In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
In the following cases, please wash your vehicle
as soon as possible to protect the paint surface.
After a rainfall to prevent possible damage
from acid rain
After driving on coastal roads
When contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on
the paint surface
When dust or mud builds up on the surface
Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.WASHINGWash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge and
plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly
using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or a
general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with
clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.
CAUTION
Do not use car washes that use acid
in the detergent. Some car washes,
especially brushless ones, use some
acid for cleaning. The acid may react
with some plastic vehicle compo-
nents, causing them to crack. This
could affect their appearance, and
also could cause them not to function
properly. Always check with your car
wash to confirm that acid is not used.
Do not use strong household soap,
strong chemical detergents, gasoline
or solvents.
Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight or while the vehicle body is
hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.
Avoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.Rinse the vehicle again with plenty of clean
water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be regularly cleaned. Make sure that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface
by using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle.
WAXINGRegular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing
is recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
reapplying wax.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the
proper product.
Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-
ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the
wax.
Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
CLEANING EXTERIOR7-2
Appearance and care
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
Machine compounding or aggressive pol-
ishing on a base coat/clear coat paint
finish may dull the finish or leave swirl
marks.REMOVING SPOTSRemove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory
store.UNDERBODYIn areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and caus-
ing underbody and suspension corrosion. Be-
fore the winter period and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary,
re-treated.GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dow, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based dis-
infectant cleaners. They could damage
the electrical conductors, radio antenna
elements or rear window defroster ele-
ments.ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELSWash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
Do not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.
Do not apply wheel cleaners to thewheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as
ambient temperature.
Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.
CHROME PARTSClean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.TIRE DRESSINGNISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it
may react with the coating and form a com-
pound. This compound may come off the tire
while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
Use a water-based tire dressing. The coating
on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/grooves
Appearance and care
7-3
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance requirements .................................................. 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 ................................................................................. 8-9
Checking engine oil level ............................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil ...................................................... 8-10
Changing engine oil filter ............................................ 8-11
CVT fluid ................................................................................ 8-12
Power steering fluid ............................................................ 8-12
Brake fluid ............................................................................. 8-13
Window washer fluid.......................................................... 8-14
Battery .................................................................................... 8-14
Jump starting .................................................................. 8-15
Drive belts ............................................................................. 8-16
Spark plugs ........................................................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs.................................................. 8-17
Air cleaner ............................................................................. 8-17Windshield wiper blades ................................................... 8-18
Cleaning ........................................................................... 8-18
Replacing ......................................................................... 8-18
Rear window wiper blade ................................................. 8-20
Brakes .................................................................................... 8-20
Self-adjusting brakes .................................................... 8-20
Brake pad wear indicators .......................................... 8-20
Fuses ...................................................................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ..................................................... 8-21
Passenger compartment .............................................. 8-23
Battery replacement............................................................ 8-23
Keyfob............................................................................. 8-23
Intelligent Key ................................................................. 8-25
Lights ..................................................................................... 8-26
Headlights ...................................................................... 8-27
Exterior and interior lights............................................ 8-28
Wheels and tires ................................................................. 8-29
Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-29
Tire labeling ..................................................................... 8-34
Types of tires .................................................................. 8-36
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-37
Changing wheels and tires ......................................... 8-38
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*:When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation*:Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km). However, the timing
for tire rotation may vary according to your
driving habits and road surface conditions.
Tires*:Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire, wheel alignment and balance:If the
vehicle should pull to either side while driving on
a straight and level road, or if you detect uneven
or abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for
wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
“Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or “TireSafety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
Windshield:Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a
damaged windshield repaired by a qualified re-
pair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*:Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal:Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal does
not catch or require uneven effort. Keep the floor
mats away from the pedal.
Brake pedal:Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes
down further than normal, the pedal feels spongy
or the vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see
a NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep the floor
mat away from the pedal.
Brakes:Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) position mechanism:On a fairly
steep hill check that the vehicle is held securely
with the selector lever in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brake:Check the parking brake op-
eration regularly. The vehicle should be securely
held on a fairly steep hill with only the parking
brake applied. If the parking brake needs to be
adjusted, see a NISSAN dealer.
Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats:Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure
they operate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
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 prop-
erly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-3
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
When 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. Move the selector
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 remove 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 tank and bat-
tery.
On gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) Sys-
tem, the fuel filter or fuel lines shouldbe 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 the engine off
and wait until it cools down.
Never connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized component
while the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
Never leave the engine or the CVT
related component harness connec-
tor disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ONposition.
Avoid contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed en-
gine oil, engine coolant and/or other
vehicle fluids can damage the envi-
ronment. Always conform to local
regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-5
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS)This vehicle is equipped with the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS). It monitors tire pres-
sure of all tires except the spare. When the low
tire pressure warning light is lit, one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated. If
equipped, the system also displays pressure of
all tires (except the spare tire) on the display
screen by sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel.
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h). Also,
this system may not detect a sudden drop in tire
pressure (for example a flat tire while driving).
For more details, refer to “Low tire pressure
warning light” in the “2. Instruments and con-
trols” section, “Tire pressure information” in the
“4. Display screen, heater, air conditioner and
audio systems” section, “Tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS)” in the “5. Starting and
driving” section, and “Flat tire” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section.
SDI1930
Map light
SDI1499A
Ceiling light
SDI1500B
Luggage light
SDI1506B
Vanity mirror light
WHEELS AND TIRES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-29
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
TIRE LABELINGFederal law requires tire manufacturers
to place standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This information iden-
tifies and describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also pro-
vides the tire identification number (TIN)
for safety standard certification. The TIN
can be used to identify the tire in case of
a recall.
1
Tire size (example: P215/60R16
94H)
1. P: The “P” indicates the tire is de-
signed for passenger vehicles. (Not all
tires have this information.)
2. Three-digit number (215): This num-
ber gives the width in millimeters of the
tire from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge.
3. Two-digit number (60): This number,
known as the aspect ratio, gives thetire’s ratio of height to width.
4. R: The “R” stands for radial.
5. Two-digit number (16): This number is
the wheel or rim diameter in inches.
6. Two- or three-digit number (94): This
number is the tire’s load index. It is a
measurement of how much weight
each tire can support. You may not
find this information on all tires be-
cause it is not required by law.
7. H: Tire speed rating. You should not
drive the vehicle faster than the tire
speed rating.
SDI1575
EXAMPLE
SDI1606
EXAMPLE
8-34
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
deeper than the same molding on the
other sidewall of the tire, or (2) the
outward facing sidewall of an asymmetri-
cal tire that has a particular side that must
always face outward when mounted on a
vehicle.TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
When changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same
type (for example, Summer, All Sea-
son or Snow) and construction. A
NISSAN dealer may be able to help
you with information about tire type,
size, speed rating and availability.
Replacement tires may have a lower
speed rating than the factory
equipped tires, and may not match
the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
Replacing tires with those not origi-
nally specified by NISSAN could af-fect the proper operation of the tire
pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety
Information” (US) or “Tire Safety In-
formation” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.
All season tiresNISSAN specifies All Season tires on some
models to provide good performance for use all
year, including snowy and icy road conditions.
All Season tires are identified by ALL SEASON
and/or M&S on the tire sidewall. Snow tires have
better snow traction than All Season tires and
may be more appropriate in some areas.Summer tiresNISSAN specifies summer tires on some models
to provide superior performance on dry roads.
Summer tire performance is substantially re-
duced in snow and ice. Summer tires do not
have the tire traction rating “M&S” on the tire
sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use ofSNOW tires or ALL SEASON tires on all four
wheels.
Snow tiresIf snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select
tires equivalent in size and load rating to the
original equipment tires. If you do not, it can
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may not
match the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires
may be used. However, some U.S. states and
Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check
local, state and provincial laws before installing
studded tires. Skid and traction capabilities of
studded snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may
be poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.
8-36
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0