check engine light NISSAN PATHFINDER 2004 R50 / 2.G Owner's Manual

operate smoothly and that all latches lock se-
curely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
the locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all
latched positions.
Seat belts:
Check that all parts of the seat belt system (e.g.
buckles, anchors, adjusters and retractors) op-
erate properly and smoothly, and are installed
securely. Check the belt webbing for cuts, fray-
ing, wear or damage.
Steering wheel:
Check for changes in the steering conditions,
such as excessive freeplay, hard steering or
strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes:
Make sure that all warning lights and chimes are
operating properly.
Windshield defroster:
Check that the air comes out of the defroster
outlets properly and in sufficient quantity when
operating the heater or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*:
Check that the wipers and washer operate
properly and that the wipers do not streak.
Under the hood and vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically e.g. each time you check
the engine oil or refuel.
Automatic transmission fluid level*:
Check the level after putting the selector lever in
P (Park) with the engine idling.
Battery*:
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*:
Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid level is
between the MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*:
Check the coolant level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*:
Make sure that no belt is frayed, worn, cracked
or oily.
Engine oil level*:
Check the level after parking the vehicle on alevel spot and turning off the engine. (Be sure to
wait a few minutes to allow the oil to drain back
into the sump.)
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 “Precau-
tions when starting and driving” in the “5. Start-
ing and driving” section for exhaust gas (carbon
monoxide).
Fluid leaks:
Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil, water or
other fluid leaks after the vehicle has been
parked for a while. Water dripping from the air
conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
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.
Radiator and hoses:
Check the front of the radiator and clean off any
dirt, insects, leaves, etc., that may have accumu-
lated. Make sure the hoses have no cracks,
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04.3.9/R50-D/V5


amount of oil is in the engine.
8. Start the engine.
Check for leakage around the drain plug.
Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
WARNING

Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin can-
cer.

Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.

Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
(Depending on the engine model, a special
cap-type wrench may be required. See your
NISSAN dealer.) Then remove the oil filter by
turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter with
engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
10.85 to 15.12 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.5 N⋅m)
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several minutes.
Check the oil level. Add engine oil if neces-
sary.
SDI1113
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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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 manu-
facturer’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 FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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CHECKING BRAKE PEDALWith the engine running, check distance A
between the upper surface of the pedal and the
dash lower panel.
Distance A
M/T models
2-1/2 in (65 mm) or more
A/T models
2-3/4 in (70 mm) or more
If it is out of the range shown above, see your
NISSAN dealer.
Self-adjusting brakesYour vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear brakes self-adjust every time
the brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See your NISSAN dealer and have it
checked if the brake pedal height does
not return to normal.Brake pad wear indicatorsThe disc brake pads on your vehicle have au-
dible wear indicators. When a brake pad re-
quires replacement, it will make a high pitched
scraping or screeching sound when the vehicle
is in motion whether or not the brake pedal is
depressed. Have the brakes checked as soon as
possible if the wear indicator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect
the function or performance of the brake system.
The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) do nothave audible wear indicators. Should you ever
hear an unusually loud noise from the rear drum
brakes, have them inspected as soon as pos-
sible by your NISSAN dealer.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information, see the
separate “Service and Maintenance Guide”.
BRAKE BOOSTERCheck the brake booster function with the fol-
lowing steps:
1. With the engine off, press and release the
brake pedal several times. When brake pedal
movement (distance of travel) remains the
same from one pedal application to the next,
continue on to the next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start the
engine. The pedal height should drop a little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keeping the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds, the pedal height should
not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without de-
pressing the brake pedal, then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times. The
pedal travel distance will decrease gradually
with each depression as the vacuum is re-
leased from the booster.
DI0453
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04.3.9/R50-D/V5


If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brake checked by your NISSAN dealer.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are OFF.2. Open the engine hood.
3. Remove the fuse box cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new fuse.
6. If a new fuse opens again, have the electrical
system checked and repaired by your
NISSAN dealer.
Fusible linksIf any electrical equipment does not operate and
fuses are in good condition, check the fusible
links. If any of these fusible links are melted,
replace only with genuine NISSAN parts.
SDI0395
FUSES
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unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number
(VQ35DE engine). However, you may use un-
leaded gasoline with an octane rating as low as
85 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number in these high
altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219 m)] such as:
Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyo-
ming, northeastern Nevada, southern Idaho,
western South Dakota, western Nebraska, and
that part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at aNISSAN dealer or other competent service fa-
cility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time.
Technical and consumer information
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04.3.9/R50-D/V5


10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-34
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-21
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-21, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-20
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ..................................... 4-2
Air conditioner service ............................. 4-2, 4-12
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-14
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ...................................... 4-12, 9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Servicing air conditioner...................................... 4-2
Air flow charts............................................................... 4-5
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
Anchor point locations, Top tether strap ............ 1-43
Antenna ........................................................................ 4-29
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-34
Anti-lock brake warning light .................................... 2-9
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-3
Armrest ........................................................................... 1-9
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and ashtray) ........ 2-29
ATP warning light ...................................................... 2-10
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-16
Audio operation precautions .................................. 4-14
Audio system .............................................................. 4-13Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Autochanger, Compact Disc (CD) ....................... 4-26
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Drive positioner ................................................... 3-17
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Seat positioner, seat .......................................... 3-17
Transmission park warning light ..................... 2-10
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-14
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-5
B
Back door.................................................................... 3-10
Battery .......................................................................... 8-18
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-22
Battery replacement
Intelligent Key system .......................................... 3-8
Remote keyless entry system............................. 3-8
Before starting the engine ...................................... 5-10
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-19
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-34
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-16
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-23
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-16
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-22
Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-23
Brake system ....................................................... 5-34Parking brake check............................... 5-17, 8-22
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-17
Warning light ....................................................... 2-11
Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-20
Brightness control, Instrument panel ................... 2-23
Bulbcheck/instrument panel .................................... 2-9
Bulbreplacement ............................................. 8-3, 8-27
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-31
Cargo (See vehicle loading information)............. 2-37
Cargo net .................................................................... 2-37
Cassette player (See audio system) ........ 4-18, 4-25
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-28
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-32
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-44
Installation on rear seat center position........ 1-34
Installation on rear seat outboard
positions ................................................................ 1-36
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-32
Top tether strap anchor point locations ....... 1-43
With top tether strap ......................................... 1-42
Child safety ................................................................. 1-25
Child safety rear door lock ........................................ 3-4
Chimes
Audible reminders............................................... 2-16


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Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Cigarette lighter and ashtray .................................. 2-29
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-24
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-3
Clock ............................................................................ 2-28
Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-16
Coin box ...................................................................... 2-30
Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-26
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-19
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-39
Compass display ......................................................... 2-7
Console box................................................................ 2-34
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-4
Cover, Tonneau cover .............................................. 2-37
Cruise control............................................................. 5-18
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-32
CVT, Transmission selector lever lock
release .......................................................................... 5-14
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-24
Dimensions and weights ......................................... 9-11
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-11Drive belts ................................................................... 8-19
Drive positioner, Automatic..................................... 3-17
Driving
All-mode four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-25
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-37
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-16
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Part time four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-21
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Safety precautions ................................................ 5-5
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-20
Electric sunroof .......................................................... 2-40
Emission control information label ........................ 9-13
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-24
Engine
Before starting the engine................................ 5-10
Break-in schedule............................................... 5-20
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-12
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-11
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-4
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-39
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-6Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-13
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-9
If your vehicle overheats ................................... 6-11
Starting the engine............................................. 5-10
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label................................... 9-13
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-20
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-25
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat tire, Low tire pressure warning system .......... 5-3
Flat towing .................................................................. 9-22
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-16
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-16
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-17
FM-AM radio with cassette player and Compact
Disc (CD) player........................................................ 4-16
FM-AM-SATELLITE radio with cassette
player and Compact Disc (CD) player/CD
changer ........................................................................ 4-23


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10-2

Replacement ............................................... 8-3, 8-27
Vanity mirror light ................................................ 2-44
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................................................... 2-9, 2-14
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................................. 9-14
Lock
Back door lock .................................................... 3-10
Door locks ............................................................... 3-2
Glass hatch lock ................................................. 3-11
Glove box lock..................................................... 2-33
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Lockout protection....................................................... 3-4
Low fuel warning light .............................................. 2-12
Low tire pressure warning light ............................. 2-12
Low tire pressure warning system ................. 5-3, 6-2
Luggage hooks .......................................................... 2-35
Luggage rack ............................................................. 2-38
Luggage side console box...................................... 2-34
M
Maintenance
Battery ................................................................... 8-18
General maintenance ........................................... 8-2
Inside the vehicle................................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
Maintenance requirements.................................. 8-2
Outside the vehicle............................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-32
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ........................... 2-14
Manual front seat adjustment ................................... 1-2
Meters and gauges ..................................................... 2-3Meters and gauges, Instrument brightness
control .......................................................................... 2-23
Mirror
Inside mirror ......................................................... 3-16
Outside mirror control ....................................... 3-16
Outside mirrors ................................................... 3-16
N
Net, Cargo net ........................................................... 2-37
New vehicle break-in ................................................ 5-20
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System ...................... 2-17
Engine start............................................................. 5-9
O
Odometer ....................................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-11
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Outside mirror control .............................................. 3-16
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-16
Outside temperature display..................................... 2-6
Overdrive switch........................................................ 5-15
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-11
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information................................................................... 9-27P
Parking
Brake check ......................................................... 8-22
Parking brake check .......................................... 5-17
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-17
Parking on hills .................................................... 5-17
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-32
Personal lights............................................................ 2-43
Phone, Car phone or CB radio ............................. 4-31
Power
Front seat adjustment .......................................... 1-4
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Power outlet ......................................................... 2-28
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Power steering system ...................................... 5-33
Power windows................................................... 2-39
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .............................. 1-20
Precautions
Audio operation ................................................... 4-14
Braking precautions ........................................... 5-34
Child restraints .................................................... 1-32
Cruise control ...................................................... 5-18
Cruise control operations ................................. 5-20
Driving safety .......................................................... 5-5
Maintenance ........................................................... 8-5
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Seat belt usage ................................................... 1-24
Supplemental restraint system ........................ 1-10
When starting and driving .................................. 5-2
Push starting .............................................................. 6-11


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