🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Nissan

Model:

Frontier

Year:

2016

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Mid-size Pickup Truck

Target Audience:

DIY mechanics, professional technicians, fleet managers, and truck enthusiasts seeking in-depth repair and maintenance information.

Competitors 2016:

Toyota Tacoma, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger (discontinued in North America for 2016 but relevant historically).

Platform:

F-Alpha platform (shared with larger Nissan/Infiniti SUVs)

Powertrain Durability:

Known for robust VQ40DE V6 engine and solid chassis construction.

Off Road Capability:

PRO-4X trim offers enhanced off-road features like Bilstein shocks, skid plates, and electronic locking rear differential.

📋 Manual Details

Engine Options:

2.5L (QR25DE), 4.0L (VQ40DE)

Transmission Options:

6-speed Manual, 5-speed Automatic (RE5R05A)

Drivetrain Options:

2WD (RWD), 4WD (4x4)

Body Styles:

King Cab, Crew Cab

Trim Levels:

S, SV, PRO-4X, SL

Total Pages:

Approximately 2000+

Type:

Factory Service Manual (FSM) / Repair Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital (PDF)

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine Mechanical:

Complete overhaul procedures for QR25DE (2.5L) and VQ40DE (4.0L) engines, including cylinder head, block assembly, pistons, crankshaft, camshafts, timing, lubrication, and cooling systems.

Engine Performance:

Fuel injection, ignition system, emissions control, air intake, and exhaust systems.

Transmission:

Detailed repair and overhaul procedures for the 6-speed manual transmission and the 5-speed automatic transmission (RE5R05A), including clutch, torque converter, valve body, and internal components.

Drivetrain:

Front and rear axle assemblies, driveshafts, CV joints, differential systems (including electronic locking differential for PRO-4X), and 4WD system operation and repair.

Brakes:

Hydraulic brake system, including ABS, EBD, brake booster, master cylinder, calipers, pads, rotors, and bleeding procedures. Parking brake system.

Suspension:

Front independent suspension (double wishbone), rear leaf spring solid axle, shock absorbers, springs, control arms, ball joints, and steering linkage.

Steering:

Power steering system (hydraulic), steering gear, steering column, and associated components.

Electrical:

Complete wiring diagrams, fuse box locations, relay assignments, battery, alternator, starter motor, lighting systems (headlights, taillights, interior), horn, wipers, and power accessories.

HVAC:

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system diagnosis and repair, including refrigerant service, compressor, condenser, evaporator, and blower motor.

Body:

Exterior body panels, doors, latches, hinges, windows, mirrors, bumpers, bed liner systems, and interior trim components.

Diagnostics:

On-Board Diagnostics (OBD-II) system, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), scan tool usage, and troubleshooting charts for various systems.

Maintenance:

Detailed schedules and procedures for oil changes, filter replacements (oil, air, cabin), fluid checks and changes (coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid, differential fluid, power steering fluid), tire rotation, spark plug replacement, and belt inspection/replacement.

Repair:

Step-by-step repair instructions for virtually all vehicle components, from minor adjustments to major component overhauls.

Troubleshooting:

Systematic diagnostic procedures and flowcharts for identifying and resolving common and uncommon vehicle issues.

Specifications:

Torque specifications for all fasteners, clearances, fluid capacities, and diagnostic parameters.

Wiring Diagrams:

Comprehensive electrical wiring diagrams for all vehicle systems, color-coded for clarity.

Depth:

Comprehensive; covers everything from basic maintenance and adjustments to complete engine and transmission rebuilds, advanced electrical diagnostics, and bodywork repair.

📊 Manual Specifications

File Type:

PDF

Searchable:

Yes, text-searchable

Resolution:

High-resolution, clear diagrams and text

Printable:

Yes, printable pages

Quality:

N/A (Digital Product)

Binding:

N/A (Digital Product)

Paper:

N/A (Digital Product)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

2 5L Qr25De:

Inline-4, DOHC, 16-valve. Displacement: 2488cc. Bore x Stroke: 89.0mm x 100.0mm. Compression Ratio: 9.5:1.

4 0L Vq40De:

V6, DOHC, 24-valve, Nissan VQ series. Displacement: 3954cc. Bore x Stroke: 95.5mm x 92.0mm. Compression Ratio: 9.7:1.

2 5L Hp:

152 hp @ 5200 rpm

2 5L Torque:

171 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm

4 0L Hp:

261 hp @ 5600 rpm

4 0L Torque:

281 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)

Fuel Type:

Unleaded gasoline, 87 octane recommended

ECM Type:

Nissan Consult III Plus (or compatible scan tool)

🔧 Transmission

Standard Transmission:

6-speed Manual Transmission (FS5W71C for 2.5L, FS6R91E for 4.0L)

Optional Transmission:

5-speed Automatic Transmission (RE5R05A)

Automatic Features:

Electronically controlled with overdrive, adaptive shift control.

Manual Fluid:

API GL-4 or GL-5, SAE 75W-90 synthetic gear oil (check specific manual for exact type).

Automatic Fluid:

Nissan Genuine Matic S ATF or equivalent (Jatco spec).

📐 Dimensions

Wheelbase Short:

125.9 inches

Wheelbase Long:

139.8 inches (Long Bed Crew Cab)

Overall Length Short Bed:

205.5 inches

Overall Length Long Bed:

219.4 inches

Overall Width:

72.4 inches

Overall Height:

70.5 - 71.1 inches (depending on trim/drivetrain)

Bed Length:

6.1 ft (Standard Bed), 6.7 ft (Long Bed)

Curb Weight Min:

Approx. 3,900 lbs

Curb Weight Max:

Approx. 4,700 lbs

Max Payload Capacity:

Up to 1,500 lbs (varies by configuration)

Max Towing Capacity:

Up to 6,500 lbs (4.0L V6, properly equipped)

Wheelbase Bolt Pattern:

6x114.3mm (6x4.5 inches)

Standard Tire Size:

P265/70R16 (S, SV), P265/65R17 (PRO-4X, SL)

Standard Wheel Size:

16-inch steel (S), 16-inch alloy (SV), 17-inch alloy (PRO-4X, SL)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Rollover Resistance:

4/5 stars (4WD models)

ABS:

Standard Anti-lock Braking System

Ebd:

Standard Electronic Brake-force Distribution

Brake Assist:

Standard

Traction Control:

Standard Electronic Traction Control System (TCS)

Stability Control:

Standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)

Airbags:

Front airbags, front-seat side-impact airbags, roof-mounted curtain airbags (available on Crew Cab).

Seatbelts:

3-point height-adjustable front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters. LATCH system for child seats.

💡 Technology Features

Audio System:

Available AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with SiriusXM Satellite Radio capability, auxiliary input jack, and USB port. Optional Rockford Fosgate premium audio.

Navigation:

Optional factory navigation system with 5.8-inch color touchscreen (late 2016 models).

Display:

Color display for trip computer and vehicle settings.

Camera System:

Available rearview camera.

Bluetooth:

Available Bluetooth hands-free phone system and streaming audio.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Every 5,000 miles or 6 months (severe service) / 7,500 miles or 12 months (normal service), or as indicated by the Maintenance Minder system.

Engine Air Filter:

Inspect every 15,000 miles, replace as needed. Replace every 30,000 miles under severe conditions.

Cabin Air Filter:

Replace every 15,000-20,000 miles or annually.

Coolant Replacement:

First replacement at 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 7 years, then every 75,000 miles (120,000 km) or 5 years thereafter.

Spark Plugs 2 5L:

Platinum: 100,000 miles. Iridium: 70,000 miles (if applicable, verify).

Spark Plugs 4 0L:

NGK Iridium (e.g., PFR5G-11A): 105,000 miles.

Transmission Fluid Auto:

Inspect every 30,000 miles. Replace based on driving conditions, typically every 60,000 miles for severe use.

Differential Fluid:

Replace every 30,000 miles for off-road or towing use, or as per severe schedule.

Engine Oil 2 5L:

SAE 0W-20 Synthetic. Capacity: 4.8 US qt (4.5L) with filter.

Engine Oil 4 0L:

SAE 5W-30 Synthetic. Capacity: 5.1 US qt (4.8L) with filter.

Coolant:

Nissan Genuine Super Long Life Coolant (Blue), or equivalent P-OAT coolant. Mixture: 50/50 with distilled water. Capacity: Approx. 8.1 - 8.5 US qt (7.7 - 8.0L) depending on engine.

Brake Fluid:

SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3.

Power Steering Fluid:

Nissan Genuine ATF or equivalent (Dexron III compatible).

Ivt Issues:

Some models may experience intermittent Inertia Volume Sensor (IVT) issues causing rough idle or stalling.

Clutch Wear Manual:

Clutch wear can be accelerated with heavy towing or off-road use.

ABS Sensor Failure:

Occasional ABS wheel speed sensor failures can trigger ABS/TCS warning lights.

Radiator Leaks:

Plastic end tanks on radiators can degrade over time, leading to coolant leaks.

Exhaust Manifold Cracks:

Some VQ40DE engines have been known to develop cracks in the exhaust manifolds.

📚 Vehicle History

Nissan Truck Legacy:

Nissan has a long history in the pickup truck market with models like the Datsun Truck, Hardbody, and Xterra, establishing a reputation for durability.

First Generation:

Introduced for the 2005 model year, replacing the Nissan Hardbody pickup.

Second Generation Update:

The 2009 model year saw a significant refresh with updated styling, interior, and available technology, which largely carried through to the 2016 model.

Manufacturing Location:

Nissan vehicle assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi, USA.

Production Run Second Gen:

2005-2021 (with significant updates in 2009, 2013, and 2018).

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Segment Positioning:

Often cited as a practical and durable choice in the mid-size truck segment, particularly for its V6 engine and off-road prowess (PRO-4X).

Long Term Value:

Consistently recognized for strong resale value and reliability in its class.

Consumer Reports Reliability:

Generally rated average to above average for reliability by organizations like Consumer Reports.