steering NISSAN FRONTIER 1996 D22 / 1.G Owners Manual

2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key ..................................................................... 2-2
Door locks .......................................................... 2-2
Hood release ...................................................... 2-4
Glove box lock (If so equipped) ......................... 2-4
Fuel filler cap ...................................................... 2-5
Tailgate latch ...................................................... 2-5
Tie down hook .................................................... 2-7
Front separate seats ............................................ 2-8
Bench seat ....................................................... 2-10
Jump seat ......................................................... 2-11
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) ........................ 2-12
Supplemental air bag system ........................... 2-13
Warning labels .................................................. 2-15
Supplemental air bag warning light .................. 2-15
Seat belts ......................................................... 2-17
Child restraints for infants and small children .. 2-22
Tilting steering wheel (If so equipped) ............. 2-26
Outside mirror remote control (If so equipped) . 2-26
Outside mirrors ................................................. 2-26
Inside mirror ..................................................... 2-27
Vanity mirror (If so equipped) .......................... 2-27
ZX

This Supplemental Restraint System sec-
tion contains important information concern-
ing the driver supplemental air bag. The
Supplemental Restraint System Air Bag can
help reduce impact force to the driver in
certain frontal collisions. The supplemental
air bag is designed tosupplementthe
crash protection provided by the seat belt
and isnot a substitutefor it. The seat belt
should always be correctly worn and the
driver seated a suitable distance from the
steering wheel. (See ``Seat belts'' later in
this section for instructions and precautions
on seat belt usage.)
The supplemental air bag operates only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
The supplemental air bag ordinarily will
not inflate in the event of a side impact,
rear impact, roll over, or lower severity
frontal collision; so always wear your
seat belts to help reduce the risk or
severity of injury in various kinds of
accidents.
WARNING
The seat belts and the supplemental air
bag are most effective when you are
sitting back and upright in the seat.
Supplemental air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways or out
of position in any way, you are at
greater risk of injury or death in a crash
and may also receive serious or fatal
injuries from the supplemental air bag
if you are up against it when it inflates.
Always sit back against the seatback
and use the seatbelts.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SUPPLEMENTAL AIR
BAG SYSTEM)
2-12
ZX

The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. There is no
supplemental air bag on the passenger side.
The supplemental air bag system is designed
to inflate in higher severity frontal collisions,
although it may inflate if the forces in another
type of collision are similar to those of a higher
severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or
lack of it) is not always an indication of proper
supplemental air bag operation.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
the release of smoke. This smoke is notharmful and does not indicate a fire, but
care should be taken not to unintentionally
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of breathing
trouble should get fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bag, along with the
use of the seat belt, helps to cushion the
impact force on the face and chest of the
occupant. They can help save lives and
reduce serious injuries. However, an inflat-
ing supplemental air bag may cause facial
abrasions or other injuries. A supplemental
air bag does not provide restraint to the
lower body.The seat belt should be correctly worn and
the driver seated upright as far as practical
away from the steering wheel. Since the
supplemental air bag inflates quickly in or-
der to help protect the occupant, the force of
the supplemental air bag inflating can in-
crease the risk of injury if the occupant is too
close to or against the supplemental air bag
module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag deflates quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bag operates only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the supplemental air bag system.
This is to prevent accidental inflation
of the supplemental air bag or dam-
age to the supplemental air bag
system.
APD0708
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
2-13
ZX

cTampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel by
placing material over the steering
wheel pad or by installing additional
trim material around the supplemen-
tal air bag system.
cDo not attach any objects to the
steering wheel pad. Also, do not
place any objects between any occu-
pant and the steering wheel. Such
objects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and cause injury if the
supplemental air bag inflates.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. The yellow SRS wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.cSRS wiring harnesses are covered
with yellow insulation either just be-
fore the harness connectors or over
the complete harness for easy iden-
tification.
2-14
ZX

Tilt operation
Push the lock lever down and adjust the
steering wheel up or down to the desired
position.
Pull the lock lever up firmly to lock the
steering wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving.Push the right or left side of the switch to
adjust the right or left side mirror, then
control the lever.
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear.
Folding outside mirror
Push the mirror backward to fold it.
APD0700SIC0054IC0266M
TILTING STEERING WHEEL
(If so equipped)OUTSIDE MIRROR REMOTE
CONTROL (If so equipped)OUTSIDE MIRRORS
2-26
ZX

reduce the three-way catalyst's ability
to help reduce exhaust pollutants.
cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the converter, causing it
to overheat. Do not keep driving if the
engine misfires, or if noticeable loss
of performance or other unusual op-
erating conditions are detected. Have
the vehicle inspected promptly by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the three-way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warming
it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD
DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have higher ground clear-
ance than passenger cars in order to make
them capable of performing in a wide variety
of off-road applications. Specific designcharacteristics give them a higher center of
gravity than ordinary cars. Higher ground
clearance provides a better view of the
road, allowing you to anticipate problems.
Utility vehicles are not designed for corner-
ing at the same speeds as conventional
2-wheel drive vehicles any more than low-
slung sports cars are designed to perform
satisfactorily under off-road conditions. If at
all possible, avoid sharp turns or abrupt
maneuvers. As with other vehicles of this
type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover.
Avoiding Collision and Rollover
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner may result in loss of control
or an accident. Be alert and drive defen-
sively at all times. Obey all traffic regula-
tions. Avoid excessive speed, high speed
cornering, or sudden steering maneuvers,
because these driving practices could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle.As
with any vehicle, a loss of control could
result in a collision with other vehicles or
objects, or cause the vehicle to roll over,
particularly if the loss of control causes
the vehicle to slide sideways.Be attentiveat all times, and avoid driving when tired.
Never drive when under the influence of
alcohol or drugs (including prescription or
over-the-counter drugs which may cause
drowsiness). Always wear your seat belt as
outlined in the ``Seat Belts'' section of this
manual, and instruct your passengers to do
the same.
4-3
ZX

WARNING
Alcohol in the blood stream reduces
coordination, delays reaction time and
impairs judgement. Driving after drink-
ing alcohol increases the likelihood of
being involved in an accident injuring
yourself and others. Additionally, if you
are injured in the accident alcohol can
increase the severity of injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under
the influence of alcohol. Every year thou-
sands of people are injured or killed in
alcohol related accidents. Although the local
laws vary on what is considered to be
legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most
people underestimate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don't mix!
And that's true for drugs, too (over the
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs).
Don't drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or
some other physical condition.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The switch includes an anti-theft steering
lock device.
The key can only be removed when the
switch is in the LOCK position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the
ignition key to LOCK from ACC or ON, turn
the key to OFF and press in the key release
button, then turn the key to LOCK.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
On automatic transmission models, the ig-
nition lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to LOCK and removed until the shift
lever is moved to the P position.
When removing the key from the ignition,
make sure the shift lever is in the P position.
When the key cannot be turned to the LOCK
position, proceed as follows to remove the
key:
1) Move the shift lever into the P position.
ASD0700ASD0023
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVINGIGNITION SWITCH
4-4
ZX

2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ON
direction.
3) Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
The shift lever is designed so it cannot be
moved out of P and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is turned to
OFF or if the key is removed from the
switch.The shift lever can be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ACC position.
The shift lever can also be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ON position and
the foot brake pedal is depressed.
WARNING
cTo lock the steering wheel, remove
the key. To unlock the steering
wheel, insert the key and turn it gen-
tly while rotating the steering wheel
slightly right and left.
cNever remove the key while driving.
If the key is removed, the steering
wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle
and could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Key positions
LOCK Normal parking position (0)
OFF (Manual transmission model) (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel. When removing the key
from the key cylinder, push the key release
button at this position and turn the key to
LOCK.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
ON (Normal operating position) (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position starts the engine. As soon as
the engine has started, release the key. It
automatically returns to the ON position.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake and clutch fluid, and win-
dow washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible, at least whenever you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
4-5
ZX

Your NISSAN is designed for both normal
and off-road use. It has a higher ground
clearance and a narrower track to make it
suitable for off-road use. These characteris-
tics give the vehicle a higher center of
gravity than ordinary passenger cars. An
advantage of the higher ground clearance is
a better view of your surroundings, allowing
you to anticipate problems. However, avoid
driving in deep water or mud as your NIS-
SAN is mainly designed for leisure use,
unlike a conventional off-road vehicle.
Please observe the following precautions:
CAUTION
cDrive carefully when off the road and
avoid dangerous areas. Always wear
your seat belts to help keep you and
your passengers in position when
driving over rough terrain.
cDo not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
backward.cMany hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you
may not be able to control your
speed. If you drive across them, you
may roll over.
cStay alert when driving to the top of
a hill. At the top there could be a
drop-off or other hazard that could
cause an accident.
cIf your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in reverse gear.
Never back down in neutral (N) or
with the clutch depressed, using
only the brake, as this could cause
loss of control.
c
Heavy braking going down a hill could
cause your brakes to overheat and
fade, resulting in loss of control and
an accident. Apply brakes lightly and
use a low gear to control your speed.
cIf at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN 4-wheel drive
vehicle has a higher center of gravitythan a 2-wheel drive vehicle and can
tip over more easily. The vehicle is
not designed for cornering at the
same speeds as conventional
2-wheel drive vehicles any more
than low-slung sports cars are de-
signed to perform satisfactorily un-
der off-road conditions. Failure to
operate this vehicle correctly could
result in loss of control and/or a
rollover accident.
cUnsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure it so that it will
not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
cAvoid raising the center of gravity by
loading things on the roof or equip-
ping the vehicle with tires larger than
specified in this manual. This could
cause your vehicle to roll over. Put
heavy loads in the cargo area as far
forward and as low as possible.
cDo not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-
road. The steering wheel could jerk
and injure your hands. Instead drive
with your fingers and thumbs on the
outside of the rim.
DRIVING YOUR
4-WHEEL DRIVE SAFELY
4-22
ZX

cBefore operating vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
cAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become very
hot. Particular care should be taken
if you are barefoot.
cLower your speed when encounter-
ing strong crosswinds. With its
higher center of gravity, your NIS-
SAN is more affected by gusty side
winds. Slower speeds ensure better
vehicle control.
cDo not drive beyond the perfor-
mance of the tires even with 4WD.
Sudden acceleration, steering or
braking may cause loss of control or
the vehicle to stick in the road.
cInstall the same size of winter tires
on all four (4) wheels (such as stud-
less tires) or install tire chains to the
rear wheels when driving on slippery
roads (e.g., after a snow) and drive
carefully using 4WD.
cBe sure to check the brakes immedi-
ately after driving in mud or water as
specified in ``Wet brakes'' under theheading ``Precautions when driv-
ing'', later in this section.
cWhenever you drive off-road
through sand, mud or water as deep
as the wheel hub, more frequent
maintenance may be required. For
details, refer to ``Maintenance for off-
road driving in the ``Maintenance
schedule'' section.
cAvoid parking your vehicle on steep
hills. If you get out of the vehicle and
it rolls forward, backward or side-
ways, you could be injured.CAUTION
Always use tires of the same size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted
or radial), and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires
on the front and rear axles which will
cause excessive tire wear and may
damage the transmission, transfer
case and differential gears.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with
tires of the same size, brand, construction
and tread pattern. The tire pressure and
wheel alignment should also be checked
and corrected as necessary. Contact your
NISSAN dealer.
Snow tires
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and
tread pattern on all four wheels.
CAUTION
ONLY use spare tires specified for each
4-wheel drive model.
TIRES OF 4-WHEEL
DRIVE
4-23
ZX