2001 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual - Page 149

(manual transmission vehicles), 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 terrain. 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 vehicle to roll over. ● Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel when driving offroad. The steering wheel could move suddenly and injure your hands. Instead 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 in place as the floor may become hot. ● Lower your speed when encountering 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 performance of the tires, even with 4WD engaged. ● 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 four-wheel drive vehicle has a higher center of gravity than a two-wheel drive veh- icle. The vehicle is not designed for cornering at the same speeds as conventional two-wheel drive vehicles. 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, biasbelted, 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 immediately after driving in mud or water. See Brake system later in this section for Wet brakes . ● Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you get out of the vehicle and it rolls forward, backward or sideways, you could be injured. ● Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud or water as deep as the wheel hub, more frequentmaintenance may be required. See Periodic maintenance in the Maintenance section of this manual. Starting and driving 5-5