2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER engine oil

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


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


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.
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
(805 km).

Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
intervals specified in the recommended Main-
tenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance fluid”.

When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this, makea 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.

To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
sixth gear (manual transmission) or fifth posi-
tion (automatic transmission).

Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-quently. For additional information, see
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWINGTowing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a ve-
hicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION

Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
damage.

Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.

DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground (flat towing). Doing so
WILL DAMAGE internal transmission
parts due to lack of transmission lu-
brication.

For emergency towing procedures re-
fer to “Towing Recommended by
9-22
Technical and consumer information


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


Seat belt warning light and chime ................. 2-13
Cigarette lighter and ashtray .................................. 2-29
Circuit breaker, Fusible link .................................... 8-24
Cleaning exterior and interior .......................... 7-2, 7-3
Clock ............................................................................ 2-28
Clutch fluid.................................................................. 8-16
Coin box ...................................................................... 2-30
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................................................................ 2-34
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 .................................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ................................................... 7-4
Cover, Tonneau cover .............................................. 2-37
Cruise control............................................................. 5-18
Cup holders ................................................................ 2-32
CVT, Transmission selector lever lock
release .......................................................................... 5-14
D
Daytime running light system ................................. 2-24
Dimensions and weights ......................................... 9-11
Door open warning light .......................................... 2-11Drive belts ................................................................... 8-19
Drive positioner, Automatic..................................... 3-17
Driving
All-mode four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-25
Cold weather driving ......................................... 5-37
Driving with automatic transmission ..... 5-7, 5-11
Driving with manual transmission .......... 5-8, 5-16
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Part time four wheel drive (4WD) .................. 5-21
Precautions when starting and driving ............ 5-2
Safety precautions ................................................ 5-5
E
Economy, Fuel............................................................ 5-20
Electric sunroof .......................................................... 2-40
Emission control information label ........................ 9-13
Emission control system warranty......................... 9-24
Engine
Before starting the engine................................ 5-10
Break-in schedule............................................... 5-20
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-12
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-11
Coolant temperature gauge ............................... 2-4
Engine block heater ........................................... 5-39
Engine compartment check locations.............. 8-7
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation......... 9-6Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Engine serial number ......................................... 9-13
Engine specifications ........................................... 9-9
If your vehicle overheats ................................... 6-11
Starting the engine............................................. 5-10
Event data recorders ................................................ 9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).............................. 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label................................... 9-13
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter ................................... 8-20
Changing engine oil filter ................................. 8-13
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ... 2-25
Flat tire............................................................................ 6-2
Flat tire, Low tire pressure warning system .......... 5-3
Flat towing .................................................................. 9-22
Floor mat cleaning ....................................................... 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ................ 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-16
Brake fluid............................................................. 8-16
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Engine coolant ....................................................... 8-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Power steering fluid ........................................... 8-15
Window washer fluid ......................................... 8-17
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


04.3.9/R50-D/V5

10-2

Replacement ............................................... 8-3, 8-27
Vanity mirror light ................................................ 2-44
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................................................... 2-9, 2-14
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................................. 9-14
Lock
Back door lock .................................................... 3-10
Door locks ............................................................... 3-2
Glass hatch lock ................................................. 3-11
Glove box lock..................................................... 2-33
Power door lock .................................................... 3-2
Lockout protection....................................................... 3-4
Low fuel warning light .............................................. 2-12
Low tire pressure warning light ............................. 2-12
Low tire pressure warning system ................. 5-3, 6-2
Luggage hooks .......................................................... 2-35
Luggage rack ............................................................. 2-38
Luggage side console box...................................... 2-34
M
Maintenance
Battery ................................................................... 8-18
General maintenance ........................................... 8-2
Inside the vehicle................................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions .................................... 8-5
Maintenance requirements.................................. 8-2
Outside the vehicle............................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance ...................................... 1-32
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ........................... 2-14
Manual front seat adjustment ................................... 1-2
Meters and gauges ..................................................... 2-3Meters and gauges, Instrument brightness
control .......................................................................... 2-23
Mirror
Inside mirror ......................................................... 3-16
Outside mirror control ....................................... 3-16
Outside mirrors ................................................... 3-16
N
Net, Cargo net ........................................................... 2-37
New vehicle break-in ................................................ 5-20
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System ...................... 2-17
Engine start............................................................. 5-9
O
Odometer ....................................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................................. 9-2
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-11
Engine oil .............................................................. 8-11
Engine oil viscosity ............................................... 9-6
Outside mirror control .............................................. 3-16
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-16
Outside temperature display..................................... 2-6
Overdrive switch........................................................ 5-15
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-11
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order
information................................................................... 9-27P
Parking
Brake check ......................................................... 8-22
Parking brake check .......................................... 5-17
Parking brake operation .................................... 5-17
Parking on hills .................................................... 5-17
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-32
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 ........................................... 8-15
Power steering system ...................................... 5-33
Power windows................................................... 2-39
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .............................. 1-20
Precautions
Audio operation ................................................... 4-14
Braking precautions ........................................... 5-34
Child restraints .................................................... 1-32
Cruise control ...................................................... 5-18
Cruise control operations ................................. 5-20
Driving safety .......................................................... 5-5
Maintenance ........................................................... 8-5
On-pavement and offroad driving ..................... 5-4
Seat belt usage ................................................... 1-24
Supplemental restraint system ........................ 1-10
When starting and driving .................................. 5-2
Push starting .............................................................. 6-11


04.3.9/R50-D/V5

10-4

FUEL RECOMMENDATION: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 and Loading Information label.
GAS STATIONINFORMATION


04.3.9/R50-D/V5


Engine coolant 8-9
Engine oil 8-11
Brake fluid 8-16
Clutch fluid 8-16
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 6-4 Hood release 3-9Window washer fluid 8-17
Battery 8-18
Automatic transmission
fluid 8-14
Air conditioner 4-2
Audio system 4-13
STI0381
Power steering fluid
(VQ35DE) 8-15


04.3.9/R50-D/V5