2012 NISSAN ARMADA maintenance

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.
9-8Technical and consumer information

●Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway: 1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes. 2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer. ●
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.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a
heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi-
nates when tow mode is selected. Press the
TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off.
Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is turned OFF.
9-30Technical and consumer information

Tow mode includes the following features:● Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.
● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause
any damage. However, fuel economy may be
reduced and the transmission/engine driving
characteristics may feel unusual.
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
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.
WARNING
Do not use this vehicle for snowplowing.
Installing a snowplow may affect vehicle
handling. This may cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle and could result in
serious vehicle damage or personal injury.
SNOW PLOW
Technical and consumer information9-31

Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from Trans-
port Canada’s Road Safety Information
Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online at
www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety (English speak-
ers) or www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere
(French speakers) .
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.
Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or the
battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be reset to
a “not ready” condition. Before taking the I/M test,
check the vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test
readiness condition. Place the ignition switch in the
ON position without starting the engine. If the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady
for 20 seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds , the
I/M test condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the “ready
condition” or to prepare the vehicle for testing.
This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g. name, gender, age and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
9-34Technical and consumer information

F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-34
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
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 ...........9-12
Fog light switch .................2-34
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-64
Front seats .....................1-2
Front sonar system ...............5-36
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-22
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-28
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-25, 3-28
Fuses .......................8-23
Fusible links ...................8-25 G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-59
Gascap .....................3-28
Gauge Automatic transmission fluid temperature
gauge .....................2-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-7
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Odometer ...................2-5
Speedometer .................2-5
Tachometer ..................2-6
T
rip odometer .................2-5
Voltmeter ....................2-8
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glass hatch ...................3-28
Glove box .....................2-42
Glove box lock ..................2-42
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth . . . .4-92,
4-107
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-30
Headlight control switch ............2-30
Headlights ....................8-30
Headphones (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) ..............4-80
Heated seats ...................2-35
Heated steering wheel .............2-36
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls
.....4-36
Heater operation ...............4-37
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-38
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-59
Hood release ...................3-23
Hook Luggage hook ................2-48
Horn .......................2-35
I
Ignition switch ...................5-9
Immobilizer system .........2-27, 3-4, 5-13
Important vehicle information label .......9-12
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 ........3-32
Inside mirror ...................3-32
Instrument brightness control ..........2-33
Instrument panel ...............0-6,
2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-33
Intelligent Key system Key operating range .............3-14
Key operation ................3-15
Mechanical key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation .......3-17
Troubleshooting guide ............3-22
Warning signals ...............3-22
Interior light ....................2-56
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-38
10-3

J
Jump starting ...................6-8
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-27
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .........3-17
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-7
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-13
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-12
Emission control information label .....9-12
Engine serial number ............9-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-12
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-11
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-71
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-38
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-13
Lift gate ......................3-23
Lift gate release .................3-27
Light Air bag warning light .........1-72, 2-18
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-32Bulb check/instrument panel
........2-13
Bulb replacement ..............8-32
Charge warning light ............2-15
Fog light switch ...............2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-30
Headlight control switch ..........2-30
Headlights ..................8-30
Interior light ..................2-56
Light bulbs ..................8-30
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-24
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-66
Personal lights ................2-58
Security indicator light ............2-20
W

arning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-13
Lights Map lights ..................2-58
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Door locks ...................3-5
Glove box lock ................2-42
Lift gate release ...............3-27
Power door locks ...............3-6
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-25, 3-28
Low fuel warning light .......2-16, 2-18, 2-24
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-16
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-24
Luggage hook ..................2-48
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-50
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-14
Luggage storage (see vehicle loading
information) ....................2-48 M
Maintenance Changing the maintenance interval . .4-7, 4-23
Displaying the maintenance notice
reminder .................4-8, 4-24
General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Resetting the maintenance interval . .4-8, 4-24
Seat belt maintenance ............1-34
Setting .................4-7, 4-23
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-19
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Manual vent windows ..............2-54
Map lights ....................2-58
Map pocket ....................2-43
Meters and gauges ................2-4
Instrument brightness control ........2-33
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-32
Inside mirror .................3-32
Outside mirror control ............3-34
Outside mirrors .............. .3-34
V

anity mirror .................3-32
Moonroof .....................2-55
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-63
10-4

N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ ..........3-2, 3-12
NISSAN mobile entertainment system
(MES) .......................4-77
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-27, 3-4, 5-13
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-118
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-5
Odometer .....................2-5
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-7
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-7
Outside mirror control ..............3-34
Outside mirrors .................3-34
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-35
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-35 P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-30
Pedal position adjustment ............3-30
Personal lights ..................2-58
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free
system ..................4-92, 4-107
Power Power door locks ...............3-6
Power outlet .................2-39
Power rear windows .............2-53
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-31
Power vent windows .............2-54
Power windows ...............2-51
Rear power windows ............2-53
Precautions Maintenance

precautions ...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-3
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-36, 1-44,
1-49, 1-54
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-25
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-57
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-70
Programmable features ..........4-9, 4-25
Push starting ...................6-10 R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-91
Compact Disc (CD) changer ........4-51
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ....................4-48
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player .....................4-56
Rear audio controls .............4-76
Steering wheel audio control switch . . . .4-74
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ........................9-34
Rear audio controls ...............4-76
Rear center seat belt ..............1-31
Rear power windows ..............2-53
Rear seat air conditioner ............4-38
Rear sonar system ................5-35
Rear sonar system off switch ..........2-37
RearView Monitor ................4-33
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-30
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-29
Recorders Event data ..................9-34
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-8
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-11
Remote controller (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) ..............4-79
Remote keyless entry system ...........3-7
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-33
Resetting the fuel economy ........4-5, 4-21
Roof rack .....................2-50
10-5

S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Child seat belts .....1-36, 1-44, 1-49, 1-54
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-33
Screen (See NISSAN mobile entertainment
system) ......................4-79
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment .........1-4
Second row bench seats ...........1-6
Second row captain’s chair ..........1-5
Third row power folding seats .......1-23
Seatback pockets ................2-43
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-35
Infants and small children ..........1-35
Injured Person ................1-28
Larger children ................1-36
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-25
Pregnant women ...............1-28
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-70
Rear center seat belt ............1-31
Seat belt extenders .............1-34
Seat belt maintenance ............1-34
Seat belts ...................1-25
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-33
Three-point type with retractor .......1-28
Seat belt warning light ..............2-18
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Automatic drive positioner ..........3-36
Front seats ...................1-2
Heated seats .................2-35 Manual front seat adjustment
.........1-2
Second row captain’s chair adjustment .....1-5
Security indicator light ..............2-20
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-27, 3-4, 5-13
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-23
Service
manual order form ...........9-35
Servicing air conditioner .............4-39
Setting button ...............4-9, 4-25
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-16
Shift lock release .................5-18
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-33
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag, curtain and rollover air bag systems) . . .1-69
Sonar Front system .................5-36
Rear system .................5-35
Spark plug replacement .............8-17
Speedometer ...................2-5
SRS warning label ................1-71
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-13
Jump starting .................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Push starting .................6-10
Starting the engine .............5-13
Startup screen ..................4-19
Steering Heated steering wheel ...........2-36
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-31
Tilting steering wheel ............3-30
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-74
Stop light .....................8-32
Storage ......................2-40 Overhead storage compartment
......2-43
Storage bin ................2-44, 2-48
Storage tray ...................2-40
Sunglasses case .................2-42
Sunglasses holder ................2-42
Sunroof ......................2-55
Sunroof (see Moonroof) .............2-55
Sun visors ....................3-31
Supplemental

air bag warning labels ......1-71
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-72, 2-18
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-64
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-71
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-57
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-57
Switch Autolight switch ...............2-31
Automatic power window switch ......2-53
Fog light switch ...............2-34
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-30
Headlight control switch ..........2-30
Ignition switch .................5-9
Power door lock switch ............3-6
Rear sonar system off switch ........2-37
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-30
Rear window wiper and washer
switches ...................2-29
Turn signal switch ..............2-33
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .....................2-37
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-28
10-6