2-20Instruments and controls
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
off indicator light
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) off indicator light illuminates and
then turns off.
The light comes on when the VDC off
switch is pushed to OFF. This indicates
that the VDC system is not operating.
When the 4L position is selected with the
Four-Wheel Drive (4WD) shift switch, the
VDC system is disabled and the VDC off
indicator light illuminates. (4WD models)
For additional information, see “Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system” (P.5-133).
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Key reminder chime
A chime will sound if the driver side door
is opened while the ignition switch is
placed in the ACC position. Make sure
the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position, and take the Intelligent Key with
you when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime will sound when the driver side
door is opened with the light switch in the
orposition and the ignition
switch in the ACC, OFF or LOCK position.
Turn the light switch off when you leave
the vehicle.
Parking brake reminder chime
The chime will sound if the vehicle is
driven at more than 4 MPH (7 km/h) with
the parking brake applied. Stop the vehi-
cle and release the parking brake.
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires
replacement, it will make a high pitched
scraping sound when the vehicle is in
motion. This scraping sound will first
occur only when the brake pedal is
depressed. After more wear of the brake
pad, the sound will always be heard even
if the brake pedal is not depressed. Have
the brakes checked as soon as possible if
the warning sound is heard.
SIC4379
The vehicle information displaylocated
between the speedometer and odometer,
and shows the indicators for the driving
systems, Intelligent Key operation and
various warnings and information.
For detailed information about each sys-
tem, see the following sections:
. Automatic Transmission (AT)
— “Warning lights, indicator lights and
audible reminders” (P.2-10).
— “Driving the vehicle” (P.5-17).
. Four-Wheel Drive (4WD)
— “NISSAN all-mode 4WD®” (P.5-116).
. Intelligent Back-up Intervention (I-BI)
VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY
function correctly.
PARKING BRAKE BREAK-IN
Break in the parking brake shoes when-
ever the stopping effect of the parking
brake is weakened or whenever the
parking brake shoes and/or drums/ro-
tors are replaced, in order to assure the
best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. This will cause over-
heating of the brakes, wearing out the
brake and pads faster and reduce gas
mileage.
To help save the brakes and to prevent
the brakes from overheating, reduce
speed and downshift to a lower gear
before going down a slope or long grade.
Overheated brakes may reduce braking
performance and could result in loss of
vehicle control.
WARNING
.While driving on a slippery sur-
face, be careful when braking,
accelerating or downshifting. Abrupt braking or accelerating
could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
. If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the
power assist for the brakes will
not work. Braking will be harder.
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 de-
vice. It is the driver’s responsibility to
stay alert, drive safely and be in
control of the vehicle at all times.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
.The Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) is a sophisticated device,
but it cannot prevent accidents
resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control dur-
ing braking on slippery surfaces.
Remember that stopping dis-
tances on slippery surfaces will
be longer than on normal sur-
Starting and driving5-131
BRAKE ASSIST
5-134Starting and driving
are extremely deteriorated, the
VDC system may not operate
properly. This could adversely
affect vehicle handling perfor-
mance, and the VDC warning light
may illuminate.
. If brake related parts such as
brake pads, rotors and calipers
are not NISSAN recommended or
are extremely deteriorated, the
VDC system may not operate
properly and the VDC warning
light
may illuminate.
. If engine control related parts are
not NISSAN recommended or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC
warning light
may illuminate.
. When driving on extremely in-
clined surfaces such as higher
banked corners, the VDC system
may not operate properly and the
VDC warning light
may illumi-
nate. Do not drive on these types
of roads.
. When driving on an unstable sur-
face such as a turntable, ferry,
elevator or ramp, the VDC warn-
ing light
may illuminate. This
is not a malfunction. Restart the
engine after driving onto a stable
surface. .
If wheels or tires other than the
NISSAN recommended ones are
used, the VDC system may not
operate properly and the VDC
warning light
may illuminate.
. The VDC system is not a substi-
tute for winter tires or tire chains
on a snow covered road.
SIC4455
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH
The vehicle should be driven with the
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ON
for most driving conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow,
the VDC system reduces the engine out-
put to reduce wheel spin. The engine
speed will be reduced even if the accel-
erator is depressed to the floor. If max-
imum engine power is needed to free a
stuck vehicle, turn the VDC system off.
To turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system, push the VDC OFF switch.
The VDC off indicator light
will
illuminate.
It is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer if checking or replacement is
required.If the brakes do not operate properly,
have the brakes checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjust-
ing brakes.
The disc-type brakes self-adjust every
time the brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
Have your brake system checked if
the brake pedal height does not
return to normal. It is recommended
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
BRAKE PAD WEAR WARNING
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires
replacement, it will make a high pitched
scraping sound when the vehicle is in
motion. This scraping sound will first
occur only when the brake pedal is
depressed. After more wear of the brake
pad, the sound will always be heard even
if the brake pedal is not depressed. Have
the brakes checked as soon as possible if
the wear warning sound is heard.Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is
normal and does not affect the function
or performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals
should be followed.
For additional infor-
mation, see the maintenance schedule
shown in the “9. Maintenance and sche-
dules” section.
BRAKE BOOSTER
Check the brake booster function as
follows:
1. With the engine off, depress and release the foot brake pedal more
than 20 times. When the foot brake
pedal movement (distance of travel)
remains the same from one pedal
application to the next, continue on
to the next step.
2. While depressing the foot brake pedal, start the engine.
3. With the foot brake pedal depressed, stop the engine. Keep the pedal de-
pressed for about 30 seconds.
4. Run the engine for 1 minute without depressing the foot brake pedal, then
turn it off. Depress the foot brake
pedal several times. The pedal travel
distance will decrease gradually with
Do-it-yourself8-17
REAR WINDOW WIPER BLADES BRAKES
9-6Maintenance and schedules
Engine oil and oil filter:
Replace engine oil and oil filter at the
specified intervals. For recommended oil
grade and viscosity refer to “Capacities
and recommended fluids/lubricants”
(P.10-2).
Evaporative Emissions Control Vapor
Lines*:
Check vapor lines for leaks or looseness.
Tighten connections or replace parts as
necessary.
Fuel lines*:
Check the fuel hoses, piping and connec-
tions for leaks, looseness, or deterioration.
Tighten connections or replace parts as
necessary.
Spark plugs:
Replace at specified intervals. Install new
plugs of the type as originally equipped.
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.
Propeller shaft(s):
Check for damage, looseness, and grease
leakage.
In-cabin microfilter:
Replace at specified intervals. When driv-
ing for prolonged periods in dusty condi-
tions, replace the filter more frequently.
Steering gear and linkage, axle and
suspension parts:
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 7,500 miles
(12,000 km). When rotating tires, check for
damage and uneven wear. Replace if
necessary.
Transmission fluid/oil, differential oil:
Visually inspect for signs of leakage at
specified intervals.
Off-road maintenance:
Check the following items frequently
whenever you drive off-road through
deep sand, mud or water:.
Brake pads and rotors
. Brake linings and drums
. Brake lines and hoses
. Differential, transmission and transfer
case oil
. Steering linkage
. Propeller shaft(s) and front drive
shafts
. Engine air filter
. Clutch housing drain (AWD only)
9-8Maintenance and schedules
STANDARD MAINTENANCE
Abbreviations: I = Inspect and correct or replace as necessary, R = Replace, L = Lubricate
MAINTENANCE OPERATION
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or months,
whichever comes first.Miles × 1,000
(km × 1,000) Months MAINTENANCE INTERVAL
7.5
(12) 6 15
(24) 12 22.5
(36) 18 30
(48) 24 37.5
(60) 30 45
(72) 36 52.5
(84) 42 60
(96) 48 67.5
(108) 54 75
(120) 60 82.5
(132) 66 90
(144) 72 97.5
(156) 78 105
(168) 84 112.5
(180) 90 120
(192) 96
Air cleaner filter NOTE (1) R R R R
Automatic transmission fluid NOTE (2)
Brake fluid$ RR RR
Brake lines and cables II II I I I I
Brake pads and rotors$ II II I I I I
Drive belts NOTE (3) I* I* I* I* I*
Engine coolant* NOTE (4)(5)
Engine oil & oil filter$ RRRRRRRRRR RR R RR R
EVAP vapor lines & Fuel lines I* I* I*I*
Exhaust system$ II II
Fuel filter NOTE (2)
In-cabin microfilter RR RR R R R R
Intake & exhaust valve clearance NOTE (6)
Intelligent Key battery IRRRR
Propeller shaft & drive shaft boots (4WD models)$ II II I I I I
Propeller shaft grease (4WD models) L L L L L L L L
Spark plugs NOTE (7) Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Steering gear and linkage, axle and suspension parts$ II II
Tire
rotation NOTE (8)
Transfer fluid & differential gear oil See NOTE (9)II II I I II
9-10Maintenance and schedules
The maintenance intervals shown on the
preceding pages are for normal operating
conditions. If the vehicle is mainly oper-
ated under severe driving conditions as
shown below, more frequent mainte-
nance must be performed on the follow-
ing items as shown in the table.
Severe driving 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.
. Operating in hot weather in stop-and-
go “rush hour” traffic.
. Extensive idling and/or low speed
driving for long distances, such as
police, taxi or door-to-door delivery
use.
. Driving in dusty conditions.
. Driving on rough, muddy, or salt
spread roads.
. Towing a trailer, or using a camper or
car-top carrier
Maintenance operation: Inspect = Inspect
and correct or replace as necessary.Maintenance item Maintenance opera- tionMaintenance interval
Brake fluid Replace Every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months
Brake pads & rotors Inspect Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Engine oil & oil filter Replace Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Exhaust system Inspect Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6 months
Propeller shaft & drive shaft
boots (4WD models) Inspect Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6
months
Steering gear & linkage, axle &
suspension parts Inspect Every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) or 6
months
MAINTENANCE UNDER SEVERE
DRIVING CONDITIONS