overheating NISSAN PATHFINDER 2004 R50 / 2.G Owners Manual

BRAKING PRECAUTIONSThe brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.Vacuum assisted brakeThe brake booster aids braking by using engine
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

While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.

If 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
so the wheels will not lock when braking abruptly
or when braking on slippery surfaces. The sys-
tem detects the rotation speed at each wheel
and varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent
each wheel from locking and sliding. By prevent-
ing wheel lockup, the system helps the drivermaintain steering control and helps to minimize
swerving and spinning 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 conditions are hazardous and
extra care is required while driving.
BRAKE SYSTEM5-34
Starting and driving


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


CAUTION
Do not keep starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying
again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully discon-
nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be
sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the
vent holes as it may be contaminated with
corrosive acid.
CAUTION

Automatic transmission models can-
not be push started. This may cause
transmission damage.

Three way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three way catalyst may be
damaged.

Never try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it; when the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.If your vehicle is overheating indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading, or if
you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal
noise, etc., take the following steps:
WARNING

Do not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.

To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is still hot. When the ra-
diator cap is removed, pressurized
hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.

Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the
parking brake and move the gearshift lever to
the neutral position (automatic transmission
to P (Park)).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner switch. Open all
the windows, move the heater or air condi-
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency
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04.3.9/R50-D/V5


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 tem-
perature 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. Do not open the
hood until no further steam or coolant can be
seen.
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

Be 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.

The engine cooling fan can start at
any time when the coolant tempera-
ture is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the cool-
ant level in the reservoir tank with the engine
running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if
necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at the
nearest NISSAN dealer.For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV), refer to “Flat towing”
in the “9. Technical and consumer information”
section of this manual.
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 instructions are
available from your NISSAN dealer. Local ser-
vice operators are generally familiar with the
applicable laws and procedures for towing. To
assure proper towing and to prevent accidental
damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recommends
having a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator carefully
read the following precautions:
WARNING

Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.

Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
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In case of emergency


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
Major cooling system repairs should be per-
formed by your NISSAN dealer. The service
procedures can be found in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual.

Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheating.
WARNING

To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.

Never remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.

Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, washthoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.

Keep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
SDI0485
SDI0486A
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-9


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


3. Open the air release plug(s) to drain the
coolant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.

Waste coolant must be disposed of
properly.

Check your local regulations.
5. Close the radiator drain plugs and engine
block drain plugs securely.
6. See the “9. Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section for cooling system capacity.
Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mixture
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 open-
ing. Fill the reservoir tank up the MAX level.
9. Check the radiator drain plug and engine
block drain plugs for any sign of leakage.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Rein-
sert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H and L
marks. If the oil level is below the L mark,remove the oil filler cap and pour recom-
mended oil through the opening. Do not
overfill.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
changes or during the break-in period, de-
pending on the severity of operating con-
ditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
SDI1114
SDI1141
ENGINE OIL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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04.3.9/R50-D/V5


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
9-5


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
However, for long steep grades, do not stay in
1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH (56
km/h).

If 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 con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.

Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(805 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended Main-
tenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance fluid”.

When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, makea larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.

Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.

Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.

To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
sixth gear (manual transmission) or fifth posi-
tion (automatic transmission).

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-quently. For additional information, see
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWINGTowing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.

For emergency towing procedures re-
fer to “Towing Recommended by
9-22
Technical and consumer information


04.3.9/R50-D/V5