
8-36Do-it-yourself
4. Three-digit code: Tire type code(Optional)
5. Four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 3103 means
the 31st week of 2003. If these
numbers are missing, then look on
the other sidewall of the tire.
*3Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of rubber-
coated fabric in the tire.
Tire manufacturers also must indicate the
materials in the tire, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others.
*4Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should be put in the tire.
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
inflation pressure.
*5Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum load
in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire. When replacing the
tires on the vehicle, always use a tire that
has the same load rating as the factory
installed tire.
*6Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires an
inner tube (“tube type”) or not (“tube-
less”) .
*7The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown, if the tire has
radial structure.
*8Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is shown.
Other tire-related terminology:
In addition to the many terms that are
defined throughout this section, Intended
Outboard Sidewall is (1) the sidewall
that contains a whitewall, bears white
lettering or bears manufacturer, brand
and/or model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or (2) the
outward facing sidewall of an asymme- trical tire that has a particular side that
must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
.
When changing or replacing tires,
be sure all four tires are of the same
type (Example: Summer, All Season
or Snow) and construction. A
NISSAN dealer may be able to help
you with information about tire type,
size, speed rating and availability.
. Replacement tires may have a lower
speed rating than the factory
equipped tires, and may not match
the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
. Replacing tires with those not ori-
ginally specified by NISSAN could
affect the proper operation of the
TPMS.
. For additional information regard-
ing tires, refer to “Important Tire
Safety Information” (US) or“Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the

8-38Do-it-yourself
some overstress.
CHANGING WHEELS AND TIRES
SDI1662
Tire rotation
NISSAN recommends rotating the tires
every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) . (See “Flat
tire” (P.6-3) for tire replacing proce-
dures.)
As soon as possible, tighten the
wheel nuts to the specified torque
with a torque wrench.Wheel nut tightening torque:
80 ft-lb (108 N·m) The wheel nuts must be kept tigh-
tened to the specification at all
times. It is recommended that wheel
nuts be tightened to the specifica-
tion at each tire rotation interval.
WARNING
.After rotating the tires, check
and adjust the tire pressure.
.Retighten the wheel nuts
when the vehicle has been
driven for 600 miles (1,000
km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.) .
.Do not include the spare tire or
any other small size spare tire
in the tire rotation.
.For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to
“Impor-
tant Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.

SDI1663
1. Wear indicator
2. Wear indicator location mark
Tire wear and damage
WARNING
.Tires should be periodically
inspected for wear, cracking,
bulging or objects caught in
the tread. If excessive wear,
cracks, bulging or deep cuts
are found, the tire(s) should be
replaced.
.The original tires have built-in
tread wear indicators. When
wear indicators are visible,
the tire(s) should be replaced.
.Tires degrade with age and
use. Have tires, including the
spare, over 6 years old
checked by a qualified techni-
cian, because some tire da-
mage may not be obvious.
Replace the tires as necessary
to prevent tire failure and
possible personal injury.
.Improper service of the spare
tire may result in serious per-
sonal injury. If it is necessary
to repair the spare tire, it is
recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
.For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to“Impor-
tant Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet. Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. (See “Specifications”
(P.10-9) for recommended types and sizes of
tires and wheels.)
WARNING
.
The use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of
tires of different brands, construc-
tion (bias, bias-belted or radial) , or
tread patterns can adversely affect
the ride, braking, handling, ground
clearance, body-to-tire clearance,
tire chain clearance, speedometer
calibration, headlight aim and bum-
per height. Some of these effects
may lead to accidents and could
result in serious personal injury.
. For Two-Wheel Drive (2WD) models,
if your vehicle was originally
equipped with 4 tires that were the
same size and you are only repla-
cing 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
Do-it-yourself8-39

8-40Do-it-yourself
driving conditions and cause an
accident and personal injury.
. If the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same off-set dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different off-set
could cause premature tire wear,
degrade vehicle handling character-
istics and/or interference with the
brake discs/drums. Such interfer-
ence can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake pad/
shoe wear. See “Wheels and tires”
(P.10-9) of this manual for wheel off-
set dimensions.
. Since the spare tire is not equipped
with the TPMS, when a spare tire is
mounted or a wheel is replaced, the
TPMS will not function and the low
tire pressure warning 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 you
visit a NISSAN dealer for these
services.
. Replacing tires with those not ori-
ginally 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.
It is recommended you visit 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 de-
formed wheel or tire even if it has
been repaired. Such wheels or tires
could have structural damage and
could fail without warning.
. The use of retread tire is not re-
commended.
. For additional information regard-
ing tires, refer to “Important Tire
Safety Information” (US) or“Tire Safety Information”
(Canada) in the
Warranty Information Booklet.
All-Wheel Drive (AWD) models
CAUTION
. Always use tires of the same size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-
belted or radial) , and tread pattern
on all four wheels. Failure to do so
may result in a circumference differ-
ence between tires on the front and
rear axles which will cause exces-
sive tire wear and may damage the
transmission, transfer case and rear
differential gears.
. Only use spare tires specified for
each AWD model.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recom-
mended that all four tires be replaced with tires
of the same size, brand, construction and tread
pattern. The tire pressure and wheel alignment
should also be checked and corrected as
necessary. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.

Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle handling
and tire life. Even with regular use, wheels can
get out of balance. Therefore, they should be
balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.
For additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the War-
ranty Information Booklet.
Care of wheels
See “Cleaning exterior” (P.7-2) for details about
care of the wheels.
Spare tire
Since the spare tire is not equipped with the
TPMS, when a spare tire is mounted (TEMPOR-
ARY USE ONLY), the TPMS will not function.
Observe the following precautions if the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire must be used,
otherwise your vehicle could be damaged or
involved in an accident.
WARNING
.The TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire should be used for emergency
use. It should be replaced with the
standard tire at the first opportunity
to avoid possible tire or differential
damage.
. Drive carefully while the TEMPOR-
ARY USE ONLY spare tire is in-
stalled. Avoid sharp turns and
abrupt braking while driving.
. Periodically check spare tire infla-
tion pressure. Always keep the
pressure of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire at 60 psi (420 kPa,
4.2 bar) .
. With the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire installed do not drive your
vehicle at speeds faster than 50
MPH (80 km/h) .
. When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire should be used on
the rear wheels and original tire
used on the front wheels (drive
wheels) . Use tire chains only on
the front (original) tires. .
Tire tread of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire will wear at a faster
rate than the standard tire. Replace
the spare tire as soon as the tread
wear indicators appear.
. Do not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
. Do not use more than one spare tire
at the same time.
CAUTION
.Do not use tire chains on a TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire
chains will not fit properly and may
cause damage to the vehicle.
. Because the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire is smaller than the
original tire, ground clearance is
reduced. To avoid damage to the
vehicle, do not drive over obstacles.
Also do not drive the vehicle
through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.
Do-it-yourself8-41

9-4Maintenance and schedules
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes:Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in sufficient quantity when operating the heater
or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
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.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe condition 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 electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running (Phone chargers, 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 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 belt*: Make sure that the drive
belt is 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. 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 you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service. (See “Precau-
tions when starting and driving” (P.5-2) for
exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .)
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
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.
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, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the end
of winter, the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accumu-
late. For additional information, see “Cleaning
exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.

WARNING
.It is extremely dangerous to
ride in a cargo area inside the
vehicle. In a collision, people
riding in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed.
.Do not allow people to ride in
any area of your vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and
seat belts.
.Be sure everyone in your ve-
hicle is in a seat and using a
seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with
the following terms before loading your
vehicle:
.Curb Weight (actual weight of your
vehicle) - vehicle weight including:
standard and optional equipment,
fluids, emergency tools, and spare tire assembly. This weight
does not
include passengers and cargo.
.GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight of
passengers and cargo.
.GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) - maximum total combined
weight of the unloaded vehicle, pas-
sengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue
load and any other optional equip-
ment. This information is located on
the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. label.
.GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
maximum weight (load) limit specified
for the front or rear axle. This informa-
tion is located on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.
V.S.S. label.
.GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) - The maximum total weight
rating of the vehicle, passengers,
cargo, and trailer.
.Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit,
Total load capacity - maximum total
weight limit specified of the load
(passengers and cargo) for the vehi-
cle. This is the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo that
can be loaded into the vehicle. If the
vehicle is used to tow a trailer, the
trailer tongue weight must be in-
cluded as part of the cargo load. This
information is located on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
.Cargo capacity - permissible weight
of cargo, the subtracted weight of
occupants from the load limit.
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY
Do not exceed the load limit of your
vehicle shown as “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo” on the Tire and
Loading Information label. Do not exceed
the number of occupants shown as
“Seating Capacity” on the Tire and
Loading Information label.
To get “the combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo”, add the weight of all
occupants, then add the total luggage
weight. Examples are shown in the
following illustration.
Technical and consumer information10-15
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION

LOADING TIPS
.The GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.
S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
.Do not load the front and rear axle to
the GAWR. Doing so will exceed the
GVWR.
WARNING
.Properly secure all cargo with
ropes or straps to help prevent
it from sliding or shifting. Do
not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden
stop or collision, unsecured
cargo could cause personal
injury.
.Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts of
your vehicle can break, tire
damage could occur, or it can
change the way your vehicle
handles. This could result inloss of control and cause per-
sonal injury.
.Overloading not only can
shorten the life of your vehicle
and the tire, but can cause
unsafe vehicle handling and
longer braking distances. This
may cause a premature tire
failure, which could result in a
serious accident and personal
injury. Failures caused by
overloading are not covered
by the vehicle’s warranty.
MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent weight
shifts that could affect the balance of
your vehicle. When the vehicle is loaded,
drive to a scale and weigh the front and
the rear wheels separately to determine
axle loads. Individual axle loads should
not exceed either of the Gross Axle
Weight Ratings (GAWR) . The total of
the axle loads should not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) . These ratings are given on the vehicle
certification label. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to bring
all weights below the ratings.
Technical and consumer information10-17