automatic transmission NISSAN FRONTIER 2020 Owner´s Manual

4WD warning light (model)Low tire pressure warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
orAnti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning lightLow windshield-washer fluid warning light
(if so equipped)High beam indicator light (blue)
orApply parking brake warning
lightNISSAN Intelligent Key® warning light
(if so equipped)Hill descent control system ON indicator
light (if so equipped)
Automatic transmission check warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Automatic transmission park warning
light (
model)
Shif t P (Park) warning light (if so equipped)Security indicator light (if so equipped)
orBrake warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSET indicator light
Charge warning light4WD shif t indicator light (model)Slip indicator light
Door open warning lightAutomatic transmission position indicator
lightTransfer 4LO position indicator light
(
model)
Electric shif t control system warning lightCRUISE indicator lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Engine oil pressure warning lightElectronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ON indicator light (if so equipped)Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF
indicator light
Low fuel warning lightEngine start operation indicator light
(if so equipped)
WARNING LIGHTS, INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-14Instruments and controls

CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine. The following lights (if
so equipped) will come on:
or,,,,
The following lights (if so equipped) will
come on briefly and then go off:
,or,,,,,
,,,,.,
If any light fails to come on or operate in a
way other than described, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb and/or a system mal-
function. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
WARNING LIGHTS
This vehicle has various warning lights that
may illuminate to indicate a potential prob-
lem. For additional information, refer to the
specific light in this section.
4WD warning light
(
model)
The 4WD warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position.
It turns off soon af ter the engine is started.
If the engine or vehicle is not functioning
properly, the warning light will either re-
main illuminated or blink. For additional in-
formation, refer to “Using 4–wheel drive
(4WD)” in the “Starting and driving” section
of this manual.
CAUTION
• If the warning light comes on or
blinks during operation, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible.
It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
• Do not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4H or 4LO position. If the
4WD warning light turns on when you
are driving on dry hard surface roads:
– In the 4H position, shif t the 4WD
shif t switch to 2WD. –
In the 4LO position for automatic
transmission models, stop the ve-
hicle and shif t the shif t lever to
the N (Neutral) position with the
brake pedal depressed and shif t
the 4WD shif t switch to 2WD.
• If the warning light is still on af ter the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked as soon as possible. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the ABS warning light illuminates
and then turns off. This indicates the ABS is
operational.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while
the engine is running or while driving, it
may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Instruments and controls2-15

If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system
then operates normally but without anti-
lock assistance. For additional information,
refer to “Brake system” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
orApply parking
brake warning
light (if so
equipped)
This warning light appears when a mal-
function occurs in the electric shif t control
system below 3 mph (5 km/h).
Have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Automatic Transmission
check warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on for about 2
seconds. If the light comes on at any other
time, it may indicate the automatic trans-
mission system is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Automatic Transmission
Park warning light (
model)
WARNING
• If the ATP light is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(Park) position will not function and
the transfer case is in neutral.
• When parking, always make sure that
the 4WD shif t indicator light illumi-
nates and the parking brake is set.
Failure to engage the transfer posi-
tion in 2WD, 4H or 4LO could result in
the vehicle moving unexpectedly, re-
sulting in serious personal injury or
property damage.
• Shif t the 4WD switch into the 2WD, 4H
or 4LO position again to turn off the
ATP warning light when the shif t le-
ver is in the P position and the ATP
warning light is ON. (Before shif ting
the 4WD switch into the 4LO position,
move the shif t lever into the N posi-
tion once, shif t the shif t lever into P
again and make sure the ATP warn-
ing light is OFF.) This light indicates that the automatic
transmission parking function is not en-
gaged. If the transfer control is not secured
in any drive position while the shif t lever is
in the P (Park) position, the transmission will
disengage and the drive wheels will not
lock.
orBrake warning
light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the park-
ing brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine
is running with the parking brake not ap-
plied, stop the vehicle and perform the fol-
lowing:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Brake fluid” in the “Do-it-
yourself ” section of this manual.
2-16Instruments and controls

• The supplemental air bag warning lightdoes not come on at all.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for these services.
Unless checked and repaired, the supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
and/or the pretensioner(s) may not func-
tion properly. For additional information, re-
fer to “Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS)” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag
and/or pretensioner systems will not
operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. It
is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
This vehicle has various indicator lights
that may illuminate to indicate a system
status. For additional information, refer to
the specific light in this section.
4WD shif t indicator light
(
model)
The light should turn off within 1 second
af ter placing the ignition switch in the ON
position.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shif t
indicator light will illuminate the position
selected by the 4WD shif t switch.
The 4WD shif t indicator light may blink
while shif ting from one drive mode to
the other.
Automatic transmission
position indicator light
For additional information, refer to “Driving
the vehicle” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion of this manual.
CRUISE indicator light
The light comes on when the cruise control
ON/OFF switch is pushed. The light goes
out when the ON/OFF switch is pushed
again. When the CRUISE indicator light
comes on, the cruise control system is op-
erational. For additional information, refer
to “Cruise control” in the “Starting and driv-
ing” section of this manual.
Electronic locking rear
differential (E-Lock) system
ON indicator light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on when the electronic
locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
clutch is fully engaged.
The indicator light flashes when the sys-
tem is first turned on. When the system fully
engages, the light remains on. If the switch
is on and the indicator light continues to
flash, the system is not engaged.
For additional information, refer to “Electronic
locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
switch” in this section and “Electronic locking
rear differential (E-Lock) system” in the “Start-
ing and driving” section of this manual.
Engine start operation
indicator light (if so
equipped)
For vehicles equipped with push-button igni-
tion this indicator illuminates when the igni-
tion switch is in the LOCK, OFF or ON position
with the shif t lever in the P (Park) position.
This indicator means that the engine will
start by pushing the push-button ignition
switch with the brake pedal depressed.
Instruments and controls2-21

NOTE:
Once the button is pressed, you have ap-
proximately 30 seconds to initiate the
next step.
6. Return to the vehicle and firmly pressand hold the trained HomeLink® button
for 2 seconds and release. Repeat the
“press/hold/release” sequence up to
three times to complete the training
process. HomeLink® should now acti-
vate your rolling code equipped device.
7. If you have any questions or are having difficulty programming your HomeLink®
buttons, refer to the HomeLink® web site
at: www.homelink.com or call
1-800-355-3515.
PROGRAMMING HOMELINK® FOR
CANADIAN CUSTOMERS AND GATE
OPENERS
Canadian radio-frequency laws require
transmitter signals to “time-out” (or quit)
af ter several seconds of transmission –
which may not be long enough for
HomeLink® to pick up the signal during
training. Similar to this Canadian law, some
U.S. gate operators are designed to “tim-
eout” in the same manner. If you live in Canada or you are having diffi-
culties training a gate operator
orgarage
door opener by using the “Training” proce-
dures, replace “Programming HomeLink®”
step 2 with the following:
NOTE:
When programming a garage door
opener, etc., unplug the device during
the “cycling” process to prevent possible
damage to the garage door opener
components.
1. For additional information, refer to “Pro-
gramming HomeLink®” step 1 in this
section.
2. Using both hands, simultaneously press and hold the desired HomeLink® button
and the hand-held transmitter button.
During training, your hand-held trans-
mitter may automatically stop transmit-
ting. Continue to press and hold the de-
sired HomeLink® button while you press
and re-press (“cycle”) your hand-held
transmitter every 2 seconds until the
frequency signal has been learned. The
HomeLink® indicator light will flash
slowly and then rapidly af ter several
seconds upon successful training. DO
NOT release until the HomeLink® indica-
tor light flashes slowly and then rapidly. When the indicator light flashes rapidly,
both buttons may be released. The rapid
flashing indicates successful training.
Proceed with “Programming
HomeLink®” step 3 to complete.
If the device was unplugged during the
programming procedure, remember to
plug it back in when programming is
completed.
OPERATING THE HOMELINK®
UNIVERSAL TRANSCEIVER
The HomeLink® Universal Transceiver, af ter
it is programmed, can be used to activate
the programmed device. To operate, sim-
ply press and release the appropriate pro-
grammed HomeLink® Universal Trans-
ceiver button. The amber indicator light will
illuminate while the signal is being trans-
mitted.
For convenience, the hand-held transmit-
ter of the device may also be used at any
time.
2-58Instruments and controls

2. From the outside, pull the door handle
OAtoward you.3. Open the door to the desired position.AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS
• All doors lock automatically when the ve-
hicle speed reaches 15 mph (24 km/h).
• All doors unlock automatically when the transmission is placed in the P (Park) po-
sition or when the ignition is switched to
the OFF position.
CHILD SAFETY REAR DOOR LOCK
(if so equipped)
Child safety locks help prevent the rear
doors from being opened accidentally, es-
pecially when small children are in the ve-
hicle.
The child safety lock levers are located on
the edge of the rear doors.
When the lever is in the LOCK position,
the door can be opened only from the
outside.
LPD0312WPD0313LPD3124
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-7

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving..........5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ..............5-2
Three-way catalyst ...........................5-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS) .......................................5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................................5-6
Avoiding collision and rollover ................5-6
Off-roadrecovery ............................5-7
Rapid air pressure loss .......................5-7
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ...........5-8
Driving safety precautions ....................5-8
Push-button ignition switch ....................5-10
Operating range ............................. 5-11
Push-button ignition switch positions ........5-11
Emergency engine shut off ..................5-12
NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery
discharge ................................... 5-12
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System .........5-13
Before starting the engine .....................5-13
Starting the engine ............................. 5-13
Driving the vehicle .............................. 5-14
Automatic transmission (A/T) ...............5-14
Parking brake .................................. 5-19
Cruise control .................................. 5-19
Precautions on cruise control ...............5-19Cruise control operations
...................5-20
Break-in schedule .............................. 5-21
Fuel efficient driving tips ........................5-21
Increasing fuel economy .......................5-23
Using 4–Wheel Drive (4WD)
(if so equipped) ................................. 5-23
Transfer case shif ting procedures ...........5-24
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system (if so equipped) ......................... 5-29
Parking/parking on hills ........................5-31
Power steering ................................. 5-32
Brake system .................................. 5-32
Brake precautions ........................... 5-32
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ..............5-33
Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) system ........5-34
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .........5-35
Brake force distribution .....................5-36
Hill descent control system (if so equipped) ....5-37
Hill start assist system (if so equipped) .........5-38
Rear Sonar System (RSS) (if so equipped) .......5-39
Cold weather driving ........................... 5-40
Freeing a frozen door lock ...................5-40
Antifreeze ................................... 5-40
Battery...................................... 5-40
Draining of coolant water ...................5-40

cranking the engine, release the accel-
erator pedal. Crank the engine with
your foot off the accelerator pedal by
depressing the brake pedal and push-
ing the ignition switch to start the en-
gine. If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more
than 15 seconds at a time. If the engine
does not start, push the ignition switch
to the OFF position and wait 10 seconds
before cranking again, otherwise the
starter could be damaged.
4. Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds af ter starting. Do not race the
engine while warming it up. Drive at a
moderate speed for a short distance
first, especially in cold weather. In cold
weather, keep the engine running for a
minimum of 2 to 3 minutes before shut-
ting it off. Starting and stopping the en-
gine over a short period of time may
make the vehicle more difficult to start.
5. To stop the engine, move the shif t lever to the P (Park) position and push the
ignition switch to the OFF position. In preparation for the next engine start, the
engine may have a slightly delayed shutoff
af ter placing the ignition switch in the OFF
position, depending on the driving condi-
tions.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situa-
tions that can lead to potential bat-
tery discharge and potential no-start
conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not
running (phone chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.).
2. The vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to
be charged to maintain battery health.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (A/T)
WARNING
• Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shif ting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive). Always
depress the brake pedal until shif ting
is completed. Failure to do so could
cause you to lose control and have an
accident.
• Cold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shif ting into a forward
or reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
• Never shif t to either the P (Park) or R
(Reverse) position while the vehicle is
moving forward and P (Park) or D
(Drive) position while the vehicle is
reversing. This could cause an acci-
dent or damage the transmission.
• Do not downshif t abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
• Except in an emergency, do not shif t
to the N (Neutral) position while driv-
ing. Coasting with the transmission
in the N (Neutral) position may cause
serious damage to the transmission.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-14Starting and driving

CAUTION
• To avoid possible damage to your ve-
hicle, when stopping the vehicle on
an uphill grade, do not hold the ve-
hicle by depressing the accelerator
pedal. The foot brake should be used
for this purpose.
The A/T in your vehicle is electronically con-
trolled to produce maximum power and
smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures
for this transmission are shown on the fol-
lowing pages. Follow these procedures for
maximum vehicle performance and driv-
ing enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
1. Af ter starting the engine, fully depress the foot brake pedal before moving the
shif t lever out of the P (Park) position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and move the shif t lever into a driving
gear.
3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle in motion. The automatic transmission is designed
so the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shif ting from P (Park) to
any drive position while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
The shif t lever cannot be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of the
other gear positions if the ignition
switch is placed in the LOCK or OFF posi-
tion.
The shif t lever may not be moved out of
the P (Park) position and into any of the
other gear positions if the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position, but
the engine is not running and the out-
side temperature is extremely low.
Shif ting
To move the shif t lever:
Press the buttonOAwhile depressing
the brake pedal
Press the buttonOAto shif t
Shif t without depressing the brake
pedal
LSD3853
Starting and driving5-15

Shif ting
Af ter starting the engine, fully depress the
brake pedal and move the shif t lever out of
the P (Park) position.
WARNING
Apply the parking brake if the shif t le-
ver is in any position while the engine is
not running. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpect-
edly or roll away and result in serious
personal injury or property damage.
If the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position for any reason while the vehicle is
in N (Neutral), or any D (Drive) position, the
ignition switch cannot be placed in the
LOCK position. Move the shif t lever to the P
(Park) position, then the ignition switch can
be placed in the LOCK position.
P (Park)
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use
the P (Park) position only when the ve-
hicle is completely stopped.
Use the P (Park) shif t lever position when
the vehicle is parked or when starting the
engine. Make sure the vehicle is completely
stopped.
The brake pedal should be depressed to
move the shif t lever from N (Neutral) or
any drive position to P (Park).
The P (Park) position is automatically en-
gaged if you switch off the ignition.
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first, then move
the shif t lever into the P (Park) position.
R (Reverse)
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use
the R (Reverse) position only when the
vehicle is completely stopped.
Use the R (Reverse) position to back up. Make
sure the vehicle is completely stopped be-
fore selecting the R (Reverse) position. The
brake pedal must be depressed to move
the shif t lever from P (Park), N (Neutral) or
any drive position to R (Reverse).
N (Neutral)
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position.
You may shif t to N (Neutral) and restart a
stalled engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive)
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
5-16Starting and driving