
indicator light will turn off.
NOTE:
If the surface temperature of the steer-
ing wheel is above 68°F (20°C) when the
switch is turned on, the system will not
heat the steering wheel. This is not a
malfunction.
WARNING
Do not use or allow occupants to use
the seat heater if you or the occu-
pants cannot monitor elevated seat
temperatures or have an inability to
feel pain in body parts that contact
the seat. Use of the seat heater by
such people could result in serious
injury.
CAUTION
.The battery could run down if the
seat heater is operated while the
engine is not running.
. Do not use the seat heater for
extended periods or when no one
is using the seat.
. Do not put anything on the seat
which insulates heat, such as a
blanket, cushion, seat cover, etc.
Otherwise, the seat may become
overheated.
. Do not place anything hard or
heavy on the seat or pierce it with
a pin or similar object. This may
result in damage to the heater. .
Any liquid spilled on the heated
seat should be removed immedi-
ately with a dry cloth.
. When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, thinner, or any similar
materials.
. If any malfunctions are found or
the heated seat does not operate,
turn the switch off and have the
system checked. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
Instruments and controls2-55
HEATED SEATS (if so equipped)

WARNING
.Gasoline is extremely flammable
and highly explosive under cer-
tain conditions. You could be
burned or seriously injured if it is
misused or mishandled. Always
stop engine and do not smoke or
allow open flames or sparks near
the vehicle when refueling.
. Do not attempt to top off the fuel
tank after the fuel pump nozzle
shuts off automatically. Contin-
ued refueling may cause fuel
overflow, resulting in fuel spray
and possibly a fire.
. Use only an original equipment
type fuel-filler cap as a replace-
ment. It has a built-in safety valve
needed for proper operation of
the fuel system and emission
control system. An incorrect cap
can result in a serious malfunc-
tion and possible injury. It could
also cause the malfunction indi-
cator light to come on.
. Never pour fuel into the throttle
body to attempt to start your
vehicle. .
Do not fill a portable fuel contain-
er in the vehicle or trailer. Static
electricity can cause an explosion
of flammable liquid, vapor or gas
in any vehicle or trailer. To reduce
the risk of serious injury or death
when filling portable fuel contain-
ers:
— Always place the container on
the ground when filling.
— Do not use electronic devices when filling.
— Keep the pump nozzle in con- tact with the container while
you are filling it.
— Use only approved portable fuel containers for flammable
liquid.
CAUTION
. If fuel is spilled on the vehicle
body, flush it away with water to
avoid paint damage.
. Insert the cap straight into the
fuel-filler tube, then tighten until
the fuel-filler cap clicks. Failure to
tighten the fuel-filler cap properly
may cause the
malfunction indicator light (MIL) to illuminate.
If the
light illuminates be-
cause the fuel-filler cap is loose
or missing, tighten or install the
cap and continue to drive the
vehicle. The
light should turn
off after a few driving trips. If the
light does not turn off after a
few driving trips, have the vehicle
inspected. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
For additional information, see
“Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)” (P.2-17).
. The LOOSE FUEL CAP warning
message will be displayed if the
fuel-filler cap is not properly tigh-
tened. It may take a few driving
trips for the message to be dis-
played. Failure to tighten the fuel-
filler cap properly after the LOOSE
FUEL CAP warning message is
displayed may cause the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
to illuminate.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-29

away from the exhaust system
components.
. Do not stop or park the vehicle
over flammable materials such as
dry grass, wastepaper or rags.
They may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
.Do not use leaded gasoline. De-
posits from leaded gasoline will
seriously reduce the three-way
catalyst’s ability to help reduce
exhaust pollutants.
. Keep your engine tuned up. Mal-
functions in the ignition, fuel in-
jection, or electrical systems can
cause overrich fuel flow into the
three-way catalyst, causing it to
overheat. Do not keep driving if
the engine misfires, or if notice-
able loss of performance or other
unusual operating conditions are
detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
. Avoid driving with an extremely
low fuel level. Running out of fuel
could cause the engine to misfire, damaging the three-way catalyst.
. Do not race the engine while
warming it up.
. Do not push or tow your vehicle
to start the engine.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYS-
TEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufac-
turer on the vehicle placard or tire infla-
tion pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire
inflation pressure label, you should deter-
mine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that illumi-
nates a low tire pressure telltale when
one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low
tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon
as possible, and inflate them to the
proper pressure. Driving on a significantly
under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect
the vehicle’s handling and stopping abil-
ity.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low
tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with
a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating prop-
erly. The TPMS malfunction indicator is
combined with the low tire pressure tell-
tale. When the system detects a malfunc-
tion, the telltale will flash for
approximately one minute and then re-
main continuously illuminated. This se-
quence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunc-
tion exists. When the malfunction indica-
tor is illuminated, the system may not be
able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended. TPMS malfunctions may
occur for a variety of reasons, including
the installation of replacement or alter-
nate tires or wheels on the vehicle that
prevent the TPMS from functioning prop-
erly. Always check the TPMS malfunction
telltale after replacing one or more tires
Starting and driving5-5

7-2Appearance and care
In order to maintain the appearance of
your vehicle, it is important to take proper
care of it.
To protect the paint surfaces, wash your
vehicle as soon as you can:
.after a rainfall to prevent possible
damage from acid rain
. after driving on coastal roads
. when contaminants such as soot, bird
droppings, tree sap, metal particles or
bugs get on the paint surface
. when dust or mud builds up on the
surface
Whenever possible, store or park your
vehicle inside a garage or in a covered
area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park
in a shady area or protect the vehicle with
a body cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint
surface when putting on or removing
the body cover.
WASHING
Wash dirt off the vehicle with a wet
sponge and plenty of water. Clean the
vehicle thoroughly using a mild soap, a
special vehicle soap or general purpose
dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lu-
kewarm (never hot) water.
CAUTION
. Do not use car washes that use
acid in the detergent. Some car
washes, especially brushless
ones, use some acid for cleaning.
The acid may react with some
plastic vehicle components, caus-
ing them to crack. This could
affect their appearance, and also
could cause them not to function
properly. Always check with your
car wash to confirm that acid is
not used.
. Do not wash the vehicle with
strong household soap, strong
chemical detergents, gasoline or
solvents.
. Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight or while the vehicle body
is hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.
. Avoid using tight-napped or
rough cloths, such as washing
mitts. Care must be taken when
removing caked-on dirt or other
foreign substances so the paint
surface is not scratched or da-
maged. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty
of clean water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the
doors, hatches and hood are particularly
vulnerable to the effects of road salt.
Therefore, these areas must be regularly
cleaned. Make sure that the drain holes in
the lower edge of the door are open.
Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash
away road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint
surface by using a damp chamois to dry
the vehicle.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface
and helps retain new vehicle appearance.
Polishing is recommended to remove
built-up wax residue and to avoid a
weathered appearance before reapplying
wax.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choos-
ing the proper product.
. 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-
CLEANING EXTERIOR

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

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 washers 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 and clutch fluid level*: Make sure
that the brake and clutch 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 belt*: Make sure that the
drive belt is not frayed, worn, cracked or
oily.
Engine oil level*: Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level surface and
turning off the engine. Wait more than 10
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.
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.

FUEL INFORMATION
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-
Knock Index) number (Research octane
number 91).
CAUTION
.Using a fuel other than that spe-
cified could adversely affect the
emission control system, and
may also affect warranty cover-
age.
. Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way
catalyst.
. Do not use E-15 or E-85 fuel in
your vehicle. Your vehicle is not
designed to run on E-15 or E-85
fuel. Using E-15 or E-85 fuel in a
vehicle not specifically designed
for E-15 or E-85 fuel can adversely
affect the emission control de-
vices and systems of the vehicle.
Damage caused by such fuel is
not covered by the NISSAN new
vehicle limited warranty.
. Do not use fuel that contains the
octane booster methylcyclopen-
tadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). Using fuel containing
MMT may adversely affect vehicle
performance and vehicle emis-
sions. Not all fuel dispensers are
labeled to indicate MMT content,
so you may have to consult your
gasoline retailer for more details.
Note that Federal and California
laws prohibit the use of MMT in
reformulated gasoline.
. U.S. government regulations re-
quire ethanol dispensing pumps
to be identified by a small,
square, orange and black label
with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for
that region.
Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that
meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter
(WWFC) specifications where it is avail-
able. Many of the automobile manufac-
turers developed this specification to
improve emission control system and
vehicle performance. Ask your service
station manager if the gasoline meets
the WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing
reformulated gasolines. These gasolines
are specially designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. NISSAN supports efforts to-
wards cleaner air and suggests that you
use reformulated gasoline when avail-
able.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline contain-
ing oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE
and methanol with or without advertising
their presence. NISSAN does not recom-
mend the use of fuels of which the
oxygenate content and the fuel compat-
ibility for your vehicle cannot be readily
determined. If in doubt, ask your service
station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline,
please take the following precautions as
the usage of such fuels may cause vehicle
performance problems and/or fuel sys-
tem damage.
.The fuel should be unleaded and
have an octane rating no lower than
that recommended for unleaded
gasoline.
. If an oxygenate-blend, other than
methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxyge-
nate. (MTBE may, however, be added
Technical and consumer information10-3

10-4Technical and consumer information
up to 15%.)
. E-15 fuel contains more than 10%
oxygenate. E-15 fuel will adversely
affect the emission control devices
and systems of the vehicle and
should not be used. Damage caused
by such fuel is not covered by the
NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
. If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable
amount of appropriate cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors. If not prop-
erly formulated with appropriate
cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors,
such methanol blends may cause
fuel system damage and/or vehicle
performance problems. At this time,
sufficient data is not available to
ensure that all methanol blends are
suitable for use in NISSAN vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as en-
gine stalling and difficult hot-starting are
experienced after using oxygenate-blend
fuels, immediately change to a non-oxy-
genate fuel or a fuel with a low blend of
MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxyge-
nates can cause paint damage.E-15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately
15% fuel ethanol and 85% unleaded gaso-
line. E-15 can only be used in vehicles
designed to run on E- 15 fuel. Do not use
E-15 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispen-
sing pumps to be identified with small,
square, orange and black label with the
common abbreviation or the appropriate
percentage for that region.
E-85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately
85% fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded gaso-
line. E-85 can only be used in a Flexible
Fuel Vehicle (FFV). Do not use E-85 fuel in
your vehicle. U.S. government regulations
require fuel ethanol dispensing pumps to
be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbre-
viation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
Fuel containing MMT
MMT, or methylcyclopentadienyl manga-
nese tricarbonyl, is an octane boosting
additive. NISSAN does not recommend
the use of fuel containing MMT. Such fuel
may adversely affect vehicle perfor-
mance, including the emissions control
system. Note that while some fuel pumps label MMT content, not all do, so you may
have to consult your gasoline retailer for
more details.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of
any aftermarket fuel additives (for exam-
ple, fuel injector cleaner, octane booster,
intake valve deposit removers, etc.) which
are sold commercially. Many of these
additives intended for gum, varnish or
deposit removal may contain active sol-
vent or similar ingredients that can be
harmful to the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can
cause persistent, heavy “spark knock”.
(Spark knock is a metallic rapping
noise.) If severe, this can lead to engine
damage. If you detect a persistent
heavy spark knock even when using
gasoline of the stated octane rating, or
if you hear steady spark knock while
holding a steady speed on level roads, it
is recommended you have a NISSAN
dealer correct the condition. Failure to
correct the condition is misuse of the
vehicle, for which NISSAN is not respon-
sible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in
spark knock, after-run and/or overheat-