power steering NISSAN XTERRA 2013 N50 / 2.G Owners Manual

1. Vents (P. 4-15)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turnsignal switch (P. 2-28)
3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped)/Bluetooth® Hands-
Free Phone System (if so equipped)
(P. 4-69, P. 4-64, 4-65)
4. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-44, P. 2-32)
5. Meters, gauges and warning/indicator
lights (P. 2-3, 2-14)
6. Cruise control main/set switches
(P. 5-20)
7. Windshield wiper/washer switch and
rear window wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-26, P. 2-27)
8. Storage (P. 2-37)
9. Audio system controls (P. 4-30)
10. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-44)
11. Upper and lower glove box (P. 2-38)
12. Passenger air bag status light (P. 1-53)
13. Power outlet (P. 2-36)
14. Power outlet (P. 2-36)
WIC1447
INSTRUMENT PANEL
0-6Illustrated table of contents

15. Electronic locking rear differential(E-Lock) system switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-34)
Hill descent control switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-33)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF
switch (P. 2-33)
16. Shift selector (P. 5-13)
17. 4WD shift switch (P. 5-27)
18. Climate controls (P.4-16, 4-23)
19. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 6-2)
20. Ignition switch (P. 5-9)
21. Tilt steering wheel control (P. 3-12)
22. Off road lamps switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-32)
23. Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-35)
24. Power outside mirror controls
(if so equipped) (P. 3-16)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
Illustrated table of contents0-7

VQ40DE engine
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir(P. 8-14)
2. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-23)
3. Fuse and relay box (P. 8-23)
4. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
5. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
6. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid
reservoir (M/T model) (P. 8-13)
7. Air cleaner (P. 8-18)
8. Drive belt location (P.8-17)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-7)
10. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-12)
11. Battery (P. 8-14)
12. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-7)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0167
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents

1. Vents (P. 4-15)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turnsignal switch (P. 2-28)
3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped)/Bluetooth® Hands-
Free Phone System (if so equipped)
(P. 4-69, P. 4-64, 4-65)
4. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-44, P. 2-32)
5. Meters, gauges and warning/indicator
lights (P. 2-3, 2-14)
6. Cruise control main/set switches
(P. 5-20)
7. Windshield wiper/washer switch and
rear window wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-26, P. 2-27)
8. Storage (P. 2-37)
9. Audio system controls (P. 4-30)
10. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-44)
11. Upper and lower glove box (P. 2-38)
12. Passenger air bag status light (P. 1-53)
13. Power outlet (P. 2-36)
14. Power outlet (P. 2-36)
WIC1447
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls

15. Electronic locking rear differential(E-Lock) system switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-34)
Hill descent control switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-33)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF
switch (P. 2-33)
16. Shift selector (P. 5-13)
17. 4WD shift switch (P. 5-27)
18. Climate controls (P.4-16, 4-23)
19. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 6-2)
20. Ignition switch (P. 5-9)
21. Tilt steering wheel control (P. 3-12)
22. Off road lamps switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-32)
23. Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-35)
24. Power outside mirror controls
(if so equipped) (P. 3-16)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
1. Warning/indicator lights
2. Tachometer
3. Speedometer
4. Fuel gauge
5. Voltmeter 6. Odometer/Twin trip odometer/Trip
computer (if so equipped)
7. Engine oil pressure gauge
8. Engine coolant temperature gauge
WIC0911
METERS AND GAUGES
Instruments and controls2-3

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
LIC1548LIC0743
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH HILL DESCENT CONTROL SWITCH (if
so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-33

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .............................................3-2NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System keys .........3-2
Doors ............................................3-3
Locking with key ................................3-3
Locking with inside lock knob ....................3-3
Locking with power door lock switch .............3-4
Automatic door locks ...........................3-4
Child safety rear door lock .......................3-5
Remote keyless entry system .......................3-5
How to use remote keyless entry system ..........3-6
Hood ............................................3-9
Liftgate ...........................................3-9 Fuel-filler door
................................... 3-10
Opening the fuel-filler lid .......................3-10
Fuel-filler cap . . ............................... 3-10
Steering wheel ................................... 3-12
Tilt operation .................................. 3-12
Sun visors ....................................... 3-12
Vanity mirrors (if so equipped) ...................3-14
Mirrors .......................................... 3-14
Rearview mirror (if so equipped) .................3-14
Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror
(if so equipped) ............................... 3-15
Outside mirrors ............................... 3-15

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
precautions ....................................5-5
Avoiding collision and rollover ....................5-6
Off-road recovery ...............................5-6
Rapid air pressure loss ..........................5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................5-7
Driving safety precautions .......................5-7
Ignition switch .....................................5-9
Automatic transmission (if so equipped) ..........5-10
Manual transmission (if so equipped) ............5-11
Key positions ................................. 5-11
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system .............5-11
Before starting the engine ......................... 5-12
Starting the engine ............................... 5-12
Driving the vehicle ................................ 5-13
Automatic transmission (if so equipped) ..........5-13
Manual transmission (if so equipped) ............5-17
Parking brake .................................... 5-19
Cruise control .................................... 5-20Precautions on cruise control
...................5-20
Cruise control operations .......................5-20
Break-in schedule ................................ 5-21
Fuel efficient driving tips ........................... 5-22
Increasing fuel economy ........................... 5-23
Using four wheel drive (4WD)
(if so equipped) .................................. 5-23
Transfer case shifting procedures ...............5-24
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
(if so equipped) .................................. 5-29
Parking/parking on hills ............................ 5-31
Power steering ................................... 5-32
Brake system .................................... 5-32
Brake precautions ............................. 5-32
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) .................5-33
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system .............5-34
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system .............5-35
Hill descent control system (if so equipped) .........5-36
Hill start assist system (if so equipped) ..............5-37
Cold weather driving .............................. 5-38
Freeing a frozen door lock ......................5-38
Anti-freeze .................................... 5-38
Battery ....................................... 5-38

The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned off
while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
harder to operate.The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at 2 wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
●
While 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.
● If 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
effect of the parking brake is weakened or when-
ever the parking brake shoes and/or drum/rotors
are replaced, in order to assure the best brake
performance.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
5-32Starting and driving

When the ABS senses that 1 or more wheels are
close to locking up, the actuator rapidly applies
and releases hydraulic pressure. This action is
similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You
may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from
the actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is re-
quired while driving.●
ABLS system uses automatic braking to
transfer power from a slipping drive wheel to
the wheel on the same axle with more trac-
tion. The ABLS system applies braking to
the slipping wheel, which helps redirect
power to the other wheel.
● On 4WD models the ABLS system operates
in both 4H and 4LO modes. If 4WD mode is
engaged, the ABLS system operates for
both drive axles. On 2WD vehicles, the
ABLS system operates on the drive axle
only.
● The ABLS system is always ON. In some
conditions, the system may automatically
turn the ABLS system off. If the system is
automatically turned off, normal brake func-
tion will continue. ABLS will function even
when the VDC system is turned OFF.
● The ABLS does not operate if both wheels
on a drive axle are slipping.WARNING
●The ABLS system helps provide in-
creased traction, but will not prevent
accidents due to abrupt steering opera-
tion or by careless driving or dangerous
driving practices. Reduce vehicle speed
and be especially careful when driving
and cornering on slippery surfaces. Al-
ways drive carefully.
●
Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not NISSAN ap-
proved for your vehicle or are extremely
deteriorated, the ABLS system may not
operate properly. This could adversely af-
fect vehicle handling performance, and
the slip indicator light may illuminate.
● If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, the ABLS system may not
operate properly and the slip indicator
light may illuminate.
● If wheels or tires other than the NISSAN
recommended ones are used, the ABLS
system may not operate properly and
the slip indicator light may illuminate.
ACTIVE BRAKE LIMITED SLIP (ABLS)
SYSTEM
5-34Starting and driving