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
(if so equipped) .................................. 8-11
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ..............8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-12
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-12
Battery .......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ................................. 8-15
Variable voltage control system .....................8-15
Drive belt ........................................ 8-16
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-16Replacing spark plugs
......................... 8-16
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-17
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-18
Cleaning ..................................... 8-18
Replacing .................................... 8-18
Brakes .......................................... 8-19
Fuses ........................................... 8-20
Engine compartment ........................... 8-20
Passenger compartment .......................8-21
Battery replacement .............................. 8-22
Key fob (if so equipped) ........................ 8-23
NISSAN Intelligent Key® (if so equipped) ........8-23
Lights ........................................... 8-25
Headlights .................................... 8-25
Fog lights (if so equipped) ......................8-26
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-27
Wheels
and tires ................................. 8-31
Tire pressure .................................. 8-31
Tire labeling ................................... 8-34
Types of tires .................................. 8-37
Tire chains .................................... 8-38
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-38
Steering wheelCheck 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.
Underbody The 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.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. For manual transmission models,
move the shift lever to N (Neutral) . For
CVT models, move the shift lever to P
(Park) .
●Be sure the ignition switch is placed in
the OFF or LOCK position when perform-
ing 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.
CAUTION
● Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down. ●
Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
● Never leave the engine or the transmis-
sion related component harness con-
nector disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
● Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A Genuine NISSAN service manual is also avail-
able. For additional information, refer to “Owner’s
Manual/Service Manual order information” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage. If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
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
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature, then turn it off. 3. Remove the oil filler cap
Bby 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.LDI2364
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
B. 4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench
by turning it counterclockwise. Then remove
the oil filter by turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil .
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque: 15 - 20 N·m (11 - 15 ft-lbs)
8. Start the engine and check for leakage around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil by removing the oil filler cap
Aif neces-
sary.
CAUTION
● NISSAN recommends using Genuine
NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 ONLY in
NISSAN CVTs. Do not mix with other
fluids.
● Do not use Automatic transmission
fluid (ATF) or Manual transmission fluid
in a NISSAN CVT, as it may damage the
CVT. Damage caused by the use of flu-
ids other than recommended is not cov-
ered under NISSAN’s New Vehicle Lim-
ited Warranty.
● Using fluids that are not equivalent to
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 may
damage the CVT. Damage caused by the
use of fluids other than as recom-
mended is not covered under NISSAN’s
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
When checking or replacement of CVT fluid is
required, we recommend your NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
LDI2365
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUID (if so
equipped)
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
8-12Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid (if so equipped) —Refill to the proper
level according to the instructions in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section. See your NISSANdealer or qualified
workshop for service. —
• Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3
•
NISSAN recommends using Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3
ONLY in NISSAN CVTs. Do not mix with other fluids. Using fluids
that are not equivalent to Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 may
damage the CVT. Damage caused by the use of fluids other than as
recommended is not covered under NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ——• Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3.
• Available in mainland U.S.A. through a NISSAN dealer.
Multi-purpose grease ——— • NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant ———• HFC-134a (R-134a)
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations” in this section.
Air conditioning system oil ———• Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations” in this section.
Windshield-washer fluid 3/4 gal7/8 gal3.5 L• Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze
or equivalent
Technical and consumer information9-3