Black plate (464,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
8-42Maintenance and do-it-yourself
TPMS.
. Do not install a damaged or de-
formed wheel or tire even if it has
been repaired. Such wheels or tires
could have structural damage and
could fail without warning.
. The use of retread tire is not re-
commended.
. For additional information regard-
ing tires, refer to “Important Tire
Safety Information” (US) or “Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the
Warranty Information Booklet.
CAUTION
Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted
or radial) , and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires
on the front and rear axles which will
cause excessive tire wear and may
damage the transmission, transfer case
and differential gears (AWD models) .
Wheel balanceGUID-46078A79-580F-474C-870B-9EA681D7E559Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can
get out of balance. Therefore, they should be
balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the War-
ranty Information Booklet.
Care of wheelsGUID-AA05CFEB-4DD0-40C9-AE0A-E1164697E4EB.Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
. Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
. Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
. NISSAN recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (if so equipped)GUID-79CEC75D-4985-4C99-90D0-93E5E8E4948FWhen a spare tire is mounted (TEMPORARY
USE ONLY or conventional) , the TPMS will not
function.
Observe the following precautions if the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire must be used,
otherwise your vehicle could be damaged or
involved in an accident.
WARNING
.The TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire should be used for emergency
use. It should be replaced with the
standard tire at the first opportunity
to avoid possible tire or differential
damage.
. Drive carefully while the TEMPOR-
ARY USE ONLY spare tire is in-
stalled. Avoid sharp turns and
abrupt braking while driving.
. Periodically check spare tire infla-
tion pressure. Always keep the
pressure of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire at 60 psi (420 kPa,
4.2 bar) . Always keep the pressure
of the full size spare tire (if so
equipped) at the recommended
Condition:
Black plate (467,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants...
................... 9-2
Fuel recommendation ...
......................................................... 9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ...
....................... 9-5
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ...
............................................... 9-6
Specifications ...
........................................................................\
..... 9-7
Engine ...
........................................................................\
............ 9-7
Wheels and tires ...
................................................................. 9-7
Dimensions and weights ...
................................................... 9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ...
........................................................................\
.. 9-8
Vehicle identification ...
................................................................. 9-8
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate ...
..................... 9-8
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) ...
.......... 9-9
Engine serial number ...
.......................................................... 9-9
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ...
.................... 9-10
Emission control information label ...
............................... 9-10
Tire and Loading Information label ...
.............................. 9-10
Air conditioner specification label ...
................................ 9-11
Installing front license plate ...
................................................. 9-12 Vehicle loading information
...
................................................. 9-13
Terms ...
........................................................................\
......... 9-13
Vehicle load capacity ...
.................................................... 9-13
Securing the load (Hardtop models) ...
........................ 9-15
Loading tips ...
..................................................................... 9-16
Measurement of weights ...
.............................................. 9-16
Towing a trailer (Hardtop models) ...
.................................... 9-16
Maximum load limits ...
...................................................... 9-17
Maximum Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/maximum
Gross Axle Weight (GAW) ...
......................................... 9-18
Towing load/specification ...
............................................ 9-21
Towing safety ...
.................................................................. 9-21
Flat towing ...
....................................................................... 9-25
Uniform tire quality grading ...
................................................. 9-26
Treadwear ...
........................................................................\
9-26
Traction AA, A, B and C ...
.............................................. 9-26
Temperature A, B and C ...
.............................................. 9-26
Emission control system warranty ...
..................................... 9-27
Reporting safety defects ...
..................................................... 9-27
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test ...
......... 9-28
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ...
............................................. 9-29
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information ...
..... 9-30
Condition:
Black plate (469,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
FUEL RECOMMENDATIONGUID-D97FF142-73E7-4116-82ED-FCB50AFD22BC
Hardtop modelsGUID-E96B8573-A1EA-46C0-A951-788A27F847D9Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91).
CrossCabriolet modelsGUID-D5623B72-D972-4112-A054-7344DA659109NISSAN recommends the use of unleaded
premium gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Re-
search octane number 96).
If unleaded premium gasoline is not available,
you may use unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI number
(Research octane number 91), but you may
notice a decrease in performance.
CAUTION
.Using a fuel other than that speci-
fied could adversely affect the emis-
sion control system, and may also
affect warranty coverage.
. Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way cat-
alyst. .
Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed
to run on E-15 or E-85 fuel. Using E-
15 or E-85 fuel in a vehicle not
specifically designed for E-15 or E-
85 fuel can adversely affect the
emission control devices and sys-
tems of the vehicle. Damage caused
by such fuel is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
. U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be
identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate per-
centage for that region.
Gasoline specificationsGUID-B0C6EB94-018F-44F3-ADCF-D5B163286779NISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) speci-
fications where it is available. Many of the
automobile manufacturers developed this spe-
cification to improve emission control system
and vehicle performance. Ask your service
station manager if the gasoline meets the
WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasolineGUID-C2C66DA3-BC5C-4200-8675-EBEBC0305D8ESome fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated 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 oxygenatesGUID-BA8D6AAF-F373-47AD-8703-93F129B7F978Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and metha-
nol with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels
of which the oxygenate content and the fuel
compatibility for your NISSAN cannot be readily
determined. 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, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
Technical and consumer information9-3
Condition:
Black plate (471,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
JVT0159X
1. API certification mark
2. API service symbol
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RE-
COMMENDATION
GUID-D8787272-E372-4B86-85F7-5E302B87B252
Selecting the correct oilGUID-F0DD06D6-BE5F-4900-8AD3-8D1C5342F288It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance, see
“Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants”
earlier in this section. NISSAN recommends the
use of an energy conserving oil in order to
improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-tional Lubricant Standardization and Approval
Committee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API
certification mark on the front of the container.
Oils which do not have the specified quality
label should not be used as they could cause
engine damage.
Oil additivesGUID-C908BF4C-FF8E-4657-95EC-E56F067619B4NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used and
maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosityGUID-B2F2CE9D-4325-406D-A067-B3F58139D9EFThe engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be
operated before the next oil change. Choosing
an oil viscosity other than that recommended
could cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filterGUID-07D637C7-273A-4442-A899-B5AFF9699C76Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals”.
Change intervalsGUID-B3A3F077-D92F-45CF-B42E-39CFF52BF41AThe oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using an engine oil and
filter other than the specified quality, or exceed-
ing recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of
incorrect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is
not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited
warranty.
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
Technical and consumer information9-5
Condition:
Black plate (472,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
9-6Technical and consumer information
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
outside 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 CONDITIONING SYSTEM RE-
FRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT RE-
COMMENDATIONS
GUID-2126105C-89A7-4E0A-A288-174E72A6D376The air conditioning system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil,
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
conditioning system and will require
the replacement of all air conditioner system components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle will not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect
the earth’s atmosphere, certain governmental
regulations require the recovery and recycling of
any refrigerant during automotive air condition-
ing system service. A NISSAN dealer has the
trained technicians and equipment needed to
recover and recycle your air conditioning system
refrigerant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your
air conditioning system.
Condition:
Black plate (490,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
9-24Technical and consumer information
.Do not use the Lane Departure Warning
(LDW) system (if so equipped) .
. Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have
specific speed limits for vehicles that are
towing trailers. Obey the local speed limits.
. When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to
the P (Park) position before blocking
the wheels and applying the parking
brake, transmission damage could oc-
cur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels. 3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly
release the brake pedal until the blocks
absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
. When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
. If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature control to the HOT position.
. Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
. Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km) .
. 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
vehicle handling. If swaying does occur,
firmly grip the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually)
reduce vehicle speed. This combination will
help stabilize the vehicle. Never increase
speed.
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.
Condition:
Black plate (492,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
9-26Technical and consumer information
NISSAN” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section of this manual.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT)
GUID-2AEBE4E4-E0D5-492D-AA37-E27015E39277
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models:GUID-D73A39BF-43C8-459F-9C24-47B7F579C407Do not tow an AWD vehicle with any of the
wheels on the ground.
Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models:
GUID-D73A39BF-43C8-459F-9C24-47B7F579C407To tow a vehicle equipped with a Continuously
Variable Transmission (CVT) , an appropriate
vehicle dollyMUSTbe placed under the towed
vehicle’s driving wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly
manufacturer’s recommendations when using
their product.
GUID-B742813A-9B62-42D0-B446-A6B0CFD16DF2DOT (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
TREADWEARGUID-D8E60542-2737-4D58-9810-4EE9CE4B6744The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified
government 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 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 char-
acteristics and climate.
TRACTION AA, A, B AND CGUID-FF0AABDE-3976-447A-8911-BE64F5A5C056The 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
measured under controlled conditions on spe-
cified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning,
or peak traction characteristics.
TEMPERATURE A, B AND CGUID-738CE2E4-0C30-4FA9-9E42-152697D53964The temperature grades A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Condition:
Black plate (496,1)
[ Edit: 2012/ 7/ 31 Model: Z51-D ]
9-30Technical and consumer information
GUID-63089829-29DE-4259-8B9D-7A8EAE7A2ABDGenuine NISSAN Service Manuals for this
model year and prior can be purchased. A
genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. This manual is the same one used by the
factory trained technicians working at NISSAN
dealerships. Genuine NISSAN Owner’s Man-
uals can also be purchased.
For USA:
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manuals, contact:
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Owner’s Manuals, contact:
1-800-247-5321
For Canada:
To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN
Service Manual or Owner’s Manual for this
model year and prior, contact a NISSAN dealer.
For the phone number and location of a NISSAN
dealer in your area call the NISSAN Information
Center at 1-800-387-0122 and a bilingual
NISSAN representative will assist you.
OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
Condition: