MOST COMMON FACTORS CONTRI-
BUTING TO VEHICLE CORROSION
.The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
. Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLU-
ENCE THE RATE OF CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the
vehicle body underside can accelerate corro-
sion. Wet floor coverings will not dry completely
inside the vehicle, and should be removed for
drying to avoid floor panel corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing where
atmospheric pollution exists, or where road salt
is used.
Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not well
ventilated.
Air pollution
Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air
in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will
accelerate the corrosion process. Road salt will
also accelerate the disintegration of paint
surfaces.
TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM
CORROSION
.Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the
vehicle clean.
. Always check for minor damage to the paint
and repair it as soon as possible.
. Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors
open to avoid water accumulation.
. Check the underbody for accumulation of
sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
. NEVER remove dirt, sand or other
debris from the passenger compart-
ment by washing it out with a hose. Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
. Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic
components inside the vehicle as
this may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface deicing are
extremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion
and deterioration of underbody components
such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake
lines, brake cables, floor pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and
corrosion, which may be required in some areas,
it is recommended you consult a NISSAN
dealer.
Appearance and care7-7
CORROSION PROTECTION
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 P (Park) .
. 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.
. Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel tank and the
battery.
. Because the fuel lines on gasoline
engine models are under high pres-
sure even when the engine is off, it
is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for service of the fuel filter or
fuel lines.
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 battery
cable 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.10-27) .)
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-14Do-it-yourself
SDI2180
Pull the tabs*1and pull out the cover*2.
The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
log shown in the “9. Maintenance and sche-
dules” 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 removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops
flame if the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine backfires,
you could be burned. Do not drive
with the air cleaner removed, and be
careful when working on the engine
with the air cleaner removed.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle
body or attempt to start the engine
with the air cleaner removed. Doing
so could result in serious injury.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form when
rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild detergent.
Then rinse the blade with clear water. If your
windshield is still not clear after cleaning the
blades and using the wiper, replace the blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can
damage the windshield and impair
driver vision.
AIR CLEANER WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
9-4Maintenance and schedules
Warning lights and chimes:Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in sufficient quantity when operating the heater
or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*: Check the fluid level in each cell.
It should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe condition require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electro-
nic accessories that consume battery
power when the engine is not running
(Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players,
etc.) 2.
Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to be
charged to maintain battery health.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure that the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system: Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service. (See “Precau-
tions when starting and driving” (P.5-2) for
exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .)
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for fuel,
oil, water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident, check for the cause and have it corrected
immediately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses: Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the end
of winter, the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accumu-
late. For additional information, see “Cleaning
exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
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.Miles
61,000
(km 61,000)
Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
5
(8) 6 10
(16) 12 15
(24) 18 20
(32) 24 25
(40) 30 30
(48) 36 35
(56) 42 40
(64) 48 45
(72) 54 50
(80) 60 55
(88) 66 60
(96) 72
Drive belts See NOTE (1) I*I* I*
Air cleaner filter See NOTE (2) RR
EVAP vapor lines I*I* I*
Fuel lines I*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 Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Intake and exhaust valve clear-
ance* See NOTE (6)
MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at number of miles,
kilometers or months, whichever
comes first.Miles
61,000
(km 61,000)
Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
65
(104) 78 70
(112) 84 75
(120) 90 80
(128) 96 85
(136) 102 90
(144) 108 95
(152) 114 100
(160) 120 105
(168) 126 110
(176) 132 115
(184) 138 120
(192) 144
Drive belts See NOTE (1)I*I*I*I* I* I*
Air cleaner filter See NOTE (2) RR
EVAP vapor lines I*I* I*
Fuel lines I*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 Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Intake and exhaust valve clear-
ance* See NOTE (6)
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 105,000 miles (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) 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
need to perform such maintenance in
order to maintain the emission warranty
or manufacturer recall liability. Other
Maintenance and schedules9-9
10 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fluids/lubricants ............. 10-2Fuel information ................................................................ 10-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation .................... 10-5
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ............................................ 10-6
Specifications ........................................................................\
.. 10-7
Engine ........................................................................\
......... 10-7
Wheels and tires .............................................................. 10-7
Dimensions and weights ................................................ 10-8
When traveling or registering in another country .......... 10-8
Vehicle identification .............................................................. 10-8 Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate .................. 10-8
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) ....... 10-9
Engine serial number ....................................................... 10-9
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label .................... 10-9
Emission control information label ............................ 10-10
Tire and Loading Information label ........................... 10-10
Air conditioner specification label ............................. 10-10
Installing front license plate .............................................. 10-11
Vehicle loading information ............................................... 10-12
Terms ........................................................................\
........ 10-12 Vehicle load capacity ................................................. 10-12
Securing the load ....................................................... 10-14
Loading tips .................................................................. 10-14
Measurement of weights ........................................... 10-15
Towing a trailer .................................................................... 10-15 Maximum load limits ................................................... 10-16
Maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW)/maximum
gross axle weight (GAW) ......................................... 10-17
Towing load/specification ......................................... 10-19
Towing safety ............................................................... 10-20
Flat towing .................................................................... 10-23
Uniform tire quality grading .............................................. 10-24 Treadwear ..................................................................... 10-24
Traction AA, A, B and C ........................................... 10-24
Temperature A, B and C ........................................... 10-24
Emission control system warranty .................................. 10-25
Reporting safety defects .................................................. 10-25
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test ...... 10-26
Event data recorders (EDR) ............................................ 10-27
Owner’s manual/service manual order information ..... 10-27