2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER recommended oil

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate) Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 21-1/8 gal 17-5/8 gal 80 See “Fuel Recommendation” later in this section.
Engine oil *7
Drain and Refill
With oil filter change VQ40DE 5-3/8 qt 4-1/2 qt 5.1
• Engine oil with API Certification Mark *1
• Viscosity SAE 5W-30 VK56DE 6-3/4 qt 5-3/4 qt 6.5
Without oil filter change VQ40DE 5-1/8 qt 4-1/4 qt 4.8
VK56DE 6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt 6.2
Cooling system
With reservoir models w/o rear a/c 2-3/4 gal 2-1/4 gal 10.2 50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
With reservoir models with rear a/c 3-1/2 gal 3 gal 13.4
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the in-
structions in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.Genuine Nissan Matic S ATF *2
Power steering fluid (PSF)Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*3
Brake fluidGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid *4 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease — — — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — — HFC-134a (R-134a) *5
Air conditioning system oil — — — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent *5
Transfer fluidAll mode
4WD3-1/8 qt 2-5/8 qt 3.0 Genuine Nissan Matic D ATF recommended *6
Part time
4WD2-1/8 qt 1-3/4 qt 2.0
Front final drive oilVQ40DE 1-3/4 pt 1-1/2 pt 0.85 Genuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or API GL-5 Viscosity SAE 80W-90 *8
VK56DE 3-3/8 pt 2-7/8 pt 1.6
Rear final drive oilVQ40DE 3 pt 2-1/2 pt 1.4 Genuine NISSAN differential oil synthetic 75W -90 or API GL-5 synthetic gear oil, Viscosity SAE
75W-90 *9 VK56DE 3-3/4 pt 3-1/8 pt 1.75
Windshield washer fluid (shared between
front and rear wipers)1-1/4 gal 1 gal 4.5 Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze fluid or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations.”
*2: If Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF is not available, Genuine NISSAN Matic J ATF may also be used. Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF or Matic J ATF will cause deterioration in
driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*3: DEXRON™ VI type ATF may also be used.
*4: Available in mainland USA through your NISSAN dealer.
*5: For further details, see “Air conditioner specification label.”
*6: Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF may cause deterioration in driveability and transfer durability, and may damage the transfer, which is not covered by the NISSAN new ve-
hicle limited warranty.
*7: For further details, see “Changing engine oil.”
*8: For hot climates, viscosity SAE 90 is suitable for ambient temperatures above 0° C (32° F) .
*9: See your NISSAN dealer for service, for synthetic oil.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information

ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality
and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. See “Capacities
and recommended fuel/lubricants” earlier in this
section. NISSAN recommends the use of an
energy conserving oil in order to improve fuel
economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and ApprovalCommittee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label should not
be used as they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be oper-
ated before the next oil change. Choosing an oil
viscosity other than that recommended could
cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When re-
placing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals.”
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using engine oil and filters
that are not of the specified quality, or exceeding
recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
WTI0183
Technical and consumer information9-5

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:
crepeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures
cdriving in dusty conditions
cextensive idling
ctowing a trailer
cstop 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 NISSAN A/C
system oil Type S 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.
9-6Technical and consumer information

cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
cUse the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
cIncrease your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
cNISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
cSome states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
cCheck your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.cWhen launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
cMake sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
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
cFailure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
cWhenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
cDO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing) . Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
cFor 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.
9-26Technical and consumer information

C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio............4-103
Cargo light....................2-49
Cargo (See vehicle loading information). . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning..............4-83
CD changer (See audio system)........4-62
CD player (See audio system)......4-56, 4-70
Child restraint with top tether strap.......1-30
Child restraints.......1-24, 1-25, 1-26, 1-28
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-26, 1-33, 1-37, 1-41
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-30
Child safety rear door lock............3-7
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-21
Cleaning exterior and interior...........7-2
Clock................4-55, 4-60, 4-68
(models with navigation system) . . .4-13, 4-28
Clock set.................4-13, 4-28
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Cold weather driving..............5-37
Compact disc (CD) player........4-56, 4-70
CompactFlash (CF) player...........4-72
Console box...................2-36
Control panel buttons..............4-18
Brightness/contrast button......4-17, 4-33
Enter button...............4-4, 4-18
Setting button.............4-11, 4-26
Startup screen................4-21
Without navigation system..........4-4
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel).......4-85Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-37, 4-44
Rear audio controls.............4-86
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-46
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-20
Cup holders...................2-38
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag. . . .1-56
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-29
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-26
Digital video disc DVD..............4-88
Dimensions and weights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-30
Display controls
(see control panel buttons)........4-4, 4-18
Distance to empty.............4-7, 4-22
Door locks.....................3-4
Door open warning light.............2-15
Drive belt.....................8-18
Drive positioner, Automatic...........3-30
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-37
Driving with automatic transmission. . . .5-14
Precautions when starting and driving. . . .5-2E
Economy - fuel..................5-22
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-28
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-13
Block heater.................5-38
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant...........8-9
Changing engine oil.............8-11
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 coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Engine cooling system............8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light......2-15
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine.............5-13
Engine oil pressure gauge............2-7
Enter button.................4-4, 4-18
Event data recorders..............9-29
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).........5-2
Eyeglass case..................2-37
10-2

F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-31
Flat tire.......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
Fluid
Brake fluid..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Engine coolant.................8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Power steering fluid.............8-13
Window washer fluid............8-15
F.M.V.S.S. certification label...........9-10
Fog light switch.................2-30
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system)......1-52
Front seats.....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-22
Fuel gauge...................2-7
Fuel octane rating...............9-4
Fuel recommendation.............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-23
Fuses.......................8-25
Fusible links...................8-26
G
Garage door opener, HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver....................2-49Gascap .....................3-23
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge..........2-7
Fuel gauge...................2-7
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-4
Tachometer..................2-6
Trip computer.................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-4
Voltmeter....................2-8
General maintenance...............8-2
Glass hatch...................3-22
Glove box.....................2-37
H
Hands-free phone system,
BluetoothT...............4-103, 4-118
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-27
Headlight control switch............2-27
Headlights....................8-30
Headphones (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system)..............4-91
Heated seats...................2-32
Heated steering wheel.............2-32
Heater
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-37, 4-44
Heater operation...........4-38, 4-45
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-46
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver........2-49
Hood release...................3-21Hook
Luggage hook................2-40
Horn.......................2-31
I
Ignition switch...................5-9
Immobilizer system.........2-23, 3-2, 5-12
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter................8-20
Increasing fuel economy.............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-12
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror........3-27
Inside mirror...................3-26
Instrument brightness control..........2-30
Instrument panel...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-30
Intelligent Key system
Key operating range.............3-13
Key operation................3-14
Mechanical key................3-4
Remote keyless entry operation.......3-17
Troubleshooting guide............3-20
Warning signals...............3-20
Interior light....................2-47
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-28
J
Jump starting...................6-8
10-3

Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil.............8-11
Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine oil level...........8-9
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirror control..............3-29
Outside mirrors.................3-29
Overdrive switch.................5-18
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form...........9-30
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-30
P
Parking
Parking brake operation...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills...........5-32
Pedal position adjustment............3-25
Personal lights..................2-48
Phone, BluetoothThands-free
system.................4-103, 4-118
Power
Front seat adjustment.............1-4
Power door locks...............3-6
Power outlet.................2-34
Power rear windows.............2-45
Power steering fluid.............8-13
Power steering system...........5-33
Power windows...............2-43Rear power windows............2-45
Precautions
Maintenance precautions...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions..................5-5
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-26, 1-33, 1-37, 1-41
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-17
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-44
Precautions when starting and driving. . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system.........1-57
Programmable features..........4-11, 4-26
Push starting...................6-10
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio..........4-103
Compact Disc (CD) changer........4-62
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player.....................4-54
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) changer................4-59
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player..................4-67
Rear audio controls.............4-86
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-85
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test.....................9-28
Rear audio controls...............4-86
Rear power windows..............2-45
Rear seat air conditioner............4-46
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.......................2-26Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-25
RearView Monitor................4-33
Recorders
Event data..................9-29
Refrigerant recommendation...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Remote controller (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system)..............4-90
Remote keyless entry system...........3-7
Reporting safety defects (US only).......9-28
Resetting the fuel economy........4-7, 4-22
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-7
Child seat belts.....1-26, 1-33, 1-37, 1-41
Reporting safety defects (US only).....9-28
Screen (See NISSAN mobile entertainment
system)......................4-90
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Front power seat adjustment.........1-4
Second row bench seats...........1-5
Seat belt
Child safety..................1-24
Infants and small children..........1-25
Injured Person................1-20
Larger children................1-25
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-17
Pregnant women...............1-20
Pre-tensioner seat belt system.......1-57
Seat belt extenders.............1-23
Seat belt maintenance............1-24
Seat belts...................1-17
10-5

RECOMMENDED FUEL:
NISSAN recommends the use of premium un-
leaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least
91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Research
octane number 96) . If unleaded premium gaso-
line is not available, you may use unleaded regular
gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI
number (Research octane number 91) , but you
may notice a decrease in performance.
However, for maximum vehicle perfor-
mance, the use of unleaded premium gaso-
line is recommended.
CAUTION
cUsing a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
cUnder no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
cDo 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.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants in the “Technical
and consumer information” section.
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL:
cEngine oil with API Certification Mark
cViscosity SAE 5W-30
See “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
COLD TIRE PRESSURE:
See Tire and Loading Information label.
The label is typically located on the driver side
center pillar or on the driver’s door. For additional
information, see “Wheels and tires” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
RECOMMENDED NEW VEHICLE
BREAK-IN PROCEDURE:
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of vehicle
use, follow the recommendations outlined in the
“Break-in schedule” information found in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual. Fol-
low these recommendations for the future reli-
ability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure
to follow these recommendations may result in
vehicle damage or shortened engine life.
10-8Filling information