The chassis control is an electric control
module that includes the following func-
tions:
.Intelligent Trace Control
. Intelligent Engine Brake
. Active Ride Control
INTELLIGENT TRACE CONTROL
This system senses driving based on the
driver’s steering and acceleration/braking
patterns, and controls brake pressure at
individual wheels to aid tracing at corners
and help smooth vehicle response.
Intelligent Trace Control can be set to ON
(enabled) or OFF (disabled) through the
Vehicle Information Display “Settings”
page. See “Vehicle information display”
(P.2-19) for more information.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system, the Intelligent Trace Control is
also turned off.
JVS0403X
When the Intelligent Trace Control is
operated and the “Chassis Control” mode
is selected in the trip computer, the
Intelligent Trace Control graphics are
shown in the vehicle information display.
(See “Trip computer” (P.2-39).)
If the chassis control warning message
appears in the vehicle information dis-
play, it may indicate that the Intelligent
Trace Control is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service. (See
“Vehicle information display warnings
and indicators” (P.2-31).)
WARNING
The Intelligent Trace Control may not
be effective depending on the driv-
ing condition. Always drive carefully
and attentively.
When the Intelligent Trace Control is
operating, you may feel a pulsation in
the brake pedal and hear a noise. This is
normal and indicates that the Intelligent
Trace Control is operating properly.
Even if the Intelligent Trace Control is set
to OFF, some functions will remain on to
assist the driver (for example, avoidance
Starting and driving5-149
CHASSIS CONTROL
5-152Starting and driving
WARNING
.Never rely solely on the hill start
assist system to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving backward on a
hill. Always drive carefully and
attentively. Depress the brake
pedal when the vehicle is stopped
on a steep hill. Be especially care-
ful when stopped on a hill on
frozen or muddy roads. Failure
to prevent the vehicle from rolling
backwards may result in a loss of
control of the vehicle and possi-
ble serious injury or death.
. The hill start assist system is not
designed to hold the vehicle at a
standstill on a hill. Depress the
brake pedal when the vehicle is
stopped on a steep hill. Failure to
do so may cause the vehicle to
roll backwards and may result in
a collision or serious personal
injury.
. The hill start assist system may
not prevent the vehicle from roll-
ing backwards on a hill under all
load or road conditions. Always
be prepared to depress the brake
pedal to prevent the vehicle from
rolling backwards. Failure to do so may result in a collision or
serious personal injury.
The hill start assist system automatically
keeps the brakes applied to help prevent
the vehicle from rolling backwards in the
time it takes the driver to release the
brake pedal and apply the accelerator
when the vehicle is stopped on a hill.
The hill start assist system will operate
automatically under the following condi-
tions:
. The transmission is shifted to a for-
ward or reverse gear.
. The vehicle is stopped completely on a
hill by applying the brake.
The maximum holding time is 2 seconds.
After 2 seconds the vehicle will begin to
roll back and the hill start assist system
will stop operating completely.
The hill start assist system will not
operate when the transmission is shifted
to the N (Neutral) or P (Park) position (CVT
models) or on a flat and level road.
When the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light illuminates in the meter, the
hill start assist system will not operate.
(See “Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
warning light” (P.2-16).)
WAF0072X
The RSS sounds a tone to inform the
driver of obstacles near the rear bumper.
When the “Display” key is on, the sonar
view will automatically appear in the
touchscreen display. An additional view
of the sonar status will appear in the
vehicle information display for reference.
WARNING
. The RSS is a convenience but it is
not a substitute for proper park-
ing.
. The driver is always responsible
for safety during parking and
HILL START ASSIST SYSTEM REAR SONAR SYSTEM (RSS) (if so
equipped)
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
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. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for these products.
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.
. Rinse the wheel to completely
remove the cleaner within 15
minutes after the cleaner is ap-
plied.
Appearance and care7-3
MOST COMMON FACTORS CON-
TRIBUTING TO VEHICLE CORRO-
SION
.The accumulation of moisture-retain-
ing dirt and debris in body panel
sections, cavities, and other areas.
. Damage to paint and other protective
coatings caused by gravel and stone
chips or minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLU-
ENCE THE RATE OF CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on
the vehicle body underside can acceler-
ate 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 where atmospheric pollution ex-
ists, or where road salt is used.
Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate
the rate of corrosion 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 will accelerate the corrosion process.
Road salt will also accelerate the disin-
tegration of paint surfaces.
TO 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 accumula-
tion.
. Check the underbody for accumula-
tion of sand, dirt or salt. If present,
wash with water as soon as possible.
CAUTION
. NEVER remove dirt, sand or other
debris from the passenger com-
partment by washing it out with a
hose. Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
. Never allow water or other liquids
to come in contact with electronic
components inside the vehicle as
this may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface deicing
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
corrosion, which may be required in some
areas, it is recommended you consult a
NISSAN dealer.
Appearance and care7-7
CORROSION PROTECTION
9-2Maintenance and schedules
Some day-to-day and regular mainte-
nance is essential to maintain your vehi-
cle good mechanical condition, as well as
its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make
sure that the scheduled maintenance, as
well as general maintenance, is per-
formed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one
who can ensure that your vehicle receives
the proper maintenance care. You are a
vital link in the maintenance chain.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those
items which should be checked during
normal day-to-day operation. They are
essential for proper vehicle operation. It is
your responsibility to perform these pro-
cedures regularly as prescribed.
Performing general maintenance checks
requires minimal mechanical skill and
only a few general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done
by yourself, a qualified technician or, if you
prefer, a NISSAN dealer.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
The maintenance items listed in this
section are required to be serviced at
regular intervals. However, under severe
driving conditions, additional or more
frequent maintenance will be required.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your
vehicle appears to malfunction, have the
systems checked and serviced. It is re-
commended you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists and are kept up-to-date with the
latest service information through tech-
nical bulletins, service tips, and training
programs. They are completely qualified
to work on NISSAN vehiclesbeforework
begins.
You can be confident that a NISSAN
dealer’s service department performs
the best job to meet the maintenance
requirements on your vehicle. During the normal day-to-day operation
of the vehicle, general maintenance
should be performed regularly as pre-
scribed in this section. If you detect any
unusual sounds, vibrations or smells, be
sure to check for the cause or have it
checked promptly. In addition, it is re-
commended that you visit a NISSAN deal-
er if you think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or mainte-
nance work, see “Maintenance precau-
tions” (P.8-2).
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL MAIN-
TENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with “*” is found in the “8. Do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Doors and engine hood:
Check that all
doors and the 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 released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT GENERAL MAINTENANCE
9-6Maintenance and schedules
CHASSIS AND BODY MAINTENANCE
Brake lines and cables:
Visually inspect for proper installation.
Check for chafing, cracks, deterioration,
and signs of leaking. Replace any deterio-
rated or damaged parts immediately.
Brake pads and rotors:
Check for wear, deterioration and fluid
leaks. Replace any deteriorated or da-
maged parts immediately.
Exhaust system:
Visually inspect the exhaust pipes, muffler
and hangers for leaks, cracks, deteriora-
tion, and damage. Tighten connections or
replace parts as necessary.
In-cabin microfilter:
Replace at specified intervals. When driv-
ing for prolonged periods in dusty condi-
tions, replace the filter more frequently.
Propeller shaft(s):
Check for damage, looseness, and grease
leakage. (AWD)
Steering gear and linkage, axle and
suspension parts, drive shaft boots:
Check for damage, looseness, and leak-
age 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 instructions
under “Explanation of general mainte-
nance items” (P.9-2). When rotating tires,
check for damage and uneven wear.
Replace if necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil
and transfer case oil:
Visually inspect for signs of leakage at
specified intervals.
If using a car-top carrier, or driving on
rough or muddy roads:
.
Replace the Manual Transmission
gear oil every 20,000 miles (32,000
km) or 24 months.
. Replace the CVT fluid every 60,000
miles (96,000 km) or request the deal-
er to inspect the fluid deterioration
data using a CONSULT. If the dete-
rioration data is more than 210,000,
replace the CVT fluid.
To help ensure smooth, safe and eco-
nomical driving, NISSAN provides two
maintenance schedules that may be
used, depending upon the conditions in
which you usually drive. These schedules
contain both distance and time intervals,
up to 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144
months. For most people, the odometer
reading will indicate when service is
needed. However, if you drive very little,
your vehicle should be serviced at the
regular time intervals shown in the sche-
dule.
After 120,000 miles (192,000 km)/144
months, continue maintenance at the
same mileage/time intervals.
ADDITIONAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS
FOR SEVERE OPERATING CONDI-
TIONS
Additional maintenance items for se-
vere operating conditions; should be
performed on vehicles that are driven
under especially demanding conditions.
Additional maintenance items should be
performed if you primarily operate your
vehicle under the following conditions:
. Repeated short trips of less than 5
miles (8 km).
. Repeated short trips of less than 10
miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures remaining below freezing.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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-