PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND DRIVING
WARNING •
Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the assis- tance of others alone in your vehicle. Pets should also not be left alone. They could accidentally injure them- selves or others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot, sunny days, temperatures in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possibly fatal injuries to people or animals.
Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from slid- ing or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sud- den stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.
EXHAUST GAS (carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they contain colorless and odorless car- bon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is dangerous. It can cause uncon- sciousness or death.
If you suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the vehicle, drive with all windows fully open, and have the ve- hicle inspected immediately.
Do not run the engine in closed spaces such as a garage.
Do not park the vehicle with the en- gine running for any extended length of time.
Keep the rear vent windows, lift- gates, doors and trunk lids (if so equipped) closed while driving, oth- erwise exhaust gases could be drawn into the passenger compart- ment. If you must drive with one of these open, follow these precau- tions: 1. Open all the windows. 2. Set the air recirculation but-
ton to off and the fan control dial to high to circulate the air.
If electrical wiring or other cable con- nections must pass to a trailer through the seal on the liftgate or the body, follow the manufacturer's rec- ommendation to prevent carbon monoxide entry into the vehicle.
The exhaust system and body should be inspected by a qualified mechanic whenever: a. The vehicle is raised for service. b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system.
d. You have had an accident involv- ing damage to the exhaust sys- tem, underbody, or rear of the vehicle.
If a special body, camper, or other equipment is added for recreational or other usage, follow the manufac- turer's recommendation to prevent carbon monoxide entry into the ve- hicle. Do not occupy these areas while the engine is running even if the vehicle is parked. Some recre- ational vehicle appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, heaters, etc. may also generate carbon monoxide.
Starting and driving
THREE-WAY CATALYST The three-way catalyst is an emission con- trol device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust gases in the three-way catalyst are burned at high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.
WARNING •
The exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep people, animals or flammable materials away from the exhaust system components.
Do not stop or park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags. They may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION •
Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline will seriously reduce the three-way catalyst's abil- ity to help reduce exhaust pollutants.
Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc- tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or electrical systems can cause overrich fuel flow into the three-way catalyst, causing it to overheat. Do not keep driving if the engine misfires, or if no- ticeable loss of performance or other unusual operating conditions are de- tected. Have the vehicle inspected promptly. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Avoid driving with an extremely low fuel level. Running out of fuel could cause the engine to misfire, damag- ing the three-way catalyst.
Do not race the engine while warm- ing it up.
Do not push or tow your vehicle to start the engine.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recom- mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for those tires.) As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires is significantly under- inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and check all your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under- inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substi- tute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s responsibility to maintain cor- rect tire pressure, even if under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumi- nation of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale. Your vehicle has also been equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the system is not operating properly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is com- bined with the low tire pressure telltale. When the system detects a malfunction,
Starting and driving 5-5
the telltale will flash for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illu- minated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists. When the malfunc- tion indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons, includ- ing the installation of replacement or alter- nate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning prop- erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function properly.
Additional information: • When using a wheel without the TPMS
such as a spare tire, the TPMS does not monitor the tire pressure of the spare tire.
• The TPMS will activate only when the ve- hicle is driven at speeds above 16 mph (25 km/h). Also, this system may not detect a sudden drop in tire pressure (for example, a flat tire while driving).
• The low tire pressure warning light does not automatically turn off when the tire pressure of your tires are adjusted. After the tires are inflated to the recom- mended pressure, the vehicle must be driven at speeds above 16 mph (25 km/h) to activate the TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning light. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire pressure.
• The “Tire Pressure Low — Add Air” warning appears in the vehicle information dis- play when the low tire pressure warning light is illuminated and low tire pressure is detected. The “Tire Pressure Low — Add Air” warning turns off when the low tire pressure warning light turns off.
• The “Tire Pressure Low — Add Air” warning appears each time the ignition switch is placed in the ON position as long as the low tire pressure warning light remains illuminated.
• The “Tire Pressure Low — Add Air” warning does not appear if the low tire pressure warning light illuminates to indicate a TPMS malfunction.
• Tire pressure rises and falls depending on the heat caused by the vehicle’s opera- tion and the outside temperature. Do not reduce the tire pressure after driving be- cause the tire pressure rises after driving. Low outside temperature can lower the temperature of the air inside the tire which can cause a lower tire inflation pressure. This may cause the low tire pressure warning light to illuminate. If the warning light illuminates, check the tire pressure for all four tires.
• The Tire and Loading information label is located in the driver's door opening.
For additional information, see “Low tire pressure warning light” (P. 2-16) and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” (P. 6-3).
Starting and driving
WARNING •
Radio waves could adversely affect
electric medical equipment. Those who use a pacemaker should contact the electric medical equipment manufacturer for the possible influ- ences before use.
If the low tire pressure warning light illuminates while driving, avoid sud- den steering maneuvers or abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road to a safe location and stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Driving with under-inflated tires may permanently damage the tires and increase the likelihood of tire failure. Serious vehicle damage could occur and may lead to an accident and could result in serious personal in- jury. Check the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire pres- sure shown on the Tire and Loading information label to turn the low tire pressure warning light off. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible. For additional information, see “Flat tire” (P. 6-3) for changing a flat tire.
When using a wheel without the TPMS such as a spare tire, when a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not function and the low tire pressure warning light will flash for approximately 1 minute. The light will remain on after 1 minute. Have your tires replaced and/or TPMS system reset as soon as possible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Replacing tires with those not origi- nally specified by NISSAN could af- fect the proper operation of the TPMS.
Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a malfunction of the tire pres- sure sensors.
CAUTION Do not place metalized film or any metal parts (antenna, etc.) on the win- dows. This may cause poor reception of the signals from the tire pressure sen- sors, and the TPMS will not function properly.
Some devices and transmitters may tem- porarily interfere with the operation of the TPMS and cause the low tire pressure warning light to illuminate. Some examples are: • Facilities or electric devices using similar
radio frequencies are near the vehicle. • If a transmitter set to similar frequencies
is being used in or near the vehicle. • If a computer (or similar equipment) or a
DC/AC converter is being used in or near the vehicle.
The low tire pressure warning light may illuminate in the following cases: • If the vehicle is equipped with a wheel and
tire without TPMS. • If the TPMS has been replaced and the ID
has not been registered. • If the wheel is not originally specified by
NISSAN.
Starting and driving 5-7
FCC Notice: For USA: This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol- lowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interfer- ence received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. NOTE: Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's au- thority to operate the equipment. For Canada: This device contains license-exempt transmitter(s)/receiver(s) that comply with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s licence-exempt RSS(s). Operation is subject to the fol- lowing two conditions: (1) This device may not cause interference. (2) This de- vice must accept any interference, in- cluding interference that may cause un- desired operation of the device.
TPMS with Easy-Fill Tire Alert
WARNING
After rotating the tires, do not use the Easy-Fill Tire Alert to adjust the tire pressure. Instead use a gauge to adjust the tires to the correct pressure in ac- cordance with Tire and Loading infor- mation label.
When adding air to an under-inflated tire, the TPMS with Easy-Fill Tire Alert provides visual and audible signals outside the ve- hicle to help you inflate the tires to the rec- ommended COLD tire pressure.
Vehicle set-up 1. Park the vehicle in a safe and level place. 2. Apply the parking brake and place the
shift lever in the P (Park) position. 3. Place the ignition switch in the ON posi-
tion. Do not start the engine.
Operation 1. Add air to the tire. 2. After a few seconds, the hazard indica-
tors will start flashing.
3. When the designated pressure is reached, the horn beeps once and the hazard indicators stop flashing.
4. Perform the above steps for each tire. • If the tire is over-inflated more than
approximately 4 psi (30 kPa), the horn beeps and the hazard indicators flash three times. To correct the pressure, push the core of the valve stem on the tire briefly to release pressure. When the pressure reaches the designated pressure, the horn beeps once.
• If the hazard indicator does not flash within approximately 15 seconds after starting to inflate the tire, it indicates that the Easy-Fill Tire Alert is not operating.
• The TPMS will not activate the Easy-Fill Tire Alert under the following conditions: – If there is interference from an exter-
nal device or transmitter. – The air pressure from the inflation
device is not sufficient to inflate the tire.
– There is a malfunction in the TPMS. – There is a malfunction in the horn or
hazard indicators.
Starting and driving
– The identification code of the tire pressure sensor is not registered to the system.
– The battery of the tire pressure sen- sor is low.
• If the Easy-Fill Tire Alert does not oper- ate due to TPMS interference, move the vehicle about 3 ft (1 m) backward or forward and try again.
If the Easy-Fill Tire Alert is not working, use a tire pressure gauge. ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Utility vehicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other types of vehicles. They have higher ground clearance than passenger cars to make them capable of performing in a variety of on-pavement and off-road applications. This gives them a higher center of gravity than ordinary ve- hicles. An advantage of higher ground clearance is a better view of the road, allow- ing you to anticipate problems. However, they are not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional 2-Wheel Drive vehicles any more than low-slung sports cars are designed to perform satis- factorily under off-road conditions. If at all
possible, avoid sharp turns at high speeds. As with other vehicles of this type, failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in loss of control or vehicle rollover. In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a per- son wearing a seat belt. For additional information, see “Driving safety precautions” (P. 5-11). AVOIDING COLLISION AND ROLLOVER
WARNING Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and prudent manner may result in loss of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times. Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive speed, high speed cornering, or sudden steering maneuvers, because these driving practices could cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
As with any vehicle, loss of control could result in a collision with other vehicles or objects or cause the vehicle to roll over, particularly if the loss of control causes the vehicle to slide sideways.
Be attentive at all times, and avoid driving when tired. Never drive when under the in- fluence of alcohol or drugs (including pre- scription or over-the-counter drugs which may cause drowsiness). Always wear your seat belt as outlined in the “Safety – Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint sys- tem” section of this manual, and also in- struct your passengers to do so. Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in collisions and rollovers.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted person is significantly more likely to die than a person wearing a seat belt. OFF-ROAD RECOVERY While driving, the right side or left side wheels may unintentionally leave the road surface. If this occurs, maintain control of the vehicle by following the procedure be- low. Please note that this procedure is only a general guide. The vehicle must be driven as appropriate based on the conditions of the vehicle, road and traffic. 1. Remain calm and do not overreact. 2. Do not apply the brakes. 3. Maintain a firm grip on the steering
wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight course.
Starting and driving 5-9
4. When appropriate, slowly release the ac- celerator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
5. If there is nothing in the way, steer the vehicle to follow the road while vehicle speed is reduced. Do not attempt to drive the vehicle back onto the road sur- face until vehicle speed is reduced.
6. When it is safe to do so, gradually turn the steering wheel until both tires return to the road surface. When all tires are on the road surface, steer the vehicle to stay in the appropriate driving lane. • If you decide that it is not safe to return
the vehicle to the road surface based on vehicle, road or traffic conditions, gradually slow the vehicle to a stop in a safe place off the road.
RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS Rapid air pressure loss or a “blow-out” can occur if the tire is punctured or is damaged due to hitting a curb or pothole. Rapid air pressure loss can also be caused by driving on under-inflated tires. Rapid air pressure loss can affect the han- dling and stability of the vehicle, especially at highway speeds.
Help prevent rapid air pressure loss by maintaining the correct air pressure and visually inspecting the tires for wear and damage. For additional information, see “Wheels and tires” (P. 8-30). If a tire rapidly loses air pressure or “blows-out” while driv- ing, maintain control of the vehicle by fol- lowing the procedure below. Please note that this procedure is only a general guide. The vehicle must be driven as appropriate based on the conditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.
WARNING The following actions can increase the chance of losing control of the vehicle if there is a sudden loss of tire air pres- sure. Losing control of the vehicle may cause a collision and result in personal injury. •
The vehicle generally moves or pulls
in the direction of the flat tire. •
Do not rapidly apply the brakes. •
Do not rapidly release the accelerator
pedal. •
Do not rapidly turn the steering
wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not overreact. 2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering
wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the ac- celerator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe lo- cation off the road and away from traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradu- ally stop the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and contact a roadside emergency service to change the tire. For additional infor- mation, see “Changing a flat tire” (P. 6-3).
Starting and driving
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND DRIVING
WARNING Never drive under the influence of alco- hol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood- stream reduces coordination, delays reaction time and impairs judgement. Driving after drinking alcohol increases the likelihood of being involved in an accident injuring yourself and others. Additionally, if you are injured in an ac- cident, alcohol can increase the sever- ity of the injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. How- ever, you must choose not to drive under the influence of alcohol. Every year thousands of people are injured or killed in alcohol-related collisions. Although the local laws vary on what is considered to be legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol affects all people dif- ferently and most people underestimate the effects of alcohol. Remember, drinking and driving don't mix! That is true for drugs (over-the-counter, prescription) and illegal drugs, too. Don't drive if your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
DRIVING SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Your NISSAN is designed for both normal and off-road use. However, avoid driving in deep water or mud as your NISSAN is mainly designed for leisure use, unlike a conventional off-road vehicle. Remember that 2-Wheel Drive models are less capable than 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) models for rough road driving and extrica- tion when stuck in deep snow or mud, or the like. Please observe the following precautions:
WARNING
•Drive carefully when off the road and avoid dangerous areas. Every person who drives or rides in this vehicle should be seated with their seat belt fastened. This will keep you and your passengers in position when driving over rough terrain.
•Do not drive across steep slopes. In- stead drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. Off-road vehicles can tip over sideways much more easily than they can forward or backward.
•Many hills are too steep for any ve- hicle. If you drive up them, you may stall. If you drive down them, you may not be able to control your speed. If you drive across them, you may roll over.
•Do not shift gears while driving on downhill grades as this could cause loss of control of the vehicle.
•Stay alert when driving to the top of a hill. At the top there could be a drop- off or other hazard that could cause an accident.
•If your engine stalls or you cannot make it to the top of a steep hill, never attempt to turn around. Your vehicle could tip or roll over. Always back straight down in R (Reverse) gear. Never back down in N (Neutral), using only the brake, as this could cause loss of control.
•Heavy braking going down a hill could cause your brakes to overheat and fade, resulting in loss of control and an accident. Apply brakes lightly and use a low gear to control your speed.
•Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when driving over rough ter- rain. Properly secure all cargo so it will not be thrown forward and cause injury to you or your passengers.
•To avoid raising the center of gravity excessively, do not exceed the rated capacity of the roof rack (if so equipped) and evenly distribute the load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo area as far forward and as low as possible. Do not equip the vehicle with tires larger than specified in this manual. This could cause your ve- hicle to roll over.
•Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel when driving off- road. The steering wheel could move suddenly and injure your hands. In- stead drive with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of the rim.
•Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the driver and all passengers have their seat belts fastened.
•Always drive with the floor mats (if so equipped) in place as the floor may become hot.
•Lower your speed when encounter- ing strong crosswinds. With a higher center of gravity, your NISSAN is more affected by strong side winds. Slower speeds ensure better vehicle control.
•Do not drive beyond the perfor- mance capability of the tires, even with 4WD engaged (if so equipped).
•For 4WD equipped vehicles, do not attempt to raise two wheels off the ground and shift the transmission to any drive or reverse position with the engine running. Doing so may result in drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle movement which could result in serious vehicle damage or per- sonal injury.
•Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped vehicle on a 2-wheel dyna- mometer (such as the dynamom- eters used by some states for emis- sions testing), or similar equipment even if the other two wheels are raised off the ground. Make sure you inform test facility personnel that your vehicle is equipped with 4WD before it is placed on a dynamom- eter. Using the wrong test equipment may result in drivetrain damage or unexpected vehicle movement which could result in serious vehicle damage or personal injury.
•Accelerating quickly, sharp steering maneuvers or sudden braking may cause loss of control.
•If at all possible, avoid sharp turning maneuvers, particularly at high speeds. Your NISSAN 4WD vehicle has a higher center of gravity than a pas- senger car. The vehicle is not de- signed for cornering at the same speeds as passenger cars. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly could result in loss of control and/or a roll- over accident.
•Always use tires of the same type, size, brand, construction (bias, bias- belted, or radial), and tread pattern on all four wheels. Install tire chains on the rear wheels when driving on slippery roads and drive carefully.
•Be sure to check the brakes immedi- ately after driving in mud or water. For additional information, see “Wet brakes” (P. 5-121).
•Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you get out of the vehicle and it rolls forward, backward or side- ways, you could be injured.
•Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud or water as deep as the wheel hub, more frequent mainte- nance may be required. For addi- tional information, see “Maintenance under severe operating conditions” (P. 9-7).
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