Nissan Frontier: Starting and driving - Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system
The Electronic Locking Rear Differential, also known as the E-Lock system, is designed to give the Nissan Frontier extra traction in difficult off-road situations and should be used only when the vehicle is stuck or is clearly beginning to lose the ability to move forward.
This system works by electronically “locking” both rear drive wheels together so they rotate at the same speed. In the Nissan Frontier, this added rear-wheel traction can be helpful when normal driving force is not enough to free the truck, even after selecting the 4LO position on 4-Wheel Drive models.
When maximum traction is needed, turn the E-Lock system on by pressing the switch. For more details, refer to “Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock) system switch”. After the system is fully engaged, the indicator light on the instrument panel will stay illuminated. With the E-Lock system active, both rear wheels work together to help the Nissan Frontier pull out of mud, sand, loose dirt, or other low-traction conditions.
The rear wheels may briefly slip or shift slightly while the system engages, and E-Lock engagement is available only up to approximately 4 mph (7 km/h). Once the Nissan Frontier has been freed from the stuck condition, turn the system off immediately and return to normal driving.
When the E-Lock system is switched on, the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) is disabled and the ABS warning
light comes on. In addition, the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system is disabled and the
indicator light
illuminates
while the E-Lock system remains active.
WARNING
- Never keep the E-Lock system turned on while driving on paved roads, hard surfaces, or any road where the tires already have good grip. During turns, the rear wheels may slip or bind, which can lead to loss of control, an accident, and personal injury. After using the E-Lock system to free the Nissan Frontier, switch the system off before continuing to drive normally.
- Use the E-Lock system only for freeing a stuck vehicle. Always try the 4LO position first before
activating the E-Lock system.
Never use the E-Lock system on slippery surfaces such as snow, ice, or similar low-friction roads. Operating the Nissan Frontier with E-Lock engaged in these conditions may cause unexpected vehicle movement during engine braking, acceleration, or turning, which can result in an accident and serious personal injury.
- Follow all of the warnings above carefully. Ignoring these instructions can reduce normal steering control and may cause an accident with serious personal injury.
CAUTION
- After using the E-Lock system, move the switch to OFF to help prevent unnecessary stress or possible damage to driveline components caused by extended operation.
- Do not drive the Nissan Frontier faster than 12 mph (20 km/h) while the E-Lock system is engaged. Exceeding this speed may damage drivetrain components.
- Do not activate the E-Lock system while the tires are spinning. Turning the system on under wheel-spin conditions can place excessive load on drivetrain parts and may cause damage.
Additional note: The E-Lock system is a special traction aid for short-term recovery situations, not a feature for regular road driving. Use it only when necessary, keep vehicle speed low, and deactivate it as soon as the Nissan Frontier is moving freely again.
