oil type NISSAN FRONTIER 2012 Owner´s Manual

The transfer case 4WD shift switch is used to
select either 2WD or 4WD depending on the
driving conditions. There are three types of drive
modes available, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the
transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to
move between each mode, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
To change into or out of 4LO, the vehicle
MUST be stationary, shift the shift selector
to Neutral (N) , and for automatic transmis-
sion vehicles depress the brake pedal or
for manual transmission vehicles depress
the clutch pedal. The switch must be de-
pressed and turned when changing into or
out of 4LO.
WARNING
●When parking, apply the parking brake
before stopping the engine and make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light is
on and the ATP warning light goes off.
Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-
edly move even if the automatic trans-
mission is in the P position. ●
The 4LO indicator light must stop blink-
ing and remain illuminated or turn off
before shifting the transmission into
gear. If the shift selector is shifted from
the (N) position to any other gear when
the 4LO indicator light is blinking, the
vehicle may move unexpectedly.
CAUTION
●Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.
● The 4H position provides greater trac-
tion. Avoid excessive speed, as it will
cause increased fuel consumption and
higher oil temperatures, and could
damage drivetrain components.
Speeds over 62 MPH (100 km/h) in 4H is
not recommended
● The 4LO position provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising ve-
hicle speed excessively, as the maxi-
mum speed is approximately 31 MPH
(50 km/h) .
● When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD or 4H position.
Do not move the 4WD shift switch when
making a turn or reversing. ●
Do not shift the 4WD shift switch (be-
tween 2WD and 4H) while driving on
steep downhill grades. Use the engine
brake and low automatic transmission
gears (D1 or D2) or manual transmis-
sion (1st gear or 2nd gear) for engine
braking.
● Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD and 4H) with the rear
wheels spinning.
● Do not drive on dry hard surface roads
in the 4H or 4LO position. Driving on dry
hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO may cause
unnecessary noise and tire wear.
NISSAN recommends driving in the
2WD position under these conditions.
● The 4WD transfer case may not be
shifted between 4H and 4LO at low am-
bient temperatures and the transfer
4LO position indicator light may blink
even when the 4WD shift switch is
shifted. After driving for a while you can
change the 4WD transfer case between
4H and 4LO.
When driving on rough roads, ● Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.
● Drive carefully according to the road surface
conditions.
5-26Starting and driving

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 damp-
ened 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 manu-
facturer’s recommendations. Some fabric pro-
tectors contain chemicals that may stain or
bleach the seat material.
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 classifica-
tion sensor. This can also affect the opera-
tion of the air bag system and result in
serious personal injury.
CAUTION
●Never use benzine, thinner or any simi-
lar material.
● Small dirt particles can be abrasive and
damaging to leather surfaces and
should be removed promptly. Do not
use saddle soap, car waxes, polishes,
oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, deter-
gents or ammonia-based cleaners as
they may damage the leather’s natural
finish.
● Never use fabric protectors unless rec-
ommended by the manufacturer.
● Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on
meter or gauge lens covers. It may dam-
age the lens cover.
AIR FRESHENERS
Most air fresheners use a solvent that could affect
the vehicle interior. If you use an air freshener,
take the following precautions:
● Hanging-type air fresheners can cause per-
manent discoloration when they contact ve-
hicle interior surfaces. Place the air fresh-
ener in a location that allows it to hang free
and not contact an interior surface. ●
Liquid-type air fresheners typically clip on
the vents. These products can cause imme-
diate damage and discoloration when
spilled on interior surfaces.
Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions before using the air fresheners.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING
To avoid potential pedal interference that
may result in a collision or injury:
● NEVER place a floor mat on top of an-
other floor mat in the driver front
position.
● Use only genuine NISSAN floor mats
specifically designed for use in your ve-
hicle model. See your NISSAN dealer
for more information.
● Properly position the mats in the floor-
well using the floor mat positioning aid.
See Floor mat positioning aid in this
section.
The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can ex-
tend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior. Mats should be main-
tained with regular cleaning and replaced if they
become excessively worn.
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance ..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .........8-2
Maintenance precautions ...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................8-6
Engine cooling system .............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-9
Changing engine coolant ........................8-9
Engine oil ........................................ 8-10
Checking engine oil level .......................8-10
Changing engine oil ........................... 8-11
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-12
5-speed automatic transmission fluid
(if so equipped) .................................. 8-13
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-14
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ..............8-14
Brake fluid .................................... 8-14
Clutch fluid (if so equipped) ....................8-15
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-15
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-15
Battery .......................................... 8-16
Jump starting ................................. 8-17
Variable voltage control system .....................8-17Drive belt
........................................ 8-18
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-19
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-19
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-20
In-cabin microfilter (if so equipped) ..............8-20
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-22
Cleaning ..................................... 8-22
Replacing .................................... 8-22
Brakes .......................................... 8-23
Fuses ........................................... 8-24
Engine compartment ........................... 8-24
Passenger compartment .......................8-25
Battery replacement .............................. 8-27
Keyfob (if so equipped) ........................ 8-28
Lights ........................................... 8-29
Headlights .................................... 8-29
Exterior and

interior lights....................... 8-31
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-33
Tire pressure . . . ............................... 8-33
Tire labeling ................................... 8-37
Types of tires .................................. 8-39
Tire chains .................................... 8-40
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-40

KEYFOB (if so equipped)
Replace the battery in the keyfob as follows:
1Open the lid using a coinA.
2Remove the batteryB.
3Install a new batteryCwith the “+” facing
down.
● Hold the battery by the edges. Holding the
battery across the contact points will seri-
ously deplete the storage capacity. ●
Do not touch the internal circuit and electric
terminals as it could cause a malfunction.
● When changing the battery, do not let dust
or oil get on the keyfob.
● There is danger of explosion if a lithium bat-
tery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only
with the same or equivalent type.
Recommended battery: CR2025 or equivalent.
4Close the lid securely.
5. Press the
button, then thebutton two or three times to check the key-
fob operation.
If the battery is removed for any reason
other than replacement, perform step 5. ● An improperly disposed battery can
hurt the environment. Always confirm
local regulations for battery disposal.
● The keyfob is water-resistant; how-
ever, if it does get wet, immediately
wipe completely dry.
● The operational range of the keyfob
extends to approximately 33 ft (10 m)
from the vehicle. This range may vary
with conditions.
LDI2026
8-28Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Capacity (Approximate)Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Air conditioning system oil ———Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent *5
Transfer fluid 2-1/8 qt 1-3/4 qt 2.0Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF recommended *6
Front final drive oil 1-3/4 pt 1-1/2 pt 0.85Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or
API GL-5, Viscosity SAE 80W-90 *8
Rear final drive oil (except 6 speed M/T and O/R vehicles) 3-3/8 pt 2-7/8 pt 1.6 API GL-5 synthetic gear oil, Viscosity SAE 75W-90 *9
Rear final drive oil (6 speed M/T and O/R vehicles only) 4-1/4 pt 3-1/2 pt 2.0 Genuine NISSAN differential oil synthetic 75W-140 or API GL-5
synthetic gear oil, Viscosity SAE 75W-140 *9
Windshield-washer fluid 1-1/4 gal 1 gal4.5Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations” in this section.
*2: If Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF is not available, Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF may also be used. Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF or Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*3: DEXRON™ VI type ATF may also be used.
*4: Available in mainland USA through a NISSAN dealer.
*5: For further details, see “Air conditioner specification label” in this section.
*6: Using fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and transfer durability, and may damage the transfer, which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*7: For further details, see “Changing engine oil” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
*8: For hot climates, Viscosity SAE 90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 0° (32°F)
*9: See a NISSAN dealer for service for synthetic oil.
Technical and consumer information9-3

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

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