8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions . . .........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................8-8
Changing engine coolant........................8-9
Engine oil.........................................8-9
Checking engine oil level........................8-9
Changing engine oil...........................8-10
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-12
4-speed automatic transmission fluid...............8-13
Temperature conditions for checking.............8-13
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid......8-14
Brake and clutch fluid.............................8-15
Brake fluid . . ..................................8-15
Clutch fluid . ..................................8-15
Window washer fluid.............................8-16
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-16
Battery..........................................8-16
Jump starting.................................8-18
Drive belt........................................8-18Spark plugs......................................8-19
Replacing spark plugs . ........................8-19
Air cleaner.......................................8-20
In-cabin microfilter (if so equipped)..............8-20
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-20
Cleaning.....................................8-20
Replacing....................................8-21
Brakes..........................................8-22
Fuses...........................................8-23
Engine compartment...........................8-23
Passenger compartment . . .....................8-25
Battery replacement..............................8-26
Keyfob.......................................8-27
NISSAN Intelligent Key™.......................8-28
Lights...........................................8-29
Headlights....................................8-29
Exterior and interior lights . . .....................8-30
Wheels and tires.................................8-34
Tire pressure..................................8-34
Tire labeling...................................8-37
Types of tires..................................8-40
Tire chains....................................8-41
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-41
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
To check the window washer fluid level, use your
finger to plug the center hole of the cap/tube
assembly, then remove it from the reservoir. If
there is no fluid in the tube, add fluid.
Add a washer solvent to the window washer fluid
reservoir 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 win-
dow washer fluid.Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN Wind-
shield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
●Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
●Do not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.
●Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank.
Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concen-
trate and water.●Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of baking
soda and water.
●Make certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.
●If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the negative (-) battery
terminal cable to prevent discharge.
WARNING
●Do not expose the battery to electrical
sparks, flames or smoking. Hydrogen
gas generated by the battery is explo-
sive. Explosive gases can cause blind-
ness or injury. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your skin, eyes, fabrics or
painted surfaces. Sulfuric acid can
cause blindness or severe burns. After
touching a battery or battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly
wash your hands. If the acid contacts
your eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 minutes
and seek medical attention
SDI1866
WINDOW WASHER FLUID BATTERY
8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or
LOCK position before servicing drive belt.
The engine could rotate unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusual
wear, cuts, or fraying. If the belt is in poor
condition, have it replaced or adjusted by a
NISSAN dealer.
2. Have the belt checked regularly for condi-
tion.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace iridium-tippedA
spark plugs as frequently as conventional type
spark plugs because they last much longer. Fol-
low the maintenance log shown in the “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”. Do not service
iridium-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or regap-
ping.
●Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect socket
can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer for assistance.
SDI1895
SPARK PLUGS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie
ENGINE
ModelHR16DE MR18DE
TypeGasoline, 4-cycle, DOHC Gasoline, 4-cycle, DOHC
Cylinder arrangement4-cylinder, inline 4-cylinder, inline
Bore x Stroke in (mm) 3.071 x 3.291 (78.0 x 83.6) 3.307 x 3.192 (84.0 x 81.1)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 97.51 (1,598) 109.65 (1,797)
Firing order1–3–4–2 1–3–4–2
Idle speed
No adjustment is necessary. M/T
CVT or A/T in “N” position)
Ignition timing (degree B.T.D.C. at idle
speed)
CO%atidle
Spark plugFXE20HE11 PLZKAR6A-11
Spark plug gap (Nominal) in (mm) 0.043 (1.1) 0.043 (1.1)
Camshaft operationTiming chain
NOTE:
This spark ignition system complies with the Canadian standard ICES-002.
SPECIFICATIONS
9-8Technical and consumer information
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