Your new NISSAN has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with longer
service intervals to save you both time and
money. However, some day-to-day and regular
maintenance is essential to maintain your
NISSAN’s good mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
Scheduled maintenance:
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “Service and Mainte-
nance Guide”. You must refer to that guide to
ensure that necessary maintenance is performed
on your NISSAN at regular intervals.
General maintenance:
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-to-
day operation. They are essential for proper
vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.Performing general maintenance checks require
minimal mechanical skill and only a few general
automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer,
your NISSAN dealer.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and tuned by a NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up to date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN
vehiclesbeforethey work on your vehicle,
rather than after they have worked on it.
You can be confident that your NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements of your ve-
hicle — in a reliable and economic way.During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or have
your NISSAN dealer check it promptly. In addi-
tion, you should notify your NISSAN dealer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the “Maintenance precau-
tions” later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMSAdditional information on the following
items with “*” is found later in this section.Outside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood:Check that all doors
and the engine hood operate smoothly. Also
make sure that all latches lock securely. Lubri-
cate if necessary. Make sure that the secondary
latch keeps the hood from opening when the
primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE8-2
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
recommended; however, if you must do so,
first block the wheels and apply the parking
brake, and then move the selector lever into
the P (Park) position. If you move the selector
lever to the P (Park) position before blocking
the wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine overload-
ing and/or overheating.
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.
If the transmission fluid rises to an extremely
high temperature, a high fluid temperature
protection mode may operate. See page
5-13 for details. If necessary, pull to the side
of the road at a safe place and let the
transmission cool before continuing.
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 making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, make
a larger than normal turning radius during the
turn.
Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal passing.
Remember the length of the trailer must also
pass the other vehicle before you can safely
change lanes.
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakesto overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
Technical and consumer information
9-21
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0
10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock brake system)................................ 5-28
Aiming control, Headlights...................................... 2-23
Air bag warning labels ............................................. 1-20
Air bag warning light .................................... 1-20, 2-12
Air cleaner housing filter.......................................... 8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation .................................. 4-16
Air conditioner service ........................... 4-16, 4-20
Air conditioner specification label .................. 9-12
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ...................................... 4-20, 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic) ......... 4-16
In-cabin microfilter .............................................. 4-19
Alcohol, drugs and driving......................................... 5-5
All wheel drive (AWD) ............................................. 5-22
All wheel drive (AWD), AWD lock switch
operations.................................................................... 5-23
Anchor point locations
Top tether strap .................................................. 1-41
Antenna ........................................................................ 4-33
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .............................. 5-28
Anti-lock brake warning light .................................... 2-9
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care .................................... 7-2
Interior appearance care ..................................... 7-3
Armrest ........................................................................... 1-9
Audible reminders ..................................................... 2-15Audio operation precautions .................................. 4-21
Audio system .............................................................. 4-20
Autochanger, Compact Disc (CD) ....................... 4-30
Autolight system ........................................................ 2-21
Automatic
Anti-glare inside mirror ...................................... 3-15
Automatic sunroof .............................................. 2-35
Drive positioner ................................................... 3-16
Seat positioner, seat .......................................... 3-16
Avoiding collision and rollover .................................. 5-5
AWD (all wheel drive) warning light .................... 2-10
B
Back door ...................................................................... 3-9
Battery .......................................................................... 8-14
Battery saver system ......................................... 2-22
Battery replacement
Remote keyless entry system............................. 3-8
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-9
Belts (See drive belts) ............................................. 8-15
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ......................... 5-28
Brake booster ...................................................... 8-20
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-12
Brake pedal .......................................................... 8-19
Brake pedal check ............................................. 8-20
Brake system ....................................................... 5-27
Parking brake check............................... 5-18, 8-19Parking brake operation .................................... 5-18
Warning light ....................................................... 2-10
Break-in schedule ..................................................... 5-21
Brightness control, Instrument panel ................... 2-24
Bulbcheck/instrument panel .................................... 2-9
Bulbreplacement ...................................................... 8-24
C
Cabin air filter ............................................................. 4-19
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................................ 4-33
Cargo (See vehicle loading information)............. 2-32
Cargo net .................................................................... 2-32
Cassette player (See audio system) .................... 4-28
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst ................. 5-3
CD care and cleaning .............................................. 4-31
Ceiling light ................................................................. 2-37
Cellular phone holder ............................................... 2-29
Child restraints ........................................................... 1-32
Installation on front passenger seat............... 1-42
Installation on rear seat center or outboard
positions ................................................................ 1-34
Precautions on child restraints........................ 1-32
Top tether strap anchor point locations ....... 1-41
With top tether strap ......................................... 1-40
Child safety ................................................................. 1-24
Child safety rear door lock ........................................ 3-4
04.4.5/Z50-D/V5.0