Gear NISSAN PATHFINDER 2000 R50 / 2.G Owners Manual

Changing the display:
Push the reset knob to change the display as
follows:
ODO,TRIP A,TRIP B,ODO
Resetting the trip odometer:
Push the reset knob for more than 1 second to
reset the trip odometer to zero.
TACHOMETERThe tachometer indicates engine speed in
revolutions per minute (r/min).
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the red
zone, shift to a higher gear. Operating
the engine in the red zone may cause
serious engine damage.
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGEThe gauge indicates the engine coolant tem-
perature.
The engine coolant temperature will vary with
the outside air temperature and driving condi-
tions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates engine coolant
temperature over the normal range, stop
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fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Overdrive off indicator light
(Automatic transmission
models only)
This light comes on during driving when the
overdrive switch is pressed to prevent over-
drive operation.
The O/D OFF indicator light comes on for two
seconds each time the ignition key is turned
ON. This shows the light is functioning prop-
erly.If the O/D OFF indicator light blinks for
approximately 8 seconds after coming on for
2 seconds, have your NISSAN dealer check
the transmission and repair it if necessary.The automatic transmission is equipped with
an electronic Fail-Safe mode. This system
allows the vehicle to be driven even in the
event of damage to the electrical circuits. If this
occurs, the gears automatically engage and
lock into 3rd gear.
See ªDriving the vehicleº in the ª5. Starting
and drivingº section for failsafe before vis-
iting your NISSAN dealer.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The light flashes when the turn signal switch
lever or hazard switch is turned on.CHIMES
Key reminder chimesThe chime will sound when the driver side door
is opened if the key is left in the ignition switch.
Take the ignition key when you leave the
vehicle.Light reminder chimesA chime will sound if the driver's door is
opened with the light switch on unless the
ignition key is in the ON position. Turn the light
switch off when you leave the vehicle.
A chime will sound when the light switch is in
the ON position and the driver's door is
opened after the light switch has been turned
to the OFF position when the light has already
turned off automatically.Brake pad wear warningThe disc brake pads have audible wear warn-
ings. When a brake pad requires replacement,
it will make a high pitched scraping sound.
Have the brakes checked as soon as possibleif the warning sound is heard when the vehicle
is moving, whether or not the brake pedal is
depressed.
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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.
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IMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
ICheck fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid, window washer
fluid as frequently as possible, at least
whenever you refuel.
ICheck to be sure that all windows and light
lenses are clean.
IVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
ILock all doors.
IPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
IAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
IFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
ICheck the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ON (3) position.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park position)
or N (Neutral position). (P preferred)
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of P and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
LOCK or if the key is removed from the
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the selector lever is in one of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral po-
sition), and depress the clutch pedal to the
floor while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails
to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather ÐUse the accelerator pedal to help start the
engine.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
10 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at least
30 seconds after starting. Drive at moder-
ate speed for a short distance first, espe-
cially in cold weather.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONThe automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum power and
smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this trans-
mission. Follow these procedures for maxi-
mum vehicle performance and driving
enjoyment. If your vehicle is equipped with four
wheel drive, see ªUsing four wheel driveº later
in this section.
IAfter starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal and push the selector lever
button before shifting the selector lever to
the D, R, 2 or 1 position. Be sure the vehicle
is fully stopped before attempting to shift
the selector lever.
This automatic transmission is designed
so that the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from P to any drive
position while the ignition switch is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of
P and into any of the other gear positions if
the ignition key is turned to LOCK or if the
key is removed from the switch.
When the battery charge is low, the selec-
tor lever can be moved if the ignition switchis in the ACC position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the selector lever button to shift into a
driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
IDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P or N to R, D, 2 or
1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure to
do so could cause you to lose control
and have an accident.
ICold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward
or reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
INever shift to P or R while the vehicle
is moving. This could cause an acci-
dent.
IOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.
CAUTION
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot
brake should be used for this purpose.
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ShiftingPush the button to shift into P, R or from D to
2. All other positions can be selected without
pushing the button.
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Always be
sure the vehicle is at a complete stop. For
maximum safety, depress the brake pedal,
then push in the select lever button and move
the lever to the P position. Apply the parking
brake. When parking on a hill, apply the park-ing brake first, then shift the lever into the P
position.
Shifting from P (Park):
If the ignition switch is in the ON position and
the foot brake pedal is depressed, but the
selector lever still cannot be moved out of P
(Park), follow these instructions:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn it clock-
wise to the ACC position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the selector
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
5. Check stop light operation.
WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P (Park) position while the
engine is running and the brake pedal
depressed, the stop lights may not work.
Malfunctioning stop lights could cause
an accident injuring yourself and others.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in N(Neutral) should only be used until service can
be obtained. Never drive the vehicle if the stop
lights are not operating properly.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Shift into this
position only after the vehicle has completely
stopped.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position. You
may shift to N and restart a stalled engine
while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
2 (Second gear):
Use for hill climbing, effective engine braking
on downhill grades or starting on slippery
roads.
Do not downshift into the 2 position at speeds
over the following speeds and do not exceed
the following speeds in the 2 position:
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Two wheel drive:
60 MPH (95 km/h)
Four wheel drive:
2H and 4H positions 50 MPH (80 km/h)
4L position 19 MPH (30 km/h)
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine braking
on steep downhill grades.
Do not shift into 1 position at speeds over the
following speeds:
Two wheel drive:
60 MPH (95 km/h)
Four wheel drive:
2H and 4H positions 50 MPH (80 km/h)
4L position 19 MPH (30 km/h)
Do not exceed the following speeds in the 1
position:
Two wheel drive:
30 MPH (50 km/h)Four wheel drive:
2H and 4H positions 30 MPH (50 km/h)
4L position 12 MPH (19 km/h)
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Shift lock releaseIf the battery charge is low, the select lever
may not be moved from the P position even
with the brake pedal depressed and the select
lever button pushed.
To move the select lever, remove the shift lock
cover using a flat-bladed screwdriver, and
push the shift lock release button and select
lever button. The select lever can be moved to
N (Neutral).
To push the shift lock release button, follow the
procedure as illustrated.
If there is any problem moving the lever out of
P (Park) have your NISSAN dealer check the
automatic transmission system as soon as
possible.
WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is de-
pressed, the stop lights may not work.
Malfunctioning stop lights could cause
an accident injuring yourself and others.
Accelerator downshift
Ð In D position ÐFor rapid passing or hill climbing, fully depress
the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts
the transmission down into second gear or first
gear, depending on the vehicle speed.
Overdrive switchEach time your vehicle is started, the transmis-
sion is automatically reset to overdrive on.
ON: For normal driving the overdrive
switch is engaged. The transmission
is upshifted into overdrive as the ve-
hicle speed increases.
The overdrive does not engage until the
engine has warmed up.
OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking would be ad-
vantageous, push the overdrive
switch. The O/D OFF light illuminates.
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When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feel
uncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between 3rd and
overdrive repeatedly. In this case,
press the overdrive switch. The O/D
OFF indicator light comes on at this
time.
When driving conditions change, press the
overdrive switch again. The O/D OFF indicator
light goes out.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the O/D OFF
light illuminated. This reduces the fuel
economy.
Fail-safeWhen the Fail-safe operation occurs, the next
time the key is turned to the ON position, the
O/D OFF light will blink for approximately 8
seconds after coming on for 2 seconds. While
the vehicle can be driven under these circum-
stances please note that the gears in the
automatic transmission will be locked in third
gear.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the Fail-safe
system may be activated. This will occureven if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, turn the ignition key
OFF and wait for 3 seconds. Then turn the
key back to the ON position. The vehicle
should return to its normal operating con-
dition. If it does not return to its normal
operating condition have your NISSAN
dealer check the transmission and repair if
necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Shifting
WARNING
IDo not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of con-
trol.
IDo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
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damage.
To change gears, or when up shifting or down
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift
into the appropriate gear, then release the
clutch slowly and smoothly.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into
Reverse. First shift into the Neutral position,
then into Reverse.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into
Reverse or 1st, shift into Neutral, then release
the clutch pedal and shift into Reverse or 1st
again. If your vehicle is equipped with four
wheel drive, see ªUsing four wheel driveº later
in this section.
Suggested up-shift speedsThe table below provides suggested speed
ranges for shifting into a higher gear. These
suggestions relate to fuel economy and ve-
hicle performance. Actual shift ranges should
be adjusted for specific road conditions,
weather conditions and individual driving hab-
its.
ITwo wheel drive models and four wheel
drive models (2H and 4H position)
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)*1 Acceleration:
Normal acceleration such as
standing start
*2 Cruise:
Driving without rapid acceleration
or deceleration at moderate speed
which permits maximum fuel
economy
IFour wheel drive model (4L position)
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 8 (13)
2nd to 3rd 12 (20)
3rd to 4th 20 (32)
4th to 5th 22 (36)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gearDownshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road
driving, use the highest gear suggested for
that speed. Always observe posted speed
limits, and drive according to the road condi-
tions which will ensure safe operation. Do not
overrev the engine when shifting to a lower
gear as it may cause engine damage or loss of
vehicle control.Allowable maximum speed in each gear
Two wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
2H position
1st 22 (36)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 56 (90)
4th & 5th 78 (125)
Four wheel drive models MPH (km/h)
4H position
1st 22 (36)
2nd 37 (60)
3rd 50 (80)
4th & 5th 50 (80)
4L position
1st 9 (15)
2nd 19 (30)
3rd 28 (45)
4th & 5th 31 (50)
CAUTION
IDo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
IStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
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