ABS NISSAN XTERRA 2002 WD22 / 1.G Owners Manual

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .......................5-2
Three-way catalyst ............................................5-3
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ........................................................5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover ...........................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ....................5-4
Driving safety precautions .................................5-4
Ignition switch .........................................................5-6
Automatic transmission .....................................5-6
Manual transmission..........................................5-7
Key positions .....................................................5-7
Before starting the engine ......................................5-8
Starting the engine .................................................5-8
Driving the vehicle ..................................................5-9
Automatic transmission (if so equipped) ...........5-9
Manual transmission........................................5-13
Parking brake .......................................................5-14
Cruise control (if so equipped) .............................5-15
Precautions on cruise control ..........................5-15
Cruise control operations ................................5-16Break-in schedule ................................................5-17
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-17
Using four-wheel drive .........................................5-18........................5-18
Transfer case shifting procedures ...................5-18
Auto-lock free-running hubs ............................5-19
Manual-lock free-running hubs.............................5-22
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-24
Power steering .....................................................5-25
Brake system........................................................5-25
Braking precautions .........................................5-25
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .........................5-26
Cold weather driving ............................................5-27
Freeing a frozen door lock ..............................5-27
Anti-freeze .......................................................5-27
Battery .............................................................5-27
Draining of coolant water ................................5-27
Tire equipment.................................................5-28
Special winter equipment ................................5-28
Driving on snow or ice.....................................5-28
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ..............5-29
ZX

WARNING
OWhile 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.
OIf 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 the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function cor-
rectly.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
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 dis-
tances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10
km/h). (The speeds vary according to road
conditions.)
When driving, the anti-lock brake system
controls the wheels so they will not lock
when braking abruptly or when braking on a
slippery road. Thus, difficult steering and
swerving of the vehicle due to locked
wheels is minimized. The system detects
the wheel rotation rate and electronically
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 brak-ing is not a problem, but indicates that the
system is functioning.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of elec-
tronic sensors and hydraulic solenoids con-
trolled by a computer. The computer has a
built-in diagnostic feature that tests the sys-
tem 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
pulsation 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 in the
dashboard. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally. The
ABS brake warning light will then come on.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an authorized NISSAN dealer for
repair.
5-26Starting and driving
ZX

If you wax the surface of the hood, be
careful not to let wax get into the washer
nozzle. This may cause clogging or im-
proper windshield washer operation. If
wax gets into the nozzle, remove it with a
needle or small pin.
CHECKING PARKING BRAKE
From the released position, firmly push the
parking brake down. If the number of clicks
is out of the range listed above, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
CHECKING BRAKE PEDAL
With the engine running, check distance A
between the upper surface of the pedal and
the metal floor.
Distance A:
Manual
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission
Four Wheel
ABS4 in.
(100mm)4 1/4 in.
(110mm)
If it is out of the range shown above, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
WDI0071
LDI0099DI0453
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
PEDAL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-27
ZX

TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Check the towing capacity of your bumper
hitch or receiver-type frame mounted hitch.
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. A genuine Nissan trailer hitch is avail-
able from your NISSAN dealer. Make sure
the trailer hitch is securely attached to the
vehicle to help avoid personal injury or
property damage due to sway caused by
crosswinds, rough road surfaces or passing
trucks.
CAUTION
OSpecial hitches which include frame
reinforcements are required for tow-
ing above 2,000 lb (907 kg). Suitable
genuine NISSAN hitches for pickup
trucks and sport utility vehicles are
available at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
OThe hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
ODo not use axle-mounted hitches.ODo not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install
a trailer hitch.
OTo reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the hitch and/or receiver
when not in use.
OAfter the hitch is removed, seal the
bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the pas-
senger compartment.
ORegularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely
mounted.
Tire pressures
OWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle
tires to the recommended cold tire pres-
sure indicated on the tire placard (affixed
to the inside of the glove box lid).
OTrailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer and tire
manufacturers' specifications.
Safety chain
Always use suitable safety chains between
your vehicle and the trailer. Safety chains
should be crossed and should be attached
to the hitch, not to the vehicle bumper or
axle. Be sure to leave enough slack in the
chain to permit turning corners.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights should comply with Federal
and/or local regulations. For assistance in
hooking up trailer lights, contact an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
9-22Technical and consumer information
ZX

10 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system)....................................................... 1-11
Air bag warning light .................................. 1-14
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-23
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner service ............................ 4-9
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-14
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations.................. 9-8
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-6
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............. 2-15
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-36
Antenna...................................................... 4-31
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-26
Anti-lock brake warning light...................... 2-11
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-23
Audio system
FM-AM radio with cassette player and
compact disc (CD) player ..................... 4-13
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ................................................. 4-18
Steering wheel audio control switch ..... 4-30
Auto-lock free-running hubs ...................... 5-19Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-31
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....... 8-15
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-9
Transmission selector lever lock
release .................................................. 5-12
B
Battery........................................................ 8-19
Battery replacement (See remote keyless
entry system) ............................................... 3-7
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-8
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 8-20
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-26
Brake booster ....................................... 8-28
Brake fluid ..................................... 8-17, 9-3
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-27
Brake system ........................................ 5-25
Brake warning light ............................... 2-11
Brake wear indicators ................. 2-14, 8-28
Parking brake check ............................. 8-27
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-14
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-17
Bulb check/instrument panel ..................... 2-10C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants...................................................... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio .............................. 4-31
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) ... 9-15
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light) ................ 2-14
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-35
Child restraints ........................................... 1-24
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 3-4
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and
ashtray ....................................................... 2-23
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clutch
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-17
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-29
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-27
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel) ............ 4-30
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant ...................... 8-11
Checking engine coolant level ............. 8-10
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-5
ZX