ABS NISSAN PATHFINDER 2006 R51 / 3.G Owners Manual

ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT (front
seats)
WARNING
cAlways adjust the head restraints prop-
erly as specified in the previous section.
Failure to do so can reduce the effec-
tiveness of the active head restraint.
cActive head restraints are designed to
supplement other safety systems. Al-
ways wear seat belts. No system can
prevent all injuries in any accident.cDo not attach anything to the head re-
straint stalks. Doing so could impair
active head restraint function.
The head restraint moves forward utilizing the
force that the seatback receives from the occu-
pant in a rear-end collision. The movement of the
head restraint helps support the occupant’s head
by reducing its backward movement and helping
absorb some of the forces that may lead to whip-
lash type injuries.
Active head restraints are effective for collisions
at low to medium speeds in which it is said that
whiplash injury occurs most.
Active head restraints operate only in certain
rear-end collisions. After the collision, the head
restraints return to their original positions.
Properly adjust the active head restraints as de-
scribed earlier in this section.
ARMREST
To use the center armrest on the 2nd row bench
seat, pull on the tab in the center of the seat and
fold it down to the resting position.
SPA1025LRS0514
1-8Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
07/29/05Ðcathy
X

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-2
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)..........5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving precau-
tions..........................................5-5
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-5
Driving safety precautions.......................5-6
Ignition switch.....................................5-7
Automatic 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
Parking brake....................................5-14
Cruise control....................................5-15
Precautions on cruise control...................5-15
Cruise control operations.......................5-15Break-in schedule................................5-16
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-17
Using four wheel drive (4WD).............5-17
Parking/parking on hills............................5-27
Power steering...................................5-28
Brake system....................................5-28
Brake precautions.............................5-28
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)...................5-29
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system (if so
equipped).......................................5-30
Hill descent control (HDC) system (if so equipped) . . . 5-32
Hill start assist (HSA) system (if so equipped).......5-32
Cold weather driving..............................5-33
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-33
Anti-freeze....................................5-33
Battery.......................................5-33
Draining of coolant water.......................5-33
Tire equipment................................5-33
Special winter equipment.......................5-34
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-34
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-35
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
07/29/05Ðcathy
X

WARNING
cWhile driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
cIf the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When 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 the 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.
Parking brake break-in
Break-in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drum/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best brake performance.This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes so
the wheels do 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 main-
tain steering control and helps to minimize swerv-
ing and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not operate at
speeds below3-6MPH(5-10km/h) . (The
speeds vary according to road conditions.)
When driving, the anti-lock brake system con-
trols the wheels so they will not lock when brak-ing abruptly or when braking on a slippery road.
Thus, difficult steering and swerving of the ve-
hicle due to locked wheels is minimized. The
system detects the wheel rotation rate and elec-
tronically controls the pressure applied to each
brake. Slight vibration on the brake pedal accom-
panied by noise usually occurs while the ABS
system is operating. Such vibration and noise
encountered during abrupt braking is not a prob-
lem, but indicates that the system is functioning
properly. However, the pulsation may indicate
that road conditions are hazardous and extra care
is required while driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of electronic
sensors and hydraulic solenoids controlled by a
computer. The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you start
the engine and move the vehicle at a low speed in
forward or reverse. When the self-test occurs,
you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not
an indication of any malfunction. If the computer
senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-lock
brake system off and turns on the ABS brake
warning light on the instrument panel. The brake
system then operates normally, but without anti-
lock assistance.
Starting and driving5-29
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
08/01/05Ðcathy
X

cDrive the vehicle at speeds above 10 mph
(15 km/h) for at least 10 minutes.
cThe VDC OFF indicator light should go off
indicating the traction control system is op-
erational.
cIf you interrupt the reset procedure by turn-
ing the ignition off, you will need to restart
the reset procedure.
If after driving the vehicle for more than 10 min-
utes and theSLIPand
lights remain illumi-
nated in the instrument panel, have the vehicle
dynamic control system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
If the vehicle is operated with the vehicle dynamic
control system off using the VDC OFF switch,
most VDC functions will be turned off. The VDC
system will still try to transfer power from a slip-
ping drive wheel to one with more traction when
the VDC system switch is OFF. The Slip indicator
will flash if wheel spin is detected. The ABS will
still operate with the VDC system off.
When the VDC system is operating, you may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or
vibration from under the hood. This is normal and
indicates that the VDC system is working properly.
The computer has a built in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in reverseat a slow speed. When the self-test occurs, you
may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in
the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of a malfunction.
WARNING
cThe vehicle dynamic control system is
designed to help improve driving stabil-
ity but does not prevent accidents due
to abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful when
driving and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
cIf brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not stan-
dard equipment or are extremely dete-
riorated, the vehicle dynamic control
system may not operate properly and
the vehicle dynamic control off indica-
tor light may come on.
cDo not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars
and bushings are not NISSAN approved
for your vehicle or are extremely dete-
riorated the vehicle dynamic controlsystem may not operate properly. This
could adversely affect vehicle handling
performance, and the VDC OFF indica-
tor light may come on.
cWhen driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the vehicle dynamic control system may
not operate properly and the VDC OFF
indicator light may come on. Do not
drive on these types of roads.
cWhen driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the vehicle dynamic control off
indicator light may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
after driving onto a stable surface
cIf wheels or tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle dy-
namic control system may not operate
properly and the vehicle dynamic con-
trol off indicator light may come on.
cThe vehicle dynamic control system is
not a substitute for winter tires or tire
chains on a snow covered road.
Starting and driving5-31
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
08/01/05Ðcathy
X

trailer weights shown in the Towing
Load/Specification Chart earlier in this section.
CAUTION
cSpecial hitches which include frame re-
inforcements are required for towing
above 2,000 lb (907 kg) . Suitable genu-
ine NISSAN hitches, ball mounts and
hitch balls for pickup trucks and sport
utility vehicles are available at a
NISSAN dealer.
cThe hitch should not be attached to or
affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
cDo not use axle-mounted hitches.
cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-
tem, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
cTo reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
hitch and/or receiver when not in use.
cAfter the hitch is removed, seal the bolt
holes to prevent exhaust fumes, water
or dust from entering the passenger
compartment.cRegularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely mounted.
cWhen towing with the hitch ball
mounted to the rear bumper, do not
make sharp turns. The trailer may con-
tact the bumper and cause damage to
the bumper or trailer.
Tire pressures
cWhen towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
cTrailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturer’s specifications.
Safety chains
Always use suitable safety chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. The safety
chains can be attached to the bumper if the hitch
ball is mounted to the bumper. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while
using the vehicle tail light, stoplight and
turn signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more
that 15 milliamps from the stop and tail
lamp circuits. Using a module/converter
that exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem. See a reputable trailer dealer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer. Vehicles equipped with the
optional trailer tow package are equipped with a
7-pin trailer harness connector. If your trailer is
equipped with a flat 4-pin connector, an adapter
will be needed to connect the trailer lights to the
vehicle. Adapters are available at auto parts
stores and hitch retailers.
Technical and consumer information9-21
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
08/01/05Ðcathy
X

10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-16
A
Active head restraint...............1-8
Adjusting pedal position............3-12
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system).....................1-43
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system)...............1-50
Air bag warning labels.............1-57
Air bag warning light...........1-58, 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter............8-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation..........4-16
Air conditioner service...........4-24
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations..............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-13, 4-21
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-24
Servicing air conditioner..........4-24
Air flow charts..................4-17
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-22
Anchor point locations.............1-34
Antenna.....................4-47
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-29
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-14
Audible reminders................2-21Audio system..................4-25
AM-FM-SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-41
Compact Disc (CD) changer. . . .4-38, 4-44
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-34
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player.................4-31, 4-35
Radio....................4-25
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-46
Autolight switch.................2-27
Automatic
Automatic drive positioner.........3-17
Automatic power window switch.....2-48
Automatic transmission position indicator
light.....................2-18
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-10
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-12
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.......3-14
B
Battery......................8-13
Charge warning light............2-15
Before starting the engine............5-9
Belts (See drive belts).............8-15
Booster seats..................1-38
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-29
Brake booster................8-22
Brake fluid..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light).........8-27Brake pedal.................8-21
Brake system................5-28
Brake warning light.............2-14
Brake wear indicators........2-21, 8-21
Parking brake check............8-21
Parking brake operation..........5-14
Self-adjusting brakes............8-21
Break-in schedule................5-16
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-29
Brightness/Contrast button..........4-12
Control panel buttons...........4-12
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-13
Bulb replacement................8-27
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants.....................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-57
Cargo light...................2-52
Cargo net....................2-44
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-46
CD changer (See audio system). . . .4-38, 4-44
CD player (See audio system).........4-34
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-33
Child restraints.......1-14, 1-15, 1-20, 1-32
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-20, 1-38
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-34
Child safety rear door lock............3-4
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Pathfinder(pat)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
08/01/05Ðcathy
X