1. Make sure that the Intelligent Key is on you.
2. Depress the brake pedal.
3. Push the ignition switch once to the ONposition.
For additional information about the remote
engine start function, see “Remote engine start”
(P.3-19) .ENGINE PROTECTION MODE
The engine has an engine protection mode to
reduce the chance of damage if the coolant
temperature becomes too high (for example,
when climbing steep grades in high temperature
with heavy loads, such as when towing a trailer) .
When the engine temperature reaches a certain
level:
. The engine coolant temperature gauge will
move toward the H position.
. Engine power may be reduced.
. The air conditioning cooling function may be
automatically turned OFF for a short time
(the blower will continue to operate) .
Engine power and, under some conditions,
vehicle speed will decrease. Vehicle speed can
be controlled with the accelerator pedal, but the
vehicle may not accelerate at the desired speed.
The transmission will downshift or upshift as it
reaches prescribed shift points. You can also
shift manually.
As driving conditions change and engine cool-
ant temperature is reduced, vehicle speed can
be increased using the accelerator pedal, and
air conditioning cooling function will automati-
cally be turned back ON. If:
1. The engine coolant temperature is not
reduced.
2. The air conditioning cooling function does not turn back ON.
3. The engine oil pressure warning light
illuminates or engine coolant temperature
gauge does not return to the normal range
from the H position, this may indicate a
malfunction. Move the vehicle off the road to
a safe area and allow the engine to cool. If
after checking the oil and coolant, the
remains on or engine coolant temperature
does not return to the normal range, do not
continue to drive. It is recommended you
contact a NISSAN dealer.
The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
may
also come ON. You do not need to have your
vehicle towed, unless it remains on, but have it
inspected soon. It is recommended you contact
a NISSAN dealer for this service. See “Warning
lights, indicator lights and audible reminders”
(P.2-10) .
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced en-
gine power and vehicle speed. The
Starting and driving5-17
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-18Starting and driving
reduced speed may be lower than other
traffic, which could increase the chance
of a collision. Be especially careful
when driving. If the vehicle cannot
maintain a safe driving speed, pull to
the side of the road in a safe area.
Allow the engine to cool and return to
normal operation. See“If your vehicle
overheats” (P.6-14) .
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7 speed automatic transmission
The automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum efficiency and
smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this transmis-
sion. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
After starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal and push the shift lever button
before shifting the shift lever to the R (Reverse) ,
N (Neutral) , D (Drive) or Manual shift mode
position. Be sure the vehicle is fully stopped
before attempting to shift the shift lever.
This automatic transmission model is de-
signed so that the foot brake pedal must
be depressed before shifting from P (Park)
to any drive position while the ignition
switch position is ON.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of the
P (Park) position and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition switch is
pushed to the LOCK, OFF or ACC position. 1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the shift lever button to shift into a
driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake, then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
.Do not depress the accelerator
pedal while shifting from P (Park)
or N (Neutral) to R (Reverse) , D
(Drive) or manual shift mode. Al-
ways depress the brake pedal until
shifting is completed. Failure to do
so could cause you to lose control
and have an accident.
. Cold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a
forward or reverse gear before the
engine has warmed up.
. Never shift to either the P (Park) or
R (Reverse) position while the vehi-
cle is moving forward and P (Park) ,
D (Drive) position or manual shift
mode while the vehicle is moving
rearward. This could cause an acci-
dent or damage the transmission.
5-122Starting and driving
.Recirculating the cool air in the cabinwhen the A/C is on reduces cooling load.
4. Drive at economical speeds and distances.
.Observing the speed limit and not ex- ceeding 60 MPH (97 km/h) (where
legally allowed) can improve fuel effi-
ciency due to reduced aerodynamic
drag.
.Maintaining a safe following distancebehind other vehicles reduces unneces-
sary braking.
.Safely monitoring traffic to anticipatechanges in speed permits reduced brak-
ing and smooth acceleration changes.
.Select a gear range suitable to road conditions.
5. Use cruise control.
.Using cruise control during highway driving helps maintain a steady speed.
.Cruise control is particularly effective in providing fuel savings when driving on
flat terrains.
6. Plan for the shortest route.
.Utilize a map or navigation system to determine the best route to save time.
7. Avoid idling.
.Shutting off your engine when safe for stops exceeding 30-60 seconds saves fuel and reduces emissions.
8. Buy an automated pass for toll roads.
.Automated passes permit drivers to use special lanes to maintain cruising speed
through the toll and avoid stopping and
starting.
9. Winter warm up.
.Limit idling time to minimize impact to fuel economy.
.Vehicles typically need no more than 30seconds of idling at start-up to effectively
circulate the engine oil before driving.
.Your vehicle will reach its ideal operatingtemperature more quickly while driving
versus idling.
10. Keeping your vehicle cool.
.Park your vehicle in a covered parking area or in the shade whenever possible.
.When entering a hot vehicle, opening thewindows will help to reduce the inside
temperature faster, resulting in reduced
demand on your A/C system. .
Keep your engine tuned up.
. Follow the recommended scheduled main-
tenance.
. Keep the tires inflated to the correct
pressure. Low tire pressure increases tire
wear and lowers fuel economy.
. Keep the wheels in correct alignment.
Improper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
. Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
(See “Engine oil and oil filter recommenda-
tion” (P.10-6) .)
INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
6-10In case of emergency
suspension, cycle the ignition switch ON/
OFF one time.
SCE0910
Installing the spare tire
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surfacebetween the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten the wheel nuts finger tight.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel nuts alternately and evenly in the sequence
illustrated (
*1,*2,*3,*4,*5,*6) until
they are tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts securely
in the sequence as illustrated. Lower the
vehicle completely.
WARNING
.Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.
. Do not use oil or grease on the
wheel studs or nuts. This could
cause the nuts to become loose.
. Retighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been driven for 600
miles (1,000 km) (also in cases of a
flat tire, etc.) .
.As soon as possible, tighten the
wheel nuts to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque: 98 ft-lb (133 N·m)
The wheel nuts must be kept tigh-
tened to specification at all times. It
is recommended that wheel nuts be
tightened to specifications at each
lubrication interval.
.Adjust tire pressure to the COLDpressure.
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing on a
base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
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 stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
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.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based
disinfectant cleaners. They could da-
mage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window
defroster elements.
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.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
. NISSAN recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
Aluminum alloy wheels
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.Do not use a cleaner that uses
strong acid or alkali contents to
clean the wheels.
. Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The
wheel temperature should be the
same as ambient temperature.
. Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.
Bright wheels (if so equipped)
The bright wheels use a different coating
process than typical aluminum alloy wheel and
they are not plated wheels. These wheels are
clear-coated and require the following special
cleaning. They should be regularly washed with
a soft sponge soaked in a lot of water. After
Appearance and care7-3
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ........................................................ 8-2
Engine compartment check locations .................................. 8-3VK56VD engine ................................................................... 8-3
Engine cooling system ............................................................. 8-4 Checking engine coolant level ......................................... 8-5
Changing engine coolant .................................................. 8-5
Engine oil ........................................................................\
............ 8-6 Checking engine oil level .................................................. 8-6
Changing engine oil and filter .......................................... 8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ..................................... 8-8
Power steering fluid .................................................................. 8-8
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
........... 8-9
Window washer fluid ............................................................ 8-10
Battery ........................................................................\
............... 8-11 Jump starting ..................................................................... 8-13
Variable voltage control system .......................................... 8-13
Drive belts ........................................................................\
........ 8-13
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
..... 8-14 Replacing spark plugs .................................................... 8-14
Air cleaner ........................................................................\
........ 8-15 Windshield wiper blades ..................................................... 8-16
Cleaning ........................................................................\
... 8-16
Replacing ........................................................................\
. 8-16
Rear window wiper blades ................................................. 8-17
Brakes ........................................................................\
.............. 8-17 Self-adjusting brakes .................................................... 8-17
Brake pad wear warning .............................................. 8-17
Brake booster ................................................................. 8-18
Fuses ........................................................................\
................ 8-18 Engine compartment ..................................................... 8-19
Passenger compartment .............................................. 8-20
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................................... 8-21
Lights ........................................................................\
................ 8-24
Headlights ........................................................................\
8-25
Exterior and interior lights ............................................ 8-26
Wheels and tires ................................................................... 8-30
Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-30
Tire labeling ..................................................................... 8-34
Types of tires ................................................................... 8-36
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-36
Changing wheels and tires .......................................... 8-37
8-2Do-it-yourself
When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance 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.
WARNING
.Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely
and block the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving. Move the
shift lever to P (Park) .
. Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
. Never connect or disconnect the
battery or any transistorized com-
ponent while the ignition switch is
in the ON position.
. Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
. 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 secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
. Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
. If you must run the engine in an
enclosed 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
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
. Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel tank and the
battery.
. Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always
disconnect the negative battery
cable before working near the fan. .
Because the fuel lines are under
high pressure even when the engine
is off, it is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for service of the
fuel filter or fuel lines.CAUTION
.Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn the engine
off and wait until it cools down.
. Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly
disposed engine oil, coolant, and/
or other vehicle fluids can damage
the environment. Always conform to
local regulations for disposal of
vehicle fluid.
This “8. Do-it-yourself” section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s Manual/Service Man-
ual order information” (P.10-33).)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
11-2
Seat belt warning light and chime .................. 2-16
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ..................................... 8-19
Cleaning exterior and interior ........................... 7-2, 7-4
Climate control ............................................................ 4-52
Coat hooks ................................................................... 2-55
Cockpit ............................................................................ 2-3
Cold weather driving .............................................. 5-140
Compact Disc (CD) player (See
audio system) .............................................................. 4-72
Console box ................................................................. 2-54
Controller, Center multi-function control panel .... 4-5
Controls Control panel button .............................................. 4-4
Multi-function controller ........................................ 4-5
Coolant Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ........................ 10-2
Changing engine coolant ..................................... 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ............................ 8-5
Corrosion protection .................................................... 7-7
Cruise control .............................................................. 5-67 Fixed speed cruise control (on
ICC system) .......................................................... 5-87
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) ..................... 5-69
Cup holders ................................................................. 2-50
D
Daytime running light system .................................. 2-40
Dimensions ................................................................... 10-9
Distance Control Assist (DCA) .............................. 5-91
Distance Control Assist (DCA) system
warning light ................................................................ 2-13
Drive belts .................................................................... 8-13
Drive positioner ........................................................... 3-33
Driving Cold weather driving ........................................ 5-140 Driving with automatic transmission ............... 5-18
On-pavement and off-road driving ..................... 5-9
Precautions when starting and driving ............. 5-4
Safety precautions .............................................. 5-10
DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) player operation ..... 4-74
DVD Entertainment System ..................................... 4-92
E
Economy, Fuel .......................................................... 5-122
Elapsed time ................................................................ 2-28
Emission control information label ...................... 10-11
Emission control system maintenance .................... 9-8
Emission control system warranty ....................... 10-30
Engine Before starting the engine ................................ 5-15
Break-in schedule .............................................. 5-121
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ........................ 10-2
Changing engine coolant ..................................... 8-5
Changing engine oil and filter ............................. 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ............................ 8-5
Checking engine oil level ..................................... 8-6
Coolant temperature gauge ................................. 2-7
Emergency engine shut off ............................... 5-14
Engine block heater .......................................... 5-141
Engine compartment check locations ............... 8-3
Engine cooling system .......................................... 8-4
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-6
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ....... 10-6
Engine oil replacement indicator ..................... 2-26
Engine oil viscosity .............................................. 10-7
Engine serial number ........................................ 10-11
Engine specifications .......................................... 10-8
Engine start operation indicator ...................... 2-23
If your vehicle overheats .................................... 6-14
Oil pressure gauge ................................................ 2-8 Protection mode .................................................. 5-17
Remote engine start operation indicator ....... 2-23
Starting the engine ............................................. 5-16
Entry/exit function, Automatic drive positioner .... 3-33
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ............................... 10-33
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................... 5-4
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items ....... 9-5
Extended storage fuse warning .............................. 2-24
Extended storage switch .......................................... 8-21F
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ............ 10-11
Filter Air cleaner housing filter .................................... 8-15
Changing engine oil and filter ............................. 8-6
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) ...... 6-2
Flat tire ............................................................................ 6-3
Flat towing ................................................................. 10-29
Flexible seating ............................................................ 1-11
Floor mat cleaning ........................................................ 7-5
Fluid Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) .................. 8-8
Brake fluid ................................................................ 8-9
Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants ........................ 10-2
Engine coolant ........................................................ 8-4
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-6
Power steering fluid ............................................... 8-8
Window washer fluid .......................................... 8-10
FM-AM-SAT radio with Compact Disc
(CD) player ................................................................... 4-70
Fog light switch .......................................................... 2-42
Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) .................. 5-105
Forward Emergency Braking system
warning light ................................................................ 2-14
Front auxiliary input jacks ......................................... 4-88