Pulling a stuck vehicle
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious per-
sonal injury or death when recovering a
stuck vehicle:
• Contact a professional towing ser-
vice to recover the vehicle if you have
any questions regarding the recov-
ery procedure.
• Attach recovery devices only to main
structural members of the vehicle or
the recovery hooks (if so equipped).
• Do not use the vehicle tie-downs to
tow or free a stuck vehicle.
• Only use devices specifically de-
signed for vehicle recovery and fol-
low the manufacturer's instructions.
• Always pull the recovery device
straight out from the front of the ve-
hicle. Never pull at an angle.
• Route recovery devices so they do
not touch any part of the vehicle ex-
cept the attachment point.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use a tow strap or other device de-
signed specifically for vehicle recovery. Al-
ways follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions for the recovery device.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
WARNING
• Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
• Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode
and result in serious injury. Parts of
your vehicle could also overheat and
be damaged.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud,
etc., use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and lef t to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and backward.
• Shif t back and forth between R (Re- verse) and D (Drive).
• Apply the accelerator as little as pos- sible to maintain the rocking motion.
• Release the accelerator pedal before shif ting between R (Reverse) and D
(Drive). • Do not spin the tires above 34 mph (55
km/h).
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed af ter a few tries, contact a professional towing ser-
vice to remove the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-17
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
Engine oil .......................................8-6
Checking engine oil level .....................8-6
Changing engine oil and oil filter ..............8-6
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ..............8-11
Power Steering Fluid (PSF) .......................8-11
Brake fluid ...................................... 8-12
Brake fluid ................................... 8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ........................8-13
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...........8-13
Battery......................................... 8-14
Jump starting ............................... 8-15
Variable voltage control system ................8-16
Drive belt ....................................... 8-16
Spark plugs .................................... 8-17
Replacing spark plugs ....................... 8-17
Air cleaner ..................................... 8-18In-cabin microfilter
.......................... 8-18
Windshield wiper blades ........................8-19
Cleaning .................................... 8-19
Replacing ................................... 8-19
Brakes ......................................... 8-20
Fuses .......................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ....................... 8-21
Passenger compartment ...................8-23
Battery replacement ........................... 8-23
NISSAN Intelligent Key® ......................8-24
Lights .......................................... 8-25
Headlights .................................. 8-25
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-26
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-27
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-30
Tire pressure ................................ 8-30
Tire labeling ................................. 8-34
T
ypes of tires ................................ 8-37
Tire chains .................................. 8-38
Changing wheels and tires ..................8-39
3.8L 6 cylinder (VQ38DD engine model)
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
2. Fusible link
3. Fuse/Fusible link box
4. Fuse and Relay box
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Brake fluid reservoir
8. Air cleaner
9. Drive belt location
10. Power steering fluid reservoir
11. Radiator cap
12. Battery
13. Engine coolant reservoir
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped with
an engine cover.
LDI3520
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Do-it-yourself8-3
For additional information about drain and
refill capacity, see “Recommended fluids/
lubricants and capacities” (P. 10-2). The
drain and refill capacity depends on the oil
temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always
use the dipstick to determine the proper
amount of oil in the engine.
10. Start the engine and check for leakagearound the drain plug and the oil filter.
Correct as required. Turn the engine off
and wait more than 15 minutes. Check
the oil level with the dipstick. Add en-
gine oil if necessary.
Af ter the operation
1. Reinstall engine protectors in reverse or-der of removal.
2. Lower the vehicle carefully to the ground.
3. Reset the oil and oil filter maintenance reminder. For additional information,
see “Vehicle information display” (P. 2-20).
• Dispose of waste oil and filter properly.
• Check your local regulations. When checking or replacement is required,
it is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
CAUTION
• NISSAN recommends using Genuine
NISSAN Matic P ATF. Do not mix with
other fluids.
• Do not use CVT fluid or manual trans-
mission fluid in this transmission.
Damage caused by the use of fluids
other than as recommended is not
covered under NISSAN’s New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
• Using fluids that are not equivalent
to Genuine NISSAN Matic P ATF may
also damage the transmission. Dam-
age caused by the use of fluids other
than as recommended is not covered
under NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Check the power steering fluid level when
the engine is stopped.
The fluid level should be between the COLD
MAX line and the COLD MIN line on the
power steering fluid reservoir at cold fluid
temperatures of 32° - 86°F (0° - 30°C) or at
the HOT MAX line on the power steering
fluid reservoir at hot fluid temperatures of
122° - 176°F (50° - 80°C).
LDI3077
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID
(ATF)
POWER STEERING FLUID (PSF)
Do-it-yourself8-11
If the fluid is cold and is at or below the
COLD MIN line, add Genuine NISSAN PSF-II
or equivalent to the COLD MAX line. If the
fluid is hot and below the HOT MAX line, add
Genuine NISSAN PSF-II or equivalent to the
HOT MAX line. Remove the cap and fill
through the opening.
CAUTION
• DO NOT OVERFILL.
• Do not reuse power steering fluid.
• Recommended fluid is Genuine
NISSAN PSF-II or equivalent For additional brake fluid specification in-
formation, see “Recommended fluids/
lubricants and capacities” (P. 10-2).
WARNING
• Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake system.
The use of improper fluids can dam-
age the brake system and affect the
vehicle's stopping ability.
• Clean the filler cap before removing.
• Brake fluid is poisonous and should
be stored carefully in marked con-
tainers out of reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, immediately wash the sur-
face with water.
BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If
the fluid level is below the MIN line
OBor the
brake warning light comes on, add
Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake
Fluid or equivalent DOT 3fluid up to the
MAX line
OA. If fluid must be added fre-
quently, the system should be checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
LDI3526
BRAKE FLUID
8-12Do-it-yourself
CAUTION
• Do not ground accessories directly to
the battery terminal. Doing so will
bypass the variable voltage control
system and the vehicle battery may
not charge completely.
• Use electrical accessories with the
engine running to avoid discharging
the vehicle battery.
NOTE:
If the battery is completely drained the
transmission will not manually shif t to
other positions.
Your vehicle is equipped with a variable
voltage control system. This system mea-
sures the amount of electrical discharge
from the battery and controls voltage gen-
erated by the generator.
The current sensor
OAis located near the
battery along the negative battery cable. If
you add electrical accessories to your ve-
hicle, be sure to ground them to a suitable
body ground such as the frame or engine
block area.
1. Power steering fluid pump pulley
2. Automatic belt tensioner pulley
3. Air conditioner compressor pulley
4. Crankshaf t pulley
5. Generator pulley
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position before servicing drive
belt. The engine could rotate
unexpectedly.
LDI3525LDI3616
VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM DRIVE BELT
8-16Do-it-yourself
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
released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrica-
tion frequently.
Check that the gas stays or struts properly
and securely hold the hood, trunk, or rear
hatch fully open. If the hood, trunk, or rear
hatch is not held open, have the gas stays
or struts replaced.
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*: Rotate tires at the specified
interval shown in the maintenance
schedule. 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)
tire pressure sensor: It is recommended
that you replace the tire pressure sensor
assembly 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 steering
wheel or seat vibrates at normal highway
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. It is recom-
mended that you have a damaged wind-
shield repaired by a NISSAN dealer, or a NISSAN Certified Collision Center. To locate
a collision center in your area, refer to
http://collision.nissanusa.com.
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.
Automatic transmission P (Park) mecha-
nism: 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.
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.
Maintenance and schedules9-3
Brakes:Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
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
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).
Battery (for maintenance free batter-
ies)*: This vehicle is equipped with a sealed
maintenance free battery. It is recom-
mended 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 engine 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 fluid
level is between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*: Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*: Check engine drive
belts for wear, fraying or cracking and for
proper tension. Replace any damaged
drive belts.
9-4Maintenance and schedules