8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ........................................................ 8-2
Engine compartment check locations .................................. 8-3
MR20DD engine model ..................................................... 8-4
Engine cooling system ............................................................. 8-4
Checking engine coolant level ......................................... 8-5
Changing engine coolant .................................................. 8-6
Engine oil .................................................................................... 8-6
Checking engine oil level .................................................. 8-6
Changing engine oil and filter .......................................... 8-6
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid ............... 8-9
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ............................... 8-9
Window washer fluid ............................................................ 8-10
Battery ....................................................................................... 8-11
Jump starting ..................................................................... 8-12
Variable voltage control system .......................................... 8-13
Drive belt .................................................................................. 8-13
Spark plugs ............................................................................. 8-14
Replacing spark plugs .................................................... 8-14
Air cleaner ................................................................................ 8-14Windshield wiper blades ..................................................... 8-15
Cleaning ........................................................................... 8-15
Replacing ......................................................................... 8-16
Rear window wiper blade ................................................... 8-17
Brakes ...................................................................................... 8-17
Self-adjusting brakes .................................................... 8-17
Brake pad wear warning .............................................. 8-17
Fuses ........................................................................................ 8-18
Engine compartment ..................................................... 8-18
Passenger compartment .............................................. 8-20
Key fob battery replacement .............................................. 8-21
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................................... 8-23
Lights ........................................................................................ 8-25
Headlights ........................................................................ 8-25
Exterior and interior lights ............................................ 8-27
Wheels and tires ................................................................... 8-29
Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-29
Tire labeling ..................................................................... 8-33
Types of tires ................................................................... 8-35
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-36
Changing wheels and tires .......................................... 8-37
8-14Do-it-yourself
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
applied.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
SDI2670
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
If replacement is required, it is recommended
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Iridium platinum-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace the iridium
platinum-tipped spark plugs as frequently as
the conventional type spark plugs since they will
last much longer. Follow the maintenance
schedule shown in the “9. Maintenance and
schedules” section. Do not reuse the iridium
platinum-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or
regapping.
Always replace spark plugs with recom-
mended or equivalent ones.
JVM0378X
Example
To remove the filter, unlatch the retaining clips
*1, and pull the cover*2upward.
The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
schedule shown in the “9. Maintenance and
schedules” section. When replacing the filter,
wipe the inside of the air cleaner housing and
the cover with a damp cloth.
WARNING
.Operating the engine with the air
cleaner filter off can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
SPARK PLUGS AIR CLEANER
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 sche-
dule 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. Refer to
“General maintenance” (P.9-2) .
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 vehicle. Other maintenance
items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can be
found in the “8. 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 per-
forming these services on a NISSAN
product. Many of the aftermarket flushing
systems use non-OEM approved chemicals
or solvents, the use of which has not been
validated by NISSAN.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,grease, and refrigerant, refer to“Capaci-
ties and recommended fluids/lubricants”
(P.10-2) of this manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAIN-
TENANCE
Drive belts*:
Check engine drive belts for wear, fraying or
cracking and for proper tension. Replace any
damaged drive belts.
Engine air filter:
Replace at specified intervals. When driving for
prolonged periods in dusty conditions, check/
replace the filter more frequently.
Engine coolant*:
Replace coolant at the specified interval. When
adding or replacing coolant, be sure to use only
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) or equivalent with the proper mixture.
(Refer to “Engine cooling system” (P.8-4) to
determine the proper mixture for your area.)
NOTE:
Mixing any other type of coolant or the use
of non-distilled water may reduce the
recommended service interval of the cool-
ant.Engine oil and oil filter:
Replace engine oil and oil filter at the specified
intervals. For recommended oil grade and vis-
cosity refer to “Capacities and recommended
fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) .
Engine valve clearance*:
Inspect only if valve noise increases.
Adjust valve clearance if necessary.
Evaporative emissions control vapor
lines*:
Check vapor lines for leaks or looseness.
Tighten connections or replace parts as neces-
sary.
Fuel filter
Periodic maintenance is not required (in-tank
type filter) .
Fuel lines*:
Check the fuel hoses, piping and connections
for leaks, looseness, or deterioration. Tighten
connections or replace parts as necessary.
Spark plugs:
Replace at specified intervals. Install new plugs
of the type as originally equipped.
Maintenance and schedules9-5
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
9-8Maintenance and schedules
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
Abbreviations: I = Inspect and correct or replace as necessary, R = Replace
MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at number of miles, kilo-
meters or months, whichever
comes first.Miles61,000
(km61,000)
MonthsMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
5
(8)
610
(16)
1215
(24)
1820
(32)
2425
(40)
3030
(48)
3635
(56)
4240
(64)
4845
(72)
5450
(80)
6055
(88)
6660
(96)
72
Drive belts See NOTE (1) I* I* I*
Air cleaner filter See NOTE (2) R R
EVAP vapor lines I* I* I*
Fuel linesI* I* I*
Fuel filter See NOTE (3)
Engine coolant* See NOTE (4)(5)
Engine oil R R R R R R R R R R R R
Engine oil filter R R R R R R R R R R R R
Spark plugs See NOTE (6) Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Intake and exhaust valve clear-
ance*See NOTE (7)
MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at number of miles,
kilometers or months, whichever
comes first.Miles61,000
(km61,000)
MonthsMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
65
(104)
7870
(112)
8475
(120)
9080
(128)
9685
(136)
10290
(144)
10895
(152)
114100
(160)
120105
(168)
126110
(176)
132115
(184)
138120
(192)
144
Drive belts See NOTE (1) I* I* I* I* I* I*
Air cleaner filter See NOTE (2) R R
EVAP vapor lines I* I* I*
Fuel linesI* I* I*
Fuel filter See NOTE (3)
Engine coolant* See NOTE (4)(5)
Engine oil R R R R R R R R R R R R
Engine oil filter R R R R R R R R R R R R
Spark plugs See NOTE (6) Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Intake and exhaust valve clear-
ance*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 re-
quired.
(3) Periodic maintenance is not required.
(4) First replacement interval is 105,000miles (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 ratio of 50% anti-
freeze 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 cool-ant.
(6) Replace spark plug when the plug gap
exceeds 0.053 in (1.35 mm) even if within
specified replacement mileage.
(7) Periodic maintenance is not required.
However, if valve noise increases, inspect
valve clearance.
*: Maintenance items and intervals with“*”
are recommended by NISSAN for reliable
vehicle operation. The owner does not
Maintenance and schedules9-9