2011 NISSAN CUBE Owners Manual

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Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 27
MEMO
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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Black plate (312,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 27
MEMO8-40
Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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9 Technical and consumer information
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 27
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants............ 9-2
Fuel recommendation ...................................... 9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ............... 9-5
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ........................................... 9-6
Specifications. ................................................... 9-7
Engine ......................................................... 9-7
Wheels and tires ............................................ 9-7
Dimensions and weights .................................. 9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country .................................................. 9-8
Vehicle identification ........................................... 9-8
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate ............. 9-8
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) ...... 9-9
Engine serial number ...................................... 9-9
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............... 9-9
Emission control information label .................... 9-10
Tire and loading information label ..................... 9-10
Air conditioner specification label
(if so equipped) ........................................... 9-10
Installing front license plate ................................ 9-11
Except for Kro ¯
m models ................................. 9-11 For Kro
¯
m models ......................................... 9-13
Vehicle loading information ................................. 9-14
Terms ........................................................ 9-14
Vehicle load capacity .................................... 9-14
Securing the load ......................................... 9-16
Loading tips ................................................ 9-16
Measurement of weights ................................ 9-17
Towing a trailer ................................................ 9-17
Flat towing ..................................................... 9-17
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) .......... 9-18
Manual Transmission ..................................... 9-18
Uniform tire quality grading ................................. 9-18
Treadwear .................................................. 9-18
Traction AA, A, B and C ................................ 9-18
Temperature A, B and C ................................ 9-18
Emission control system warranty ......................... 9-19
Reporting safety defects .................................... 9-19
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test . . .... 9-20
Event Data Recorders (EDR) .............................. 9-21
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-21
In the event of a collision ............................... 9-21

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Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 27
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended specifications
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal50 See “FUEL RECOMMENDATION” later in this section.
Engine oil*1
Drain and refill With oil filter change 4-3/8 qt 3-5/8 qt4.1
.Engine oil with API Certification Mark*2
. Viscosity SAE 5W-30
Without oil filter change 4 qt3-3/8 qt 3.8
Cooling system
With reservoir CVT model 7-1/2 qt 6-1/4 qt
7.1
Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (Blue) or equivalent
MT model
7-1/4 qt6 qt6.8
Reservoir 3/4 qt5/8 qt 0.7
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid —— — Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2*3
Manual Transmission (MT) gear oil —— — Genuine NISSAN gear oil (Chevron Texaco ETL8997B) 75W-80 or equivalent*4
Brake and clutch fluid Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*5 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease —— — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant —— — HFC-134a (R-134a)*6
Air conditioning system lubricants —— — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or exact equivalent
Window washer fluid 1-1/4 gal1 gal 4.5
Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equivalent
*1: For additional information, see “ENGINE OIL” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section for changing engine oil.
*2: For additional information, see “ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RECOMMENDATION” later in this section.
*3: Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2. Using transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 will damage the CVT, which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle
limited warranty.
*4: 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 gear oil as soon as it is available.
*5: Available in mainland U.S.A. through a NISSAN dealer.
*6: For additional information, see “VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION” later in this section for air conditioner specification label.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS9-2
Technical and consumer information

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Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 27
FUEL RECOMMENDATIONUse unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
.Using a fuel other than that speci-
fied could adversely affect the emis-
sion control system, and may also
affect warranty coverage.
. Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way cat-
alyst.
. 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 compo-
nents and is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.Gasoline specificationsNISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) speci-
fications where it is available. Many of the
automobile manufacturers developed this spe-
cification to improve emission control system and vehicle performance. Ask your service
station manager if the gasoline meets the
WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasolineSome fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated 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 oxygenatesSome fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and metha-
nol with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels
of which the oxygenate content and the fuel
compatibility for your NISSAN cannot be readily
determined. 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
contain 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
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in NISSAN
vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling 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
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.
E-85 fuelE-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
Technical and consumer information
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Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 27
pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.Aftermarket fuel additivesNISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel
injector cleaner, octane booster, intake valve
deposit removers, etc.) which are sold commer-
cially. Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain active
solvent or similar ingredients that can be harmful
to the fuel system and engine.Octane rating tipsUsing unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock”. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect a persistent heavy spark knock
even when using gasoline of the stated
octane rating, or if you hear steady spark
knock while holding a steady speed on
level roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct
the condition. Failure to correct the condi-
tion is misuse of the vehicle, for which
NISSAN is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or enginedamage. If any of the above symptoms are
encountered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
CAUTION
.
Your vehicle is not designed to run
on E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel in a
vehicle not specifically designed for
E-85 fuel can damage fuel system
components and is not covered by
the NISSAN new vehicle limited
warranty.
. E-85 is a mixture of approximately
85% fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline.
. U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be
identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate per-
centage for that region.
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Technical and consumer information

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Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 27
STI0505
1. API certification mark
2. API service symbolENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RE-
COMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oilIt 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 Approval
Committee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API
certification 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 additivesNISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used and
maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosityThe 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
operated before the next oil change. Choosing
an oil viscosity other than that recommended
could cause serious engine damage.Selecting the correct oil filterYour new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals”.Change intervalsThe oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using an engine oil and
filter other than the specified quality, or exceed-
ing recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of
incorrect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is
not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited
warranty.
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
Technical and consumer information
9-5

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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
outside temperatures
. driving in dusty conditions
. extensive idling
. stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM RE-
FRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT RE-
COMMENDATIONSThe air conditioning system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil,
NISSAN A/C system oil Type R or the exact
equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil
will cause severe damage to the air
conditioning system and will require
the replacement of all air conditioner
system components. The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle will not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect
the earth’s atmosphere, certain governmental
regulations require the recovery and recycling of
any refrigerant during automotive air condition-
ing system service. A NISSAN dealer has the
trained technicians and equipment needed to
recover and recycle your air conditioning system
refrigerant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your
air conditioning system.9-6
Technical and consumer information