
MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE
CORROSION
Most vehicle corrosion is caused by:● 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 collisions.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the ve-
hicle body underside can accelerate corrosion.
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 and where
atmospheric pollution exists and road salt is
used.
Temperature
High temperatures accelerate the rate of corro-
sion 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 acceler-
ates the corrosion process. Road salt also accel-
erates the disintegration of paint surfaces.
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 de-
bris from the passenger compartment
by washing it out with a hose. Remove
dirt with a vacuum cleaner or broom.
● Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic compo-
nents inside the vehicle as this may
damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing 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 corro-
sion, which may be required in some areas, it is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care7-7

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions...........................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ................8-3
Engine cooling system .............................8-5
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-6
Changing engine coolant ........................8-6
Engine oil .........................................8-7
Checking engine oil level ........................8-7
Changing engine oil ............................8-8
Changing engine oil filter ........................8-9
Fuel filter (CUMMINS 5.0L) ........................8-11
Fuel filter replacement (stage 1) .................8-11
Fuel filter replacement (stage 2) .................8-11
Draining water ................................ 8-11
Fuel system priming ............................ 8-11
Diesel particulate filter (DPF) .......................8-11
Automatic regeneration ........................ 8-11
6-speed automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
(diesel engine only) ............................... 8-11
7-speed automatic transmission fluid (ATF)
(gasoline engine only) ............................. 8-12
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-12
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-13
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-13Windshield-washer fluid reservoir . .
.............8-13
Battery .......................................... 8-14
Jump starting ................................. 8-16
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped) ......8-16
Drive belt ........................................ 8-17
Spark plugs (gasoline engine only) .................8-17
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-17
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-18
In-cabin microfilter ............................. 8-19
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-19
Cleaning ..................................... 8-19
Replacing .................................... 8-19
Brakes .......................................... 8-20
Fuses ........................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ........................... 8-22
Passenger compartment .......................8-23
Battery
replacement .............................. 8-25
NISSAN Intelligent Key® .......................8-25
Lights ........................................... 8-27
Headlights .................................... 8-27
Fog lights (if so equipped) ......................8-27
Daytime running light (DRL) (if so equipped) ......8-28
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-29

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

FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT (stage
1)
For additional information, refer to the “Titan Die-
sel Owner’s Manual”.
FUEL FILTER REPLACEMENT (stage
2)
For additional information, refer to the “Titan Die-
sel Owner’s Manual”.
DRAINING WATER
For additional information, refer to the “Titan Die-
sel Owner’s Manual”.
FUEL SYSTEM PRIMING
For additional information, refer to the “Titan Die-
sel Owner’s Manual”.For additional information, refer to the “Titan Die-
sel Owner’s Manual”.
AUTOMATIC REGENERATION
For additional information, refer to the “Titan Die-
sel Owner’s Manual”.
When checking or replacement is required, we
recommend a NISSAN dealer for servicing.
CAUTION
●
NISSAN recommends using Genuine
NISSAN Matic K ATF. Do not mix with
other fluids.
● Do not use CVT fluid or manual trans-
mission fluid in this transmission. Dam-
age caused by the use of fluids other
than as recommended is not covered
under NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
● Using fluids that are not equivalent to
Genuine NISSAN Matic K ATF may also
damage the transmission. Damage
caused by the use of fluids other than as
recommended is not covered under
NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
The specified automatic transmission fluid is also
described on caution labels located in the engine
compartment.
FUEL FILTER (CUMMINS 5.0L) DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER (DPF) 6-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUID (ATF) (diesel
engine only)
Do-it-yourself8-11

WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect socket
can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, it is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
WARNING
● Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or oth-
ers to be burned. The air cleaner not
only cleans the air, it stops the 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.
To remove the filter from the air cleaner, push the
tabs and pull the cover upward.
The viscous paper type filter element should not
be cleaned and reused. Replace the air filter
according to the maintenance log shown in the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of this
manual.
When replacing the air filter, wipe the inside of
the air cleaner housing and the cover with a damp
cloth.
NOTE:
After installing a new air cleaner, make
sure the air cleaner cover is seated in the
housing and latch the tabs.
VK56VD engine
LDI2960
AIR CLEANER
8-18Do-it-yourself

Steering wheel:Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
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* (for seviceable batteries): Check
the fluid level in each cell. It should be between
the MAX and MIN lines. Vehicles operated in high
temperatures or under severe conditions 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 elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not run-
ning (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 MIN and MAX lines on
the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan. Exhaust system:
Visually inspect the exhaust
pipes, muffler and hangers for leaks, cracks, de-
terioration and damage. Tighten connections or
replace parts as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)”
in the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.
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 fuel fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
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.
9-4Maintenance and schedules

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 from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. For
additional information, refer to the “Appearance
and care” section of this manual.
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 schedule
indicates at which mileage/time intervals each
item requires service.
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 NISSAN. Other maintenance
items and intervals are required.
When applicable, additional information can be
found in the “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 performing
these services on a NISSAN product. Many of the
aftermarket flushing systems use non-OEM ap-
proved chemicals or solvents, the use of which
has not been validated by NISSAN.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids, grease,
and refrigerant, refer to “Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the “Technical
and consumer information” section of this
manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE:
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. (For
additional information on the proper mixture for
your area, refer to Engine cooling system” in the
“Do-it-yourself” section of this manual or the “Ti-
tan Diesel Owner’s Manual”.)
NOTE: Mixing any other type of coolant or the use
of non-distilled water may reduce the recom-
mended service interval of the coolant.
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and schedules9-5

Engine Oil and Oil Filter:
Replace engine oil and oil filter at the specified
intervals. For recommended oil grade and viscos-
ity refer to “Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities” in the “Technical and consumer infor-
mation” section of this manual.
Engine Valve Clearance* (gasoline engine
only):
Inspect only if valve noise increases. Adjust valve
clearance if necessary.
Evaporative Emissions Control Vapor
Lines* (gasoline engine only):
Check vapor lines for leaks or looseness. Tighten
connections or replace parts as necessary.
Fuel Filter (diesel engine only):
Replace the fuel filter and drain the water at the
specified intervals.
Fuel Lines*:
Check the fuel hoses, piping and connections for
leaks, looseness, or deterioration. Tighten con-
nections or replace parts as necessary.CHASSIS AND BODY
MAINTENANCE:
Brake Lines and Cables:Visually inspect for
proper installation. Check for chafing, cracks,
deterioration, and signs of leaking. Replace any
deteriorated or damaged parts immediately.
Brake Pads, Rotors, Drums, & Linings:
Check for wear, deterioration and fluid leaks.
Replace any deteriorated or damaged parts im-
mediately.
Exhaust System: Visually inspect the exhaust
pipes, muffler and hangers for leaks, cracks, de-
terioration, and damage. Tighten connections or
replace parts as necessary.
In-Cabin Microfilter: Replace at specified in-
tervals. When driving for prolonged periods in
dusty conditions, replace the filter more fre-
quently.
Propeller Shaft(s): Check for damage, loose-
ness, and grease leakage. (4WD/AWD/RWD) .
Steering Gear and Linkage, Axle and Sus-
pension Parts, Drive Shaft Boots: Check for
damage, looseness, and leakage of oil or grease.
Under severe driving conditions, inspect more
frequently. Tire Rotation:
Tires should be rotated every
5,000 miles (8,000 km) according to the instruc-
tions under “General maintenance” in this sec-
tion. When rotating tires, check for damage and
uneven wear. Replace if necessary.
Transmission Fluid/Oil, Differential Oil,
Transfer Case Oil: Visually inspect for signs of
leakage at specified intervals.
Replace automatic transmission fluid at specified
intervals. (For diesel engine models)
If towing a trailer, using a camper or car-top
carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads:
● Replace the differential oil every
20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months.
● Replace the automatic transmission fluid
ever 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or
24 months. (For gasoline engine models)
Off-Road Maintenance: Check the following
items frequently whenever you drive off-road
through deep sand, mud or water:
● Brake pads and rotors
● Brake linings and drums
● Brake lines and hoses
● Differential, transmission and transfer case
oil
9-6Maintenance and schedules