Get Starting and driving -> Four-Wheel Drive Guide for Nissan Patrol SUV Sixth Generation (2010-2023)

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4WD) (4WD models)

WARNING:

If the 4WD warning light is still on

after the above operation, have your

vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer

as soon as possible.

.

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 personal injury.

.

The transfer case may be damaged if you

continue driving with the 4WD warning

light blinking.

See “On-pavement and off-road driving pre-

cautions” (P.5-5) for other precautions for off-

road driving.

.

Do not attempt to test a 4WD equipped

vehicle on a 2-wheel dynamometer 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 dynamometer.

Using the wrong test equipment may

result in drivetrain damage or unex-

pected vehicle movement which could

result in serious vehicle damage or per-

sonal injury.

CAUTION:

.

Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4L

position on dry hard surface roads. Driv-

ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4L may

cause unnecessary noise, tire wear and

increased fuel consumption.

If the Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) warning

light turns on when driving on dry hard

surface roads:

— in the 4H position, shift the 4WD shift

switch to AUTO.

— in the 4L position, stop the vehicle and

shift the transmission lever to the “N”

(Neutral) position with the brake ped-

al depressed and shift the 4WD shift

switch to AUTO.

5-16 Starting and driving

ALL MODE 4WD SYSTEM

The all mode 4WD system provides 3 positions

(AUTO, 4H and 4L), so you can select the

desired drive mode according to the driving

conditions.

4WD shift procedure:

JVS0092M

*1:

The 4LO and 4HI indicators may flash

alternately (Type A) or the 4LO indicator

may flash (Type B). Stop the vehicle and

be sure to turn the 4WD shift switch after

the transmission shift lever has been

· Avoid making a turn or abrupt starts

while shifting to the 4L position. Other-

wise the gears may grind, damaging the

drive system.

shifted to the “N” (Neutral) position. If the

indicator keeps flashing after the 4WD

shift procedure, drive slowly without

abrupt maneuvers for a while. Then the

indicator will illuminate or turn off.

Starting and driving 5-17

*2: While changing in and out of the 4L

position, the engine must be running.

Otherwise, the shift will not take place

and the 4LO indicator will not be on or

flashing.

*3: Make sure that the 4LO indicator turns on

when shifting the 4WD shift switch to the

4L position. The Vehicle Dynamic Control

(VDC) off indicator light will also turn on

when 4L is selected. (See “Vehicle Dy-

namic Control (VDC) system” (P.5-22).)

The 4WD shift switch is used to select the 4WD

mode depending on the driving conditions.

There are 3 types of drive modes available,

AUTO, 4H and 4L.

The 4WD shift switch electronically controls the

transfer case operation. Rotate the switch to

move between each mode, AUTO, 4H and 4L.

between 4H and 4L.

CAUTION:

When driving on rough roads,

.

Never shift the 4WD shift switch between

4L and 4H while driving.

Drive carefully according to the road sur-

face conditions.

When the vehicle is stuck,

The 4H position provides greater traction.

Avoid excessive speed, as it will cause

increased fuel consumption and higher

oil temperatures, and could damage dri-

vetrain component. Speeds over 100

km/h (62 MPH) in 4H is not recom-

mended.

The 4L position provides maximum trac-

tion. Avoid raising vehicle speed exces-

sively, as the maximum speed is

approximately 50 km/h (31 MPH).

When driving straight, shift the 4WD shift

switch to the AUTO or 4H position. Do not

move the 4WD shift switch when making

a turn or reversing.

Do not shift the 4WD shift switch (be-

tween AUTO and 4H) while driving on

steep downhill grades. Use the engine

brake and low transmission gears for

engine braking.

.

Place stones or wooden blocks under the

tires to free the vehicle.

.

Set the 4WD shift switch to 4H or 4L.

If it is difficult to free the vehicle, repeat

forward and backward movement to in-

crease the movement.

.

If the vehicle is stuck deep in mud, tire

chains may be effective.

CAUTION:

.

Do not spin the tires excessively. Tires will

sink deep into the mud, making it difficult

to free the vehicle.

Avoid shifting gears with the engine

running at high speeds as this may cause

malfunction.

You must depress the 4WD shift switch to

select 4L, and the vehicle MUST be stationary

and the shift lever in the “N” (Neutral) position

when changing into or out of 4L.

WARNING:

4WD SHIFT SWITCH

.

Do not operate the 4WD shift switch

(between AUTO and 4H) with the rear

wheels spinning.

Do not drive on dry hard surface roads in

the 4H or 4L position. Driving on dry hard

surfaces in 4H or 4L may cause unneces-

sary noise and tire wear. NISSAN recom-

mends driving in the AUTO position under

these conditions.

The 4WD transfer case may not be shifted

between 4H and 4L at low ambient

temperatures and the 4L position indica-

tor may blink even when the 4WD shift

switch is shifted. After driving for a while

you can change the 4WD shift switch

.

When parking, apply the parking brake

before stopping the engine and make

sure that the 4WD shift indicator is on

and the ATP warning light turns off.

Otherwise, the vehicle could unexpect-

edly move even if the automatic trans-

mission is in the “P” (Park) position.

The 4LO and 4HI indicators must stop

blinking and remain illuminated or turn

off before shifting the transmission into

gear. If the shift lever is shifted from the

“N” (Neutral) position to any other gear

while the 4L and 4H position indicator is

blinking, the vehicle may move unexpect-

edly.

.

WAF0274X

.

Shift the 4WD shift switch to either the

AUTO, 4H or 4L position, depending on

5-18 Starting and driving

driving conditions.

.

Engine idling speed is high while warm-

ing up the engine. Be especially careful

when starting or driving on slippery

surfaces with the 4WD shift switch in

AUTO.

.

If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD

shift indicator turns off.

.

With the switch set to the AUTO position,

distribution of torque to the front and rear

wheels changes automatically, depending

on road conditions encountered [ratio; 0 :

100 (2WD) ? 50 : 50 (4WD)]. This results in

improved driving stability.

4WD WARNING LIGHT

Warning light

Comes on or

blinks when:

4WD SHIFT INDICATOR

There is a mal-

function in the

4WD system

When the vehicle is stopped after making

a turn, you may feel a slight jolt after the

shift lever is shifted to “N” (Neutral) or “P”

(Park) position. This occurs because the

transfer clutch is released and not be-

cause of a malfunction.

Illuminates

The transfer

case oil tem-

perature is ab-

normally high

Blinks ra-

pidly

CAUTION:

The difference

in wheel rota-

tion is large

Blinks slowly

.

When driving straight, shift the 4WD shift

switch to the AUTO or 4H position. Do not

move the 4WD shift switch when making

a turn or reversing.

Do not shift the 4WD shift switch while

driving on steep downhill grades. Use the

engine brake and low transmission gears

for engine braking.

If the 4WD shift switch is operated while

making a turn, accelerating or decelerat-

ing or if the ignition switch is placed in

the “OFF” position while in the AUTO, 4H

or 4L, you may feel a jolt. This is not a

malfunction.

The 4WD warning light is located in the meter.

JVS0093X

The 4WD warning light comes on when the

ignition switch is placed in the “ON” position. It

turns off soon after the engine is started.

If any malfunction occurs in the 4WD system

when the ignition switch is placed in the “ON”

position, the 4WD warning light will either

remain illuminated or blink.

Type A/B

The 4WD shift indicator (Type

A

or B) is

displayed in the vehicle information display.

The indicator should turn off within 1 second

after placing the ignition switch in the “ON”

position.

While the engine is running, the 4WD shift

indicator will illuminate the position selected

by the 4WD shift switch. (See the 4WD shift

procedure list shown in the “All mode 4WD

system” (P.5-17).)

If the 4WD warning light comes on, the 4WD

shift indicator turns off.

High-temperature transfer case oil makes the

4WD warning light blink rapidly (about twice

per second). If the warning light blinks rapidly

during operation, stop the vehicle in a safe

place immediately. Then if the light turns off

after a while, you can continue driving.

A large difference between the diameters of

front and rear wheels will make the 4WD

warning light blink slowly (about once per two

seconds). Change the 4WD shift switch to AUTO

and do not drive fast.

.

Do not operate the 4WD shift switch with

.

The 4WD shift indicator may blink while

shifting from one drive mode to the

other. When the shifting is completed,

the 4WD shift indicator will come on. If

the indicator does not come on immedi-

ately, make sure the area around the

vehicle is safe, and drive the vehicle

straight, accelerate or decelerate or move

the vehicle in reverse, then shift the 4WD

shift switch.

the rear wheels spinning.

Before placing the 4WD shift switch in the

4H position from AUTO, ensure the vehi-

cle speed is less than 100 km/h (62 MPH).

Failure to do so can damage the 4WD

system.

.

Never shift the 4WD shift switch between

4L and 4H while driving.

Starting and driving 5-19

See the following list for the use of the variable

VARIABLE 4 × 4 MODE SELECT SWITCH

CAUTION:

4 × 4 mode select switch.

(except for Mexico)

.

If the 4WD warning light comes on or

blinks slowly during operation or rapidly

after stopping the vehicle for a while,

have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN

dealer as soon as possible.

.

Shifting between 4H and 4L is not re-

commended when the 4WD warning light

turns on.

When the 4WD warning light comes on,

the 2WD mode may be engaged even if

the 4WD shift switch is in AUTO or 4H. Be

especially careful when driving. If corre-

sponding parts are malfunctioning, the

4WD mode will not be engaged even if

the 4WD shift switch is shifted.

WAF0275X

The variable 4 × 4 mode (ON ROAD, ROCK,

SNOW or SAND) is designed to assist off-road

driving by controlling the engine and/or brak-

ing functions optimally according to the differ-

ent driving conditions in the 4WD mode.

Push each variable 4 × 4 mode switch to select

the desired mode. The indicator light on the

selected mode switch illuminates and the

selected mode is also displayed in the vehicle

information display located between the

speedometer and tachometer.

.

Do not drive the vehicle in the 4H or 4L

position on dry hard surface roads. Driv-

ing on dry, hard surfaces in 4H or 4L may

cause unnecessary noise, tire wear and

increased fuel consumption.

If the 4WD warning light turns on when

driving on dry hard surface roads:

— in the AUTO or 4H position, shift the

4WD shift switch to AUTO.

When the ignition switch is placed in the “ON”

position or the 4WD shift switch is shifted to

another position, the “ON ROAD” mode is

selected automatically.

— in the 4L position, stop the vehicle and

shift the transmission shift lever to

the “N” (Neutral) position and shift the

4WD shift switch to AUTO.

If the 4WD warning light is still on after

the above operation, have your vehicle

checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as

possible.

NOTE:

.

Depending on the driving mode, the variable

4 × 4 mode may not change to a selected

mode when the variable 4 × 4 mode select

switch is pushed with the accelerator pedal

depressed. This function prevents a rapid

increase of engine power. If this occurs,

release or fully depress the accelerator pedal

to shift into the selected mode.

The transfer case may be damaged if you

continue driving with the warning light

blinking.

5-20 Starting and driving

SNOW MODE (for Mexico)

SIC4454

For driving or starting the vehicle on snowy

roads or slippery areas, turn the SNOW mode

on.

To turn the SNOW mode on, push the SNOW

mode switch. The SNOW mode indicator light

on the meter panel will illuminate. When the

SNOW mode is activated, engine output is

controlled to avoid wheel spin.

To turn the SNOW mode off, push the switch

and the indicator on the meter panel will turn

off. Turn the SNOW mode off for normal driving

and fuel economy.

WAF0268X

Starting and driving 5-21

DIFFERENTIAL LOCK MODE

SWITCH (except for Mexico)

VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM

WARNING:

.

In 4WD AUTO and 4H mode, the rear

differential lock-up device does not oper-

ate when the differential lock mode

switch is turned to the “ON” position.

(The DIFF-LOCK indicator light will flash.)

.

The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) sys-

tem is designed to help the driver main-

tain stability but does not prevent

accidents due to abrupt steering opera-

tion at high speeds or by careless or

dangerous driving techniques. Reduce

vehicle speed and be especially careful

when driving and cornering on slippery

surfaces and always drive carefully.

WARNING:

Use the rear differential lock (DIFF-LOCK)

only in an emergency when it is not

possible to free

a stuck vehicle even

using the 4L position.

WAF0276X

.

Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension. If

suspension parts such as shock absor-

bers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars, bush-

ings and wheels are not NISSAN

recommended for your vehicle or are

extremely deteriorated, the VDC system

may not operate properly. This could

adversely affect vehicle handling perfor-

mance, and the VDC warning light

may illuminate.

.

When the DIFF-LOCK is in operation, turn-

ing the vehicle becomes hard and, espe-

cially at high speeds, is dangerous.

While DIFF-LOCK is on, the Anti-lock

Braking System (ABS) warning light illu-

minates. This indicates that anti-lock

function may not fully operate.

Do not operate the DIFF-LOCK when the

vehicle is turning or when one side wheel

is rotating. Otherwise the power train

system parts could be damaged.

Avoid quick starts while the DIFF-LOCK is

in operation. Otherwise the power train

system parts could be damaged.

The rear differential lock (DIFF-LOCK) is de-

signed to transmit engine power to the left and

right wheels equally.

If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.

or one wheel is off the ground and the

differential lock is not on, engine power is

transmitted to one wheel causing it to spin,

so leaving insufficient traction on the other

wheel. The rear differential lock allows the left

and right wheels to rotate as a unit, enabling

your vehicle to free itself.

.

If brake related parts such as brake pads,

rotors and calipers are not NISSAN re-

commended or are extremely deterio-

rated, the VDC system may not operate

properly and the VDC warning light

may illuminate.

To lock the rear differential gear, reduce the

vehicle speed below 7 km/h (4 MPH) and turn

the 4WD shift switch to the 4L position. Then

push the differential lock mode switch to the

“ON” position. The differential lock (DIFF-LOCK)

Observe the above precautions. Otherwise,

.

If engine control related parts are not

NISSAN recommended or are extremely

deteriorated, the VDC warning light

may illuminate.

loss of normal steering control may result.

indicator light “

” will blink in the meter and

then stay on when the differential gear is

completely locked.

When driving on extremely inclined sur-

faces such as higher banked corners, the

VDC system may not operate properly

After using the rear differential lock (DIFF-

LOCK), or during normal driving, push the

differential lock mode switch to the “OFF”

position. The DIFF-LOCK indicator light will turn

off after the differential lock is released.

and the VDC warning light

may

illuminate. Do not drive on these types

of roads.

.

The rear differential lock-up device oper-

.

When driving on an unstable surface such

as a turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the

ates only when the engine is running.

5-22 Starting and driving

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