WARNING
The air conditioner cooling function
operates only when the engine is
running.
On hot, sunny days, temperatures in
a closed vehicle could quickly be-
come high enough to cause severe or
possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals. Do not leave children or
adults who would normally require
the assistance of others in your ve-
hicle. Unattended pets should also
not be left alone.
Do not use the recirculation mode for
long periods as it may cause the
interior air to become stale and the
windows to fog up.
Start the engine and operate the controls to
activate the air conditioner.
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
Cooling and/or dehumidified heating
(AUTO)This mode may be normally used all year round
as the system automatically works to keep a
constant temperature. Air flow distribution and
fan speed are also controlled automatically.
1. Push the AUTO button on. (AUTO will be
displayed.)
2. Turn the temperature set dial to the left or
right to set the desired temperature.
Adjust the temperature set dial to about 75°F
(24°C) for normal operation.
The temperature of the passenger compart-
ment will be maintained automatically. Air
flow distribution and fan speed are also con-
trolled automatically.
3. You can individually set driver and front pas-
senger side temperature using each tem-
perature control knob. When the DUAL but-
ton is pushed or passenger side temperature
control knobis turned, the DUAL indicator
will come on. To turn off the passenger side
temperature control, push the DUAL button.
A visible mist may be seen coming from the
ventilators in hot, humid conditions as the air iscooled rapidly. This does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
Heating (A/C OFF)The air conditioner does not activate. When you
need to heat only, use this mode.
1. Push the A/C button. (A/C OFF will be
displayed and A/C indicator will turn off.)
2. Turn the temperature set dial to the left or
right to set the desired temperature.
The temperature of the passenger compart-
ment will be maintained automatically. Air
flow distribution and fan speed are also con-
trolled automatically.
Do not set the temperature lower than the
outside air temperature. Otherwise the sys-
tem may not work properly.
Not recommended if windows fog up.Dehumidified defrosting or defogging1. Push the
FRONT defroster button on.
(The indicator light on the button will come
on.)
2. Turn the temperature set dial to the left or
right to set the desired temperature.
To quickly remove ice from the outside of the
windows, turn the fan speed control knobto
4-24
Display screen, heater, air conditioner and audio systems
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle ser-
vice manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.Using the brakesAvoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the brakes,
increases wear on the brake linings and pads,
and reduces gas mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.
If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the powerassist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it can-
not prevent accidents resulting from
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. It can help maintain vehicle
control during braking on slippery
surfaces. Remember that stopping
distances on slippery surfaces will be
longer than on normal surfaces even
with ABS. Stopping distances may
also be longer on rough, gravel or
snow covered roads, or if you are
using tire chains. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in
front of you. Ultimately, the driver is
responsible for safety.
Tire type and condition may also af-fect braking effectiveness.
— When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
— When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Tire and
Loading Information label” in the “9.
Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
— For detailed information, see
“Wheels and tires” in the “8. Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to
prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on
slippery surfaces.
Starting and driving
5-31
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully discon-
nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be
sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the
vent holes as it may be contaminated with
corrosive acid.Do not start the engine by pushing.
CAUTION
CVT models cannot be push started.
Attempting to do so may cause trans-
mission damage.
WARNING
Do not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause engine damage or a vehicle
fire.
To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is still hot. When the ra-
diator cap is removed, pressurized
hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading), or if
you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal
noise, etc., take the following steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the
parking brake and move the selector lever to
the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner switch. Open all
the windows, move the heater or air condi-
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency
6-11
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
tioner temperature control to maximum hot
and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing a
long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a fast
idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the tem-
perature gauge indication returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. (If steam or coolant
is escaping, turn off the engine.) Do not open
the hood further until no steam or coolant can
be seen.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check if the cooling fan is running.
The radiator hoses and radiator should not
leak water.
If coolant is leaking or the cooling fan does
not run, stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or get caught in, drive
belt, or cooling fan.
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 State, provincial
and local regulations for towing must be fol-
lowed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators are generally familiar with the appli-
cable laws and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental damage
to your vehicle, 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, dolliesTOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-12
In case of emergency
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANTContact a NISSAN dealer if replacement is
required.
Major 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.
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 as illustrated and wipe it
clean. Reinsert 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.
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 the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not covered
by warranty.
SDI1762
ENGINE OIL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-9
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
engine stalling and hard hot starting are experi-
enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels, imme-
diately change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel
with a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.E-85 fuelE-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV). Do
not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, or-
ange and black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percentage for that
region.Aftermarket fuel additivesNISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel in-
jector cleaner, octane booster, intake valve de-
posit removers, etc.) which are sold commer-
cially. Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain active
solvent or similar ingredients that can be harmful
to the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tipsUsing unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer or other competent service fa-
cility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
9-4
Technical and consumer information
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
WARNING
Overloading or improper loading of a
trailer and its cargo can adversely affect
vehicle handling, braking and perfor-
mance and may lead to accidents.
CAUTION
Do not tow a trailer or haul a heavy
load for the first 500 miles (800 km).Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged.
For the first 500 miles (800 km) that
you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50
mph (80 km/h) and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the
engine and other parts of your ve-
hicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Re-
member that towing a trailer will place additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drive train, steer-
ing, braking and other systems.
A NISSAN Towing Guide (U.S. only) is available
on the website at www.nissanusa.com. This
guide includes information on trailer towing ca-
pability and the special equipment required for
proper towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loadsNever allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the Towing Load/Specification
Chart found later in this section. The total trailer
load equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.When towing a trailer load of 1,000 lbs. (454
kg) or more, trailers with a brake system
MUST be used.
The maximum GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) should not exceed the value specified in
the following Towing Load/Specification Chart.
The GCWR equals the combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
plus the total trailer load.
Towing loads greater than specified or using
improper towing equipment could adversely af-
fect vehicle handling, braking and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is not
only related to the maximum trailer loads, but
also the places you plan to tow. Tow weights
appropriate for level highway driving may have to
be reduced on very steep grades or in low
traction situations (for example, on slippery boat
ramps).
Temperature conditions also can affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in high
outside temperatures on graded roads can af-
fect engine performance and cause overheating.
The transmission high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode, which helps reduce the chance of
transmission damage, could activate and auto-
matically decrease engine power. Vehicle speed
may decrease to 40 to 50 MPH (65 to 80 km/h)
under high load. Plan your trip carefully to ac-
CA0009
TOWING A TRAILER
Technical and consumer information
9-17
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0
count for trailer and vehicle load, weather, and
road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced en-
gine power and vehicle speed. Also,
when the high temperature mode oper-
ates, vehicle speed may be gradually
reduced. The reduced speed may be
lower than other traffic, which could
increase the chance of a collision. Be
especially careful when driving. If nec-
essary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the engine to cool
or the transmission to return to normal
operation.
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from im-
proper towing procedures is not cov-
ered by NISSAN warranties.
Tongue loadKeep the tongue load between 9 to 11 percent
of the total trailer load within the maximum
tongue load limits shown in the following Towing
Load/Specifications Chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow for
proper tongue load.
Maximum gross vehicle weight/
maximum gross axle weightThe gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle
must not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification
label. The gross vehicle weight equals the com-
bined weight of the unloaded vehicle, passen-
gers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load and any
other optional equipment. In addition, front or
rear gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
TI1012M
9-18
Technical and consumer information
06.7.5/Z50-D/V5.0