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 fol-
lowing are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
• Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. Move the shif t le-
ver to P (Park)
• Be sure the ignition switch is in the
OFF or LOCK position when perform-
ing any parts replacement or repairs.
• If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans,
belts and any other moving parts.
• It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
• Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
• The automatic engine cooling fan (if
so equipped) may come on at any
time without warning, even if the ig-
nition switch is in the OFF position and the engine is not running. To
avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative battery cable before work-
ing near the fan.
• If you must run the engine in an en-
closed 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 nec-
essary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
• Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
• Because the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off,
it is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for service of the fuel
filter or fuel lines.
CAUTION
• Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn the engine off
and wait until it cools down.
• Avoid contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed
engine oil, engine coolant and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
• Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
• Never connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
NOTE:
If the battery is dead the transmission
will not manually shif t to other positions.
This “Do-it-yourself ” section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A Genuine NISSAN service manual is also
available. For additional information, refer
to “Owner's Manual/Service Manual order
information” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect warranty coverage. If in doubt
about any servicing, it is recommended
that you have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself
is normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
fuel fumes are evident, check for the cause
and have it corrected immediately.
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 hosesCheck the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, defor-
mation, 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 sub-
stances from the underbody, otherwise
rust may form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and exhaust system. At the end of
winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those
areas where mud and dirt may have accu-
mulated. For additional information, refer
to the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield-washer fluid*: Check that
there is adequate fluid in the reservoir. The following descriptions are provided to
give you a better understanding of the
scheduled maintenance items that should
be regularly checked or replaced. The
maintenance schedule indicates at which
mileage/time intervals each item requires
service.
Items marked with
“*”are recommended
by NISSAN for reliable vehicle operation.
You are not required to perform mainte-
nance on these items in order to maintain
the warranties which come with your
NISSAN. Other maintenance items and in-
tervals are required.
When applicable, additional information
can be found in the “Do-it-yourself ” section
of this manual.
NOTE: NISSAN does not advocate the use
of non-OEM approved af termarketflushing systems and strongly advisesagainst performing these services on aNISSAN product. Many of the af termar-ket flushing systems use non-OEM ap-proved chemicals or solvents, the use ofwhich has not been validated by NISSAN.
For recommended fuel, lubricants, fluids,
grease, and refrigerant, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the “Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
MAINTENANCE:
Drive Belts*:
Check engine drive belts for
wear, fraying or cracking and for proper
tension. Replace any damaged drive belts.
Engine Air Filter: Replace at specified in-
tervals. When driving for prolonged periods
in dusty conditions, check/replace the filter
more frequently.
Engine Coolant*: Replace coolant at the
specified interval. When adding or replac-
ing coolant, be sure to use only Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent with the proper mixture. (For
additional information on the proper mix-
ture for your area, refer to Engine cooling
system” in the “Do-it-yourself ” section of
this manual).
NOTE: Mixing any other type of coolant or
the use of non-distilled water may reduce
the recommended service interval of the
coolant.
Engine Oil and Oil Filter: Replace engine
oil and oil filter at the specified intervals. For
recommended oil grade and viscosity refer
to “Recommended fluids/lubricants and
EXPLANATION OF SCHEDULED
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Maintenance and schedules9-5
capacities” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
Engine Valve Clearance*:Inspect only if
valve noise increases. Adjust valve clear-
ance if necessary.
Evaporative Emissions Control Vapor
Lines*: Check vapor lines for leaks or loose-
ness. Tighten connections or replace parts
as necessary.
Fuel Lines*: Check the fuel hoses, piping
and connections for leaks, looseness, or
deterioration. Tighten connections or re-
place parts as necessary.
CHASSIS AND BODY
MAINTENANCE:
Brake Lines and Cables: Visually inspect
for proper installation. Check for chafing,
cracks, deterioration, and signs of leaking.
Replace any deteriorated or damaged
parts immediately.
Brake Pads and Rotors: Check for wear,
deterioration and fluid leaks. Replace any
deteriorated or damaged parts immedi-
ately.
Exhaust System: Visually inspect the ex-
haust pipes, muffler and hangers for leaks,
cracks, deterioration, and damage. Tighten
connections or replace parts as necessary. In-Cabin Microfilter:
Replace at specified
intervals. When driving for prolonged peri-
ods in dusty conditions, replace the filter
more frequently.
Propeller Shaf t(s): Check for damage,
looseness, and grease leakage. (4WD/
AWD/RWD).
Steering Gear and Linkage, Axle and Sus-
pension Parts, Drive Shaf t Boots: Check
for damage, looseness, and leakage of oil
or grease. Under severe driving conditions,
inspect more frequently.
Tire Rotation: Tires should be rotated ev-
ery 7,500 miles (12,000 km) according to the
instructions under “General maintenance”
in this section. When rotating tires, check
for damage and uneven wear. Replace if
necessary.
Transmission Fluid/Oil, Differential Oil,
Transfer Case Oil: Visually inspect for signs
of leakage at specified intervals.
Replace automatic transmission fluid at
specified intervals.
If towing a trailer, using a camper or car-top
carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads:
• Replace the differential oil every 20,000 miles (32,000 km) or 24 months. • Replace the automatic transmission fluid
ever 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24
months.
Off-Road Maintenance: Check the follow-
ing items frequently whenever you drive
off-road through deep sand, mud or water:
• Brake pads and rotors
• Brake lines and hoses
• Differential, transmission and transfer case oil
• Steering linkage
• Propeller shaf t(s) and front drive shaf ts
• Engine air filter
• Clutch housing drain (4WD only)
9-6Maintenance 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 x 1,000
(km x 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)(3) I I I I I I I I
Brake fluid RRRR
Brake lines and cables I I I I I I I I
Brake pads and rotors III IIIII
Drive belts NOTE (4)I* I* I* I* I*
Engine coolant* NOTE (5)(6)
Engine oil & oil filter R RRRRRR RRRRRRRRR
EVAP vapor lines & Fuel lines I*I*I*I*
Exhaust system IIII
Fuel filter NOTE (7)
In-cabin microfilter R R RR R R R R
Intake & exhaust valve clearance NOTE (8)
NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery IR RRR
Propeller shaf t & drive shaf t boots
(4WD models) III IIIII
Spark plugs (Iridium–tipped type) Replace every 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
Steering gear & linkage, axle and suspension parts IIII
Steering stopper cap (XD models only) LLLL
Tire rotation NOTE (9)
Transfer fluid & differential gear oil NOTE (10)III IIIII
9-8Maintenance and schedules
10 Technical and consumer information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities...................................... 10-2
Fuel recommendation ......................10-4
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendations .......................... 10-7
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .......................10-8
Specifications .................................. 10-9
Engine ...................................... 10-9
Wheels and tires ............................ 10-9
Dimensions and weights ....................10-11
When traveling or registering in another
country ....................................... 10-17
Vehicle identification .......................... 10-17
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
plate ....................................... 10-17
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ........................... 10-17
Engine serial number ......................10-18
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........10-18
Emission control information label .........10-19
Tire and Loading Information label .........10-19
Air conditioner specification label ..........10-20
Installing front license plate ...................10-21Vehicle loading information
...................10-22
Terms ...................................... 10-22
Vehicle load capacity ....................... 10-23
Securing the load .......................... 10-25
Utili-track® channel system
(if so equipped) ............................. 10-26
Loading tips ................................ 10-30
Truck-camper loading information ............10-31
Crew cab models .......................... 10-31
King Cab® models .......................... 10-31
Special Body vehicles ......................10-31
Location for center of gravity ...............10-31
Vehicle load weight capacity ...............10-32
Measurement of weights ...................10-33
Towing a trailer ................................ 10-33
Maximum load limits ....................... 10-33
Towing load/specification ..................10-37
T
owing safety .............................. 10-39
Flat towing for 2-Wheel Drive (2WD)
vehicle (if so equipped) .....................10-55
Flat towing for 4-Wheel Drive (4WD)
vehicle (if so equipped) .....................10-55
Snowplow .................................... 10-56
Uniform tire quality grading ...................10-56
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “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 L 26 gal 21-5/8 gal • For additional information, refer to “Fuel recommendation” in this
section.
Engine oil *1
Drain and refill
*1 For additional information, re-
fer to “Changing engine oil” in the
“Do-it-yourself ” section of this
manual. With oil
filter
change 6.5 L 6-7/8 qt 5-3/4 qt • Genuine “NISSAN Motor Oil 0W-20 SN” (or equivalent) is recom-
mended.
• If the above motor oil (or engine oil) is not available, a synthetic
0W-20 GF-5 SN motor oil (or engine oil) may be used. Damage
caused by the use of motor oil (or engine oil) other than as recom-
mended is not covered under NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited War-
ranty. For additional information, refer to “Engine oil and oil filter rec-
ommendations” in this section.
Without
oil filter
change 6.2 L 6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt
Engine coolant
with reservoir Non-XD
model 13.4 L 3-1/2 gal 3 gal
• Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
XD model 13.2 L 3-1/2 gal 2-7/8 gal
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) — — — • Genuine NISSAN Matic P ATF or equivalent
• NISSAN recommends using Genuine NISSAN Matic P ATF (or
equivalent) ONLY in NISSAN automatic transmissions. Do not mix
with other fluids. Using fluids that are not equivalent to Genuine
NISSAN Matic P 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.
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS/
LUBRICANTS AND CAPACITIES
10-2Technical and consumer information
Fluid typeCapacity (approximate)
Recommended Fluids/Lubricants
Metric
Measure US
Measure Imperial
Measure
Air conditioning system oil — — — • Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type PAG (VC100yf oil) or equiva-
lent
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner system refriger-
ant and oil recommendations” in this section.
Windshield-washer fluid 4.5 L 1-1/4 gal 1 gal• Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze fluid or equivalent.
FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an oc-
tane rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock
Index) number (Research octane number
91).
CAUTION
• Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect
the warranty coverage.
• 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 specifi-
cally designed for E-15 or E-85 fuel
can adversely affect the emission
control devices and systems of the
vehicle. Damage caused by such fuel
is not covered by the NISSAN New Ve-
hicle Limited Warranty. •
Do not use fuel that contains the oc-
tane booster methylcyclopentadi-
enyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
Using fuel containing MMT may ad-
versely affect vehicle performance
and vehicle emissions. 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 require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be
identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common ab-
breviation or the appropriate per-
centage for that region.
10-4Technical and consumer information
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance.
For additional information, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities”
in this section. NISSAN recommends the
use of an energy conserving oil in order to
improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the Ameri-
can Petroleum Institute (API) certification or
International Lubricant Standardization and
Approval Committee (ILSAC) certification
and SAE viscosity standard. These oils have
the API certification mark on the front of the
container. Oils which do not have the speci-
fied quality label should not be used as they
could cause engine damage.
Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used
and maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or
has been previously used should not be
used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness
changes with temperature. Because of
this, it is important to select the engine oil
viscosity based on the temperatures at
which the vehicle will be operated before
the next oil change. Choosing an oil viscos-
ity other than that recommended could
cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality Genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use a Genuine NISSAN oil filter or
its equivalent for the reason described in
“Change intervals.”
LTI2051
Technical and consumer information10-7