3-28Pre-driving checks and adjustments
WARNING
.Gasoline is extremely flammable
and highly explosive under certain
conditions. You could be burned or
seriously injured if it is misused or
mishandled. Always stop engine
and do not smoke or allow open
flames or sparks near the vehicle
when refueling.
.Do not attempt to top off the fuel
tank after the fuel pump nozzle
shuts off automatically. Continued
refueling may cause fuel overflow,
resulting in fuel spray and possibly
a fire.
.Use only an original equipment type
fuel-filler cap as a replacement. It
has a built-in safety valve needed
for proper operation of the fuel
system and emission control sys-
tem. An incorrect cap can result in a
serious malfunction and possible
injury. It could also cause the mal-
function indicator light to come on.
.Never pour fuel into the throttle
body to attempt to start your vehi-
cle..Do not fill a portable fuel container
in the vehicle or trailer. Static elec-
tricity can cause an explosion of
flammable liquid, vapor or gas in
any vehicle or trailer. To reduce the
risk of serious injury or death when
filling portable fuel containers:
— Always place the container on
the ground when filling.
— Do not use electronic devices
when filling.
— Keep the pump nozzle in contact
with the container while you are
filling it.
— Use only approved portable fuel
containers for flammable liquid.
CAUTION
.If fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid
paint damage.
.Insert the cap straight into the fuel-
filler tube, then tighten until the
fuel-filler cap clicks. Failure to tight-
en the fuel-filler cap properly maycause the
malfunction indicator
light (MIL) to illuminate. If the
light illuminates because the fuel-
filler cap is loose or missing, tighten
or install the cap and continue to
drive the vehicle. The
light
should turn off after a few driving
trips. If the
light does not turn
off after a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
For additional information, see
“Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)”
(P.2-16) .
.The LOOSE FUEL CAP warning
message will be displayed if the
fuel-filler cap is not properly tigh-
tened. It may take a few driving trips
for the message to be displayed.
Failure to tighten the fuel-filler cap
properly after the LOOSE FUEL CAP
warning message is displayed may
cause the
Malfunction Indicator
Light (MIL) to illuminate.
FUEL INFORMATION
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
.Using a fuel other than that speci-
fied could adversely affect the emis-
sion control system, and may also
affect warranty coverage.
.Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way cat-
alyst.
.Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed
to run on E-15 or E-85 fuel. Using E-
15 or E-85 fuel in a vehicle not
specifically designed for E-15 or E-
85 fuel can adversely affect the
emission control devices and sys-
tems of the vehicle. Damage caused
by such fuel is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
.Do not use fuel that contains the
octane booster methylcyclopenta-dienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT) . Using fuel containing MMT
may adversely affect vehicle perfor-
mance and vehicle emissions. Not
all fuel dispensers are labeled to
indicate MMT content, so you may
have to consult your gasoline retai-
ler for more details. Note that Fed-
eral and California laws prohibit the
use of MMT in reformulated gaso-
line.
.U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be
identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate per-
centage for that region.
Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) speci-
fications where it is available. Many of the
automobile manufacturers developed this spe-
cification to improve emission control system
and vehicle performance. Ask your service
station manager if the gasoline meets the
WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. NISSAN
supports efforts towards cleaner air and sug-
gests that you use reformulated gasoline when
available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and metha-
nol with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels
of which the oxygenate content and the fuel
compatibility for your vehicle cannot be readily
determined. If in doubt, ask your service station
manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please take
the following precautions as the usage of such
fuels may cause vehicle performance problems
and/or fuel system damage.
.The fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.
.If an oxygenate-blend, other than
methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
Technical and consumer information10-3
10-4Technical and consumer information
.E-15 fuel contains more than 10%
oxygenate. E-15 fuel will adversely
affect the emission control devices
and systems of the vehicle and should
not be used. Damage caused by such
fuel is not covered by the NISSAN new
vehicle limited warranty.
.If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-
sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in NISSAN
vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling and difficult hot-starting are experienced
after using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.E-15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately 15% fuel
ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. E-15 can
only be used in vehicles designed to run on E-
15 fuel. Do not use E-15 in your vehicle. U.S.
government regulations require fuel ethanol
dispensing pumps to be identified with small,
square, orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
E-85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square,
orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
Fuel containing MMT
MMT, or methylcyclopentadienyl manganese
tricarbonyl, is an octane boosting additive.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuel
containing MMT. Such fuel may adversely affect
vehicle performance, including the emissions
control system. Note that while some fuel pumps
label MMT content, not all do, so you may haveto consult your gasoline retailer for more details.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel
injector cleaner, octane booster, intake valve
deposit removers, etc.) which are sold commer-
cially. Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain active
solvent or similar ingredients that can be harmful
to the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock”. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect a persistent heavy spark knock
even when using gasoline of the stated
octane rating, or if you hear steady spark
knock while holding a steady speed on
level roads, it is recommended you have a
NISSAN dealer correct the condition. Fail-
ure to correct the condition is misuse of
the vehicle, for which NISSAN is not
responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
FUEL INFORMATION:
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
.Using a fuel other than that speci-
fied could adversely affect the emis-
sion control system, and may also
affect warranty coverage.
.Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way cat-
alyst.
.Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in your
vehicle. Your vehicle is not designed
to run on E-15 or E-85 fuel. Using E-
15 or E-85 fuel in a vehicle not
specifically designed for E-15 or E-
85 fuel can adversely affect the
emission control devices and sys-
tems of the vehicle. Damage caused
by such fuel is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty..Do not use fuel that contains the
octane booster methylcyclopenta-
dienyl manganese tricarbonyl
(MMT) . Using fuel containing MMT
may adversely affect vehicle perfor-
mance and vehicle emissions. Not
all fuel dispensers are labeled to
indicate MMT content, so you may
have to consult your gasoline retai-
ler for more details. Note that Fed-
eral and California laws prohibit the
use of MMT in reformulated gaso-
line.
.U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be
identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate per-
centage for that region.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) .
ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATION:
Genuine “Nissan Motor Oil 0W-20 SN”
See “Capacities and recommended fluids/lubri-
cants” (P.10-2) for engine oil and oil filter
recommendation.
COLD TIRE PRESSURES:
The label is typically located on the driver side
center pillar. For additional information, see
“Wheels and tires” (P.8-29).
NEW VEHICLE BREAK-IN PROCE-
DURES RECOMMENDATION:
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of
vehicle use, follow the recommendations out-
lined in the “Break-in schedule” (P.5-95) of this
Owner’s Manual. Follow these recommenda-
tions for the future reliability and economy of
your new vehicle.
GAS STATION INFORMATION