
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. Crankshaft pulley
2. Drive belt automatic tensioner pulley
3. Generator pulley
4. Air conditioner compressor pulley
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is placed in the
OFF or LOCK position before servicing
drive belt. The engine could rotate
unexpectedly.LDI0302
VQ35DD engine
LDI2131
DRIVE BELT
Do-it-yourself8-13

1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusualwear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If the belt is
in poor condition or is loose, 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 and tension in accordance with the
maintenance schedule found in the Mainte-
nance and schedules section of this
manual.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
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.
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.
SDI1895
SPARK PLUGS
8-14Do-it-yourself

Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. For additional information,
refer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
●The use of tires other than those recom-
mended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial) , or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system, ground clearance, body-
to-tire clearance, tire chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight aim
and bumper height. Some of these ef-
fects may lead to accidents and could
result in serious personal injury.
● If your vehicle was originally equipped
with 4 tires that were the same size and
you are only replacing 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
driving conditions and cause an acci-
dent and personal injury. ●
If the wheels are changed for any rea-
son, always replace with wheels which
have the same off-set dimension.
Wheels of a different off-set could
cause premature tire wear, degrade ve-
hicle handling characteristics, affect the
VDC system and/or interference with
the brake discs. Such interference can
lead to decreased braking efficiency
and/or early brake pad wear. For addi-
tional information on wheel off-set di-
mensions, refer to “Wheels and tires” in
the “Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
● Since the spare tire is not equipped with
the TPMS, when a spare tire is mounted
or a wheel is replaced, tire pressure will
not be indicated, the TPMS will not
function and the low tire pressure warn-
ing 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 that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
● Replacing tires with those not originally
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 that 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 deformed
wheel or tire even if it has been re-
paired. Such wheels or tires could have
structural damage and could fail with-
out warning.
● The use of retread tires is not
recommended.
● For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety In-
formation” (US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet.
8-34Do-it-yourself

Four-wheel drive models
CAUTION
Always use tires of the same type, size,
brand, construction (bias, bias-belted or
radial) , and tread pattern on all four
wheels. Failure to do so may result in a
circumference difference between tires on
the front and rear axles which will cause
excessive tire wear and may damage the
transmission, transfer case and differen-
tial gears.
If excessive tire wear is found, it is recommended
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 that 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 bal-
anced 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 Infor-
mation” (Canada) in the Warranty In-
formation Booklet.
Care of 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.
● Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing
the wheels.
● Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
● NISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire)
Since the spare tire is not equipped with the
TPMS, when a spare tire is mounted (TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY or conventional) , 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 spare tire should be used for emer-
gency use only. It should be replaced
with the standard tire at the first oppor-
tunity to avoid possible tire or differen-
tial damage.
● Drive carefully while the TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire is installed. Avoid
sharp turns and abrupt braking while
driving.
● Periodically check spare tire inflation
pressure. Always keep the pressure of
the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire
at 420 kPa, 4.2 bar (60 psi) .
● With the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire installed do not drive the 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 the original tire used
on the front wheels (drive wheels) .
Do-it-yourself8-35

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 web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure 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 washer 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. The
fluid should be at the bottom of the filler opening.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions 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 elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not run-
ning (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 fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
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 belts*: Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level spot and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 15 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 that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Exhaust gas (carbon
monoxide)” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
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 fuel fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines: Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
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.
9-4Maintenance and schedules

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 may 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 accumulate.
For additional information, refer to the “Appear-
ance and care” section of this manual.
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 schedule
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. For additional information,
refer to “General maintenance” in this section.
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 NISSAN. Other maintenance
items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can be
found in the “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 perform-
ing these services on a NISSAN product.
Many of the aftermarket flushing systems
use non-OEM approved chemicals or sol-
vents, the use of which has not been vali-
dated by NISSAN. For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,
grease, and refrigerant, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities”
in the “Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE:
Drive belts*:
Check engine drive belts for wear,
fraying or cracking and for proper tension. Re-
place any damaged drive belts.
Engine air filter: Replace at specified intervals.
When driving for prolonged periods in dusty con-
ditions, check/replace the filter more frequently.
Engine coolant*: Replace coolant at the speci-
fied interval. When adding or replacing coolant,
be sure to use only Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent with the
proper mixture. (For additional information on the
proper mixture for your area, refer to “Engine
cooling system” in the “Do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.)
NOTE: Mixing any other type of coolant or
the use of non-distilled water may reduce
the recommended service interval of the
coolant.
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and schedules9-5

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Abbreviations: I = Inspect and correct or replace as necessary, R = Replace
MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or months, whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
(km x 1,000) 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
Drive belts See NOTE (1) I*I* I*
Air cleaner filter See NOTE (2) RR
EVAP vapor lines I*I* I*
Fuel lines I*I* I*
Fuel filter See NOTE (3)
Engine coolant* See NOTE (4)(5)
Engine oil Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Engine oil filter Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Spark plugs See NOTE (6)Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Intake and exhaust valve clearances* See NOTE (7)
9-8Maintenance and schedules

MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or months, whichever comes first. miles x 1,000
(km x 1,000) 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
Drive belts See NOTE (1)I*I*I*I*I* I*
Air cleaner filter See NOTE (2) RR
EVAP vapor lines I*I* I*
Fuel lines I*I* I*
Fuel filter See NOTE (3)
Engine coolant* See NOTE (4)(5)
Engine oil Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Engine oil filter Replace every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Spark plugs See NOTE (6)Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Intake and exhaust valve clearances* See NOTE (7)
NOTE:
(1) After 40,000 miles (64,000 km) or 48 months, inspect every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months. Replace the drive belts if found
damaged.
(2) If operating mainly in dusty conditions, more frequent maintenance may be required.
(3) Periodic maintenance is not required.
(4) First replacement interval is 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 84 months. After first replacement, replace every 75,000 miles (120,000 km)
or 60 months.
(5) Use only Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent with proper mixture ration of 50% antifreeze and 50%
demineralized or distilled water. Mixing any other type of coolant or the use of non-distilled water may reduce the life expectancy of the
factory fill coolant.
(6) Replace spark plug when the plug gap exceeds 0.053 in (1.35 mm) even if within specified periodic replacement mileage.
(7) Periodic maintenance is not required. However, if valve noise increased, inspect valve clearance.
* Maintenance items and intervals with “*” are recommended by NISSAN for reliable vehicle operation. The owner need not perform such
maintenance in order to maintain the emission warranty or manufacturer recall liability. Other maintenance items and intervals are required.
Maintenance and schedules9-9