2013 NISSAN PATHFINDER brakes

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance ..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .........8-2
Maintenance precautions ...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................8-6
Engine cooling system .............................8-7
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-8
Changing engine coolant ........................8-8
Engine oil .........................................8-9
Checking engine oil level ........................8-9
Changing engine oil ........................... 8-10
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-11
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid ......8-11
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-12
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-13
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-13
Battery .......................................... 8-14
Jump starting ................................. 8-15
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped) . . ....8-16
Drive belt ........................................ 8-16
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-17Replacing spark plugs
......................... 8-17
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-18
In-cabin microfilter ............................. 8-18
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-19
Cleaning ..................................... 8-19
Replacing .................................... 8-19
Brakes .......................................... 8-20
Fuses ........................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ........................... 8-22
Passenger compartment .......................8-23
Battery replacement .............................. 8-25
NISSAN Intelligent Key® .......................8-25
Lights ........................................... 8-26
Headlights .................................... 8-26
Fog lights (if so equipped) ......................8-27
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-27
Wheels
and tires ................................. 8-30
Tire pressure . . . ............................... 8-30
Tire labeling ................................... 8-33
Types of tires .................................. 8-36
Tire chains .................................... 8-37
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-37

When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)* When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation* Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Tires* Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance If the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
● For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades* Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with an “*” is found later in this sec-
tion.
Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal. Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth opera-
tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down fur-
ther than normal, the pedal feels spongy or the
vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.
Brakes Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) position mechanism On a fairly
steep hill check that your vehicle is held securely
with the shift selector in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brake Check the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment,
see a NISSAN dealer.
Seats Check seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints and
headrests move up and down smoothly and the
locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all latched
positions.
Seat belts Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3

If you wax the surface of the hood, be careful not
to let wax get into the windshield washer nozzle
A. This may cause clogging or improper wind-
shield washer operation. If wax gets into the
nozzle, remove it with a needle or small pin
B.
Rear window wiper blade
Contact a NISSAN dealer if checking or replace-
ment is required. If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear disc-type brakes self-adjust
every time the brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake system
check if the brake pedal height does not
return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, a high pitched scraping or screech-
ing sound will be heard when the vehicle is in
motion. The noise will be heard whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.
WDI0570
BRAKES
8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself

WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be ca-
pable of towing a trailer heavier than the
weight rating of the hitch components.
Never exceed the weight rating of the
hitch components. Doing so can cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and weight
rating for your trailer:● The required hitch ball size is stamped on
most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also
have the size printed on the top of the ball.
● Choose the proper class hitch ball based on
the trailer weight.
● The diameter of the threaded shank of the
hitch ball must be matched to the ball mount
hole diameter. The hitch ball shank should
be no more than 1/16” smaller than the hole
in the ball mount.
● The threaded shank of the hitch ball must be
long enough to be properly secured to the
ball mount. There should be at least 2
threads showing beyond the lock washer
and nut.
Ball mount
The hitch ball is attached to the ball mount and
the ball mount is inserted into the hitch receiver.
Choose a proper class ball mount based on the
trailer weight. Additionally, the ball mount should
be chosen to keep the trailer tongue level with the
ground.
Weight carrying hitches
A weight carrying or “dead weight” ball mount is
one that is designed to carry the whole amount of
tongue weight and gross weight directly on the
ball mount and on the receiver.
Weight distribution hitch
This type of hitch is also called a “load-leveling” or
“equalizing” hitch. A set of bars attach to the ball
mount and to the trailer to distribute the tongue
weight (hitch weight) of your trailer. Many ve-
hicles can’t carry the full tongue weight of a given
trailer, and need some of the tongue weight
transferred through the frame and pushing down
on the front wheels. This gives stability to the tow
vehicle.
A weight-distributing hitch system (Class IV) is
recommended if you plan to tow trailers with a
maximum weight over 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) .
Check with the trailer and towing equipment manufacturers to determine if they recommend
the use of a weight-distributing hitch system.
NOTE:
A weight-distributing hitch system may af-
fect the operation of trailer surge brakes. If
you are considering use of a weight-
distributing hitch system with a surge
brake-equipped trailer, check with the
surge brake, hitch or trailer manufacturer
to determine if and how this can be done.
Follow the instructions provided by the manufac-
turer for installing and using the weight-
distributing hitch system.
General set-up instructions are as follows:
1. Park unloaded vehicle on a level surface. With the ignition on and the doors closed,
allow the vehicle to stand for several minutes
so that it can level.
2. Measure the height of a reference point on the front and rear bumpers at the center of
the vehicle.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle and adjust the hitch equalizers so that the front bumper
height is within0-.5inches (0 – 13 mm) of
the reference height measured in step 2. The
rear bumper should be no higher than the
reference height measured in step 2.
9-22Technical and consumer information

Trailer brakes
When towing a trailer load of 3,500 lbs.
(1,587 kg) or more, trailers with a brake
system MUST be used.However, most states
require a separate braking system on trailers with
a loaded weight above a specific amount. Make
sure the trailer meets the local regulations and
the regulations where you plan to tow.
Several types of braking systems are available.
Surge Brakes -The surge brake actuator is
mounted on the trailer tongue with a hydraulic line
running to each trailer wheel. Surge brakes are
activated by the trailer pushing against the hitch
ball when the tow vehicle is braking. Hydraulic
surge brakes are common on rental trailers and
some boat trailers. In this type of system, there is
no hydraulic or electric connection for brake op-
eration between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
Electric Trailer Brakes -Electric braking sys-
tems are activated by an electronic signal sent
from a trailer brake controller (special brake-
sensing module) . If electric trailer brakes are
used, see “Electric trailer brake controller” in this
section.
Have a professional supplier of towing equip-
ment make sure the trailer brakes are properly
installed and demonstrate proper brake function
testing.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Electric trailer brake controller
Trailers equipped with electric brakes may re-
quire the installation of an aftermarket trailer
brake controller.
Your vehicle is equipped with a connector and
jumper harness that is specifically designed to be
used when installing an aftermarket brake controller.
To install the electric trailer brake controller jumper
harness, perform the following procedure:
1. Open the driver door. Move the seat to the rearmost position.
example
LTI0117
9-24Technical and consumer information

●While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long or
repeated use of the brakes when descend-
ing a hill, as this reduces their effectiveness
and could cause overheating. Shifting to a
lower gear instead provides “engine brak-
ing” and reduces the need to brake as fre-
quently.
● If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
● 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.
Technical and consumer information9-27

10 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-49
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-56
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-64
Airbagwarninglight...........1-64,2-14
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ...........4-58
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-50,4-55
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-52
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-58
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-27
Anchor point locations .............1-34
Antenna....................4-114
Anti-lock brake warning light ......2-10,2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-27
Audible reminders ...............2-17
Audio system ..................4-59
Bluetooth®audio.............4-108
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-77
Compact disc (CD) player .....4-83,4-91
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-75 FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-87
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-80
Audio System iPod®Player...........4- 103, 4-105
Audio system Radio ....................4-59
Audio System Settings ...............4-81,4-87
Audio system Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-112
USB interface ............4-98,4-99
Autolight switch .................2-33
Automatic Automatic drive positioner .........3-35
Automatic power window switch .....2-53
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-32
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUXjack ....................4-79
B
Battery ......................8-14
Chargewarninglight............2-11
Before starting the engine ...........5-13
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-33
Bluetooth®audio...............4-108
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system .................4- 127, 4-141
Boosterseats..................1-46 Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-27
Brakefluid..................8-12
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-27
Brake system ................5-27
Brake warning light .............2-11
Brake wear indicators ........2-17,8-20
Parking brake operation ..........5-18
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-20
Brakes ......................8-20
Break-inschedule ...............5-20
Brightness/contrast button .......4-15,4-30
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-35
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-10
Bulbreplacement................8-27
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
C

argolight ...................2-58
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CarphoneorCBradio............4-127
CDcareandcleaning.............4-111
CD changer (See audio system) .......4-77
CD player (See audio system) .....4-83,4-91
Check tire pressure ...............2-26
Child restraints .......1-28,1-29,1-30,1-32
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-30,1-37,1-41,1-46
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-34

P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-18
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-25
Phone, Bluetooth® hands-free
system.................4- 127, 4-141
Power Front seat adjustment .............1-4
Power door locks ...............3-6
Power outlet ..............2-42,2-44
Power rear windows .............2-52
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-26
Power windows ...............2-51
Rear power windows ............2-52
Powerinverterswitch..............2-41
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-6
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-30,1-37,1-41,1-46
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.......1-21
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-49
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-63
Programmable features ..........4-9,4-23
Push starting ...................6-11 R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ..........4-127
Compact Disc (CD) changer ........4-77
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-75
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-87
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-80
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-112
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-31
Rear power windows ..............2-52
Rear seat air conditioner ............4-52
RearViewMonitor................4-34
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-31
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-30
Recorders Eventdata..................9-32
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-30
Resetting the fuel economy ........4-7,4-21
Roof rack .....................2-50
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Child seat belts .....1-30,1-37,1-41,1-46
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-30Seat adjustment
Frontmanualseatadjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment .........1-4
Second row bench seats ........1-6,1-8
Seatback pockets ................2-45
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-28
Infants and small children ..........1-29
Injured Person ................1-24
Larger children ................1-29
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-21
Pregnant women ...............1-24
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-63
Seat belt extenders .............1-27
Seat belt maintenance ............1-28
Seat belts ...................
1-21
Three-point type with retractor .......1-24
Seat belt warning light ..............2-14
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Automatic drive positioner ..........3-35
Frontseats...................1-2
Heated seats ..........2-37,2-38,2-41
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Security indicator light ..............2-16
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-28,3-4,5-13
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-20
Service manual order form ...........9-32
Servicing air conditioner .............4-58
Setting button ...............4-9,4-23
Spark plug replacement .............8-17
Speedometer ...................2-4
Spotlights(Seemaplight) ...........2-58
SRSwarninglabel................1-64
10-5