.Wax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions sup-
plied with the wax.
. Do not use a wax containing any
abrasives, cutting compounds or clea-
ners that may damage the vehicle
finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polish-
ing on a base coat/clear coat paint finish
may dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possi-
ble from the paint surface to avoid lasting
damage or staining. Special cleaning
products are available at a NISSAN dealer
or any automotive accessory stores.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter,
the underbody must be cleaned regularly.
This will prevent dirt and salt from build-
ing up and causing the acceleration of
corrosion on the underbody and suspen-
sion. Before the winter period and again
in the spring, the underseal must be
checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and
dust film from the glass surfaces. It is
normal for glass to become coated with a
film after the vehicle is parked in the hot
sun. Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will
easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the
windows, do not use sharp-edged
tools, abrasive cleaners or chlorine-
based disinfectant cleaners. They
could damage the electrical conduc-
tors, radio antenna elements or rear
window defroster elements.
WHEELS
Wash the wheels when washing the
vehicle to maintain their appearance.
. Clean the inner side of the wheels
when the wheel is changed or the
underside of the vehicle is washed.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents
or corrosion. Such damage may cause
loss of pressure or poor seal at the tire
bead.
. NISSAN recommends that the road
wheels be waxed to protect against road salt in areas where it is used
during winter.
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
Aluminum alloy wheels
Wash regularly with a sponge dampened
in a mild soap solution, especially during
winter months in areas where road salt is
used. Salt could discolor the wheels if not
removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.
Do not use a cleaner that uses
strong acid or alkali contents to
clean the wheels.
. Do not apply wheel cleaners to
the wheels when they are hot.
The wheel temperature should be
the same as ambient tempera-
ture.
Appearance and care7-3
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions ...................................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ........................ 8-3VK56VD engine ....................................................................... 8-3
Engine cooling system ............................................................. 8-4 Checking engine coolant level .................................... 8-5
Changing engine coolant ................................................ 8-5
Engine oil ........................................................................\
..................... 8-6 Checking engine oil level ................................................. 8-6
Changing engine oil and filter ..................................... 8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ............................. 8-8
Power steering fluid ................................................................... 8-8
Brake fluid ........................................................................\
.................. 8-9
Window washer fluid .............................................................. 8-10
Battery ........................................................................\
........................ 8-11 Jump starting ........................................................................\
. 8-13
Variable voltage control system ................................... 8-13
Drive belts ........................................................................\
................ 8-13
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
............. 8-14 Replacing spark plugs ..................................................... 8-14
Air cleaner ........................................................................\
............... 8-15 Windshield wiper blades ..................................................... 8-16
Cleaning ........................................................................\
........... 8-16
Replacing ........................................................................\
........ 8-16
Rear window wiper blades ............................................... 8-17
Brakes ........................................................................\
........................ 8-17 Self-adjusting brakes ..................................................... 8-17
Brake pad wear warning ............................................ 8-17
Brake booster ...................................................................... 8-17
Fuses ........................................................................\
........................... 8-18 Engine compartment .................................................... 8-18
Passenger compartment ........................................... 8-20
Intelligent Key battery replacement .......................... 8-21
Lights ........................................................................\
.......................... 8-24
Headlights ........................................................................\
...... 8-24
Exterior and interior lights ........................................ 8-26
Wheels and tires ........................................................................\
8-30
Tire pressure ........................................................................\
8-30
Tire labeling ........................................................................\
.. 8-34
Types of tires ....................................................................... 8-36
Tire chains ........................................................................\
...... 8-37
Changing wheels and tires ...................................... 8-37
8-30Do-it-yourself
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 in 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.2-15), “Tire Pressure Mon-
itoring System (TPMS)” (P.5-5) and “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ” (P.6-
3).
Tire inflation pressure
Check the pressure of the tires
(including the spare) often and al-
ways 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. The Tire and Loading In-
formation label is affixed to the
driver side center pillar. Tire pres-
sures should be checked regularly
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.
TPMS with Easy Fill Tire Alert pro-
vides visual and audible signals outside the vehicle for inflating the
tires to the recommended COLD
tire pressure. (See “TPMS with Easy
Fill Tire Alert” (P.5-8).)
Incorrect tire pressure, including
under inflation, may adversely
affect tire life and vehicle hand-
ling.
WARNING
.
Improperly inflated tires can
fail suddenly and cause an
accident.
. The Gross Vehicle Weight
rating (GVWR) is located on
the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. cer-
tification label. The vehicle
weight capacity is indicated
on the Tire and Loading In-
formation label. Do not load
your vehicle beyond this ca-
pacity. Overloading your ve-
hicle may result in reduced
tire life, unsafe operating
conditions due to premature
tire failure, or unfavorable
WHEELS AND TIRES
handling characteristics and
could also lead to a serious
accident. Loading beyond
the specified capacity may
also result in failure of other
vehicle components.
. Before taking a long trip, or
whenever you heavily load
your vehicle, use a tire pres-
sure gauge to ensure that
the tire pressures are at the
specified level.
. For additional information
regarding tires, refer to “Im-
portant Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (US) or “Tire Safety
Information” (Canada) in the
Warranty Information Book-
let.
Do-it-yourself8-31
8-32Do-it-yourself
SDI2496
Tire and Loading Information label
Seating capacity: The max-
imum number of occu-
pants that can be seated
in the vehicle.
Vehicle load limit: See “Ve-hicle loading information”
(P.10-14).
Original size: The size of
the tires originally installed
on the vehicle at the fac-
tory.
Cold tire pressure: Inflate
the tires to this pressure
when the tires are cold.
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 recommended
cold tire inflation is set by
the manufacturer to pro-
vide the best balance of
tire wear, vehicle handling,
driveability, tire noise, etc.,
up to the vehicle’s GVWR.
Tire size — see “Tire label-
ing” (P.8-34).
Spare tire size or compact
spare tire size (if so
equipped)
SDI1949
Checking the tire pressure
1. Remove the valve stem cap fromthe tire.
2. Press the pressure gauge squarely onto the valve stem.
Do not press too hard or force
the valve stem sideways, or air
will escape. If the hissing sound
of air escaping from the tire is
heard while checking the pres-
sure, 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 specification 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 265/70R18
116H
240 kPa,
35 PSI
P275/60R20
114H 240 kPa,
35 PSI
REAR
ORIGI- NAL
TIRE 265/70R18
116H
240 kPa,
35 PSI
P275/60R20
114H 240 kPa,
35 PSI
SPARE TIRE 265/70R18
116H
240 kPa,
35 PSI
P275/60R20
114H 240 kPa,
35 PSI
Do-it-yourself8-33
JVM0694X
Example
TIN (Tire Identification
Number) for a new tire
(example: DOT XX XX XXX
XXXX)
1. DOT: Abbreviation for the “De-partment 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 identification 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.
Tire ply composition and
material
The number of layers or
plies of rubber-coated fab-
ric in the tire.
Tire manufacturers also
must indicate the materials
in the tire, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and
others.
Maximum permissible infla-
tion pressure
This number is the greatest
amount of air pressure
that should be put in the
tire. Do not exceed the maximum permissible in-
flation pressure.
Maximum load rating
This number indicates the
maximum load in kilo-
grams 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 in-
stalled tire.
Term of “tubeless” or “tube
type”
Indicates whether the tire
requires an inner tube
(“tube type”) or not (“tube-
less”).
The word “radial”
The word “radial” is shown,
if the tire has radial struc-
ture.
Manufacturer or brand
name
Manufacturer or brand
name is shown.
Do-it-yourself8-35
8-38Do-it-yourself
wheel nuts be tightened to the
specification at each tire rotation
interval.
WARNING
.After rotating the tires,
check and adjust the tire
pressure.
. Retighten the wheel nuts
when the vehicle has been
driven for 600 miles (1,000
km) (also in cases of a flat
tire, etc.).
. For additional information
regarding tires, refer to “Im-
portant Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (US) or “Tire Safety
Information” (Canada) in the
Warranty Information Book-
let.
SDI1663
1. Wear indicator
2. Wear indicator location
mark
Tire wear and damage
WARNING
.Tires should be periodically
inspected for wear, cracking,
bulging or objects caught in
the tread. If excessive wear,
cracks, bulging or deep cuts
are found, the tire(s) should be replaced.
. The original tires have built-
in tread wear indicators.
When wear indicators are
visible, the tire(s) should be
replaced.
. Tires degrade with age and
use. Have tires, including the
spare, over 6 years old
checked by a qualified tech-
nician, because some tire
damage may not be ob-
vious. Replace the tires as
necessary to prevent tire
failure and possible perso-
nal injury.
. Improper service of the
spare tire may result in ser-
ious personal injury. If it is
necessary to repair the
spare tire, it is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
. For additional information
regarding tires, refer to “Im-
portant Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (US) or “Tire Safety