Your engine was filled with a high-quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil and filter changes:
●repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures
●driving in dusty conditions
●extensive idling
●stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil, NISSAN
A/C system oil Type R (automatic and
manual transmission only) , Type S (CVT
only) or the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil will
cause severe damage to the air condition-
ing system and will require the replace-
ment of all air conditioner system
components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect the
earth’s atmosphere, certain government regula-
tions require the recovery and recycling of any
refrigerant during automotive air conditioner sys-
tem service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your air
conditioner system.
Technical and consumer information9-7
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
●Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
●Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
●DO NOT tow any continuously variable
transmission vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground (flat towing) . Do-
ing so WILL DAMAGE internal transmis-
sion parts due to lack of transmission
lubrication.
●For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dollyMUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Continuously Variable Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dollyMUSTbe placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct.
Manual Transmission
●Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
●After towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
TOWING A TRAILER UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information9-17
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
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
Clutch
Clutchfluid .................8-15
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
Cold weather driving..............5-30
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-18
Console box...................2-27
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . .5-17
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid .....................8-14
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-17
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-27
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Corrosionprotection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-24
Cupholders...................2-25
Curtain side-impact air bag system
(See supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system)..........1-47
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-20
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-19
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-21Door locks....................3-4
Door open warning light.............2-8
Drive belt....................8-18
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-30
Driving with automatic transmission....5-14
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-17
Driving with manual transmission.....5-21
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy-fuel .................5-26
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-18
Engine
Before starting the engine.........5-12
Blockheater.................5-32
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingenginecoolant ..........8-9
Changingengineoil ............8-10
Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Checking engine oil level..........8-9
Engine compartment check locations....8-6
Engine cooling system............8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light......2-8
Engine oil viscosity..............9-6
Engine serial number............9-11
Engine specifications.............9-8
Starting the engine.............5-13Eventdatarecorders..............9-20
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
Eyeglass case..................2-25
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-22
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....8-13
Brake fluid..................8-15
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-15
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-14
Engine coolant................8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Window washer fluid............8-16
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
Foglightswitch.................2-21
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-43
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-26
Fuelgauge..................2-5
Fuel octane rating..............9-5
Fuel recommendation............9-4
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-26
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-26
10-2
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
Recorders
Eventdata..................9-20
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-19
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Childseatbelts........1-15,1-25,1-31
Reporting safety defects (US only)....9-19
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Rear seat adjustment.............1-4
Seat belt
Child safety.................1-10
Infantsandsmallchildren .........1-10
InjuredPerson................1-11
Largerchildren ...............1-10
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-7
Pregnant women..............1-11
Seat belt extenders.............1-14
Seatbeltmaintenance...........1-15
Seatbelts...................1-7
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-14
Three-point type with retractor.......1-11
Seatbeltwarninglight.............2-11
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Frontseats..................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Rearseat...................1-4
Security indicator light.............2-13Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start........2-15,3-2,5-12
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-22
Service manual order form...........9-21
Servicing air conditioner.............4-9
Shiftlockrelease.............5-16,5-20
Shifting
Automatic transmission...........5-15
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT)....................5-18
Manual transmission............5-22
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-14
Side air bag system (See supplemental side
air bag and curtain side-impact air
bag system)...................1-47
Spark plug replacement............8-19
Speedometer...................2-3
SRSwarninglabel...............1-50
Starting
Before starting the engine.........5-12
Jump starting.................6-7
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting.................6-9
Starting the engine.............5-13
Steering
Power steering system...........5-28
Tilting steering wheel............3-28
Steering wheel audio control switch......4-27
Stoplight ....................8-30
Storage.....................2-23
Storage tray...................2-24
Sunglasses case................2-25
Sunglasses holder...............2-25
Sunroof (see Moonroof)............2-32
Supplemental air bag warning labels.....1-50
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-50, 2-11Supplemental front impact air bag system . .1-43
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-50
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-36
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-36
Supplemental side and curtain side-impact
air bag system..................1-47
Switch
Automatic power window switch
.....2-30
Fog light switch...............2-21
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-22
Headlightandturnsignalswitch......2-19
Headlight control switch..........2-19
Ignition switch................5-7
Overdrive switch..............5-17
Power door lock switch...........3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-19
Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-18
Turnsignalswitch..............2-21
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-17
T
Tachometer....................2-4
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start.............2-15,3-2,5-12
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tilting steering wheel..............3-28
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-44
10-5
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-12
Tirechains..................8-41
Tireplacard.................9-12
Tirepressure ................8-34
Tirerotation.................8-41
Types of tires................8-40
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-17
Wheels and tires..............8-34
Wheel/tire size................9-9
Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light.......2-9
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-19
Towing
Flattowing..................9-17
Towtrucktowing..............6-10
Trailer towing................9-17
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....8-13
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid .....................8-14
Driving with automatic transmission....5-14
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-17
Driving with manual transmission.....5-21
Selectorleverlockrelease .....5-16,5-20
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country).................9-10
Trip odometer...................2-4
Trunk access through the rear seat.......1-4
Trunklight....................2-35
Turnsignalswitch................2-21U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-17
V
Vanity mirror...................3-29
Vehicle dimensions and weights........9-9
Vehicle identification..............9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number)................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . .9-10
Vehicle loading information...........9-13
Vehicle recovery.............6-12,6-13
Vehicle security system.............2-14
Vehicle security system
(NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start.............2-15,3-2,5-12
Ventilators.....................4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light.........1-50,2-11
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-7
Battery charge warning light.........2-8
Brake warning light..............2-7
Door open warning light...........2-8
Engine oil pressure warning light......2-8
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-22Lowfuelwarninglight............2-9
Low tire pressure warning light.......2-9
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-10
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-44
Seatbeltwarninglight...........2-11
Vehicle security system...........2-14
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-50
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-6
Warning lights..................2-6
Washer switch
Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-17
Weights (See dimensions and weights)....9-9
Wheels and tires................8-34
Wheel/tire size..................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country................9-10
Window washer fluid..............8-16
Windows
Locking passengers’ windows.......2-30
Manual windows..............2-31
Power rear windows............2-30
Power windows...............2-29
Rear power windows............2-30
Windshield wiper and washer switch.....2-17
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-17
Wiperblades................8-20
10-6
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie