2021 NISSAN PATHFINDER ignition

CAUTION
∙ To avoid possible damage to your ve-hicle, when stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle by
depressing the accelerator pedal. The
foot brake should be used for this
purpose.
∙ Except in an emergency, do not shif t to the N (Neutral) position while driv-
ing. Coasting with the transmission in
the N (Neutral) position may cause se-
rious damage to the transmission.
The CVT in your vehicle is electronically
controlled to produce maximum power
and smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures
for this transmission are shown on the fol-
lowing pages. Follow these procedures for
maximum vehicle performance and driv-
ing enjoyment.
Engine power may be automatically re-
duced to protect the CVT if the engine
speed increases quickly when driving on
slippery roads or while being tested on
some dynamometers.
Starting the vehicle
1. Af ter starting the engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal before moving the
shif t lever out of the P (Park) position.
This Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion is designed so that the foot
brake pedal must be depressed be-
fore shif ting from P (Park) to any driv-
ing position while the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
The shif t lever cannot be moved out
of the P (Park) position and into any
of the other positions if the ignition
switch is placed in the LOCK, OFF or
ACC position while the ready light il-
luminates.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shif t lever to a driving
position.
3. Release the parking brake and foot brake pedal and then gradually start
the vehicle in motion.

4WD shif t tips
∙ If the 4WD mode switch is operatedwhile making a turn, accelerating or de-
celerating, or if the ignition switch is
placed in the OFF position while in the
AUTO or LOCK mode, you may feel a jolt.
This is normal.
∙ The oil temperature of powertrain parts will increase if the vehicle is continu-
ously operated under conditions where
the difference between the front and
rear wheels is large (wheel slip), such as
when driving the vehicle on rough roads
through sand or mud or when freeing a
stuck vehicle. In these cases, the 4WD
mode changes to the 2WD mode to
protect the powertrain parts.
∙ Brake distance in the 4WD mode is the same as 2WD.

∙ HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NOCURB
C:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.

CAUTION
∙ Never tow CVT models with the frontwheels on the ground or four wheels
on the ground (forward or backward),
as this may cause serious and expen-
sive damage to the transmission. If it
is necessary to tow the vehicle with
the rear wheels raised always use
towing dollies under the front wheels.
∙ When towing CVT models with the rear wheels on the ground or on tow-
ing dollies:
– Place the ignition switch in the OFF position, and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
secure the steering wheel by plac-
ing the ignition switch in the LOCK
position. This may damage the
steering lock mechanism (for
models with a steering lock
mechanism).
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)

WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be ca-
pable of towing a trailer heavier than the
weight rating of the hitch components.
Never exceed the weight rating of the
hitch components. Doing so can cause se-
rious personal injury or property damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and
weight rating for your trailer:∙ The required hitch ball size is stamped on most trailer couplers. Most hitch
balls also have the size printed on the
top of the ball.
∙ Choose the proper class hitch ball based on the trailer weight.
∙ The diameter of the threaded shank of the hitch ball must be matched to the
ball mount hole diameter. The hitch ball
shank should be no more than 1/16”
smaller than the hole in the ball mount.
∙ The threaded shank of the hitch ball must be long enough to be properly
secured to the ball mount. There should
be at least 2 threads showing beyond
the lock washer and nut.
Ball mount
The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount
and the ball mount is inserted into the
hitch receiver. Choose a proper class ball
mount based on the trailer weight. Addi-
tionally, the ball mount should be chosen to
keep the trailer tongue level with the
ground.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball
mount is one that is designed to carry the
whole amount of tongue weight and gross
weight directly on the ball mount and on
the receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-
leveling” or “equalizing” hitch. A set of bars
attach to the ball mount and to the trailer
to distribute the tongue weight (hitch
weight) of your trailer. Many vehicles can’t
carry the full tongue weight of a given
trailer, and need some of the tongue
weight transferred through the frame and
pushing down on the front wheels. This
gives stability to the tow vehicle. A weight-distributing hitch system (Class
IV) is recommended if you plan to tow trail-
ers with a maximum weight over 5,000 lbs.
(2,268 kg). Check with the trailer and towing
equipment manufacturers to determine if
they recommend the use of a weight-
distributing hitch system.
NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may
affect the operation of trailer surge
brakes. If you are considering use of a
weight-distributing hitch system with a
surge brake-equipped trailer, check with
the surge brake, hitch or trailer manufac-
turer to determine if and how this can be
done.
Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the
weight-distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level sur- face. With the ignition on and the doors
closed, allow the vehicle to stand for
several minutes so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the
center of the vehicle.
10-22Technical and consumer information

∙ 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.

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