Black plate (324,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
NOTE:
The key port does not charge the key
battery. If you see the low battery indicator
in the dot matrix liquid crystal display,
replace the battery as soon as possible.
(See “BATTERY REPLACEMENT” in the “8.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.)
CAUTION
.Never place anything except the key
in the key port. Doing so may cause
damage to the equipment.
.Make sure the key is in the correct
direction when inserting it to the
key port. The engine may not start if
it is in the incorrect direction.
.Remove the key from the key port
after the ignition switch is pushed to
the OFF position..Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
.Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid and window washer fluid as
frequently as possible, or at least whenever
you refuel.
.Check that all windows and lights are clean.
.Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
.Lock all doors.
.Position seat and adjust head restraints.
.Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
.Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
.Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position. (See “WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS” in
the “2. Instruments and controls” section.)1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position. (P is recommended.)
The starter is designed not to operate unless
the selector lever is in either of the above
positions.
3. Insert the key into the key port. (Without the
Intelligent Key System)
Push the ignition switch to the ON position.
Depress the brake pedal and push the
ignition switch to start the engine.
To start the engine immediately, push and
release the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal with the ignition switch in
any position.
.If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold weather or when restart-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal a little
(approximately 1/3 to the floor) and
while holding, crank the engine. Release
the accelerator pedal when the engine
starts.
.If the engine is very hard to start
because it is flooded, depress the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and hold it. Push the ignition switch to
the ON position to start cranking the
engine. After 5 or 6 seconds, stop
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-12Starting and driving
Black plate (332,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
CAUTION
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) ,
follow these recommendations to ob-
tain maximum engine performance and
ensure the future reliability and econo-
my of your new vehicle. Failure to
follow these recommendations may
result in shortened engine life and
reduced engine performance.
.Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow. Do not run the
engine over 4,000 rpm.
.Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.
.Avoid quick starts.
.Avoid hard braking as much as possible.
.Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km) . Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged..Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.
.Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed lowers fuel economy.
.Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles.
.Select a gear range suitable to road condi-
tions.
.Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
.Keep your engine tuned up.
.Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.
.Keep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
.Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
.Air conditioner operation lowers fuel econ-
omy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
.When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
leave the windows closed to reduce drag..Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
(See “ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION” in the “9. Technical
and consumer information” section.)
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
5-20Starting and driving
Black plate (341,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be
substantially reduced in snowy and icy condi-
tions. If you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy
roads, NISSAN recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels.
Consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
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.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see “TIRE
CHAINS” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) model
If you install snow tires, they must also be the
same size, brand, construction and tread pattern
on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
.A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
.A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
.Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
.Wet ice (328F, 08C and freezing rain) ,
very cold snow or ice can be slick
and very hard to drive on. The
vehicle will have much less traction
or “grip” under these conditions. Try
to avoid driving on wet ice until the
road is salted or sanded.
.Whatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheelswill lose even more traction.
.Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pave-
ment.
.Allow greater following distances
on slippery roads.
.Watch for slippery spots (glare ice) .
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a
patch of ice is seen ahead, brake
before reaching it. Try not to brake
while on the ice, and avoid any
sudden steering maneuvers.
.Do not use cruise control on slip-
pery roads.
.Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep
snow clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)
Engine block heaters are available through
NISSAN dealers to assist in cold temperature
starting. The engine block heater should be
used when the outside temperature is 208F
(−78C) or lower.
Starting and driving5-29
Black plate (355,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
CAUTION
.Do not continue to drive if your
vehicle 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 radiator 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. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air conditioner
temperature control to maximum hot and fan
control to high speed.3. 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.
4. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leaking,
the water pump belt is missing or loose, 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, engine belts or
the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan can start at any time.6. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir
tank if necessary. Have your vehicle repaired
at a NISSAN dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-11
Black plate (363,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting damage
or staining. Special cleaning products are
available at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive
accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use 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-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based
disinfectant cleaners. They could da-mage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window
defroster elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash 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 the
wheels 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 PARTS
Clean chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSING
NISSAN 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 coat-
ing 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 (where it would be difficult to
remove) .
.Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is
completely removed from the tire tread/
grooves.
.Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
Appearance and care7-3
Black plate (25,1)
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
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
VQ35DE engine............................................ 8-6
Engine cooling system......................................... 8-7
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-7
Changing engine coolant................................. 8-8
Engine oil......................................................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter............................ 8-8
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid........8-11
Power steering fluid..........................................8-11
Brake fluid......................................................8-12
Window washer fluid........................................8-12
Battery..........................................................8-13
Jump starting..............................................8-14
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped)......8-15
Drive belts......................................................8-15Spark plugs....................................................8-16
Replacing spark plugs...................................8-16
Air cleaner......................................................8-16
Windshield wiper blades....................................8-17
Cleaning....................................................8-17
Replacing...................................................8-18
Rear window wiper blade...................................8-19
Brakes...........................................................8-19
Self-adjusting brakes....................................8-19
Brake pad wear indicators..............................8-19
Fuses............................................................8-20
Engine compartment.....................................8-20
Passenger compartment................................8-21
Battery replacement..........................................8-21
Lights............................................................8-24
Headlights..................................................8-25
Exterior and interior lights...............................8-27
Wheels and tires..............................................8-30
Tire pressure...............................................8-30
Tire labeling................................................8-33
Types of tires..............................................8-35
Tire chains..................................................8-36
Changing wheels and tires.............................8-37
Black plate (372,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
done by a NISSAN dealer.
SDI2172
VQ35DE ENGINE
1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Drive belt location
3. Engine oil filler cap
4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Air cleaner6. Fuse/fusible link holder
7. Window washer fluid reservoir
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Radiator filler cap
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Battery
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Black plate (378,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2007/ 10/ 2
For additional brake fluid information, see
“CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS” in the “9. Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
.Use only new fluid from a sealed
container. Old, inferior or contami-
nated fluid may damage the brake
system. The use of improper fluids
can damage the brake system and
affect the vehicle’s stopping ability.
.Clean the filler cap before removing.
.Brake fluid is poisonous and should
be stored carefully in marked con-
tainers 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.
SDI2178
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid is
below the MIN line
*2or the brake warning
light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN Super
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT 3
fluid up to the MAX line
*1. If fluid must be
added frequently, the system should be checked
by a NISSAN dealer.
SDI2179
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir periodi-
cally. Add window washer fluid when the low
window washer fluid warning light illuminates.
To fill the window washer fluid reservoir, lift the
cap and pour the window washer fluid into the
reservoir opening.
Add a washer solvent to the water for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for the mixture ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of
window washer fluid.
BRAKE FLUID WINDOW WASHER FLUID
8-12Maintenance and do-it-yourself