engine NISSAN FRONTIER 2021 Owners Manual

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 en-
gine oil and filters that are not of the speci-
fied quality, or exceeding recommended oil
and filter change intervals could reduce
engine life or cause severe damage to the
engine. Damage to the engine caused by
improper maintenance or use of incorrect
oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
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 recom-
mended change interval. Oil and filter
change intervals depend upon how you
use your vehicle.
NISSAN recommends the use of Genuine
NISSAN parts or equivalent. The use of
parts that do not meet or exceed NISSAN
specifications, can cause damage to your
vehicle, and have an effect on your war-
ranty coverage. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer parts department
who can provide information on the proper
parts for your vehicle.Operation under the following conditions
may require more frequent oil and filter
changes:
• repeated short distance driving at cold
outside temperatures
• driving in dusty conditions
• extensive idling
• towing a trailer
• stop and go commuting
For additional information, refer to the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of
this manual.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and
NISSAN A/C system oil Type PAG (DH-PR)
or the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil
will cause severe damage to the air
conditioning system and will require
the replacement 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 regulations require the recov-
ery and recycling of any refrigerant during
automotive air conditioner system service.
A NISSAN dealer has the trained techni-
cians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system re-
frigerant.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer when servicing your air conditioner
system.
10-8Technical and consumer information

ENGINE
ModelVQ38DD
Type Gasoline, 4-cycle, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement 6-cylinder, V-block, Slanted at 60°
Bore x Stroke in (mm) 3.760 x 3.480 (95.5 x 88.4)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 231.8 (3,799)
Firing order 1–2–3–4–5–6
Idle speed
Refer to the “Emission control information label” on the underside of the hood.
A/T in N (Neutral) position
Ignition timing (degree B.T.D.C. at idle speed)
CO%atidle
Spark plug
FXE22HR-11
Spark plug gap (Nominal) in (mm) 0.043 (1.1)
Camshaf t operation Timing chain
This spark ignition system complies with the Canadian standard ICES-002.
SPECIFICATIONS
Technical and consumer information10-9

When planning to drive your NISSAN ve-
hicle in another country,you should first
find out if the fuel available is suitable for
your vehicle's engine.
Using fuel with an octane rating that is too
low may cause engine damage. All gaso-
line vehicles must be operated with un-
leaded gasoline. Therefore, 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 modif y the vehicle to meet local laws
and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle
emission control and safety standards
vary according to the country, state, prov-
ince or district; therefore, vehicle specifica-
tions may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into an-
other country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, trans-
portation and registration are the re-
sponsibility of the user. NISSAN is not re-
sponsible for any inconvenience that
may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATE
The VIN plate is attached as shown. This
number is the identification for your vehicle
and is used in the vehicle registration.
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The number is stamped on the engine as
shown.
LTI0085LTI2495
VQ38DD engine
WHEN TRAVELING OR REGISTERING
IN ANOTHER COUNTRY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
Technical and consumer information10-11

WARNING
• Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely af-
fect vehicle handling, braking and
performance and may lead to
accidents.
• Do not tow a trailer when the TEMPO-
RARY FULL SIZE spare tire is installed.
CAUTION
• Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy
load for the first 500 mile (805 km).
Your engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
• For the first 500 miles (805 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50
mph (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of your ve-
hicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places ad-
ditional loads on your vehicle's engine,
drive train, steering, braking and other sys-
tems.
A NISSAN Towing Guide (U.S. only) is available
on the website at www.nissanusa.com. This
guide includes information on trailer towing
capability and the special equipment re-
quired for proper towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
the value specified in the “Towing Load/
Specification” chart found in this section.
The total trailer load equals trailer weight
plus its cargo weight.
• When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.
The maximum Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) should not exceed the value
specified in the following “Towing Load/
Specification” chart. The GCWR equals the combined weight of
the towing vehicle (including passengers
and cargo) plus the total trailer load. Tow-
ing loads greater than these or using im-
proper towing equipment could adversely
affect vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer
loads, but also the places you plan to tow.
Tow weights appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced for low
traction situations (for example, on slippery
boat ramps).
LTI0161
TOWING A TRAILER
Technical and consumer information10-25

Temperature conditions can also affect
towing. For example, towing a heavy trailer
in high outside temperatures on graded
roads can affect engine performance and
cause overheating. The engine protection
mode, which helps reduce the chance of
engine damage, could activate and auto-
matically decrease engine power. Vehicle
speed may decrease under high load. Plan
your trip carefully to account for trailer and
vehicle load, weather and road conditions.CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from im-
proper towing procedures is not cov-
ered by NISSAN warranties.
Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load be-
tween 10 - 15% of the total trailer load or use
the trailer tongue load specified by the
trailer manufacturer. The tongue load
must be within the maximum tongue load
limits shown in the following “Towing Load/
Specification” chart. If the tongue load be-
comes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow
for proper tongue load.
WTI0160
10-26Technical and consumer information

4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shif t the transmission into P (Park).
6. Make sure the
indicator 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. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Automatic
transmission park warning light” in the
“Instruments and controls” section and
“Using 4-wheel drive (4WD)” in the “Start-
ing and driving” section of this manual.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shif t the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 7. Have someone retrieve and store the
blocks.
• While going downhill, the weight of the trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may
decrease overall stability. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your
speed and shif t to a lower gear. Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheat-
ing. Shif ting to a lower gear instead pro-
vides “engine braking” and reduces the
need to brake as frequently.
• If the engine coolant temperature rises to a high temperature, refer to “If your ve-
hicle overheats” in the “In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.
• Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal circumstances.
• Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle's first 500 miles (805 km).
•
For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h).
• Have your vehicle serviced more of ten than at intervals specified. For additional
information, refer to “Maintenance
Schedules” in the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual. • When making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn than
your vehicle wheels. To compensate for
this, make a larger than normal turning
radius during the turn.
• Crosswinds and rough roads will ad- versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When be-
ing passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared for possible changes in crosswinds
that could affect vehicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to
sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions
allow. This combination will help stabilize
the vehicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of the
road in a safe area.
Technical and consumer information10-35

3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it isbalanced as described in this section.
• Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember, the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
• Downshif t the transmission to a lower gear for engine braking when driving
down steep or long hills. This will help
slow the vehicle without applying the
brakes.
• Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
• Increase your following distance to allow for greater stopping distances while tow-
ing a trailer. Anticipate stops and brake
gradually.
• NISSAN recommends that the cruise control not be used while towing a trailer.
• Some states or provinces have specific regulations and speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits. • Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts
af ter 50 miles (80 km) of travel and at
every break.
• When launching a boat, don't allow the water level to go over the exhaust tail
pipe or rear bumper.
• Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights before backing the trailer into the
water or the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission oil/
fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, refer
to the “Do-it-yourself ” section in this
manual.FLAT TOWING – 4WD WITH
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Towing a vehicle behind a recreational ve-
hicle, such as a motor home, is sometimes
called flat towing.

WARNING
A vehicle equipped with Four-Wheel
Drive (4WD) should never be tested us-
ing a two wheel dynamometer (such as
the dynamometers used by some
states for emissions testing), or similar
equipment. Make sure you inform the
test facility personnel that your vehicle
is equipped with 4WD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong
test equipment may result in transmis-
sion damage or unexpected vehicle
movement which could result in seri-
ous vehicle damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in what is called the
“ready condition” 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 ve-
hicle. If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready ” condi-
tion. Before taking the I/M test, check the
vehicle's inspection/maintenance test
readiness condition. 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 af ter 20 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is “ready ”. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer to set the “ready con-
dition” or to prepare the vehicle for testing.
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data
Recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an
EDR is to record, in certain crash or near
crash-like situations, such as an air bag
deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data
that will assist in understanding how a ve-
hicle's systems performed. The EDR is de-
signed to record data related to vehicle dy-
namics and safety systems for a short
period of time, typically 30 seconds or less.
The EDR in this vehicle is designed to re-
cord 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 depress- ing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,
• How fast the vehicle was traveling.
• Sounds are not recorded.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
10-40Technical and consumer information

Parking brake operation.........5-19Self-adjusting brakes...........8-20Brake fluid....................8-11Brake system.................5-32Brakes......................8-20Break-in schedule...............5-21Brightness control
Instrument panel.............2-33Brightness/contrast button......4-9, 4-15Bulb check/instrument panel........2-15Bulb replacement...............8-28
C
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.........10-12Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants................ .10-2Car phone or CB radio............4-79Cargo
(See vehicle loading information).....10-14Cargo lamp switch..............2-34CD care and cleaning.............4-70CD player (See audio system).......4-54Child restraint with top tether strap. . . .1-32Child restraints.......1-25,1-26,1-28, 1-30Precautions on child
restraints.........1-39, 1-42, 1-54, 1-65Top tether strap anchor point
locations.................. .1-33Child safety rear door lock..........3-7Cleaning exterior and interior......7-2,7-4Clock set/adjustment..........4-7,4-13
Clock setting
(models with Navigation System).....4-13Cold weather driving.............5-40Compact disc (CD) player..........4-54Compass....................2-11Compass and outside temperature
display......................2-10Compass display...............2-10Connect phone................4-72Console box..................2-45Control panel buttons.........4-5, 4-10Back button.................4-13Brightness/contrast button. . . .4-9, 4-15Enter button..............4-5, 4-10Setting button...............4-13With navigation system.......4-10,4-11Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel).....4-71Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-34Heater and air conditioner controls
(manual)...................4-22CoolantCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
...............10-2Changing engine coolant.........8-5Checking engine coolant level......8-5Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-7Corrosion protection..............7-7Cruise control.................5-19Cup holders................. .2-46Curtain side-impact and rollover
air bag..................... .1-82
D
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) system. .2-32Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror
defroster switch
..............2-29Rear window defroster switch.....2-29Dimensions and weights..........10-10Dimmer switch for instrument panel. . .2-33Display controls (see control panel
buttons)................. .4-5, 4-10Door locks................... .3-4Door open warning light...........2-17Drive belt....................8-15Driving
Cold weather driving...........5-40Driving with automatic
transmission................5-14Precautions when starting and
driving.....................5-2Driving the vehicle...............5-14
E
Economy - fuel.................5-23Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system.....................5-29Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch................ .2-37Emergency engine shutoff.......5-12,6-3Emission control information label. . . .10-12Emission control system warranty. . . .10-38
11-2

EngineBefore starting the engine........5-13Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2Changing engine coolant.........8-5Changing engine oil............8-6Changing engine oil filter.........8-6Checking engine coolant level......8-5Checking engine oil level.........8-6Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-7Engine cooling system...........8-4Engine oil.................. .8-6Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation.............10-7Engine oil pressure warning light. . . .2-17Engine oil viscosity.............10-7Engine serial number...........10-11Engine specifications...........10-9Engine Block Heater.............5-41Engine coolant temperature gauge. . . .2-7Enter button...............4-5, 4-10Event Data recorders............10-40Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)......5-2Explanation of maintenance items.....9-2Explanation of scheduled maintenance
items...................... .9-5Extended storage switch..........8-23Eyeglass case.................2-45
F
First aid kit....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch). . . .6-2Flat tire.................. .6-3, 6-4Floor mat positioning aid...........7-6Fluid
Brake fluid..................8-11Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2Engine coolant................8-4Engine oil.................. .8-6Power steering fluid............8-10Windshield-washer fluid.........8-12Fog light switch................2-33Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system). . .1-77Front power seat adjustment........1-5Front seats....................1-2Front-door pocket..............2-40Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
...............10-2Fuel economy................5-23Fuel gauge................. .2-8Fuel octane rating.............10-6Fuel recommendation..........10-4Fuel-filler cap................3-13Fuel-filler lid.................3-13Loose fuel cap warning..........2-6Fuel efficient driving tips...........5-21Fuel gauge................... .2-8Fuel-filler door.................3-13Fuses......................8-20Fusible links..................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver............2-56, 2-58, 2-59Gas cap.....................3-13Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge. . .2-7Fuel gauge................. .2-8Odometer.................. .2-5Speedometer................2-5Tachometer..................2-7Trip computer................2-9Trip odometer................2-5General maintenance.............9-2Glove box................... .2-44
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth®. .4-96Hazard warning flasher switch........6-2Head restraints.................1-10Headlight and turn signal switch.....2-30Headlight control switch...........2-30Headlights...................8-26Heated seat switches............2-35Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls. .4-34Heater operation..........4-25, 4-35Hill descent control switch.........2-36Hill descent control system.........5-37Hill start assist system............5-38HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver............2-56, 2-58, 2-59
11-3