2010 NISSAN XTERRA recommended oil

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
● towing a trailer
● 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 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

●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make 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
● 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 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.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic Transmission (if so
equipped)
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● On four-wheel drive vehicles, place the
transfer case in the 2H range. Failure to do
so will cause the powertrain to bind up.
● 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.
9-28Technical and consumer information

10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-15
A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-32
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-44
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-52
Air bag warning labels .............1-58
Air bag warning light ...........1-59, 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-17
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation .......4-5, 4-13
Air conditioner service ...........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls .4-2, 4-10
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-17
Air flow charts ...............4-6, 4-14
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-21
Anchor point locations .............1-31
Antenna .....................4-37
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-13
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-31
Audible reminders ...............2-21
Audio system ..................4-17
Compact Disc (CD) changer . . . .4-30, 4-33
Compact disc (CD) player .........4-27 FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer
................4-30
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-25
Radio ....................4-17
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-36
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-46
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-17
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-12
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-13
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUX jack ....................4-34
B
Battery ......................8-13
Charge warning light ............2-14
Before starting the

engine ...........5-11
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-37
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-38
Booster seats ..................1-41
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-31
Brake fluid ..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Brake system ................5-30
Brake warning light .............2-14
Brake wear indicators ........2-21, 8-22 Parking brake operation
..........5-18
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-22
Brakes ......................8-22
Break-in schedule ...............5-20
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-28
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-13
Bulb replacement ................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio .............4-37
Cargo light ...................2-48
Cargo net ....................2-41
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning .............4-35
CD changer (See audio system) . . . .4-30, 4-33
CD player (See audio system) .........4-27
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-31
Child restraints .......1-25, 1-26, 1-27, 1-29
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-27, 1-33, 1-38, 1-41
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-31
Child safety rear door lock ............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-21
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-26
Clutch Clutch fluid................ .8-12
Clutch

interlock (clutch start) switch .....2-33

C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-35
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-27
Console box ...................2-36
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) .......4-36
Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-18
Cup holders ...................2-38
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . . .1-56
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-27
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-25
Dimensions and weights .............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-28
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-14
Drive belt .....................8-16
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-35
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-12
Driving with manual transmission ......5-16
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2 E
Economy - fuel ..................5-20
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-27
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ..................2-32
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-11
Block heater .................5-37
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil.............

.8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Checking engine oil level ...........8-8
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-14
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine .............5-11
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Event data recorders ..............9-31
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2 F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-29
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-12
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Window washer fluid ............8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Fog light switch .................2-28
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-52
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-20
Fuel gauge .................. .2-7
Fuel

octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-10
Fuses .......................8-22
Fusible links ...................8-24
10-2

Power door locks...............3-4
Low fuel warning light ..............2-15
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-15
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-17
Luggage hook ..................2-39
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-42
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
Luggage storage
(see vehicle loading information) ........2-39
M
Maintenance General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-24
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-19
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-48
Map pocket ....................2-37
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-28
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-13
Inside mirror .................3-13
Outside mirrors ...............3-14
Vanity mirror .................3-13
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5 N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-23, 3-2, 5-11
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
Off road lamps switch ..............2-29
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil ..............8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine oil level ...........8-8
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and

oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-14
Overdrive switch .................5-15
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-32
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-32
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-18
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-29
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system.....4-38Power
Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-33
Power rear windows .............2-46
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Power steering system ...........5-30
Power windows ...............2-45
Rear power windows ............2-46
Precautions Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-27, 1-33, 1-38, 1-41
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-14
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-44
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-57
Push starting ...................6-10
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer . . . .4-30, 4-33
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-30
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-25
Steering wheel audio control switch . . . .4-36
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-30
Rear center seat belt ..............1-20
Rear power windows ..............2-46
10-4

RECOMMENDED FUEL:
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.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants in the “Technical
and consumer information” section.
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL:
● Engine oil with API Certification Mark
● Viscosity 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.
GAS STATION INFORMATION