Page 425 of 508

8-2Do-it-yourself
When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself or
damage to the vehicle. The following are general
precautions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
.Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely
and block the wheels to prevent
the vehicle from moving. Move the
shift lever to the P (Park) position
(CVT model) or the shift lever to the
N (Neutral) position (MT model) .
.Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any parts replacement or
repairs.
.If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
.It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle..Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
.If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.
.Never get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
.Because the fuel lines are under
high pressure even when the engine
is off, it is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for service of the
fuel filter or fuel lines.
.Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Always turn off
the engine and wait until it cools
down.
.If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
.Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the
battery..On gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) sys-
tem, the fuel filter and fuel lines
should be serviced because the fuel
lines are under high pressure even
when the engine is turned off. It is
recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
.Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition switch is in
the OFF position and the engine is
not running. To avoid injury, always
disconnect the negative battery
cable before working near the fan.
.Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly
disposed engine oil, engine coolant,
and/or other vehicle fluids can hurt
the environment. Always conform to
local regulations for disposal of
vehicle fluids.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Page 426 of 508

CAUTION
.Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn the engine
off and wait until it cools down.
.Avoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil and coolant. Improperly
disposed engine oil, and engine
coolant and/or other vehicle fluids
can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations
for disposal of vehicle fluid.
.Never leave the engine or the CVT
related component harnesses dis-
connected while the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
.Never connect or disconnect the
battery or any transistorized com-
ponent while the ignition switch is
in the ON position.
.Your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always
disconnect the negative batterycable before working near the fan.
This “8. Do-it-yourself” section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is also
available. (See “Owner’s manual/service manual
order information” (P.10-19) .)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and could
affect your warranty coverage.If in doubt
about any servicing, it is recommended
you have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
JVM0610X
Remove the air duct if necessary.
To remove the air duct
*A:
1. Remove the clips
*Bwith a suitable tool.
2. Loosen the bolt
*Cwith a suitable tool.
3. Pull the air duct upward and then sideways.
To install the air duct, perform the installation
procedure in reverse order.
Do-it-yourself8-3
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Page 427 of 508

8-4Do-it-yourself
JVC1070X
MR20DD ENGINE MODEL
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake and clutch* fluid reservoir
4. Air cleaner
5. Window washer fluid reservoir
6. Drive belt7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Battery
9. Fuse/fusible link box
*: For Manual Transmission (MT) Model
The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with a pre-diluted mixture of 50% Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) and
50% water to provide year-round anti-freeze
and coolant protection. The anti-freeze solution
contains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional
engine cooling system additives are not neces-
sary.
WARNING
.Never remove the radiator or cool-
ant reservoir cap when the engine is
hot. Wait until the engine and
radiator cool down. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
See precautions in“If your vehicle
overheats”(P.6-11) of this manual.
.The radiator is equipped with a
pressure type radiator cap. To pre-
vent engine damage, use only a
genuine NISSAN radiator cap.
.If the engine was stopped soon
when the engine is hot, the cooling
fan may operate for approximately
10 minutes after the engine was
stopped to cool the components in
the engine compartment. When the
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Page 428 of 508

cooling fan is operating, be sure
that hands or other items do not get
caught in it.
CAUTION
.Never use any cooling system ad-
ditives such as radiator sealer. Ad-
ditives may clog the cooling system
and cause damage to the engine,
transmission and/or cooling sys-
tem.
.When adding or replacing coolant,
be sure to use only Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) or equivalent. Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) is pre-diluted to provide
antifreeze protection to -348F
(-378C) . If additional freeze protec-
tion is needed due to weather where
you operate your vehicle, add Gen-
uine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) concentrate follow-
ing the directions on the container.
If an equivalent coolant other than
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Anti-
freeze/Coolant (blue) is used, fol-low the coolant manufacture’s
instructions to maintain minimum
antifreeze protection to -348F
(-378C) . The use of other types of
coolant solutions other than Genu-
ine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) or equivalent may
damage the engine cooling system.
.The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000
km) or 7 years. Mixing any other
type of coolant other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) , including Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (green) , or the use of non-
distilled water will reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill cool-
ant. Refer to the “9. Maintenance
and schedules” section of this man-
ual for more details.
JVM0438X
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine is cold.If the coolant level is below
the MIN level
*2, open the reservoir cap and
add coolant up to the MAX level
*1. If the
reservoir is empty, check the coolant level in the
radiatorwhen the engine is cold.If there is
insufficient coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator
with coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir up to the MAX level
*1.
Tighten the cap securely after adding engine
coolant.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
Do-it-yourself8-5
Page 429 of 508

8-6Do-it-yourself
service.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine
coolant. The service procedure can be found
in the NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
.To avoid being scalded, never
change the coolant when the engine
is hot.
.Never remove the radiator or cool-
ant reservoir cap when the engine is
hot. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator.
.Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
.Keep coolant out of the reach of
children and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.SDI1993
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be within the range
*C. If the
oil level is below
*A, remove the oil filler
cap and pour recommended oil through theopening.Do not overfill
*B.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the break-
in period, depending on the severity of
operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not cov-
ered by the warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
WARNING
.Used oil must be disposed of prop-
erly. Never pour or dump oil into the
ground, canals, rivers, etc. It should
be disposed of at proper waste
facilities. NISSAN recommends hav-
ing your oil changed by a NISSAN
dealer.
.Be careful not to burn yourself, as
the engine oil may be hot.
ENGINE OIL
Page 430 of 508
.Prolonged and repeated contact
with used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
.Avoid direct skin contact with used
oil. If contacted, wash thoroughly
with soap or hand cleaner and
plenty of water as soon as possible.
.Store used engine oil in marked
containers out of the reach of chil-
dren.
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches the operating
temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a
suitable floor jack and safety jack stands.
.Place the safety jack stands under the
vehicle jack-up points.
.A suitable adapter should be attached to
the jack stand saddle.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lifting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
JVM0414X
Do-it-yourself8-7
Page 431 of 508

8-8Do-it-yourself
JVM0421X
1. Oil filler cap
2. Oil drain plug
3. Oil filter
Engine oil and filter
1. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
.Waste oil must be disposed of
properly.
.Check your local regulations.
(Perform steps 4 to 7 only when the engine
oil filter change is needed.)
4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
Remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket
material remaining on the mounting
surface of the engine. Failure to do so
could lead to engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean
engine oil.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a slight
resistance is felt, then tighten additionally
more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
11 to 15 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.5 N·m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain plug
with a wrench.Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N·m)
Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill the engine with the recommended oil
through the oil filler opening, and install the
oil filler cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended fluids/
lubricants” (P.10-2) for drain and refill
capacity. The drain and refill capacity
depends on the oil temperature and drain
time. Use these specifications for reference
only. Always use the dipstick to determine
the proper amount of oil in the engine.
10. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct as required.
11. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
After the operation
1. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
2. Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
Page 432 of 508

WARNING
.Prolonged and repeated contact
with used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
.Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
.Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend a NISSAN dealer for servicing.CAUTION
.NISSAN recommends using Genu-
ine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 (or
equivalent) ONLY in NISSAN CVTs.
Do not mix with other fluids.
.Do not use Automatic transmission
fluid (ATF) or Manual Transmission
fluid in a NISSAN CVT, as it may
damage the CVT. Damage caused by
the use of fluids other than as
recommended is not covered by
the NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
.Using fluids that are not equivalent
to Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3
may also damage the CVT. Damage
caused by the use of fluids other
than as recommended is not cov-
ered by the NISSAN’s New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.For additional brake and clutch fluid information,
see “Capacities and recommended fluids/lubri-
cants” (P.10-2) of this manual.WARNING
.Use only new fluid from a sealed
container. Old, inferior or contami-
nated fluid may damage the brake
and clutch systems. The use of
improper fluids can damage the
brake and clutch systems, and affect
the vehicle’s stopping ability.
.Clean the filler cap before removing.
.Brake and clutch fluid is poisonous
and should be stored carefully in
marked containers out of the reach
of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted
surfaces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, immediately wash the
surface with water.
Do-it-yourself8-9
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUIDBRAKE AND CLUTCH (if so
equipped) FLUID