1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER light

7 Do-it-yourself operations
Precautions ............................................................ 7-2
Engine cooling system ........................................... 7-4
Engine oil ............................................................... 7-7
Automatic transmission fluid .................................. 7-9
Power steering fluid ............................................. 7-11
Brake and clutch fluid .......................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ............................................ 7-12
Battery .................................................................. 7-13
Drive belts ............................................................ 7-14
Spark plug replacement ....................................... 7-14
Air cleaner filter .................................................... 7-16
Wiper blade .......................................................... 7-17
Parking brake ....................................................... 7-18
Brake pedal .......................................................... 7-18
Brake booster ....................................................... 7-19
Clutch pedal ......................................................... 7-20
Fuses ................................................................... 7-20
Light bulbs ............................................................ 7-21
Wheels and tires .................................................. 7-26
Clutch housing ........................................... 7-30
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

CHANGING OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
(A specialcap-typewrench will assist with
oil filter removal on models with the V6
engine. This tool can be purchased from
your NISSAN dealer.) Then remove the oil
filter by turning it by hand.
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several min-
utes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
IWhen engine is running, keep hands,
jewelry, and clothing away from any
moving parts such as fan and drive
belt.
IAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
The fluid level should be checked using the
SDI0417SDI0488
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
7-9
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Check the fluid level.
The fluid level should be checked using the
ªHOTº range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 122 to 176ÉF (50 to 80ÉC) or using the
ªCOLDº range on the dipstick at fluid tempera-
tures of 32 to 86ÉF (0 to 30ÉC).
IDo not overfill.
IUse type DEXRONTMIIE, DEXRONTMIII
or equivalent.
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
level is below the Min. line or the brake warn-
ing light comes on, add DOT 3 fluid up to the
Max. line.
If fluid is added frequently, the system should
be thoroughly checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
Use only new fluid. Old, inferior or con-
taminated fluid may damage the brake
and clutch systems. The use of im-
proper fluids can damage the brake sys-tem and affect the vehicle's stopping
ability.
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, wash with water.
DI0187MSDI0422
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
7-11
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Type A
Add fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. Add a washer solvent to the
water for better cleaning. In the winter season,
add a windshield washer anti-freeze. Follow
the manufacturer's instructions for the mixture
ratio.
Type B
To check the fluid level, use your finger to plug
the center hole of the cap/tube assembly (as
shown above), then remove it from the tank. If
there is no fluid in the tube, addfluid. Add a washer solvent to the water for
better cleaning. In the winter season, add a
windshield washer anti-freeze. Follow the
manufacturer's instructions for the mixture ra-
tio.
Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
Anti-freeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully marked containers out
of the reach of children.
SDI0389ASDI0423
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
7-12
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front disc-type brakes self-adjust every
time the brake pedal is applied. The rear
drum-type brakes self-adjust every time the
parking brake is applied. If the brake pedal
goes down farther than normal, it may be due
to a lack of adjustment of the rear drum
brakes. Apply the parking brake several times.
See your NISSAN dealer and have it
checked if the brake pedal height does
not return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have
audible wear indicators. When a brake pad
requires replacement, it will make a high
pitched scraping or screeching sound when
the vehicle is in motion whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indi-
cator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, oc-casional brake squeak, squeal or other noise
may be heard. Occasional brake noise during
light to moderate stops is normal and does not
affect the function or performance of the brake
system.
The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) do not
have audible wear indicators. Should you ever
hear an unusually loud noise from the rear
drum brakes, have them inspected as soon as
possible by your NISSAN dealer.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regarding
brake inspections, see the appropriate main-
tenance schedule information in the ªMainte-
nance Scheduleº section of this manual.Check the brake booster function with the
following steps:
1. With the engine off, press and release the
brake pedal several times. When brake
pedal movement (distance of travel) re-
mains the same from one pedal application
to the next, continue on to the next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start the
engine. The pedal height should drop a
little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keeping the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds, the pedal height should
not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without
depressing the brake pedal, then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times. The
pedal travel distance will decrease gradu-
ally with each depression as the vacuum is
released from the booster.
If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brake checked by your NISSAN dealer.
BRAKE BOOSTER
7-19
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Press the pedal by hand and be sure the free
travel is within the above limit. If free travel is
out of the range shown above, see your
NISSAN dealer.Engine compartment (Headlight
fuses)
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are ªOFFº.
2. Open the engine hood.
3. Remove the fusible link cover.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse opens again, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by your
NISSAN dealer.
DI0070-BSDI0395
CLUTCH PEDAL FUSES
7-20
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

Passenger compartment
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlight
switch are ªOFFº.2. Pull to open the fuse box cover/coin tray.
3. Pull the fuse box cover/coin tray horizon-
tally to remove it.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a new
fuse.
6. If a new fuse opens again, have the elec-
trical system checked and repaired by your
NISSAN dealer.
HEADLIGHTS
Semi-sealed beam type
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halogen)
bulb. A bulb can be replaced inside the engine
compartment without removing the headlight
assembly.
High pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb may
break if the glass envelope is scratched
SDI0447DI0156
LIGHT BULBS
7-21
Z01.2.1/R50-DX

or the bulb is dropped.
Hold the plastic base when handling the
bulb. Never touch the glass envelope.
Removing the headlight bulb
1. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector from
the rear end of the bulb.
3. Turn the bulb retaining ring counterclock-
wise until it is free from the headlight reflec-
tor, then remove it.
4. Remove the headlight bulb. Do not shake
or rotate the bulb when removing it.
Replacing the headlight bulb
1. Insert the bulb into the headlight reflector
with the flat side of the plastic base facing
upward.
2. Install the bulb retaining ring and turn it
clockwise until it stops.
3. Push the electrical connector into the bulb
plastic base until it snaps and stops.
4. Connect the battery negative cable.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BULB.
IUse the same number and wattage as
originally installed:
Wattage 65/45
Bulb no. 9004
IAiming is not necessary after replac-
ing the bulb. When aiming adjust-
ment is necessary, contact your
NISSAN dealer.
IDo not leave the bulb out of the head-
light reflector for a long period of time
as dust, moisture, and smoke may
enter the headlight body and affect
the performance of the headlight.
7-22
Z01.2.1/R50-DX