1997 Nissan Pathfinder Owner's Manual - Page 133

4L - (4WD, low range) Four wheels are driven. Use when climbing or descending steep hills, or during hard driving in sand, mud or deep snow. The "4L" position provides maximum power and traction. Avoid raising vehicle speed excessively, as the maximum speed is approximately 30 MPH (50 km/h). N - No wheels are driven. Always keep the transfer lever out of the "N" position. Shift the lever quickly and smoothly when moving across the "N" position with the vehicle stopped. ¼ When parking the vehicle, apply the parking brake and shift the transfer control lever in the "2H", "4H" or "4L" position. ¼ Do not leave the transfer control lever in the "N" position. Otherwise, the vehicle could roll unexpectedly even if the manual transmission is in any gear or the automatic transmission in the "P" position. If the ATP light is "ON", this indicates that the automatic transmission "park" position will not function and the transfer lever is in neutral. ¼ Failure to engage the transfer control lever in "2H", "4H" or "4L" could result in the vehicle moving unexpectedly, resulting in serious personal injury or property damage. ¼ Do not drive on dry hard surface roads in 4-wheel drive. Driving on dry hard surfaces in "4H" or "4L" may cause unnecessary noise and tire wear. We recommend driving in the "2H" position under these conditions. 4-18