NISSAN PATHFINDER 2003 R50 / 2.G Owners Manual

TO SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODELS SHIFT PROCEDURE
From 2H to 4HMove the transfer lever to 4H. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to move the selector lever
to the N position. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From 4H to 2HMove the transfer lever to 2H. This can be done at any speed up to 50 MPH (80 km/h), and it is not necessary to move the selector lever
to the N position. Perform this operation when driving straight.
From 4H or 4L to 4L or
4H1. Stop the vehicle.
Keep the engine running.
2. Move the selector lever to the N position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to the desired 4L or 4H position.
From 2H to 4L1. Stop the vehicle.
Keep the engine running.
2. Move the selector lever to the N position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 4L. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 4L to 2H1. Stop the vehicle.
Keep the engine running.
2. Move the selector lever to the N position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 2H.
When moving the transfer lever from 4H or 4L to 4L or 4H, you must always move it quickly through the N position. If you are slow to shift, the engine idle speed
will allow the transfer gears to speed up and gear clashing will occur.
Do not move the transfer lever from 4H or 4L to 4L or 4H, from 2H to 4L and from 4L to 2H with the engine turned off. Otherwise, you will have difficulty moving
the transfer lever to the desired position.
Do not leave the transfer lever in the N position with the engine running. Stopping in the N position of the transfer case may cause gear grinding when selecting
another gear. Changing the transfer case gear quickly and smoothly will eliminate this.5-24
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CAUTION

Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or
4LO position on dry hard surface
roads. Driving on dry hard surface
roads in 4H or 4L may cause unnec-
essary noise, tire wear and increased
fuel consumption.
If the 4WD warning light turns on
when you are driving on dry hard
surface roads

in the AUTO or 4H position, shift
the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.

in the 4LO position, stop the ve-
hicle, move the automatic trans-
mission lever to the Nposition,
and shift the 4WD shift switch to
2WD.
Have your vehicle checked by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
TRANSFER CASE SHIFTING
PROCEDURESAll mode 4WD system provides 4 positions
(AUTO, 2WD, 4H and 4LO), so you can select
the desired drive mode according to the driving
conditions.
2WD or 4WD shift procedure
USING ALL-MODE FOUR WHEEL
DRIVE (4WD)
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*1:
The transfer 4LO position indicator light
may blink. Stop the vehicle. Be sure to
shift the 4WD shift switch after the auto-
matic transmission lever has been shifted
to the N position. If the indicator light
keeps blinking after the 4WD shift proce-
dure in the previous page, drive slowly
without abrupt maneuvers for a while.
Then the light will turn on or off.

Avoid making a turn or abrupt starts while
shifting to 4LO. Otherwise gears may
grind, damaging the drive system.
*2: Make sure the transfer 4LO position indicator
light turns on when you shift the 4WD shift
switch to 4LO.
The transfer case 4WD shift switch is used to
select either 2WD or 4WD depending on the
driving conditions. There are four types of drive
modes available, AUTO, 2WD, 4H and 4LO.
The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the
transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to
move between each mode, 2WD, AUTO, 4H
and 4LO.
You must push the switch in to select 4LO,
and the vehicle MUST be stationary and
the automatic transmission selector lever
is in the Nposition when changing into or
out of 4LO.
WARNING
When parking, apply the parking brake
before stopping the engine and make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light is
on and the ATP warning light goes off.
Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-
edly move even if the automatic trans-
mission is in the P position.
CAUTION

Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.

The 4H position provides greater
power and traction. Avoid excessive
speed, as it will cause increased fuel
consumption and higher oil tempera-
ture, and could damage drivetrain
components. Speeds over 50 MPH
(80 km/h) in 4H are not recom-
mended.

The 4LO position provides maximum
power and traction. Avoid raising ve-hicle speed excessively, as the maxi-
mum speed is approximately 30 MPH
(50 km/h).

When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO or 4H
position. Do not move the 4WD shift
switch when making a turn or revers-
ing.

Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD, AUTO and 4H) while
driving on steep downhill grades. Use
the engine brake.

Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
(between 2WD, AUTO and 4H) with
the rear wheels spinning.

Do not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4H or 4LO position. Driv-
ing on dry hard surfaces in 4H or 4LO
may cause unnecessary noise and
tire wear. We recommend driving in
the 2WD or AUTO position under
these conditions.

Vehicles equipped with a limited slip
differential (LSD) have improved driv-
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ing performance on rough roads.
They have increased traction perfor-
mance, so when making a turn on
paved roads, vibration and tire
squealing may occur.

The 4WD transfer case may not be
shifted between 4H and 4LO at low
ambient temperatures and the trans-
fer 4LO position indicator light may
blink even when the 4WD shift switch
is shifted. After driving for a while
you can change the 4WD transfer
case between 4H and 4LO.
When driving on rough roads,

Set the 4WD shift switch to AUTO, 4H or
4LO.

Drive carefully according to the road surface
conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck,

Place stones or wooden blocks under the
tires to free the vehicle.

Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4LO.

If it is difficult to free the vehicle, repeatforward and backward movement to increase
the movement.

If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tire chains
may be effective.
CAUTION

Do not increase the tire rotation ex-
cessively. Tires will sink deep into the
mud, making it difficult to free the
vehicle.

Avoid shifting gears with the engine
running at high speeds as this may
cause malfunction.4WD shift switch operations
Shift the 4WD shift switch to either the 2WD,
AUTO, 4H or 4LO position, depending on
driving conditions.
With the switch set to the AUTO position,
distribution of torque to the front and rear
wheels changes automatically, depending on
road conditions encountered [ratio;0:100
(2WD)→50 : 50 (4WD)]. This results in
improved driving stability.

If the 4WD shift switch is operated while
making a turn, accelerating or deceler-
ating or if the key switch is turned off
while in the AUTO, 4H or 4LO, you may
feel a jerk. This is not abnormal.

When the vehicle is stopped after mak-
ing a turn, you may feel a slight jolt after
the selector lever is shifted to Nor P.
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This occurs because the transfer clutch
is released and not because of a mal-
function.
CAUTION

When driving straight, shift the 4WD
shift switch to the 2WD, AUTO, or 4H
position. Do not move the 4WD shift
switch when making a turn or revers-
ing.

Do not shift the 4WD shift switch
while driving on steep downhill
grades. Use the engine brake.

Do not operate the 4WD shift switch
with the rear wheels spinning.

Before placing the 4WD shift switch
in the 4H position from 2WD or
AUTO, ensure the vehicle speed is
less than 50 MPH (80 km/h). Failure
to do so can damage the 4WD sys-
tem.

Never shift the 4WD shift switch be-
tween 4LO and 4H while driving.

Engine idling speed is high whilewarming up the engine. Be especially
careful when starting or driving on
slippery surfaces with the 4WD shift
switch set in AUTO.
4WD shift indicator lightThe 4WD shift indicator light is located in the
tachometer.
The light should turn off within 1 second after
turning the ignition switch to ON.
While the engine is running, the 4WD shift
indicator light will illuminate the position se-
lected by the 4WD shift switch.

The 4WD shift indicator light may blink
while shifting from one drive mode to
the other. When the shifting is com-
pleted, the 4WD shift indicator light will
come on. If the indicator light does not
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come on immediately, make sure the
area around the vehicle is safe, and
drive the vehicle straight, accelerate or
decelerate or move the vehicle in re-
verse, then shift the 4WD shift switch.

If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
shift indicator light goes out.
CAUTION

When the 4WD shift switch is turned
to the AUTO position at low ambient
temperatures, the 4WD shift indicator
light may show 4H. If this happens,
all four wheels are driven as torque
distribution is in the 4H position. Be
careful as the vehicle may become
difficult to turn. When the vehicle is
driven, the 4WD shift indicator light
should change to AUTO.

If the 4WD shift indicator light indica-
tion changes to 2WD when the 4WD
shift switch is shifted to the AUTO or
4H position at low ambient tempera-
tures, the 2WD mode may be being
engaged due to malfunctioning drivesystem. If the indicator does not re-
turn to normal and the 4WD warning
light comes on, have the system
checked by the nearest NISSAN
dealer.
4WD warning lightThe 4WD warning light is located in the meter.
The 4WD warning light comes on when the key
switch is turned to ON. It turns off soon after the
engine is started.
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If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system
when the key switch is ON, the warning light will
either remain illuminated or blink.
If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD
indicator light goes out.
High-temperature transfer case oil makes the
warning light blink rapidly (about twice per sec-
ond). If the warning light blinks rapidly during
operation, stop the vehicle in a safe place imme-
diately. Then if the light goes off after a while, you
can continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning light
blink slowly (about once per two seconds).
Change the 4WD shift switch into 2WD and do
not drive fast.
CAUTION

If the warning light comes on or
blinks slowly during operation or rap-
idly after stopping the vehicle for a
while, have your vehicle checked by
an authorized NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.

Shifting between 4H and 4LO is notrecommended when the 4WD warn-
ing light turns on.

When the warning light comes on,
the 2WD mode may be engaged even
if the 4WD shift switch is in AUTO or
4H. Be especially careful when driv-
ing. If corresponding parts are mal-
functioning, the 4WD mode will not
be engaged even if the 4WD shift
switch is shifted.

Do not drive on dry hard surface
roads in the 4H or 4LO position. Driv-
ing on dry hard surface roads in 4H or
4L may cause unnecessary noise, tire
wear and increased fuel consump-
tion.
If the 4WD warning light turns on
when you are driving on dry hard
surface roads

in the AUTO or 4H position, shift
the 4WD shift switch to 2WD.

in the 4LO position, stop the ve-
hicle, move the automatic trans-
mission lever to the Nposition,and shift the 4WD shift switch to
2WD.

If the warning light is still on after the
above operation, have your vehicle
checked by an authorized NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible.

The transfer case may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warning
light blinking rapidly.
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WARNING

Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials, such as dry
grass, waste paper, or rags. They may
ignite and cause a fire.


The transfer shift lever must
be in the 2H, 4H or 4L position and
the parking brake must be set to
prevent the vehicle from rolling.

Never place the transfer shift lever inthe Nposition, otherwise, the vehicle
could roll unexpectedly even if the
manual transmission is in gear or the
automatic transmission is in the P
position. This could result in serious
personal injury or property damage.

Never leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.

Never leave children unattended in
the vehicle.1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse) posi-
tion. When parking on an uphill grade, place
the gearshift lever in the 1st position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
WARNING

Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into the P (Park)
for automatic transmission models
or in an appropriate gear for manual
transmission models. Failure to do
so could cause the vehicle to move
unexpectedly or roll away and result
in an accident.

Make sure the automatic transmis-
sion selector lever has been pushed
as far forward as it can go and cannot
be moved without depressing the
button at the end of the lever.
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Part time 4WD models:

If 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.
All-mode 4WD models:

If the ATP light is ON, this indicates
that the automatic transmission P
(park) position will not function and
the transfer case is in neutral. Make
sure that the 4WD shift indicator light
(and transfer 4LO position indicator)
light remains illuminated before
stopping the engine. Otherwise, the
vehicle could unexpectedly move
even if the automatic transmission is
in the P (park) position.
3. To help prevent the vehicle rolling into the
street when parked on a sloping drive way, itis a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.

HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
1
Turn the wheels into the curband move the
vehicle forward until the curbside wheel
gently touches the curb.

HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
2
Turn the wheels away from the curband
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.

HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the center
of the road if it moves.
Make sure the ATP light is off before stop-
ping the engine.
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, especially 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
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