2008 NISSAN NOTE Top up coolant

“Supplemental Restraint System (air bag system)”
in the “1. Safety — seats, seat belts and supple-
mental restraint system” section.
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the handbrake and the
footbrake systems.
Handbrake indicator:
The light comes on when the handbrake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning:
The light warns of a low brake fluid level in the brake
power assist unit. If the light comes on while the
engine is running and the handbrake is not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as
much as necessary. See “Brake and clutch fluid”
in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion.
WARNING
If the level is below the MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the brake sys-
tem has been checked at a NISSAN dealer or
qualified workshop.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct:
Have the warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer or qualified workshop.
WARNING
•Driving your vehicle could be dangerous.
Therefore have it towed to the nearest
NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.
•Pressing the brake pedal with the engine
stopped and/or low brake fluid level could in-
crease your stopping distance and require
greater pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running, it
may indicate that the charging system is malfunc-
tioning. 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 or qualified work-
shop immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is loose, bro-
ken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors are not
closed securely while the ignition switch is in the
ON position.
Engine coolant temperature
warning light
The engine coolant temperature varies with the out-
side air temperature and driving condition.
When the ignition switch is turned to the ON posi-tion, the engine coolant temperature warning light
illuminates for a few seconds and then goes off.
This means the system is operational.
The engine coolant temperature warning light illumi-
nates when the engine coolant temperature reaches
an excessively high temperature of approximately
105 °C (221 °F).
CAUTION
•If the engine coolant temperature warning
light comes on, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible and contact a NISSAN dealer
or qualified workshop.
•When towing a trailer or driving uphill, reduce
the vehicle speed as soon as safely possible
to decrease the engine coolant temperature.
•If the engine overheats, continued operation
of the vehicle may seriously damage the en-
gine. See “Engine overheat” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section for immediate action
required.
WARNING
Do not remove the radiator cap while the engine
is hot. Otherwise, there is a danger of being
scalded by the coolant that is likely to erupt from
the filler.
Engine oil pressure warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers, comes on during normal driving, or
stays on once the engine is started, pull off the road
2-8Instruments and controls

•If the coolant temperature warning light comes
on, turn the air conditioner off. For additional
information, see “Engine overheat” in the “6. In
case of emergency” section.
•If the engine coolant reaches an extremely high
temperature, the air conditioning system will au-
tomatically turn off. This may happen for example
if the engine runs at idle speed for a long time on
a hot day.
The sensor
j1 on the fascia helps the system to
maintain a constant temperature inside the cabin.
Do not put anything on or around this sensor.
Air conditioner filter
The air conditioning system is equipped with a filter
which collects dirt, pollen, dust, etc. To make sure
air conditioner heats, defogs, and ventilates effi-
ciently, replace the filter regularly. To replace the fil-
ter, contact a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.
The filter should be replaced if the air flow isextremely reduced or when the windows get fog
up easily during air conditioning system opera-
tion.
Servicing air conditioner
The air conditioning system in your NISSAN vehicle
is charged with an environmentally friendly refriger-
ant.
NISSAN GREEN PROGRAM
This refrigerant will not harm the earth’s ozone
layer.
Special charging equipment and lubricant are re-
quired when servicing your vehicle’s air conditioner.
Using improper refrigerants or lubricants will cause
severe damage to the air conditioning system. See
“Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations (where fitted)” in the “9. Techni-
cal information” section of this manual.
A NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop will be able
to service the environmentally “friendly” air condi-
tioning system.The audio system operates when the ignition switch
is in the Acc or ON position. If you want to listen to
the radio or CD while the engine is not running, turn
the ignition switch to the Acc position.Do not use
for an extended period of time with the engine
stopped.
AUDIO OPERATION PRECAUTIONS
WARNING
Do not adjust the audio system while driving so
that full attention may be given to vehicle opera-
tion.
Radio
•Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter, build-
ings, bridges, mountains and other external influ-
ences. Intermittent changes in reception quality
are normally caused by these external influences.
•Using a mobile phone in or near the vehicle may
influence radio reception quality.
•Use the antenna for the best reception.
Compact Disc (CD) player
•During cold weather or rainy days, the player
may malfunction due to the humidity. If this oc-
curs, remove the CD and dehumidify or ventilate
the player completely.
•The player may skip while driving on rough roads.
NAA901Z
AUDIO SYSTEM
4-10Heater and air conditioner, and audio system

During the first 1,600 km (1,000 miles), follow these
recommendations for the future reliability and
economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow the
recommendations may result in shortened engine
life and reduced engine performance.
•Avoid driving for long periods at a constant
speed, either fast or slow.
•Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.
•Avoid quick starts.
•Avoid hard braking as much as possible.
•Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500
miles).
NOTE
Models with K9K diesel engine will achieve top
performance only after approximately 5,000 km
(3,000 miles).
WARNING
The driving characteristics of your vehicle can be
changed remarkably by any additional load and
its distribution as well as by adding optional
equipment (trailer couplings, roof racks, etc.).
Your driving style and speed have to be adjusted
accordingly. Especially when carrying heavy
loads, your speed must be reduced adequately.
•Make sure the area around the vehicle is free of
obstacles.
•Check fluid levels such as engine oil, coolant,
brake and clutch fluid, and window washer fluid
as frequently as possible, at least whenever you
refuel.
•Visually inspect tyres for their appearance and
condition. Also check the tyre pressure for
proper inflation.
•Maintenance items in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section should be checked peri-
odically.
•Check that all windows and light lenses are
clean.
•Check that all doors are closed.
•Position the seat and adjust the head restraints.
•Adjust the inside and outside mirrors.
•Fasten your seat belt and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
•Check the operation of the warning/indicator
lights when the ignition switch is turned to the
ON position.
•Do not place hard or heavy objects on the dash-
board or rear parcel shelf in order to prevent
injury in the event of a sudden stop.
RUNNING-IN SCHEDULE BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-2Starting and driving

NOTE
The ESP system cannot be switched off when
the ESP system is operating and the “SLIP” indi-
cator light (
) is blinking.
Push the ESP OFF switch again, or restart the en-
gine, to turn the system ON. See “Electronic Stabil-
ity Programme (ESP) system (where fitted)” earlier
in this section for operational details.
WARNING
•Whatever the conditions, drive with caution.
Accelerate and decelerate with great care. If
accelerating or decelerating too fast, the drive
wheels will lose even more traction.
•Allow more stopping distance in cold weather
driving. Braking should be started sooner than
on dry surfaces.
•Keep at a greater distance from the vehicle in
front of you on slippery roads.
•Wet ice (0°C, 32°F and freezing rain), very cold
snow and ice can be slick and very difficult to
drive on. The vehicle will have a lot less trac-
tion or grip under these conditions. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until the road is salted
or sanded.
•Watch for slippery spots (black ice). These
may appear on an otherwise clear road in
shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead,
brake before driving on it. Try not to brake
while actually on the ice and avoid any sud-
den steering manoeuvres.
•Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gas under
your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehicle.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may freeze
and damage the battery. To maintain maximum effi-ciency, the battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see “Battery” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-freeze,
drain the cooling system. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, see “Engine cooling system” in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
TYRE EQUIPMENT
1) The SUMMER tyres are of a tread design to pro-
vide superior performance on dry surfaces. How-
ever, the performance of these tyres will be sub-
stantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions. If
you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use of MUD & SNOW
or ALL SEASON tyres on all four wheels. Please
consult a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop
for tyre type, size, speed rating and availability
information.
2) For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tyres may be used. However, some countries,
provinces and states prohibit their use. Check
applicable laws before installing studded tyres.
CAUTION
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tyres on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded snow tyres.
3) Snow chains may be used, if desired. But the
use of snow chains may be prohibited in some
areas. Therefore, check the local laws before
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-31

CAUTION
•Three-way catalyst equipped models should
not be started by pushing the vehicle as the
three-way catalyst may be damaged.
•Automatic transmission (AT) models cannot
be started by pushing the vehicle. This may
cause transmission damage.
•Never try to start the vehicle by towing it; when
the engine starts, the forward surge could
cause the vehicle to collide with the tow ve-
hicle.
WARNING
•Never continue driving if the engine of your
vehicle overheats. Doing so could cause a ve-
hicle fire.
•Never open the bonnet if steam is coming
out.
•Never remove the radiator cap (where fitted)
or engine coolant reservoir cap when the en-
gine is hot. If the radiator cap (where fitted) or
engine coolant reservoir cap is removed while
the engine is hot, pressurised hot water will
spurt out and possibly cause burning, scald-
ing or serious injury.
•If steam or coolant is coming out of the en-
gine, stand clear of the vehicle to prevent get-
ting injured.
•The engine cooling fan will start whenever the
coolant temperature exceeds preset degrees.
•Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jewel-
lery or clothing to come into contact with, or
get caught in, the cooling fan or drive belts.
If the engine of your vehicle is overheating (indi-
cated by the engine coolant temperature warning
light (red)) or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect an unusual noise, etc., proceed as follows:
1. Move and park the vehicle safely off the road and
away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flasher lights.
3. Apply the handbrake.4. Shift the gear lever (M/T models) into the N (Neu-
tral) position [AT models, move the selector lever
to the P (Park) position].
DO NOT STOP THE ENGINE.
5. Open all windows.
6. Switch off the air conditioner system (where fit-
ted).
7. Set the heater or air conditioner temperature
control to maximum “HOT” and fan speed con-
trol to maximum speed.
8. Exit the vehicle.
9. Visually inspect and listen for steam or coolant
escaping from the radiator before opening the
bonnet. Wait until no steam or coolant can be
seen before proceeding.
10. Open the bonnet. For details, see “Bonnet
release” in the “3. Pre-driving checks and
adjustments” section.
11. Visually check if the cooling fan is running.
12. Visually check the radiator and radiator hoses
for leakage.
WARNING
If coolant is leaking, the cooling fan belt is
missing or loose or the cooling fan is not run-
ning, stop the engine.
PUSH-STARTING ENGINE OVERHEAT
In case of emergency6-11

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.
Tyres*:
Check the pressure with a gauge periodically when
at a service station (including the spare) and adjust
to the specified pressure if necessary. Check care-
fully for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tyre rotation*:
Tyres should be rotated at least every 10,000 km
(6,000 miles). However, the timing for tyre rotation
may vary according to your driving habits and road
surface conditions.
Wheel alignment and balance:
If the vehicle pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tyre 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.
Wheel bolts:
When checking the tyres, make sure no wheel bolts
are missing, and check for any loose wheel bolts.
Tighten if necessary.Windscreen:
Clean the windscreen on a regular basis. Check the
windscreen at least every six months for cracks or
other damage. Have a damaged windscreen re-
paired by a qualified repair facility.
Wiper blades*:
Check for cracks or wear if they do not wipe prop-
erly.
Under the bonnet and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, e.g. each time you check the
engine oil or refuel.
Battery*:
Check if the green indicator on the top of the main-
tenance free battery is visible. If it is not visible,
replace the battery as soon as possible.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions, check the fluid level frequently.
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 the drive belts are not frayed, worn,
cracked or oily.Engine oil level*:
Check the level after parking the vehicle on a level
surface and turning off the engine.
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
petrol fumes are evident, check for the cause and
have it corrected immediately.
Window washer fluid*:
Check that there is adequate fluid in the tank.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when perform-
ing periodic maintenance, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal:
Check the pedal for smooth operation and make
sure that 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, contact a NISSAN dealer or qualified
workshop immediately. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3

WARNING
•To avoid the danger of being scalded, never
change the coolant when the engine is hot.
•Avoid direct skin contact with used coolant. If
skin contact is made, wash thoroughly with
soap or hand cleaner and plenty of water as
soon as possible.
•Keep coolant out of reach of children and
pets.
NISSAN GREEN PROGRAM
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CR14DE or HR16DE engine
1. Set the heater or air conditioner temperature
control to the maximum “HOT” position.
2. Open the bonnet. For details, see “Bonnet
release” in the “3. Pre-driving checks and
adjustments” section.
3. Open the radiator cap
j1 (where fitted) or en-
gine coolant reservoir cap to help to drain the
coolant.
4. Slacken off the radiator lower hose clip
j2and
remove the lower hosej3 to drain the coolant.
5. Flush the cooling system by running clean water
through the radiator filler opening (where fitted)
or engine coolant reservoir.
6. Install the radiator lower hose on the radiator
securely.7. Fill the radiator through the filler opening (where
applicable) slowly with coolant and fill the cool-
ant reservoir up to the MAX level. See “Capaci-
ties and recommended fuel/lubricants” in the
“9. Technical information” section for cooling
system capacity.
8. Install the radiator cap (where fitted) and the en-
gine coolant reservoir cap.
9. Start the engine, and warm it up until the radiator
fan operates. Then rev the engine two or three
times under no load. Observe the coolant tem-
perature warning light for signs of overheating.
10. Stop the engine. After it has completely cooled
down, refill the radiator up to the filler opening
(where fitted). If the coolant level lowered, fill
the engine coolant reservoir up to the MAX level.
11. Check radiator lower hose for any signs of leak-
age.
12. Close the bonnet.
K9K engine
1. Set the heater or air conditioner temperature
control to the maximum “HOT” position.
2. Open the bonnet. For details, see “Bonnet
release” in the “3. Pre-driving checks and
adjustments” section.
3. Disconnect the radiator lower hose
j1 and open
the drain plugj2 on the engine block.
4. Open the engine coolant reservoir cap to help to
drain the coolant.
5. Flush the cooling system by running fresh water
through the radiator.
6. Install the radiator lower hose to the radiator and
securely tighten the engine block drain plug.
7. Fill the reservoir up to the MAX level with cool-
ant. See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “9. Technical information”
section for cooling system capacity.
8. Install the engine coolant reservoir cap.
9. Start the engine and run the engine at about
2,000 rpm for 1 minute.
10. Stop the engine and check coolant level, allow
to cool and refill up to the MAX level.
11. Warm up the engine at about 2,000 rpm until it
reaches the normal operational temperature
(fan cycles).
Check heater core (below instrument panel) for
gurgling, refill if necessary.
NDI671Z
K9K engine
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7

12. Stop the engine and check coolant level, allow
to cool and refill up to the MAX level.
13. Check the radiator lower hose for any signs of
leakage.
14. Close the bonnet.
NDI720Z
CR14DE engine
NDI721Z
HR16DE engine
NDI743Z
Euro 4 — K9K engine
NDI1061
Euro 5 — K9K engine
ENGINE OIL
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself