Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light (if so
equipped)2-7
or
Brake warning light 2-7
Charge warning light 2-8
Door open warning
light2-8
Electric power
steering warning
light2-8
Engine oil pressure
warning light2-8
High temperature
warning light (red)2-8
Warning
lightName Page
Intelligent Key lock
warning light (M/T
models)(if so
equipped)2-9
Intelligent Key sys-
tem warning light (if
so equipped)2-9
Low fuel warning
light2-9
Low tire pressure
warning light (if so
equipped)2-9
Low windshield
washer fluid warning
light (if so equipped)2-10
P position selecting
warning light (CVT
models)(if so
equipped)2-10
Warning
lightName Page
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-11
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-11
Indicator
lightName Page
Automatic Transmis-
sion (A/T) / Con-
tinuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
position indicator
light2-11
CRUISE main
switch indicator light
(if so equipped)2-11
Cruise SET switch
indicator light (if so
equipped)2-12
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
Illustrated table of contents0-9
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
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FRONT-SEAT ACTIVE HEAD
RESTRAINTS
WARNING
cAlways adjust the head restraints prop-
erly as specified in this section. Failure
to do so can reduce the effectiveness of
the Active Head Restraint.
cActive Head Restraints are designed to
supplement other safety systems. Al-
ways wear seat belts. No system can
prevent all injuries in any accident.cDo not attach anything to the head re-
straint stalks. Doing so could impair
Active Head Restraint function.
The Active Head Restraint moves forward utiliz-
ing the force that the seatback receives from the
occupant in a rear-end collision. The movement
of the head restraint helps support the occu-
pant’s head by reducing its backward movement
and helping absorb some of the forces that may
lead to whiplash type injuries.
Active Head Restraints are effective for collisions
at low to medium speeds in which it is said that
whiplash injury occurs most.
Active Head Restraints operate only in certain
rear-end collisions. After the collision, the head
restraints return to their original positions.
Properly adjust the Active Head Restraints as
described in this section.
HEAD RESTRAINT ADJUSTMENT
To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To lower,
push and hold the lock knob and push the head
restraint down.
WARNING
Head restraints should be adjusted prop-
erly as they may provide significant pro-
tection against injury in an accident. Do
not remove them. Check the adjustment
after someone else uses the seat.
SPA1025LRS0286
1-6Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
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orAnti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light (if so
equipped)Low fuel warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
orBrake warning lightLow tire pressure warning light (if so
equipped)High beam indicator light (Blue)
Charge warning lightLow windshield washer fluid warning light (if
so equipped)Low temperature indicator light (blue) (if so
equipped)
Door open warning lightP position selecting warning light (CVT mod-
els) (if so equipped)Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Electric power steering warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeOverdrive off indicator light (A/T / CVT models)
Engine oil pressure warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
High temperature warning light (Red)Automatic Transmission (A/T)/Continuously
Variable Transmission (CVT) position indicator
lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Intelligent Key lock warning light (M/T mod-
els) (if so equipped)CRUISE main switch indicator light (if so
equipped)
Intelligent Key system warning light (if so
equipped)Cruise SET switch indicator light (if so
equipped)
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-6Instruments and controls
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/02/08Ðdebbie
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CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and turn the ignition key to the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
or,,,,,
If equipped, the following lights come on briefly
and then go off:
or,(red) ,,,
(blue) ,,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light (if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light
illuminates and then turns off. This indicates the
ABS is operational.If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, or while driving, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See
9Brake system9in the9Starting and driving9sec-
tion.
orBrake 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 applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition key is in the ON position, 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 fluid” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
cYour brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
cPressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
cIf the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
Instruments and controls2-7
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
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5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
(if so equipped)................................5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-5
Ignition switch.....................................5-6
Intelligent Key System (if so equipped)............5-6
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).........5-8
Automatic transmission..........................5-9
Manual transmission...........................5-10
Key positions.................................5-11
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System
(if so equipped)...............................5-11
Before starting the engine.........................5-11
Starting the engine...............................5-12
Driving the vehicle................................5-13
Automatic transmission (if so equipped)..........5-13
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
(if so equipped)...............................5-17
Manual transmission (if so equipped)............5-20Parking brake....................................5-22
Cruise control (if so equipped).....................5-23
Precautions on cruise control...................5-23
Cruise control operations.......................5-24
Break-in schedule................................5-25
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-25
Parking/parking on hills............................5-26
Power steering...................................5-27
Brake system....................................5-27
Brake precautions.............................5-27
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
(if so equipped)...............................5-28
Cold weather driving..............................5-29
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-29
Anti-freeze....................................5-29
Battery.......................................5-29
Draining of coolant water.......................5-30
Tire equipment................................5-30
Special winter equipment.......................5-30
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-30
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-31
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
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WARNING
cWhile driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
cIf the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return
to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high
speeds until the brakes function correctly.
Parking brake break-in
Break-in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drum/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best brake performance.This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS) (if so equipped)
WARNING
cThe Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a
sophisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces. Remem-
ber that stopping distances on slippery
surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances 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 respon-
sible for safety.
cTire type and condition may also affect
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
“Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
– For detailed information, see
“Wheels and tires” in the “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 pre-
vent 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 slip-
pery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
5-28Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
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WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6MPH(5
- 10 km/h) .When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the system electronically
controls the pressure applied to each brake.
This action is similar to pumping the brakes very
quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or
feel a vibration from the actuator when it is oper-
ating. This is normal and indicates that the ABS is
operating properly. However, the pulsation may
indicate that road conditions are hazardous and
extra care is required while driving.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de-
icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key
hole or use the remote keyless entry keyfob (if so
equipped) .
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem-
perature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check the
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see “Engine cooling system” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi-
mum efficiency, the battery should be checked
regularly. For details, see “Battery” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-29
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
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WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect socket
can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer for assistance.
The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
log shown in the “NISSAN Service and Mainte-
nance Guide.” When replacing the filter, wipe the
inside of the air cleaner filter housing and the
cover with a damp cloth.
To remove the air cleaner filter, push the tabs
s1
and pull the unit upwards2.
WARNING
cOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or oth-
ers to be burned. The air cleaner not
only cleans the air, it stops the flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and
the engine backfires, you could be
burned. Do not drive with the air cleaner
removed, and be careful when working
on the engine with the air cleaner
removed.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body or
attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER (if so
equipped)
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry of air-
borne dust and pollen particles and reduces
some objectionable outside odors. The filter is
located behind the glove box. Refer to the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide” for
change intervals.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer.
SDI1864
AIR CLEANER
8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Versa(vrs)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/02/08Ðdebbie
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