.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. U.S. govern-
ment regulations require fuel ethanol
dispensing pumps to be identified with
small, square, orange and black label with
the common abbreviation or the appro- priate 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-
ing, which may cause excessive fuel
consumption or engine damage. If any
of the above symptoms are encountered,
have your vehicle checked. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is
not a cause for concern, because you
Technical and consumer information10-5
10-6Technical and consumer information
get the greatest fuel benefit when there
is light spark knock for a short time
under heavy engine load.
JVT0351X
API certification markAPI service symbol
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER RE-
COMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade,
quality, and viscosity engine oil to ensure
satisfactory engine life and performance,
see “Capacities and recommended fluids/
lubricants” (P.10-3). NISSAN recommends
the use of an energy conserving oil in
order to improve fuel economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the
American Petroleum Institute (API) certifi-
cation or International Lubricant Standar-dization 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 specified 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 fol-
lowed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or
has been previously used should not be
used.
