2012 NISSAN QASHQAI maintenance

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Unsecured cargo can be thrown around when
driving over rough terrain. Properly secure it so
that it will not be thrown forwards and cause
injury to you or your passengers.
To avoid raising the centre of gravity excessively,
do not exceed the rated capacity of the roof rack/
gear bin (where fitted) and evenly distribute the
load. Secure heavy loads in the luggage area as
far forwards and as low as possible. Do not equip
the vehicle with tyres larger than specified. This
could cause your vehicle to rollover.
Accelerating quickly, sharp steering manoeuvres
or sudden braking may cause loss of control.
Do not drive beyond the performance of the
tyres, even with 4WD. Sudden acceleration,
steering or braking may result in loss of control
and could cause the vehicle to become stuck.
If at all possible, avoid sharp turning manoeuvres,
particularly at high speeds. Your 4WD vehicle
has a higher centre of gravity than a 2WD ve-
hicle and can tip over more easily. The vehicle is
not designed for cornering at the same speeds
as conventional 2WD models any more than low
sports cars are designed to perform satisfacto-
rily under off-road conditions. Failure to operate
this vehicle correctly could result in loss of con-
trol and/or a rollover accident.
Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering
wheel when driving off-road. The steering wheel
could jerk and injure your hands. Instead, drive
with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of
the rim.
Before operating the vehicle, ensure that the
driver and all passengers have their seat belts
fastened.
Avoid raising the centre of gravity by loading
things on the roof or equipping the vehicle with
tyres larger than specified in this manual.
Always drive with the floor mats in place as the
floor may become very hot. Particular care
should be taken if you are barefoot.
Lower your speed when encountering strong
crosswinds. With its higher centre of gravity your
NISSAN is more affected by gusty side winds.
Slower speeds ensure better vehicle control.
Be sure to check the brakes immediately after
driving in mud or water as specified in “Wet
brakes” later in this section.
Whenever you drive off-road through sand, mud
or water as deep as the wheel hub, more fre-
quent maintenance may be required. For details,
refer to the separately provided Warranty Infor-
mation and Maintenance Booklet.
Rinse the underside of the vehicle with fresh
water after driving through mud or sand. Re-
move any brush or sticks that are trapped.
Install the same size of winter tyres on all four (4)
wheels (such as studless tyres) or install snow
chains to the front wheels when driving on slip-
pery roads (e.g. after a snowfall) and drive care-
fully using 4WD.
Avoid parking your vehicle on steep hills. If you
get out of the vehicle and it rolls forwards, back-
wards or sideways, you could be injured.
5-28Starting and driving

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine steep slope consider the incline (the towing
weights quoted are for a 12% slope).
Follow the trailer manufacturer’s instructions.
Have your vehicle serviced more often than at
the intervals specified in the separately provided
Warranty Information and Maintenance booklet.
Trailer towing requires more fuel than under nor-
mal circumstances because of a considerable
increase in traction power required and resis-
tance.
When towing a trailer, observe the following re-
stricted towing speed:
Speed: below 100 km/h (62 MPH)
CAUTION
While towing a trailer, check the engine coolant
temperature gauge regularly to prevent engine
overheating.
TYRE PRESSURE
When towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle tyres to the
maximum recommended COLD tyre pressure, as
indicated on the tyre placard (for full loading). Make
sure the trailer tyre pressures are correct.
CAUTION
Do not tow a trailer when the vehicle is installed
with a temporary-use spare tyre.
SAFETY CHAINS
Always use a suitable chain between the vehicle
and trailer. The chain should be attached to the hitch
and not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to
leave enough slack in the chain to permit turning
corners. The chain should not drag on the ground:
passing the chain across the trailer hitch may be the
best practice depending on your trailer.
TRAILER BRAKES
Ensure that trailer brakes are installed as required
by local regulations. Also check that all other trailer
equipment conforms to local regulations.
TRAILER DETECTION (where fitted)
When towing a trailer and the turn signal switch is
used, the electrical system of the vehicle will detect
an additional electrical load of the trailer lighting. As
a result, the trailer direction indicator light comes
on.
INSTALLATION OF COUPLING
DEVICE
NISSAN recommends that the coupling device for
trailer towing be installed under the following condi-
tions:
Maximum permissible vertical load on the cou-
pling device: 736 N (75 kg, 165 lb)
The coupling device, mounting points and instal-
lation parts on your vehicle: as shown as an ex-
ample in the illustration. Follow all of the coupling device manufacturer’s in-
structions for installation and use.
5-36Starting and driving

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine The brake system has two separate hydraulic cir-
cuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still have
braking ability with two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brake
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops or the drive belt is bro-
ken, you can stop the vehicle by depressing the
brake pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the
brake pedal will be required to stop the vehicle and
the stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through wa-
ter, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your brak-
ing distance will be longer and the vehicle may pull
to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat up the
brakes. Do this until the brakes return to normal.
Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds until the
brakes function correctly.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake linings and pads faster and reduce fuel
economy performance.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the brakes
from overheating, reduce speed and downshift to a
lower gear before going down a slope or long down-hill gradient. Overheated brakes may reduce brak-
ing performance and could result in loss of vehicle
control.
CAUTION
While driving on a slippery surface, be careful
when braking, accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking actions or sudden acceleration
could cause the wheels to skid and result in an
accident.
Be aware that brakes will fade if repeated heavy
brake applications are made.
Driving uphill
When starting on a steep gradient, it is sometimes
difficult to operate the brake (AT or CVT models) or
both the brake and clutch (MT models). Use the
handbrake to hold the vehicle. Do not slip the clutch
(MT models). When ready to start, slowly release
the handbrake while depressing the accelerator
pedal and releasing the clutch (MT models) or de-
pressing the accelerator pedal (AT or CVT models).
Driving downhill
The engine braking action is effective for controlling
the vehicle while descending hills.
The gear lever (MT models) should be placed in a
gear position low enough to obtain sufficient engine
braking.
For the AT or CVT models, a low gear position in
the manual shift mode, low enough to obtain suffi-
cient engine braking, should be selected.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a so-
phisticated device, but it cannot prevent acci-
dents resulting from careless or dangerous
driving techniques. It can help maintain ve-
hicle control during braking on slippery sur-
faces. Remember that stopping distances
may also be longer on rough, gravel or snow
covered roads, or if you are using snow
chains. Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately, the
driver is responsible for safety.
Tyre type and condition may also affect brak-
ing effectiveness.
– When replacing tyres, install the specified
size of tyres on all four wheels.
– When installing a spare tyre, make sure it is the proper size and type as specified on
the tyre placard. See “Vehicle
identification” in the “9. Technical
information” section for the tyre placard
location.
– For detailed information, see “Wheels and tyres” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so that the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces. The
system detects the rotation speed at each wheel
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-39

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may freeze
and damage the battery. To maintain maximum effi-
ciency, the battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see “Battery” in the “8. Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
ENGINE COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-freeze,
drain the cooling system. Refill before operating the
vehicle. For details, see “Engine cooling system” in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
TYRE EQUIPMENT
1) The SUMMER tyres are of a tread design to pro-vide superior performance on dry surfaces. How-
ever, the performance of these tyres will be sub-
stantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions. If
you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use of MUD & SNOW
or ALL SEASON tyres on all four wheels. Please
consult a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop
for tyre type, size, speed rating and availability
information.
2) For additional traction on icy roads, studded tyres may be used. However, some countries,
provinces and states prohibit their use. Check
applicable laws before installing studded tyres. CAUTION
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tyres on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer
than that of non-studded snow tyres.
3) Snow chains may be used, if desired. But the use of snow chains may be prohibited in some
areas. Therefore, check the local laws before
installing snow chains. When installing snow
chains, make sure they are of proper size for the
tyres on your vehicle and are installed according
to the snow chain manufacturer’s instructions.
Use chain tensioners when recommended by the
snow chain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit.
Loose end links of the snow chain must be se-
cured or removed to prevent the possibility of
whipping action damage to the wings or under-
carriage. In addition, drive at a reduced speed,
otherwise, your vehicle may be damaged and/or
vehicle handling and performance may be ad-
versely affected.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended to carry the following items in the
vehicle during winter:
A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove ice
and snow from the windows.
A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the jack
to give it firm support.
A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
Extra windscreen washer fluid to refill the reser-
voir tank.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are ex-
tremely corrosive and will accelerate corrosion and
the deterioration of underbody components such as
the exhaust system, fuel and brake lines, brake
cables, floor pan, and wings.
In the winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically. For additional information, see “Cor-
rosion protection” in the “7. Appearance and
care” section .
For additional protection against rust and corrosion,
which may be required in some areas, consult a
NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.
Starting and driving5-43

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 7Appearance and care
Appearance and care
Cleaning exterior...................................................... 7-2
Washing ............................................................. 7-2
Removing spots .................................................. 7-2
Waxing ............................................................... 7-2
Cleaning glass .................................................... 7-3
Cleaning rear-view camera (where fitted) ............ 7-3
Underbody ......................................................... 7-3
Care of wheels ................................................... 7-3
Cleaning alloy wheels ......................................... 7-3
Chrome parts ..................................................... 7-3
Cleaning interior ...................................................... 7-4 Monitor display’s maintenance (where fitted) ....... 7-4
Floor mats .......................................................... 7-4
Cleaning Glass ................................................... 7-4
Plastic parts........................................................ 7-4
Seat belts ........................................................... 7-4
Corrosion protection ................................................ 7-5 Most common factors contributing to vehicle
corrosion ............................................................ 7-5
Environmental factors influence the rate of
corrosion ............................................................ 7-5
To protect your vehicle from corrosion ................ 7-5

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior
trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum cleaner
or soft bristled brush. Wipe the vinyl and leather sur-
faces with a clean, soft cloth dampened in mild soap
solution, then wipe clean with a dry, soft cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order to
maintain the appearance of the leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the manu-
facturer’s recommendations. Some fabric protec-
tors contain chemicals that may stain or bleach the
seat material.
Use a soft cloth dampened only with water to clean
the meter and gauge lens covers.
CAUTION
Never use benzine, thinner or any similar ma-
terial.
Small dirt particles can be abrasive and dam-
aging to leather surfaces and should be re-
moved promptly. Do not use saddle soap, car
waxes, polishes, oils cleaning fluids, solvents,
detergents or ammonia based cleaners as
they may damage the leather’s natural finish.
Never use fabric protectors unless recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on meter
or gauge lens covers. It may damage the lens
covers.
MONITOR DISPLAY’S MAINTENANCE
(where fitted)
To clean the display screen, first turn the ignition
off and wipe it with a dry soft cloth.
Never use a rough cloth, alcohol, benzine, thin-
ner, any kind of solvent, or paper tissues with
chemical cleaning agent. They would scratch or
deteriorate the panel.
Do not splash any liquid such as water or car fra-
grance on the display. Contact with liquid will
cause the system to malfunction and damage
the hardware.
In case of extreme stain, use a small amount of
neutral detergent with a soft cloth. Never soak
the screen display with water detergent.
FLOOR MATS
The use of NISSAN floor mats can extend the life of
your vehicle carpet and make it easier to clean the
interior. Regardless of what mats are used, be sure
they are fitted for your vehicle and are properly posi-
tioned in the foot well to prevent interference with
pedal operation. Mats should be maintained with
regular cleaning and replaced if they become exces-
sively worn.
CLEANING GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is parked
in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will
easily remove this film.CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows, do not
use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or chlo-
rine-based disinfectant cleaners. They could
damage elements in the rear windows (such as
the window defogger).
Inside rear-view mirror (Automatic
anti-dazzling, where fitted)
Use a soft cloth dampened only with water to clean
the automatic anti-dazzling inside rear view mirror
(where fitted).
CAUTION
Do not use glass cleaner. Doing so will reduce
the sensitivity of the sensor, resulting in improper
operation.
PLASTIC PARTS
Plastic parts can be cleaned with a mild soap solu-
tion. If the dirt cannot be easily removed, use a plas-
tic cleaner. Do not use any solvents.
SEAT BELTS
WARNING
Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in the
retractor.
Never use bleach, dye or chemical solvents to
clean the seat belts, since these materials
may severely weaken the seat belt webbing.
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine 8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements ....................................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance...................................... 8-2
General maintenance .......................................... 8-2
Where to go for service ...................................... 8-2
General maintenance ............................................... 8-2 Explanation of general maintenance items ........... 8-2
Maintenance precautions ......................................... 8-4
Engine compartment ................................................ 8-5
Engine cooling system ............................................. 8-6 Checking engine coolant level............................. 8-6
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-6
Engine oil................................................................. 8-8 Checking engine oil level .................................... 8-8
Changing engine oil ............................................ 8-9
Changing engine oil filter .................................... 8-11
Protect the environment ...................................... 8-13
Fuel filter (Diesel engine models) ............................. 8-13 Draining water .................................................... 8-13
Bleeding the fuel system ..................................... 8-14
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........................... 8-14
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) fluid ......... 8-14
Brakes ..................................................................... 8-15 Checking brake pedal......................................... 8-15
Checking handbrake........................................... 8-15
Brake and clutch fluid .............................................. 8-15
Window washer fluid/headlight cleaner fluid
(where fitted) ........................................................... 8-16
Battery..................................................................... 8-17 Vehicle battery .................................................... 8-17
Jump-starting ...................................................... 8-19 Integrated keyfob/Intelligent Key battery
replacement........................................................ 8-19
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-21
Spark plugs (Petrol engine models).......................... 8-21
Air cleaner filter........................................................ 8-21 Viscous paper type ............................................. 8-22
Dry paper type (where fitted) .............................. 8-22
Wiper blades ........................................................... 8-22 Cleaning ............................................................. 8-22
Front window wiper replacement ........................ 8-22
Back door window wiper replacement ................ 8-23
Windscreen washer nozzle ................................. 8-23
Fuses ...................................................................... 8-23 Passenger compartment ..................................... 8-23
Engine compartment ........................................... 8-24
Lights ...................................................................... 8-25 Headlights .......................................................... 8-25
Exterior lights ...................................................... 8-27
Interior lights....................................................... 8-27
Light locations .................................................... 8-27
Wheels and tyres ..................................................... 8-31 Tyre inflation pressure......................................... 8-31
Types of tyres ..................................................... 8-31
Snow chains....................................................... 8-32
Tyre rotation ....................................................... 8-32
Tyre wear and damage ....................................... 8-33
Tyre age ............................................................. 8-33
Changing tyres and wheels ................................. 8-33
Four-wheel drive (4WD) models ......................... 8-33
Wheel balance.................................................... 8-33

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your new NISSAN has been designed to have mini-
mum maintenance requirements with longer service
intervals, to save you both time and money. How-
ever, some day-to-day and regular maintenance is
essential to maintain your NISSAN’s good mechani-
cal condition, as well as its emission and engine
performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the
specified maintenance, as well as general mainte-
nance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who can
ensure that your vehicle receives the proper mainte-
nance care.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
For your convenience, the required scheduled main-
tenance items are described and listed in the sepa-
rate Warranty Information and Maintenance book-
let. You must refer to that booklet to ensure that
necessary maintenance is performed on your
NISSAN vehicle at regular intervals.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those items which
should be checked during normal day-to-day opera-
tion of the vehicle. They are essential if your vehicle
is to continue to operate properly. It is your respon-
sibility to perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.
Performing general maintenance checks requires
minimal mechanical skill and a few general automo-
tive tools.These checks or inspections can be done by your-
self, a qualified technician or, if you prefer, your
NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems checked
and tuned by an authorised NISSAN dealer or quali-
fied workshop.
During the normal day-to-day operation of the ve-
hicle, general maintenance should be performed
regularly as prescribed in this section. If you detect
any unusual sounds, vibrations or smell, be sure to
check for the cause or have a NISSAN dealer or
qualified workshop do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer or qualified work-
shop if repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance work,
closely observe the “Maintenance precautions” later
in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following items with
an asterisk (*) is found later in this section.
The maintenance items listed here should be per-
formed from time to time, unless otherwise speci-
fied.
Outside the vehicle
Back door, doors and bonnet:
Check that the back door, all doors and the bonnet
operate properly. Also ensure that all latches lock
securely. Lubricate hinges and latches if necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the bon-
net from opening when the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other cor-
rosive materials, check for lubrication frequently.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
8-2Maintenance and do-it-yourself