WARNING
●Do not expose the battery to flames,
electrical spark or a cigarette. Hydrogen
gas generated by the battery is explo-
sive. Explosive gases can cause blind-
ness or injury. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your skin, eyes, fabrics or
painted surfaces. Sulfuric acid can
cause blindness or severe burns. After
touching a battery or battery cap, do not
touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly
wash your hands. If the acid contacts
your eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 minutes
and seek medical attention.
● Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid in
the battery is low. Low battery fluid can
cause a higher load on the battery
which can generate heat, reduce battery
life, and in some cases lead to an
explosion.
● When working on or near a battery, al-
ways wear suitable eye protection and
remove all jewelry.
● Do not tip the battery. Keep the vent
caps tight and the battery level. ●
Battery posts, terminals and related ac-
cessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling.
● Keep battery out of the reach of
children.
1. Remove the vent caps with a screwdriver asshown.
WDI0528
Do-it-yourself8-11
2. Check the fluid level in each cell. If it isnecessary to add fluid, add only distilled
water to bring the level up to the bottom of
the filler opening. Do not overfill.Reinstall
the vent caps. Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, refer to “Jump start-
ing” in the “In case of emergency” section of this
manual. If the engine does not start by jump
starting, the battery may have to be replaced. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
1. Water pump pulley
2. Generator pulley
3. Crankshaft pulley
4. Air conditioner compressor pulley (if so
equipped) /Idler pulley (if so equipped)
5. Manual tensioner pulley
Tension checking point
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is placed in the
OFF or LOCK position before servicing
drive belt. The engine could rotate
unexpectedly.
WDI0529
HR16DE engine
WDI0695
DRIVE BELT
8-12Do-it-yourself
1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusualwear, cuts, or fraying. If the belt is in poor
condition, have it replaced or adjusted. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
2. Have the belt checked regularly for condi- tion.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Platinum-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace platinum-tippedA
spark plugs as frequently as conventional type
spark plugs because they last much longer. Fol-
low the maintenance log shown in the Mainte-
nance and Schedules section of this manual. Do
not service platinum-tipped spark plugs by clean-
ing or regapping.
● Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
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 re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect socket
can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, it is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace iridium-tippedA
spark plugs as frequently as conventional type
spark plugs because they last much longer. Fol-
low the maintenance log shown in the “Mainte-
nance and schedules” section of this manual. Do
not service iridium-tipped spark plugs by clean-
ing or regapping. ● Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
SDI1895
SPARK PLUGS
Do-it-yourself8-13
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect socket
can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, it is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
WARNING
● Operating the engine with the air
cleaner filter off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner filter not
only cleans the intake air, it also stops
the flame if the engine backfires. If the
air cleaner is not installed and the en-
gine backfires, you could be burned.
Never drive with the air cleaner filter off.
Be cautious working on the engine
when the air cleaner is off. ●
Never pour fuel into the throttle body or
attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.
To remove the filter from the air cleaner, release
the retaining clips
A, then release the holders at
the back of the unit. Pull the unit upward
B.
The viscous paper type filter element should not
be cleaned and reused. Replace the air filter
according to the maintenance log shown in a
separate maintenance booklet.
When replacing the air filter, wipe the inside of
the air cleaner housing and the cover with a damp
cloth.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER (if so
equipped)
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry of air-
borne dust and pollen particles and reduces
some objectionable outside odors. The filter is
located behind the glove box. For additional in-
formation, refer to the Maintenance and sched-
ules section of this manual for change intervals.
If replacement is required, it is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
LDI2708
AIR CLEANER
8-14Do-it-yourself
If you wax the surface of the hood, be careful not
to let wax get into the washer nozzle
D. This may
cause clogging or improper windshield-washer
operation. If wax gets into the nozzle, remove it
with a needle or small pin
C.
Rear window wiper blade
If checking or replacement is required, it is rec-
ommend that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service. If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service.
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
brake pedal height does not return to nor-
mal. 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.
LDI2710
BRAKES
8-16Do-it-yourself
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 electronic control
units 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. 5. If the fuse is open
C, replace it with an
equivalent good fuse
D.
6. Push the fuse box cover to install.
If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical
system checked and repaired. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped with all
fuses listed on the fuse label.
LDI2712LDI2713
8-18Do-it-yourself
If you have a flat tire, refer to “Flat tire” in
the “In case of emergency” section of this
manual.
TIRE PRESSURE
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 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.
The tire pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold. The tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle has been parked for 3 or more hours or driven
less than 1.6 km (1 mile) at moderate
speeds.
Incorrect tire pressure, including un-
der inflation, may adversely affect
tire life and vehicle handling.
WARNING
● Improperly inflated tires can fail
suddenly and cause an accident.
● The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) is located on the C.M-
.V.S.S. certification label. The ve-
hicle weight capacity is indicated
on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label. Do not load your ve-
hicle beyond this capacity. Over-
loading your vehicle may result in
reduced tire life, unsafe operat-
ing conditions due to premature
tire failure, or unfavorable han-
dling characteristics and could
also lead to a serious accident.
Loading beyond the specified ca-
pacity may also result in failure of
other vehicle components. ●
Before taking a long trip, or
whenever you heavily load your
vehicle, use a tire pressure gauge
to ensure that the tire pressures
are at the specified level.
WHEELS AND TIRES
Do-it-yourself8-31
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 out-
ward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical
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
(i.e., 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.
● For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Tire Safety Information”
(Canada) in the Warranty Information
Booklet.
All season tires
NISSAN specifies All Season tires on some mod-
els to provide good performance all year, includ-
ing snowy and icy road conditions. All Season
tires are identified by ALL SEASON and/or M&S
on the tire sidewall. Snow tires have better snow
traction than All Season tires and may be more
appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some models
to provide superior performance on dry roads.
Summer tire performance is substantially re-
duced in snow and ice. Summer tires do not have
the tire traction rating “M&S” on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
SNOW tires or ALL SEASON tires on all four
wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select
tires equivalent in size and load rating to the
original equipment tires. If you do not, it can
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Generally, snow tires have lower speed ratings
than factory equipped tires and may not match
the potential maximum vehicle speed. Never ex-
ceed the maximum speed rating of the tire.
If you install snow tires, they must be the same
size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires
may be used. However, some Canadian prov-
inces prohibit their use. Check local, state and
provincial laws before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow
tires on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer than
that of non-studded snow tires.
8-36Do-it-yourself