Corrosion will also accelerate in areas where the
temperatures stay above freezing.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air in
coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will accelerate
the corrosion process. Road salt will also acceler-
ate the disintegration of paint surfaces.
TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM
CORROSION
•Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the
vehicle clean.
•Always check for minor damage to the paint sur-
face and if any exists, repair it as soon as pos-
sible.
•Keep the drain holes at the bottom of the doors
and back door opened to avoid water accumula-
tion.
•Check the vehicle underbody for accumulation
of sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
•Never remove dirt, sand or other debris from
the passenger compartment by washing it out
with a hose. Remove dirt with a vacuum
cleaner or broom.
•Never allow water or other liquids to come in
contact with electronic components inside the
vehicle as this may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are ex-tremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion and
deterioration of underbody components such as the
exhaust system, fuel and brake lines, brake cables,
floor pan and fenders.
In the winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and corrosion,
which may be required in some areas, consult a
NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.
7-6Appearance and care
8Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements ....................................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance...................................... 8-2
General maintenance .......................................... 8-2
Where to go for service ...................................... 8-2
General maintenance ............................................... 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items ........... 8-2
Maintenance precautions ......................................... 8-4
Engine compartment ................................................ 8-5
Engine cooling system ............................................. 8-6
Checking engine coolant level............................. 8-6
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-6
Engine oil................................................................. 8-8
Checking engine oil level .................................... 8-8
Changing engine oil ............................................ 8-9
Changing engine oil filter .................................... 8-10
Protect the environment ...................................... 8-12
Fuel filter (Diesel engine models) ............................. 8-13
Draining water .................................................... 8-13
Bleeding the fuel system ..................................... 8-13
XTRONIC Continuously variable transmission
(CVT) fluid ............................................................... 8-13
Brakes ..................................................................... 8-13
Checking parking brake ...................................... 8-13
Checking brake pedal......................................... 8-13
Brake booster ..................................................... 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid .............................................. 8-14
Window washer fluid/headlight cleaner fluid
(where fitted) ........................................................... 8-15
Battery..................................................................... 8-16
Vehicle battery .................................................... 8-16Jump-starting ...................................................... 8-18
Integrated keyfob/Intelligent Key battery
replacement........................................................ 8-18
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-20
Spark plugs (Petrol engine models).......................... 8-21
Air duct removal....................................................... 8-21
Air cleaner filter........................................................ 8-23
Viscous paper type ............................................. 8-23
Dry paper type (where fitted) .............................. 8-23
Wiper blades ........................................................... 8-24
Cleaning ............................................................. 8-24
Front window wiper replacement ........................ 8-24
Back door window wiper replacement ................ 8-24
Windscreen washer nozzle ................................. 8-25
Fuses ...................................................................... 8-25
Passenger compartment ..................................... 8-25
Engine compartment ........................................... 8-26
Lights ...................................................................... 8-27
Headlights .......................................................... 8-28
Exterior lights ...................................................... 8-29
Interior lights....................................................... 8-29
Light locations .................................................... 8-30
Wheels and tyres ..................................................... 8-33
Tyre inflation pressure......................................... 8-33
Types of tyres ..................................................... 8-33
Snow chains....................................................... 8-34
Tyre rotation ....................................................... 8-34
Tyre wear and damage ....................................... 8-35
Tyre age ............................................................. 8-35
Changing tyres and wheels................................. 8-35
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.
Tyres*:
Check the pressure with a gauge periodically when
at a service station (including the spare) and adjust
to the specified pressure if necessary. Check care-
fully for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tyre rotation*:
Tyres should be rotated every 10,000 km (6,000
miles) for Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models and
5,000 km (3,000 miles) for Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
models. However, the timing for tyre rotation may
vary according to your driving habits and road sur-
face conditions.
Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components (where fitted):
Replace the TPMS transmitter grommet seal, valve
core and cap when the tyres are replaced due to
wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance:
If the vehicle pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tyre 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.Wheel nuts:
When checking the tyres, make sure no wheel nuts
are missing, and check for any loose wheel nuts.
Tighten if necessary.
Windscreen:
Clean the windscreen on a regular basis. Check the
windscreen at least every six months for cracks or
other damage. Have a damaged windscreen re-
paired by a qualified repair facility.
Wiper blades*:
Check for cracks or wear if they do not wipe prop-
erly.
Under the bonnet and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, e.g. each time you check the
engine oil or refuel.
Battery*:
Check if the green indicator on the top of the main-
tenance free battery is visible. If it is not visible,
replace the battery as soon as possible.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions, check the fluid level frequently.
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 belts*:
Make sure that the drive belts are 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.
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
petrol fumes are evident, check for the cause and
have it corrected immediately.
Window washer fluid*:
Check that there is adequate fluid in the tank.
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.
Accelerator pedal:
Check the pedal for smooth operation and make
sure that the pedal does not catch or require uneven
effort. Keep the floor mats 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
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
longer to stop, contact a NISSAN dealer or qualified
workshop immediately. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.
Parking brake*:
Confirm that your vehicle is held securely on a fairly
steep hill with only the parking brake applied.
Seats:
Check seat position controls such as seat adjust-
ers, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure they operate
smoothly and all latches lock securely in every posi-
tion. Check that the head restraints move up and
down smoothly and the locks hold securely in all
latched positions.
Seat belts:
Check that all parts of the seat belt system (e.g.
buckles, anchors, adjusters and retractors) operate
properly and smoothly, and are installed securely.
Check the belt webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or
damage. See “Seat belts” in the “1. Safety — Seats,
Seat belts and Supplemental Restraint System” sec-
tion for further details.
Steering wheel:
Check for any change in the steering conditions,
such as excessive free play, hard steering or strange
noises.
Warning lights and audible reminders:
Make sure that all warning/indicator lights and au-
dible reminders are operating properly.Windscreen defogger:
Check that the air comes out of the defogger outlets
properly when operating the heater or air condi-
tioner.
Windscreen wiper and washer*:
Check that the wipers and washer operate properly
and that the wipers do not streak.When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precautions
which should be closely observed.
•Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the
parking brake securely and block the wheels
to prevent the vehicle from moving. For
manual transmission models, move the shift
lever to N (Neutral) position.For continuously
variable transmission models: move the shift
lever to P (Park) position.
•Do not work under the engine bonnet while
the engine is hot. Turn off the engine and wait
until it cools down.
•Be sure to turn the ignition switch to the “OFF”
or LOCK position.
When the ignition switch is in the ON or Acc
position, the cooling fan may start to operate
suddenly even when the engine is not run-
ning. To avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative battery cable before working near
the engine.
•If you must work with the engine running,
keep your hands, clothing, hair and tools away
from moving fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
•It is advisable to remove ties and any jewel-
lery, such as rings, watches, etc. before work-
ing on your vehicle.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CAUTION
The oil level should be checked regularly. Oper-
ating with an insufficient amount of oil can dam-
age the engine, and such damage is not covered
by warranty.
jAMR20DD engine
jBHRA2DDT
jCR9M engine
jDK9K engine G6
j1Normal range
j2MIN level
j3MAX level
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the
parking brake.
2. Start the engine. If the engine is cold, start and
let the engine idle until it reaches the operational
temperature.
3. Turn the engine off.
4. Wait at least 10 minutes for the engine oil to
drain back into the oil pan.
NDI983ZMR20DD engine
NDI984ZHRA2DDT engine
NDI1427K9K engine
NDI1266R9M engine
NDI1494
ENGINE OIL
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the
parking brake.
2. Start the engine. If the engine is cold, start and
let the engine idle until the engine temperature
reaches the operational temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait at least 10 minutes
to let the engine oil drain back into the oil pan.4. Open the bonnet. For details, see “Bonnet
release” in the “3. Pre-driving checks and
adjustments” section.
5. Remove the engine oil filler cap.
6. Raise and support the vehicle using a suitable
floor jack and safety jack stands.
Place the safety jack stands under the vehicle
jack-up points.
For details, see “Flat tyre” in the “6. In case of
emergency” section.
7. Remove the engine compartment under cover.
8. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug.
9. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and com-
pletely drain the oil.
If the engine oil filter needs to be changed, re-
move and replace it at this time. See “Changing
engine oil filter” later in this section.
10. Clean and re-install the drain plug along with a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain plug
with a wrench.Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torques:
MR20DD engine:
34.3 N•m (3.5 kg-m, 25 ft-lb)
K9K engine:
20 N•m (2.1 kg-m, 15 ft-lb)
R9M engine:
50 N•m (5.1 kg-m, 36.9 ft-lb)
11. Refill the engine with recommended engine oil
and quantity.See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “9. Technical information”
section.
12. Check the oil level with the dipstick. For details,
see “Checking engine oil level” earlier in this
section. If necessary, add engine oil.
13. Install the engine oil filler cap securely.
14. Start the engine.
15. Check for any leakage around the drain plug.
Correct as required.
16. Turn the engine off and wait several minutes.
17. Check the oil level again with the dipstick. If
necessary, add engine oil.
18. Install the engine compartment under cover.
19. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
20. Close the bonnet.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
WARNING
•NISSAN recommends contacting a NISSAN
dealer or qualified workshop for engine oil fil-
ter servicing.
NISSAN Blue Citizenship
A used oil filter should be disposed of at a
rubbish tip having proper facilities.
NDI978ZR9M engine
NDI1477HRA2DDT engine
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
DRAINING WATER
Drain the water from the fuel filter. Contact a
NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.:
BLEEDING THE FUEL SYSTEM
There is no need to perform any special operation to
bleed air from the system.
NISSAN Blue Citizenship
Fuel bled from the fuel filter must not be poured into
the ground, canals, rivers, etc. It should be disposed
of at a rubbish tip having proper facilities. Check
your local regulations.When checking or replacement is required, NISSAN
recommends contacting a NISSAN dealer or quali-
fied workshop for servicing.
CAUTION
•Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS3*. Do
not mix with other fluids.
•Using transmission fluid other than Genuine
NISSAN CVT Fluid NS3* will damage the
XTRONIC transmission, which is not covered
by the warranty.
*: For details, contact a NISSAN dealer or quali-
fied workshop.
CHECKING PARKING BRAKE
Periodically check the holding ability of the parking
brake by parking on a steep hill and restraining the
vehicle by using only the parking brake. If it does not
hold satisfactorily, see a NISSAN dealer or qualified
workshop.
CHECKING BRAKE PEDAL
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
or qualified workshop.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop for a
brake system check if the brake pedal height
does not return to normal.
DI1020MMZ
FUEL FILTER (Diesel engine
models)XTRONIC CONTINUOUSLY
VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT)
FLUIDBRAKES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13
With the engine running, check the distance be-
tween the upper surface of the pedal and the metal
floor. If it is out the range listed, see a NISSAN
dealer or qualified workshop.
Depressing force of 490 N (50 kg, 110 lb)
183.7 – 193.7 mm (7.23 – 7.63 in.)
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting brakes.
The disc-type brakes self-adjust every time the brake
pedal is applied.
BRAKE BOOSTER
Check the brake booster function as follows:
1. With the engine off, depress and release the
footbrake pedal several times. When the foot-
brake pedal movement (distance of travel) re-
mains the same from one pedal application to the
next, continue on to the next step.
2. While depressing the footbrake pedal, start the
engine. The pedal height should drop a little.
3. With the footbrake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keep the pedal depressed for about 30
seconds. The pedal height should not change.
4. Run the engine for 1 minute without depressing
the footbrake pedal, then turn it off. Depress the
footbrake pedal several times. The pedal travel
distance will decrease gradually with each de-
pression as the vacuum is released from the
booster.If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer or qualified
workshop.
jALHD models
jBRHD models
WARNING
•Use only new fluid. Old, inferior, or contami-
nated fluid may damage the brake and clutch
systems. The use of improper fluids can dam-
age the brake system and affect the vehicle’s
stopping ability.
•Clean the filler cap before removing.
•Brake and clutch fluids are poisonous and
should be stored carefully in marked contain-
ers out of the reach of children.
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid level
is between the MIN
j2 and MAXj1 lines or the
brake warning light comes on, add fluid up to the
MAX line.
NDI1038
BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself