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
8-8Do-it-yourself
After the operation
1. Install the engine undercover into positionusing the bolts.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
3. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
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. When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend a NISSAN dealer for servicing.
CAUTION
.
It is recommended that you use only
Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF. Do
not mix with other fluids.
. Using automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) other than Genuine NISSAN
Matic S ATF may cause deteriora-
tion in driveability and automatic
transmission durability, and may
damage the automatic transmis-
sion. Damage caused by use of
fluids other than as recommended
is not covered by the NISSAN new
vehicle limited warranty.
SDI1765A
Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
The fluid level should be checked using the HOT
range (
*1: HOT MAX.,*2: HOT MIN.) at fluid
temperatures of 122 to 1768F (50 to 808C) or
using the COLD range (
*3: COLD MAX.,*4:
COLD MIN.) at fluid temperatures of 32 to 868F
(0 to 308C) .
If the fluid is below the MIN line, add Genuine
NISSAN PSF or equivalent. Remove the cap
and fill through the opening.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
(ATF) POWER STEERING FLUID
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
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.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated every
5,000 miles (8,000 km) .
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If
necessary, adjust the pressure in all tires,
including the spare, to the pressure specified.
Check carefully for damage, cuts or excessive
wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components: Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance: If the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire 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.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the
NISSAN Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield:
Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a
damaged windshield repaired by a qualified
repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing scheduled maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mechan-
ism: On a fairly steep hill, check that your
vehicle is held securely with the shift lever in the
P (Park) position without applying any brakes. 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 longer to
stop, have your vehicle checked immediately. It
is recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service. Keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied. If the parking brake needs
adjusted, it is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure
they operate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
the locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all
latched positions.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjuster
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt
webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Maintenance and schedules9-3
CHASSIS AND BODY MAINTENANCE
Abbreviations: I = Inspect and correct or replace as necessary, R = Replace, L = Lubricate
MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.Miles
61,000
(km 61,000)
Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
5
(8) 6 10
(16) 12 15
(24) 18 20
(32) 24 25
(40) 30 30
(48) 36 35
(56) 42 40
(64) 48 45
(72) 54 50
(80) 60 55
(88) 66 60
(96) 72
Brake lines and cables II II I I
Brake pads and rotors$ II I I I I
Brake fluid$ RR R
Automatic transmission fluid See NOTE (1)
Differential gear oil See NOTE (2)II II I I
Transfer fluid See NOTE (2)II II I I
Steering gear and linkage, axle
and suspension parts$ II I
Propeller shaft & drive shaft boots
(4WD models)$ II I I I I
Propeller shaft grease (4WD
models) LL L L L L
Tire rotation See NOTE (3)
Exhaust system$ II I
In-cabin microfilter RR R R
Intelligent Key battery RR R R
Maintenance and schedules9-11
9-12Maintenance and schedules
MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.Miles
61,000
(km 61,000)
Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
65
(104) 78 70
(112) 84 75
(120) 90 80
(128) 96 85
(136) 102 90
(144) 108 95
(152) 114 100
(160) 120 105
(168) 126 110
(176) 132 115
(184) 138 120
(192) 144
Brake lines & cables II II I I
Brake pads & rotors$ II II I I
Brake fluid$ RR R
Automatic transmission fluid See NOTE (1)
Differential gear oil See NOTE (2)II II I I
Transfer fluid See NOTE (2)II II I I
Steering gear & linkage, axle &
suspension parts$ II I
Propeller shaft & drive shaft boots
(4WD models)$ II II I I
Propeller shaft grease (4WD
models) LL LL L L
Tire rotation See NOTE (3)
Exhaust system$ III
In-cabin microfilter RRR R
Intelligent Key battery RRR R
NOTE:
Maintenance items with “$”should be
performed more frequently according to
“Maintenance under severe driving condi-
tions” (P.9-13) . (1) Periodic maintenance is not required.
(2) If towing a trailer, using a camper or
car-top carrier, or driving on rough or
muddy roads, change (not just inspect) oil
at every 20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months.
(3) Refer to
“Tire rotation” under“General
maintenance” (P.9-2) .
10-2Technical and consumer information
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the “8. Do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Fluid typeCapacity (Approximate)
Recommended Fluids/Lubricants
Metric Measure US Measure Imperial Measure
Fuel 98.426 gal 21-5/8 gal ÂSee “Fuel information” (P.10-4).
Engine oil*1 With oil filter change 6.56-7/8 qt 5-3/4 qt ÂGenuine “Nissan Motor Oil 0W-20 SN” is recommended.
 If the above motor oil is not available, use an equivalent motor oil that
matches the above grade and viscosity. For additional information, see
“Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” (P.10-6).
Drain and refill
*1: For additional information, see
“Changing engine oil and filter”
(P.8-6) .
Without oil filter change
6.26-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt
Engine coolant with reservoir 16.317-1/4 qt 14-3/8 qt ÂPre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
 NISSAN recommends using Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF ONLY in
NISSAN automatic transmissions. Do not mix with other fluids. Using fluids
that are not equivalent to Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF may damage the
automatic transmission. Damage caused by the use of fluids other than as
recommended is not covered under the NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
Transfer fluid —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Transfer Fluid for ATX90A transfer
 Using transfer fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Transfer Fluid may damage
the transfer. Damage caused by use of other fluids is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
Front differential gear oil —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or equivalent
conventional (non-synthetic) oil
Rear differential gear oil —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super-S GL-5 synthetic 75W-90
or equivalent
Power steering fluid (PSF) Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions in
the “8. Do-it-yourself” section. Â
Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent
 DEXRON
TMVI type ATF may also be used.
Brake fluid ÂGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*4 or equivalent DOT 3
*4: Available in mainland U.S.A through a NISSAN dealer.
Suspension fluid —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Hydraulic Suspension Fluid
 Using Hydraulic Suspension fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Hydraulic
Suspension fluid will damage the Hydraulic Suspension, which is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty. It is recommended
that you see a NISSAN dealer for recommended hydraulic suspension fluid.
Multi-purpose grease —— — ÂNLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FLUIDS/LUBRICANTS
10-18Technical and consumer information
outside temperatures on graded roads can
affect engine performance and cause overheat-
ing. The transmission high fluid temperature and
engine protection mode, which helps reduce the
chance of transmission and engine damage,
could activate and automatically decrease en-
gine power. Vehicle speed may decrease under
high load. Plan your trip carefully to account for
trailer and vehicle load, weather and road
conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced en-
gine power and vehicle speed. The
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
Vehicle damage resulting from impro-
per towing procedures is not covered by
NISSAN warranties.
STI0542
Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load between
10 to 15% of the total trailer load or use the
trailer tongue load specified by the trailer
manufacturer. The tongue load must be within
the maximum tongue load limits shown in the
following “Towing Load/Specification” chart. If
the tongue load becomes excessive, rearrange
cargo to allow for proper tongue load.
CAUTION
If you move the shift lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks
absorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) models:
Make sure that the 4WD shift switch is
engaged in the AUTO, 4HI or 4LO position
and the Automatic Transmission (AT) park
warning light is turned off.
7. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Start the engine.
3. Shift the transmission into gear. 4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are
clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
. While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may
decrease overall stability. Therefore, to
maintain adequate control, reduce your
speed and shift to a lower gear. Avoid long
or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheating.
Shifting to a lower gear instead provides
“engine braking” and reduces the need to
brake as frequently.
. If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, see “If your vehicle over-
heats” (P.6-14) .
. Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
. Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (800 km).
. Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
maintenance schedule shown in the "9.
Maintenance and schedules" section. .
When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
. Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect
vehicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the
vehicle.
.Do not correct trailer sway by steering orapplying the brakes.
2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the brakes and pull to the side of the road in
a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is balanced as described earlier in this section.
. Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the trailer
must also pass the other vehicle before you
Technical and consumer information10-27