2011 NISSAN XTERRA heater

Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel Check for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery* Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level. Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid lev-
els*
Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid
level is between the MIN and MAX lines on the
reservoir.
Engine coolant level* Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts* Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. See the
carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaks Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately. Power steering fluid level* and lines
Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield-washer fluid* Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself

CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine is cold. If the coolant level is below
the MIN level, add coolant to the MAX level. If the
reservoir is empty, check the coolant level in the
radiator when the engine is cold. If there is
insufficient coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator
with coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir up to the MAX level.
This vehicle contains Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) . The life expectancy of
the factory-fill coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000
km) or 7 years. Mixing any other type of coolant or the use of non-distilled water will reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill coolant. Refer to the
NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide for
more details.
The engine coolant reservoir is a pressur-
ized tank. When installing the cap, tighten
it until a clicking sound is heard.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine coolant.
The service procedure can be found in the
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
●
To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
● Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator. ●
Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
● Keep coolant out of the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
LDI0436
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself

10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-16
A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-34
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-43
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-50
Air bag warning labels .............1-57
Air bag warning light ...........1-58, 2-18
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation .......4-5, 4-12
Air conditioner service ...........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-2, 4-10
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-17
Air flow charts ...............4-6, 4-13
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-23
Anchor point locations .............1-29
Antenna .....................4-37
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-14
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-33
Audible reminders ...............2-22
Audio system ..................4-17
Compact Disc (CD) changer . . . .4-29, 4-33 Compact disc (CD) player
.........4-27
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-29
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 .....2-48
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-19
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-13
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-14
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUX jack ....................4-34
B
Battery ......................8-14
Charge warning light ............2-15
Before starting

the engine...........5-12
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-39
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-38
Booster seats ..................1-39
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-33
Brake fluid ..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Brake system ................5-32
Brake warning light .............2-15 Brake wear indicators
........2-22, 8-22
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-22
Brakes ......................8-22
Break-in schedule ...............5-22
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-29
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-14
Bulb replacement ................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargo light ...................2-50
Cargo net ....................2-43
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
Car phone or CB radio .............4-37
CD care and cleaning .............4-35
CD changer (See audio system) . . . .4-29, 4-33
CD player (See audio system) .........4-27
Check tire press .................2-5
Child restraints .......1-23, 1-24, 1-25, 1-27
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-25, 1-31, 1-36, 1-39
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-29
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-29
Child safety rear door lock ............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-22
Cleaning exterior

and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-26

ClutchClutch fluid ..................8-13
Clutch interlock (clutch start) switch ......2-34
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-38
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-27
Console box ...................2-37
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 ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cup holders ...................2-39
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . . .1-55
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-28
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-27
Dimensions and weights .............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-29
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-15
Drive belt .....................8-16
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-38
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-13 Driving with manual transmission
......5-17
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-22
Electronic locking rear differential
(E-Lock) system .................5-29
Electronic locking rear differential
(E-Lock) system switch .............2-33
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-12
Block heater .................5-39
Capacities and

recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
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 ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-16
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Event data recorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2 F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-31
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Fog light switch .................2-30
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-50
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and

recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-22
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-10
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-5, 3-10
Fuses .......................8-22
Fusible links ...................8-24
10-2

G
Gascap .....................3-10
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip computer .................2-9
Trip odometer .................2-4
Voltmeter ....................2-8
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glove box .....................2-38
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth .....4-38
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-27
Headlight control switch ............2-27
Headlights ....................8-27
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Heater operation ............4-4, 4-11
Hill descent control switch ...........2-32
Hill descent control system ...........5-36
Hill start assist system ..............5-37
Hood release ...................3-9
Hook Luggage hook ................2-41
Horn .......................2-31 I
Ignition switch ..................5-10
Immobilizer system .........2-24, 3-2, 5-12
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-18
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-13
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-14
Inside mirror ...................3-13
Instrument brightness

control ..........2-29
Instrument panel ...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-29
Interior light ....................2-49
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-27
J
Jump starting ...................6-8
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-25
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12C.M.V.S.S. certification label
........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-11
Engine serial number ............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-57
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-27
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Lift gate ......................3-9
Light Air bag warning light .........1-58, 2-18
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-14
Bulb replacement ..............8-29
Charge warning light ............2-15
Fog light switch ...............2-30
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-27
Headlight control switch ..........2-27
Headlights ..................8-27
Interior light ..................2-49
Light bulbs ..................8-27
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-18
Off road

lamps switch ............2-30
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-52
Security indicator light ............2-21
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-13
Lights Map lights ..................2-50
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
10-3