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 ................8-7
Engine cooling system .............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-9
Changing engine coolant ........................8-9
Engine oil .........................................8-9
Checking engine oil level ........................8-9
Changing engine oil ........................... 8-10
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid
(if so equipped) .................................. 8-12
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) 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 .....................8-16
Drive belt ........................................ 8-17
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-17Replacing spark plugs
......................... 8-17
Air cleaner ....................................... 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
Key fob (if so equipped) ........................ 8-24
NISSAN Intelligent Key® (if so equipped) ........8-25
Lights ........................................... 8-26
Headlights .................................... 8-26
Fog lights (if so equipped) ......................8-27
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-28
Wheels
and tires ................................. 8-31
Tire pressure .................................. 8-31
Tire labeling ................................... 8-35
Types of tires .................................. 8-37
Tire chains .................................... 8-38
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-38
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment,
see a NISSAN dealer.
SeatsCheck seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seat back 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 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.
Warning lights and chimes Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.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. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions 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 electronic accessories that consume battery power
when the engine is not running (Phone char-
gers, 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 (if so equipped) fluid lev-
els* Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid
level is between the MIN and MAX lines on the
reservoir. Engine coolant level*
Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts* Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
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. Refer to
the carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
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 (if so equipped) after use is nor-
mal. 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.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
UnderbodyThe 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 from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. For
additional information, refer to the “Appearance
and care” section of this manual.
Windshield–washer fluid* Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir. 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 precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
●
Park the vehicle on a level surface, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. For manual transmission
models, move the shift lever to N (Neu-
tral) . For CVT models, move the shift
lever to P (Park) .
● Be sure the ignition switch is placed in
the OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
● Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even if
the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position and the engine is not running.
To avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative battery cable before working
near the fan. ●
If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts.
● It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
● Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.
● If you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases to escape.
● Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
● Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
● The fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure
even when the engine is off.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
HR16DE engine
1. Drive belt location
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Air cleaner
4. Brake and clutch (*1) fluid reservoir
5. Fusible link
6. Battery
7. Engine coolant reservoir
8. Radiator cap
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
*1 For Manual Transmission (M/T) model
LDI2377
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
3. Remove the oil filler capBby turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
A.
5. Remove the drain plug
Awith a wrench by
turning it counterclockwise and completely
drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Changing engine oil filter” in
this section.
WARNING
● Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
● Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner as
soon as possible.
● Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CAUTION
● Be careful not to burn yourself. The en-
gine oil may be hot.
● Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
● Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug
Aand a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain plug
Awith a wrench. Do not use excessive
force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 22 - 29 ft-lb (29 - 39 N·m)
7. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap
Bsecurely.
For additional information, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in
the “Technical and consumer information”
section of this manual for drain and refill
capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine. 8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around
the drain plug
Aand oil filter. Correct as
required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the “Technical
and consumer information” section of this
manual.
WARNING
●Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake and clutch
(if so equipped) systems. The use of
improper fluids can damage the brake
and clutch system and affect the vehi-
cle’s stopping ability.
● Clean the filler cap before removing.
● Brake and clutch fluid is poisonous and
should be stored carefully in marked
containers out of reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface with
water. Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the level is
below the MIN line
1, add Genuine NISSAN
Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT
3 fluid up to the MAX line
2. If fluid must be
added frequently, the system should be checked
by a NISSAN dealer.
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Add a washer solvent to the windshield-washer
fluid reservoir for better cleaning. In the winter
season, add a windshield-washer antifreeze. Fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions for the mix-
ture ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of
windshield-washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN
Windshield-Washer Fluid Concentrate Cleaner
& Antifreeze or equivalent.
LDI2683LDI2040
BRAKE AND CLUTCH (if so equipped)
FLUID WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13
CAUTION
●Do not substitute engine antifreeze
coolant for windshield-washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
● Do not fill the windshield-washer fluid
reservoir with washer fluid concen-
trates at full strength. Some methyl al-
cohol based washer fluid concentrates
may permanently stain the grille if
spilled while filling the windshield-
washer fluid reservoir.
● Pre-mix windshield-washer fluid con-
centrates with water to the manufactur-
er’s recommended levels before pour-
ing the fluid into the windshield-washer
fluid reservoir. Do not use the
windshield-washer fluid reservoir to
mix the washer fluid concentrate and
water. ●
Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of baking
soda and water.
● Make certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.
● If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the negative (-) battery
terminal cable to prevent discharge.
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 electronic accessories that consume battery power
when the engine is not running (Phone char-
gers, 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.
WARNING
●Do not expose the battery to electrical
sparks, flames or smoking. Hydrogen
gas generated by the battery is explo-
sive. Explosive gases can cause blind-
ness or injury. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your skin, eyes, fabrics or
painted surfaces. Sulfuric acid can
cause blindness or severe burns. After
touching a battery or battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly
wash your hands. If the acid contacts
your eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 minutes
and seek medical attention.
● Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid in
the battery is low. Low battery fluid can
cause a higher load on the battery
which can generate heat, reduce battery
life, and in some cases lead to an
explosion.
● When working on or near a battery, al-
ways wear suitable eye protection and
remove all jewelry.
● Do not tip the battery. Keep the vent
caps tight and the battery level.
BATTERY
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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
fluid 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 fluid or a mild detergent. Then rinse
the blades with clear water. If your windshield is
still not clear after cleaning the blades and using
the wiper, install new windshield wiper blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can dam-
age the windshield and impair driver
vision.
REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.1. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield.
2. Push and hold the release tab
A, and then
move the wiper blade down
1the wiper
arm to remove.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm until it clicks into place.
CAUTION
●After wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when the
hood is opened.
● Make sure the wiper blades contact the
glass; otherwise the arms may be dam-
aged from wind pressure.
SDI1803
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19