
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ........................................................ 8-2
Engine compartment check locations .................................. 8-3VQ35DE engine .................................................................. 8-3
Engine cooling system ............................................................. 8-4 Checking engine coolant level ......................................... 8-5
Changing engine coolant .................................................. 8-5
Engine oil ........................................................................\
............ 8-5 Checking engine oil level .................................................. 8-5
Changing engine oil and filter .......................................... 8-6
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid ............... 8-8
Power steering fluid .................................................................. 8-8
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
........... 8-9
Window washer fluid ............................................................ 8-10
Battery ........................................................................\
............... 8-10 Jump starting ..................................................................... 8-12
Variable voltage control system .......................................... 8-12
Drive belt ........................................................................\
.......... 8-12
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
..... 8-13 Replacing spark plugs .................................................... 8-13
Air cleaner ........................................................................\
........ 8-14 Windshield wiper blades ..................................................... 8-14
Cleaning ........................................................................\
... 8-14
Replacing ........................................................................\
. 8-15
Washer nozzle ................................................................ 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 .............................................. 8-19
Intelligent Key battery replacement ................................... 8-20
Lights ........................................................................\
................ 8-22
Headlights ........................................................................\
8-22
Exterior and interior lights ............................................ 8-24
Wheels and tires ................................................................... 8-27
Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-27
Tire labeling ..................................................................... 8-31
Types of tires ................................................................... 8-33
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-33
Changing wheels and tires .......................................... 8-35

If you have a flat tire, see “Flat tire” (P.6-3) .
TIRE PRESSURE
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) . It monitors tire
pressure of all tires except the spare. When
the low tire pressure warning light is lit and the
CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning appears on
the vehicle information display, one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated.
The TPMS will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) .
Also, this system may not detect a sudden drop
in tire pressure (for example a flat tire while
driving) .
For more details, see “Low tire pressure warning
light” (P.2-14) , “Tire Pressure Monitoring Sys-
tem (TPMS)” (P.5-3) and “Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS)” (P.6-3) .
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure of the tires (including
the spare) often and always prior to long
distance trips. The recommended tire
pressure specifications are shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label under
the “Cold Tire Pressure” heading. TheTire and Loading Information label is
affixed to the driver side center pillar.
Tire pressures should be checked reg-
ularly because:
.Most tires naturally lose air over time.
.Tires can lose air suddenly when
driven over potholes or other objects
or if the vehicle strikes a curb while
parking.
The tire pressures should be checked
when the tires are cold. The tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle has
been parked for 3 or more hours, or
driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at
moderate speeds.
The TPMS with Easy Fill Tire Alert
provides visual and audible signals out-
side the vehicle for inflating the tires to
the recommended COLD tire pressure.
(See “TPMS with Easy Fill Tire Alert”
(P.5-6) .)
Incorrect tire pressure, including
under inflation, may adversely affect
tire life and vehicle handling.
WARNING
.Improperly inflated tires can
fail suddenly and cause an
accident.
.The Gross Vehicle Weight rat-
ing (GVWR) is located on the F.
M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion label. The vehicle weight
capacity is indicated on the
Tire and Loading Information
label. Do not load your vehicle
beyond this capacity. Over-
loading your vehicle may re-
sult in reduced tire life, unsafe
operating conditions due to
premature tire failure, or un-
favorable handling character-
istics and could also lead to a
serious accident. Loading be-
yond the specified capacity
may also result in failure of
other vehicle components.
.Before taking a long trip, or
whenever you heavily load
Do-it-yourself8-27
WHEELS AND TIRES

8-28Do-it-yourself
your vehicle, use a tire pres-
sure gauge to ensure that the
tire pressures are at the spe-
cified level.
.For additional information re-
garding tires, refer to“Impor-
tant Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty
Information Booklet.

SDI2197
Tire and Loading Information label
*1Seating capacity: The maximum
number of occupants that can be
seated in the vehicle.
*2Vehicle load limit: See “Vehicle
loading information” (P.10-12) .
*3Original size: The size of the tires
originally installed on the vehicle at
the factory.
*4Cold tire pressure: Inflate the tires to
this pressure when the tires are
cold. Tires are considered COLDafter the vehicle has been parked for
3 or more hours, or driven less than
1 mile (1.6 km) at moderate speeds.
The recommended cold tire inflation
is set by the manufacturer to provide
the best balance of tire wear, vehicle
handling, driveability, tire noise, etc.,
up to the vehicle’s GVWR.
*5Tire size — see “Tire labeling” (P.8-
31) .
*6Spare tire size or compact spare tire
size (if so equipped)
Do-it-yourself8-29

8-30Do-it-yourself
SDI1949
Checking the tire pressure
1. Remove the valve stem cap from thetire.
2.Press the pressure gauge squarely
onto the valve stem. Do not press too
hard or force the valve stem side-
ways, or air will escape. If the hissing
sound of air escaping from the tire is
heard while checking the pressure,
reposition the gauge to eliminate this
leakage.
3.Remove the gauge.
4.Read the tire pressure on the gauge
stem and compare it to the specifica-
tion shown on the Tire and Loading
Information label.
5.Add air to the tire as needed. If too
much air is added, press the core of
the valve stem briefly with the tip of
the gauge stem to release pressure.
Recheck the pressure and add or
release air as needed.
6.Install the valve stem cap.
7.Check the pressure of all other tires,
including the spare.
SIZE COLD
TIRE IN-
FLATION
PRES-SURE
FRONT ORIGI-
NAL TIRE P225/65R16
99T
240 kPa,
35 PSI
P235/55R18
99T 240 kPa,
35 PSI
REAR
ORIGI-
NAL TIRE P225/65R16
99T
240 kPa,
35 PSI
P235/55R18
99T 240 kPa,
35 PSI
SPARE TIRE T135/80D16
101M
420 kPa,
60 PSI
T135/90D16
102M 420 kPa,
60 PSI

SDI1575
Example
TIRE LABELING
Federal law requires tire manufacturers
to place standardized information on the
sidewall of all tires. This information
identifies and describes the fundamental
characteristics of the tire and also
provides the tire identification number
(TIN) for safety standard certification.
The TIN can be used to identify the tire
in case of a recall.
SDI1606
Example
*1Tire size (example: P215/60R16
94H)
1. P: The “P” indicates the tire is designed for passenger vehicles.
(Not all tires have this information.)
2. Three-digit number (215): This num- ber gives the width in millimeters of
the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall
edge.
3. Two-digit number (60): This number, known as the aspect ratio, gives the
tire’s ratio of height to width. 4. R: The “R” stands for radial.
5. Two-digit number (16): This number
is the wheel or rim diameter in inches.
6. Two- or three-digit number (94): This number is the tire’s load index. It is a
measurement of how much weight
each tire can support. You may not
find this information on all tires
because it is not required by law.
7. H: Tire speed rating. You should not drive the vehicle faster than the tire
speed rating.
Do-it-yourself8-31

8-32Do-it-yourself
JVM0694X
Example
*2TIN (Tire Identification Number) for a
new tire (example: DOT XX XX XXX
XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the “Depart- ment of Transportation”. The symbol
can be placed above, below or to the
left or right of the Tire Identification
Number.
2. Two-digit code: Manufacturer’s iden- tification mark
3. Two-digit code: Tire size 4. Three-digit code: Tire type code
(Optional)
5. Four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For
example, the numbers 3103 means
the 31st week of 2003. If these
numbers are missing, then look on
the other sidewall of the tire.
*3Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of rubber-
coated fabric in the tire.
Tire manufacturers also must indicate the
materials in the tire, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others.
*4Maximum permissible inflation pres-
sure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should be put in the tire.
Do not exceed the maximum permissible
inflation pressure.
*5Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum load
in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire. When replacing the
tires on the vehicle, always use a tire that
has the same load rating as the factory
installed tire.
*6Term of “tubeless” or “tube type”
Indicates whether the tire requires an
inner tube (“tube type”) or not (“tube-
less”) .
*7The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown, if the tire has
radial structure.
*8Manufacturer or brand name
Manufacturer or brand name is shown.
Other tire-related terminology:
In addition to the many terms that are
defined throughout this section, Intended
Outboard Sidewall is (1) the sidewall
that contains a whitewall, bears white
lettering or bears manufacturer, brand
and/or model name molding that is
higher or deeper than the same molding
on the other sidewall of the tire, or (2) the
outward facing sidewall of an asymme-

trical tire that has a particular side that
must always face outward when
mounted on a vehicle.
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
.When changing or replacing tires,
be sure all four tires are of the same
type (Example: Summer, All Season
or Snow) and construction. A
NISSAN dealer may be able to help
you with information about tire type,
size, speed rating and availability.
. Replacement tires may have a lower
speed rating than the factory
equipped tires, and may not match
the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum
speed rating of the tire.
. Replacing tires with those not ori-
ginally specified by NISSAN could
affect the proper operation of the
TPMS.
. For additional information regard-
ing tires, refer to “Important Tire
Safety Information” (US) or“Tire
Safety Information” (Canada) in the Warranty Information Booklet.
All season tires
NISSAN specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance all year,
including snowy and icy road conditions. All
Season tires are identified by ALL SEASON
and/or M&S (Mud and Snow) on the tire
sidewall. Snow tires have better snow traction
than All Season tires and may be more appro-
priate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance on dry
roads. Summer tire performance is substantially
reduced in snow and ice. Summer tires do not
have the tire traction rating M&S on the tire
sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy or
icy conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
SNOW tires or ALL SEASON tires on all four
wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to select
tires equivalent in size and load rating to the
original equipment tires. If you do not, it can
adversely affect the safety and handling of your
vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may not
match the potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.
If you install snow tires, they must be the same
size, brand, construction and tread pattern on all
four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws before
installing studded tires. Skid and traction cap-
abilities of studded snow tires, on wet or dry
surfaces, may be poorer than that of non-
studded snow tires.
TIRE CHAINS
CAUTION
.
NISSAN recommends using the fol-
lowing tire cables made by Peerless
Do-it-yourself8-33