Page 473 of 671

When performing any inspection or maintenance
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 surface, ap-
ply 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 performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
● If you must work with the engine run-
ning, 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 whenever
you work on your vehicle. ●
The automatic engine cooling fan (if so
equipped) 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.
● If you must run the engine in an en-
closed 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 neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
● Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
● Because the fuel lines on gasoline en-
gine models are under high pressure
even when the engine is off, it is recom-
mended that 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 contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, 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 automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses 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.
This “Do-it-yourself” section gives instructions
regarding only those items which are relatively
easy for an owner to perform.
A Genuine NISSAN service manual is also avail-
able. For additional information, refer to “Owner’s
Manual/Service Manual order information” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage. If in doubt about any servicing, it
is recommended that you have it done by a
NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself
Page 474 of 671
VK56VD engine (non-XD model)
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
2. Fuse box
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Power steering fluid reservoir
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Air cleaner
8. Fuse/Fusible link box
9. Drive belt location
10. Radiator cap
11. Battery
12. Engine coolant reservoir
LDI3056
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Do-it-yourself8-3
Page 475 of 671
VK56VD engine (XD model)
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
2. Fuse box
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Power steering fluid reservoir
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Brake fluid reservoir
7. Air cleaner
8. Fuse/Fusible link box
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Drive belt location
11. Battery
12. Radiator cap
For additional information on the Cummins 5.0L
engine, refer to the “Titan Diesel Owner’s
Manual”.
LDI2973
8-4Do-it-yourself
Page 478 of 671

Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
For additional information on changing the Cum-
mins 5.0L engine coolant, refer to the “Titan
Diesel Owner’s Manual”.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than
15 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re- insert it all the way. 5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) marksB. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
A, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening. Do not overfill
C.
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 severity
of operating conditions.
VK56VD engine
LDI2956
VK56VD engine
LDI0371
ENGINE OIL
Do-it-yourself8-7
Page 479 of 671

CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly. Op-
erating the engine with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the engine, and
such damage is not covered by warranty.
For additional information on checking the Cum-
mins 5.0L engine oil level, refer to the “Titan
Diesel Owner’s Manual”.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake. 2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes.
4. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
B.
6. Remove the drain plug
Bwith a wrench by
turning it counterclockwise and completely
drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Changing engine oil filter” in
this section.
● Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
● Check your local regulations.
VK56VD engine
LDI2957
8-8Do-it-yourself
Page 480 of 671

WARNING
●Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
● Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner as
soon as possible.
● Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
7. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a new washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 25 ft-lb (34 N·m)
8. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
For additional information on drain and refill
capacity, refer to “Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the
“Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual. The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.
9. Start the engine. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
10. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
For additional information on changing the Cum-
mins 5.0L engine oil, refer to the “Titan Diesel
Owner’s Manual”.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Remove bolts
Aand skid plate.
Skid plate (Type A) (if so equipped)
LDI3005
Do-it-yourself8-9
Page 481 of 671

4. Place a large drain pan under the oil filterB.
5. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then remove
the oil filter by turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
6. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to an
oil leak and engine damage.
7. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
8. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
13 ft-lb (18 N·m) 9. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
10. Install skid plate in reverse order of removal.
11. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
Skid plate (Type B) (if so equipped)
LDI2875
Skid plate (Type C) (if so equipped)
LDI2876
VK56VD engine
LDI2958
8-10Do-it-yourself
Page 516 of 671

9 Maintenance and schedules
Maintenance requirements..........................9-2
General maintenance ...........................9-2
Scheduled maintenance .........................9-2
Where to go for service .........................9-2
General maintenance ..............................9-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .........9-2
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items .........9-5
Emission Control System Maintenance: ...........9-5
Chassis and Body Maintenance: .................9-6
Maintenance schedules ............................9-7
Additional Maintenance Items for severe
operating conditions ............................9-7
Oil change monitor (diesel engine only) ...........9-7
Gasoline standard maintenance .....................9-8 Emission control system maintenance
.............9-8
Chassis & body maintenance ...................9-10
Gasoline maintenance under severe operating
conditions ....................................... 9-12
Severe driving conditions .......................9-12
Diesel standard maintenance ......................9-13
Emission control system maintenance ............9-13
Chassis & body maintenance ...................9-15
Diesel maintenance under severe operating
conditions ....................................... 9-17
Severe driving conditions .......................9-17
Oil change monitor ............................ 9-17
Maintenance log .................................. 9-18