ECU NISSAN FRONTIER 2012 Owner´s Manual

Sway control device
Sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting
caused by other vehicles can affect trailer han-
dling. Sway control devices may be used to help
control these affects. If you choose to use one,
contact a reputable trailer hitch supplier to make
sure the sway control device will work with the
vehicle, hitch, trailer and the trailer’s brake sys-
tem. Follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer for installing and using the sway
control device.
Class I hitch
Class I trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 2,000 lb (907 kg) .
Class II hitch
Class II trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 3,500 lb (1,587 kg) .
The genuine NISSAN step bumper is considered
a Class II ball mount.
Class III hitch
Class III trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) .
Class IV hitch
Class IV trailer hitch equipment (receiver, ball
mount and hitch ball) can be used to tow trailers
of a maximum weight of 10,000 lb (4,535 kg) . A
weight distributing hitch should be used to tow
trailers that weigh over 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) .
Your vehicle may be equipped with Class IV
trailer hitch equipment that has a 10,000 lb
(4,535 kg) maximum weight rating, but your ve-
hicle is only capable of towing the maximum
trailer weights shown in the “Towing
Load/Specification” chart earlier in this section.
CAUTION
●Special hitches which include frame re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Suitable genu-
ine NISSAN hitches, ball mounts and
hitch balls for pickup trucks and sport
utility vehicles are available at a
NISSAN dealer.
● The hitch should not be attached to or
affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
● Do not use axle-mounted hitches.
● Do not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-
tem, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch. ●
To reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
receiver when not in use.
● Regularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely mounted.
Tire pressures
● When towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
● Trailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturer’s specifications.
Safety chains
Always use suitable safety chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. The safety
chains can be attached to the bumper if the hitch
ball is mounted to the bumper. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Technical and consumer information9-31

Pre-towing tips
●Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
●
Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the
trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
● When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6.
Make sure theindicator light (if so
equipped) indicates the transfer case is in 4H,
4L, or 2H and that the ATP light is off. If
the
indicator light is flashing, or the ATP
light is ON, make sure the transmission is in P
(Park) (A/T) and turn the 4WD switch to 2WD
or 4H. See “Automatic transmission park
warning light” in the “Instruments and con-
trols” section and “Using four wheel drive
(4WD)” in the “Starting and driving” section.
7. Turn off the engine.
Technical and consumer information9-33

Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from Trans-
port Canada’s Road Safety Information
Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online at
www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety (English speak-
ers) or www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere
(French speakers) .
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.
Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M
test condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for
testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g. name, gender, age and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
9-38Technical and consumer information

10 Index
4WDwarninglight...............2-17A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-34
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-64
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-71
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-78
Airbagwarninglight...........1-79,2-20
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-20
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation .......4-6,4-12
Air conditioner service ...........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-2, 4-10
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-17
Airflowcharts...............4-7,4-14
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-31
Antenna.....................4-36
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-15
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-24
Audio system ..................4-17
Compact Disc (CD) changer ....4-29,4-33
Compact disc (CD) player .........4-27 FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer
................4-29
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-25
Radio ....................4-17
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-35
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-49
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-20
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-15
Automatic door locks ..............3-5
AUXjack ....................4-34
B
Battery ......................8-16
Chargewarninglight............2-16
Before starting the engine ...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-18
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-37
Boosterseats..................1-59
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brake fluid ..................8-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-31
Brake system ................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-16 Brake wear indicators
........2-24,8-23
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-23
Brakes ......................8-23
Break-inschedule ...............5-22
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-15
Bulbreplacement................8-31
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargolightswitch ...............2-33
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-36
CDcareandcleaning .............4-35
CD changer (See audio system) ....4-29,4-33
CD player (See audio system) .........4-27
Check tire press .................2-5
Child restraints .......1-24,1-25,1-26,1-28
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-26,1-37,1-49,1-59
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-31
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-30
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes,audiblereminders...........2-24
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-26
Clutch Cl

utchfluid.................8-15

G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver....................2-54
Gascap .....................3-11
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip computer .................2-9
Trip odometer .................2-4
Voltmeter....................2-8
Generalmaintenance...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-42
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth .....4-37
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-32
Headlightandturnsignalswitch........2-28
Headlightcontrolswitch ............2-28
Headlights....................8-29
Heated seats ...................2-33
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Heater operation ............4-4,4-11
Hill descent control switch ...........2-35
Hill descent control system ...........5-36
Hill start assist system ..............5-37
HomeLink UniversalTransceiver........2-54
Hood release ...................3-10 Horn .......................2-33
I
Ignition switch ..................5-10
Immobilizer system .........2-25,3-2,5-11
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-20
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-14
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-15
Inside mirror ...................3-15
Instrument brightness control ..........2-31
Instrument panel ...............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-31
Interiorlight....................2-53
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-28
J
Jumpseat .....................1-7
Jump starting ...................6-10
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-27
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-6 L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-12
Engine serial number ............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-78
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-28
License plate Installing the license plate ..........
9
-13
Light Airbagwarninglight.........1-79, 2-20
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-15
Bulbreplacement..............8-31
Charge warning light ............2-16
Fog light switch ...............2-32
Headlightandturnsignalswitch......2-28
Headlight control switch ..........2-28
Headlights..................8-29
Interiorlight..................2-53
Lightbulbs..................8-29
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-18
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-19
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-73
Security indicator light ............2-22
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-14
Lights Maplights ..................2-54
10-3

RecordersEventdata..................9-38
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote keyless entry system ...........3-6
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-37
Roof rack .....................2-46
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Child seat belts .....1-26,1-37,1-49,1-59
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-37
Seat Jumpseat ...................1-7
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-3
Front power seat adjustment .........1-5
Seatback pockets ................2-44
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-24
Infantsandsmallchildren..........1-25
Injured Person ................1-19
Largerchildren................1-25
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.......1-16
Pregnant women ...............1-19
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-77
Seat belt extenders .............1-23
Seat belt maintenance ............1-24
Seat belts ...................1-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-23
Three-point type with retractor .......1-19
Seatbeltwarninglight..............2-19 Seats
Adjustment ...................1-3
Frontseats...................1-3
Heatedseats.................2-33
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-3
Security indicator light ..............2-22
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-25,3-2,5-11
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-23
Service manual order form ...........9-39
Servicing air conditioner .............4-17
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-14
Manual transmission .............5-18
Shiftlockrelease.................5-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-23
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems) . . .1-76
Sparkplugreplacement.............8-19
Speedometer ...................2-4
SRSwarninglabel................1-78
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Jump starting .................6-10
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Push starting .................6-12
Starting the engine .............5-12
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-14
Power steering system ...........5-32
Tilting steering wheel ............3-13
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-35
Stoplight.....................8-31
Storage......................2-38
Storage tray ................2-38,2-40
Sunglassescase.................2-42 Sunroof (see Moonroof)
.............2-50
Sun visors ....................3-14
Supplemental air bag warning labels ......1-78
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-79, 2-20
Supplemental front

impact air bag system . . .1-71
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-78
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-64
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-64
Switch Autolight switch ...............2-29
Automatic power window switch ......2-49
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch ....2-37
Electronic locking rear differential
(E-Lock) system switch ...........2-36
Fog light switch ...............2-32
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-32
Headlightandturnsignalswitch......2-28
Headlight control switch ..........2-28
Hill descent control switch .........2-35
Ignition switch ................5-10
Overdrive switch ...............5-17
Power door lock switch ............3-4
Rearwindowdefrosterswitch .......2-27
Turnsignalswitch..............2-31
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .....................2-34
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
T
Tachometer ....................2-6
Tailgate latch ............3-17,3-18,3-19
10-5

Temperature gaugeEngine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-25,3-2,5-11
Three-way catalyst ................5-3
Tie down hooks .................3-20
Tilting steering wheel ..............3-13
Tire Flat tire .....................6-3
Spare tire ................6-4,8-43
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Tire chains ..................8-40
Tireplacard..................9-12
Tirepressure.................8-33
Tire rotation..................8-40
Tires of 4-wheel drive ............8-42
Types of tires .................8-39
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-36
Wheels and tires ...............8-33
Wheel/tire size .................9-9
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-18
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ....5-3
Top tether strap child restraint .........1-30
Towing 2-wheel drive models ............6-14
4-wheel drive models ............6-15
Flattowing..................9-35
Towingload/specification..........9-28
Towtrucktowing...............6-13
Trailertowing.................9-24
Transceiver HomeLink Universal Transceiver ......2-54
Transmission Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country)
......................9-10
Trip computer ...................2-9
Trip odometer ...................2-4
Truck - camper loading .............9-23
Turn signal switch ................2-31
U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-36
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-14
Variable voltage control system .........8-18
Vehicle dimensions and weights .........9-9
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-34
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-35
Vehicle identification ...............9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number) ................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ....9-10
Vehicle loading information ...........9-13
Vehicle recovery .................6-15
Vehicle security system .............2-24
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle immobi-
lizer system) , engine start ......2-25,3-2,5-11
Ventilators .....................4-2
Visors.......................3-14
Voltmeter......................2-8 W
Warning 4WDwarninglight..............2-17
Airbagwarninglight.........1-79, 2-20
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-15
Battery charge warning light ........
2
-16
Brake warning light .............2-16
Door open warning light ...........2-17
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-32
Low fuel warning light ............2-18
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-18
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-19
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-73
Seatbeltwarninglight............2-19
Vehicle security system ...........2-24
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-14
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-78
Warninglights..................2-14
Washer switch Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Weights (See dimensions and weights) .....9-9
Wheels and tires .................8-33
Wheel/tire size ...................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
anothercountry .................9-10
Windows Locking passengers’ windows .......2-49
Manual windows ...............2-49
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-49
Rear sliding window .............2-50
10-6