
Black plate (11,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 23
SDI2172
VQ35DE ENGINE1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P.8-11)
2. Drive belt location (P.8-15)
3. Engine oil filler cap (P.8-8)
4. Brake fluid reservoir (P.8-12)
5. Air cleaner (P.8-16)6. Fuse/fusible link holder (P.8-20)
7. Window washer fluid reservoir (P.8-12)
8. Engine coolant reservoir (P.8-7)
9. Radiator filler cap (P.8-7)
10. Engine oil dipstick (P.8-8)
11. Battery (P.8-13)ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Illustrated table of contents
0-9

Black plate (83,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 23
blink. (See “ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD)” in the
“5. Starting and driving” section.)
CAUTION
.If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction
in the AWD system. Reduce the
vehicle speed and have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.
. If the AWD warning light blinks
when you are driving:
— blinks rapidly (about twice a
second):
Pull off the road in a safe area,
and idle the engine. The driving
mode will change to 2WD to
prevent the AWD system from
malfunctioning. If the warning
light turns off, you can drive
again.
— blinks slowly (about once every 2 seconds):
Pull off the road in a safe area,
and idle the engine. Check that
all tire sizes are the same, tire
pressure is correct and tires are not worn.
. If the warning light is still on after
the above operations, have your
vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer
as soon as possible.
or
Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
light illuminates and then turns off. This indicates
the ABS is operational.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, or while driving, it may
indicate the ABS is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system then
operates normally, but without anti-lock assis-
tance. (See “BRAKE SYSTEM” in the “5.
Starting and driving” section.)
or
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems. Parking brake indicator:
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light:
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. (See “BRAKE FLUID” in the
“8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion.)
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warningsystemcheckedbyaNISSAN
dealer.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator:
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
brake system checked, and if necessary re-
paired, by a NISSAN dealer promptly. (See
“Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light”
earlier in this section.)
Instruments and controls
2-11

Black plate (84,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 23
WARNING
.Your brake system may not be
working properly if the warning light
is on. Driving could be dangerous. If
you judge it to be safe, drive care-
fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise, have your
vehicle towed because driving it
could be dangerous.
. Pressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
. If the brake fluid level is below the
minimum or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not
functioning properly. Turn the engine off and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is loose,
broken, missing or if the light remains on, see a NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the alternator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Engine oil pressure warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediately
and call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. (See
“ENGINE OIL” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.)
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Intelligent Key warning light
After the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, this light comes on for about 2 seconds
and then turns off.
This light warns of a malfunction with the
Intelligent Key system.
If the light comes on while the engine is
stopped, it may be impossible to start the
engine. If the light comes on while the engine
is running, you can drive the vehicle. However in
these cases, contact a NISSAN dealer for repair
as soon as possible.
Low tire pressure warning light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors the tire
pressure of all tires except the spare.
The low tire pressure warning light warns of low
tire pressure or indicates that the TPMS is not
functioning properly.
After the ignition switch is pushed ON, this light
illuminates for about 1 second and turns off.
2-12
Instruments and controls

Black plate (86,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 23
CAUTION
.The TPMS is not a substitute for the
regular tire pressure check. Be sure
to check the tire pressure regularly.
. If the vehicle is being driven at
speeds of less than 16 MPH (25
km/h) , the TPMS may not operate
correctly.
. Be sure to correctly install the
specified size of tires to the four
wheels.
Master warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the master warning light illuminates if any of the
following are displayed on the dot matrix liquid
crystal display:
.No key warning
. Low fuel warning
. Low washer fluid warning
. Parking brake release warning
. Door/lift gate open warning
. Loose fuel cap warning
. Check tire pressure warning See “DOT MATRIX LIQUID CRYSTAL DIS-
PLAY” later in this section.
Seat belt warning light
The light and chime remind you to fasten seat
belts. The light illuminates whenever the ignition
switch is pushed to the ON position, and will
remain illuminated until the driver’s seat belt is
fastened.
The seat belt warning light for the front
passenger will illuminate if the seat belt is not
fastened when the front passenger’s seat is
occupied. For approximately 5 seconds after the
ignition switch is in the ON position, the system
does not activate the warning light for the front
passenger.
See “SEAT BELTS” in the “1. Safety — Seats,
seat belts and supplemental restraint system”
section for precautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning light
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning light
will illuminate. The supplemental air bag warning
light will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
supplemental front air bag and supplemental
side air bag, curtain side-impact air bag systems
and/or pretensioner seat belt are operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain and rollover air bag
and pretensioner systems needs servicing and
your vehicle must be taken to your nearest
NISSAN dealer.
.
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 seconds.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
. The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supplemental
Restraint Systems (air bag systems) and/or the
pretensioners may not function properly.
For additional information, see “SUPPLEMEN-
TAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM” in the “1. Safety —
Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint
system” section.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain and roll-
over air bag and/or pretensioner sys-
tems will not operate in an accident. To
help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN
2-14
Instruments and controls

Black plate (97,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 9/ 28
.OTHER
Select this submenu and set or reset the
distance for replacing items other than the
engine oil, oil filter and tires.
To return to the top page of the setting mode,
select “BACK”.
OPTIONS:
The 3 option menus can be set to your
preference.
. LANGUAGE
Select this submenu to choose English,
French or Spanish for display.
. UNIT
Select this submenu to choose the unit from
MPG or l/100 km.
. EFFECTS
Select this menu to set the dial effects
described below to on or off.
— The indicator needles sweep in the meters and the ring illumination will be
brightened gradually when the engine is
started.
To return to the top page of the setting mode,
select “BACK”.
SIC3679
Warning checkTo see if there are any of the following warnings
and corresponding details, select this menu.
. No key warning
. Low fuel warning
. Low washer fluid warning
. Parking brake release warning
. Door/lift gate open warning
. Loose fuel cap warning
. Check tire pressure warning SKIP:
Push the
switch
*A
to move to the
warning check mode.
Push the
switch
*B
to select other menus.
DETAIL:
This item is available only when a warning is
displayed.
Select this menu to see the details of warnings.
Instruments and controls
2-25

Black plate (313,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 23
so may cause damage to the equip-
ment.
. Make sure the Intelligent Key is in
the correct direction when inserting
it to the key port. The engine may
not start if it is in the incorrect
direction.
. Remove the Intelligent Key from the
key port after the ignition switch is
pushed to the OFF position. .
Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
. Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid and window washer fluid as
frequently as possible, or at least whenever
you refuel.
. Check that all windows and lights are clean.
. Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
. Lock all doors.
. Position seats and adjust head restraints/
headrests.
. Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
. Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
. Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position. (See “WA RNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS” in
the “2. Instruments and controls” section.) 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position. (P is recommended.)
The starter is designed not to operate unless
the selector lever is in either of the above
positions.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position. Depress the brake pedal and push the
ignition switch to start the engine.
To start the engine immediately, push and
release the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal with the ignition switch in
any position.
.If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold weather or when restart-
ing, depress the accelerator pedal a little
(approximately 1/3 to the floor) and
while holding, crank the engine. Release
the accelerator pedal when the engine
starts.
. If the engine is very hard to start
because it is flooded, depress the
accelerator pedal all the way to the floor
and hold it. Push the ignition switch to
the ON position to start cranking the
engine. After 5 or 6 seconds, stop
cranking by pushing the ignition switch
to OFF. After cranking the engine,
release the accelerator pedal. Crank
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving
5-13

Black plate (316,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 23
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Make sure the
vehicle is completely stopped before selecting
the R (Reverse) position.The brake pedal
must be depressed and the selector lever
button pushed in to move the selector
lever from P (Park) , N (Neutral) or any
driving position to R (Reverse) .
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged.
The engine can be started in this position. You
may shift to N (Neutral) and restart a stalled
engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
L (Low):
Use this position for maximum engine braking on
steep downhill gradients/climbing steep slopes
and whenever approaching sharp bends. Do not
use the L position in any other circumstances.
SSD0692
Overdrive (O/D) OFF switchWhen the O/D OFF switch is pushed with the
selector lever in the D (Drive) position, theindicator light in the instrument panel illuminates.
Use the overdrive off mode when you need
improved engine braking.
To turn off the overdrive off mode, push the O/D
OFF switch again. The
indicator light will
turn off.
Each time the engine is started, or when the
selector lever is shifted to any position other
than the D (Drive) position, the overdrive off
mode will be automatically turned off.
Accelerator downshift
— In D position —For passing or hill climbing, fully depress the
accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into a lower gear, depending
on the vehicle speed.High fluid temperature protection modeThis transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperature with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer) , engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may be
limited.Fail-safeIf the vehicle is driven under extreme
conditions, such as excessive wheel spin-
ning and subsequent hard braking, the
fail-safe system may be activated. The MIL
may illuminate to indicate the fail-safe
mode is activated. (See “Malfunction In-
dicator Light (MIL)” in the “2. Instruments
and controls” section.) This will occur even
if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, place the ignition
switch in the OFF position and wait for 10
5-16
Starting and driving

Black plate (317,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2010/ 7/ 23
seconds. Then place the ignition switch
back in the ON position. The vehicle should
return to its normal operating condition. If
it does not return to its normal operating
condition, have a NISSAN dealer check the
transmission and repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature pro-
tection mode or fail-safe operation
occurs, vehicle speed may be gradually
reduced. The reduced speed may be
lower than other traffic, which could
increase the chance of a collision. Be
especially careful when driving. If ne-
cessary, pull to the side of the road at a
safe place and allow the transmission
to return to normal operation, or have it
repaired if necessary.
SSD0693
Shift lock releaseIf the battery charge is low or discharged, the
selector lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal
depressed and the selector lever button pushed.
To move the selector lever, perform the following
procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCKposition.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover
*A
using a suitable tool.
4. Push down the shift lock release
*B
using a suitable tool.
5. Push the selector lever button
*C
and move
the selector lever to the N (Neutral) position
*D
while holding down the shift lock
release.
The vehicle may be moved to the desired
location.
Replace the removed shift lock release cover
after the operation.
If the selector lever cannot be moved out of the
P (Park) position, have a NISSAN dealer check
the CVT system as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P (Park) position while the
engine is running and the brake pedal
is depressed, the stop lights may not
work. Malfunctioning stop lights could
cause an accident injuring yourself and
others.
Starting and driving
5-17