VQ35DD engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-9)
2. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-4)
3. Drive belt location (P.8-13)
4. Fuse box (P. 8-19)
5. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-6)
6. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-10)
7. Air cleaner (P. 8-15)
8. Fuse box (P. 8-19)
9. Fuse/Fusible link box (P. 8-19)
10. Fuse/Fusible link box (P. 8-19)
11. Battery (P. 8-11)
12. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-6)
13. Radiator cap (P. 8-4)
14. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir(P. 8-11)
Refer to the page number indicated in pa-
rentheses for operating details.
LDI3012
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents
Some indicators and warnings are also displayed
on the vehicle information display between the
speedometer and tachometer. For additional in-
formation, refer to “Vehicle information display” in
this section.
WARNING LIGHTS
For additional information on warnings and indi-
cators, refer to “Vehicle information display” in
this section.
orAnti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the ABS warning light illuminates and
then turns off. This indicates the ABS is opera-
tional.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running or while driving, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally but without anti-lock assistance. For
additional information, refer to “Brake system” in
the “Starting and driving” section of this manual.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light comes on when the parking
brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid level.
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
with the parking brake not applied, stop the ve-
hicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary. For additional information, re-
fer to “Brake fluid” in the “Do-it-yourself”
section of this manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this ser-
vice.
WARNING
●Your brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
● Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
● If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the ABS warning light illumi-
nate, it may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the brake system checked and, if
necessary, repaired. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. Avoid
Instruments and controls2-11
Master warning light
When the ignition is in the ON position, the
master warning light illuminates if any of the fol-
lowing are displayed on the vehicle information
display.● No key warning
● Low fuel warning
● Low windshield-washer fluid warning
● Parking brake release
● Door open warning
● Check tire pressure warning
For additional information, refer to “Vehicle infor-
mation display” in this section.
Power steering warning light
WARNING
● If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate. ●
When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running,
there will be no power assist for the
steering. You will still have control of
the vehicle, but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the power steering warning light illumi-
nates. After starting the engine, the power steer-
ing warning light turns off. This indicates the
power steering is operational.
If the power steering warning light illuminates
while the engine is running, it may indicate the
power steering is not functioning properly and
may need servicing. Have the power steering
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
When the power steering warning light illumi-
nates with the engine running, there will be no
power assist for the steering, but you will still
have control of the vehicle. At this time, greater
steering effort is required to operate the steering
wheel, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds. For additional information, refer to “Power steer-
ing” in the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten your
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever the
ignition switch is placed in the ON or START
position and remains illuminated until the driver’s
seat belt is fastened. At the same time, the chime
sounds for about 6 seconds unless the driver’s
seat belt is securely fastened.
The seat belt warning light may also illuminate if
the front passenger’s seat belt is not fastened
when the front passenger’s seat is occupied . For
7 seconds after the ignition switch is placed in
the ON position, the system does not activate the
warning light for the front passenger.
For additional information, refer to “Seat belts” in
the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system” section of this manual.
Supplemental air bag warninglight
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or
START position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off. This means the system is operational.
2-14Instruments and controls
Shift to Park
This warning illuminates when the ignition switch
is in the ACC or OFF position and the shift lever
is not in the P (Park) position. Also, a chime
sounds when the ignition switch is in the ACC or
OFF position.
If this warning illuminates, move the shift lever to
the P (Park) position and start the engine.
Push Ignition to OFF
After the Push Ignition to OFF warning illumi-
nates, the warning will illuminate if the ignition
switch is placed in the ACC position when the
shift lever is moved to the P (Park) position.
To turn off the Push warning, place the ignition
switch in the ON position and then in the LOCK
position.
Push brake and start switch to drive
This indicator appears when the shift lever is in
the P (Park) position.
This indicator also appears when the vehicle has
been started using the remote engine start (if so
equipped) function.
This indicator means that the engine will start by
pushing the ignition switch with the brake pedal
depressed. You can start the engine from any
position of the ignition switch.Engine start operation for Intelligent Key
system (if I-Key battery level is low)
This indicator appears when the battery of the
Intelligent Key is low and when the Intelligent Key
system and the vehicle are not communicating
normally.
If this appears, touch the ignition switch with the
Intelligent Key while depressing the brake pedal.
For additional information, refer to “NISSAN In-
telligent Key® battery discharge” in the “Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
Release Parking Brake
This warning illuminates in the message area of
the vehicle information display when the parking
brake is set and the vehicle is driven.
Low Fuel
This warning illuminates when the fuel level in the
fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the fuel gauge
reaches 0 (Empty) .
There will be a small re-
serve of fuel in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches 0 (Empty) .
Loose Fuel Cap
This warning appears when the fuel-filler cap is
not tightened correctly after the vehicle has been
refueled. For additional information, refer to “Fuel-filler cap” in the “Pre-driving checks and
adjustments” section of this manual.
Low Oil Pressure: See Owner’s Manual
This warning appears in the message area of the
vehicle information display if low oil pressure is
detected. This gauge is not designed to indicate
low oil level.
The low oil pressure warning is
not designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
the dipstick to check the oil level. For additional
information, refer to “Engine oil” in the “Do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
Low Washer Fluid
This warning illuminates when the windshield-
washer fluid is at a low level. Add windshield-
washer fluid as necessary. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Windshield-washer fluid” in the
“Do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
Tire Pressure Low - Add Air
This warning appears when the low tire pressure
warning light in the meter illuminates and low tire
pressure is detected. The warning appears each
time the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position as long as the low tire pressure warning
light remains illuminated. If this warning appears,
stop the vehicle and adjust the tire pressures of
all four tires to the recommended COLD tire
pressure shown on the Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label. For additional information, refer to
2-28Instruments and controls
●Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
● Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and windshield-washer fluid
as frequently as possible, or at least when-
ever you refuel.
● Check that all windows and lights are clean.
● Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
● Check that all doors are closed.
● Position seat and adjust head
restraints/headrests.
● Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
● Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
● Check the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is placed in the ON posi-
tion. For additional information, refer to
“Warning lights, indicator lights and audible
reminders” in the “Instruments and controls”
section of this manual. 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever to P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the shift lever is in any of the driving
positions.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position. Depress the brake pedal and push the igni-
tion switch to start the engine.
To start the engine immediately, push and
release the ignition switch while depressing
the brake pedal with the ignition switch in
any position.
● If the engine is very hard to start in ex-
tremely cold weather or when restarting,
depress the accelerator pedal a little (ap-
proximately 1/3 to the floor) and while
holding, crank the engine. Release the
accelerator pedal when the engine starts.
● If the engine is very hard to start because
it is flooded, depress the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Push the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion to start cranking the engine. After five
or six seconds, stop cranking by pushing
the ignition switch to LOCK. After crank-
ing the engine, release the accelerator
pedal. Crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal by depressing the
brake pedal and pushing the push-button
ignition switch to start the engine. If the
engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the
above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, push the ignition switch to the
OFF position and wait 10 seconds before
cranking again, otherwise the starter
could be damaged.
4. Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 sec-
onds after starting. Do not race the engine
while warming it up. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather. In cold weather, keep the en-
gine running for a minimum of two to three
minutes before shutting it off. Starting and
stopping the engine over a short period of
time may make the vehicle more difficult to
start.
5. To stop the engine, shift the shift lever to the P (Park) position and push the ignition
switch to the OFF position.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-14Starting and driving
5. Press the shift lever buttonCand move the
shift lever to the N (Neutral) position
D
while holding down the shift lock release.
The vehicle may be moved to the desired
location. Replace the removed shift lock re-
lease cover after the operation. If the shift
lever cannot be moved out of the P (Park)
position, have the CVT system checked as
soon as possible. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
WARNING
If the shift lever cannot be moved from the
P (Park) position while the engine is run-
ning and the brake pedal is depressed, the
stop lights may not work. Malfunctioning
stop lights could cause an accident injur-
ing yourself and others.
Overdrive (O/D) OFF switch
When the O/D OFF switch is pushed with the
shift lever in the D (Drive) position, the
light in the instrument panel illuminates. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Overdrive OFF indica-
tor light” in the “Instruments and controls” section
of this manual.
Use the overdrive OFF mode when you need
improved engine braking.
To turn off the overdrive OFF mode, push the O/D
OFF switch again. The
indicator light will
turn off. Each time the engine is started, or when the shift
lever is shifted to any position other than D
(Drive) , the overdrive OFF mode will be automati-
cally turned off.
Accelerator downshift
— in D (Drive) position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into a lower gear, depending on the
vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperatures with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer) , engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may be
limited.
Fail-safe
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
LSD2246
5-18Starting and driving
system may be activated. The Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) may come on to indi-
cate the fail-safe mode is activated. For
additional information, refer to “Malfunc-
tion Indicator Light (MIL)” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section of this manual.
This will occur even if all electrical circuits
are functioning properly. In this case, place
the ignition switch in the OFF position and
wait for 10 seconds. Then push the switch
back to the ON position. The vehicle should
return to its normal operating condition. If
it does not return to its normal operating
condition, have the transmission checked
and repaired, if necessary. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually reduced.
The reduced speed may be lower than
other traffic, which could increase the
chance of a collision. Be especially careful
when driving. If necessary, pull to the side
of the road at a safe place and allow the
transmission to return to normal opera-
tion, or have it repaired if necessary.
WARNING
●Be sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased before driving. Failure to do so
can cause brake failure and lead to an
accident.
● Do not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
● Do not use the shift lever in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
● To help avoid risk of injury or death
through unintended operation of the
vehicle and/or its systems, do not leave
children, people who require the assis-
tance of others or pets unattended in
your vehicle. Additionally, the tempera-
ture inside a closed vehicle on a warm
day can quickly become high enough to
cause a significant risk of injury or
death to people and pets. To engage:
Firmly depress the parking brake.
To release: 1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
3. Firmly depress the parking brake pedal and it will release.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out.
LSD0158
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-19
WARNING
●While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
● If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return
to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high
speeds until the brakes function correctly.
Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drums/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best braking performance. This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
●
The ABS is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting from
careless or dangerous driving tech-
niques. It can help maintain vehicle con-
trol during braking on slippery surfaces.
Remember that stopping distances on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on
normal surfaces even with ABS. Stop-
ping distances may also be longer on
rough, gravel or snow covered roads, or
if you are using tire chains. Always
maintain a safe distance from the ve-
hicle in front of you. Ultimately, the
driver is responsible for safety.
● Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the specified size of tires on all four
wheels. – When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. For additional in-
formation, refer to “Tire and Loading
Information label” in the “Technical
and consumer information” section
of this manual.
– For additional information, refer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
The ABS controls the brakes so the wheels do
not lock during hard braking or when braking on
slippery surfaces. The system detects the rota-
tion speed at each wheel and varies the brake
fluid pressure to prevent each wheel from locking
and sliding. By preventing each wheel from lock-
ing, the system helps the driver maintain steering
control and helps to minimize swerving and spin-
ning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
5-68Starting and driving