coolant level NISSAN XTERRA 2002 WD22 / 1.G Owners Manual

ON (Normal operating position) (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position starts the engine. As soon as
the engine has started, release the key. It
automatically returns to the ON position.OMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
OCheck fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake and clutch fluid, and win-
dow washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible, at least whenever you refuel.
OCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
OVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
OLock all doors.
OPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
OAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
OFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
OCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
See9Warning/Indicator lights and au-
dible reminders9in the9Instruments and
controls9section.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). P (Park) is preferred.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned
to OFF or if the key is removed from
the ignition switch.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the selector lever is in one of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral),
and fully depress the clutch pedal to the
floor while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3.With your foot off the accelerator
pedal,turn the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts.
If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat
the above procedure.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINESTARTING THE ENGINE
5-8Starting and driving
ZX

WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or
the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan can start at any time when
the coolant temperature is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reser-
voir tank if necessary. Have your vehicle
repaired at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for tow-
ing must be followed. Incorrect towing equip-
ment could damage your vehicle. Towing
instructions are available from an authorized
NISSAN dealer. Local service 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 advis-
able to have the service operator carefully
read the following precautions:
WARNING
ONever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
ONever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
OWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
OAlways attach safety chains before
towing.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-11
ZX

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements .....................................8-2
General maintenance .............................................8-3
Explanation of general maintenance
items ..................................................................8-3
Exterior maintenance.........................................8-3
Interior maintenance ..........................................8-3
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ....................8-7
Engine cooling system .........................................8-10
Checking engine coolant level ........................8-10
Changing engine coolant ................................ 8-11
Engine oil ............................................................. 8-11
Checking engine oil level ................................ 8-11
Changing engine oil ........................................8-13
Changing engine oil filter.................................8-14
Automatic transmission fluid ................................8-15
Temperature conditions for checking ..............8-15
Power steering fluid..............................................8-17
Brake and clutch fluid...........................................8-17
Window washer fluid ............................................8-18
Window washer fluid reservoir ........................8-18
Battery ..................................................................8-19Jump starting ...................................................8-20
Drive belts ............................................................8-20
Spark plugs ..........................................................8-21
Replacing spark plugs
(except supercharger) .....................................8-22
Replacing spark plugs
(with supercharger)..........................................8-23
Air cleaner ............................................................8-23
Windshield wiper blades ......................................8-25
Cleaning ..........................................................8-25
Replacing .........................................................8-25
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................8-27
Checking parking brake...................................8-27
Checking brake pedal .....................................8-27
Brake booster ..................................................8-28
Clutch pedal .........................................................8-29
Checking clutch pedal .....................................8-29
Fuses ....................................................................8-30
Passenger compartment .................................8-30
Keyfob battery replacement .................................8-31
Lights ....................................................................8-32
Headlights ........................................................8-32
ZX

Automatic transmission fluid level*
Check the level after putting the selector
lever in P with the engine idling at operating
temperature.
Engine coolant level*Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hosesCheck the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-
formation, rot or loose connections.
Engine drive belts*Make sure the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
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.
Exhaust systemMake 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 have
the exhaust system inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer. See the carbon mon-
oxide warning in the ``Starting and driving''
section of this manual.UnderbodyThe underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances from the underbody, otherwise rust
may form on the floor pan, frame, fuel lines
and exhaust system. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, in those areas where mud
and dirt may have accumulated. See the
``Appearance and care'' section of this
manual.
Fluid leaksCheck 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 immediately.When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
OPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For manual trans-
mission models, move the shift lever
to N (Neutral). For automatic trans-
mission models, move the shift lever
to P (Park).
OBe sure the ignition key is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing
any parts replacement or repairs.
ONever leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
ONever connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
ZX

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round,
genuine NISSAN anti-freeze coolant solu-
tion. The anti-freeze solution contains rust
and corrosion inhibitors, therefore additional
engine cooling system additives are not
necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ratio
of 50% Genuine Nissan Anti-freeze
coolant or equivalent and 50% de-
mineralized or distilled water. The use
of other types of coolant solutions may
damage the engine cooling system.
Outside tempera-
ture down toGenuine
Nissan
Anti-
freeze
coolant or
equivalentDeminer-
alized or
Distilled
water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
WARNING
ONever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Wait until the en-
gine and radiator cool down. Serious
burns could be caused by high pres-
sure fluid escaping from the radiator.
See precautions in ``If your vehicle
overheats'' found in the ``In case of
emergency'' section of this manual.
OThe radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent
engine damage, use only a genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below the MIN level, add coolant to the
MAX level. If the reservoir tank is empty,
check the coolant level in the radiatorwhen
the engine is cold.If there is insufficient
coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
ADI1026
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
An authorized NISSAN dealer can change
the engine coolant. The service procedure
can be found in the NISSAN Service
Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine over-
heating.
WARNING
OTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never change the coolant
when the engine is hot.
ONever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
OAvoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.OKeep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it
reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait a few minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
WDI0090
ENGINE OIL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
ZX

CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, immediately wash the
surface with water.
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
CAUTION
ODo not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for windshield washer solu-
tion. This may result in damage to
the paint.
ODo not fill the window washer reser-
voir tank with washer fluid concen-
trates at full strength. Some methyl
alcohol based washer fluid concen-
trates may permanently stain thegrille if spilled while filling the win-
dow washer reservoir tank.
OPre-mix washer fluid concentrates
with water to the manufacturer's rec-
ommended levels before pouring the
fluid into the window washer reser-
voir tank. Do not use the window
washer reservoir tank to mix the
washer fluid concentrate and water.
For US
Check the window washer fluid level in the
reservoir tank and add fluid if necessary.
Add a washer solvent to the water for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a wind-
shield washer anti-freeze. Follow the manu-
facturer's instructions for the mixture ratio.
For Canada
Add fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. Add windshield washer sol-
vent to the water for better cleaning. In the
winter season, add windshield washer anti-
freeze.
LDI0070
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

4) Connect the tow harness connector
(SAE J1239) to your trailer.
5) Confirm proper vehicle and trailer
stop/turn lamp operation.
6) When towing is completed, disconnect
the tow harness from the trailer and the
vehicle. Store the tow harness in the
glove box. Reinstall the connector cap to
the vehicle harness.
If you need further assistance in wiring
a trailer to your NISSAN, contact an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
Always confirm proper vehicle and
trailer stop/turn lamp operation every
time the trailer light circuits are con-
nected for use.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to Federal
and/or local regulations and that it is prop-
erly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
OBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle
if it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
OAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
OBe certain your outside mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering,
stability and braking performance will be
somewhat different than under normal driv-
ing conditions.
OAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
O
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
OAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
OAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
OAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, and if your vehicle is
equipped with automatic transmission,
first block the wheels and apply the park-
ing brake, and then move the transmis-
sion shift selector lever into the P (Park)
position. If you move the shift lever to the
P (Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
OWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and
reduce speed to reduce chances of en-
gine overloading and/or overheating.
However, for long steep grades, do not
stay in 1st or 2nd gear when driving
above 35 MPH (56 km/h).
OIf the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature when the air
conditioning system is on, turn off the air
conditioner. Coolant heat can be addi-
9-24Technical 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

Cover
Tonneau cover ...................................... 2-29
Cruise control............................................. 5-15
Cup holders ............................................... 2-26
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 2-21
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-20
Dimensions and weights ............................ 9-11
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Drive belts .................................................. 8-20
Driving
Auto-lock free-running hubs ................. 5-19
Cold weather driving............................. 5-27
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-9
Driving with manual transmission ......... 5-13
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-17
Emission control information label............. 9-14
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-26
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-8
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant ...................... 8-11Changing engine oil.............................. 8-13
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-14
Checking engine coolant level ............. 8-10
Checking engine oil level ...................... 8-11
Engine compartment check locations .... 8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Engine cooling system ......................... 8-10
Engine oil .............................................. 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......... 2-12
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-7
Engine serial number ........................... 9-13
Engine specifications .............................. 9-9
Starting the engine ................................. 5-8
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
F
First aid kit ................................................... 6-2
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-22
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....... 8-15
Brake fluid ..................................... 8-17, 9-3
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-17
Engine coolant ...................................... 8-10
Engine oil .............................................. 8-11
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-17Window washer fluid ............................ 8-18
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...................... 9-13
Front seats
Separate ................................................. 1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-17
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 3-13
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-5
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-4
Fuses ......................................................... 8-30
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer ............................................. 2-5
Gear Basket (see roof rack with gear
basket) ....................................................... 3-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-3
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-22
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 2-20
Headlights .................................................. 8-32
10-2
ZX