check engine NISSAN FRONTIER 2021 Owners Manual

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel................................2-2
Meters and gauges .............................2-4
Speedometer and odometer .................2-4
Tachometer .................................. 2-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .......... 2-7
Fuel gauge ...................................2-8
Distance To Empty (DTE) .....................2-8
Trip computer (if so equipped) ................2-9
Compass and outside temperature display
(if so equipped) ................................. 2-10
Outside temperature display ................2-10
Compass .................................... 2-11
Warning lights, indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................................... 2-14
Checking lights .............................. 2-15
Warning lights ............................... 2-15
Indicator lights .............................. 2-21
Audible reminders ........................... 2-24
Security systems (if so equipped) ...............2-25
Vehicle security system (if so equipped) .....2-25
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
(if so equipped) .............................. 2-27
Wiper and washer switch .......................2-28
Switch operation ............................ 2-28
Rear window or outside mirror defroster
switch (if so equipped) ......................... 2-29Headlight and turn signal switch
...............2-30
Headlight control switch ....................2-30
Daytime Running Lights (DRL) system
(if so equipped) .............................. 2-32
Instrument brightness control ..............2-33
Turn signal switch ........................... 2-33
Fog light switch (if so equipped) .............2-33
Horn ........................................... 2-34
Cargo lamp switch ............................. 2-34
Heated seat switches (if so equipped) ..........2-35
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF switch .....2-36
Hill descent control switch (if so equipped) .....2-36
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch (if so equipped) .................2-37
Rear Sonar System (RSS) OFF switch
(if so equipped) .................................
2-38
P

ower outlets .................................. 2-39
Storage ........................................ 2-40
Front-door pockets ......................... 2-40
Rear-door pockets .......................... 2-40
Seatback pocket (if so equipped) ............2-41
Under-seat storage bins
(if so equipped) .............................. 2-42
Storagetrays................................ 2-44
Glovebox ................................... 2-44

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

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)
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 brakefluid as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Brake fluid” in the “Do-it-
yourself ” section of this manual.
2-16Instruments and controls

2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have thewarning system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.Electric shif t control system
warning light
This light illuminates when a malfunction
occurs in the electric shif t control system.
Have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Engine oil pressure
warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during nor-
mal driving, pull off the road in a safe area,
stop the engine immediatelyand call a
NISSAN dealer or other authorized repair
shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. For
additional information, refer to “Engine oil”
in the “Do-it-yourself ” section of this
manual.
Instruments and controls2-17

NISSAN Intelligent Key®
warning light (if so
equipped)
Af ter the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light comes on for about 2
seconds and then turns off. This light illumi-
nates or blinks as follows:
• The light blinks in yellow when the door isclosed with the Intelligent Key lef t outside
the vehicle and the ignition switch in the
ON position. Make sure that the Intelligent
Key is inside the vehicle.
• The light blinks in green when the Intelli- gent Key battery is running out of power.
Replace the battery with a new one. For
additional information, refer to “Battery”
in the “Do-it-yourself ” section of this
manual.
• The light illuminates in yellow when it warns of a malfunction with the electrical
steering lock system or the Intelligent Key
system.
If the warning light illuminates in yellow
while the engine is stopped, it may be im-
possible to free the steering lock or to start
the engine. If the light comes on while the
engine is running, you can drive the vehicle.
However, in these cases, have the vehicle
checked and repaired as soon as possible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
For additional information, refer to “NISSAN
Intelligent Key®” in the “Pre-driving checks
and adjustments” section of this manual.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. The light illuminates when-
ever the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position and remains illuminated until the
driver's seat belt is fastened. At the same
time, the chime sounds for about 6 sec-
onds unless the driver's seat belt is se-
curely fastened.
The seat belt warning light may also illumi-
nate if the front passenger's seat belt is not
fastened when the front passenger's seat
is occupied. For 7 seconds af ter the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position, the sys-
tem does not activate the warning light for
the front passenger.
For additional information, refer to “Seat
belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.
Shif t P (Park) warning light
(if so equipped)
This light blinks red and the key reminder
chime sounds if the shif t lever is in any
position other than P (Park) and the ignition
switch is in the OFF position. Return the
shif t lever to P (Park) with the ignition
switch in the OFF position and the warning
light along with the chime will turn off. For
additional information, refer to “NISSAN In-
telligent Key®” in the “Pre-driving checks
and adjustments” section of this manual.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
and pretensioner seat belt systems need
servicing:
• The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on af ter approximately 7 sec-
onds.
• The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
2-20Instruments 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.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

Front passenger air bag
status light
The front passenger air bag status lightwill be lit and the passenger front air
bag will be off depending on how the front
passenger seat is being used.
For additional information, refer to “Front
passenger air bag and status light” in the
“Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemen-
tal restraint system” section of this manual.
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This blue light comes on when the head-
light high beams are on and goes out when
the low beams are selected.
The high beam indicator light also comes
on when the passing signal is activated.
Hill descent control system
ON indicator light (if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light comes on briefly and
then turns off.
The light comes on when the hill descent
control system is activated. If the hill descent control switch is on and
the indicator light blinks, the system is not
engaged.
If the indicator light does not come on
when the hill descent switch is on, the sys-
tem may not be functioning properly. Have
the system checked. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this ser-
vice.
For additional information, refer to “Hill de-
scent control switch” in this section and “Hill
descent control system” in the “Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or
blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The MIL may also come on steady if the
fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, or if the
vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make sure
the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least 3
gal (11.4 L) of fuel in the fuel tank.
Af ter a few driving trips, the
light
should turn off if no other potential emis-
sion control system malfunction exists. If this indicator light comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds
when the engine is not running, it indicates
that the vehicle is not ready for an emission
control system inspection/maintenance
test. For additional information, refer to
“Readiness for inspection/maintenance
(I/M) test” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
Operation
The MIL will come on in one of two ways:
• MIL on steady — An emission control sys-
tem malfunction has been detected.
Check the fuel-filler cap if the LOOSE FUEL
CAP warning appears in the trip com-
puter. If the fuel-filler cap is loose or miss-
ing, tighten or install the cap and con-
tinue to drive the vehicle. The
light
should turn off af ter a few driving trips. If
the
light does not turn off af ter a few
driving trips, have the vehicle inspected. It
is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. You do not need to
have your vehicle towed to the dealer.
• MIL blinking — An engine misfire has been detected which may damage the emis-
sion control system. To reduce or avoid
emission control system damage:– Do not drive at speeds above 45 mph (72 km/h).
2-22Instruments and controls

– 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