2006 NISSAN X-TRAIL automatic transmission

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance requirements ................................................. 8-2
Scheduled maintenance ............................................... 8-2
General maintenance ..................................................... 8-2
Where to go for service ................................................ 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 .................................................... 8-11
Changing engine oil filter ........................................... 8-12
Automatic transmission fluid ........................................... 8-13
Power steering fluid .......................................................... 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................................... 8-14
Window washer fluid ........................................................ 8-15
Battery ................................................................................... 8-16
Jump starting ................................................................. 8-17
Drive belts ............................................................................ 8-17
Spark plugs ......................................................................... 8-18Replacing spark plugs ................................................ 8-18
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 ................................................... 8-23
Passenger compartment ............................................ 8-24
Keyfobbattery replacement ............................................ 8-24
Lights ..................................................................................... 8-26
Headlights ...................................................................... 8-27
Headlight aim ................................................................ 8-28
Exterior and interior lights .......................................... 8-30
Wheels and tires ................................................................ 8-34
Tire pressure ................................................................. 8-34
Tire labeling ................................................................... 8-37
Types of tires ................................................................. 8-39
Tire chains ...................................................................... 8-40
Changing wheels and tires ........................................ 8-41


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MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONSWhen performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING

Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For a manual
transmission, move the shift lever to
the N(Neutral) position. For an auto-
matic transmission, move the selec-
tor lever to the P (Park) position.

Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing
any parts replacement or repairs.

Your vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warning,
even if the ignition key is in the OFF
position and the engine is not run-
ning. To avoid injury, always discon-nect the negative battery cable be-
fore working near the fan.

If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.

It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.

Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.

If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.

Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.

Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the
battery.
On gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) Sys-
tem, the fuel filter or fuel lines should
be serviced by a NISSAN dealer be-
cause the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off.
CAUTION

Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.

Never connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized
component connector while the igni-
tion key is on.

Never leave any engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
ness connectors disconnected while
the ignition key is on.

Avoid direct contact with used engine
oil and coolant. Improperly disposed
engine oil, engine coolant and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the envi-
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-5


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1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
(Automatic Transmission (AT) model)
4. Brake and clutch (Manual Transmission (MT)
model) fluid reservoir
5. Air cleaner
6. Window washer fluid reservoir
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Radiator cap
10. Fuse/Fusible link holder
11. Battery
SDI1947
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-7


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


WARNING

When engine is running, keep hands
and clothing away from any moving
parts such as fan drive belt.

Automatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
The fluid level should be checked using the HOT
range on the dipstick at fluid temperatures be-
tween 50 and 80°C (122 and 176°F) after the
vehicle has been driven approximately 5 minutes
in urban areas after the engine is warmed up.
The level can be checked at fluid temperatures
between 30 and 50°C (86 and 122°F) using the
COLD range on the dipstick for reference, after
the engine is warmed up but before driving.
However, the fluid level must be rechecked
using the HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the
parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the selector
lever through each gear range, ending in P.
3. Check the fluid level with the engine idling.If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic in hot
weather, or if it is being used to pull a
trailer, the fluid level cannot be read accu-
rately. You should wait until the fluid has
cooled down (about 30 minutes).
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean with
lint-free paper.
5. Re-insert the dipstick into the charging pipe
as far as it will go.
6. Remove the dipstick and note the reading.
If the level is on the low side of either range, add
fluid to the charging pipe.
Do not overfill.
CAUTION
Use CANADA NISSAN Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid (ATF) or equivalent. (For
more information regarding suitable flu-
ids, contact a NISSAN dealer for cor-
rect brands of DEXRON
TMIII/MERCON
TM
Automatic Transmission Fluid.)
SDI1583
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
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8-13


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


Check the fluid level in the reservoir tank.
The fluid level should be checked using the HOT
range (
1: HOT MAX.,
2: HOT MIN.) at fluid
temperatures of 50 to 80°C (122 to 176°F) or
using the COLD range (3: COLD MAX.,
4:
COLD MIN.) at fluid temperatures of 0 to 30°C
(32 to 86°F).
CAUTION

Do not overfill.

Use NISSAN Automatic TransmissionFluid (ATF), DEXRON
TMIII/MERCON
TM
or equivalent ATF.
For additional fluid specification information, re-
fer to “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “9. Technical and con-
sumer information” section.
WARNING
Use only new fluid. Old, inferior, or con-
taminated fluid may damage the brake
system. The use of improper fluids can
damage the brake system and affect the
vehicle’s stopping ability.
SDI1765A
SDI1307A
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID8-14
Maintenance and do-it-yourself


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended
specifications US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 15-7/8 gal 13-1/4 gal 60 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil*5
Drain and refill
With oil filter change 4-1/8 qt 3-3/8 qt 3.9
API Certification Mark*2, *3

API grade SG, Energy Conserving II or API grade SH, SJ or SL, Energy Conserving*2, *3

ILSAC grade GF-II & GF-III*2, *3 Without oil filter change 3-3/4 qt 3-1/8 qt 3.5
Cooling system
With reservoir 7-1/2 qt 6-1/4 qt 7.1 Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent
Differential gear oil — — — API GL-5, Viscosity SAE 80W-90*4
Manual transmission gear oil — — —Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity
SAE 75W-85
Automatic transmission fluid — — —CANADA NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), DEXRON
TMIII/MERCON
TMor equiva-
lent ATF
Transfer fluid — — — API GL-5, Viscosity SAE 80W-90
Power steering fluid (PSF)
Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.CANADA NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF), DEXRON
TMIII/MERCON
TMor equiva-
lent ATF
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease — — — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — — HFC-134a (R-134a)*6
Air conditioning system lubricants — — —NISSAN A/C System Oil
Type S or exact equivalent
Windshield washer fluidGenuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate
Cleaner & Antifreeze Fluid or equivalent
*1: For additional information, see later in this paragraph for fuel recommendation.
*2: For additional information, see later in this paragraph for engine oil and oil filter recommendation.
*3: For additional information, see later in this paragraph for recommended SAE viscosity number.
*4: For hot climates, viscosity SAE 90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 0°C (32°F).
*5: For additional information, see “Engine oil” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section for changing engine oil.
*6: For additional information, see “Vehicle identification” in this section for air conditioner specification label.CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS9-2
Technical and consumer information


06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer.Trailer brakesIf your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.Pre-towing tips
Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down con-
dition; check for improper tongue load, over-
load, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.

Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half.

Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, vehicle
tire pressure, trailer light operation, and trailer
wheel lug nuts every time you attach a trailer
to the vehicle.

Be certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability, and braking per-
formance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.

Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.

Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.

Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.

Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have spe-cific speed limits for vehicles that are towing
trailers. Obey the local speed limits.

When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and back
up slowly. If possible, have someone guide
you when you are backing up.

Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so,
and if your vehicle is equipped with automatic
transmission, 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
9-20
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06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0


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 805 km
(500 miles).

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 brakes
to overheat, resulting in reduced braking ef-
ficiency.

Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.

Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.

Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 80
km (50 miles) of travel and at every break.

When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
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
NISSAN” in the “6. In case of emer-
gency” section of this manual.Automatic transmissionTo tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dollyMUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’sTechnical and consumer information
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