Page 280 of 350
MR18DE Engine Model
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Brake and clutch (*1) fluid reservoir
3. Air cleaner
4. Battery
5. Fuse/Fusible link box
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)/Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) dipstick (*2)
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Drive belt location
11. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
*1: For Manual Transmission (M/T) model
*2: For Automatic Transmission (A/T)
model/Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) model
WDI0733
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
Page 283 of 350
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re- insert it all the way. 5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) marks1. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
2, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening. Do not overfill
3.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
HR16DE engine
LDI0689
MR18DE engine
LDI0520
HR16DE/MR18DE engine
SDI1597
ENGINE OIL
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Page 284 of 350

It is normal to add some engine oil be-
tween oil maintenance intervals depending
on the severity of operating conditions or
depending on the property of the engine oil
used. More engine oil is consumed by fre-
quent acceleration/deceleration especially
when the engine rpm is high. Consumption
is likely to be higher when the engine is
new. If the rate of oil consumption, after
driving for 3,107 miles (5,000 km) , is more
than 0.5 liter per 621 miles (1,000 km) , con-
sult a NISSAN dealer
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly. Op-
erating the engine with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the engine, and
such damage is not covered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature, then turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise. 4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
B.
5. Remove the drain plug
Bwith a wrench by
turning it counterclockwise and completely
drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. See “Changing engine
oil filter” later in this section.
HR16DE engine
AOil filler cap
BOil drain plug
COil filter
LDI0608
MR18DE engine
AOil filler cap
BOil drain plug
COil filter
WDI0691
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
Page 285 of 350

WARNING
●Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
● Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
● Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CAUTION
●Be careful not to burn yourself. The en-
gine oil may be hot.
● Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
● Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a new washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 22 - 29 ft-lb (29 - 39 N·m )
7. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely. See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual for
drain and refill capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
C.
4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then remove
the oil filter by turning it by hand.
HR16DE engine
AOil filler cap
BOil drain plug
COil filter
LDI0608
8-12Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Page 287 of 350

WARNING
●When the engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away from
any moving parts such as the cooling
fan and drive belts.
● Automatic transmission fluid is poison-
ous and should be stored carefully in
marked containers out of the reach of
children.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS FOR
CHECKING
● The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range on the dipstick after the following
conditions have been met:
– The engine should be warmed up to op- erating temperature.
– The vehicle should be driven at least 5 minutes.
– The automatic transmission fluid should be warmed to 122 - 176°F (50 - 80°C) . ●
The fluid can be checked at fluid tempera-
tures of 86 - 122°F (30 - 50°C) using the
COLD range on the dipstick after the engine
is warmed up and before driving. However,
the fluid should be re-checked using the
HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the shift selector through each gear range, ending in
P (Park) .
3. Check the fluid level with the engine idling.
Automatic Transmission (AT)
SDI1896
4-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUID
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Page 288 of 350

4. Remove the dipstick by pushing1and
pulling out
2.
5. Wipe the dipstick clean with lint-free paper.
6. Reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick tube as far as it will go.
7. Remove the dipstick and note the reading. If the automatic transmission fluid level is
within the normal operating range, no addi-
tional fluid is required. If the fluid level is low
add fluid through the dipstick tube.
CAUTION
DO NOT OVERFILL. Use Genuine NISSAN
Matic S ATF. If Genuine NISSAN Matic S
ATF is not available, Genuine NISSAN
Matic D ATF may also be used.
NOTE:
If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic in hot
weather, the fluid level cannot be read ac-
curately. You should wait until the fluid has
cooled down (about 30 minutes) before
checking fluid level. For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
●
Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake and clutch
(if so equipped) systems. The use of
improper fluids can damage the brake
and clutch system and affect the vehi-
cle’s stopping ability.
● Clean the filler cap before removing.
● Brake and clutch fluid is poisonous and
should be stored carefully in marked
containers out of reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water.
WDI0636
BRAKE AND CLUTCH (if so equipped)
FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
Page 289 of 350

BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid level is below the MIN line
1or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN
Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent
Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT
3 fluid up to the MAX line
2. If fluid must be
added frequently, the system should be checked
by a NISSAN dealer.
CLUTCH FLUID (if so equipped)
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmissions only) . If the fluid level is
below the MIN line
1, add Genuine NISSAN
Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent
Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT
3 fluid up to the MAX line
2. If fluid must be
added frequently, the system should be checked
by a NISSAN dealer.
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
To check the windshield-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 windshield-washer
fluid reservoir for better cleaning. In the winter
season, add a windshield-washer antifreeze. Fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions for the mix-
ture ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of
windshield-washer fluid.
SDI1958SDI1958SDI1866
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Page 293 of 350

REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Platinum-tipped spark plugs (if so
equipped)
It is not necessary to replace platinum-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
platinum-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or re-
gapping.● 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.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs (if so
equipped)
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
8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself