2012 NISSAN VERSA HATCHBACK manual transmission

The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with a pre-diluted mixture of 50% Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) and
50% water to provide year-round anti-freeze and
coolant protection. The antifreeze solution con-
tains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional en-
gine cooling system additives are not necessary.
WARNING
●Never remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. See precautions in “If your
vehicle overheats” found in the “In case
of emergency” section of this manual.
● The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent en-
gine damage, use only a genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
● Never use any cooling system additives
such as radiator sealer. Additives may
clog the cooling system and cause
damage to the engine, transmission
and/or cooling system.
● When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-diluted
to provide antifreeze protection to -34°
F (-37° C) . If additional freeze protec-
tion is needed due to weather where
you operate your vehicle, add Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) concentrate following the direc-
tions on the container. If an equivalent
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is
used, follow the coolant manufacturer’s
instructions to maintain minimum anti-
freeze protection to -34° F (-37° C) . The
use of other types of coolant solutions
other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
may damage the engine cooling
system. ●
The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or
7 years. Mixing any other type of cool-
ant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) , includ-
ing Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green) , or the use
of non-distilled water will reduce the
life expectancy of the factory-fill cool-
ant. Refer to the Nissan Service and
Maintenance Guide for more details.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7

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-yourself8-13

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
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
U.S. measure Imp. measure Liter Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal 50.0 See “Fuel recommendation” later in this section.
Engine oil (drain and refill) *6 With oil
filter
change 3-3/8 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.2
Genuine NISSAN engine oil *1
API grade SM *1
ILSAC grade GF-4 *1
Viscosity SAE 5W-30 *1
Without
oil filter
change 3-1/8 qt 2-5/8 qt 3.0
Cooling system (with reservoir) 1-3/4 gal 1-1/2 gal 6.8 Genuine NISSAN Engine Coolant or equivalent in its quality *2
Manual transmission gear oil — —
—Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi
75W-85, or equivalent *3
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the instruc-
tions in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section. *7 Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF *4
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3.
Multi-purpose grease ———NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant (if so equipped) ———HFC-134a (R-134a) *5
Air conditioning system oil (if so equipped) ———Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent *5
Windshield-washer fluid 1-1/4 gal 1 gal4.5Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Recommended SAE viscosity number” in this section.
*2: Use Genuine NISSAN Engine Coolant or equivalent in its quality, in order to avoid possible aluminum corrosion within the engine cooling system caused by the use of non-genuine engine coolant. Note that any repairs for incidents within the engine cooling system while using non-genuine engine coolant may not be covered by the warranty
even if such incidents occurred during the warranty period.
*3: If Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) is not available, API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85 may be used as a temporary replacement. However, use Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) as soon as possible.
*4: Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the auto- matic transmission, which is not covered by the warranty.
*5: For further details, see “Air conditioner system (if so equipped) refrigerant and oil recommendations” in this section.
*6: For further details, see “Engine oil” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
*7 : See your NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop for service.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information

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
● stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM (if so
equipped) REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil, NISSAN
A/C system oil Type R (MR18DE with
manual or automatic transmission only) ,
Type S (MR18DE with CVT only) 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.
9-6Technical and consumer information

Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.
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 continuously variable
transmission vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground (flat towing) . Do-
ing so WILL DAMAGE internal transmis-
sion 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.
Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● After towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.
Automatic Transmission (if so
equipped)
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.
Continuously Variable Transmission (if
so equipped)
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct. DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
TOWING A TRAILER
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
9-16Technical and consumer information

Chimes, audible reminders...........2-15
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock ...................4-27,4-31
Clutch Clutchfluid..................8-14
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-31
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-28,4-32,4-38
Console box ...................2-29
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-13 Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-13
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-2 Brightness/contrast button ..........4-8
Enterbutton..................4-2
Setting button .................4-5
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-47
Heater and air conditioner controls .....4-9
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Corrosionprotection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-23
Cupholders...................2-27
Curtain side-impact air bag system
(See supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system) ...........1-45 D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-21
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-20
Dimensionsandweights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-22
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks ..................3-4,3-5
Door open warning light .............2-9
Drive belt .....................8-17
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-31
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-17
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-13
Driving with manual transmission ......5-21
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-25
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-17
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-11
Block heater .................5-32
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 ........8-8Checking engine oil level
...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light .......2-9
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine .............5-12
Enterbutton....................4-2
E
ventdatarecorders ..............9-19
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-24
Eyeglass case ..................2-27
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-23
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) .....8-12
Brake fluid ..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-14
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT)fluid..................8-11
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Foglightswitch .................2-23
10-2

FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player..................4-30
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-35
Steering wheel audio control switch ....4-47
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-19
Rear power windows ..............2-32
Rearseat......................1-4
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-20
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-19
Recorders Eventdata..................9-19
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-18
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Child seat belts .....1-16,1-23,1-27,1-31
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-18
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Rear seat adjustment .............1-4
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-15
Infantsandsmallchildren..........1-15
Injured Person ................1-11
Largerchildren................1-16
Precautionsonseatbeltusage........1-8
Pregnant women ...............1-11
Seat belt extenders .............1-14 Seatbeltmaintenance............1-14
Seatbelts ...................1-8
Shoulder belt height adjustment
......1-14
Three-point type with retractor .......1-11
Seat belt warning light ..............2-12
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Frontseats...................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Rearseat....................1-4
Security indicator light ..............2-14
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-17,3-4,5-11
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-20
Service manual order form ...........9-20
Servicing air conditioner .............4-17
Setting button ...................4-5
Shifting Automatic transmission ...........5-18
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .....................5-14
Manual transmission .............5-21
Shiftlockrelease.............5-15,5-19
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-14
Side air bag system (See supplemental
side air bag and curtain side-impact air
bag system) ...................1-45
Sparkplugreplacement.............8-17
Speedometer ...................2-4
SRSwarninglabel................1-48
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-11
Jump starting .................6-7
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Push starting ..................6-9
Starting the engine .............5-12 Steering
Power steering system ...........5-27
Tilting steering wheel ............3-28
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-47
Stoplight.....................8-29
Storage......................2-25
Storage tray ...................2-26
Sunglasses case .................2-27
Sunglasses

holder ................2-27
Sunroof (see Moonroof) .............2-33
Sun visors ....................3-28
Supplemental air bag warning labels ......1-48
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-48, 2-12
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-41
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-48
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-34
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-34
Supplemental side and curtain side-impact
air bag system ..................1-45
Switch Automatic power window switch ......2-32
Fog light switch ...............2-23
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-23
Headlightandturnsignalswitch......2-20
Headlight control switch ..........2-20
Ignition switch .................5-7
Overdrive switch ...............5-20
Power door lock switch ............3-6
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-20
Rear window wiper and washer
switches...................2-19
Turnsignalswitch..............2-22
10-5