CAUTION
∙ If the warning light remains on af terthe above operation, have your ve-
hicle checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
∙ If the warning light comes on while driving, there may be a malfunction in
the AWD system. Reduce the vehicle
speed and have your vehicle checked
as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
∙ The powertrain may be damaged if you continue driving with the warning
light illuminated.
∙ Never drive on dry, hard surface roads in the LOCK mode, as this will overload
the powertrain and may cause a seri-
ous malfunction.
WARNING
∙ For AWD equipped vehicles, do not at-tempt to raise two wheels off the
ground and shif t the transmission to
any drive or reverse position with the
engine running. Doing so may result
in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result
in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
∙ Do not attempt to test an AWD equipped vehicle on a 2–wheel dyna-
mometer (such as the dynamometers
used by some states for emissions
testing) or similar equipment even if
the other two wheels are raised off the
ground. Make sure that you inform
the test facility personnel that your
vehicle is equipped with AWD before it
is placed on a dynamometer. Using
the wrong test equipment may result
in drivetrain damage or unexpected
vehicle movement which could result
in serious vehicle damage or personal
injury.
ALL-WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) LOCK
SWITCH OPERATIONS
The AWD LOCK switch is located on the
lower side of the instrument panel. This
switch is used to select the AUTO or LOCK
mode depending on the driving conditions.
LOCK mode:
The AWD LOCK indicator light will illumi-
nate.
AUTO mode:
The AWD LOCK indicator light will turn off.
LIC2645
5-106Starting and driving
AWD mode Wheels driven AWD LOCK indicator light Use conditionsAUTO Distribution of torque
to the front and rear
wheels changes
automatically, depend-
ing on road conditions
encountered [100:0]
←→
[50:50]. This results
in improved driving
stability. *1 For driving on paved
or slippery roads.
LOCK AWD *2, *3
For driving on rough
roads.
*1 When the rotation difference between the front and rear wheels is large, the AWD mode
may change from AUTO to LOCK for a while; however, this is not a malfunction.
*2 The LOCK mode will change to AUTO mode automatically when the vehicle has been
driven at a high speed. The AWD LOCK indicator light turns off.
*3 LOCK mode will automatically be canceled when the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position. ∙ The AWD torque distribution between
the front and rear wheels can be dis-
played in the video information display.
∙ If the AWD LOCK switch is operated while accelerating or decelerating, or if
the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position, you may feel a jolt. This is nor-
mal.
∙ The oil temperature of the powertrain parts will increase if the vehicle is con-
tinuously operated under conditions
where the difference in rotation be-
tween the front and rear wheels is large
(wheel slip), such as when driving the
vehicle on rough roads or through sand
or mud or freeing a stuck vehicle. In
these cases, the master warning light
illuminates and the AWD mode
changes to 2–Wheel Drive to protect the
powertrain parts. Stop driving with the
engine idling and wait until the warning
light turns off and the AWD returns to
the AUTO mode. If the warning light re-
mains on, have your vehicle checked as
soon as possible. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
Starting and driving5-107
If the ABS warning light illuminates during
the self-test or while driving, have the ve-
hicle checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Normal operation
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) oper-
ates at speeds above3-6mph(5-
10 km/h). The speed varies according to
road conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure. This action is similar to pumping the
brakes very quickly. You may feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal and hear a noise
from under the hood or feel a vibration
from the actuator when it is operating. This
is normal and indicates that the ABS is op-
erating properly. However, the pulsation
may indicate that road conditions are haz-
ardous and extra care is required while
driving.
BRAKE ASSIST
When the force applied to the brake pedal
exceeds a certain level, the Brake Assist is
activated generating greater braking force
than a conventional brake booster even
with light pedal force.
WARNING
The Brake Assist is only an aid to assist
braking operation and is not a collision
warning or avoidance device. It is the
driver’s responsibility to stay alert, drive
safely and be in control of the vehicle at
all times. The VDC system uses various sensors to
monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion.
Under certain driving conditions, the VDC
system helps to perform the following
functions:
∙ Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel slip on one slipping drive wheel
so power is transferred to a non-
slipping drive wheel on the same axle.
∙ Controls brake pressure and engine output to reduce drive wheel slip based
on vehicle speed (traction control func-
tion).
∙ Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:
– Understeer (vehicle tends to not fol- low the steered path despite in-
creased steering input)
– Oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions)
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it can-
not prevent loss of vehicle control in all driv-
ing situations.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
5-112Starting and driving
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions.......................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ...........8-3
Engine cooling system ..........................8-4
Checking engine coolant level ................8-5
Changing engine coolant .....................8-5
Inverter cooling system .........................8-6
Checking inverter coolant level ...............8-7
Changing inverter coolant ....................8-7
Engine oil ........................................8-7
Checking engine oil level .....................8-7
Changing engine oil ..........................8-8
Changing engine oil filter ....................8-10
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid ............................................. 8-11
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-11
Windshield-washer fluid ........................8-12
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ............8-12
12-VoltBattery.................................. 8-13
Jump starting ............................... 8-14
Spark plugs .................................... 8-14
Replacing spark plugs ....................... 8-14Air cleaner
...................................... 8-15
In-cabin microfilter .......................... 8-16
Windshield wiper blades ........................8-16
Cleaning .................................... 8-16
Replacing ................................... 8-17
Brakes.......................................... 8-19
Fuses ........................................... 8-20
Engine compartment .......................8-20
Passenger compartment ....................8-21
Battery replacement ........................... 8-22
NISSAN Intelligent Key® ......................8-22
Lights .......................................... 8-23
Headlights ................................... 8-23
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-24
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-25
Wheels and tires ................................ 8-28
Tire pressure ................................ 8-28
Tire labeling ................................. 8-31
T ypes
of tires ................................ 8-34
Tire chains .................................. 8-35
Changing wheels and tires ..................8-36
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Turn the hybrid system off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
B.
4. Remove oil filter
Bwith 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 en-
gine oil may be hot.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
∙ Be sure to remove any old gasketmaterial remaining on the sealing
surface of the engine. Failure to do
so could lead to an oil leak and en-
gine damage.
∙ The dipstick must be inserted in place to prevent oil spillage from
the dipstick hole when filling the
engine with oil.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resis- tance is felt, then tighten an additional
2/3 turn.
8. Start the hybrid system and check for leakage around the oil filter. Correct as
required. 9. Turn the hybrid system off and wait
more than 10 minutes. Check the oil
level. Add engine oil if necessary.
LDI3085
8-10Do-it-yourself
4. Close the lid securely as illustrated with
CandD.
5. Operate the buttons to check the op- eration.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service if you need assis-
tance for replacement. FCC Notice:
For USA:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the fol-
lowing two conditions: (1) This device
may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Note: Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party respon-
sible for compliance could void the user’s
authority to operate the equipment.
For Canada:
This device complies with Industry
Canada licence-exempt RSS standard(s).
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) this device may not cause
interference, and (2) this device must ac-
cept any interference, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired opera-
tion of the device.
HEADLIGHTS
For additional information on headlight
bulb replacement, refer to the instructions
outlined in this section.
Replacing the halogen headlight
bulb (if so equipped)
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halo-
gen) bulb. They can be replaced from inside
the engine compartment without remov-
ing the headlight assembly.
If headlight bulb replacement is required, it
is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
WDI0568
LIGHTS
Do-it-yourself8-23
Doors and engine hood:Check that the
doors and engine hood operate properly.
Also ensure that all latches lock securely.
Lubricate hinges, latches, latch pins, rollers
and links if necessary. Make sure that the
secondary latch keeps the hood from
opening when the primary latch is re-
leased.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrica-
tion frequently.
Lights*: Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and in-
stalled securely. Also check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When check-
ing the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are
missing, and check for any loose wheel
nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*: Tires should be rotated ev-
ery 5,000 miles (8,000 km).
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
of ten and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in all
tires, including the spare, to the pressure
specified. Check carefully for damage, cuts
or excessive wear. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components:
Replace the
TPMS transmitter grommet seal, valve core
and cap when the tires are replaced due to
wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance: If the ve-
hicle should pull to either side while driving
on a straight and level road, or if you detect
uneven or abnormal tire wear, there may
be a need for wheel alignment. If the steer-
ing wheel or seat vibrates at normal high-
way speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at least
every six months for cracks or other dam-
age. Have a damaged windshield repaired
by a qualified repair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as when performing scheduled maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal:
Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the
pedal does not catch or require uneven
effort. Keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes
down further than normal, the pedal feels
spongy or the vehicle seems to take longer
to stop, have your vehicle checked imme-
diately. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service. Keep the
floor mat away from the pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) P (Park) position mechanism: On a
fairly steep hill check that the vehicle is held
securely with the shif t lever in the P (Park)
position without applying any brakes.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only
the parking brake applied. If the parking
Maintenance and schedules9-3
brake needs adjustment, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
Seats:Check seat position controls such
as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc., to
ensure they operate smoothly and all
latches lock securely in every position.
Check that the head restraints/headrests
move up and down smoothly and the locks
(if so equipped) hold securely in all latched
positions.
Seat belts: Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (for example, buckles, anchors,
adjusters and retractors) operate properly
and smoothly, and are installed securely.
Check the belt webbing for cuts, fraying,
wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering system, such as excessive free
play, hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient quantity when operating
the heater or air conditioner. Windshield wiper and washer*:
Check
that the wipers and washer operate prop-
erly 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).
12-Volt battery*: This vehicle is equipped
with a sealed maintenance free battery. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for service.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the hybrid system 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.
Inverter coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the inverter is cold.
Engine oil level*: Check the level af ter
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, immedi-
ately have the exhaust system inspected. It
is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Exhaust gas (carbon mon-
oxide)” in the “Starting and driving” section
of this manual.
9-4Maintenance and schedules