In order to maintain the appearance of your vehicle,
it is important to take proper care of it.
Whenever possible, park your vehicle inside a ga-
rage or in a covered area to minimise the chances
of damaging the paint surface of your vehicle.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a shady
area or protect the vehicle with a body cover.Be
careful not to scratch the paint surface when put-
ting on or removing the body cover.
WASHING
In the following instances, wash your vehicle as soon
as possible to protect the paint surface:
•After a rainfall, to prevent possible damage from
acid rain.
•After driving on coastal roads.
•When contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or insects get on
the paint surface.
•When dust or mud builds up on the paint sur-
face.
1. Wash the vehicle surface with a wet sponge and
plenty of water.
2. Clean the vehicle surface gently and thoroughly
using a mild soap or a special vehicle wash sham-
poo mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot) wa-
ter.CAUTION
•Do not wash the vehicle with strong house-
hold soap, strong chemical detergents, petrol
or solvents.
•Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or
while the vehicle body is hot, as the paint sur-
face may become water-spotted.
•Avoid using tight-napped or rough cloths,
such as washing mitts. Care must be taken
when removing caked-on dirt or other foreign
substances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
3. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.
4. Use a damp chamois to dry the paint surface to
avoid leaving water spots.
When washing the vehicle, take care of the follow-
ing:
•Inside flanges, joints and folds on the doors, back
door and bonnet are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be cleaned regularly.
•Be sure that the drain holes in the lower edge of
the doors are not clogged.
•Spray water to the underbody and in the wheel
wells to loosen the dirt and/or wash away road
salt.
•If using a high pressure washer always follow
the recommendations on the equipment (pres-
sure and spraying distance).
CAUTION
Do not spray directly into the engine compart-
ment with a high-pressure washer/hose this
could damage the engine.
•If there are damaged areas on the vehicle (e.g.
painted bumpers or headlamp assembly), it is
not recommended to direct the high pressure jet
on to them. Carefully wash these areas by hand.
•Avoid the entry of water into the locks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the paint
surface to avoid lasting damage or staining. Special
cleaning products are available at a NISSAN dealer
or any automotive accessory store.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and helps
to retain a new vehicle appearance.
After waxing, polishing is recommended to remove
built-up residue.
A NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop can assist
you in choosing the appropriate waxing products.
CAUTION
•Wash your vehicle thoroughly and completely
before applying wax to the paint surface.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care
•Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
supplied with the wax.
•Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may dam-
age the vehicle finish.
•If the vehicle surface cannot polish easily, ap-
ply a road tar remover prior to waxing the ve-
hicle.
•Machine compounding or aggressive polish-
ing on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may
dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
CLEANING GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is parked
in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will
easily remove this film.
CLEANING REAR-VIEW CAMERA
(where fitted)
Clean the transparent camera cover regularly. If dirt,
rain or snow attaches to the cover, the monitor may
not display objects clearly.
CAUTION
•Do not use alcohol, benzine or thinner to clean
the transparent camera cover. This will cause
discoloration. To clean the cover, first use a
cloth dampened with diluted mild cleaning
agent and then wipe with a dry cloth.
•Do not use body wax on the transparent cam-
era cover.
•When washing the vehicle with a high pres-
sure water spray, make sure not to spray it
around the transparent camera cover. Other-
wise, water may enter the camera unit caus-
ing water condensation on the lens and it may
result in a malfunction or an electric shock.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in the winter, the
vehicle’s underbody must be cleaned regularly. This
will prevent dirt and salt from building up and caus-
ing underbody and suspension corrosion.
Before the winter period and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary, re-
treated.
CARE OF WHEELS
•Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle to
maintain their appearance.
•Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the vehicle
is washed.
•Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing the
wheels.
•Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or corro-
sion. This may cause loss of pressure or damage
the tyre bead.
•NISSAN recommends that the road wheels be
waxed to protect against road salt in areas where
it is used during winter.
CLEANING ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly with a sponge damp-
ened in a mild soap solution, especially during win-
ter in areas where road salt is used. The salt residue
from road salt could discolour the wheels if it is not
washed off regularly.
CAUTION
Follow the directions as described below in order
to avoid staining or discolouring of the wheels.
•Do not use a cleaner that contains strong con-
tents of acid or alkali to clean the wheels.
•Do not apply wheel cleaner when the wheels
are hot. The wheel temperature should be the
same as ambient temperature.
•Rinse the wheel to completely remove the
cleaner within 15 minutes after the cleaner
has been applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a nonabrasive
chrome polish to maintain the finish.
Appearance and care7-3
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
Four-wheel drive (4WD) models ......................... 8-35
Wheel balance.................................................... 8-36
Spare tyre .......................................................... 8-36
Care of wheels ................................................... 8-36
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
In case of a flat tyre, see “Flat tyre” in the “6. In case
of emergency” section.
TYRE INFLATION PRESSURE
Periodically check the tyre pressure (including the
spare tyre). An incorrect tyre pressure may ad-
versely affect tyre life and vehicle handling. After
adjusting the tyre pressure, perform a TPMS tem-
perature calibration (see “TPMS temperature
calibration” in the “5. Starting and driving” section).
NOTE
Incorrectly inflated tyres can also lead to poor
steering ability and make the driver suspect a
steering problem: keep the vehicle’s tyres in-
flated to the correct pressure at all times.
The tyre pressure should be checked when tyres
are COLD. Tyres are considered COLD after the
vehicle has been parked for three or more hours, or
driven less than 1.6 km (1 mile). COLD tyre pres-
sures are shown on the tyre placard affixed to the
driver’s side centre pillar.
Insufficient pressure can lead to an overheating of
the tyre and subsequent internal damage. At high
speeds, this could result in tread separation and
even bursting of the tyre.
TYPES OF TYRES
CAUTION
•When changing or replacing tyres, be sure all
four tyres are of the same type (i.e., summer,
all season or snow) and construction.
NDI1480Reverse light, and/or rear fog light (where fitted)
NDI1438Rear turn signal light
WHEELS AND TYRES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-33
•A NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop may
be able to help you with information about
tyre type, size, speed rating and availability.
•Replacement tyres may have a lower speed
rating than the factory equipped tyres, and
may not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed rat-
ing of the tyre.
All season tyres
NISSAN specifies all season tyres on some models
to provide good performance for use all year around,
including snowy and icy road conditions. All season
tyres are identified by ALL SEASON and/or M&S
on the tyre sidewall. Snow tyres have better snow
traction than all season tyres and may be more ap-
propriate in some areas.
Summer tyres
NISSAN specifies summer tyres as standard fit.
These tyres provide superior performance under
typical mild weather conditions.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of SNOW
or ALL SEASON tyres on all four wheels.
Snow tyres
If snow tyres are needed, it is necessary to select
tyres equivalent in size and load rating to the original
equipment tyres. If you do not, it can adversely af-
fect the safety and handling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tyres will have lower speed ratingsthan factory equipped tyres and may not match the
potential maximum vehicle speed. Never exceed the
maximum speed rating of the tyre.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tyres
may be used. However, some provinces and states
prohibit their use. Check local, state and provincial
laws before installing studded tyres. Skid and trac-
tion capabilities of studded snow tyres, on wet or
dry surfaces, may be poorer than that of non-stud-
ded snow tyres.
SNOW CHAINS
Use of snow chains may be prohibited in some ar-
eas. Check the local laws before installing snow
chains. When installing snow chains, make sure they
are of proper size for the tyres on your vehicle and
are installed according to the chain manufacturer’s
suggestions. Use chain tensioners when recom-
mended by the snow chain manufacturer to ensure
a tight fit. Loose end links of the snow chain must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibility of
whipping action damage to the fenders or undercar-
riage.
In addition, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise,
your vehicle can be damaged and/or vehicle han-
dling and performance may be adversely affected.
Snow chains must be installed only on the front
wheels and not on the rear wheels.
CAUTION
•Never install snow chains on a temporary-use
or small size spare tyre.
•Do not drive with snow chains on paved roads
which are clear of snow. Driving with chains in
such conditions can cause damage to the
various mechanisms of the vehicle due to
some overstress. When driving on clear paved
roads, be sure to change to 2WD mode, see
“Four-wheel Drive (4WD) (where fitted)” in the
“5. Starting and driving” section.
TYRE ROTATION
NISSAN recommends that tyres be rotated every
10,000 km (6,000 miles) for Two-Wheel Drive
(2WD) vehicles and 5,000 km (3,000 miles) for
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) vehicles. After rotating
tyres and adjusting the tyre pressure, perform a
TPMS temperature calibration (see “TPMS tem-
perature calibration” in the “5. Starting and driving”
section).
See “Flat tyre” in the “6. In case of emergency” sec-
tion for tyre replacing procedures.
NDI762Z
8-34Maintenance and do-it-yourself