2012 NISSAN VERSA HATCHBACK service

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

FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
●Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
● Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
● Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can damage
the fuel system components and is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle lim-
ited warranty.
Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) specifi-
cations where it is available. Many of the automo-
bile manufacturers developed this specification
to improve emission control system and vehicle
performance. Ask your service station manager if
the gasoline meets the WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing reformu-
lated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. NISSAN
supports efforts towards cleaner air and sug-
gests that you use reformulated gasoline when
available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing oxy-
genates such as ethanol, MTBE and methanol
with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels of
which the oxygenate content and the fuel com-
patibility for your NISSAN cannot be readily de-
termined. If in doubt, ask your service station
manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please take
the following precautions as the usage of such
fuels may cause vehicle performance problems
and/or fuel system damage.
● The fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline. ●
If an oxygenate-blend other than
methanol blend is used, it should con-
tain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
● If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not avail-
able to ensure that all methanol blends
are suitable for use in NISSAN ve-
hicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine stall-
ing and difficult hot-starting are experienced after
using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
Technical and consumer information9-3

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

A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations
and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment pro-
cedures, this manual is the same one used by the
factory-trained technicians working at NISSAN
dealerships. Also available are genuine NISSAN
Owner’s Manuals, and genuine NISSAN Service
and Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
For USA
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 2000 model
year and later contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals for the 1999 model
year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
1-800-247-5321
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals for this model year
and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
1-800-247-5321 For Canada
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual or Owner’s Manual please contact
your nearest NISSAN dealer. For the phone num-
ber and location of a NISSAN dealer in your area
call the NISSAN Information Center at 1-800-
387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN representa-
tive will assist you.
Also available are genuine NISSAN Service and
Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
9-20Technical and consumer information

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ........5-28
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-34
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact air bag
system) ...................1-41
Side and curtain (See supplemental
side air bag and curtain side-impact
air bag system) ...............1-45
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-48
Airbagwarninglight...........1-48,2-12
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ..........4-12
Air conditioner service ...........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls .....4-9
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-17
Airflowcharts..................4-13
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-16
Anchor point locations .............1-20
Antenna.....................4-48
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-8
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-28
Armrests .....................1-4
Audible reminders ...............2-15
Audio system ..................4-17 Compact disc (CD) player . .4-28, 4-32, 4-38
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player
.................4-30
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD)
player ....................4-26
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-35
Audio System iPod Player .............4-42,4-44
Audio system Radio ....................4-17
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-47
USB interface ................4-41
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-32
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ....8-12
Driving with automatic transmission ....5-17
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-29
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUXjack.................4-34,4-40
B
Battery ......................8-15
Chargewarninglight.............2-9
Before starting the engine ...........5-11
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Block heater Engine ....................5-32
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-49
Boosterseats..................1-31 Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-28
Brakefluid..................8-13
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-29
Brake system ................5-27
Brake warning light ..............2-8
Brake wear indicators ........2-15,8-20
Parking brake operation ..........5-22
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-20
Brakes ......................8-20
Break-inschedule ...............5-25
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-8
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-22
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-8
Bulbreplacement................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................
9-2
Cargocover...................2-29
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-48
CDcareandcleaning .............4-46
CD player (See audio system) . .4-28, 4-32, 4-38
Child restraints .......1-15,1-15,1-16,1-18
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-16,1-23,1-27,1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-20
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-20
Child safety rear door lock ............3-7

Interiorlight..................2-35
Lightbulbs..................8-28
Low tire pressure warning light.......2-10
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-11
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-42
Security indicator light ............2-14
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-7
Lights Maplights ..................2-36
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Door locks ................3-4,3-5
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-25
Power door locks ...............3-6
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-5,3-26
Lowfuelwarninglight..............2-10
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-10
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-11
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance Generalmaintenance.............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
Outsidethevehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-14
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-13
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Maplights ....................2-36
Map pocket ....................2-25 Meters and gauges
................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-22
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-29
Inside mirror .................3-29
Outside mirrors ...............3-30
Vanity mirror .................3-28
Moonroof .....................2-33
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ .........3-10,3-13
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-17, 3-4, 5-11
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
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
Engineoil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-30
Overdrive switch .................5-20
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-9
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-20Owner’s manual/service manual order
information
....................9-20
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-22
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-26
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system .....4-49
Power Power door locks ...............3-6
Power outlet .................2-25
Power rear windows .............2-32
P

ower steering system ...........5-27
Power windows ...............2-31
Rear power windows ............2-32
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-16,1-23,1-27,1-31
Precautions on seat belt usage ........1-8
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-34
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Programmablefeatures..............4-5
Push starting ....................6-9
R
Radio CarphoneorCBradio...........4-48
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-26
10-4

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