
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance requirements .................................................. 8-2
General maintenance ............................................................ 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items ................ 8-2
Maintenance precautions ..................................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations .............................. 8-7
Engine cooling system.......................................................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant ............................................... 8-9
Engine oil ............................................................................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level ............................................ 8-10
Changing engine oil and filter .................................... 8-10
Automatic transmission fluid ............................................. 8-12
Power steering fluid ............................................................ 8-13
Brake and clutch fluid ........................................................ 8-13
Brake fluid ....................................................................... 8-13
Clutch fluid ...................................................................... 8-14
Window washer fluid.......................................................... 8-14
Battery .................................................................................... 8-15
Jump starting .................................................................. 8-16
Drive belts ............................................................................. 8-17
Spark plugs ........................................................................... 8-17Replacing spark plugs.................................................. 8-17
Air cleaner ............................................................................. 8-18
Windshield wiper blades ................................................... 8-19
Cleaning ........................................................................... 8-19
Replacing ......................................................................... 8-20
Parking brake and brake pedal ........................................ 8-21
Checking parking brake ............................................... 8-21
Checking brake pedal .................................................. 8-21
Brake booster ................................................................. 8-22
Fuses ...................................................................................... 8-22
Engine compartment ..................................................... 8-22
Passenger compartment .............................................. 8-23
Keyfob battery replacement .............................................. 8-24
Lights ...................................................................................... 8-25
Headlights ....................................................................... 8-26
Exterior and interior lights............................................ 8-27
Wheels and tires ................................................................. 8-29
Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-29
Types of tires .................................................................. 8-30
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-31
Changing wheels and tires ......................................... 8-31
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1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Alternator
3. Crankshaft pulley
4. Air conditioner compressor
H: Tension checking points
WARNING
Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position. The engine could rotate
unexpectedly.1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of unusual
wear, cuts, fraying, oil adhesion or looseness.
If the belt is in poor condition or loose, have
it replaced or adjusted by your NISSAN
dealer.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for condi-
tion and tension.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.REPLACING SPARK PLUGSIf replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer for servicing.
SDI1389A
DRIVE BELTS SPARK PLUGS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-17
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Platinum-tipped spark plugsIt is not necessary to replace the platinum-tipped
spark plugs as frequently as the conventional
type spark plugs since they will last much longer.
Follow the maintenance schedule but, do not
reuse them by cleaning or regapping.
Always replace with recommended
platinum-tipped spark plugs.To remove the filter from the air cleaner, pull off
the lock pins
q1
and pull the unit upward
q2.
The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
log shown in the Service and Maintenance
Guide. When replacing the filter, wipe the inside
of the air cleaner housing and the cover with a
damp cloth.
WARNING
IOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you orothers to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it is not
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with
the air cleaner removed and be care-
ful when working on the engine with
the air cleaner removed.
INever pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.
SDI0145
SDI1446
AIR CLEANER
8-18
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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ENGINE
Model VQ35DE
Type Gasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement 6-cylinder, V-slanted at 60É
Bore x Stroke in (mm) 3.760 x 3.205 (95.5 x 81.4)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 213.45 (3,498)
Firing order 1-2-3-4-5-6*1
Idle speed rpm
See the emission control label on
the underside of the hood. Ignition timing (B.T.D.C.) degree/rpm
CO percentage at idle speed [No air] %
Spark plugStandard PLFR5A-11
Service option PLFR4A-11, PLFR6A-11
Spark plug gap (Normal) in (mm) 0.043 (1.1)
Camshaft operation Timing chain
The spark ignition system of this vehicle
meets all requirements of the Canadian
Interference-Causing Equipment Regula-
tions.
TI0001-A
SPECIFICATIONS9-8
Technical and consumer information
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Security systems (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ............................................... 2-18
Security systems (See vehicle security
system) ......................................................................... 2-16
Servicing air conditioner ................................... 4-3, 4-6
Shift lock release ....................................................... 5-12
Shifting
Automatic transmission .............................. 5-5, 5-9
Manual transmission ................................. 5-6, 5-12
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag system)............. 1-13
Spark plugs................................................................. 8-17
Speedometer ................................................................ 2-4
Starting
Before starting the engine .................................. 5-8
Jump starting .......................................................... 6-6
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Push starting .......................................................... 6-8
Starting the engine ............................................... 5-8
Steering
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-13
Power steering system ...................................... 5-19
Tilting steering wheel......................................... 3-12
Storage ........................................................................ 2-29
Sunglasses holder .................................................... 2-29
Supplemental air bag warning labels................... 1-16
Supplemental air bag warning light .......... 1-16, 2-14
Supplemental front air bag system....................... 1-11
Supplemental side and curtain side-impact air bag
system ......................................................................... 1-13
Supplemental restraint system ................................. 1-6
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ...................................................................... 1-6Switch
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................ 2-24
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-22
Ignition switch ........................................................ 5-5
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models ............................................................ 5-5, 5-9
Ignition switch manual transmission
models .......................................................... 5-6, 5-12
Obtaining an air bag ON/OFF switch........... 1-21
Power door lock switch....................................... 3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch..................................................................... 2-21
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-23
T
Tachometer.................................................................... 2-5
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge .............................................................................. 2-5
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System), Engine
start ............................................................................... 2-18
Three way catalyst ....................................................... 5-3
Tilting and reclining passenger's seat .................. 1-5
Tilting steering wheel ............................................... 3-12
Tire
Flat tire ..................................................................... 6-2
Low tire pressure warning system .................... 5-3
Uniform tire quality grading .............................. 9-19
Tire pressure, Low tire pressure warning
light ............................................................................... 2-13
Tires
Spare tire .............................................................. 8-33
Tire chains ............................................................ 8-31
Tire placard .......................................................... 9-12Tire pressure ........................................................ 8-29
Tire rotation .......................................................... 8-31
Types of tires ....................................................... 8-30
Wheel/tire size ....................................................... 9-9
Wheels and tires ................................................ 8-29
Top tether strap child restraints ............................ 1-27
Towing
Tow truck towing ................................................ 6-10
Towing a trailer.................................................... 9-15
Towing load/specification chart ...................... 9-15
Towing safety....................................................... 9-17
Traction control system (TCS)............................... 5-22
Traction control system (TCS) off switch ........... 2-26
Trailer towing .............................................................. 9-15
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-36
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission........ 5-5, 5-9
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-6, 5-12
Transmission selector lever lock release ...... 5-12
Transmitter (See remote keyless entry system) ... 3-4
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................................... 9-10
Trip computer ............................................................... 2-8
Turn signal switch ..................................................... 2-23
U
Underbody cleaning .................................................... 7-3
Uniform tire quality grading .................................... 9-19
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10-5