●Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as am-
bient temperature.
● Rinse the wheel to completely remove
the cleaner within 15 minutes after the
cleaner is applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSINGS
NISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the rub-
ber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it may
react with the coating and form a compound. This
compound may come off the tire while driving and
stain the vehicle paint. If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
● Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat-
ing on the tire dissolves more easily than
with an oil-based tire dressing.
● Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire
tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove) .
● Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.
● Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by the tire dressing manufacturer. Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior
trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum
cleaner or soft bristled brush. Wipe the vinyl and
leather surfaces with a clean, soft cloth damp-
ened in mild soap solution, then wipe clean with a
dry, soft cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order to
maintain the appearance of the leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the manu-
facturer’s recommendations. Some fabric pro-
tectors contain chemicals that may stain or
bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water to clean
the meter and gauge lens.
WARNING
Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can dam-
age the seat or occupant classification
sensor. This can also affect the operation
of the air bag system and result in serious
personal injury.
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care
Seat beltsCheck 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. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Exhaust gas (carbon
monoxide)” 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
When checking or replacement of automatic
transmission fluid is required, it is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for servicing.
WARNING
●When the engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away from
any moving parts such as the cooling
fan and drive belts.
● Automatic transmission fluid is poison-
ous and should be stored carefully in
marked containers out of the reach of
children. For additional information on brake fluid specifi-
cation, 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.
BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid level is below the MIN line
B, or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN
Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the
MAX line
A. If fluid must be added frequently,
the system should be checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
LDI2790
4-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) (if so
equipped) BRAKE AND CLUTCH (if so equipped)
FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13
CLUTCH (if so equipped) FLUID
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. The brake
fluid reservoir is shared with the clutch hydraulic
system for manual transmissions. If the level is
below the MIN line
B, or the brake warning light
comes on, add Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
A.If
fluid must be added frequently, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for ser-
vicing.
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.
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.
LDI2790LDI2791
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front disc-type brakes self-adjust every time
the brake pedal is applied. The rear drum-type
brakes self-adjust every time the parking brake is
applied.
WARNING
Have your brake system checked if the
brakes pedal height does not return to
normal. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, a high pitched scraping or screech-
ing sound will be heard when the vehicle is in
motion. The noise will be heard whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard.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 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.
LDI2385
BRAKES FUSES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-21
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Fusible links
If any electrical equipment does not operate and
the fuses are in good condition, check the fusible
links
Ain the holder. If any of the fusible links are
melted, replace only with Genuine NISSAN
parts.
For checking and replacing the fusible links, it is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer.
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
WARNING
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 operate,
check for an open fuse. NOTE:
The fuse box is located on the driver’s side
of the instrument panel.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight switch are OFF.
2. Remove the fuse box cover
Awith a suit-
able tool. Use a cloth to avoid damaging the
trim.
3. Locate the fuse that needs to be replaced.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
B.
LDI2792LDI2712
8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself
4. Disconnect the electrical connectorCfrom
the rear combination light.
5. Remove four screws
Dand the housing
from the rear combination light.
6. Replace the necessary bulbs.
Follow the instruction in reverse order to install
the rear combination light and carpet. If you have a flat tire, refer “Flat tire” in the
“In case of emergency” section of this
manual.
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . It
monitors tire pressure of all tires except
the spare. When the low tire pressure
warning light is lit and the CHECK TIRE
PRES warning is displayed in the odom-
eter, one or more of your tires is signifi-
cantly under-inflated.
The TPMS will activate only when the
vehicle is driven at speeds above 16 mph
(25 km/h). Also, this system may not de-
tect a sudden drop in tire pressure (for
example a flat tire while driving) .
For additional information, refer to “Low
tire pressure warning light” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section, “Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the“Starting and driving” section, and “Flat
tire” in the “In case of emergency” section
of this manual.
Tire inflation pressure
Check the tire pressures (including the
spare) often and always prior to long dis-
tance trips. The recommended tire pres-
sure specifications are shown on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label
or the Tire and Loading Information label
under the “Cold Tire Pressure” heading.
The Tire and Loading Information label is
affixed to the driver side center pillar. Tire
pressures should be checked regularly
because:
● Most tires naturally lose air over time.
● Tires can lose air suddenly when
driven over potholes or other objects
or if the vehicle strikes a curb while
parking.
LDI2808
WHEELS AND TIRES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-33
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. Recommended types and
sizes are shown in “Wheels and tires” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
WARNING
●The use of tires other than those recom-
mended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial) , or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, VDC system, ground clear-
ance, body-to-tire clearance, tire chain
clearance, speedometer calibration,
headlight aim and bumper height.
Some of these effects may lead to acci-
dents and could result in serious per-
sonal injury.
● If your vehicle was originally equipped
with 4 tires that were the same size and
you are only replacing 2 of the 4 tires,
install the new tires on the rear axle.
Placing new tires on the front axle may
cause loss of vehicle control in some
driving conditions and cause an acci-
dent and personal injury. ●
If the wheels are changed for any rea-
son, always replace with wheels which
have the same off-set dimension.
Wheels of a different off-set could
cause premature tire wear, degrade ve-
hicle handling characteristics, affect the
VDC system and/or interference with
the brake discs. Such interference can
lead to decreased braking efficiency
and/or early brake pad/shoe wear. For
additional information on wheel-off set
dimensions, refer to “Wheels and tires”
in the “Technical and consumer infor-
mation” section of this manual.
● Since the spare tire is not equipped with
the TPMS, when a spare tire is mounted
or a wheel is replaced, tire pressure will
not be indicated, the TPMS will not
function and the low tire pressure warn-
ing light will flash for approximately
1 minute. The light will remain on after
1 minute. Have your tires replaced
and/or TPMS system reset as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
● Replacing tires with those not originally
specified by NISSAN could affect the
proper operation of the TPMS. ●
The TPMS sensor may be damaged if it
is not handled correctly. Be careful
when handling the TPMS sensor.
● When replacing the TPMS sensor, the
ID registration may be required. Contact
a NISSAN dealer for ID registration.
● Do not use a valve stem cap that is not
specified by NISSAN. The valve stem
cap may become stuck.
● Be sure that the valve stem caps are
correctly fitted. Otherwise the valve may
be clogged up with dirt and cause a
malfunction or loss of pressure.
● Do not install a damaged or deformed
wheel or tire even if it has been re-
paired. Such wheels or tires could have
structural damage and could fail with-
out warning.
● The use of retread tires is not
recommended.
● For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety In-
formation” (US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet.
8-42Maintenance and do-it-yourself