CAUTION
Always carry the mechanical key installed
in the Intelligent Key slot.
WARNING
●Always have the doors locked while
driving. Along with the use of seat belts,
this provides greater safety in the event
of an accident by helping to prevent
persons from being thrown from the
vehicle. This also helps keep children
and others from unintentionally open-
ing the doors, and will help keep out
intruders.
●Before opening any door, always look
for and avoid oncoming traffic.
●Do not leave children unattended inside
the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac-
tivate switches or controls. Unattended
children could become involved in seri-
ous accidents.
LOCKING WITH KEY
Manual (if so equipped)
To lock a door, turn the key toward the front of the
vehicle
1. To unlock, turn the key toward the rear
2.
Driver’s side
LPD0349
DOORS
3-4Pre-driving checks and adjustments
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
Lockout protection
When the power door lock switch (driver’s or
front passenger’s side) is moved to the lock
position with the key in the ignition switch and any
door open, all doors will lock and then unlock
automatically. This helps to prevent the keys from
being accidently locked inside the vehicle.
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS (if so
equipped)
●All doors lock automatically when the vehicle
speed reaches 15 MPH (24 km/h) .
●All doors unlock automatically when the ig-
nition is placed in the OFF position (Intelli-
gent Key equipped vehicles) or when the key
is removed from the ignition switch (non-
Intelligent Key equipped vehicles) .
The automatic lock and unlock functions
can be deactivated or activated indepen-
dently of each other.To deactivate or activate
the automatic door lock or unlock system, per-
form the following procedure:
1. Close all doors.
2. Place the ignition switch in the ON position.3. Do one of the following within 20 seconds of
performing Step #2:
●To change AUTO UNLOCK settings:
push and hold the power door lock switch
to the
position (UNLOCK) for more
than 5 seconds.
●To change AUTO LOCK settings: push
and hold the power door lock switch to
the
position (LOCK) for more
than 5 seconds.
4. When activated, the hazard indicator will
flash twice. When deactivated, the hazard
indicator will flash once.
5. The ignition switch must be placed in the
OFF and ON position again between each
setting change.
CHILD SAFETY REAR DOOR LOCK
Child safety locks help prevent the rear doors
from being opened accidentally, especially when
small children are in the vehicle.
The child safety lock levers are located on the
edge of the rear doors.
When the lever is in the unlock position
1, the
door can be opened from the outside or the
inside.
When the lever is in the lock position
2,
the door can be opened only from the out-
side.
LIC0716
3-6Pre-driving checks and adjustments
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—tbrooks
REAR HATCH RELEASE
The rear hatch release mechanism allows the rear
hatch to be opened in the event of a discharged
battery.
To release the rear hatch from the inside of the
vehicle, perform the following operations:
1. Fold the rear seats down. See “Folding rear
seat” in the “Safety — seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section.
2. Put a hand or a suitable tool in the underside
of the rear hatch to access the release lever
A. Move the release lever to the right. The
rear hatch will be unlatched.3. Push the rear hatch up to open.
NOTE:
If you had to open the rear hatch using this
lever, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
WARNING
●Do not drive with the trunk lid open. This
could allow dangerous exhaust gases
to be drawn into the vehicle. See “Ex-
haust gas” in the “Starting and driving”
section of this manual.
●Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
LPD0352
TRUNK LID (Sedan)
3-24Pre-driving checks and adjustments
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
INTERIOR TRUNK LID RELEASE
WARNING
Closely supervise children when they are
around cars to prevent them from playing
and becoming locked in the trunk where
they could be seriously injured. Keep the
car locked, with the rear seatback and
trunk lid securely latched when not in use,
and prevent children’s access to car keys.
The interior trunk lid release mechanism provides
a means of escape for children and adults in the
event they become locked inside the trunk.To open the trunk from the inside, rotate the
illuminated lever
1until the lock releases and
push up on the trunk lid. The release lever is made
of a material that glows in the dark after a brief
exposure to ambient light.
The handle is located inside the trunk compart-
ment on the trunk lock at the center of the trunk
lid.
OPENER OPERATION
The fuel-filler lid release is located below the
instrument panel. To open the fuel-filler lid, pull
the release. To lock, close the fuel-filler lid se-
curely.
WPD0405
Rear tank opener
WPD0372
FUEL-FILLER DOOR
3-26Pre-driving checks and adjustments
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
WARNING
●Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the assistance
of others alone in your vehicle. Pets
should also not be left alone. They
could accidentally injure themselves or
others through inadvertent operation of
the vehicle. Also, on hot, sunny days,
temperatures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe or possibly fatal injuries to
people or animals.
●Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
●Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seatbacks.
In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured
cargo could cause personal injury.
EXHAUST GAS (carbon monoxide)
WARNING
●Do not breathe exhaust gases; they
contain colorless and odorless carbon
monoxide. Carbon monoxide is danger-
ous. It can cause unconsciousness or
death.
●If you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all win-
dows fully open, and have the vehicle
inspected immediately.
●Do not run the engine in closed spaces
such as a garage.
●Do not park the vehicle with the engine
running for any extended length of time.
●Keep the trunk or the rear hatch closed
while driving, otherwise exhaust gases
could be drawn into the passenger
compartment. If you must drive with the
trunk or the rear hatch open, follow
these precautions:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Turn the air recirculation mode off
and set the fan speed control to the
highest level to circulate the air.●The exhaust system and body should be
inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
b. You suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust system.
d. You have had an accident involving
damage to the exhaust system, un-
derbody, or rear of the vehicle.
THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust
gases in the three-way catalyst are burned at
high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.
WARNING
●The exhaust gas and the exhaust sys-
tem are very hot. Keep people, animals
or flammable materials away from the
exhaust system components.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING
5-2Starting and driving
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
WARNING
●Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry grass,
waste paper or rags. They may ignite
and cause a fire.
●Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into P (Park) or in
an appropriate gear for manual trans-
mission models. Failure to do so could
cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly
or roll away and result in an accident.
Make sure the shift lever has beenpushed as far forward as it can go and
cannot be moved without depressing
the foot brake pedal.
●Never leave the engine running while
the vehicle is unattended.
●Do not leave children unattended inside
the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac-
tivate switches or controls. Unattended
children could become involved in seri-
ous accidents.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Manual transmission models:Place the shift selector in the R (Reverse)
position. When parking on an uphill grade,
place the shift selector in 1st gear.
Automatic Transmission (AT) or Con-
tinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
models:
Move the shift selector to the P (Park) posi-
tion.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
traffic when parked on an incline, it is a good
practice to turn the wheels as illustrated.
●HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
1
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
●HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
●HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the cen-
ter of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion and remove the key.
SSD0488
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
Starting and driving5-27
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
5. Remove the drain plugBwith a wrench by
turning it counterclockwise and completely
drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. See “Changing engine
oil filter” later in this section.
WARNING
●Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
●Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
●Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CAUTION
●Be careful not to burn yourself. The en-
gine oil may be hot.
●Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
●Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a new
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 - 29 ft-lb (29 - 39 N·m )7. Refill engine with recommended oil through
the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual for
drain and refill capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around
the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
MR18DE engine
AOil filler cap
BOil drain plug
COil filter
WDI0691
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—tbrooks
10 Index
A
Active Head Restraint..............1-6
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-36
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact air bag
system) ...................1-43
Side and curtain (See supplemental
side air bag and curtain side-impact
air bag system)...............1-47
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-50
Airbagwarninglight...........1-50,2-11
Air cleaner housing filter............8-20
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation...........4-5
Air conditioner service............4-9
Air conditioner specification label.....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.............9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-3
Servicing air conditioner...........4-9
Airflowcharts ..................4-6
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-14
Anchorpointlocations.............1-20
Antenna.....................4-28
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-7
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-29
Armrests .....................1-5
Audible reminders................2-13Audio system..................4-10
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-24
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-18
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-16
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-21
Radio ....................4-10
Steering wheel audio control switch....4-27
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-30
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....8-13
Driving with automatic transmission....5-14
Transmission selector lever lock
release................5-16,5-20
Automatic door locks...............3-6
B
Battery......................8-16
Chargewarninglight.............2-8
Before starting the engine...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-18
Block heater
Engine....................5-32
Bluetoothhands-free phone system.....4-29
Booster seats..................1-31
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-29
Brake fluid..................8-15
Brake light (See stop light).........8-30Brake system................5-28
Brake warning light..............2-7
Brake wear indicators........2-13,8-22
Parking brake operation..........5-23
Self-adjusting brakes............8-22
Brakes......................8-22
Break-in schedule................5-25
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-21
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-7
Bulb replacement................8-30
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-28
Cargocover...................2-27
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CD care and cleaning.............4-26
CD changer (See audio system)........4-24
CD player (See audio system).........4-18
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-19
Child restraints..........1-10,1-15,1-17
Precautions on child
restraints............1-15,1-25,1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-20
Child safety rear door lock............3-6
Chimes,audiblereminders...........2-13
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock...................4-17,4-21
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie