instrument panel NISSAN XTERRA 2013 N50 / 2.G Owner's Manual

The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system uses
various sensors to monitor driver inputs and ve-
hicle motion. Under certain driving conditions,
the VDC System helps to perform the following
functions:● Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power is
transferred to a non slipping drive wheel on
the same axle.
● Controls brake pressure and engine output
to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle
speed (traction control function) .
● If the 4WD transfer case is shifted into 4LO
the
indicator light will come on and
the VDC system will be turned off. See “Us-
ing four wheel drive (4WD)” earlier in this
section.
● Controls brake pressure at individual wheels
and engine output to help the driver maintain
control of the vehicle in the following condi-
tions:
– understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased steer-
ing input)
– oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions) The VDC system can help the driver to maintain
control of the vehicle, but it can not prevent loss
of vehicle control in all driving situations.
When the VDC system operates, the
indi-
cator in the instrument panel flashes so note the
following:
● The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help
keep the vehicle on the steered path.
● 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.
● Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
See “Slip indicator light” and ”Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) OFF indicator light” in the ”Instru-
ments and controls” section.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
indicator light will come on in the instrument
panel. The VDC system automatically turns off
when these indicator lights are off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system. The
indicator illuminates to indi-
cate the VDC system is off. When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to prevent
one drive wheel from slipping by transferring
power to a non slipping drive wheel. The
indicator flashes if this occurs. All other VDC
functions are off and the
indicator will not
flash.
The VDC system is automatically reset to on
when the ignition switch is placed in the off
position then back to the on position.
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 reverse
at 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
● The VDC system is designed to help the
driver maintain stability but does not
prevent accidents due to abrupt steer-
ing operation at high speeds or by care-
less or dangerous driving techniques.
Reduce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering on
slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-35

●When additional braking is required on
steep downhill roads activate the hill de-
scent control system by pushing the switch
ON, see “Hill descent control switch” in the
“Instruments and controls” section.
● Once the system is activated the indicator
light will remain on in the instrument panel,
see “Hill descent control system on indicator
light” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion.
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.
For the best results, when descending steep
downhill grades, the hill descent control switch
should be ON and the shift selector in 2 (Second
gear) or 1 (Low gear) for engine braking.WARNING
● Never rely solely on the hill start assist
system to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing backward on a hill. Always drive
carefully and attentively. Depress the
brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Be especially
careful when stopped on a hill on frozen
or muddy roads. Failure to prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards may re-
sult in a loss of control of the vehicle
and possible serious injury or death.
● The hill start assist system is not de-
signed to hold the vehicle at a standstill
on a hill. Depress the brake pedal when
the vehicle is stopped on a steep hill.
Failure to do so may cause the vehicle
to roll backwards and may result in a
collision or serious personal injury.
● The hill start assist may not prevent the
vehicle from rolling backwards on a hill
under all load or road conditions. Al-
ways be prepared to depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards. Failure to do so may result
in a collision or serious personal injury. The hill start assist system automatically keeps
the brakes applied to help prevent the vehicle
from rolling backwards in the time it takes the
driver to release the brake pedal and apply the
accelerator when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
Hill start assist will operate automatically under
the following conditions:
● The shift selector is shifted to a forward or
reverse gear.
● The vehicle is stopped completely on a hill
by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds. After
2 seconds the vehicle will begin to roll back and
hill start assist will stop operating completely.
Hill start assist will not operate when the shift
selector is shifted to N or P or on a flat and level
road.
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
Starting and driving5-37

10 Index
4WDwarninglight...............2-17A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-34
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-44
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-51
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-58
Airbagwarninglight...........1-59,2-19
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ......4-18,4-26
Air conditioner service ...........4-30
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-15,4-23
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-30
Airflowcharts..............4-19,4-27
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-30
Antenna.....................4-70
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-15
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-23
Audio system ..................4-30
Bluetooth®audio..........4-64,4-65 Compact disc (CD) player . .4-41, 4-46, 4-52
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player
.................4-40
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-44,4-49
Audio System iPod®Player.............4-58,4-61
Audio system Radio ....................4-30
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-69
USB interface ............4-55,4-57
Autolight switch .................2-29
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-48
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-20
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-15
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUXjack.................4-47,4-54
B
Battery ......................8-14
Chargewarninglight............2-16
Before starting the engine ...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth®audio............4-64,4-65
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system ..................4-71,4-85 Boosterseats..................1-40
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brakefluid..................8-13
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-31
Brake system ................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-16
Brake wear indicators ........2-23,8-23
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-23
Brakes ......................8-23
Break-inschedule ...............5-21
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-9
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-15
Bulbreplacement................8-31
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargolight ...................2-50
Cargonet....................2-43
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-71
CDcareandcleaning .............4-69
CD player (See audio system) . .4-41, 4-46, 4-52
Check tire press .................2-5
Child restraints .......1-24,1-25,1-26,1-28
Precautions on child
restraints ........
1
-26,1-32,1-37,1-40

Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-30
Child restraint with top tether strap .......1-30
Child safety rear door lock ............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-23
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock.......................4-40
Clutch Clutchfluid..................8-13
Clutchinterlock(clutchstart)switch......2-35
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-38
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-41,4-46,4-52
Compass display ................2-10
Console box ...................2-38
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-2 Brightness/contrast button ..........4-9
Enterbutton..................4-2
Setting button .................4-5
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-69
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-15,4-23
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosionprotection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cupholders...................2-40
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag ....1-56D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-30
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-28
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-31
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-16
Drive belt .....................8-17
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-38
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-23
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-29
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ..................2-34
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Block heater .................5-39
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-10 Changing engine oil filter
..........8-11
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-17
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial

number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Enterbutton....................4-2
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-26
F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) .......6-2
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-14
10-2

F.M.V.S.S. certification label...........9-11
Foglightswitch .................2-31
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-51
Frontseats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-23
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-10
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fueloctanerating...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loosefuelcapwarning ........2-5,3-10
Fuses.......................8-23
Fusiblelinks ...................8-25
G
Gascap .....................3-10
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip computer .................2-9
Trip odometer .................2-4
Voltmeter....................2-8
Generalmaintenance...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-38 H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth®................4-71,4-85
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-28
Headlight control switch ............2-28
Headlights ....................8-29
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-15,4-23
Heater operation ...........4-17,4-24
Hill descent control switch ...........2-33
Hill descent control system ...........5-36
Hill start assist system ..............5-37
Hood release ...................3-9
Hook Luggagehook................2-41
Horn .......................2-32
I
Ignition switch ...................5-9
Immobilizer system .........2-25,3-2,5-11
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-19
Increasing fuel economy .............5-23
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-14
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-15
Inside mirror ...................3-14
Instrument brightness control ..........2-31
Instrument panel ...............0-6,2-2 Instrument panel dimmer switch
........2-31
Interiorlight....................2-49
iPod® Player ...............4-58,4-61
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-28
J
Jump starting ...................6-9
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-27
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission control

information label .....9-11
Engine serial number ............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-58
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-28
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Liftgate ......................3-9
10-3

LightAirbagwarninglight.........1-59,2-19
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-31
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-15
Bulb replacement ..............8-31
Chargewarninglight ............2-16
Foglightswitch ...............2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlightcontrolswitch ..........2-28
Headlights..................8-29
Interiorlight..................2-49
Lightbulbs..................8-29
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-19
Offroadlampsswitch............2-32
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-53
Security indicator light ............2-22
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-14
Lights Maplights ..................2-50
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
Door locks ...................3-3
Power door locks ...............3-4
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5,3-10
Lowfuelwarninglight..............2-17
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-17
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-19
Luggage hook ..................2-41
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-44
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
Luggage storage
(seevehicleloadinginformation)........2-41 M
Maintenance Generalmaintenance.............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-23
Underthehoodandvehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-21
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Maplights ....................2-50
Map pocket ....................2-39
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-31
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-15
Inside mirror .................3-14
Outside mirrors ...............3-15
Vanity mirror .................3-14
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-25,3-2,5-11
NISSAN voice recognition system .......4-95
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Offroadlampsswitch..............2-32 Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingengineoil.............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirrors .................3-15
Overdrive switch .................5-17
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-11
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-32
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-32
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-31
Phone, Bluetooth® hands-free
system ................... 4

-71,4-85
Power Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-36
Power rear windows .............2-48
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-32
Power windows ...............2-47
Rear power windows ............2-48
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
10-4