power steering NISSAN PATHFINDER 2000 R50 / 2.G Owners Manual

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustmentsKeys .......................................................................... 3-2
Doors ......................................................................... 3-2
Locking with key ........................................................ 3-3
Locking with inside lock knob ................................... 3-3
Locking with power door lock switch (if so
equipped) .................................................................. 3-4
Child safety rear door lock ........................................ 3-4
Multi-remote control system (if so equipped)............ 3-5
How to use multi-remote control system .................. 3-5
Hood .......................................................................... 3-9
Rear door .................................................................. 3-9
Key operation ............................................................ 3-9
Spare tire carrier (if so equipped) ........................... 3-10Glass hatch ............................................................. 3-11
Key operation .......................................................... 3-11
Fuel filler lid ............................................................. 3-12
Opener operation .................................................... 3-12
Fuel filler cap ........................................................... 3-12
Steering wheel ........................................................ 3-13
Tilt operation ........................................................... 3-13
Sun visors ............................................................... 3-14
Using the sun visors ............................................... 3-14
Mirrors ..................................................................... 3-14
Inside mirror ............................................................ 3-14
Outside mirrors ........................................................ 3-15
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antenna outlet and there is enough
space for it to extend.
ITo prevent damage, be sure that
power antenna is fully retracted be-
fore the vehicle enters an automated
car wash.
IDirt and other foreign matter on the
power antenna rod may interrupt its
operation. Clean the rod periodically
with a damp cloth. This type of clean-
ing is especially important during the
winter seasons in areas where road
salt and other chemicals may be
spread on road surfaces and
splashed onto the antenna rod.If equipped with a genuine NISSAN cellular
phone, your NISSAN features a non-
directional microphone in the steering column
cover, so it is not necessary to look at or speak
directly into the microphone when calling. To
do so could detract from the driving operation
and cause an accident. See the car phone
manual for operation.
Some models are pre-wired to accept the
genuine NISSAN cellular phone. In addition,
the same model has the phone antenna built
into the rear glass window.
When installing a CB, ham radio or car phone
in your NISSAN, be sure to observe the follow-
ing cautions, otherwise the new equipment
may adversely affect the Engine control sys-
tem and other electronic parts.
CAUTION
IKeep the antenna as far as possible
away from the Engine Control Module
(ECM).
IKeep the antenna wire more than 8 in
(20 cm) away from the Multiport Fuel
Injection harness. Do not route the
antenna wire next to any harness.IAdjust the antenna standing-wave ra-
tio as recommended by the manufac-
turer.
IConnect the ground wire from the CB
radio chassis to the body.
IFor details, consult an authorized
NISSAN dealer.CB RADIO OR CAR PHONE
4-26
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ...................... 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .............................. 5-2
Three way catalyst .................................................... 5-3
On-pavement and offroad driving precautions.......... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover................................... 5-4
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ............................ 5-4
Driving safety precautions ......................................... 5-4
Ignition switch............................................................ 5-6
Automatic transmission ............................................. 5-6
Manual transmission ................................................. 5-7
Key positions ............................................................. 5-8
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system ........................... 5-8
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-9
Starting the engine .................................................... 5-9
Driving the vehicle ................................................... 5-10
Automatic transmission ........................................... 5-10
Manual transmission ............................................... 5-14
Parking brake .......................................................... 5-16
Cruise control (if so equipped) ................................ 5-17
Precautions on cruise control.................................. 5-17Cruise control operations ........................................ 5-18
Break-in schedule ................................................... 5-19
Increasing fuel economy ......................................... 5-20
Using four wheel drive (4WD) ................................. 5-20
Transfer case shifting procedures........................... 5-22
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-24
Power steering ........................................................ 5-25
Brake system .......................................................... 5-26
Braking precautions ................................................ 5-26
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ................................. 5-26
Cold weather driving ............................................... 5-28
Freeing a frozen door lock ...................................... 5-28
Anti-freeze ............................................................... 5-28
Battery ..................................................................... 5-28
Draining of coolant water ........................................ 5-28
Tire equipment ........................................................ 5-28
Special winter equipment ........................................ 5-29
Driving on snow or ice ............................................ 5-29
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ...................... 5-29
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IIf the ATP light is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(park) position will not function and
the transfer shift lever is in the N
position. Failure to engage the trans-
fer shift lever in H or 4L could result
in the vehicle moving unexpectedly,
resulting in serious personal injury or
property damage.
3. To help prevent the vehicle rolling into the
street when parked on a sloping drive way,
it is a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.
IHEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
q1
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
IHEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
q2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
IHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
q3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the roadso the vehicle will move away from the
center of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key.The power assisted steering is designed to
use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, to
assist steering.
If the engine stops or drive belt breaks, you will
still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, espe-
cially in sharp turns or at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
much harder to operate.POWER STEERING
Starting and driving
5-25
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BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit develops a problem, you
will still have braking at two wheels.Vacuum assisted brakeThe brake booster aids braking by using en-
gine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop
the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal.
However, greater foot pressure on the brake
pedal will be required to stop the vehicle and
the stopping distance will be longer.Using the brakesAvoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake linings and pads faster and
reduce gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, before going down a
slope or long grade, reduce speed and down-
shift to a lower gear.Wet brakesWhen the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result,
your braking distance will be longer and the
vehicle may pull to one side during braking.To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat-up the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function correctly.
WARNING
IWhile driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerating
or downshifting. Abrupt braking or
accelerating could cause the wheels
to skid and result in an accident.
IIf the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes
at each wheel so the wheels will not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slippery
surfaces. The system detects the rotation
speed at each wheel and varies the brake fluid
pressure to prevent each wheel from locking
and sliding. By preventing wheel lockup, the
system helps the driver maintain steering con-trol and helps to minimize swerving and spin-
ning on slippery surfaces.
Using the systemDepress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.Normal operationThe anti-lock brake system will not operate at
speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h) to
completely stop the vehicle. (The speeds will
vary according to road conditions.) When the
anti-lock system senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
(under the hood) rapidly applies and releases
hydraulic pressure (like pumping the brakes
very quickly). While the actuator is working,
you may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from the actuator
under the hood. This is normal and indicates
that the anti-lock system is working properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
BRAKE SYSTEM5-26
Starting and driving
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tioner temperature control to maximum hot
and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing
a long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a
fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the
temperature gauge indication returns to
normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. Wait until no
steam or coolant can be seen before pro-
ceeding.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leaking,
the cooling fan belt is missing or loose or
the cooling fan does not run, stop the
engine.
WARNING
IBe careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or to get caught in, the
cooling fan, or drive belt.
IThe engine cooling fan can start at
any time when the coolant tempera-
ture is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir
tank if necessary. Have your vehicle re-
paired at the nearest NISSAN dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial
in Canada) and local regulations for towing
must be followed. Incorrect towing equipment
could damage your vehicle. Towing instruc-
tions are available from your NISSAN dealer.
Local service operators will generally be famil-
iar with the applicable laws and procedures for
towing. To assure proper towing and to pre-
vent accidental damage to your vehicle,
NISSAN recommends that you have a service
operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to
have the service operator carefully read the
following precautions.
WARNING
INever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
INever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
IWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and power train are in working condi-TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-12
In case of emergency
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8 Do-it-yourselfMaintenance precautions .......................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................... 8-4
Engine cooling system .............................................. 8-5
Checking engine coolant level .................................. 8-5
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-6
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-7
Checking engine oil level .......................................... 8-7
Changing engine oil .................................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil filter .......................................... 8-9
Automatic transmission fluid ................................... 8-10
Temperature conditions for checking ...................... 8-10
Power steering fluid ................................................ 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ............................................. 8-12
Brake fluid ............................................................... 8-12
Clutch fluid .............................................................. 8-13
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-13
Window washer fluid reservoir ................................ 8-13
Battery ..................................................................... 8-14
Jump starting........................................................... 8-15
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-15
Spark plugs ............................................................. 8-16
Replacing spark plugs ............................................. 8-16Air cleaner ............................................................... 8-17
Windshield wiper blades ......................................... 8-18
Cleaning .................................................................. 8-18
Replacement ........................................................... 8-18
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................... 8-19
Checking parking brake .......................................... 8-19
Checking brake pedal ............................................. 8-19
Brake booster .......................................................... 8-20
Clutch pedal ............................................................ 8-21
Checking clutch pedal ............................................. 8-21
Fuses....................................................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ............................................... 8-21
Passenger compartment ......................................... 8-22
Multi-remote controller battery replacement ........... 8-22
Lights ....................................................................... 8-24
Headlights ............................................................... 8-25
Wheels and tires ..................................................... 8-28
Tire pressure ........................................................... 8-28
Types of tires .......................................................... 8-29
Tire chains............................................................... 8-30
Changing wheels and tires...................................... 8-30
Clutch housing drain ................................... 8-34
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Check the fluid level.
The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 122 to 176ÉF (50 to 80ÉC) or using the
COLD range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 32 to 86ÉF (0 to 30ÉC).
CAUTION
IDo not overfill.
IUse Genuine Nissan PSF II or equiva-
lent.
BRAKE FLUIDCheck the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
level is below the MIN. line or the brake
warning light comes on, add DOT 3 fluid up to
the MAX. line.
If fluid is added frequently, the system should
be thoroughly checked by your NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
Use only new fluid from a sealed con-tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated fluid
may damage the brake and clutch sys-
tems. The use of improper fluids can
affect the vehicle's stopping ability.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, wash the surface with water.
DI0187M
SDI0847
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID8-12
Do-it-yourself
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uneven effort. Keep the floor mats away from
the pedal.
Clutch pedal*:
Make sure the pedal operates smoothly and
check that it has the proper free travel.
Brakes:
Check that the brakes do not pull the vehicle to
one side when applied.
Brake pedal and booster*:
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
make sure it has the proper distance under it
when depressed fully. Check the brake
booster function. Be certain to keep floormats
away from the pedal.
Parking brake*:
Check that the lever has the proper travel and
confirm that your vehicle is held securely on a
fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied.
Automatic transmission P position
mechanism:
On a fairly steep hill check that your vehicle is
held securely with the selector lever in the P
position without applying any brakes.
Under the hood and vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically e.g. each time you check
the engine oil or refuel.
Windshield washer fluid*:
Check that there is adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine oil level*:
Check the level after parking the vehicle on a
level spot and turning off the engine. (Be sure
to wait a few minutes to allow the oil to drain
back into the sump.)
Brake and clutch fluid levels*:
Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid level
is between the MAX and MIN lines on the
reservoir.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check the level when the fluid is cold and the
engine is turned off. Check the lines for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Automatic transmission fluid level*:
Check the level after putting the selector lever
in P (Park) with the engine idling.Engine coolant level*:
Check the coolant level when the engine is
cold.
Radiator and hoses:
Check the front of the radiator and clean off
any dirt, insects, leaves, etc., that may have
accumulated. Make sure the hoses have no
cracks, deformation, rot or loose connections.
Engine drive belts*:
Make sure that no belt is frayed, worn, cracked
or oily.
Battery*:
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the MAX and MIN lines.
Exhaust system:
Make sure there are no loose supports, cracks
or holes. If the sound of the exhaust seems
unusual or there is a smell of exhaust fumes,
immediately locate the trouble and correct it.
See ªPrecautions when starting and drivingº in
the ª5. Starting and drivingº section for exhaust
gas (carbon monoxide).
Underbody:
The underbody is frequently exposed to corro-
sive substances such as those used on icy
9-4
Maintenance
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Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended specifications
US
measureImp
measureLiter
Manual transmissionÐ Ð Ð API GL-4 Viscosity SAE 75W-90 only
Differential gear oil (exc. LSD)Ð Ð Ð API GL-5*1
Limited-slip differential (LSD) gear oil Ð Ð ÐOnly LSD gear oil:
API GL-5 and SAE 80W-90*2 approved for Nissan
LSD*3
Automatic transmission fluid
Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions in
the ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section.Nissan Matic ªDº (Continental US and Alaska) or
Canada Nissan Automatic Transmission Fluid.*6
Power steering fluidGenuine Nissan PSF II or equivalent*7
Transfer fluidNissan Matic ªDº (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or
Canada Nissan Automatic Transmission Fluid*6 or API
GL-4*1
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine Nissan Brake Fluid*4 or equivalent
DOT 3 (US F.M.V.S.S. No. 116)
Propeller shaft grease Ð Ð ÐNLGI No. 2 (Molybdenum disulphide lithium soap
base)
Multi-purpose greaseÐ Ð Ð NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerantÐ Ð Ð HFC-134a (R-134a)*5
Air conditioning system lubricantsÐ Ð Ð Nissan A/C System Oil Type S or exact equivalent*5
*1: For further details, see recommended SAE viscosity number chart.
*2: SAE 90 is acceptable in temperatures above 0ÉF (þ18ÉC).
*3: Contact your NISSAN dealer for a list of approved oils.
*4: Available in mainland USA through your NISSAN dealer.
*5: See ªVehicle identificationº later in this section for air conditioner specification label.
*6: Dexron
TM
III/Mercon
TM
or equivalent may also be used. Outside the continental United States and Alaska contact a NISSAN dealer for more information regarding
suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of Dexron
TM
III/Mercon
TM
Automatic Transmission Fluid.
*7: Genuine Nissan PSF, Canada Nissan Automatic Transmission Fluid, DexronTM
III/Mercon
TM
or equivalent ATF may also be used.
Technical and consumer information
10-3
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