Edition: August 2010 QUICK REFERENCE INDEX

Revision: March 2012 A GENERAL INFORMATION

Publication No. SM1E-1D40U1 B ENGINE
GI
EM
LU
General Information
Engine Mechanical
Engine Lubrication System
A
CO Engine Cooling System
EC
FL
EX
Engine Control System
Fuel System
Exhaust System
B
C
STR Starting System
ACC Accelerator Control System
C HYBRID HBC Hybrid Control System
HBB Hybrid Battery System
D TRANSMISSION & DRIVE-
LINE
CL
TM
DLN
Clutch
Transaxle & Transmission
Driveline
D
E
FAX Front Axle
RAX Rear Axle
E SUSPENSION FSU Front Suspension
RSU Rear Suspension

F BRAKES
SCS
WT
BR
Suspension Control System
Road Wheels & Tires
Brake System
F
G
PB Parking Brake System
BRC Brake Control System
G STEERING ST Steering System
STC Steering Control System
H RESTRAINTS SB
SBC
SR
Seat Belt
Seat Belt Control System
SRS Airbag
H
I
SRC SRS Airbag Control System
I VENTILATION, HEATER & VTL Ventilation System
AIR CONDITIONER HA Heater & Air Conditioning System
HAC Heater & Air Conditioning Control System

J
J BODY INTERIOR INT Interior
IP Instrument Panel
SE Seat
ADP Autodrive Positioner System

K BODY EXTERIOR,
DOORS, ROOF & VEHICLE
AP
DLK
SEC
Adjustable Pedals
Door & Lock
Security Control System
K
SECURITY

L
GW Glass & Window System
PWC Power Window Control System
RF Roof
EXT Exterior

L DRIVER CONTROLS
BRM
MIR
EXL
Body Repair Manual
Mirrors
Exterior Lighting System
M
N
INL Interior Lighting System
WW Wiper & Washer
DEF Defogger
HRN Horn
All rights reserved. No part
of this Service Manual may
be reproduced or stored in a
M ELECTRICAL & POWER
CONTROL
PWO
BCS
LAN
Power Outlet
Body Control System
LAN System
O
P
retrieval system, or transmit- PCS Power Control System
CHG Charging System
ted in any form, or by any
PG Power Supply, Ground & Circuit Elements
means, electronic, mechani-
N DRIVER INFORMATION & MWI Meter, Warning Lamp & Indicator
cal, photo-copying, record- MULTIMEDIA WCS Warning Chime System
ing or otherwise, without the SN Sonar System
prior written permission of AV Audio, Visual & Navigation System
Nissan North America, Inc. O CRUISE CONTROL CCS Cruise Control System
P MAINTENANCE MA Maintenance
 FOREWORD
This manual contains maintenance and repair procedure for the 2011
NISSAN FRONTIER.

In order to assure your safety and the efficient functioning of the vehicle,
this manual should be read thoroughly. It is especially important that the
PRECAUTIONS in the GI section be completely understood before starting
any repair task.

All information in this manual is based on the latest product information

at the time of publication. The right is reserved to make changes in specifi-
cations and methods at any time without notice.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

The proper performance of service is essential for both the safety of
the technician and the efficient functioning of the vehicle.
The service methods in this Service Manual are described in such a
manner that the service may be performed safely and accurately.
Service varies with the procedures used, the skills of the technician
and the tools and parts available. Accordingly, anyone using service
procedures, tools or parts which are not specifically recommended
by NISSAN must first be completely satisfied that neither personal
safety nor the vehicle’s safety will be jeopardized by the service
method selected.
 PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS SERVICE MANUAL BETTER!

Your comments are important to NISSAN and will help us to improve our Service Manuals.
Use this form to report any issues or comments you may have regarding our Service Manuals.
Please print this form and type or write your comments below. Mail or fax to:
Nissan North America, Inc.
Technical Service Information
39001 Sunrise Drive, P.O. Box 9200
Farmington Hills, MI USA 48331
FAX: (248) 488-3880

SERVICE MANUAL: Model: Year:

PUBLICATION NO. (Refer to Quick Reference Index ):
Please describe any Service Manual issues or problems in detail:
Page number(s) Note: Please include a copy of each page, marked with your comments.

Are the trouble diagnosis procedures logical and easy to use? (circle your answer) YES NO
If no, what page number(s)? Note: Please include a copy of each page, marked with your comments.
Please describe the issue or problem in detail:

Is the organization of the manual clear and easy to follow? (circle your answer) YES NO
Please comment:

What information should be included in NISSAN Service Manuals to better support you in servicing or
repairing customer vehicles?

DATE: YOUR NAME: POSITION:

DEALER: DEALER NO.: ADDRESS:
CITY: STATE/PROV./COUNTRY: ZIP/POSTAL CODE:
 QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER
2011

QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER

Engine Tune-up Data: QR25DE INFOID:0000000006836009

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Cylinder arrangement In-line 4

Displacement 3 2,488 (151.82)
cm (cu in)
Bore and stroke mm (in) 89.0 x 100.0 (3.504 x 3.937)
Valve arrangement DOHC
Firing order 1-3-4-2
Compression 2
Number of piston rings
Oil 1
Compression ratio 9.5
Standard 1,304 (13.3, 189)
Compression pressure
Minimum 1,108 (11.3, 161)
kPa (kg/cm2, psi) / 250 rpm
Differential limit between cylinders 100 (1.0, 14)

DRIVE BELT

Tension of drive belt Auto adjustment by auto-tensioner

SPARK PLUG

Make NGK
Standard type* PLZKAR6A–11
Gap (nominal) 1.1 mm (0.043 in)
*: Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information

Engine Tune-up Data: VQ40DE INFOID:0000000006836008

GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS

Cylinder arrangement V-6

Displacement cm3(cu in) 3,954 (241.30)

Bore and stroke mm (in) 95.5 × 92.0 (3.76 × 3.622)
Valve arrangement DOHC
Firing order 1-2-3-4-5-6
Compression 2
Number of piston rings
Oil 1
Number of main bearings 4
Compression ratio 9.7
Standard 1,275 (13.0, 185)
Compression pressure
Minimum 981 (10.0, 142)
kPa (kg/cm2, psi)/300 rpm
Differential limit between cylinders 98 (1.0, 14)
 QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER
2011

Cylinder number

SEM713A

Valve timing
(Intake valve timing control - “OFF”)

PBIC0187E

Unit: degree
a b c d e f
244 240 −4 64 6 58

DRIVE BELT

Tension of drive belts Auto adjustment by auto tensioner

SPARK PLUG

Make NGK
Standard type* DILFR5A-11
Gap (nominal) 1.1 mm (0.043 in)
*: Always check with the Parts Department for the latest parts information

Front Wheel Alignment (Unladen*1)*6 INFOID:0000000006836006

Drive type 2WD 4WD

Minimum -0° 30′ (-0.50°) -0° 15′ (-0.25°)

Camber Nominal 0° 15′ (0.25°) 0° 30′ (0.50°)

Degree minute (decimal degree) Maximum 1° 0′ (1.00°) 1° 15′ (1.25°)
Cross camber 0° 45′ (0.75°) or less 0° 45′ (0.75°) or less
Minimum 2° 15′ (2.25°) 2° 0′ (2.00°)

Caster Nominal 3° 0′ (3.00°) 2° 45′ (2.75°)

Degree minute (decimal degree) Maximum 3° 45′ (3.75°) 3° 30′ (3.50°)
Cross caster 0° 45′ (0.75°) or less 0° 45′ (0.75°) or less
Kingpin inclination
Nominal 13° 0′ (13.00°) 12° 45′ (12.75°)
Degree minute (decimal degree)
 QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER
2011
Drive type 2WD 4WD

SFA234AC

Minimum In 1.2 mm (0.05 in)

Distance (A − B) Nominal In 3.2 mm (0.12 in)
Maximum In 5.2 mm (0.20 in)
Total toe-in
Minimum In 0° 4′ 48″ (0.08°)
Angle
Nominal In 0° 14′ 24″ (0.24°)
Degree minute (Decimal degree)
Maximum In 0° 24′ (0.40°)
Inside 33° 26′– 35° 26′ *2 33° 36′– 35° 36′ *4
Degree minute (Decimal degree) (33.43°– 35.43°) (33.60°– 35.60°)
Wheel turning angle (full turn)
Outside 29° 22′– 31° 22′ *3 29° 44′– 31° 44′ *5
Degree minute (Decimal degree) (29.37°– 31.37°) (29.73°– 31.73°)
*1: Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.
*2: Target value 35° 26′ (35.43°)
*3: Target value 31° 22′ (31.37°)
*4: Target value 35° 36′ (35.60°)
*5: Target value 31° 44′ (31.73°)
*6: Some vehicles may be equipped with straight (non-adjustable) lower link bolts and washers. In order to adjust camber and caster on
these vehicles, first replace the lower link bolts and washers with adjustable (cam) bolts and washers.

General Specification (Rear) INFOID:0000000006836005

Suspension type Rigid axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs

Shock absorber type Double-acting hydraulic

Wheelarch Height (Unladen*1) INFOID:0000000006836007

King Cab
Unit: mm (in)

LEIA0085E

Drive type 2WD 4WD

Engine type QR25DE VQ40DE
Tire size P235/75R15 P265/70R16 P265/70R16 P265/75R16 P265/70R16 P265/75R16
 QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER
2011
850 865 868 880 881 893
Front wheelarch height (Hf)
(33.46) (34.06) (34.17) (34.65) (34.68) (35.16)
878 887 895 907 904 917
Rear wheelarch height (Hr)
(34.57) (34.92) (35.24) (35.71) (35.59) (36.10)
*1: Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.
Crew Cab
Unit: mm (in)

LEIA0085E

Engine type VQ40DE

Drive type 2WD 4WD
Tire size
P265/70R16 P265/75R16 P265/60R18 P265/70R16 P265/75R16 P265/60R18

Wheel base Short Long Short Short Long Short Long Short Short Long
Front
867 870 879 866 869 879 882 891 879 882
wheelarch
(34.13) (34.25) (34.61) (34.09) (34.21) (34.61) (34.72) (35.08) (34.61) (34.72)
height (Hf)
Rear
892 892 904 892 892 905 902 918 905 902
wheelarch
(35.12) (35.12) (35.59) (35.12) (35.12) (35.63) (35.51) (36.14) (35.63) (35.51)
height (Hr)

*1: Fuel, radiator coolant and engine oil full. Spare tire, jack, hand tools and mats in designated positions.

Brake Specifications INFOID:0000000006836003

Unit: mm (in)

Engine Type QR25DE VQ40DE

Front brake Brake model CLZ33VA
Rotor outer diameter × thickness 283 × 28 (11.142 × 1.102) 296 × 28 (11.654 × 1.102)
Pad Length × width × thickness 140 × 50.5 × 10 (5.51 × 1.99 × 0.39)
Cylinder bore diameter (each) 46.4 (1.83)
Rear brake Brake model CLZ14VA
Rotor outer diameter × thickness 286 × 18 (11.260 × 0.709)
Pad length × width × thickness 87.6 × 35.5 × 11.0 (3.449 × 1.398 × 0.433)
Cylinder bore diameter 38.1 (1.50)
Control valve Valve model Electric brake force distribution
Brake booster Booster model C215T

Diaphragm diameter 215 (8.465)

 QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER
2011
Brake Pedal INFOID:0000000006836004

Unit: mm (in)

AWFIA0557ZZ

M/T 174.7 +10, -0 (6.88 +0.39, -0)

Pedal free height (H)
A/T 182.1 +10, -0 (7.17 +0.39, -0)
Pedal full stroke (S) 153 (6.02)
Clearance between pedal stopper and threaded end of stop lamp switch (C1) and ASCD cancel switch
0.74 - 1.96 (0.029 - 0.077)
(C2) (if equipped)

Front Disc Brake INFOID:0000000006836001

Unit: mm (in)
Engine type QR25DE / VQ40DE
Brake model CLZ33VA
Standard thickness (new) 10.0 (0.394)
Brake pad
Repair limit thickness 2.0 (0.079)
Standard thickness (new) 28.0 (1.102)
Repair limit thickness 26.0 (1.024)
Disc rotor
Maximum uneven wear (measured at 8 positions) 0.015 (0.0006)
Runout limit (with it attached to the vehicle) 0.05 (0.0020)

Rear Disc Brake INFOID:0000000006836002

Unit: mm (in)
Engine type QR25DE / VQ40DE
Brake model CLZ14VA
Standard thickness (new) 11.0 (0.433)
Brake pad
Repair limit thickness 2.0 (0.079)
Standard thickness (new) 18.0 (0.709)
Disc rotor Repair limit thickness 16.0 (0.630)
Maximum uneven wear (measured at 8 positions) 0.015 (0.0006)
 QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER
2011
Fluids and Lubricants: USA and CANADA INFOID:0000000006835995

QR25DE

Capacity (Approximate)
Description
Metric US measure Imp measure
Fuel 80 21 1/8 gal 17 5/8 gal

Engine oil With oil filter change 4.6 4 7/8 qt 4 qt

Drain and refill Without oil filter change 4 1/2 qt 3 3/4 qt
4.3
Dry engine (engine overhaul) 5.0 5 1/4 qt 4 3/8 qt
With reservoir at MAX
Cooling system 9.4 10 qt 8 1/4 qt
level
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) 10.3 10 7/8 qt 9 1/8 qt
Manual transmission fluid (MTF)
2.89 6 1/8 pt 5 1/8 pt
(5 M/T)
Rear final drive oil C200 1.6 3 3/8 pt 2 7/8 pt

Power steering fluid (PSF) 1.0 2 1/8 pt 1 3/4 pt

Brake and clutch fluids — — —
Multi-purpose grease — — —
Windshield washer fluid 4.5 1 1/4 gal 1 gal
Air conditioning system refrigerant 0.70 ± 0.05 kg 1.54 ± 0.11 lb 1.54 ± 0.11 lb
Air conditioning system oil 180 m 6.1 fl oz 6.3 fl oz

VQ40DE

Capacity (Approximate)
Description
Metric US measure Imp measure
Fuel 80 21 1/8 gal 17 5/8 gal

With oil filter change 5.1 5 3/8 qt 4 1/2 qt

Engine oil
Drain and refill Without oil filter
4.8 5 1/8 qt 4 1/4 qt
change
Dry engine (engine overhaul) 6.3 6 5/8 qt 5 1/2 qt
With reservoir at MAX
Cooling system 10.2 10 3/4 qt 9 qt
level
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) 10.3 10 7/8 qt 9 1/8 qt
Manual transmission fluid 2WD 3.98 8 3/8 pt 7 pt
(MTF)
(6 M/T) 4WD 4.18 8 7/8 pt 7 3/8 pt

C200 1.6 3 3/8 pt 2 7/8 pt

Rear final drive oil
M226 2.01 4 1/4 pt 3 1/2 pt

Transfer fluid TX15B 2.0 2 1/8 qt 1 3/4 qt

Front final drive oil 0.85 1 3/4 pt 1 1/2 pt

Power steering fluid (PSF) 1.0 2 1/8 pt 1 3/4 pt

Brake and clutch fluid — — —
Multi-purpose grease — — —
Windshield washer fluid 4.5 1-1/4 gal 1 gal
 QUICK REFERENCE CHART: FRONTIER
2011
Capacity (Approximate)
Description
Metric US measure Imp measure
A/C system refrigerant 0.70 ± 0.05 kg 1.54 ± 0.11 lb 1.54 ± 0.11 lb
A/C system oil 180 m 6.1 fl oz 6.3 fl oz

Fluids and Lubricants: For MEXICO INFOID:0000000006835998

VQ40DE

Capacity (Approximate)
Description
Metric US measure Imp measure
Fuel 80 21 1/8 gal 17 5/8 gal

Engine oil With oil filter change 5.1 5 3/8 qt 4 1/2 qt

Drain and refill Without oil filter change 5 1/8 qt 4 1/4 qt
4.8
Dry engine (engine overhaul) 6.3 6 5/8 qt 5 1/2 qt
Cooling system
10.2 10 3/4 qt 9 qt
(with reservoir at “MAX” level)
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) 10.3 10 7/8 qt 9 1/8 qt

Rear final drive oil 2.01 4 1/4 pt 3 1/2 pt

Transfer fluid 2.0 2 1/8 qt 1 3/4 qt

Front final drive oil 0.85 1 3/4 pt 1 1/2 pt

Power steering fluid (PSF) 1.0 2 1/8 pt 1 3/4 pt

Brake fluid — — —
Multi-purpose grease — — —
Windshield washer fluid 4.5 1 1/4 gal 1 gal
A/C system refrigerant 0.70 ± 0.05 kg 1.54 ± 0.11 lb 1.54 ± 0.11 lb
A/C system oil 180 m 6.1 fl oz 6.3 fl oz