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
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-13
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-13
Battery .......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ................................. 8-15
Variable voltage control system .....................8-15
Drive belt ........................................ 8-16
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-17Replacing spark plugs
......................... 8-17
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 .......................8-22
Battery replacement .............................. 8-23
Key fob (if so equipped) ........................ 8-23
Lights ........................................... 8-24
Headlights .................................... 8-24
Park/turn signal lights .......................... 8-27
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-29
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-33
Tire pressure .................................. 8-33
Tire
labeling ................................... 8-36
Types of tires .................................. 8-39
Tire chains .................................... 8-40
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-40
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 fluid levels* Make sure that the brake
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. For addi-
tional information, refer to the “Exhaust gas (car-
bon monoxide)” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion 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 after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
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
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than10 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the 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.
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.
LDI2724
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information regard-
ing brake inspections, refer to the appropriate
maintenance schedule information in the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide”.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse.
Fuses are used in the passenger and engine
compartment. Spare fuses are provided and can
be found in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
When installing a fuse make sure the fuse is
installed in the fuse box securely.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than specified on the
fuse box cover. This could damage the
electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not come on,
check for an open fuse. 1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight switch are in the OFF position.
2. Open the engine hood.
LDI2384LDI2288
FUSES
8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself
●If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not avail-
able to ensure that all methanol blends
are suitable for use in NISSAN ve-
hicles.
If any drivability problems such as engine stalling
and difficult hot-starting are experienced after
using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
E–15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately 15% fuel
ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. E-15 can
only be used in vehicles designed to run on E-15
fuel. Do not use E-15 in your vehicle. U.S. gov-
ernment regulations require fuel ethanol dispens-
ing pumps to be identified with small, square, orange and black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percentage for that
region.
E–85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If youdetect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
9-4Technical and consumer information
If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-877-NIS-NCV1 (1-877-647-6281) .Due to legal requirements in some states, your
vehicle may be required to be in what is called the
“ready condition” for an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20 sec-
onds and then blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test
condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not blink
after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for
testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds are not recorded.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TESTEVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
9-18Technical and consumer information
10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ........5-21
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-40
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-48
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-57
Airbagwarninglight...........1-58,2-14
Air bag warning light, supplemental . .1-58, 2-14
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-17
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ..........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant
recommendations ..............9-6
Heater and air conditioner (manual) ....4-14
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-21
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-22
Airflowcharts..................4-18
Anchor point locations .............1-24
Antenna .....................4-45
Antifreeze ....................5-25
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-21
Audible reminders ...............2-16
Audio system ..................4-22
AM radio reception .............4-23
Bluetooth® streaming audio ........4-42
Compact disc (CD) player .........4-35 FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-30
FMradioreception.............4-22
iPod® Player
................4-39
iPod® player operation ...........4-39
Radio ....................4-22
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-44
USB (Universal Serial Bus) Connection
Port .....................4-37
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-26
Automatic door locks ..............3-9
AUXjack ....................4-37
B
Back door .....................3-7
Battery ..................5-25,8-13
Chargewarninglight............2-10
Battery replacement ..............8-23
Keyfob................8-23,8-23
Before starting the engine ............5-9
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Bluetooth®audio................4-42
Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System with
NavigationSystem...............4-47
Boosterseats..................1-37
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-21
Brake fluid ..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Brake system ................5-20 Brakewarninglight.............2-10
Brakewearindicators........2-16,8-19
Parking brake operation
..........5-14
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-19
Brake fluid ....................8-12
Brakes ......................8-19
Brake system ..................5-20
Break-inschedule ...............5-16
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-7
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-20
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-9
Bulbreplacement................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargolight ...................2-30
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
Car
phone or CB radio .............4-46
CDcareandcleaning .............4-43
CD player (See audio system) .........4-35
Child restraints .......1-18,1-19,1-20,1-22
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) System ..............1-22
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-20,1-26,1-33,1-37
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-24
Child safety sliding door lock ..........3-9
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-16
Cleaning exterior and interior .......7-2,7-4
Clock setting
(models with Navigation System).....4-5,4-32
Cold weather driving ...............5-25
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-35
Connect phone .................4-45
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . . .5-10 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid ......................8-12
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-10
Control panel buttons ...............4-2
Brightness/contrast button ..........4-7
Enterbutton..................4-2
Setting button .................4-5
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-44
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-21
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Corrosionprotection ...............7-5
Cruisecontrol..................5-15
Cupholders...................2-24
D
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-19
Dimensionsandweights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-20
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-3 Door open warning light
.............2-11
Doors ........................3-3
Drive belt .....................8-16
Driving Cold weather driving .............5-25
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-10
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Driving the vehicle ................5-10
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-18
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-17
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-9
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingenginecoolant...........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 cooling system ............8-7
Engineoil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-11
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine ..............5-9
Enterbutton....................4-2
EventDatarecorders..............9-18 Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)
.........5-2
Explanation of maintenance items ........8-2
Extended storage switch ............8-22
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-2
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities
and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-12
Enginecoolant.................8-7
Engineoil ...................8-9
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-48
Frontseats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-18
Fuel-filler cap .................3-14
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-14
Fuel-filler lid .................3-14
Fuelgauge...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-4
Loose fuel cap warning ............2-5
Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) System Tire pressure .................8-33
Fuel-filler door ..................3-14
10-2