2015 NISSAN PATHFINDER steering wheel

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 ......8-12
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-12
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-13
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-13
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-13
Battery .......................................... 8-14
Jump starting ................................. 8-16
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped) ......8-16
Drive belt ........................................ 8-17
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 ........................... 8-21
Passenger compartment .......................8-22
Battery replacement .............................. 8-23
NISSAN Intelligent Key® .......................8-24
Lights ........................................... 8-25
Headlights .................................... 8-25
Fog lights (if so equipped) ......................8-25
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-26
Wheels
and tires ................................. 8-29
Tire pressure .................................. 8-29
Tire labeling ................................... 8-32
Types of tires .................................. 8-35
Tire chains .................................... 8-36
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-36

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 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 perform-
ing periodic maintenance, cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with an “*” is found in this section.
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 lever 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/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,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel Check for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3

2. Locate the jumper harness connector underthe lower portion of the instrument panel.
The connector is taped to the wiring harness
1as indicated.
● The connector is marked with a white tag
with “elec brake conn”. Wire color designation for electric trailer brake
controller jumper harness.
WIRE COLOR
NOTE
RED/GREEN Vehicle stop lamp switch
to trailer brake controller.
BLACK Brake controller ground
(-) .
BROWN/WHITE Trailer brake controller switched output.
RED/BLUE Not used
RED Fused trailer brake con-
troller battery feed (B+) .
3. Peel off the tape and connect the jumper harness to the connector.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Install the aftermarket electric trailer brake controller according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Pre-towing tips
●Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition. ●
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Keep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
Connector
LTI2046
Technical and consumer information9-25

●Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadver-
tently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
● 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 lever to the P (Park)
position before blocking the wheels and
applying the parking brake, transmission
damage could occur. 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 ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away: 1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
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. ●
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”.
9-26Technical and consumer information

●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.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, refer to
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion in this manual.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a
heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi-
nates when tow mode is selected. Press the
TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off.
Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is turned OFF.
Technical and consumer information9-27

10 Index
2nd row bench seat adjustment......1-7,1-9
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-48
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-55
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-65
Airbagwarninglight...........1-65,2-15
Air bag warning light, supplemental . .1-65, 2-15
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ...........4-50
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Air conditioner system refrigerant
recommendations ..............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-39,4-45
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-50
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-28
Anchor point locations .............1-31
Antenna ....................4-103
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-42
Armrests.....................1-10
Around View® Monitor .............4-27
Audible reminders ...............2-17 Audio system
..................4-50
AMradioreception.............4-51
Bluetooth®audio..............4-98
Bluetooth® streaming audio ........4-98
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-69
Compact disc (CD) player .....4-75,4-82
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) Player
Operation ..................4-84
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ...................4-66
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-78
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-71
FMradioreception.............4-51
iPod® Player .............4-92,4-94
iPod® player operation .......4-92,4-94
Radio ....................4-50
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-102
USB interface ............4-87,4-88
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Connection
Port..................4-87,4-88
Autolight switch .................2-34
Automatic Automatic drive positioner .........3-36
Automatic power window switch .....2-54
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-34
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
Automatic drive positioner ...........3-36
AUXjack ....................4-70 B
Battery ..................5-48, 8-14
Charge warning light ............2-12
Battery replacement NISSAN Intelligent Key® ..........8-24
Before starting the engine ...........5-13
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) system .....5-19
Blind Spot Warning (BSW) warning
system......................5-19
Block heater Engine ....................5-49
Bluetooth® audio ................4-98
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system.................4- 116, 4-130
Boosterseats..................1-45
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-42
Brake assist (for Intelligent cruise control
system) ...................5-43
Brake fluid ..................8-13
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-26
Brake system ................5-41
Brakewarninglight.............2-11
Brakewearindicators........2-17,8-20
Parking brake operation ..........5-18
Self-adjusting brakes ............
8-20
Brake fluid ....................8-13
Brakes ......................8-20
Brake system ..................5-41
Break-inschedule ...............5-34

Brightness/contrastbutton ........4-9,4-18
Brightness controlInstrument panel ...............2-36
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-11
Bulb replacement ................8-26
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants . .9-2
Cargoareastoragebin.............2-51
Cargolight....................2-59
Cargo(Seevehicleloadinginformation)....9-13
Car phone or CB radio .............4-116
CD care and cleaning .............4-101
CD changer (See audio system) ........4-69
CD player (See audio system) ......4-75,4-82
Check tire pressure ...............2-27
Child restraints .......1-24,1-25,1-26,1-28
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System ..............1-28
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-26,1-33,1-39,1-45
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-31
Child restraint with top tether strap .......1-31
Child safety rear door lock ............3-7
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-17
Cleaningexteriorandinterior........7-2,7-4
Clock set/adjustment ..............4-16
Clock setting
(models with Navigation System) ........4-10
Clock setting
(models without Navigation System) ....4-4,4-8
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ...............5-48
Compact disc (CD) player ........4-75,4-82 Console box
...................2-46
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . . .5-15 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-12
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-15
Control panel buttons ..............4-10
Brightness/contrast button ......4-9,4-18
Enterbutton...............4-4,4-10
Without navigation system ..........4-4
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) ......4-102
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-39,4-45
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingenginecoolant...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-6
Cruisecontrol ...........5-32,5-32,5-33
Cupholders...................2-48
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-36
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-33
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-84
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-36
Display controls
(seecontrolpanelbuttons) ........4-4,4-10 Door locks
.....................3-5
Drive belt .....................8-17
Drive positioner, Automatic ...........3-36
Driving Cold weather driving .............5-48
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-15
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Driving the vehicle ................5-15
Dual head restraint DVD system .......4-104
E
Economy-fuel..................5-36
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before
starting the engine ..........5-13
Blockheater.................5-49
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changingengineoil.............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engineoil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
10-2

Starting the engine.............5-14
Engine coolant temperature gauge .......2-5
Enterbutton.................4-4,4-10
Event data recorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Explanation of maintenance items ........8-2
Extendedstorageswitch ............8-23
Eyeglass case ..................2-47
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-2
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-12
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Windshield-washerfluid...........8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Foglightswitch .................2-37
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-55
Front power seat adjustment ...........1-5
Frontseats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-36
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-28 Fuel gauge
...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-28,3-29
Fuelgauge.....................2-6
Fuses.......................8-21
Fusiblelinks ...................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver .........2-60,2-61,2-62,2-63
Gascap .....................3-28
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-5
Trip odometer .................2-4
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-46
Gloveboxlock..................2-46
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth®...............4- 116, 4-130
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-33
Headlight control switch ............2-34
Headlights ....................8-25
Head restraints ..................1-12
Heated seats ............2-38,2-39,2-40 Heated steering wheel
.............2-41
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-39,4-45
Heater operation ...........4-40,4-46
Hill descent control system ...........5-46
Hill start assist system ..............5-47
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver .........2-60,2-61,2-62,2-63
Hood.......................3-22
Hook Luggage
hook................2-50
Horn .......................2-38
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch ........5-10
Imageviewer...................4-19
Immobilizer system .........2-29,3-4,5-13
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-18
Increasing fuel economy .............5-36
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders).................2-10,2-15
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-34
Inside mirror ...................3-33
Instrument brightness control ..........2-36
Instrumentpanel...............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-36
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ..............3-9
Key operation ................3-10
Mechanical key ................3-3
10-3