5-124Starting and driving
.Keep your engine tuned up.
. Follow the recommended scheduled
maintenance.
. Keep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases
tire wear and lowers fuel economy.
. Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
. Use the recommended viscosity en-
gine oil. (See “Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation” (P.10-6).)
WARNING
.Do not attempt to raise two
wheels off the ground and shift
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
dynamometer or similar equip-
ment even if the other two
wheels are raised off the ground.
Make sure you inform test facility
personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with 4WD before it is
placed on a dynamometer. Using
the wrong test equipment may
result in drivetrain damage or
unexpected vehicle movement
which could result in serious ve-
hicle damage or personal injury.
CAUTION
.Do not drive the vehicle in the 4HI
or 4LO position on dry hard sur-
face roads. Driving on dry, hard
surfaces in 4HI or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise, tire wear and
increased fuel consumption.
If the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
warning light turns on when driv-
ing on dry hard surface roads:
— in the 4HI position, shift the
4WD shift switch to AUTO.
— in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle and shift the transmis-
sion lever to the N (Neutral)
position with the brake pedal
depressed and shift the 4WD
shift switch to AUTO.
If the 4WD warning light is still
on after the above operation,
have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
. The transfer case may be da-
maged if you continue driving
with the 4WD warning light blink-
ing.
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMYNISSAN ALL-MODE 4WD® (if so equipped)
5-128Starting and driving
The 4WD shift switch is used to select the
4WD mode depending on the driving
conditions. There are 3 types of drive
modes available, AUTO, 4HI and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically con-
trols the transfer case operation. Rotate
the switch to move between each mode,
AUTO, 4H and 4L.
You must depress the 4WD shift switch
to select 4L, and the vehicle MUST be
stationary and the shift lever in the N
(Neutral) position when changing into
or out of 4L.
WARNING
.When parking, apply the parking
brake before stopping the engine
and make sure that the 4WD shift
indicator is on and the ATP warn-
ing light turns off. Otherwise, the
vehicle could unexpectedly move
even if the automatic transmis-
sion is in the P (Park) position.
. The 4LO and 4HI indicators must
stop blinking and the 4LO or 4HI
indicator must remain illumi-
nated or turn off before shifting
the transmission into gear. If the
shift lever is shifted from the N
(Neutral) position to any other gear while the 4LO and 4HI in-
dicators are blinking alternately,
the vehicle may move unexpect-
edly.
CAUTION
.
Never shift the 4WD shift switch
between 4L and 4H while driving.
. The 4HI position provides greater
traction. Avoid excessive speed,
as it will cause increased fuel
consumption and higher oil tem-
peratures, and could damage dri-
vetrain component. Speeds over
62 MPH (100 km/h) in 4HI is not
recommended.
. The 4LO position provides max-
imum traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the
maximum speed is approxi-
mately 31 MPH (50 km/h).
. When driving straight, shift the
4WD shift switch to the AUTO or
4H position. Do not move the 4WD
shift switch when making a turn
or reversing.
. Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
(between AUTO and 4H) while
driving on steep downhill grades. Use the engine brake and low
automatic transmission gears
for engine braking.
. Do not operate the 4WD shift
switch (between AUTO and 4H)
with the rear wheels spinning.
. Do not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4HI or 4LO position.
Driving on dry hard surfaces in
4HI or 4LO may cause unneces-
sary noise and tire wear. NISSAN
recommends driving in the AUTO
position under these conditions.
. The 4WD transfer case may not
be shifted between 4HI and 4LO
at low ambient temperatures and
the 4LO and 4HI indicators may
blink even when the 4WD shift
switch is shifted. After driving for
a while you can change the 4WD
shift switch between 4H and 4L.
When driving on rough roads,
. Drive carefully according to the road
surface conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck,
. Place stones or wooden blocks under
the tires to free the vehicle.
. Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4L.
5-130Starting and driving
.Never shift the 4WD shift switch
between 4L and 4H while driving.
. Engine idling speed is high while
warming up the engine. Be espe-
cially careful when starting or
driving on slippery surfaces with
the 4WD shift switch in AUTO.
SSD1058
4WD shift indicator
4WD SHIFT INDICATOR
The 4WD shift indicator is displayed in the
vehicle information display.
The indicator should turn off within 1
second after placing the ignition switch
in the ON position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator will illuminate the position se-
lected by the 4WD shift switch. (See the
4WD shift procedure list shown in the
“NISSAN all-mode 4WD® system” (P.5-125).)
.The 4WD shift indicator may blink
while shifting from one drive mode
to the other. When the shifting is
completed, the 4WD shift indicator will come on. If the indicator does
not come on immediately, make
sure the area around the vehicle is
safe, and drive the vehicle straight,
accelerate or decelerate or move the
vehicle in reverse, then shift the 4WD
shift switch.
. If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shift indicator turns off.
4WD WARNING LIGHT
Warning light Comes on or
blinks when:
Illuminates There is a mal-
function in the 4WD system
Blinks ra- pidly The transfer
case oil tem-
perature is ab- normally high
Blinks slowly The difference
in wheel rota- tion is large
The 4WD warning light is located in the
meter.
The 4WD warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position. It turns off soon after the engine
is started.
If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD
system when the ignition switch is placed
in the ON position, the 4WD warning light
will either remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the
4WD shift indicator turns off.
High-temperature transfer case oil makes
the 4WD warning light blink rapidly (about
twice per second). If the warning light
blinks rapidly during operation, stop the
vehicle in a safe place immediately. Then
if the light turns off after a while, you can
continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters
of front and rear wheels will make the
4WD warning light blink slowly (about
once per two seconds). Change the 4WD
shift switch to AUTO and do not drive fast.
CAUTION
.If the 4WD warning light comes
on or blinks slowly during opera-
tion or rapidly after stopping the
vehicle for a while, have your
vehicle checked as soon as pos-
sible. It is recommended you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service.
. Shifting between 4HI and 4LO is
not recommended when the 4WD
warning light turns on.
. When the 4WD warning light
comes on, the 2WD mode may be engaged even if the 4WD shift
switch is in AUTO or 4H. Be
especially careful when driving. If
corresponding parts are malfunc-
tioning, the 4WD mode will not be
engaged even if the 4WD shift
switch is shifted.
. Do not drive the vehicle in the 4HI
or 4LO position on dry hard sur-
face roads. Driving on dry, hard
surfaces in 4HI or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise, tire wear and
increased fuel consumption.
If the 4WD warning light turns on
when driving on dry hard surface
roads:
— in the AUTO or 4HI position,
shift the 4WD shift switch to
AUTO.
— in the 4LO position, stop the vehicle and shift the transmis-
sion shift lever to the N (Neu-
tral) position and shift the
4WD shift switch to AUTO.
. If the 4WD warning light is still on
after the above operation, have
your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service. .
The transfer case may be da-
maged if you continue driving
with the warning light blinking.
Starting and driving5-131
6-10In case of emergency
ignition switch ON/OFF one time.
SCE0910
Installing the spare tire
The full-size temporary use only spare
tire (if so equipped) is designed for
emergency use. (See specific instruc-
tions under the heading “Wheels and
tires” (P.8-28).)
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the sur-face between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten the wheel nuts finger tight.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel nuts alternately and evenly in
the sequence illustrated (
,,,,,) until they are tight. 4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the
wheel nut wrench, tighten the wheel
nuts securely in the sequence as
illustrated. Lower the vehicle comple-
tely.
WARNING
.Incorrect wheel nuts or impro-
perly tightened wheel nuts can
cause the wheel to become loose
or come off. This could cause an
accident.
. Do not use oil or grease on the
wheel studs or nuts. This could
cause the nuts to become loose.
. Retighten the wheel nuts when
the vehicle has been driven for
600 miles (1,000 km) (also in
cases of a flat tire, etc.).
.As soon as possible, tighten the
wheel nuts to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque: 98 ft-lb (133 N·m)
The wheel nuts must be kept
tightened to specification at all
times. It is recommended that
wheel nuts be tightened to speci-
ing on a base coat/clear coat paint finish
may dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possi-
ble from the paint surface to avoid lasting
damage or staining. Special cleaning
products are available at a NISSAN dealer
or any automotive accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter,
the underbody must be cleaned regularly.
This will prevent dirt and salt from build-
ing up and causing the acceleration of
corrosion on the underbody and suspen-
sion. Before the winter period and again
in the spring, the underseal must be
checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and
dust film from the glass surfaces. It is
normal for glass to become coated with a
film after the vehicle is parked in the hot
sun. Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will
easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the
windows, do not use sharp-edged
tools, abrasive cleaners or chlorine-
based disinfectant cleaners. They
could damage the electrical conduc-
tors, radio antenna elements or rear
window defroster elements.
WHEELS
Wash the wheels when washing the
vehicle to maintain their appearance.
.Clean the inner side of the wheels
when the wheel is changed or the
underside of the vehicle is washed.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents
or corrosion. Such damage may cause
loss of pressure or poor seal at the tire
bead.
. NISSAN recommends that the road
wheels be waxed to protect against
road salt in areas where it is used
during winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
Aluminum alloy wheels
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened
in a mild soap solution, especially during
winter months in areas where road salt is
used. Salt could discolor the wheels if not
removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.Do not use a cleaner that uses
strong acid or alkali contents to
clean the wheels.
. Do not apply wheel cleaners to
the wheels when they are hot.
The wheel temperature should be
the same as ambient tempera-
ture.
. Rinse the wheel to completely
remove the cleaner within 15
minutes after the cleaner is ap-
plied.
Appearance and care7-3
7-4Appearance and care
Bright wheels (if so equipped)
The bright wheels use a different coating
process than typical aluminum alloy
wheel and they are not plated wheels.
These wheels are clear-coated and re-
quire the following special cleaning. They
should be regularly washed with a soft
sponge soaked in a lot of water. After
washing with water, wipe clean with a
dry, soft cloth and dry completely. When
there is chemical or tire wax, or dirt such
as an antifreeze agent on the surface,
wash them with water as soon as possi-
ble.
CAUTION
.The surfaces of the wheels use a
different coating process than
typical aluminum alloy wheels.
Do not use aluminum alloy wheel
cleaners or abrasive cleaners to
clean the wheels. Using such
cleaners could damage the wheel
surfaces.
. Do not use an automatic car wash
if the vehicle is equipped with
bright wheels. The wheel coating
may be damaged.
. Do not use a brush to wash the
wheels if the vehicle is equipped with bright wheels. The wheel
coating may be damaged.
CHROME PARTS
Clean chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the
finish.
TIRE DRESSING
NISSAN does not recommend the use of
tire dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a
coating to the tires to help reduce dis-
coloration of the rubber. If a tire dressing
is applied to the tires, it may react with
the coating and form a compound. This
compound may come off the tire while
driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take
the following precautions:
.
Use a water-based tire dressing. The
coating on the tire dissolves more
easily with an oil-based tire dressing.
. Apply a light coat of tire dressing to
help prevent it from entering the tire
tread/grooves (where it would be
difficult to remove).
. Wipe off excess tire dressing using a
dry towel. Make sure the tire dressing
is completely removed from the tire
tread/grooves. .
Allow the tire dressing to dry as
recommended by tire dressing manu-
facturer.
Occasionally remove loose dust from the
interior trim, plastic parts and seats using
a vacuum cleaner or soft bristled brush.
Wipe the vinyl and leather surfaces with a
clean, soft cloth dampened in mild soap
solution, then wipe clean with a dry soft
cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in
order to maintain the appearance of the
leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read
the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Some fabric protectors contain chemicals
that may stain or bleach the seat materi-
al.
Use a cloth dampened only with water, to
clean the meter and gauge lens.
WARNING
Do not use water or acidic cleaners
(hot steam cleaners) on the seat. This
can damage the seat or occupant
classification sensors. This can also
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious perso-
nal injury.
CAUTION
.Never use benzine, thinner, or any
similar material.
. For cleaning, use a soft cloth,
dampened with water. Never use
a rough cloth, alcohol, benzine,
thinner or any kind of solvent or
paper towel with a chemical
cleaning agent. They will scratch
or cause discoloration to the lens.
. Do not spray any liquid such as
water on the meter lens. Spraying
liquid may cause the system to
malfunction.
. Small dirt particles can be abra-
sive and damaging to the leather
surfaces and should be removed
promptly. Do not use saddle soap,
car waxes, polishes, oils, cleaning
fluids, solvents, detergents or
ammonia-based cleaners as they
may damage the leather’s natural
finish.
. Only use fabric protectors ap-
proved by NISSAN.
. Do not use glass or plastic cleaner
on meter or gauge lens covers. It
may damage the lens cover. .
Do not spill on or make contact
with interior surfaces while hand-
ling air fresheners, aroma agents,
cosmetics, sunscreen, etc. They
may cause permanent discolora-
tion, stain, crack, paint peeling,
etc. depending on the ingredi-
ents. If they contact the interior
surface, wipe them off immedi-
ately using a soft cloth.
. Do not use the chlorine-based
cleaning liquid such as chlorine
dioxide and hypochlorous acid,
which may cause the paint peel-
ing, corrosion, etc. If it is unavoid-
able to clean or sterilize interior
surfaces, use less than 75% etha-
nol. Wipe the interior parts with a
dry cloth dampened with ethanol.
Wipe off ethanol completely. If
you leave it uncleaned, it may
cause paint peeling, discolora-
tion, etc. Since ethanol is flam-
mable, be careful of fire.
Appearance and care7-5
CLEANING INTERIOR