
CAUTION
• Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground (for example, strut mounting
bolt, engine lif t bracket, etc.) — not to
the battery.
• Make sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine
compartment and that the cable
clamps do not contact any other
metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster vehicle at about 2,000 rpm and start the
engine of the vehicle being jump
started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged
for more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, place the ig-
nition switch in the OFF position and
wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying again.
7. Af ter starting the engine, carefully dis- connect the negative cable and then the
positive cable.
CAUTION
Automatic transmission models can-
not be push-started. Attempting to do
so may cause transmission damage.WARNING
• Do not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could cause
engine damage or a vehicle fire.
• To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap while the engine is still
hot. When the radiator or coolant res-
ervoir cap is removed, pressurized
hot water will spurt out, possibly
causing serious injury.
• Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge
reading and the Low Oil Pressure: See
Owner’s Manual warning message ap-
pears in the vehicle information display), or
if you feel a lack of engine power, detect
abnormal noise, etc. take the following
steps:
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, ap- ply the parking brake.
2. Push the park button to shif t to the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-13

NOTE:
If the battery is completely drained the
transmission will not manually shif t to
other positions.
Two-Wheel Drive models with
automatic transmission
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground or place the vehicle on a flatbed
truck as illustrated.
CAUTION
• Never tow automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward), as this may
cause serious and expensive dam-
age to the transmission. If it is neces-
sary to tow the vehicle with the rear
wheels raised always use towing dol-
lies under the front wheels.
• When towing automatic transmis-
sion models with the rear wheels on
the ground or on towing dollies:
LIC4864
6-16In case of emergency

–Place the ignition switch in the
OFF position, and secure the
steering wheel in a straight-ahead
position with a rope or similar de-
vice. Never secure the steering
wheel by placing the ignition
switch in the LOCK position. This
may damage the steering lock
mechanism (for models with a
steering lock mechanism).
NOTE:
If the battery is completely drained the
transmission will not manually shif t to
other positions.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing 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. •
Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to main structural mem-
bers of the vehicle.
• 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 or place the Drive Mode
Selector in MUD/RUT (4WD models) or
SAND (4WD models) mode.
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.
In case of emergency6-17

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions.......................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ...........8-4
Engine cooling system ..........................8-5
Checking engine coolant level ................8-6
Changing engine coolant ....................8-6
Engine oil .......................................8-7
Checking engine oil level .....................8-7
Changing engine oil and oil filter ..............8-7
Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) ..............8-11
Brake fluid ...................................... 8-12
Windshield-washer fluid ........................8-12
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...........8-12
Battery......................................... 8-14
Jump starting ............................... 8-15
Variable voltage control system
(if so equipped) ................................. 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 ......................................... 8-21
Fuses .......................................... 8-21
Engine compartment .......................8-22
Passenger compartment ...................8-23
Battery replacement ........................... 8-25
NISSAN Intelligent Key® ......................8-25
Lights .......................................... 8-27
Headlights .................................. 8-27
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-27
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-27
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-29
Tire pressure ................................ 8-29
Tire labeling ................................. 8-34
Types of tires ................................
8-36
Tir
e chains .................................. 8-37
Changing wheels and tires ..................8-38

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. Push the park
button to shif t to the P (Park)
position.
• 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. •
Your vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition switch is in
the OFF position and the engine is
not running. To avoid injury, always
disconnect the negative battery
cable before working 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 on gasoline
engine models are under high pres-
sure 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 completely drained 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.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself

3.5L 6 Cylinder (VQ35DD engine model)
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Drive belt location
3. Engine oil filler cap4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Air cleaner
6. Fuse box
7. Fuse/Fusible link box8. Battery
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Radiator cap
11. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped
with an engine cover.
LDI3596
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-4Do-it-yourself

Caution symbols for batteryWARNING
O1No smoking, No exposed flames, NoSparks Do not expose the battery to electrical sparks, flames or smoking. Hydrogen gas generated by the
battery is explosive. Explosive gases can cause blindness or injury.
O2Shield eyes Handle the battery cautiously. Always wear eye protection glasses to protect against explosion or
battery acid.
O3Keep away from childrenNever allow children to handle the battery. Keep the battery out of the reach of children.
O4Battery acidDo not allow battery fluid to contact your skin, eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces. Sulfuric acid can
cause blindness or severe burns. Af ter touching a battery or battery cap, do not touch or rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash your hands. If the acid contacts your eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Battery fluid is acid. If the bat- tery fluid gets into your eyes or onto your skin, it could cause loss of your eyesight or burns.
O5Note operating instructions Before handling the battery, read this instruction carefully to ensure correct and safe handling.
O6Explosive gas Hydrogen gas generated by battery fluid is explosive. Explosive gases can cause blindness or injury.
BATTERY
8-14Do-it-yourself

• If the battery is labeled “do not open” it ismaintenance free and battery fluid
should not be checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer or
a qualified specialist workshop to con-
firm the battery’s performance.
• Keep the battery surface clean and dry. Clean the battery with a solution of bak-
ing soda and water.
• Make certain the terminal connections are clean and securely tightened.
• If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or longer, disconnect the negative (-) bat-
tery terminal cable to prevent discharge.
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.
WARNING
• Do not expose the battery to flames,
an electrical spark or a cigarette. Hy-
drogen gas generated by the battery
is explosive. Explosive gases can
cause blindness or injury. Do not al-
low battery fluid to contact your skin,
eyes, fabrics or painted surfaces. Sul-
furic acid can cause blindness or in-
jury. Af ter touching a battery or bat-
tery cap, do not touch or rub your
eyes. Thoroughly wash your hands. If
the acid contacts your eyes, skin or
clothing, immediately flush with wa-
ter for at least 15 minutes and seek
medical attention.
• When working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.
• Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands af ter
handling.
• Keep battery out of the reach of
children.
• Do not tip the battery.
NOTE:
Do not try to open the top of the battery.
This battery is not equipped with remov-
able vent caps.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump
starting” (P. 6-11). If the engine does not start
by jump starting, the battery may have to
be replaced. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
LDI3229
Do-it-yourself8-15