2009 NISSAN VERSA HATCHBACK service

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants.........9-2
Fuel recommendation . . .........................9-4
Engine oil and oil filter recommendations..........9-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations..............................9-7
Specifications . . ...................................9-8
Engine........................................9-8
Wheels and tires...............................9-9
Dimensions and weights........................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country..................................9-10
Vehicle identification..............................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate.........9-10
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number)..............................9-10
Engine serial number...........................9-11
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
Emission control information label...............9-11Tire and loading information label................9-12
Air conditioner specification label................9-12
Installing front license plate........................9-12
Vehicle loading information........................9-13
Terms........................................9-13
Determining vehicle load capacity...............9-14
Loading tips..................................9-16
Measurement of weights.......................9-16
Towing a trailer...................................9-17
Flat towing....................................9-17
Uniform tire quality grading........................9-17
Emission control system warranty..................9-18
Reporting safety defects (US only).................9-19
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test.....9-19
Event Data Recorders (EDR).......................9-20
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-21
In the event of a collision.......................9-21
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


Capacity (Approximate)
US measure Imp measure Liter Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — HFC-134a (R-134a) *5
Air conditioning system oil
M/T and A/T — — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent *5
CVT — — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent *5
Windshield washer fluid — — Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations.”
*2: Use Genuine NISSAN Engine Coolant or equivalent in its quality, in order to avoid possible aluminum corrosion within the engine cooling system caused by the use of non-genuine
engine coolant.Note that any repairs for incidents within the engine cooling system while using non-genuine engine coolant may not be covered by the warranty
even if such incidents occurred during the warranty period.
*3: If Genuine NISSAN gear oil is not available, API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-80 may be used as a temporary replacement. However, use Genuine NISSAN gearoil as soon as it is
available.
*4:Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V.Using transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V will damage the CVT transmission, whichis
not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*5: For further details, see “Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil recommendations.”
*6: For further details, see “Engine oil” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
*7: See your NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop for service.
Technical and consumer information9-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
●Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
●Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
●Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can damage
the fuel system components and is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle lim-
ited warranty.
Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) specifi-
cations where it is available. Many of the automo-
bile manufacturers developed this specification
to improve emission control system and vehicle
performance. Ask your service station manager if
the gasoline meets the WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing reformu-
lated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. NISSAN
supports efforts towards cleaner air and sug-
gests that you use reformulated gasoline when
available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing oxy-
genates such as ethanol, MTBE and methanol
with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels of
which the oxygenate content and the fuel com-
patibility for your NISSAN cannot be readily de-
termined. If in doubt, ask your service station
manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please take
the following precautions as the usage of such
fuels may cause vehicle performance problems
and/or fuel system damage.
●The fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.●If an oxygenate-blend other than
methanol blend is used, it should con-
tain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
●If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not avail-
able to ensure that all methanol blends
are suitable for use in NISSAN ve-
hicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine stall-
ing and difficult hot-starting are experienced after
using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
9-4Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


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


A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations
and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment pro-
cedures, this manual is the same one used by the
factory-trained technicians working at NISSAN
dealerships. Also available are genuine NISSAN
Owner’s Manuals, and genuine NISSAN Service
and Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
For USA
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 2000 model
year and later contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 1999 model
year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
1-800-247-5321
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manualsfor this model year
and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
1-800-247-5321For Canada
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual or Owner’s Manual please contact
your nearest NISSAN dealer. For the phone num-
ber and location of a NISSAN dealer in your area
call the NISSAN Information Center at 1-800-
387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN representa-
tive will assist you.
Also available are genuine NISSAN Service and
Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION
Unfortunately, accidents do occur. In this unlikely
event, there is some important information you
should know.
Many insurance companies routinely authorize
the use of non-genuine collision parts in order to
cut costs, among other reasons.
Insist on the use of genuine NISSAN
collision parts!
If you want your vehicle to be restored using parts
made to NISSAN’s original exacting specifica-
tions – if you want to help it to last and hold its
resale value, the solution is simple.Tell your
insurance agent and your repair shop to
only use Genuine NISSAN Collision Parts.
NISSAN does not warrant non-NISSAN parts,
nor does NISSAN’s warranty apply to damage
caused by a non-genuine part.Using Genuine NISSAN Parts can help protect
your personal safety, preserve your warranty pro-
tection and maintain the resale value of your
vehicle. And if your vehicle was leased, using
Genuine NISSAN Parts may prevent or limit un-
necessary excess wear and tear expenses at the
end of your lease.
NISSAN designs its hoods with crumple zones to
minimize the risk that the hood will penetrate the
windshield of your vehicle in an accident. Non-
genuine (imitation) parts may not provide such
built-in safeguards. Also, non-genuine parts of-
ten show premature wear, rust and corrosion.
Why should you take a chance?
In over 40 states, the law says you must be
advised if non-genuine parts are used to repair
your vehicle. And some states have enacted laws
that restrict insurance companies from authoriz-
ing the use of non-genuine collision parts during
the new vehicle warranty. These laws help pro-
tect you, so you can take action to protect your-
self.
It’s your right!
If you should need further information visit us at:
www.nissanusa.com(for U.S. customers) or
www.nissan.ca(for Canadian customers) .
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
Technical and consumer information9-21
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


Lights
Maplights..................2-34
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Door locks..................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-26
Power door locks...............3-5
Lowfuelwarninglight..............2-9
Low tire pressure warning light.........2-9
Low washer fluid warning light.........2-10
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
M
Maintenance
General maintenance............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Seatbeltmaintenance...........1-15
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunctionindicatorlight...........2-12
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Manual windows................2-31
Maplights....................2-34
Map pocket...................2-23
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-21
Mirror
Inside mirror.................3-29
Outside mirror control...........3-29
Outside mirrors...............3-29
Vanity mirror.................3-29
Moonroof ....................2-32N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™........3-10,3-13
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system................2-15,3-2,5-12
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-5
Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingengineoil ............8-10
Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine oil level..........8-9
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity..............9-6
Outside mirror control.............3-29
Outside mirrors.................3-29
Overdrive switch................5-17
Overheat
Ifyourvehicleoverheats...........6-9
Owner’s manual order form..........9-21
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-21
P
Parking
Parking brake operation..........5-23
Parking/parking on hills...........5-27Phone, Bluetoothhands-free system....4-29
Power
Power door locks...............3-5
Power outlet.................2-23
Power rear windows............2-30
Power steering system...........5-28
Power windows...............2-29
Rear power windows
............2-30
Precautions
Maintenanceprecautions ..........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints............1-15,1-25,1-31
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-7
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-36
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting...................6-9
R
Radio
CarphoneorCBradio...........4-28
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-24
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-16
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-21
Steeringwheelaudiocontrolswitch....4-27
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test........................9-19
Rear power windows..............2-30
Rear seat.....................1-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch......................2-19
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-18
10-4
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie