2001 Nissan Frontier Owner's Manual - Page 184

IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an extremely high temperature gauge reading), or if you feel a lack of engine power, or detect abnormal noise, etc., take the following steps: WARNING ● Do not continue to drive if your vehicle overheats. Doing so could cause a vehicle fire. ● To avoid the danger of being scalded, never remove the radiator cap while the engine is still hot. When the radiator cap is removed, pressurized hot water will spurt out, possibly causing serious injury. ● Do not open the hood if steam is coming out. 1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake and move the shift lever to N (Neutral). On automatic transmission models, move the selector lever to P (Park). Do not stop the engine. 2. Turn off the air conditioner (if so equipped). Open all of the windows, move the heater or air conditioner temperature control to maximum hot and fan control to high speed. 3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 r/min) until the temperature gauge indicator returns to normal. 4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radiator before opening the hood. Wait until no steam or coolant can be seen before proceeding. 5. Open the hood. WARNING If steam or water is coming from the engine, stand clear to prevent getting burned. 6. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is running. The radiator hoses and radiator should not leak water. If coolant is leaking, or the water pump belt is missing or loose, or the cooling fan does not run, stop the engine. WARNING Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jewelry or clothing to come into contact with, or to get caught in, engine belts or the engine cooling fan. The engine cooling fan can start at any time when the coolant temperature is high. 7. After the engine cools down, check the coolant level in the reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at an authorized NISSAN dealer. 6-10 In case of emergency