NISSAN XTERRA 2012 N50 / 2.G Owners Manual

The vehicle should be driven with the Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system on for most driv-
ing conditions.
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the VDC
system reduces the engine output to reduce
wheel spin. The engine speed will be reduced
even if the accelerator is depressed to the floor. If
maximum engine power is needed to free a stuck
vehicle, turn the VDC system off.
To turn off the VDC system, push the VDC OFF
switch. The
indicator will come on.
Push the VDC OFF switch again or restart the
engine to turn on the system. See “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) system” in the “Starting and
driving” section.
WARNING
● Never rely solely on the hill descent
control system to control vehicle speed
when driving on steep downhill grades.
Always drive carefully when using the
hill descent control system and decel-
erate the vehicle speed by depressing
the brake pedal if necessary. Be espe-
cially careful when driving on frozen,
muddy or extremely steep downhill
roads. Failure to control vehicle speed
may result in a loss of control of the
vehicle and possible serious injury or
death. ●
The hill descent control may not control
the vehicle speed on a hill under all load
or road conditions. Always be prepared
to depress the brake pedal to control
vehicle speed. Failure to do so may re-
sult in a collision or serious personal
injury.
CAUTION
When the hill descent control system op-
erates continuously for a long time, the
temperature of the brake pads may in-
crease and the hill descent control system
may be temporarily disabled (the indicator
light will blink) . If the indicator light does
not come on continuously after blinking,
stop using the system.
The hill descent control system is designed to
reduce driver workload when going down steep
hills. The hill descent control system helps to
control vehicle speed so the driver can concen-
trate on steering the vehicle.
To activate the hill descent control system: ● the 4WD switch must be in the 4L position
and the vehicle speed must be under 15
MPH (25 km/h) or
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VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH HILL DESCENT CONTROL SWITCH (if
so equipped)
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●the 4WD switch must be in the 4H position
and the vehicle speed must be under 21
MPH (35 km/h) , and
● the hill descent control system switch must
be ON.
The hill descent control system on indicator light
will come on when the system is activated. Also,
the stop/tail lights illuminate while the hill descent
control system applies the brakes to control ve-
hicle speed.
If the accelerator or brake pedal is depressed
while the hill descent control system is on, the
system will stop operating temporarily. As soon
as the accelerator or brake pedal is released, the
hill descent control system begins to function
again if the hill descent control operating condi-
tions are fulfilled.
The hill descent control system on indicator light
blinks if the switch is on and all conditions for
system activation are not met or if the system
becomes disengaged for any reason.
To turn off the hill descent control system, push
the switch to the OFF position.
For additional information, see “Hill descent con-
trol system on indicator light” earlier in this sec-
tion and “Hill descent control system” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual. The Electronic Locking Rear Differential (E-Lock)
system can help provide added traction if the
vehicle is stuck or becoming stuck.
To activate the E-Lock system:
● the 4WD switch must be in the 4LO position
(4-wheel drive vehicles) ,
● the vehicle must be stopped or moving at 4
MPH (7 km/h) or less, and
● the E-Lock system switch must be turned
ON. When the E-Lock switch is turned ON, the indi-
cator light will flash until the system engages.
However, if all operation conditions listed above
are not met or the system becomes disengaged,
the indicator light will continue to flash.
The Anti-Lock Brake (ABS) system is disabled
and the ABS light illuminates when the E-Lock
system is ON. Also, the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system is disabled and the VDC light
illuminates when the E-Lock system is ON.
See “Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system” in the “Starting and Driving” section for
further explanation and system limitations.
WARNING
●
Never leave the E-Lock system ON
when driving on paved or hard-surfaced
roads. Turning the vehicle may result in
the rear wheels slipping and result in an
accident and personal injury. After us-
ing the E-Lock system to free the ve-
hicle, turn the system OFF.
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ELECTRONIC LOCKING REAR
DIFFERENTIAL (E-Lock) SYSTEM
SWITCH (if so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-33

●Use the E-Lock system only when free-
ing a stuck vehicle. Try the 4LO position
before using the E-Lock system. Never
use the E-Lock system on a slippery
road surface such as snow or ice sur-
face. Using the E-Lock system when
driving in these road conditions may
cause unexpected movement of the ve-
hicle during engine braking, accelerat-
ing or turning, which may result in an
accident and serious personal injury.
CAUTION
● After using the E-Lock system, turn the
switch OFF to prevent possible damage
to driveline components from extended
use.
● Do not drive over 12 MPH (20 km/h)
when the system is engaged. Doing so
could result in possible damage to the
driveline.
● Do not turn on the E-lock system while
the tires are spinning. Doing so could
damage drivetrain components.
WARNING
Pay special attention to your surround-
ings when using the clutch interlock
switch. The vehicle will move forward or
backward according to the gear selected.
The clutch interlock (clutch start) switch allows
for starting the engine without depressing the
clutch pedal. This feature helps you restart the
engine if it stops under difficult conditions. (For
example, the engine stops on a steep hill and a
slight movement forward or backward might be
dangerous.) To use the clutch interlock switch:
1. Set the parking brake.
2. Depress the brake pedal with your right foot.
3. Place your left foot on the brake pedal and release the parking brake.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
5. Press and release the clutch interlock switch. The CANCEL light on the switch will
illuminate.
6. Turn the ignition to the START position to start the engine and, at the same time, de-
press the accelerator pedal with your right
foot. As the vehicle begins to move, take
your left foot off the brake. Once the engine
has started, the clutch interlock switch
CANCEL light shuts off. Do not use the
interlock switch to start the engine under
normal driving conditions.
WIC0817
CLUTCH INTERLOCK (clutch start)
SWITCH (if so equipped)
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The power outlets are for powering electrical
accessories such as cellular telephones.
The power outlet located on the instrument panel
and the power outlet located in the cargo area are
powered directly by the vehicle’s battery.
Open the cap to use a power outlet.CAUTION
●The outlet and plug may be hot during
or immediately after use.
● Only certain power outlets are designed
for use with a cigarette lighter unit. Do
not use any other power outlet for an
accessory lighter. See your NISSAN
dealer for additional information.
● Do not use with accessories that ex-
ceed a 12 volt, 120W (10A) power draw.
Do not use double adapters or more
than one electrical accessory. ●
Use power outlets with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
● Avoid using power outlets when the air
conditioner, headlights or rear window
defroster is on.
● Before inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure the electrical accessory
being used is turned OFF.
Front row
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Center console
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Luggage area
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POWER OUTLET
Instruments and controls2-35

●Push the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug may
overheat or the internal temperature
fuse may open.
● When not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water or any other
liquids to contact the outlet.
STORAGE TRAYS
WARNING
Do not place sharp objects in the trays to
help prevent injury in an accident or sud-
den stop.
Top center tray
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A/T model (if so equipped)
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STORAGE
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CONSOLE BOX
Pull up on the lever1to open the console box lid
2.
GLOVE BOX
To open the top portion of the glove box, push the
latch
Aup and raise the lid.
To open the lower portion of the glove box, pull
the handle
Bdown and lower the lid.
Use the master key to lock or unlock the glove
box. The valet key cannot be used to lock or
unlock the glove box.
WARNING
Keep glove box lid closed while driving to
help prevent injury in an accident or a
sudden stop.
M/T model (if so equipped)
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Instruments and controls2-37

SUNGLASSES HOLDER (if so
equipped)
To open the sunglasses holder, push and release.
WARNING
●Keep the sunglasses holder closed
while driving to prevent an accident.
CAUTION
● Do not use for anything other than
sunglasses.
● Do not leave sunglasses in the sun-
glasses holder while parking in direct
sunlight. The heat may damage the
sunglasses.
MAP POCKETS
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SEAT POCKETS (if so equipped)
A pocket is located on the back of the driver’s
seat.CUP HOLDERS
The front cup holders have adapters that can be
removed to accommodate larger cups.
CAUTION
●Avoid abrupt starting and braking when
the cup holder is being used to prevent
spilling the drink. If the liquid is hot, it
can scald you or your passenger.
● Use only soft cups in the cup holder.
Hard objects can injure you in an
accident. To open the 2nd row cup holders (rear of the front
console) , lower the lid. To close, raise the lid. If
stepped on, the cup holder is designed to snap
loose from the console. To re-install, close the
cup holder assembly and push it back into the
console opening.
To fold the 2nd row bench seat back, first close
the cup holder.
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Front
WIC0827
2nd row (rear of front console)
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Instruments and controls2-39

CAUTION
●Do not use bottle holder for any other
objects that could be thrown about in
the vehicle and possibly injure people
during sudden braking or an accident.
● Do not use bottle holder for open liquid
containers.
CARGO AREA STORAGE
To access the floor storage area, push down1
to raise the handle, then pull up on the handle2
to lift the luggage board.
WARNING
Do not drive with the luggage board teth-
ered to a ceiling hook. In a sudden stop or
collision, the luggage board could come
loose and cause personal injury.
LUGGAGE HOOKS
The luggage hooks can be used to secure cargo
with ropes or other types of straps.
WARNING
● Properly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
● Use suitable ropes and hooks to secure
cargo.
Bottle holder
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2-40Instruments and controls

●Never allow anyone to ride in the lug-
gage area. It is extremely dangerous to
ride in a cargo area inside of a vehicle.
In a collision, people riding in these
areas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
● Do not allow people to ride in any area
of your vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and seat belts.
● The child restraint top tether strap may
be damaged by contact with items in
the cargo area. Secure any items in the
cargo area. Your child could be seri-
ously injured or killed in a collision if
the top tether strap is damaged.
● Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly.
Side finisher
Do not apply a load of more than 110 lb (490 N)
to a single hook.
Floor hooks
Do not apply a load of more than 110 lb (490 N)
to a single hook.
Hooks (if so equipped)
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Instruments and controls2-41