2021 NISSAN PATHFINDER engine control

WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times.The VDC system uses various sensors to
monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion.
Under certain driving conditions, the VDC
system helps to perform the following
functions:
∙ Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel slip on one slipping drive wheel
so power is transferred to a non-
slipping drive wheel on the same axle.
∙ Controls brake pressure and engine output to reduce drive wheel slip based
on vehicle speed (traction control func-
tion).
∙ Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:
– Understeer (vehicle tends to not fol- low the steered path despite in-
creased steering input)
– Oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions)
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it can-
not prevent loss of vehicle control in all driv-
ing situations. When the VDC system operates, the

WARNING
∙ Never rely solely on the hill descentcontrol system to control vehicle
speed when driving on steep downhill
grades. Always drive carefully and at-
tentively when using the hill descent
control system and decelerate the ve-
hicle speed by depressing the brake
pedal if necessary. Be especially care-
ful when driving on frozen, muddy or
extremely steep downhill roads. Fail-
ure to control vehicle speed may re-
sult 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 can only be
activated when the 4WD LOCK mode is en-
gaged.
The hill descent control system helps
maintain vehicle speed when driving under
15 mph (25 km/h) on steeper downhill
grades. Hill descent control is useful when
engine braking alone cannot control ve- hicle speed. Hill descent control applies the
vehicle brakes to control vehicle speed al-
lowing the driver to concentrate on steer-
ing while reducing the burden of brake and
accelerator operation.
If the hill descent control system ON indica-
tor light is blinking, the hill descent control
is engaged; however, the hill descent con-
trol will not control the vehicle speed.
∙ Once the system is activated, the indi- cator light will remain on in the instru-
ment panel. For additional information,
refer to “Hill descent control system ON
indicator light” in the “Instruments and
controls” section of this manual.
If the accelerator or brake pedal is de-
pressed while the hill descent control sys-
tem is on, the system will stop operating
temporarily. As soon as the accelerator or
brake pedal is released, the hill descent
control system begins to function again if
the hill descent control operating condi-
tions are fulfilled.
For the best results, when descending
steep downhill grades, the hill descent con-
trol switch should be on and the shif t lever
in L (Low gear) for engine braking.

2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all thewindows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maxi-
mum hot and fan control to high
speed.
3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the
radiator before opening the hood. If
steam or coolant is escaping, turn off
the engine. Do not open the hood fur-
ther until no steam or coolant can be
seen.
4. Open the engine hood.

∙ Avoid holding the brake pedal down toolong or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
∙ Increase your following distance to al- low for greater stopping distances
while towing a trailer. Anticipate stops
and brake gradually.
∙ NISSAN recommends that the cruise control not be used while towing a
trailer.
∙ Some states or provinces have specific regulations and speed limits for ve-
hicles that are towing trailers. Obey the
local speed limits.
∙ Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
af ter 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
∙ When launching a boat, don’t allow the water level to go over the exhaust tail
pipe or rear bumper.
∙ Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights before backing the trailer into the
water or the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, refer
to the “Do-it-yourself ” section in this
manual.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when
pulling a heavy trailer or hauling a heavy
load. Push the TOW MODE switch to acti-
vate tow mode. Push the TOW MODE
switch again to turn tow mode off. Tow
mode is automatically canceled when the
ignition switch is turned off.
Tow mode includes the following features:
∙ Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shif ts when pulling a trailer or hauling a
load up a grade.
∙ Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — auto- matically downshif ts when driving
down a grade with a trailer or heavy
load to help control vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not
cause any damage. However, fuel
economy may be reduced and the
transmission/engine driving characteris-
tics may feel unusual. When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, refer
to the “Do-it-yourself ” section of this
manual.FLAT TOWING FOR 4–WHEEL DRIVE
VEHICLE (if so equipped)
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is sometimes called flat towing.
This method is sometimes used when
towing a vehicle behind a recreational ve-
hicle, such as a motor home.

Compass.....................2-8
Console box ..................2-60
Console light ..................2-73
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .......................5-16
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) ............5-16
Controls Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-34
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant .........8-6
Checking engine coolant level ......8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Corrosionprotection..............7-7
Cruisecontrol ..............5-41,5-41
Cupholders...................2-62
D
Daytime Running Light System .......2-43
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror
defrosterswitch..............2-39
Dimensions and weights ...........10-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel . . .2-43
Door locks ....................3-5
Drivebelt ....................8-16
Drive positioner, Automatic ......3-39,3-41
Driving Coldweatherdriving...........5-80 Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
............5-16
Precautions when starting and
driving.....................5-2
Drivingthevehicle...............5-16
Dual panel moonroof .............2-69
Dual power moonroof ............2-69
E
E-CALL (SOS) SWITCH .............2-53
Economy - fuel .................5-67
Emergency engine shutoff .......5-13,6-2
Emission control information label . . . .10-11
Emission control system warranty . . . .10-31
Engine Before starting the engine ........5-15
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant .........8-6
Changing engine oil ............8-7
Changing engine oil filter .........8-7
Checking engine coolant level ......8-6
Checking engine oil level .........8-7
Engine compartment check
locations...................8-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Engine cooling system ..........8-5
Engine oil ...................8-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .............10-6
Engine oil viscosity .............10-7
Engine serial number ...........10-11
Engine specifications ...........10-8 Starting the engine
............5-15
Engine Block Heater ..............5-81
Engine coolant temperature gauge ....2-6
EventDatarecorders............10-34
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .......5-2
Explanation of maintenance items .....9-2
Explanation of scheduled maintenance
items .......................9-5
Extended storage switch ..........2-57
Eyeglasscase..................2-61
F
Flashers
(Seehazardwarningflasherswitch)....6-2
Flattire......................6-3
Floormatpositioningaid...........7-6
Fluid Brakefluid..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-11
Engine coolant ...............8-5
Engine oil ...................8-7
Powersteeringfluid............8-11
Windshield-washer fluid .........
8-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........10-11
Foglightswitch................2-44
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) . . . .1-61
Front-door pocket ..............2-58
Front power seat adjustment ........1-5
Frontseats....................1-2
11-2

FuelCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Fuel economy ...............5-67
Fuel-filler door and cap ..........3-30
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Fueloctanerating.............10-6
Fuel recommendation ..........10-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-31
Fuelefficientdrivingtips...........5-66
Fuel-filler door .................3-30
Fuel gauge ....................2-7
Fuses .......................8-21
Fusiblelinks...................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver ..........2-74,2-75,2-77,2-78
Gascap.....................3-30
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Odometer ..................2-5
Speedometer ..............2-4,2-5
Tachometer .................2-6
Trip odometer .............2-4,2-5
General maintenance .............9-2
Glovebox....................2-60
Gloveboxlock.................2-60 H
Hazard warning flasher switch ........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-40
Headlightcontrolswitch...........2-40
Headlights ...................8-25
Headrestraints.................1-12
Heated 2nd row seat switches .......2-47
Heatedseats..................2-45
Heated seat switches ............2-46
Heated steering wheel switch ....2-48,2-49
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-34
Heater operation .............4-35
Hill descent control switch .........2-50
Hill descent control system .........5-78
Hill start assist system ............5-78
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver ..........2-74,2-75,2-77,2-78
Hood .......................3-23
Hook Luggage hook ...............2-64
Horn.......................2-45
I
Ignition switch Push-button ignition switch .......5-11
Immobilizer system ...........2-35,5-14
Important vehicle information label . . . .10-11
In-cabinmicrofilter..............8-18
Increasing fuel economy ...........5-67
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) .................2 -11, 2-16Inside automatic anti-glare mirror
.....3-36
Instrument brightness control .......2-43
Instrument panel .............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch .....2-43
Intelligent 4x4 (I-4x4) .............5-67
Intelligent Around View Monitor .......4-11
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) .......5-43
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ............3-9
Key operation ................3-10
Mechanical key ...............3-3
Remote keyless entry operation ....
3-13
Troubleshooting guide ..........3-18
Warning signals ..............3-18
Interiorlight...................2-72
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-32
J
Jumpstarting..............6-10,8-16
K
Key........................ .3-2
Key fob battery replacement ........8-23
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .......3-13
Keys NISSAN Intelligent Key® ........3-2,3-7
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
keys......................3-4
11-3

L
Labels Air conditioner specification label . . .10-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label .......10-11
Emission control information label . .10-11
Engine serial number ...........10-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ........10-11
Tire and Loading Information label . .10-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) . .10-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate.....................10-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-72
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren)System............... .1-32
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) .....2-43
License plate Installing the license plate .......10-12
Liftgate .....................3-23
Liftgaterelease ................3-28
Light Airbagwarninglight........1-73, 2-16
Brakelight(Seestoplight)........8-26
Bulb check/instrument panel ......2-11
Bulb replacement .............8-26
Charge warning light ...........2-13
Console light ................2-73
ExteriorandInteriorlights........8-26
Foglights..................8-25
Foglightswitch..............2-44
Headlight and turn signal switch ....2-40
Headlightcontrolswitch.........2-40
Headlights .................8-25
Interiorlight.................2-72
Lightbulbs.................8-25 Low tire pressure warning light
.....2-13
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-31
Passenger air bag and status light. . .1-64
Personal lights ...............2-73
Security indicator light ..........2-18
Spotlights(Seemaplight)........2-73
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...............2 -11, 2-16
Lights ......................8-25 Maplights..................2-73
Lock Child safety rear door lock ........3-7
Door locks ..................3-5
Gloveboxlock...............2-60
Liftgaterelease ..............3-28
Power door locks ..............3-6
Loose fuel cap warning ............2-31
Lowfuelwarninglight.........2-15,2-30
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-13
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light........................2-31
Luggage hook .................2-64
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ........2-65
Luggage
(See vehicle loading information) .....10-13
M
Maintenance General maintenance ...........9-2
Insidethevehicle..............9-3
Maintenance precautions .........8-2
Outsidethevehicle.............9-2
Seat belt maintenance ..........1-27 Under the hood and vehicle
.......9-4
Maintenance log ................9-11
Maintenance requirements ..........9-2
Maintenance schedules ............9-7
Maintenance under severe operation
conditions....................9-10
Malfunctionindicatorlight..........2-17
Manual front seat adjustment ........1-3
Maplights....................2-73
Map pocket ...................2-58
Memory Seat ...............3-39,3-41
Meters and gauges ...............2-4
Instrument brightness control .....2-43
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror. . .3-36
Outsidemirrors ..............3-37
Rearview...................3-36
Vanitymirror................3-35
Mirrors......................3-36
Moonroof ..................2-69, 7-5
Moving Object Detection (MOD) ......4-27
N
NissanConnect® Owner's Manual ......4-2
NISS

AN Intelligent Key® ..........3-2,3-7
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System ..................2-35,5-14
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) . .10-6
Odometer ....................2-5
11-4

Seats2nd row bench seat adjustment .....1-9
Adjustment ..................1-2
Armrests...................1-10
Automatic drive positioner ....3-39,3-41
Frontseats..................1-2
Heatedseats................2-45
Manual front seat adjustment ......1-3
Security indicator light ............2-18
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), engine start ..........2-35,5-14
Security systems Vehicle security system .........2-34
Self-adjustingbrakes.............8-20
Service manual order form .........10-34
Servicing air conditioner ...........4-41
Sonar Rear system ................5-79
Spark plug replacement ...........8-17
Spark plugs ...................8-17
Specifications .................10-8
Speedometer ................2-4,2-5
Speedometer and odometer ........2-4
Spotlights(Seemaplight)..........2-73
SRS warning label ...............1-72
Standard maintenance ..........9-7,9-8
Starting Before starting the engine ........5-15
Jumpstarting............6-10,8-16
Precautions when starting and
driving .....................5-2
Push starting ................6-12
Starting the engine ............5-15
Starting the engine ..............5-15
Steering Powersteeringfluid............8-11 Powersteeringsystem..........5-72
Steering wheel .................3-33
Stoplight....................8-26
Storage.....................2-58
Storagebin...................2-64
Storagetray ..................2-59
Sunglasses case ................2-61
Sunglasses holder ...............2-61
Sunroof ...................2-69,7-5
Sunvisors....................3-34
Supplemental air bag warning labels . . .1-72
Supplemental air bag warning
light.................... .1-73, 2-16
Supplemental front impact air bag
system ..................... .1-61
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .....1-72
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ................... .1-53
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .......1-53
Switch Autolightswitch..............2-41
Automatic power window switch . . .2-68
Foglightswitch..............2-44
Hazard warning flasher switch ......6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ....2-40
Headlightcontrolswitch.........2-40
Hill descent control switch .......2-50
Instrument brightness control .....2-43
Power door lock switch ..........3-6
Powerinverterswitch ..........2-52
Rear window and outside mirror
defrosterswitch..............2-39
Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-38 Tow mode switch
.............2-53
Turn signal switch .............2-43
T
Tachometer ...................2-6
T

emperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Thef t (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
engine start ...............2-35, 5-14
Three-waycatalyst...............5-2
Tire Flattire....................6-3
Spare tire ................6-5,8-39
Tire and Loading Information label . .10-12
Tire chains .................8-35
Tire pressure ................8-28
Tirerotation ................8-36
Tires of 4-wheel drive ...........8-38
Types of tires ................8-34
Uniform tire quality grading ......10-30
Wheels and tires ..........8-28,10-9
Wheel/tire size ...............10-9
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .....2-13
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . .5-3
Toptetherstrapchildrestraint.......1-34
Towing 2-wheel drive models ...........6-15
Flattowing.............10-29,10-30
Towing load/specification .......10-20
Towtrucktowing .............6-13
Trailertowing ...............10-17
Towingatrailer................10-17
Tow mode switch ...............2-53
11-6