Fuel consumption
Because E-85 fuel contains less energy per gal-
lon than gasoline, you will experience an increase
in fuel consumption. You can expect your fuel
mileage to decrease by about 30% compared to
gasoline operation.
Replacement parts
Many components in your Flexible Fuel Vehicle
(FFV) are designed to be compatible with etha-
nol. Always be sure that your vehicle is serviced
with correct ethanol compatible parts.
CAUTION
Replacing fuel system components with
non-ethanol compatible components can
damage your vehicle and may also affect
the warranty coverage.
Maintenance
If you operate your vehicle using E-85 fuel, follow
the correct maintenance log shown in the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide”.
CAUTION
Do not use ethanol mixture greater than
85% in your vehicle. It will cause difficulty
in cold starting and may affect drivability.
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality
and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Recommended fluids/lubricants
and capacities” in this section. NISSAN recom-
mends the use of an energy conserving oil in
order to improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label should not
be used as they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
LTI2061
Technical and consumer information9-7
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be oper-
ated before the next oil change. Choosing an oil
viscosity other than that recommended could
cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality Genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use a Genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals.”
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using engine oil and filters
that are not of the specified quality, or exceeding
recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.Your engine was filled with a high-quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil and filter changes:
● repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures
● driving in dusty conditions
● extensive idling
● towing a trailer
● stop and go commuting
For additional information, refer to the “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide” for the mainte-
nance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and NISSAN A/C
system oil Type S or the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil will
cause severe damage to the air condition-
ing system and will require the replace-
ment of all air conditioner system
components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect the
earth’s atmosphere, certain government regula-
tions require the recovery and recycling of any
refrigerant during automotive air conditioner sys-
tem service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your air
conditioner system.
9-8Technical and consumer information
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 com-
bination will help stabilize the vehicle
– 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 (if so equipped) not be used while tow-
ing 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.
Tow mode includes the following features: ● Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.
● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause
any damage. However, fuel economy may be
reduced and the transmission/engine driving
characteristics may feel unusual.
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.
9-40Technical and consumer information
Changing engine coolant...........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
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
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-7
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-7
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-8
Engine serial number ............9-13
Engine specifications .............9-9
Starting the engine .............5-12
Engine coolant temperature gauge .......2-5
Engineoilpressuregauge............2-7
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .........2-14
Enterbutton....................4-4
Event data recorders ..............9-44
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Explanation of maintenance items ........8-2
Extendedstorageswitch ............8-26
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-2
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Engine coolant .................8-7 Engine oil
...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-13
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-13
Foglightswitch .................2-37
Four-Wheel Drive ................5-24
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-57
Front power seat adjustment ...........1-4
Frontseats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-24
Fuel-filler cap .................3-11
Fuel-filler lid .................3-11
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-5
Fuel recommendation .............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ...........2-26
Fuel-filler door ..................3-11
Fuelgauge.....................2-6
Fuses.......................8-23
Fusiblelinks ...................8-25
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver . .2-61, 2-62, 2-63, 2-64, 2-64, 2-65
Gascap .....................3-11
Gauge Automatic transmission fluid temperature
gauge .....................2-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-7 Fuelgauge...................2-6
Odometer
...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-5
Trip odometer .................2-4
Voltmeter ....................2-7
General
maintenance ...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-48
Groceryhooks..................2-53
H
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlightandturnsignalswitch........2-32
Headlightcontrolswitch ............2-33
Headlights....................8-28
Headphones (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) ..............4-72
Head restraints ..................1-9
Heated seats ...................2-38
Heater Heater and air conditioner (automatic)
(if so equipped) ...............4-24
Heater and air conditioner controls .....4-25
Heater operation ...........4-18,4-25
Heater and air conditioner (automatic) .....4-24
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver . .2-61, 2-62, 2-63, 2-64, 2-64, 2-65
Hood.......................3-11
Horn .......................2-37
I
Ignition switch ...................5-9
10-3
Rearview...................3-16
Vanity mirror .................3-15
Moonroof .....................2-58
N
NISSAN mobile entertainment system
(MES) .........4-69,4-70,4-71,4-72,4-76
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-28, 5-11
NISSAN voice recognition system .......4-98
O
Octanerating(Seefueloctanerating)......9-5
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-7
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-14
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-8
Oneshotcall...............4-82,4-93
Outside mirrors .................3-17
Overhead console ................2-50
Overheat Ifyourvehicleoverheats...........6-11
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-45
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-45 P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-20
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-32
Pedal position adjustment ............3-14
Personallights..................2-61
Power Front seat adjustment .............1-4
Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet ..............2-42,2-44
Power rear windows .............2-56
Power steering fluid .............8-13
Power steering system ...........5-33
Power windows ...............2-54
Rear power windows ............2-56
Power inverter switch ..............2-40
Power outlet ................2-42,2-44
Power steering ..................5-33
Power steering fluid ...............8-13
Precautions Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-5
Precautions on booster
seats...........1-25,1-32,1-39,1-46
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-25,1-32,1-39,1-46
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-14
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-50
Precautions when starting and
driving ...................5-2,5-7
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-64
Programmablefeatures..............4-7 Push starting
...................6-11
R
Radio AM-FM radio with compact disc
(CD)player..................4-35
CarphoneorCBradio ...........4-79
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD)player..................4-35
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD)player..................4-39
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD)player..................4-39
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................4-43,4-48
Steering wheel audio control switch . . . .4-67
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M)
test.....................9-44
Rear power windows ..............2-56
Rear sliding window ...............2-57
Rear sonar system ................5-38
Rear sonar system off switch ..........2-41
Rearview mirror .................3-16
RearView Monitor ......4-10,4-11,4-13,4-14
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.......................2-31
Recorders Eventdata..................9-44
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-8
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-12
Remote controller (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) ..............4-71
Remote keyless entry system ...........3-7
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-43
10-5
RECOMMENDED FUEL (without
Flexible Fuel Vehicle [FFV] option):
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
●Only vehicles with the E-85 filler door
label can operate on E-85. Fuel system
or other damage can occur if E-85 is
used in vehicles that are not designed
to run on E-85.
● Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
● Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst. ●
Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed to
run on E-15 or E-85 fuel. Using E-15 or
E-85 fuel in a vehicle not specifically
designed for E-15 or E-85 fuel can ad-
versely affect the emission control de-
vices and systems of the vehicle. Dam-
age caused by such fuel is not covered
by the NISSAN new vehicle limited
warranty.
● U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbrevia-
tion or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
For additional information, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
FLEXIBLE FUEL VEHICLE (FFV)
FUEL RECOMMENDATION (if so
equipped):
If your vehicle is equipped as a Flexible Fuel
vehicle (FFV) your vehicle is designed to use
(E-85) Fuel Ethanol, “Regular” unleaded regular
gasoline or any percentage of the two fuels com-
bined.
CAUTION
● Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
● Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
For additional information, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATION:
● Genuine NISSAN engine oil or equivalent.
● Engine oil with API Certification Mark.
● Viscosity SAE 5W-30
For additional information, refer to “Engine oil and
oil filter recommendations” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
GAS STATION INFORMATION