
Black plate (25,1)
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
Maintenance requirement..................................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance................................... 8-2
General maintenance...................................... 8-2
Where to go for service................................... 8-2
General maintenance.......................................... 8-2
Explanation of maintenance items....................... 8-2
Maintenance precautions..................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations...................... 8-6
MR18DE engine............................................ 8-6
Engine cooling system......................................... 8-7
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant................................. 8-8
Engine oil......................................................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter............................ 8-9
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid........ 8-11
Brake and clutch fluid....................................... 8-11
Window washer fluid........................................ 8-12
Battery.......................................................... 8-13
Jump starting.............................................. 8-14
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped)...... 8-14
Drive belt....................................................... 8-15
Spark plugs.................................................... 8-15
Replacing spark plugs................................... 8-16Air cleaner...................................................... 8-16
Windshield wiper blades.................................... 8-17
Cleaning.................................................... 8-17
Replacing................................................... 8-17
Rear window wiper blade................................... 8-18
Brakes........................................................... 8-18
Self-adjusting brakes.................................... 8-18
Brake pad wear warning................................ 8-18
Fuses............................................................ 8-19
Engine compartment..................................... 8-19
Passenger compartment................................ 8-21
Key battery replacement.................................... 8-22
Keyfob....................................................... 8-22
Intelligent Key.............................................. 8-23
Lights............................................................ 8-25
Headlights.................................................. 8-26
Exterior and interior lights............................... 8-27
Wheels and tires.............................................. 8-28
Tire pressure............................................... 8-28
Tire labeling................................................ 8-31
Types of tires.............................................. 8-33
Tire chains.................................................. 8-34
Changing wheels and tires............................. 8-35
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (251,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
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).
Tires*:Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If
necessary, adjust the pressure in all tires,
including the spare, to the pressure specified.
Check carefully for damage, cuts or excessive
wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components:Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
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
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the War-
ranty 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
repair 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 scheduled 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 mat 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
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied. If the parking brake needs
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
webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats:Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliners, 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 (if so equipped) 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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-3
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (259,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend a NISSAN dealer for servicing.
CAUTION
.Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid
NS-2. Do not mix with other fluids.
.Using transmission fluid other than
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2
will damage the CVT, which is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle
limited warranty.For additional brake and clutch fluid information,
see “CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
.Use only new fluid from a sealed
container. Old, inferior or contami-
nated fluid may damage the brake
andclutchsystems.Theuseof
improper fluids can damage the
brake and clutch systems, and affect
the vehicle’s stopping ability.
.Clean the filler cap before removing.
.Brake and clutch fluid is poisonous
and should be stored carefully in
marked containers out of the reach
of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, immediately wash the
surface with water.
SDI2387
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid is
below the MIN line
*1
or the brake warning
light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN Super
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT 3
fluid up to the MAX line*2. If fluid must be
added frequently, the system should be checked
by a NISSAN dealer.
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUIDBRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-11
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (266,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
SDI1865
Be careful not to clog the washer nozzle
*A
.
This may cause improper windshield washer
operation. If the nozzle is clogged, remove any
objects with a needle or small pin
*B.Be
careful not to damage the nozzle.Contact a NISSAN dealer if checking or
replacement is required.If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.
SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKESYour vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The disc-type brakes self-adjust every time the
brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake
system check if the brake pedal height
does not return to normal.BRAKE PAD WEAR WARNINGThe disc brake pads have audible wear warn-
ings. When a brake pad requires replacement, it
will make a high pitched scraping sound when
the vehicle is in motion. This scraping sound will
first occur only when the brake pedal is
depressed. After more wear of the brake pad,
the sound will always be heard even if the brake
pedal is not depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear warning
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other noise
may be heard. Occasional brake noise during
light to moderate stops is normal and does not
REAR WINDOW WIPER BLADE BRAKES
8-18
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (267,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
affect the function or performance of the brake
system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information, see the
maintenance log section of your “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”.
SDI1959
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight
switch are turned off.
2. Open the engine hood.3. Remove the resonator. (See “ENGINE
COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS”
earlier in this section.)
4. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover by
pushing the tab
*1
and lifting the cover
from the right side*2, then the left side
*3.
5. Locate the fuse that needs to be replaced.
6. Remove the fuse using the fuse puller
located in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
FUSES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-19
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (284,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
wear indicators are visible, the
tire(s) should be replaced.
.
Tires degrade with age and use.
Have tires, including the spare,
over 6 years old checked by a
qualified technician, because
some tire damage may not be
obvious. Replace the tires as
necessary to prevent tire failure
and possible personal injury.
.
Improper service of the spare
tire may result in serious perso-
nal injury. If it is necessary to
repair the spare tire, contact a
NISSAN dealer.
.
For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Important
Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Cana-
da) in the Warranty Information
Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tiresWhen replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. (See “SPECIFICA-
TIONS” in the “9. Technical and consumer
information” section for recommended types
and sizes of tires and wheels.)
WARNING
.The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of
tires of different brands, construc-
tion (bias, bias-belted or radial) , or
tread patterns can adversely affect
the ride, braking, handling, ground
clearance, body-to-tire clearance,
tire chain clearance, speedometer
calibration, headlight aim and bum-
per height. Some of these effects
may lead to accidents and could
result in serious personal injury.
.If the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same off-set dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different off-set
could cause premature tire wear,
degrade vehicle handling character-
istics and/or interference with the
brake discs/drums. Such interfer-
ence can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake pad/
shoe wear. See “WHEELS AND
TIRES” in the “9. Technical and
consumer information” section of
this manual for wheel off-set dimen-
sions..When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not
function and the low tire pressure
warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute. The light will
remain on after 1 minute. Contact
your NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/
or system resetting.
.Replacing tires with those not ori-
ginally specified by NISSAN could
affect the proper operation of the
TPMS.
.Do not install a damaged or de-
formed wheel or tire even if it has
been repaired. Such wheels or tires
could have structural damage and
could fail without warning.
.The use of retread tire is not re-
commended.
.For additional information regard-
ing tires, refer to “Important Tire
Safety Information” (US) or “Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the
Warranty Information Booklet.
8-36
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (1,1)
10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).................. 5-28
Advanced air bag system......................... 1-46
Air bag system
Advanced air bag system..................... 1-46
Front passenger air bag and status light.... 1-47
Front-seat mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag system.................. 1-50
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system.................. 1-50
Air bag warning labels............................. 1-53
Air bag warning light....................... 1-53, 2-14
Air cleaner housing filter.......................... 8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation........................ 4-2
Air conditioner service........................... 4-9
Air conditioner specification label............ 9-10
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations............... 4-9, 9-6
In-cabin microfilter............................... 4-8
Alarm, How to stop alarm
(see vehicle security system)..................... 2-19
Alcohol, drugs and driving.......................... 5-6
Antenna............................................. 4-29
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).................. 5-28
Anti-lock braking system (ABS) warning light . . . 2-10
Appearance care
Exterior appearance care........................ 7-2
Interior appearance care........................ 7-5
Armrest............................................... 1-8
Audible reminders ................................. 2-17
Audio operation precautions........................ 4-9Audio system......................................... 4-9
Steering wheel audio controls................ 4-28
Autolight system................................... 2-24
Automatic
Air conditioner.................................... 4-6
Door locks........................................ 3-5
Average fuel consumption........................... 2-9
Average speed....................................... 2-9
Avoiding collision and rollover...................... 5-5
B
Back door .......................................... 3-22
Battery.............................................. 8-13
Battery replacement, Intelligent Key.......... 8-23
Battery replacement, Keyfob.................. 8-22
Battery saver system.......................... 2-25
Variable voltage control system............... 8-14
Before starting the engine........................ 5-12
Bluetooth
®Hands-Free Phone System.......... 4-31
Booster seats...................................... 1-35
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).............. 5-28
Brake and clutch fluid......................... 8-11
Brake system................................... 5-27
Parking brake operation....................... 5-20
Warning light................................... 2-11
Break-in schedule.................................. 5-23
Brightness control, Instrument panel............. 2-26
Bulb check/instrument panel...................... 2-10
Bulb replacement.................................. 8-25C
Cabin air filter........................................ 4-8
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants..... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio............................ 4-31
Cargo cover........................................ 2-34
Cargo light......................................... 2-41
Catalytic converter, Three way catalyst............ 5-2
CD care and cleaning............................. 4-27
Ceiling light......................................... 2-40
Child restraints..................................... 1-19
Booster seats .................................. 1-35
Installation using LATCH...................... 1-24
Installation using the seat belts............... 1-29
Precautions on child restraints................ 1-19
Top tether strap................................ 1-22
Child safety......................................... 1-11
Child safety rear door lock.......................... 3-6
Chimes, Audible reminders....................... 2-17
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ....................... 8-20
Cleaning exterior and interior................. 7-2, 7-5
Clock............................................... 2-28
Clutch fluid......................................... 8-11
Cockpit............................................... 2-2
Cold weather driving.............................. 5-30
Command (See Bluetooth
®Hands-Free
Phone System)..................................... 4-37
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system)...................................... 4-18, 4-24
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid................................................. 8-11
Controls, Steering wheel audio controls......... 4-28
Model "MASTER" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
ProCarManuals.com

Black plate (2,1)
10-2Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants........................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-8
Checking engine coolant level.................. 8-8
Corrosion protection................................. 7-6
Cover, Cargo cover................................ 2-34
Cruise control...................................... 5-21
Cup holders........................................ 2-31
CVT, Driving with CVT
(Continuously Variable Transmission)........ 5-7, 5-14
D
Daytime running light system..................... 2-25
Defroster switch, Rear window and outside
mirror defroster switch............................ 2-23
Dimensions and weights............................ 9-8
Door open warning light........................... 2-11
Drive belt........................................... 8-15
Driving
Cold weather driving.......................... 5-30
Driving with CVT
(Continuously Variable Transmission).... 5-7, 5-14
Driving with manual transmission........ 5-8, 5-18
Precautions when starting and driving......... 5-2
E
Economy, Fuel ..................................... 5-23
Electric power steering system................... 5-26
Electric power steering warning light............ 2-12
Emission control information label................ 9-10
Emission control system warranty................ 9-20
Engine
Before starting the engine.................... 5-12Break-in schedule.............................. 5-23
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants......................................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter................... 8-9
Checking engine coolant level.................. 8-8
Checking engine oil level........................ 8-8
Coolant temperature gauge..................... 2-6
Engine block heater........................... 5-31
Engine compartment check locations.......... 8-6
Engine cooling system.......................... 8-7
Engine oil......................................... 8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation....... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity.............................. 9-5
Engine serial number............................ 9-9
Engine specifications............................ 9-7
If your vehicle overheats....................... 6-11
Starting the engine............................ 5-12
Event Data Recorders (EDR)..................... 9-22
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide).................... 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label............ 9-9
Filter
Air cleaner housing filter...................... 8-16
Changing engine oil and filter................... 8-9
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . . . 2-27
Flat tire................................................ 6-2
Flat towing.......................................... 9-18
Floor mat cleaning................................... 7-5
Fluid
Brake and clutch fluid......................... 8-11
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants......................................... 9-2Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid............................................. 8-11
Engine coolant ................................... 8-7
Engine oil......................................... 8-8
Window washer fluid .......................... 8-12
FM-AM radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player............................................... 4-17
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc (CD)
player............................................... 4-21
Fog light switch.................................... 2-27
Front manual seat adjustment....................... 1-3
Front passenger air bag and status light........ 1-47
Front seat, Front seat adjustment.................. 1-3
Front-seat active head restraints................... 1-7
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants......................................... 9-2
Distance to empty............................... 2-8
Fuel economy.................................. 5-23
Fuel octane rating................................ 9-3
Fuel recommendation............................ 9-3
Fuel-filler cap................................... 3-24
Fuel-filler door.................................. 3-24
Gauge ............................................ 2-7
Fuses............................................... 8-19
Fusible links........................................ 8-20
G
Gas cap ............................................ 3-24
Gauge ................................................ 2-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge............. 2-6
Fuel gauge....................................... 2-7
Odometer......................................... 2-5
Speedometer..................................... 2-5
Model "MASTER" EDITED: 2009/ 1/ 28
ProCarManuals.com