For four-wheel drive
If you install snow tires, they must also be
the same size, brand, construction and
tread pattern on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following
items be carried in the vehicle during
winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to
remove ice and snow from the win-
dows and wiper blades.
. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of
snowdrifts.
. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
.Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing
rain), very cold snow or ice can be
slick and very hard to drive on.
The vehicle will have much less
traction or “grip” under these
conditions. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until the road is salted
or sanded. .
Whatever the condition, drive
with caution. Accelerate and slow
down with care. If accelerating or
downshifting too fast, the drive
wheels will lose even more trac-
tion.
. Allow more stopping distance
under these conditions. Braking
should be started sooner than on
dry pavement.
. Allow greater following distances
on slippery roads.
. Watch for slippery spots (glare
ice). These may appear on an
otherwise clear road in shaded
areas. If a patch of ice is seen
ahead, brake before reaching it.
Try not to brake while on the ice,
and avoid any sudden steering
maneuvers.
. Do not use the cruise control on
slippery roads.
. Snow can trap dangerous ex-
haust gases under your vehicle.
Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehi-
cle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)
Engine block heaters are used to assist in
cold temperature starting.
The engine block heater should be used
when the outside temperature is 20°F
(−7°C) or lower.
To use the engine block heater
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the en-
gine block heater cord.
3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged exten-
sion cord.
4. Plug the extension cord into a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) protected,
grounded 110-volt AC (VAC) outlet.
5. The engine block heater must be plugged in for at least 2 - 4 hours,
depending on outside temperatures,
to properly warm the engine coolant.
Use an appropriate timer to turn the
engine block heater on.
6. Before starting the engine, unplug and properly store the cord to keep it
away from moving parts.
Starting and driving5-141
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
could affect your warranty coverage.If in
doubt about any servicing, it is recom-
mended you have it done by a NISSAN
dealer.
JVC0965X
VK56VD ENGINE
1. Window washer fluid reservoir
2. Fuse/fusible link holder
3. Engine oil dipstick
4. Power steering fluid reservoir
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Brake fluid reservoir 7. Fuse/fusible link holder
8. Battery
9. Radiator filler cap
10. Engine coolant reservoir
11. Drive belts
12. Air cleaner
Do-it-yourself8-3
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS
SDI2528
Engine oil and filter
1. Place a large drain pan under thedrain plug.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug
with a
wrench and completely drain the oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as
the engine oil is hot.
.Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
.Check your local regulations.
4. (Perform steps 4 to 7 only when the engine oil filter change is needed.)
Loosen the oil filter
with an oil filter
wrench. Remove the oil filter by turn-
ing it by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old rubber
gasket remaining on the mounting
surface of the engine. Failure to do
so could lead to engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten
additionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:11 to 15 ft-lb
(15 to 21 N·m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a new washer. Securely tighten
the drain plug with a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N·m) Do not use excessive force.
9. Refill engine with recommended oil and install the oil filler cap securely.
CAUTION
The dipstick must be inserted in
place to prevent oil spillage from
the dipstick hole while filling the
engine with oil.
See “Capacities and recommended
fluids/lubricants” (P.10-2) for drain
and refill capacity. The drain and refill
capacity depends on the oil tempera-
ture and drain time. Use these speci-
fications for reference only. Always
use the dipstick to determine the
proper amount of oil in the engine.
10. Start the engine and check for leak- age around the drain plug and the oil
filter. Correct as required.
11. Turn the engine off and wait more than 15 minutes. Check the oil level
with the dipstick. Add engine oil if
necessary.
Do-it-yourself8-7
8-10Do-it-yourself
SDI2513
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
.
To add brake fluid:
1. Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or LOCK position.
2. Depress and release the foot brake pedal more than 40 times.
3. Open the reservoir filler cap and add brake fluid up to the MAX line
. (See
“Capacities and recommended fluids/
lubricants” (P.10-2) for the recom-
mended types of brake fluid.) NOTE:
When the ignition switch is placed in the
ON position after adding brake fluid up
to the MAX line
in the reservoir, the
brake fluid decreases below the MAX
line
. This is normal.
If fluid must be added frequently, the
system should be checked. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
SDI2517
WARNING
Antifreeze is poisonous and should
be stored carefully in marked con-
tainers out of the reach of children
and pets.
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir
periodically. Add window washer fluid
when the low window washer fluid warn-
ing illuminates.
To fill the window washer fluid reservoir,
lift the cap off the reservoir tank and pour
the window washer fluid into the tank
opening.
WINDOW WASHER 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.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of window washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN
Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner
& Antifreeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
.Do not substitute engine anti-
freeze coolant for window
washer solution. This may result
in damage to the paint.
. Do not fill the window washer
reservoir tank with washer fluid
concentrates at full strength.
Some methyl alcohol based
washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if
spilled while filling the window
washer reservoir tank.
. Pre-mix washer fluid concen-
trates with water to the manu-
facturer’s recommended levels
before pouring the fluid into the
window washer reservoir tank. Do not use the window washer re-
servoir tank to mix the washer
fluid concentrate and water.
.
Keep the battery surface clean and
dry. Clean the battery with a solution
of baking soda and water.
. Make certain the terminal connec-
tions are clean and securely tightened.
. If the vehicle is not to be used for 30
days or longer, disconnect the nega-
tive (−) battery terminal cable to pre-
vent discharging it.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start condi-
tions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic 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.
WARNING
. Do not expose the battery to
flames or electrical sparks. Hy-
drogen gas generated by the
battery is explosive. Do not allow
battery fluid to contact your skin,
Do-it-yourself8-11
BATTERY
9-4Maintenance and schedules
Steering wheel:Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive
free play, hard steering or strange noises.
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 prop-
erly and in sufficient quantity when oper-
ating the heater or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check
that the wipers and washer 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 tempera-
tures 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 dis-
charge and potential no-start condi-
tions such as: 1.
Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic 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 no
belt is frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level spot and
turning off the engine. Wait more than 15
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, im-
mediately have the exhaust system in-
spected. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service. (See “Pre-
cautions when starting and driving” (P.5-
4) 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 immedi-
ately.
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
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control
dust. It is very important to remove these
substances, otherwise 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 accumulate. For additional informa-
tion, see “Cleaning exterior” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*: Check that
there is adequate fluid in the reservoir.
10-2Technical and consumer information
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the
procedure instructed in the “8. Do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Fluid typeCapacity (approximate)
Recommended Fluids/Lubricants
Metric
Measure US
Measure Imperial
Measure
Fuel 98.4 L26 gal21-5/8 gal ÂSee “Fuel information” (P.10-3).
Engine oil*1 With oil filter change 6.5 L6-7/8 qt 5-3/4 qt ÂGenuine “NISSAN Motor Oil 0W-20 SN” is recommended.
 If the above motor oil is not available, use an equivalent motor oil
that matches the above grade and viscosity. For additional
information, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” (P.10-
5).
Drain and refill
*1: For additional informa-
tion, see “Changing engine
oil and filter” (P.8-6).
Without oil filter change
6.2 L6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt
Engine coolant with reservoir 16.3 L17-1/4 qt 14-3/8 qt ÂPre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
 NISSAN recommends using Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF ONLY in
NISSAN automatic transmissions. Do not mix with other fluids.
Using fluids that are not equivalent to Genuine NISSAN Matic S
ATF may damage the automatic transmission. Damage caused
by the use of fluids other than as recommended is not covered
under the NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Transfer fluid —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Transfer Fluid for ATX90A transfer
 Using transfer fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Transfer Fluid
may damage the transfer, which is not covered by the NISSAN
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Front differential gear oil —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Differential Oil Hypoid Super GL-5 80W-90 or
equivalent conventional (non-synthetic) oil
Rear differential gear oil —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN HYPOID FLUID · S1 GL-5 75W-80 or equivalent
Power steering fluid (PSF) Refill to the proper oil level according to the
instructions in the “8. Do-it-yourself” section. Â
Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent
 DEXRON
TMVI type ATF may also be used.
Brake fluid ÂGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*2 or equivalent
DOT 3
*2: Available in mainland U.S.A through a NISSAN dealer.
Multi-purpose grease —— — ÂNLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant —— — ÂHFC-134a (R-134a)
 For additional information, see “Vehicle identification” (P.10-10) for
air conditioner specification label.
Air conditioning system lubricants —— — ÂNISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or exact equivalent
Window washer fluid —— — ÂGenuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner &
Antifreeze or equivalent
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FLUIDS/LUBRICANTS