NISSAN FRONTIER 2012 Owner´s Manual

ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality
and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. See “Capacities
and recommended fuel/lubricants” earlier in this
section. NISSAN recommends the use of an
energy conserving oil in order to improve fuel
economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and ApprovalCommittee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label should not
be used as they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be oper-
ated before the next oil change. Choosing an oil
viscosity other than that recommended could
cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When re-
placing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals.”
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using engine oil and filters
that are not of the specified quality, or exceeding
recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
WTI0183
9-6Technical and consumer information

Your engine was filled with a high-quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil and filter changes:● repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures
● driving in dusty conditions
● extensive idling
● towing a trailer
● stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if so
equipped) REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil, NISSAN
A/C system oil Type R or the exact equiva-
lents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil will
cause severe damage to the air condition-
ing system and will require the replace-
ment of all air conditioner system
components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect the
earth’s atmosphere, certain government regula-
tions require the recovery and recycling of any
refrigerant during automotive air conditioner sys-
tem service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your air
conditioner system.
Technical and consumer information9-7

ENGINE
ModelQR25DE VQ40DE
Type Gasoline, 4-cycle, DOHC Gasoline, 4-cycle, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement 4-cylinder in-line6-cylinder, V-block, Slanted at 60°
Bore x Stroke in (mm) 3.5 x 3.9 (89.0 x 100.0)3.760 x 3.622 (95.5 x 92)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 151.82 (2,488)241.30 (3,954)
Firing order 1–3–4–21–2–3–4–5–6
Idle speed
M/T
A/T (in “N” position) See the “Emission control information label” on the underside of the hood.
Ignition timing (degree B.T.D.C. at idle
speed)
CO%atidle
Spark plug Standard PLZKAR6A-11DILFR5A-11
Spark plug gap (Nominal) in (mm) 0.043 (1.1)0.043 (1.1)
Camshaft operation Timing chainTiming chain
This spark ignition system complies with the Canadian standard ICES-002.
SPECIFICATIONS
9-8Technical and consumer information

WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheels15 x 6.5JJ
16 x 7.0JJ
18x7.5J
Tires P235/75R15
P265/70R16
P265/75R16
P265/60R18
Spare tire Full size
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Overall length Short wheel base in (mm) 205.5 (5,220)
Long wheel base in (mm) 219.4 (5,574)
Overall width in (mm) 72.8 (1,850)
Overall height With roof rack in (mm) 73.9 (1,878)
Without roof rackS and SV I-4 King cab models
(4x2) in (mm) 68.7 (1,745)
SV (4x2 and 4x4) and Pro-4X
(4x4) King cab models in (mm)
69.7 (1,770)
Crew cab models in (mm)70.1 (1,780)
Front Track in (mm)61.8 (1,570)
Rear Track in (mm)61.8 (1,570)
Wheelbase Short wheel base in (mm)125.9 (3,199)
Long wheel base in (mm)139.9 (3,554)
Gross vehicle weight rating lb (kg) See the “F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.
S.S. certification label” on the
center pillar between the
driver’s side front and rear
doors.
Gross axle weight rating
Front lb (kg)
Rear lb (kg)
Technical and consumer information9-9

When planning to drive your NISSAN ve-
hicle in another country,you should first find
out if the fuel available is suitable for your vehi-
cle’s engine.
Using fuel with an octane rating that is too low
may cause engine damage. All gasoline vehicles
must be operated with unleaded gasoline. There-
fore, avoid taking your vehicle to areas where
appropriate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district, it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle emis-
sion control and safety standards vary according
to the country, state, province or district; there-
fore, vehicle specifications may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into an-
other country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation, and registration are the responsibil-
ity of the user. NISSAN is not responsible
for any inconvenience that may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATE
The vehicle identification number (VIN) plate is
attached as shown. This number is the identifica-
tion for your vehicle and is used in the vehicle
registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(chassis number)
The vehicle identification number is located as
shown.
LTI0085LTI0086
WHEN TRAVELING OR REGISTERING
YOUR VEHICLE IN ANOTHER
COUNTRY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
9-10Technical and consumer information

ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The number is stamped on the engine as shown.
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
CERTIFICATION LABEL
The Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.) certification la-
bel is affixed as shown. This label contains valu-
able vehicle information, such as: Gross Vehicle
Weight Ratings (GVWR) , Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) , month and year of manufacture,
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) , etc. Review
it carefully.
QR25DE engine
LTI0130
VQ40DE engine
LTI0127LTI0136
Technical and consumer information9-11

EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION LABEL
The emission control information label is at-
tached to the underside of the hood as shown.
TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION
LABEL
The cold tire pressure is shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. The label is located as
shown.
AIR CONDITIONER SPECIFICATION
LABEL (if so equipped)
The air conditioner specification label is affixed as
shown.
LTI0133LTI0135LTI0206
9-12Technical and consumer information

INSTALLING FRONT LICENSE
PLATE WITH GROMMETS
Use the following steps to mount the front license
plate with grommets:1. Make holes on the plastic finisher at the location mark (small dimple) using a 0.37 in
(9.5 mm) drill. Apply light pressure to the
drill. Insert two plastic grommets provided.
Install the license plate holder using the two
bolts (and washers) provided.
2. Mount the license plate using two M6-14
mm bolts. License plate bolt tightening torque:
3.8 - 4.7 ft-lb (5.10 - 6.37 N·m)
INSTALLING FRONT LICENSE
PLATE WITHOUT GROMMETS
Use the following steps to mount the front license
plate without grommets:
1. Make a shallow hole in each plastic finisher at the location mark (small dimple) using a
0.31 in (8 mm) drill. To avoid damaging the
threads behind the finisher, apply only light
pressure to the drill.
2. Mount the license plate bracket using two 8
mm slotted hex head screws.
WARNING
● It is extremely dangerous to ride
in a cargo area inside a vehicle. In
a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be seri-
ously injured or killed.
● Do not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat
belts.
● Be sure everyone in your vehicle
is in a seat and using a seat belt
properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with
the following terms before loading your
vehicle:
● Curb Weight (actual weight of your
vehicle) - vehicle weight including:
standard and optional equipment, flu-
ids, emergency tools, and spare tire
assembly. This weight does notin-
clude passengers and cargo.
LTI0137
INSTALLING FRONT LICENSE PLATE VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
Technical and consumer information9-13

●GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight of
passengers and cargo.
● GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) - maximum total combined
weight of the unloaded vehicle, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch, trailer
tongue load and any other optional
equipment. This information is lo-
cated on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label.
● GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
maximum weight (load) limit specified
for the front or rear axle. This informa-
tion is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label.
● GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
rating) - The maximum total weight
rating of the vehicle, passengers,
cargo, and trailer. ●
Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit,
Total load capacity - maximum total
weight limit specified of the load
(passengers and cargo) for the ve-
hicle. This is the maximum combined
weight of occupants and cargo that
can be loaded into the vehicle. If the
vehicle is used to tow a trailer, the
trailer tongue weight must be in-
cluded as part of the cargo load. This
information is located on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
● Cargo capacity - permissible weight
of cargo, the subtracted weight of
occupants from the load limit.
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Before driving a loaded vehicle, confirm
that you do not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) or the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) for your vehicle.
Both the GVWR and GAWR are located
on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label. See “Measurement of weights” later
in this section. Do not exceed the load limit of your ve-
hicle shown as “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo” on the Tire and
Loading Information label. Do not exceed
the number of occupants shown as
“Seating Capacity” on the Tire and Load-
ing Information label.
To get “the combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo”, add the weight of all
occupants, then add the total luggage
weight. Examples are shown in the follow-
ing illustration.
9-14
Technical and consumer information

Steps for determining correct load
limit
1. Locate the statement “The combinedweight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX lbs or XXX
kg” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX lbs
or XXX kg.
4. The resulting figure equals the avail- able amount of cargo and luggage
load capacity. For example, if the
XXX amount equals 1,400 lbs. and
there will be five 150 lb. passengers
in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1,400-750 (5 X 150)
= 650 lbs) or (640-340 (5 X 70) =
300 kg.)
Example
LTI0152
Technical and consumer information9-15