ECU NISSAN PATHFINDER 2000 R50 / 2.G Owner's Guide

OPENER OPERATIONTo open the fuel filler lid, push the opener lever
down. To lock, close the fuel filler lid securely.
FUEL FILLER CAPThe fuel filler cap is a screw-on ratcheting
type. Tighten the cap clockwise until ratcheting
clicks are heard.
WARNING
IGasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain condi-
tions. You could be burned or seri-
ously injured if it is misused or mis-
handled. Always stop the engine anddo not smoke or allow open flames or
sparks near the vehicle when refuel-
ing.
IFuel may be under pressure. Turn the
cap one-half turn, and wait for any
hissing sound to stop to prevent fuel
from spraying out and possible per-
sonal injury. Then remove the cap.
IDo not attempt to top off the fuel tank
after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off
automatically. Continued refueling
may cause fuel over-flow, resulting in
fuel spray and possibly a fire.
IOnly use an original equipment type
fuel filler cap as a replacement. It has
a built-in safety valve needed for
proper operation of the fuel system
and emission control system. An in-
correct cap can result in a serious
malfunction and possible injury or it
may cause the MIL to illuminate.
INever pour fuel into the throttle body
to attempt to start your vehicle.
SPA0389
SPA0341
FUEL FILLER LID3-12
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
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CAUTION
IIf fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid paint
damage.
ITighten until cap clicks, failure to
tighten fuel cap properly may cause
the
malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL) to illuminate. If this occurs, se-
curely close the fuel filler cap. After
driven for a while, the lamp should
turn off. If the lamp remains on, have
the vehicle inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
For additional information, see the
ªMalfunction indicator lamp (MIL)º in
the ª2. Instruments and controlsº
section.Put the fuel filler cap on the cap holder while
refueling.
TILT OPERATIONWhile pushing down on the lock lever, adjust
the steering wheel up or down to the desired
position. Push the lock lever up securely to
lock the steering wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
SPA0342
SPA0394
STEERING WHEEL
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
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WARNING
IDo not leave children, impaired
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
They could accidentally injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.
IProperly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
EXHAUST GAS (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they con-
tain colorless and odorless carbon mon-
oxide. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous.
It can cause unconsciousness or death.
IIf you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
IDo not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.
IDo not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.
IKeep the back door and glass hatch
closed while driving, otherwise ex-
haust gases could be drawn into the
passenger compartment. If you must
drive with the back door on glass
hatch open, follow these precautions:
1. Open all the windows.2. Set the air recirculation switch
OFF and the fan control at 4 (high)
to circulate the air.
IIf electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the back door or
the body, follow the manufacturer's
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
IIf a special body or other equipment
is added for recreational or other us-
age, follow the manufacturer's rec-
ommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
(Some recreational vehicle appli-
ances such as stoves, refrigerator,
heaters, etc. may also generate car-
bon monoxide.)
IThe exhaust system and body should
be inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING5-2
Starting and driving
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fastened. This will keep you and your
passengers in position when driving
over rough terrain.
IDo not drive across steep slopes.
Instead drive either straight up or
straight down the slopes. Off-road
vehicles can tip over sideways much
more easily than they can forward or
backward.
IMany hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you may
not be able to control your speed. If
you drive across them, you may roll
over.
IDo not shift gears while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.
IStay alert when driving to the top of a
hill. At the top there could be a drop-
off or other hazard that could cause
an accident.
IIf your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill, neverattempt to turn around. Your vehicle
could tip or roll over. Always back
straight down in R (Reverse) gear.
Never back down in N (Neutral) or
with the clutch depressed (manual
transmission vehicles), using only
the brake, as this could cause loss of
control.
IHeavy 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.
IUnsecured 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.
ITo avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack/gear bin (if
so equipped) and evenly distribute
the load. Secure heavy loads in the
cargo area as far forward and as lowas possible. Do not equip the vehicle
with tires larger than specified in this
manual. This could cause your ve-
hicle to roll over.
IDo not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving of-
froad. The steering wheel could move
suddenly and injure your hands. In-
stead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
IBefore operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
IAlways drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.
ILower 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.
IDo not drive beyond the performance
of the tires, even with 4WD engaged.
Starting and driving
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FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCKTo prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before
inserting it into the key hole.ANTI-FREEZEIn the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC), check
anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base) to assure
proper winter protection. For details, see ªEn-
gine cooling systemº in the ª8. Do-it-yourselfº
section.BATTERYIf the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For details, see
ªBatteryº in the ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section.DRAINING OF COOLANT WATERIf the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by open-
ing the drain valves located under the radiator
and on the engine block. Refill before operat-
ing the vehicle. See ªEngine cooling systemº in
the ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section for Changing
Engine Coolant.
TIRE EQUIPMENT1. SUMMER tires are of a tread design to
provide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your
vehicle on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN
recommends the use of MUD & SNOW or
ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels.
Please consult your NISSAN dealer for the
tire type, size, speed rating and availability
information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some Prov-
inces and States prohibit their use, so,
before installing studded tires, check local,
state and provincial laws.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires, on wet or dry surfaces, may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
3. TIRE CHAINS may be used if desired.
Make sure they are of proper size for the
tires on your vehicle and are installed ac-
cording to the chain manufacturer's sug-
gestions. Use of tire chains may be prohib-
ited according to location. Check the local
laws before installing tire chains. When
installing tire chains, make sure they are of
proper size for the tires on your vehicle andare installed according to the chain manu-
facturer's suggestions.Use only SAE
Class S chains.Other types may damage
your vehicle. Use chain tensioners when
recommended by the tire chain manufac-
turer to ensure a tight fit. Loose end links of
the tire chain must be secured or removed
to prevent the possibility of whipping action
damage to the fenders or underbody. If
possible, avoid fully loading your vehicle
when using tire chains. In addition, drive at
a reduced speed. Otherwise, your vehicle
may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely af-
fected.
Do not use the chains on dry roads.
Tire chains must be installed only on the
rear wheels and not on the front wheels.
Do not drive with tire chains on paved roads
which are clear of snow. Driving with chains
in such conditions can cause damage to the
various mechanisms of the vehicle due to
some overstress. When driving on clear
paved roads, be sure to change to 2WD.
4. For four wheel drive:
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and
tread pattern on all four wheels.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING5-28
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CHANGING A FLAT TIREIf you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.Stopping the vehicle1. Safely move the vehicle off the road away
from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the
parking brake. Shift the manual transmis-
sion into reverse (automatic transmission in
P).
WARNING
The transfer control lever must
be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position.
Never place the transfer control lever in
the N position. Otherwise, the vehicle
could roll unexpectedly even if the
manual transmission is in gear or the
automatic transmission is in the P posi-
tion. This could result in serious per-
sonal injury or property damage.
4. Turn off the engine.5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to
signal professional road assistance person-
nel that you require assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle
and stand in a safe place away from traffic
and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
IMake sure that the parking brake is
securely applied and the manual
transmission is shifted into R (re-
verse), on the automatic transmis-
sion in P (Park).
INever change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or a slippery area.
This is hazardous.
INever change tires if oncoming traffic
is close to your vehicle. Wait for pro-
fessional road assistance.
Blocking wheelsPlace suitable blocks at both the front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat
tire.
WARNING
Be sure to block the wheel as the vehicle
may move and could cause personal
injury.
MCE0001
FLAT TIRE6-2
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Getting the spare tire and toolsRemove jacking tools and spare tire from
storage area.
Removing the spare tire cover (if so
equipped)The spare tire cover cannot be removed or
attached unless the spare tire is detached from
the spare tire carrier.
1. Attach the cover to the entire periphery of
the inner half and the top part of the spare
tire.
2. Secure the spare tire to the spare tire
carrier as shown in the illustration.
3. Fasten the zip fastener of the spare tire
cover.
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Installing the spare tire1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the wheel on and tighten the
wheel nuts finger tight.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel
nuts alternately and evenly until they are
tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts securely
in the sequence as illustrated.
WARNING
IIncorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.
IDo not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the
nuts to become loose.
As soon as possible tighten the wheel nuts
to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
87 to 108 ft-lb (118 to 147 N×m)
Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pressure.
COLD pressure:
After vehicle has been parked for three
hours or more or driven less than 1 mile
(1.6 km).
COLD tire pressures are shown on the tire
placard affixed to the glove box lid.
WARNING
Retighten the wheel nuts when the ve-
hicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
5. Securely store the spare tire and jacking
equipment in the vehicle.
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In case of emergency
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Stowing the damaged tire and toolsSecurely store the tire and jacking equipment
in the vehicle as illustrated.
WARNING
IAlways make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
accident or sudden stop.
IThe small size spare tire is designedfor emergency use. See ªTires and
wheelsº in the ª8. Do-it-yourselfº sec-
tion.
Tightening torque of nuts:
48 to 66 ft-lb
(66 to 89 N×m)
Use a suitable padlock.
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CAUTION
If towing with the front wheels on the
ground or with the rear wheels on the
ground (if you cannot use towing dol-
lies) is necessary: Move the transfer
case shift lever into the 2H position.
IWhen towing with the front wheels on
the ground: On manual transmission
models to move the shift lever to the
N (neutral) position, turn the ignition
key to the OFF position and secure
the steering wheel in a straightahead
position with a rope on similar de-
vice.
On automatic transmission models to
move the selector lever to N (neutral)
position, turn the ignition key to the
ACC position. After moving the selec-
tor lever to the N (neutral) position,
turn the ignition key to the OFF posi-
tion and secure the steering wheel in
a straightahead position with a rope
or similar device.
Never place the ignition key in theLOCK position. This will result in
damage to the steering lock mecha-
nism.
IWhen towing manual transmission
models with the rear wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground:
Always release the parking brake and
move the transmission shift lever to
the N (neutral) position.
Observe the following restricted tow-
ing speeds and distances.
Manual transmission models:
ISpeed: Below 60 MPH (95 km/h)
IDistance: Less than 500 miles (800
km)
If the speed or distance must necessarily be
greater, remove the front and rear propeller
shafts beforehand to prevent damage to the
transmission.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a
stuck vehicle)IUse the towinghookonly, not other parts of
the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle body will
be damaged.
IUse the towing hookonlyto free a vehicle
stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.Nevertow
the vehicle for a long distance using only
the towing hook.
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