MR18DE Engine Model
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Brake and clutch (*1) fluid reservoir
3. Air cleaner
4. Battery
5. Fuse/Fusible link box
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
dipstick (*2)
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Drive belt location
11. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
*1: For Manual Transmission (M/T) model
*2: For Automatic Transmission (A/T)
model
LII0171
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
WARNING
●When the engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away from
any moving parts such as the cooling
fan and drive belts.
●Automatic transmission fluid is poison-
ous and should be stored carefully in
marked containers out of the reach of
children.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS FOR
CHECKING
●The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range on the dipstick after the following
conditions have been met:
– The engine should be warmed up to op-
erating temperature.
– The vehicle should be driven at least 5
minutes.
– The automatic transmission fluid should
be warmed to 122 - 176°F (50 - 80°C) .●The fluid can be checked at fluid tempera-
tures of 86 - 122°F (30 - 50°C) using the
COLD range on the dipstick after the engine
is warmed up and before driving. However,
the fluid should be re-checked using the
HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the shift
selector lever through each gear range, end-
ing in P (Park) .
3. Check the fluid level with the engine idling.
Automatic Transmission (AT)
LDI0690
4-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13
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09/10/08—debbie
4. Remove the dipstick.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean with lint-free paper.
6. Reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube
as far as it will go.
7. Remove the dipstick and note the reading. If
the automatic transmission fluid level is
within the normal operating range, no addi-
tional fluid is required. If the fluid level is low
add fluid through the dipstick tube.
CAUTION
DO NOT OVERFILL. Use Genuine NISSAN
Matic D ATF or equivalent (if available) .NOTE:
If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic in hot
weather, the fluid level cannot be read ac-
curately. You should wait until the fluid has
cooled down (about 30 minutes) before
checking fluid level.
CAUTION
●Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid
NS-2-V. Do not mix with other fluids.
●Using transmission fluid other than
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V will
damage the CVT, which is not covered
by the NISSAN new vehicle limited
warranty.
When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend your NISSAN dealer for servicing.
WDI0636
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUID
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
●Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake and clutch
systems. The use of improper fluids can
damage the brake system 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 reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water.
BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid level is below the MIN line
1or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN
Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT 3fluid up to the
MAX line
2. If fluid must be added frequently,
the system should be checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
CLUTCH FLUID
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmissions only) . If the fluid level is
below the MIN line
1, add Genuine NISSAN
Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT 3fluid up to the
MAX line
2. If fluid must be added frequently,
the system should be checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
SDI1958SDI1958
BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
US measure Imp measure Liter Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal 50.0 See “Fuel recommendation” in this section.
Engine oil (drain and refill) *5
With oil filter
changeHR16DE 3-1/2 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.3
HR16DE and MR18DE:
Engine oil with API Certification Mark *1
Viscosity SAE 5W-30*1 MR18DE 4-7/8 qt 4 qt 4.6
Without oil filter
changeHR16DE 3-1/4 qt 2-3/4 qt 3.1
MR18DE 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt 4.3
Cooling system (with reservoir)
HR16DE 1-5/8 gal 1-3/8 gal 6.3
50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent *2
50% Demineralized or distilled water
MR18DE 1-3/4 gal 1-1/2 gal 6.8
Manual transmission gear oil— — 5-speed MT: Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ
Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85
6-speed MT: Genuine NISSAN gear oil (XT4447M+) 75W80, Genu-
ine NISSAN gear oil (ETL8997B) 75Ww80, or equivalent *3
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the in-
structions in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.*7Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF or equivalent (if available)
Continuously Varible Transmission (CVT) fluid Genuine NISSAN CVT fluid NS-2-V *4
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine NISSAN Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease — — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
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
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