WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or to get caught in the
cooling fan, or drive belt.
The engine cooling fan can start at
any time when the coolant tempera-
ture is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the cool-
ant level in the reservoir tank with the engine
running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if
necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at the
nearest NISSAN dealer.When towing your vehicle, all provincial and
local regulations for towing must be followed.
Incorrect towing equipment could damage your
vehicle. Towing instructions are available from a
NISSAN dealer. Local service operators are
generally familiar with the applicable laws and
procedures for towing. To assure proper towing
and to prevent accidental damage to your ve-
hicle, NISSAN recommends having a service
operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have
the service operator carefully read the following
precautions.
WARNING
Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
Never get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working condi-
tion. If any unit is damaged, dolliesmust be used.
Always attach safety chains before
towing.TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-10
In case of emergency
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
the locks hold securely in all latched positions.
Steering wheel:
Check for changes in the steering conditions,
such as excessive free play, hard steering or
strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes:
Make sure that all warning lights and chimes are
operating properly.
Windshield defroster:
Check that the air comes out of the defroster
outlets properly and in good quantity when
operating the heater or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*:
Check that the wipers and washer operate
properly and that the wipers do not streak.Under the hood and the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel).
Battery*:
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the upper level and lower level lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.Brake and clutch fluid level*:
Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid level is
between the MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*:
Check the coolant level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*:
Make sure that no belt is frayed, worn, cracked
or oily.
Engine oil level*:
Check the level on the dipstick after parking the
vehicle on a level spot and turning off the engine.
Exhaust system:
Make sure there are no loose supports, cracks or
holes. If the sound of the exhaust seems unusual
or there is a smell of exhaust fumes, immediately
locate the trouble and correct it. (See “Precau-
tions when starting and driving” in the “5. Start-
ing and driving” section for exhaust gas (carbon
monoxide).)
Fluid leaks:
Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil, water or
other fluid leaks after the vehicle has been
parked for a while. Water dripping from the air
conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check the level in the reservoir tank with the
engine off. Check the lines for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses:
Check the front of the radiator and clean off any
dirt, insects, leaves, etc., that may have accumu-
lated. Make sure the hoses have no cracks,
deformation, deterioration or loose connections.
Underbody:
The underbody is frequently exposed to corro-
sive substances such as those used on icy roads
or to control dust. It is very important to remove
these substances, otherwise rust will form on the
floor pan, frame, fuel lines and around the ex-
haust system. At the end of winter, the under-
body should be thoroughly flushed with plain
water, being careful to clean those areas where
mud and dirt may accumulate. For additional
information, see “Cleaning exterior” in the “7.
Appearance and care” section.
Windshield washer fluid*:
Check that there is adequate fluid in the tank.8-4
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
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
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with a high-quality, year-round, antifreeze cool-
ant solution. The antifreeze solution contains rust
and corrosion inhibitors, therefore additional
cooling system additives are not necessary.
WARNING
Never remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Wait until the en-
gine and radiator cool down. Serious
burns could be caused by high pres-
sure fluid escaping from the radiator.
Wait until the engine and radiator
cool down.
See “If your vehicle overheats” in the
“6. In case of emergency” section.
The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure cap. To prevent engine damage,
use only a genuine NISSAN radiator
cap.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, besure to use only a Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze Coolant or equiva-
lent with the proper mixture ratio of 50%
antifreeze and 50% demineralized
water/distilled water. The use of other
types of coolant solutions may damage
your engine cooling system.
Outside temperature
down to
Anti-
freezeDeminer-
alized
water/
distilled
water °C °F
−35 −30 50% 50%
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVELCheck the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below MIN
2, add coolant up to the MAX
1
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check the
coolant level in the radiatorwhen the engine is
cold.If there is insufficient coolant in the radia-
tor, fill the radiator with Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent up to the
filler opening and also add it to the reservoir tank
up to the MAX level
1.
If the engine cooling system frequently
SDI1926
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM8-8
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
requires coolant, have it checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANTMajor cooling system repairs should be per-
formed by a NISSAN dealer. The service
procedures can be found in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheating.
WARNING
To avoid being scalded, never change
the coolant when the engine is hot.Never remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
Keep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
1. Open radiator drain valve
Aat the bottom of
radiator, and remove radiator filler cap
B.
Be careful not to allow coolant to con-
tact drive belts.
Waste coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.
2. Close the radiator drain valve securely after
the coolant is drained.
3. Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mixture
of antifreeze solution and demineralized
water/distilled water. Fill the reservoir tank up
to the MAX level. Then install the radiator filler
cap.
SDI1080D
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-9
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
4. Start the engine and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature. Then
race the engine 2 or 3 times under no load.
Watch the engine coolant temperature
gauge for signs of overheating.
5. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler open-
ing. Fill the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
Check the drain valve for any sign of leakage.
6. Recheck the coolant level after the vehicle
has been driven for a day.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Rein-
sert it all the way.5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H and L marks
1. If the oil level is below the L mark
2,
remove the oil filler cap and pour recom-
mended oil through the opening.Do not
overfill
3.
When filling the engine oil, do not remove the
dipstick.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the severity
of operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating with insufficient amount of
oil can damage the engine, and such
damage is not covered by warranty.
SDI1597
ENGINE OIL
8-10
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, wash with water.
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid is
below the MIN line
1or the brake warning light
comes on (for the brake fluid), add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalentDOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
2.If
fluid must be added frequently, the system
should be thoroughly checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
The low washer fluid warning light comes on
when the washer tank fluid is at a low level. To
check the fluid level, use your finger to plug the
center hole
1
of the cap/tube assembly (as
shown above), then remove it from the tank. If
there is no fluid in the tube, add fluid. Add a
washer solvent to the water for better cleaning.
In the winter season, add a windshield washer
antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for the mixture ratio.
WARNING
Antifreeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully in marked containers
out of the reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not substitute engine antifreeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
SDI0603A
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-15
06.4.14/T30-J/V5.0