engine coolant NISSAN PATHFINDER 2002 R50 / 2.G User Guide

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze solu-
tion contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional cooling system additives
are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing the coolant,
be sure to use only a genuine NISSAN
anti-freeze coolant or equivalent with
the proper mixture ratio of 50% anti-
freeze and 50% demineralized water/
distilled water. The use of other types of
coolant solutions may damage your en-
gine cooling system.Outside tempera-
ture down to
Anti-
freezeDeminer-
alized
water or
distilled
water ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
WARNING
INever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator. Wait
until the engine and radiator cool
down. See ªIf your vehicle overheatsº
in the ª6. In case of emergencyº sec-
tion.
IThe radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure cap. To prevent engine damage,
use only a genuine NISSAN radiator
cap.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVELCheck the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below the MIN level, add coolant to the MAX
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 MAX level.
If the engine cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
SDI0378
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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CHANGING ENGINE COOLANTIMajor 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.
WARNING
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.
IAvoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, washthoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
IKeep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
SDI0485
SDI0486A
8-10
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3. Open the air release plug(s) to drain the
coolant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
IWaste coolant must be disposed of
properly.
ICheck your local regulations.
5. Close the radiator drain plugs and engine
block drain plugs securely.
6. See the ª9. Technical and consumer infor-
mationº 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 MAX level. Then install
the radiator cap and close the air release
plug(s).
7. Start the engine and warm it up until it
reaches 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 MAX
level.
9. Check the radiator drain plug and engine
block drain plugs for any sign of leakage.
SDI1110SDI1189
SDI0419
8-12
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WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
For USTo check the fluid level, use your finger to plug
the center hole of the cap/tube assembly (as
shown above), then remove it from the tank. If
there is no fluid in the tube, add fluid. Add a
washer solvent to the water for better cleaning.
In the winter season, add a windshield washer
anti-freeze. Follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions for the mixture ratio.
For CANADAAdd fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. Add a washer solvent to the
water for better cleaning. In the winter season,
add a windshield washer anti-freeze. Follow
the manufacturer's instructions for the mixture
ratio.
CAUTION
Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.This may result in damage to the paint.
WARNING
Anti-freeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully marked containers out
of the reach of children.
SDI0423A
SDI0389
WINDOW WASHER FLUID8-20
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The following values are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different from them. When refilling, follow the
procedure instructed in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended specifications
US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 20-7/8 gal 17-3/8 gal 79Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 91 AKI (RON 96) (VQ35DE) or
87AKI (RON 91) (VG33E)*1
Engine oil*4
Drain and refill
with oil filter
change5-1/4 qt 4-3/8 qt 5.0IAPI Certification Mark*2 *3
IAPI grade SG/SH, Energy Conserving I
& II or API grade SJ, Energy Conserv-
ing*2 *3
IILSAC grade GF-I & GF-II*2 *3 without oil filter
change5-1/8 qt 4-1/4 qt 4.8
Cooling system
(with heater and
reservoir tank)9-3/4 qt 8-1/8 qt 9.2Genuine Nissan Anti-Freeze Coolant or
equivalent
*1: See later in this section for fuel recommendation.
*2: See later in this section for recommended SAE viscosity number.
*3: See later in this section for engine oil and oil filter recommendation.
*4: See ªChanging engine oilº in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section for further details.CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS9-2
Technical and consumer information
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However, for long steep grades, do not stay in
1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH
(56 km/h).
IIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
ITrailer towing requires more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule.
When towing a trailer, change oil in the
transmission more frequently. See the
Maintenance Schedule.UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADINGDOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tire must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition to
these grades.Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder
and maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TreadwearTreadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified government
test courses. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well
on the government course as a tire graded
100. However, relative tire performance de-
pends on actual driving conditions, and may
vary significantly due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction AA, A, B and CThe traction grades from highest to lowest are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CTemperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. They represent a tire's resistance to
heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause tire mate-
rial to degenerate, reducing tire life. Excessive
temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a performance level
which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades A and B represent higher levels of
performance on laboratory test wheels than
the minimum required by law.Technical and consumer information
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You may notify NISSAN by contact-
ing our Consumer Affairs Depart-
ment, toll-free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1.
In Hawaii call (808) 836-0888.
Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in
what is called the ready condition for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion control system.
The vehicle is set to the ready condition when
it is driven through certain driving patterns.
Usually, the ready condition can be obtained
by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired
or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may
be reset to a not ready condition. Before taking
the I/M test, drive the vehicle through the
following pattern to set the vehicle to the ready
condition. If you cannot or do not want to
perform the driving pattern, an NISSAN dealer
can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic con-
ditions, and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C. Al-
low the engine to idle until the gauge needlepoints between the C and H (normal oper-
ating temperature).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h), then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 6 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed
of 53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h) for at least
5 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least 3 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 min-
utes.
8. Stop the vehicle (shift lever in the ªPº or ªNº
position).
9. Rev the engine up between 2,500 and
3,500 rpm and hold it for 3 consecutive
minutes, then release the accelerator pedal
completely.
10.Wait 5 second at idle.
11.Rev the engine up between 2,000 andREADINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US
only)
Technical and consumer information
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Installation on rear seat center position .... 1-33
Precautions on child restraints .................. 1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations .... 1-41
With top tether strap.................................. 1-40
Child safety ..................................................... 1-24
Child safety rear door lock................................ 3-4
Chimes, Audible reminders............................. 2-15
Cigarette lighter and ashtray .......................... 2-26
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ............................ 8-28
Cleaning exterior and interior .................... 7-2, 7-3
Clock ............................................................... 2-25
Clutch
Clutch pedal .............................................. 8-27
Fluid ........................................................... 8-18
Clutch housing drain (4x4 only) ...................... 8-40
Cold weather driving ....................................... 5-34
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ........................................................... 4-17
Compact spare tire ......................................... 8-39
Compass display .............................................. 2-7
Console box .................................................... 2-30
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-2
Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic)................................................... 4-8
Heater and semiautomatic air conditioner .. 4-3
Steering wheel audio controls ................... 4-30
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant .......................... 8-10
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-9
Corrosion protection ......................................... 7-4
Cover, Tonneau cover .................................... 2-33Cruise control.................................................. 5-17
Cup holders .................................................... 2-28
D
Daytime running light system ......................... 2-21
Defogger switch, Glass hatch and outside mirror
defogger switch............................................... 2-19
Dimensions and weights ................................. 9-11
Door open warning light ................................. 2-11
Drive belts ....................................................... 8-22
Drive positioner, Automatic ............................. 3-16
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 5-34
Driving with automatic transmission .. 5-6, 5-10
Driving with manual transmission ...... 5-7, 5-14
On-pavement and offroad driving ............... 5-3
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
Safety precautions....................................... 5-4
E
Economy, Fuel ................................................ 5-19
Electric sunroof ............................................... 2-36
Emission control information label .................. 9-14
Emission control system warranty .................. 9-22
Engine
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-9
Block heater .............................................. 5-35
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant .......................... 8-10
Changing engine oil .................................. 8-14Changing engine oil filter .......................... 8-15
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-9
Checking engine oil level .......................... 8-13
Coolant temperature gauge ........................ 2-4
Engine compartment check locations ......... 8-7
Engine cooling system ................................ 8-9
Engine oil................................................... 8-13
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation..... 9-6
Engine oil viscosity ...................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ................................ 9-13
Engine specifications................................... 9-9
If your vehicle overheats ........................... 6-11
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-9
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-13
Filter, Air cleaner housing filter ....................... 8-23
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ............................................................. 2-23
Flat tire .............................................................. 6-2
Floor mat cleaning ............................................ 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-16
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 8-18
Brake fluid ................................................. 8-18
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Engine coolant............................................. 8-9
Engine oil................................................... 8-13
Power steering fluid................................... 8-18
Window washer fluid ................................. 8-20
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FM-AM radio with cassette player and Compact
Disc (CD) player ............................................. 4-14
Fog light switch ............................................... 2-23
Four wheel drive (4WD) ........................ 5-20, 5-23
4WD shift switch operations ........................... 5-26
Front air bag system (See supplemental restraint
system) ........................................................... 1-16
Front fog light switch ...................................... 2-23
Front manual seat adjustment .......................... 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ............................ 1-4
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Filler cap .................................................... 3-12
Filler lid ...................................................... 3-12
Fuel economy ............................................ 5-19
Fuel octane rating ....................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-4
Gauge .......................................................... 2-5
Fuses .............................................................. 8-27
Fusible links .................................................... 8-28
G
Gas cap .......................................................... 3-12
Gauge ............................................................... 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 2-4
Fuel gauge .................................................. 2-5
Odometer..................................................... 2-3
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Tachometer ................................................. 2-4
General maintenance ....................................... 8-2
Glass hatch and outside mirror defogger
switch .............................................................. 2-19Glass hatch lock ............................................. 3-11
Glass hatch opener ........................................ 3-11
Glasses case .................................................. 2-28
Glove box........................................................ 2-29
Glove box lock ................................................ 2-29
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 2-23
Head restraints ................................................. 1-9
Headlights
Bulb replacement ...................................... 8-31
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-20
Heated seats................................................... 2-24
Heater
Engine coolant heater ............................... 5-35
Heater and air conditioner (automatic) ....... 4-8
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-2
Heater operation.......................................... 4-2
Heater operation, Semiautomatic air
conditioner ........................................................ 4-4
Hood, release ................................................... 3-9
Hook, Luggage hook ...................................... 2-32
Horn ................................................................ 2-24
How to stop alarm, Vehicle security ............... 2-16
I
Ignition switch ................................................... 5-6
Automatic transmission models ......... 5-6, 5-10
Key positions ............................................... 5-8
Manual transmission models ............. 5-7, 5-14
Immobilizer system ......................................... 2-17Indicator lights................................................. 2-13
Inside mirror .................................................... 3-15
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test................... 9-23
Instrument panel ............................................... 2-2
Interior lights ................................................... 2-38
J
Jump starting .................................................... 6-9
K
Keys .................................................................. 3-2
L
Label, Air conditioner specification label ........ 9-14
Label, Emission control information label ....... 9-14
Label, F.M.V.S.S. certification label................ 9-13
Labels
Air bag warning labels............................... 1-20
Engine serial number ................................ 9-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN)........... 9-12
Light
Air bag warning light ................................. 1-21
Bulb replacement ...................................... 8-30
Fog light switch ......................................... 2-23
Front fog light switch ................................. 2-23
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-20
Headlights Bulb replacement .................... 8-31
Interior lights .............................................. 2-38
Personal lights ........................................... 2-39
Replacement ............................................. 8-30
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T
Tachometer ....................................................... 2-4
Temperature display ......................................... 2-6
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge ................................................................ 2-4
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start..................................................... 2-17
Three way catalyst ............................................ 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 3-14
Tire
Flat tire ........................................................ 6-2
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-21
Tires
Spare tire ................................................... 8-39
Tire chains ................................................. 8-36
Tire placard ............................................... 9-14
Tire pressure ............................................. 8-34
Tire rotation ............................................... 8-37
Types of tires............................................. 8-35
wheel/tire size............................................ 9-11
Wheels and tires ....................................... 8-34
Tonneau cover ................................................ 2-33
Top tether strap child restraints ...................... 1-40
Towing
Tow truck towing ....................................... 6-12
Towing a trailer.......................................... 9-17
Towing load/specification chart ................. 9-17
Towing safety ............................................ 9-19
Trailer towing .................................................. 9-17
Transfer case shifting procedures ......... 5-21, 5-23
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-16Driving with automatic
transmission ....................................... 5-6, 5-10
Driving with manual transmission ...... 5-7, 5-14
Transmission selector lever lock release .. 5-13
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ............................................................ 9-12
Turn signal switch ........................................... 2-22
U
Underbody cleaning .......................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading............................. 9-21
V
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 2-40
Vehicle
Dimensions and weights ........................... 9-11
Identification number (VIN) ....................... 9-12
Loading information ................................... 9-15
Security system ......................................... 2-15
Vehicle recovery, (freeing a stuck vehicle)..... 6-15
Ventilators ......................................................... 4-2
W
Warning labels, Air bag warning labels .......... 1-20
Warning light
4WD warning light ..................................... 5-28
Air bag warning light ........................ 1-21, 2-12
Anti-lock brake............................................. 2-9
Automatic transmission park warning
light ............................................................ 2-10Brake warning light.................................... 2-10
Door open.................................................. 2-11
Low fuel warning light ............................... 2-12
Seat belt warning light and chime............. 2-12
Warning lights ................................................... 2-9
Warning, Hazard warning flasher switch ........ 2-23
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders .......................................................... 2-9
Warranty, Emission control system warranty . 9-22
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer switch ..... 2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 2-18
Washing ............................................................ 7-2
Waxing .............................................................. 7-2
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ......... 9-11
Wheel/tire size ................................................ 9-11
Wheels and tires ............................................. 8-34
Cleaning aluminum alloy wheels................. 7-3
Window washer fluid ....................................... 8-20
Window(s)
Cleaning ...................................................... 7-3
Power windows ......................................... 2-35
Windshield wiper and washer switch.............. 2-18
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer switch ..... 2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 2-18
Wiper blades ............................................. 8-24
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