NISSAN PATHFINDER 1996 R50 / 2.G Owners Manual

INever use benzine, thinner or any
similar material.
IThe leather seats should be regularly
coated with a leather wax like saddle
soap. Never use car wax.
INever use fabric protectors unless
recommended by the manufacturer.
Floor mat positioning aid
(Driver side only)
This model includes a front floor mat bracket to
act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your
vehicle model. The driver side floor mat has a
grommet hole incorporated in it. Simply posi-
tion the mat by placing the floor mat bracket
hook through the floor mat grommet hole while
centering the mat in the floorpan contour.
Periodically check to make certain the mats
are properly positioned.
Floor mats
The use of Genuine Nissan floor mats can
extend the life of your vehicle carpet and make
it easier to clean the interior. No matter what
mats are used, be sure they are fitted for your
vehicle and are properly positioned in the
footwell to prevent interference with pedal op-
eration. Mats should be maintained with regu-
lar cleaning and replaced if they become ex-
cessively worn.
Seat belts
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solu-
tion. Allow the belts to dry completely before
using them. Do not allow wet belts to roll up in
the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye or
chemical solvents since these may severely
weaken the seat belt webbing.
SAI0009
6-4
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Most common factors contributing to
vehicle corrosion:
1. The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
2. Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic accidents.
Environmental factors influence the
rate of corrosion:
Moisture
The accumulation of sand, dirt and water on
the underside of the body will accelerate cor-
rosion. Floor sections which have snow and
ice trapped under the floor matting will not dry.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated:
Iin areas of high relative humidity
Iespecially in areas where the temperatures
stay above freezing
Iwhere atmospheric pollution exists
Iwhere road salt is usedTemperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not well
ventilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the
air in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will
accelerate the corrosion process. Road salt
will also accelerate the disintegration of paint
surfaces.To protect your vehicle from
corrosion:
IWash and wax your vehicle often to keep
the vehicle clean.
IAlways check for minor damage to the paint
and repair it as soon as possible.
IKeep drain holes at the bottom of the doors
and tailgate open to avoid water accumula-
tion.
ICheck the underbody. If any sand, dirt or
salt is accumulated, wash it off with water
as soon as possible.
INEVER remove dirt, sand or other debris
from the passenger compartment by wash-
ing with a hose. Remove dirt with a vacuum
cleaner or broom.INever allow water or other liquids to come
in contact with electronic components in-
side the vehicle.
PROTECTING AGAINST
CORROSION
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Z01.2.1/R50-DX

MEMO
6-6
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

7 Do-it-yourself operations
Precautions ............................................................ 7-2
Engine cooling system ........................................... 7-4
Engine oil ............................................................... 7-7
Automatic transmission fluid .................................. 7-9
Power steering fluid ............................................. 7-11
Brake and clutch fluid .......................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ............................................ 7-12
Battery .................................................................. 7-13
Drive belts ............................................................ 7-14
Spark plug replacement ....................................... 7-14
Air cleaner filter .................................................... 7-16
Wiper blade .......................................................... 7-17
Parking brake ....................................................... 7-18
Brake pedal .......................................................... 7-19
Brake booster ....................................................... 7-20
Clutch pedal ......................................................... 7-20
Fuses ................................................................... 7-20
Light bulbs ............................................................ 7-22
Wheels and tires .................................................. 7-26
Clutch housing ........................................... 7-30
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself
or damage to the vehicle. The following are
general precautions which should be closely
observed.
IPark the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. For a manual transmission, move
the shift lever to Neutral. For an auto-
matic transmission, move the shift lever
to ªPº (Park).
IBe sure the ignition key is in the ªOFFº
or ªLOCKº position when performing
any replacement or repair.
IDo not work under the engine hood
while it is hot. Always turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.
IIf you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans and
fan belts.
IIt is advisable to remove necktie and any
jewelry, such as rings, watch, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
IIf you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be surethere is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases.
INever get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
IKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and battery.
INever connect or disconnect either the
battery or any transistorized component
connector while the ignition key is on.
IAlways apply the parking brake and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving.
IThe fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure
even when the engine is off.
IFailure to follow these or other common
sense guidelines may lead to serious
injury or vehicle damage.
IImproperly disposed motor oil and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the environ-
ment. Always conform to local regula-
tions for disposal of vehicle fluid.
IAvoid direct contact with used engine
oil.This ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section gives
instructions regarding only those items which
are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or im-
proper servicing may result in operating diffi-
culties or excessive emissions, and could af-
fect your warranty coverage.If in doubt about
any servicing, have it done by your NISSAN
dealer.
PRECAUTIONS
7-2
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

SDI0418
VG33E engine
7-3
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution (anti-freeze/water mix-
ture ratio: 50/50) which will ensure protection
against freezing down to þ30ÉF (þ35ÉC). The
anti-freeze solution contains rust and corro-
sion inhibitors, therefore additional cooling
system additives are not necessary.
When adding or replacing the coolant,
be sure to use an ethylene glycol anti-
freeze with the proper mixture ratio of
50% anti freeze 50% soft water.
Outside temperature
down toAnti-
freezeSoft water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
The use of other types of coolant solutions
may damage your cooling system.
The radiator is equipped with a pressure cap.
Use a NISSAN genuine cap or its equivalent
when replacement is required.
Never remove the radiator cap when theengine is hot; serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator. Wait until the engine and
radiator cool down.Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. See precautions in ªIf your vehicle
overheatsº found in the ªIn case of emergencyº
section.
CHECKING COOLANT LEVEL
With coolant reservoir
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below the ªMINº level, add coolant to the
ªMAXº level. If the reservoir tank is empty,
check the coolant level in the radiatorwhen
the engine is cold.If there is insufficient
coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add it
to the reservoir tank up to the ªMAXº level.
If the cooling system frequently requires
SDI0378
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
7-4
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

coolant, have it checked by your NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
IMajor cooling system repairs should be
performed by your NISSAN dealer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.IImproper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
ITo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
INever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
DI1383M
7-5
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

1. Perform the following procedure to open
the heater water cock.
ITurn the ignition key from ªOFFº to ªONº.
IMove the heater or air conditioner tem-
perature control dial to the maximum hot
position then turn the ignition key to
ªOFFº.
2. Open the drain valve and radiator cap.
Open the drain plug on the engine block.
3. Open the air release plug to drain the
coolant.4. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
5. Close the drain valve and drain plug se-
curely.
6. See the ªTechnical informationº section for
cooling system capacity.
Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mix-
ture of coolant and water. Fill the reservoir
tank slowly up to the ªMAXº level. Then
install the radiator cap and close the air
release plug.
7. Start the engine and warm it up until itreaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under no
load.
Watch the coolant temperature gauge for
signs of overheating.
8. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up the
ªMAXº level.
9. Check the drain valve and drain plug for
any sign of leakage.
SDI0409SDI0410SDI0419
7-6
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the ªHº and
ªLº marks. If the oil level is below the ªLº
mark, remove the oil filler cap and pour
recommended oil through the opening. Do
not overfill.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
IOil level should be checked regularly.
Operating with insufficient amount of
oil can damage the engine, and such
damage is not covered by warranty.IIt is normal to add some oil between
oil changes or during the break-in
period, depending on the severity of
operating conditions.
SDI0420SDI0446
ENGINE OIL
7-7
Z01.2.1/R50-DX