warning light NISSAN FRONTIER 2009 Owner´s Manual

This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
cThe Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a
sophisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces. Remem-
ber that stopping distances on slippery
surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if you
are using tire chains. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you. Ultimately, the driver is respon-
sible for safety.
cTire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.– When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Tire and
Loading Information label” in the
“Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
– For detailed information, see
“Wheels and tires” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip-
pery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6MPH(5
- 10 km/h) .
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When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the system electronically
controls the pressure applied to each brake.
This action is similar to pumping the brakes very
quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or
feel a vibration from the actuator when it is oper-
ating. This is normal and indicates that the ABS is
operating properly. However, the pulsation may
indicate that road conditions are hazardous and
extra care is required while driving.cABLS is a form of traction control using
sensors from the Anti-lock Brake System
(ABS) to transfer power from a slipping drive
wheel to a wheel with more traction. The
ABLS system applies braking to the slipping
wheel, which helps redirect power to an-
other wheel.
cOn 4WD models the ABLS system operates
in both 4H and 4LO modes. If 4WD mode is
engaged, the ABLS system will operate for
both drive axles. On 2WD vehicles, the
ABLS system operates on the drive axle
only.
cThe ABLS system is always ON unless the
system detects brake pad overheating. If
high brake pad temperature is detected, it
will turn OFF, but normal brake function will
continue. ABLS will function even when the
VDC system is turned OFF.
WARNING
The ABLS system provides increased trac-
tion, but will not prevent accidents due to
abrupt steering operation or by careless
driving or dangerous driving practices.
Reduce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering on
slippery surfaces, and always drive
carefully.The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system uses
various sensors to monitor driver inputs and ve-
hicle motion. Under certain driving situations, the
system will control braking and engine output to
help keep the vehicle on its steered path.
cWhen the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system is operating, the SLIP indicator in the
instrument panel blinks.
cIf the 4WD transfer case is shifted into 4LO
the
indicator light will come on and
the VDC system will be turned off. See
“Transfer case shifting procedures” earlier in
this section.
cIf the SLIP indicator blinks, the road condi-
tions may be slippery. Be sure to adjust your
speed and driving to these conditions. See
“Slip indicator light”, and “Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off indicator light” in the “In-
struments and controls” section.
If the battery is removed or discharged, the trac-
tion control system may be disabled and the
SLIPand
indicator lights will not turn off
after 2 seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the ON position. Perform the following proce-
dure to reset the system:
cStart the engine and set the steering wheel
in the straight forward position.
ACTIVE BRAKE LIMITED SLIP (ABLS)
SYSTEMVEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM (if so equipped)
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cDrive the vehicle at speeds above 10 mph
(15 km/h) for at least 10 minutes.
cThe VDC OFF indicator light should go off
indicating the traction control system is op-
erational.
cIf you interrupt the reset procedure by turn-
ing the ignition off, you will need to restart
the reset procedure.
If after driving the vehicle for more than 10 min-
utes and theSLIPand
lights remain illumi-
nated in the instrument panel, have the Vehicle
Dynamic Control system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
If the vehicle is operated with the Vehicle Dy-
namic Control system off using the VDC OFF
switch, most VDC and Traction Control System
(TCS) functions will be turned off. TheSLIP
indicator will flash if wheel spin is detected. The
ABS will still operate with the VDC system off.
When the VDC system is operating, you may feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or
vibration from under the hood. This is not a mal-
function and indicates that the VDC system is
working properly.The computer has a built in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in reverse
at a slow speed. When the self-test occurs, you
may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in
the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of a malfunction.
WARNING
cThe Vehicle Dynamic Control system is
designed to help improve driving stabil-
ity 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
driving and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
cDo not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not NISSAN
approved for your vehicle or are ex-
tremely deteriorated the Vehicle Dy-
namic Control system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect ve-
hicle handling performance, and the
VDC OFF indicator light may come on.cIf brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not stan-
dard equipment or are extremely dete-
riorated, the Vehicle Dynamic Control
system may not operate properly and
the Vehicle Dynamic Control OFF indi-
cator light may come on.
cIf engine related parts such as muffler
are not standard equipment or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the “VDC OFF” in-
dicator or “SLIP” indicator or both indi-
cator lights may illuminate.
cWhen driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the Vehicle Dynamic Control system
may not operate properly and the VDC
OFF indicator light may come on. Do
not drive on these types of roads.
cWhen driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the Vehicle Dynamic Control off
indicator light may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
after driving onto a stable surface.
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cIf wheels or tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the Vehicle Dy-
namic Control system may not operate
properly and the Vehicle Dynamic Con-
trol off indicator light may come on.
cThe Vehicle Dynamic Control system is
not a substitute for winter tires or tire
chains on a snow covered road.WARNING
cNever 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 descent control sys-
tem and decelerate the vehicle speed
by depressing the brake pedal if neces-
sary. Be especially careful when driving
on frozen, muddy or an extremely steep
downhill roads. Failure to control ve-
hicle speed may result in a loss of con-
trol of the vehicle and possible serious
injury or death.
cThe hill descent control may not control
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 re-
sult 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 downhill grades. Hill
descent control is useful when engine braking
alone in 4H or 4L cannot control vehicle speed.
Hill descent control applies the vehicle brakes to
control vehicle speed allowing the driver to con-centrate on steering while reducing the burden of
brake and accelerator operation.
cWhen additional braking is required on
steep downhill roads activate the hill de-
scent control system by pushing the switch
ON, see “Hill descent control switch” in the
“Instruments and controls” section.
cOnce the system is activated the indicator
light will remain on in the instrument panel,
see “Hill descent control system on indicator
light” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion.
If the accelerator or brake pedal is depressed
while the hill descent control system 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 control switch
should be ON and the selector lever in 2 (Second
gear) or 1 (Low gear) for engine braking.
HILL DESCENT CONTROL SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
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TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) . It monitors tire pres-
sure of all tires except the spare. When the low
tire pressure warning light is lit, one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated. If the
vehicle is being driven with low tire pressure, the
TPMS will activate and warn you of it by the low
tire pressure warning light. This system will acti-
vate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds
above 16 MPH (25 km/h) . For more details, refer
to “Warning/indicator lights and audible remind-
ers” in the “Instruments and controls” section,
and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)”
in the “Starting and driving” section.
WARNING
cIf the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates while driving, avoid sudden
steering maneuvers or abrupt braking,
reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road
to a safe location and stop the vehicle
as soon as possible. Driving with under-
inflated tires may permanently damage
the tires and increase the likelihood of
tire failure. Serious vehicle damage
could occur and may lead to an acci-
dent and could result in serious per-
sonal injury. Check the tire pressure for
all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label to turn the low tire pressure
warning light OFF. If you have a flat tire,
replace it with a spare tire as soon as
possible.
cWhen a spare tire is mounted or a wheel
is replaced, the TPMS will not function
and the low tire pressure warning light
will flash for approximately 1 minute.
The light will remain on after 1 minute.
Contact your NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/or
system resetting.cReplacing tires with those not originally
specified by NISSAN could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS.
cDo not inject any tire liquid or aerosol
tire sealant into the tires, as this may
cause a malfunction of the tire pressure
sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions be-
low.
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and
away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking
brake. Shift the manual transmission into R
(Reverse) , or the automatic transmission
into P (Park) .
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to
signal professional road assistance person-
nel that you need assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle
and stand in a safe place, away from traffic
and clear of the vehicle.
FLAT TIRE
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WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage to
the charging system and cause personal
injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries near each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply the parking brake. Move the shift se-
lector to N (Neutral) (manual transmission)
or to P (Park) (automatic transmission) .
Switch off all unnecessary electrical sys-tems (lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.) .
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped) . Cover the battery with an old
cloth to reduce explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence il-
lustrated (
sA,sB,sC,sD).
CAUTION
cAlways connect positive (1) to positive
(1) and negative (2) to body ground (for
example, strut mounting bolt, engine
lift bracket, etc.) — not to the battery.cMake sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine com-
partment and that the cable clamps do
not contact any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and
let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster ve-
hicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start the en-
gine of the vehicle being jump started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine does
not start right away, turn the key off and
wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying again.
7. After starting the engine, carefully discon-
nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped) . Be
sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover
the vent holes as it may be contaminated
with corrosive acid.
WCE0066
6-10In case of emergency
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Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimesMake sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MIN and MAX lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.Engine drive belts*Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust systemMake sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. See the
carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaksCheck under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
Power steering fluid level* and linesCheck
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hosesCheck the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
UnderbodyThe underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield washer fluid*Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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CAUTION
cDO NOT OVERFILL.
cRecommended fluid is Genuine
NISSAN PSF or equivalent.For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
cUse only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake and clutch
systems. The use of improper fluids can
damage the brake and clutch system
and affect the vehicle’s stopping ability.
cClean the filler cap before removing.
cBrake and clutch fluid is poisonous and
should be stored carefully in marked
containers out of reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water.
BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid level is below the MIN line or the brake
warning light comes on, addDOT 3brake fluid up
to the MAX line. If fluid must be added frequently,
the system should be checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
LDI0463
BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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CLUTCH FLUID
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmissions only) . If the fluid level is
below the MIN line, add Genuine NISSAN Super
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT 3fluid
up to the MAX line. If fluid must be added fre-
quently, the system should be checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir periodically.
Add window washer fluid when the low window
washer fluid warning light comes on.
To fill the window washer fluid reservoir, lift the
cap off the reservoir tank and pour the window
washer fluid into the tank opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for the mixture ratio.Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of win-
dow washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN Wind-
shield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
cDo not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
cDo not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.
cPre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank.
Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concen-
trate and water.
LDI0463LDI0441
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
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6. Return the wiper to its original position and
release it until it has made contact with the
windshield. Do not Throw the wiper blade
away.
CAUTION
cAfter wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when the
hood is opened.
cMake sure the wiper blades contact the
glass; otherwise the arms may be dam-
aged from wind pressure.
If you wax the surface of the hood, be careful not
to let wax get into the washer nozzle
sA. This may
cause clogging or improper windshield washer
operation. If wax gets into the nozzle, remove it
with a needle or small pin
sB.If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear disc-type brakes self-adjust
every time the brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake system
check if the brake pedal height does not
return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, a high pitched scraping or screech-
ing sound will be heard when the vehicle is in
motion. The noise will be heard whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.
WDI0595
BRAKES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-23
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