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8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI1480C
1. Remove the cell plugs*A.
2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER LEVEL
*1line.
If the side of the battery is not clear, check
the distilled water level by looking directly
above the cell; the condition
*1indicates
OK and the condition
*2needs more to be
added.
3. Tighten cell plugs
*A.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump starting”
(P.6-8) . If the engine does not start by jump
starting, the battery may have to be replaced.
Contact a NISSAN dealer.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.
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM
Page 336 of 402
SDI1881
1. Alternator
2. Drive belt auto-tensioner
3. Crankshaft pulley
4. Air conditioner compressor
5. Water pump
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.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
DRIVE BELT SPARK PLUGS
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8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI2670
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
If replacement is required, see a NISSAN dealer
for servicing.
Iridium platinum-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace the iridium
platinum-tipped spark plugs as frequently as
the conventional type spark plugs since they will
last much longer. Follow the maintenance log
shown in the “NISSAN Service and Mainte-
nance Guide”. Do not reuse the iridium plati-
num-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or
regapping.
Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.
SDI2667
To remove the filter, pull the air duct*1upward
to remove it. Pull the tabs
*2, then pull the
cover
*3upward.
The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
shown in the “NISSAN Service and Mainte-
nance Guide”. When replacing the filter, wipe
the inside of the air cleaner housing and the
cover with a damp cloth.
WARNING
. Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops
flame if the engine backfires. If it
is not there, and the engine back-
fires, you could be burned. Do not
drive with the air cleaner removed,
and be careful when working on the
engine with the air cleaner removed.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle
body or attempt to start the engine
with the air cleaner removed. Doing
so could result in serious injury.
AIR CLEANER
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CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form when
rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild detergent.
Then rinse the blade with clear water. If your
windshield is still not clear after cleaning the
blades and using the wiper, replace the blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can
damage the windshield and impair
driver vision.
SDI1803
REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.
Before replacing the wiper blades, the wiper
should be in the fully up position to avoid
scratching the engine hood or damaging the
wiper arm. To pull up the wiper arm, see
“Windshield wiper and washer switch” (P.2-32) .
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield.
2. Push and hold the release tab
*A, and
move the wiper blade down the wiper arm
*1.
3. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm until a click sounds. 4. Rotate the wiper blade so that the dimple is
in the groove.
CAUTION
.After wiper blade replacement, re-
turn the wiper arm to its original
position; otherwise it may be da-
maged when the hood is opened.
. Make sure the wiper blades contact
the glass; otherwise the arm may be
damaged from wind pressure.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-17
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
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8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI1865
Be careful not to clog the washer nozzle*A.
This may cause improper windshield washer
operation. If the nozzle is clogged, remove any
objects with a needle or small pin
*B.Be
careful not to damage the nozzle. Contact a NISSAN dealer if checking or
replacement 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 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 WARNING
The disc brake pads have audible wear warn-
ings. When a brake pad requires replacement, it
will make a high pitched scraping sound when
the vehicle is in motion. This scraping sound will
first occur only when the brake pedal is
depressed. After more wear of the brake pad,
the sound will always be heard even if the brake
pedal is not depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear warning
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other noise
may be heard. Occasional brake noise during
REAR WINDOW WIPER BLADE BRAKES
Page 340 of 402
light to moderate stops is normal and does not
affect the function or performance of the brake
system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information, see the
maintenance log section of your “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”.
SDI2654
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight switch are turned off. 2. Open the engine hood.
3. Remove the fuse/fusible link holder cover by
pushing the tab
*1and lifting the cover
from the right side
*2, then the left side
*3.
4. Locate the fuse that needs to be replaced.
5. Remove the fuse using the fuse puller located in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
FUSES
Page 341 of 402
8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself
SDI1754
6. If the fuse is open*A, replace it with a new
fuse
*B.
7. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired by a NISSAN
dealer.
The holder
*4also contains the fuses. For
checking and/or replacing, see a NISSAN
dealer.
SDI2642
Fusible links
If any electrical equipment does not operate and
the fuses are in good condition, check the
fusible links in the holders
*1and*2. If any of
these fusible links are melted, replace only with
genuine NISSAN parts.
For checking and replacing the fusible links in
the holders
*2, see a NISSAN dealer.
Page 342 of 402
SDI2643
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than that specified on
the fuse box cover. This could damage
the electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight switch are turned off. 2. Remove the fuse box cover
*1.
3. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
*2.
SDI1754
4. If the fuse is open*A, replace it with a new
fuse
*B.
5. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired by a NISSAN
dealer.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-21