8-2Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Some day-to-day and regular maintenance is
essential to maintain your vehicle good mechan-
ical condition, as well as its emission and engine
performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
the scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “NISSAN Service and
Maintenance Guide”. You must refer to that
guide to ensure that necessary maintenance is
performed on your vehicle at regular intervals.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-
to-day operation. They are essential for proper
vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.
Performing general maintenance checks re-
quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few
general automotive tools.These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer, a
NISSAN dealer.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and serviced by a NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up-to-date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership information systems.
They are completely qualified to work on
NISSAN vehicles
beforework begins.
You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements on your
vehicle. During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed 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 do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer if you think that
repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, see “Maintenance precautions” (P.8-5) .
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE
ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with “*” is found later in this section.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood:
Check that all doors
and the engine hood operate properly. Also
ensure that all latches lock securely. Lubricate
hinges, latches, latch pins, rollers and links if
necessary. Make sure that the secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the primary
latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT GENERAL MAINTENANCE
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
5,000 miles (8,000 km) .
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If
necessary, 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” 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
damaged 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
performing scheduled maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes
down further 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 the vehicle is held securely
with the shift lever in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied. If the parking brake needs
adjusted, see a NISSAN dealer.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt
webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliners, etc. to ensure
they operate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
the locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all
latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Windshield defroster:Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in sufficient quantity when operating the heater
or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell.
It should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe condition require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players,
etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances. In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
Brake and clutch fluid level*:
Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belt*: Make sure that the drive
belt is not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system: Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. (See
“Precautions when starting and driving” (P.5-2)
for exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .)
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for fuel,
oil, water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected
immediately. Radiator and hoses:
Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the end
of winter, the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accumu-
late. For additional information, see “Cleaning
exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
CAUTION
.Do not ground accessories directly
to the battery terminal. Doing so will
bypass the variable voltage control
system and the vehicle battery may
not charge completely.
. Use electrical accessories with the
engine running to avoid discharging
the vehicle battery.
The variable voltage control system measures
the amount of electrical discharge from the
battery and controls voltage generated by the
generator.
SDI2422
1. Drive belt auto-tensioner
2. Crankshaft pulley
3. Air conditioner compressor
4. Water pump
5. Alternator
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position before servicing drive
belts. The engine could rotate unex-
pectedly.
1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If the belt is in poor condition or loose, have it replaced
or adjusted by a NISSAN dealer.
2. Have the belt condition checked regularly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM (if so equipped) DRIVE BELT
8-30Maintenance and do-it-yourself
If you have a flat tire, see “Flat tire” (P.6-3) .
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) . It monitors tire
pressure of all tires except the spare. When
the low tire pressure warning light is lit, and the
CHECK TIRE PRES (pressure) warning mes-
sage is displayed in the vehicle information
display, one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated.
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h).
Also, this system may not detect a sudden drop
in tire pressure (for example a flat tire while
driving) .
For more details, see “Low tire pressure warning
light” (P.2-14) , “Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem (TPMS)” (P.5-3) and “Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS)” (P.6-3) .
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure of the tires (including
the spare) often and always prior to long
distance trips. The recommended tire
pressure specifications are shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label under
the “Cold Tire Pressure” heading. The Tireand Loading Information label is affixed to
the driver side center pillar. Tire pressures
should be checked regularly because:
.
Most tires naturally lose air over time.
. Tires can lose air suddenly when driven
over potholes or other objects or if the
vehicle strikes a curb while parking.
The tire pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold. The tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle has
been parked for 3 or more hours, or driven
less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at moderate
speeds.
Incorrect tire pressure, including un-
der inflation, may adversely affect tire
life and vehicle handling.
WARNING
. Improperly inflated tires can fail
suddenly and cause an accident.
. The Gross Vehicle Weight rating
(GVWR) is located on the F.M.V.
S.S. certification label. The ve-
hicle weight capacity is indi-
cated on the Tire and Loading Information label. Do not load
your vehicle beyond this capa-
city. Overloading your vehicle
may result in reduced tire life,
unsafe operating conditions due
to premature tire failure, or un-
favorable handling characteris-
tics and could also lead to a
serious accident. Loading be-
yond the specified capacity may
also result in failure of other
vehicle components.
. Before taking a long trip, or
whenever you heavily load your
vehicle, use a tire pressure
gauge to ensure that the tire
pressures are at the specified
level.
. For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Important
Tire Safety Information” in the
Warranty Information Booklet.
WHEELS AND TIRES
SDI1663
1.Wear indicator2.Wear indicator location mark
Tire wear and damage
WARNING
.Tires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking, bul-
ging or objects caught in the
tread. If excessive wear, cracks,
bulging or deep cuts are found,
the tire(s) should be replaced. .
The original tires have built-in
tread wear indicators. When
wear indicators are visible, the
tire(s) should be replaced.
. Tires degrade with age and use.
Have tires, including the spare,
over 6 years old checked by a
qualified technician, because
some tire damage may not be
obvious. Replace the tires as
necessary to prevent tire failure
and possible personal injury.
. Improper service of the spare
tire may result in serious perso-
nal injury. If it is necessary to
repair the spare tire, contact a
NISSAN dealer.
. For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to “Important
Tire Safety Information” in the
Warranty Information Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. (See “Specifications”
(P.9-8) for recommended types and sizes of
tires and wheels.)
WARNING
. The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of
tires of different brands, construc-
tion (bias, bias-belted or radial) , or
tread patterns can adversely affect
the ride, braking, handling, ground
clearance, body-to-tire clearance,
tire chain clearance, speedometer
calibration, headlight aim and bum-
per height. Some of these effects
may lead to accidents and could
result in serious personal injury.
. If your vehicle was originally
equipped with 4 tires that were the
same size and you are only repla-
cing 2 of the 4 tires, install the new
tires on the rear axle. Placing new
tires on the front axle may cause
loss of vehicle control in some
driving conditions and cause an
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-37
9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ................... 9-2Fuel recommendation ......................................................... 9-4
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ....................... 9-6
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............................................... 9-7
Specifications ........................................................................\
..... 9-8
Engine ........................................................................\
............ 9-8
Wheels and tires ................................................................. 9-8
Dimensions and weights ................................................... 9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ........................................................................\
.. 9-9
Vehicle identification ................................................................. 9-9 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate ..................... 9-9
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) ....... 9-10
Engine serial number ....................................................... 9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .......................................... 9-10
Emission control information label ............................... 9-11
Tire and loading information label ................................ 9-11
Air conditioner specification label (if
so equipped) ..................................................................... 9-11 Installing front license plate ................................................ 9-12
Vehicle loading information ................................................. 9-13
Terms ........................................................................\
......... 9-13
Vehicle load capacity .................................................... 9-14
Securing the load .......................................................... 9-15
Loading tips ..................................................................... 9-15
Measurement of weights .............................................. 9-16
Towing a trailer ....................................................................... 9-16
Flat towing ........................................................................\
....... 9-17 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) ............. 9-17
Manual Transmission ..................................................... 9-17
Uniform tire quality grading ................................................. 9-17 Treadwear ........................................................................\
9-17
Traction AA, A, B and C .............................................. 9-17
Temperature A, B and C .............................................. 9-18
Emission control system warranty ..................................... 9-18
Reporting safety defects ..................................................... 9-19
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test ......... 9-19
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................................. 9-19
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information ..... 9-20
9-2Technical and consumer information
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended specifications
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal50 See “Fuel recommendation” (P.9-4).
Engine oil
Drain and refill With oil filter change 4-7/8 qt4 qt4.6.
For additional information, see “Engine oil” (P.8-9) for changing engine oil.
. Engine oil with API Certification Mark
. For additional information, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation”
(P.9-6).
. Genuine NISSAN engine oil or equivalent
. Viscosity SAE 5W-30
Without oil filter change
4-5/8 qt 3-7/8 qt4.4
Cooling sys-
tem With reservoir CVT model
7-1/2 qt 6-1/4 qt 7.1
Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (Blue) or equivalent
MT model 7-1/4 qt 6 qt6.8
Reservoir 3/4 qt5/8 qt 0.7
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid —— —.
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2
. Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2. Using transmission fluid
other than Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 will damage the CVT,
which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
Manual Transmission (MT) gear oil —— —.
Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) TL/JR Type 75W-80 or
equivalent
. If Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) TL/JR Type is not
available, API GL-4+, Viscosity SAE 75W-80 may be used as a temporary
replacement. However, use Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid
(MTF) TL/JR Type as soon as it is available.
Brake and clutch fluid Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions
in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid* or equivalent DOT 3
*: Available in mainland U.S.A. through a NISSAN dealer.
Multi-purpose grease —— — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant —— —.
HFC-134a (R-134a)
. For additional information, see “Vehicle identification” (P.9-9) for air
conditioner specification label.
Air conditioning system lubricants —— — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or exact equivalent
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS