2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER maintenance

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
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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
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ENGINE
Model VQ35DE VG33E
Type Gasoline, 4-cycle Gasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement 6-cylinder, V-slanted at 60° 6-cylinder, V-slanted at 60°
Bore×Stroke in (mm) 3.760×3.205 (95.5×81.4) 3.602×3.268 (91.5×83.0)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 213.45 (3,498) 199.84 (3,275)
Firing order 1-2-3-4-5-6 1-2-3-4-5-6
Idle speed rpm
See the “Emission control
label” on the underside of the hood.See the “Emission control
label” on the underside of the hood. Ignition timing (BTDC) degree/rpm
CO percentage at idle speed [No air] %
Spark plug PL FR5A-11 (Standard) FR4AP-10 (Hot)
PL FR4A-11 (Service option) FR5AP-10 (Standard)
PL FR6A-11 (Service option) FR6AP-10 (Cold)
Spark plug gap in (mm) 0.043 (1.1) 0.039 (1.0)
Camshaft operation Timing chain Timing belt*1
Alternator belt size
Width×Length in (mm) 0.8409×46.26 (21.36×1,175) 0.8409×41.93 (21.36×1,065)
*1: Periodic maintenance is necessary. See “Periodic maintenance” in the “Service and Maintenance Guide” for maintenance intervals.
SPECIFICATIONS
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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
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ment, toll-free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1.
In Hawaii call (808) 836-0888.
Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in what
is called the ready condition for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion control system.
The vehicle is set to the ready condition when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usu-
ally, the ready condition can be obtained by
ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a not ready condition. Before taking the
I/M test, drive the vehicle through the following
pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition.
If you cannot or do not want to perform the
driving pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it
for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic
conditions, and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine. Allow the engine to idle until
the engine coolant temperature gauge needle
points between the C and H (normal operat-
ing temperature).2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h),
then quickly release the accelerator pedal
completely and keep it released for at least 6
seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of
53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h) for at least 5
minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle. Leave the engine running.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least 3 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 minutes.
8. Stop the vehicle. Place the transmission gear
shift lever in the “P” or “N” position.
9. Turn the engine off.
10.Repeat steps 1 through 8 at least one more
time.
If step 1 through 7 is interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is ac-
ceptable between steps. Do not stop the engine
until step 7 is completed.READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US
only)
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Dynamometer testing for Inspection/
Maintenance (I/M) test (US only)Due to legal requirements in some states/areas,
your vehicle may be tested for emissions on a
dynamometer. The transfer control lever (if so
equipped) MUST be in the 2H position for I/M
testing on a two wheel dynamometer.
WARNING

If the transfer control lever is not in
the 2H position during the dynamom-
eter I/M testing, the vehicle could
come off the dynamometer and
cause serious personal injury and/or
body damage to the vehicle.

Serious damage will occur to the
4WD system if the transfer control
lever is not in the 2H position.9-24
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Front window open/close with key ......................... 3-3
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
filler cap................................................................. 3-13
filler lid ................................................................... 3-13
Fuel economy ...................................................... 5-20
Fuel octane rating ................................................. 9-4
Fuel recommendation ........................................... 9-4
Gauge ...................................................................... 2-5
Fuses ............................................................................ 8-27
Fusible links ................................................................ 8-27
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver .................................................................. 2-44
Gas cap ....................................................................... 3-13
Gauge ............................................................................. 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge .................. 2-4
Fuel gauge .............................................................. 2-5
Odometer ................................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................................... 2-3
Tachometer ............................................................. 2-4
General maintenance .................................................. 8-2
Glass hatch and outside mirror defogger
switch ........................................................................... 2-20
Glass hatch lock........................................................ 3-11
Glass hatch opener .................................................. 3-11
Glove box .................................................................... 2-32
Glove box lock ........................................................... 2-32H
Hazard warning flasher switch............................... 2-25
Head restraints ............................................................. 1-9
Headlights
Bulbreplacement ............................................... 8-31
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-21
Heated seats .............................................................. 2-26
Heater
Engine coolant heater ....................................... 5-39
Heater and air conditioner controls.................. 4-2
Heater operation.................................................... 4-4
Heater and air conditioner (Automatic — Type A)
(if so equipped) ..................................................... 4-8
Heater and air conditioner (Automatic — Type B)
(if so equipped) ................................................... 4-10
HomeLink
Universal Transceiver ......................... 2-44
Hood, release ............................................................... 3-9
Hook, Luggage hook ................................................ 2-34
Horn .............................................................................. 2-25
How to stop alarm, Vehicle security .................... 2-17
I
Ignition switch ............................................................... 5-7
Automatic transmission models ............. 5-7, 5-11
Key positions .......................................................... 5-9
Manual transmission models .................. 5-8, 5-15
Immobilizer system .................................................... 2-18
Indicator lights............................................................ 2-14
Inside mirror ................................................................ 3-16
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test ........................ 9-23
Instrument panel........................................................... 2-2Interior lights ............................................................... 2-42
J
Jump starting................................................................. 6-9
K
Keyless entry (See remote keyless entry
system) ........................................................................... 3-5
Keys................................................................................. 3-2
L
Label, Air conditioner specification label ............ 9-14
Label, Emission control information label............ 9-14
Label, F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...................... 9-13
Labels
Air bag warning labels ...................................... 1-21
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN)................ 9-12
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether For Children)
system (if so equipped) ........................................... 1-41
Light
Air bag warning light ......................................... 1-21
Bulbreplacement ............................................... 8-30
Fog light switch................................................... 2-24
Front fog light switch......................................... 2-24
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-21
Headlights Bulbreplacement .......................... 8-31
Interior lights ........................................................ 2-42
Personal lights ..................................................... 2-43
Replacement ........................................................ 8-30


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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


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