4WD NISSAN FRONTIER 2021 Owners Manual

16. Shif t lever (P. 5-14)
17. Push-button ignition switch (P. 5-10)
18. 4WD shif t switch (if so equipped)(P. 5-23)
19. Climate controls (P. 4-22, P. 4-31)
20. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 6-2)
21. Tilt steering wheel control (P. 3-16)
22. Cargo lamp switch (P. 2-34) Hill descent control switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-36)
Outside mirror controls (if so equipped)
(P. 3-17)
Illustrated table of contents0-7

16. Shif t lever (P. 5-14)
17. Push-button ignition switch (P. 5-10)
18. 4WD shif t switch (if so equipped)(P. 5-23)
19. Climate controls (P. 4-22, P. 4-31)
20. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 6-2)
21. Tilt steering wheel control (P. 3-16)
22. Cargo lamp switch (P. 2-34) Hill descent control switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-36)
Outside mirror controls (if so equipped)
(P. 3-17)
Instruments and controls2-3

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.
Anti-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

• 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.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.
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

– Avoid hard acceleration or decelera-tion.
– Avoid steep uphill grades.
– If possible, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled or towed.
The MIL may stop blinking and come on
steady. Have the vehicle inspected. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.SET indicator light
The light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system. If
the light blinks while the engine is running,
it may indicate the cruise control system is
not functioning properly. Have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
Slip indicator light
This indicator will blink when the VDC sys-
tem is operating, thus alerting the driver to
the fact that the road surface is slippery
and the vehicle is nearing its traction limits.
You may feel or hear the system working;
this is normal.
The light will blink for a few seconds af ter
the VDC system stops limiting wheel spin.
The
indicator light also comes on
when you place the ignition switch in the
ON position. The light will turn off af ter ap-
proximately 2 seconds if the system is op-
erational. If the light does not come on
have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Transfer 4LO position
indicator light
(
model)
This light comes on when the 4WD shif t
switch is set in the 4LO position with the
ignition switch in the ON position.
The transfer case may be damaged if you
shif t the switch while driving.
Make sure the transfer 4LO position indica-
tor light turns on when you shif t the 4WD
shif t switch to 4LO.
The indicator light may blink while shif t-
ing from one drive mode to the other.
The 4LO indicator light must stop blinking
and remain illuminated or turn off before
shif ting the transmission into gear. If the
shif t lever is shif ted from the N (Neutral)
position to any other gear when the 4LO
indicator light is blinking, the vehicle may
move unexpectedly.
When you shif t between 4H and 4LO, follow
the instructions below:
• Stop the vehicle and move the shif t lever to the N (Neutral) position with the brake
pedal depressed, then depress and turn
the 4WD shif t switch to 4LO or 4H.
Instruments and controls2-23

You cannot move the transfer 4WD shif t
switch between 4H and 4LO unless you
stop the vehicle and move the shif t lever to
the N (Neutral) position with the brake
pedal depressed.
Turn signal/hazard
indicator lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn
signal switch is activated.
NOTE:
In case of turn signal light bulb malfunc-
tion, the turn signal will flash at a higher
frequency when the turn signal switch is
activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is
turned on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator light
This indicator light comes on when the
VDC OFF switch is pushed to the OFF posi-
tion, the transfer case is in the 4LO position
(
model), or when the VDC system is
not functioning properly. This indicates the
VDC system is not operating.
Push the VDC OFF switch again or restart
the engine and the system will operate normally. For additional information, refer
to “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system”
in the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
The VDC light also comes on when the
push-button ignition switch is in the ON
position. The light will turn off af ter about 2
seconds if the system is operational. If the
light stays on or comes on along with the
indicator light while you are driving,
have the VDC system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
If the battery is removed or discharged, the
VDC system is disabled and the VDC indi-
cator light will not turn off af ter 2 seconds
when the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position. To reset the system, you must
perform the reset procedure. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) system” in the “Start-
ing and driving” section of this manual.
If the light does not go off af ter performing
the reset procedure, have the traction con-
trol system checked. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
While the VDC system is operating, you
might feel slight vibration or hear the sys-
tem working when starting the vehicle or
accelerating, but this is normal. The VDC system will be disabled and the
VDC light will illuminate when the elec-
tronic locking rear differential (E-lock) sys-
tem switch (if so equipped) is turned on
and the E-lock system is engaged. If the
E-lock system disengages or the switch is
turned off, the VDC system will be enabled
and the VDC light will turn off.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a disc brake pad requires
replacement, it makes a high pitched
scraping sound when the vehicle is in mo-
tion, whether or not the brake pedal is de-
pressed. Have the brakes checked as soon
as possible if the warning sound is heard.
Light reminder chime
With the ignition switch placed in the OFF
position, a chime sounds when the driver's
door is opened if the headlights or parking
lights are on.
Turn the headlight control switch off before
leaving the vehicle.
2-24Instruments and controls

•The hill descent control may not con-
trol the vehicle speed on a hill under
all load or road conditions. Always be
prepared to depress the brake pedal
to control vehicle speed. Failure to do
so may result in a collision or serious
personal injury.
CAUTION
When the hill descent control system op-
erates continuously for a long time, the
temperature of the brake pads may in-
crease and the hill descent control sys-
tem may be temporarily disabled (the in-
dicator light will blink). If the indicator
light does not come on continuously af-
ter blinking, stop using the system.
The hill descent control system is designed
to reduce driver workload when going down
steep hills. The hill descent control system
helps to control vehicle speed so the driver
can concentrate on steering the vehicle.
To activate the hill descent control system:
• The shif t lever must be in forward or re- verse gear,
• The 4WD switch must be in the 4L posi- tion and the vehicle speed must be under
15 mph (25 km/h) or • The 4WD switch must be in the 4H posi-
tion and the vehicle speed must be under
21 mph (35 km/h), and
• The hill descent control system switch must be ON.
The hill descent control system ON indica-
tor light will come on when the system is
activated. Also, the stop/tail lights illumi-
nate while the hill descent control system
applies the brakes to control vehicle speed.
If the accelerator or brake pedal is depressed
while the hill descent control system is on,
the system will stop operating temporarily.
As soon as the accelerator or brake pedal is
released, the hill descent control system be-
gins to function again if the hill descent con-
trol operating conditions are fulfilled.
The hill descent control system ON indica-
tor light blinks if the switch is on and all
conditions for system activation are not
met or if the system becomes disengaged
for any reason.
To turn off the hill descent control system,
push the switch to the OFF position.
For additional information, refer to “Hill de-
scent control system ON indicator light” in
this section and “Hill descent control sys-
tem” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual. The E-Lock system can help provide added
traction if the vehicle is stuck or becoming
stuck.
To activate the E-Lock system:
• The 4WD switch must be in the 4LO posi-
tion (4-Wheel Drive vehicles),
• The vehicle must be stopped or moving at 4 mph (7 km/h) or less, and
• The E-Lock system switch must be turned on.
LIC0729
ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR
DIFFERENTIAL (E-Lock) SYSTEM
SWITCH (if so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-37

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

•If your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in R (Reverse)
gear. Never back down in N (Neutral),
using only the brake, as this could
cause loss of control.
• Heavy braking going down a hill
could cause your brakes to overheat
and fade, resulting in loss of control
and an accident. Apply brakes lightly
and use a low gear to control your
speed. Use the hill descent control
feature (if so equipped).
• Unsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure all cargo so it
will not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
• To avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack (if so
equipped) and evenly distribute the
load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo
area as far forward and as low as
possible. Do not equip the vehicle
with tires larger than specified in this
manual. This could cause your ve-
hicle to roll over. •
Do not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-
road. The steering wheel could move
suddenly and injure your hands. In-
stead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
• Before operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
• Always drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.
• Lower your speed when encounter-
ing strong crosswinds. With a higher
center of gravity, your NISSAN is more
affected by strong side winds. Slower
speeds ensure better vehicle control.
• Do not drive beyond the perfor-
mance capability of the tires, even
with 4WD engaged (if so equipped).
• For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not
attempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shif t the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result
in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result
in serious vehicle damage or per-
sonal injury. •
Do not attempt to test a 4WD
equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dyna-
mometer (such as the dynamom-
eters used by some states for emis-
sions testing), or similar equipment
even if the other two wheels are
raised off the ground. Make sure you
inform test facility personnel that
your vehicle is equipped with 4WD
before it is placed on a dynamom-
eter. Using the wrong test equipment
may result in drivetrain damage or
unexpected vehicle movement
which could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
• Accelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
• If at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN 4WD vehicle has
a higher center of gravity than a pas-
senger car. The vehicle is not de-
signed for cornering at the same
speeds as passenger cars. Failure to
operate this vehicle correctly could
result in loss of control and/or a roll-
over accident.
Starting and driving5-9