When towing your vehicle, all jurisdic-
tional and local regulations for towing
must be followed. Incorrect towing equip-
ment could damage your vehicle. Towing
instructions are available from a NISSAN
dealer. Local service operators are gen-
erally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental
damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recom-
mends that you have a service operator
tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have
the service operator carefully read the
following precautions.
WARNING
.Never ride in a vehicle that is
being towed.
. Never get under your vehicle after
it has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
.When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering sys-
tem and powertrain are in work-
ing condition. If any of these
conditions apply, dollies or a
flatbed tow truck must be used. .
Always attach safety chains be-
fore towing.
For information about towing your vehi-
cle behind a recreational vehicle (RV), see
“Flat towing for All–Wheel Drive vehicle”
(P.10-15) of this manual.
In case of emergency6-13
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-16In case of emergency
Manual Transmission (MT) model:
1. Place the ignition switch in the OFFposition.
2. Secure the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with rope or
a similar device.
3. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Attach the safety chains whenever towing.
Rear wheels on the ground:
1. Place the ignition switch in the OFF position.
2. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position.
3. Release the parking brake.
4. Attach safety chains whenever tow- ing.
All four wheels on the ground:
NISSAN recommends that the vehicle be
placed on a flatbed tow truck as illu-
strated.
CAUTION
Never tow CVT model with all four
wheels on the ground. Doing so will
cause serious and expensive da-
mage to the drivetrain.
Manual Transmission (MT) model:
1. Place the ignition switch in the OFF position.
2. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position.
3. Release the parking brake.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious
personal injury or death when reco-
vering a stuck vehicle:
. Contact a professional towing
service to recover the vehicle if
you have any questions regard-
ing the recovery procedure.
. Tow chains or cables must be
attached only to main structural
members of the vehicle. .
Do not use the vehicle tie-downs
to tow or free a stuck vehicle.
. Only use devices specifically de-
signed for vehicle recovery and
follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions.
. Always pull the recovery device
straight out from the front of the
vehicle. Never pull at an angle.
. Route recovery devices so they
do not touch any part of the
vehicle except the attachment
point.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use a tow strap or other device
designed specifically for vehicle recovery.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for the recovery device.Rocking a stuck vehicle
WARNING
. Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
. Do not spin your tires at high
speed. This could cause them to
explode and result in serious in-
jury. Parts of your vehicle could
also overheat and be damaged.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control(VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstruc-
tions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and backward.
.Shift back and forth between R(Reverse) and D (Drive) (Continu-
ously Variable Transmission (CVT)
models) or 1st and R (Reverse)
(Manual Transmission (MT) models).
.Apply the accelerator as little as possible to maintain the rocking
motion.
.Release the accelerator pedal be-fore shifting between R and D (CVT
models) or 1st and R (MT models).
.Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH(55 km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional tow-
ing service to remove the vehicle.
WARNING
.Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
. Do not spin your tires at high
speed. This could cause them to
explode and result in serious in-
jury. Parts of your vehicle could
also overheat and be damaged.
In case of emergency6-17
8-2Do-it-yourself
When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always
take care to prevent serious accidental
injury to yourself or damage to the
vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
.Park the vehicle on a level sur-
face, 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
performing any parts replace-
ment or repairs.
. If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, cloth-
ing, hair and tools away from
moving fans, belts and any other
moving parts.
. It is advisable to secure or re-
move any loose clothing and
remove any jewelry, such as
rings, watches, etc. before work-
ing on your vehicle. .
Always wear eye protection
whenever you work on your ve-
hicle.
. 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, cloth-
ing, 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)
system, 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
warning, 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
engine oil and coolant. Impro-
perly disposed engine oil, engine
coolant, and/or other vehicle
fluids can hurt the environment.
Always conform to local regula-
tions for disposal of vehicle fluids.
CAUTION
.Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn the engine
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
off and wait until it cools down.
. Avoid direct contact with used
engine oil and coolant. Impro-
perly disposed engine oil, and
engine coolant and/or other ve-
hicle fluids can damage the en-
vironment. Always conform to
local regulations for disposal of
vehicle fluid.
. Never leave the engine or the CVT
related component harnesses
disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
. Never connect or disconnect the
battery or any transistorized
component 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
warning, even if the ignition key is
in the OFF position and the en-
gine is not running. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the ne-
gative battery cable before work-
ing near the fan.
This “8. Do-it-yourself” section gives in-
structions 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 operat-
ing difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage.
If in
doubt about any servicing, it is recom-
mended you have it done by a NISSAN
dealer.
JVM0610X
Remove the air duct if necessary.
To remove the air duct
:
1. Remove the clips
with a suitable
tool.
2. Loosen the bolt
with a suitable tool.
3. Pull the air duct upward and then sideways.
To install the air duct, perform the in-
stallation procedure in reverse order.
Do-it-yourself8-3
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS
8-6Do-it-yourself
recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this 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 re-
duced heater performance and engine
overheating.
WARNING
.To avoid being scalded, never
change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
. Never remove the radiator or
coolant 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 pos-
sible.
. 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 oper- ating 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
. If the oil level is below,
remove the oil filler cap and pour
recommended oil through the open- ing.
Do not overfill
.
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 se-
verity 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
covered by the warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
WARNING
. Used oil must be disposed of
properly. Never pour or dump oil
into the ground, canals, rivers,
etc. It should be disposed of at
proper waste facilities. NISSAN
recommends having your oil
changed by a NISSAN dealer.
. Be careful not to burn yourself, as
the engine oil may be hot.
ENGINE OIL
8-10Do-it-yourself
JVM0789X
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN lineor the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
. If fluid must be added frequently, the
system should be checked. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
JVM0788X
Type A
JVM0380XType B
Type A: Check the fluid level in the
window washer reservoir. If the fluid level
is low, add window washer fluid.
Type B: To check the fluid level, use your
finger to plug the center hole
of the
cap/tube assembly, then remove it from
the reservoir. If there is no fluid in the
tube, add fluid.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for
better cleaning. In the winter season, add
a windshield washer antifreeze. Follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for the
mixture ratio.
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir
periodically.
Add fluid when the low washer fluid
warning appears (if so equipped).
Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of window washer fluid.
Recommended fluid:
Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Con-
centrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equiva-
lent
CAUTION
. Do not substitute engine anti-
freeze coolant for window
washer solution. This may result
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
8-12Do-it-yourself
DI0137MA
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should
be between the UPPER LEVELand
LOWER LEVELlines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only
distilled water to bring the level to the
indicator in each filler opening. Do not
overfill.
SDI1480C
1. Remove the cell plugs.
2. Add distilled water up to the UPPER LEVEL
line.
If the side of the battery is not clear,
check the distilled water level by
looking directly above the cell; the
condition
indicates OK and the
conditionneeds more to be added.
3. Tighten cell plugs
.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures
or under severe conditions require fre-
quent checks of the battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump
starting” (P.6-9). If the engine does not
start by jump starting, the battery may
have to be replaced. It is recommended
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.