
OPERATING TIPS (for automatic air
conditioner)
.When the engine coolant temperature and
outside air temperature are low, the air flow
from the foot outlets may not operate. This is
not a malfunction. After the coolant tem-
perature warms up, air will flow normally
from the foot outlets.
. The automatic air conditioner is equipped
with sensors as illustrated. The sensors
*A
and*Bon the instrument panel help
maintain a constant temperature. Do not
put anything on or around these sensors.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER
The air conditioning system is equipped with an
in-cabin microfilter which collects dirt, pollen,
dust, etc. To make sure the air conditioner heats,
defogs, and ventilates efficiently, replace the
filter in accordance with the specified main-
tenance intervals listed in the “9. Maintenance
and schedules” section. It is recommended to
see a NISSAN dealer to replace the filter.
The filter should be replaced if the air flow
decreases significantly or if windows fog
up easily when operating the heater or air
conditioning system.
SERVICING AIR CONDITIONER
The air conditioner system in your vehicle is
charged with a refrigerant designed with the
environment in mind. This refrigerant will not
harm the earth’s ozone layer. Special char-
ging equipment and lubricant are required when
servicing your vehicle air conditioner. Using
improper refrigerants or lubricants will cause
severe damage to your air conditioner system.
(See “Capacities and recommended fluids/
lubricants” (P.10-2) for air conditioner system
refrigerant and lubricant recommendations.)
Your NISSAN dealer will be able to service your
environmentally friendly air conditioner system.
WARNING
The system contains refrigerant under
high pressure. To avoid personal injury,
any air conditioner service should be
done only by an experienced technician
with the proper equipment.
AUDIO OPERATION PRECAUTIONS
Radio
Place the ignition switch in the ACC or ON
position and push the FM·AM button to turn on
the radio. If you listen to the radio with the
engine not running, the ignition switch should be
placed in the ACC position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter, build-
ings, bridges, mountains and other external
influences. Intermittent changes in reception
quality normally are caused by these external
influences.
Using a cellular phone in or near the
vehicle may influence radio reception
quality.
Radio reception:
Your vehicle radio system is equipped with
state-of-the-art electronic circuits to enhance
radio reception. These circuits are designed to
extend reception range, and to enhance the
quality of that reception.
However there are some general characteristics
of both FM and AM radio signals that can affect
radio reception quality in a moving vehicle, even
when the finest equipment is used. These
characteristics are completely normal in a given
reception area, and do not indicate any mal-
Heater, air conditioner, audio and phone systems4-35
AUDIO SYSTEM

in poor condition or loose, have it replaced
or adjusted. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
2. Have the belt condition checked regularly.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
SDI2670
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
If replacement is required, it is recommended
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Iridium platinum-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace the iridium
platinum-tipped spark plugs as frequently as
the conventional type spark plugs since they will
last much longer. Follow the maintenance
schedule shown in the “9. Maintenance and
schedules” section. Do not reuse the iridium
platinum-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or
regapping.
Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.
Do-it-yourself8-13
SPARK PLUGS

9 Maintenance and schedules
Maintenance requirement ........................................................ 9-2General maintenance ......................................................... 9-2
Scheduled maintenance .................................................... 9-2
Where to go for service .................................................... 9-2
General maintenance ............................................................... 9-2 Explanation of general maintenance items ................... 9-2
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items .................... 9-5 Emission control system maintenance ........................... 9-5
Chassis and body maintenance ...................................... 9-6 Maintenance schedules .......................................................... 9-7
Additional maintenance items for severe
operating conditions ......................................................... 9-7
Standard maintenance ............................................................ 9-7 Emission control system maintenance ........................ 9-8
Chassis and body maintenance ................................. 9-11
Maintenance under severe driving conditions ............... 9-14
Maintenance log .................................................................... 9-15

9-2Maintenance and schedules
Some day-to-day and regular maintenance is
essential to maintain your vehicle good mechan-
ical condition, as well as its emission and engine
performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
the scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance chain.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-
to-day operation. They are essential for proper
vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.
Performing general maintenance checks re-
quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few
general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer, a
NISSAN dealer.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
The maintenance items listed in this section are
required to be serviced at regular intervals.
However, under severe driving conditions, addi-
tional or more frequent maintenance will be
required.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and serviced. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up-to-date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and training programs. They are completely
qualified to work on NISSAN vehiclesbefore
work begins.
You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements on your
vehicle. During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or it is
recommended to have a NISSAN dealer do it
promptly. In addition, it is recommended you visit
a NISSAN dealer if you think that repairs are
required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, see “Maintenance precautions” (P.8-2) .
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL MAIN-
TENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with “*” is found in the “8. Do-it
yourself” section of this manual.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood:
Check that all doors
and the engine hood operate properly. Also
ensure that all latches lock securely. Lubricate
hinges, latches, latch pins, rollers and links if
necessary. Make sure that the secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the primary
latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT GENERAL MAINTENANCE

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.
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.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) mechanism: On a fairly steep hill,
check that the vehicle is held securely with the
shift lever in the P (Park) position without
applying any brakes.
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.
Seat belts: Check 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
webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliners, 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.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
Maintenance and schedules9-3

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.

The following descriptions are provided to give
you a better understanding of the scheduled
maintenance items that should be regularly
checked or replaced. The maintenance sche-
dule indicates at which mileage/time intervals
each item requires service.
In addition to scheduled maintenance, your
vehicle requires that some items be checked
during normal day-to-day operation. Refer to
“General maintenance” (P.9-2) .
Items marked with “*” are recommended by
NISSAN for reliable vehicle operation. You are
not required to perform maintenance on these
items in order to maintain the warranties which
come with your vehicle. Other maintenance
items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can be
found in the “8. Do-it yourself” section of this
manual.
NOTE:
NISSAN does not advocate the use of non-
OEM approved aftermarket flushing sys-
tems and strongly advises against per-
forming these services on a NISSAN
product. Many of the aftermarket flushing
systems use non-OEM approved chemicals
or solvents, the use of which has not been
validated by NISSAN.For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,
grease, and refrigerant, refer to
“Capaci-
ties and recommended fluids/lubricants”
(P.10-2) of this manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAIN-
TENANCE
Drive belts*:
Check engine drive belts for wear, fraying or
cracking and for proper tension. Replace any
damaged drive belts.
Engine air filter:
Replace at specified intervals. When driving for
prolonged periods in dusty conditions, check/
replace the filter more frequently.
Engine coolant*:
Replace coolant at the specified interval. When
adding or replacing coolant, be sure to use only
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) or equivalent with the proper mixture.
(Refer to “Engine cooling system” (P.8-4) to
determine the proper mixture for your area.)
NOTE:
Mixing any other type of coolant or the use
of non-distilled water may reduce the
recommended service interval of the cool-
ant. Engine oil and oil filter:
Replace engine oil and oil filter at the specified
intervals. For recommended oil grade and vis-
cosity refer to “Capacities and recommended
fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) .
Engine valve clearance*:
Inspect only if valve noise increases.
Adjust valve clearance if necessary.
Evaporative emissions control vapor
lines*:
Check vapor lines for leaks or looseness.
Tighten connections or replace parts as neces-
sary.
Fuel filter
Periodic maintenance is not required (in-tank
type filter) .
Fuel lines*:
Check the fuel hoses, piping and connections
for leaks, looseness, or deterioration. Tighten
connections or replace parts as necessary.
Spark plugs:
Replace at specified intervals. Install new plugs
of the type as originally equipped.
Maintenance and schedules9-5
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS

To help ensure smooth, safe and economical
driving, NISSAN provides two maintenance
schedules that may be used, depending upon
the conditions in which you usually drive. These
schedules contain both distance and time
intervals, up to 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/
144 months. For most people, the odometer
reading will indicate when service is needed.
However, if you drive very little, your vehicle
should be serviced at the regular time intervals
shown in the schedule.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the
same mileage/time intervals.
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS
FOR SEVERE OPERATING CONDI-
TIONS
Additional maintenance items for severe
operating conditions;should be performed
on vehicles that are driven under especially
demanding conditions. Additional maintenance
items should be performed if you primarily
operate your vehicle under the following condi-
tions:
. Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles (8
km) .
. Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles
(16 km) with outside temperatures remain-
ing below freezing. .
Operating in hot weather in stop-and-go
“rush hour” traffic.
. Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for
long distances, such as police, taxi or door-
to-door delivery use.
. Driving in dusty conditions.
. Driving on rough, muddy or salt spread
roads.
. Using a car-top carrier.
NOTE:
For vehicles operated in Canada, both
standard and severe maintenance items
should be performed at every interval. The following tables show the standard main-
tenance schedule. Depending upon weather
and atmospheric conditions, varying road sur-
faces, individual driving habits and vehicle
usage, additional or more frequent maintenance
may be required.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the
same mileage/time intervals.
Maintenance and schedules9-7
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
STANDARD MAINTENANCE