2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER oil

ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oilIt is essential to choose the correct quality, and
viscosity oil to ensure satisfactory engine life and
performance. Nissan recommends the use of a
low friction oil (energy conserving oil) in order to
improve fuel economy and conserve energy. Oils
which do not have the specified quality label
should not be used as they could cause engine
damage.
Only those engine oils with the American Petro-
leum Institute (API) CERTIFICATION MARK onthe front of the container should be used. This
type of oil supersedes the existing API SG, SH,
or SJ and Energy ConservingI&IIcategories.
If you cannot find engine oil with the API CER-
TIFICATION MARK, use an API grade SG/SH,
Energy ConservingI&IIorAPIgrade SJ, Energy
Conserving oil. An oil with a single designation
SG or SH, or in combination with other catego-
ries (for example, SG/CC or SG/CD) may also
be used if one with the API CERTIFICATION
MARK cannot be found. An ILSAC grade GF-I &
GF-II oil can also be used.
NISSAN does not recommend synthetic type
oils but recommends mineral based oils. Theseoils must however, meet the API quality and SAE
viscosity ratings specified for your vehicle.
Oil additivesNISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used and
maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.Oil viscosityThe engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
that the engine oil viscosity be selected based
on the temperatures at which the vehicle will be
operated before the next oil change. The chart
recommended SAE viscosity number shows the
recommended oil viscosities for the expected
ambient temperatures. Choosing an oil viscosity
other than that recommended could cause seri-
ous engine damage.Selecting the correct oil filterYour new vehicle is equipped with a high-quality
genuine Nissan oil filter. When replacing, use the
genuine oil filter or its equivalent for the reason
described in change intervals.
STI0293
9-6
Technical and consumer information


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


Change intervalsThe oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other than the
specified quality, or oil and filter change intervals
longer than recommended could reduce engine
life. Damage to engines caused by improper
maintenance or use of incorrect oil and filter
quality and/or viscosity is not covered by the
new Nissan vehicle warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle. Operation under
the following conditions may require more fre-
quent oil and filter changes.
— repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures,
— driving in dusty conditions,
— extensive idling,
— towing a trailer.
RECOMMENDED SAE OIL
VISCOSITY NUMBER
SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
ambient temperatures. SAE 10W-30,
10W-40 viscosity oil may be used if the
ambient temperature is above 0°F (−18°C).AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONSThe air conditioning system in this NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the lubricant,
Nissan A/C System Oil Type S or the exact
equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerants or
lubricants will cause severe damage to
the air conditioning system and will re-
quire the replacement of all air condi-
tioning system components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle will not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect
the earth’s atmosphere, certain governmental
regulations require the recovery and recycling of
any refrigerant during automotive air condition-
TI1028-C
Technical and consumer information
9-7


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


However, for long steep grades, do not stay in
1st or 2nd gear when driving above 35 MPH (56
km/h).

If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan con-
trol to high and setting the temperature con-
trol to the HOT position.

Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.

Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended Main-
tenance Schedule.
When towing a trailer, change oil in the
transmission more frequently. See the
Maintenance Schedule.UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADINGDOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tire must conform to
Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable
on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder andmaximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
TreadwearTreadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on tire wear rate when tested under controlled
conditions on specified government test
courses. For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100. How-
ever, relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary significantly due
to variations in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics and cli-
mate.Traction AA, A, B and CThe traction grades from highest to lowest are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteristics.Temperature A, B and CTemperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C. They represent a tire’s resistance to heat
build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a speci-
fied indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause tire material to degener-
ate, reducing tire life. Excessive temperatures
can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corre-
sponds to a performance level which all passen-
ger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A and
B represent higher levels of performance on
laboratory test wheels than the minimum re-
quired by law.Technical and consumer information
9-21


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


Cigarette lighter and ashtray .................................. 2-29
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-27
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-3
Clock ............................................................................ 2-27
Clutch
Fluid........................................................................ 8-19
Cold weather driving ................................................ 5-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer operation .............. 4-26
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ......................................................................... 4-19
Compact spare tire ................................................... 8-39
Compass display ......................................................... 2-7
Console box................................................................ 2-33
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant ................................. 8-10
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-9
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-4
Cover, Tonneau cover .............................................. 2-36
Cruise control............................................................. 5-18
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-31
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-23
Defogger switch, Glass hatch and outside mirror
defogger switch ......................................................... 2-20
Determining vehicle payload capacity.................. 9-15
Dimensions and weights ......................................... 9-11
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-11Drive belts ................................................................... 8-22
Drive positioner, Automatic..................................... 3-17
Driving
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-37
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-15
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Safety precautions ................................................ 5-5
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-20
Electric sunroof .......................................................... 2-40
Emission control information label ........................ 9-14
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-22
Engine
Before starting the engine................................ 5-10
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant ................................. 8-10
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-14
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-15
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-9
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-13
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-4
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-39
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-9
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-13
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-6
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-13
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-9If your vehicle overheats ................................... 6-11
Starting the engine............................................. 5-10
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
4WD shift switch operations ................................. 5-28
F.M.V.S.S. certification label................................... 9-13
Filter, Air cleaner housing filter .............................. 8-23
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-25
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-16
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-19
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-19
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-9
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-13
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-18
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-20
FM-AM radio with cassette player and Compact
Disc (CD) player........................................................ 4-16
FM-AM-SATELLITE radio with cassette player and
Compact Disc (CD) player/CD changer............. 4-23
Fog light switch ......................................................... 2-24
Four wheel drive (4WD) .............................. 5-21, 5-25
Front air bag system (See supplemental restraint
system) ......................................................................... 1-16
Front fog light switch ............................................... 2-24
Front manual seat adjustment .................................. 1-2
Front power seat adjustment .................................... 1-4


03.1.28/R50-D/V5

10-2

Vanity mirror light ................................................ 2-43
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................................................... 2-9, 2-14
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................................. 9-15
Lock
Door locks ............................................................... 3-2
Glass hatch lock ................................................. 3-11
Glove box lock..................................................... 2-32
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Low fuel warning light ............................................ 2-12
Low tire pressure warning light (if so
equipped) .................................................................... 2-12
Low tire pressure warning system (if so
equipped).............................................................. 5-3, 6-2
Luggage hooks .......................................................... 2-34
Luggage rack ............................................................. 2-37
M
Maintenance
Battery ................................................................... 8-21
General maintenance ........................................... 8-2
Inside the vehicle................................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
Outside the vehicle............................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-32
Under the hood and vehicle ............................... 8-4
Manual front seat adjustment ................................... 1-2
Meters and gauges ..................................................... 2-3
Mirror
Inside mirror ......................................................... 3-16
Outside mirror control ....................................... 3-16
Outside mirrors ................................................... 3-16N
Net, Cargo net ........................................................... 2-36
New vehicle break-in ................................................ 5-20
Nissan vehicle Immobilizer System....................... 2-16
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Engine
start.................................................................................. 5-9
O
Odometer ....................................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-14
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-15
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-13
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-13
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Outside mirror control .............................................. 3-16
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-16
Outside temperature display..................................... 2-6
Overdrive switch........................................................ 5-14
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-11
P
Parking
Brake check ......................................................... 8-25
Parking brake check .......................................... 5-17
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-17
Parking on hills .................................................... 5-17
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-32Payload weight capacity.......................................... 9-17
Personal lights............................................................ 2-43
Phone, Car phone or CB radio ............................. 4-31
Power
Front seat adjustment .......................................... 1-4
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Power outlet ......................................................... 2-28
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-18
Power steering system ...................................... 5-33
Power windows................................................... 2-38
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .............................. 1-20
Precautions
Audio operation precautions............................ 4-14
Braking precautions ........................................... 5-34
Cruise control operations ................................. 5-19
Cruise control precautions ............................... 5-18
Driving safety .......................................................... 5-5
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
On child restraints .............................................. 1-32
On seat belt usage ............................................ 1-24
On-pavement and offroad driving
precautions ............................................................. 5-4
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.................................................................... 1-10
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Push starting .............................................................. 6-11
R
Rack, Luggage rack.................................................. 2-37
Radio
Car phone or CB radio ..................................... 4-31
Steering wheel audio controls ........................ 4-28


03.1.28/R50-D/V5

10-4

FUEL RECOMMENDATION:VG33E engine:
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91).
VQ35DE engine:
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91).
For improved vehicle performance, NISSAN rec-
ommends the use of unleaded premium gasoline
with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI number
(Research octane number 96).
CAUTION
Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission con-
trol devices and systems, and could also
affect the warranty coverage.
Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used since this will
damage the three way catalyst.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants” in the “9. Techni-
cal and consumer information” section.
ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATION:
API Certification Mark

API grade SG/SH, Energy ConservingI&II
or API grade SJ or SL, Energy Conserving.

ILSAC grade GF-I, GF-II & GF-III.

SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
ambient temperatures.
See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “9. Technical and con-
sumer information” section for engine oil and oil
filter recommendation.COLD TIRE PRESSURES:See the tire placard affixed to the glove box.
GAS STATIONINFORMATION


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


Engine coolant 8-9
Engine oil 8-13
Power steering fluid
(VG33E) 8-18
Brake fluid 8-19
Clutch fluid 8-19
Meters and gauges 2-3
Seat belt 1-23
Door lock 3-2
Rear door lock 3-10
Fuel 3-13, 9-2
Spare tire 6-3 Hood release 3-9Window washer fluid 8-20
Battery 8-21
Automatic transmission
fluid 8-16
Air conditioner 4-2
Audio system 4-13
STI0232
Power steering fluid
(VQ35DE) 8-18


03.1.28/R50-D/V5