1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P.8-14)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P.8-11)
3. Automatic transmission fluid dipstick
(*1) (P.8-13)
4. Brake and clutch (*2) fluid reservoir
(P.8-14)
5. Air cleaner (P.8-18)
6. Window washer fluid reservoir (P.8-15)
7. Engine coolant reservoir (P.8-8)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P.8-10)
9. Radiator cap (P.8-9)
10. Fuse/Fusible link holder (P.8-22)
11. Battery (P.8-16)
*1: For Automatic Transmission (AT) model
*2: For Manual Transmission (MT) model
SDI1947
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS0-8
Illustrated table of contents
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
light comes on when the parking brake is ap-
plied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as
necessary. See “Brake and clutch fluid” in the
“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
WARNING
Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is on.
Driving could be dangerous. If you
judge it to be safe, drive carefully to
the nearest service station for re-
pairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle
towed because driving it could bedangerous.
Pressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
greater pedal travel.
If the brake fluid level is below the
MINmark on the brake fluid reser-
voir, do not drive until the brake sys-
tem has been checked at a NISSAN
dealer.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer. Avoid high speed driving and abrupt
braking.
Anti-lock brake system warning light:
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the anti-lock brake warning
light illuminate, it may indicate the anti-lock brake
system is not functioning properly. Have the
brake system checked by a NISSAN dealer. See
“Anti-lock brake warning light” earlier in this
section.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate that the charging system is not
functioning properly. Turn the engine off and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is loose,
broken, missing or if the light remains on, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors are
not closed securely while the ignition key is ON.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light blinks or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level.See “Engine
2-8
Instruments and controls
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
Many hills are too steep for any ve-
hicle. If you drive up them, you may
stall. If you drive down them, you may
not be able to control your speed. If
you drive across them, you may roll
over.
Do not shift gears while driving on
downhill grades as this could cause
loss of control of the vehicle.
Be sure to use the engine brake. The
foot brake performance may be re-
duced, resulting in a possible acci-
dent.
Stay alert when driving to the top of a
hill. At the top there could be a drop-
off or other hazard that could cause
an accident.
If your engine stalls or you cannot
make it to the top of a steep hill,
never attempt to turn around. Your
vehicle could tip or roll over. Always
back straight down in R (Reverse)
gear. Never back down in N (Neutral)
or with the clutch depressed (manual
transmission vehicles), using only thebrake, as this could cause loss of
control.
Heavy braking going down a hill
could cause your brakes to overheat
and fade, resulting in loss of control
and an accident. Apply brakes lightly
and use a low range to control your
speed.
Unsecured cargo can be thrown
around when driving over rough ter-
rain. Properly secure all cargo so it
will not be thrown forward and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
To avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated
capacity of the roof rack (if so
equipped) and evenly distribute the
load. Secure heavy loads in the cargo
area as far forward and as low as
possible. Do not equip the vehicle
with tires larger than specified in this
manual. This could cause your ve-
hicle to roll over.
Do not grip the inside or spokes of
the steering wheel when driving off-road. The steering wheel could move
suddenly and injure your hands. In-
stead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.
Before operating the vehicle, ensure
that the driver and all passengers
have their seat belts fastened.
Always drive with the floor mats in
place as the floor may become hot.
Lower your speed when encountering
strong crosswinds. With a higher
center of gravity, your NISSAN is
more affected by strong side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle
control.
Do not drive beyond the performance
of the tires, even with 4WD engaged.
Accelerating quickly, sharp steering
maneuvers or sudden braking may
cause loss of control.
If at all possible, avoid sharp turning
maneuvers, particularly at high
speeds. Your NISSAN four wheel
drive vehicle has a higher center of
Starting and driving
5-5
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
Maintenance items should be checked peri-
odically, for example, each time you check
engine oil.
Check that all windows and lights are clean.
Visually inspect tires for their appearance and
condition. Also, check tires for proper infla-
tion.
Lock all doors.
Position seat and adjust head restraints.
Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
Check the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ON (3) position.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P or N. (P is
preferred.)
The starter is designed so that the starter
does not operate unless the selector lever is
in either one of the above positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to the N position. De-
press the clutch pedal fully to the floor.
The starter is designed so that it does not
operate unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3. Turn the ignition switch to START (4) to
crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedal.Release the key when
the engine starts.
If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
If the engine is very hard to start in extremely
cold weather or when restarting, depress the
accelerator pedal a little (approximately 1/3
to the floor) and hold it then crank the engine.
Release the key and the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.
If the engine is very hard to start because it isflooded, depress the accelerator pedal all the
way to the floor and hold it. Crank the engine
for 5 to 6 seconds. After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator pedal. Crank the en-
ginewith your foot off the accelerator
pedalby turning the ignition key to START.
Release the key when the engine starts. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Do not race the en-
gine while warming it up. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
In cold weather, keep the engine running for
a minimum of2-3minutes before shutting it
off. Starting and stopping the engine over a
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving
5-9
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually re-
duced. On highways, the reduced speed
may be lower than other traffic which
could increase the chance of a collision.
Be especially careful when driving. If
necessary, pull to the side of the road at
a safe place and allow the transmission
to return to normal operation, or have it
repaired if necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Starting the vehicle1. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor and
move the shift lever to the 1 (Low gear) or R
(Reverse) position.
2. Slowly depress the accelerator pedal, releas-
ing the clutch pedal and parking brake lever
at the same time.ShiftingTo change gears, or when upshifting or down-
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift into
the appropriate gear, then release the clutchslowly and smoothly.
To ensure smooth gear changes, fully depress
the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever.
If the clutch pedal is not fully depressed before
the transmission is shifted, a gear noise may be
heard. Transmission damage could occur.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th and 5th gear in sequence according to the
vehicle speed.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into R
(Reverse). First shift into the N (Neutral) position,
then into R.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R or 1st,
shift to N, then release the clutch pedal. Fully
depress the clutch pedal again and shift into R
or 1st again.
WARNING
Do not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
Do not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
SSD0002
5-14
Starting and driving
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
CAUTION
Do not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may damage
the clutch.
Fully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.
Stop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse).
When the vehicle is stopped for a
period of time, for example at a stop
light, shift to N(Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.Suggested upshift speedsShown below are suggested vehicle speeds for
shifting into a higher gear. These suggestions
relate to fuel economy and vehicle performance.
Actual upshift speeds will vary according to road
conditions, the weather and individual driving
habits.Gear change km/h (MPH)
1st to 2nd 24 (15)
2nd to 3rd 40 (25)
3rd to 4th 64 (40)
4th to 5th 72 (45)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gearDownshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed
(shown below) in any gear. For level road driving,
use the highest gear suggested for that speed.
Always observe posted speed limits, and drive
according to the road conditions which will
ensure safe operation. Do not over-rev the en-
gine when shifting to a lower gear as it may
cause engine damage or loss of vehicle control.
Gear km/h (MPH)
1st 45 (28)
2nd 85 (53)
3rd 135 (84)
4th to 5th — (—)To apply:pull the parking brake lever up
1.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the N (Neutral) posi-
tion.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
3. While pulling up on the parking brake lever
slightly, push the button
2
and lower com-
pletely
3.
SPA2110
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving
5-15
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
WARNING
Be sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.
Do not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.
Do not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:
it is not possible to keep the vehicle
at a set speed.
in heavy traffic or in traffic that varies
in speed.
on winding or hilly roads.
on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.).
in very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into N(Neutral) without depressing
the clutch pedal when the cruise control
is set. Should this occur, depress the
clutch pedal and turn the main switch
off immediately. Failure to do so maycause engine damage.
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROLIf the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator light
on the meter panel then blinks to warn the
driver.
If the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
The SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned on while
pushing the ACCEL/RES, SET/COAST, or
CANCEL switch (located on the steering
wheel). To properly set the cruise control
system, perform the preceding steps in the
order indicated.
CRUISE CONTROL
5-16
Starting and driving
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
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
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0