25 km/h). For addi-
tional information, refer to “Warning lights,
indicator lights and audible reminders” in
the “Instruments and Controls” section,
and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section
of this manual.