
3.8L 6 cylinder (VQ38DD engine model)
(without idle stop)
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir(P. 8-15)
2. Fusible link (P. 8-23)
3. Fuse/Fusible link box (P. 8-23)
4. Fusible link and relay box (P. 8-23)
5. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-8)
6. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-8)
7. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-14)
8. Air cleaner (P. 8-20)
9. Drive belt location (P. 8-19)
10. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-14)
11. Radiator cap (P. 8-6)
12. Battery (P. 8-16)
13. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-6)
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped with
an engine cover.
Refer to the page number indicated in
parentheses for operating details.
LDI3520
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents 

3.8L 6 cylinder (VQ38DD engine model)
(with idle stop)
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir(P. 8-15)
2. Fusible link and relay box(P. 8-23)
3. Fuse/Fusible link box (P. 8-23)
4. Fusible link (P. 8-23)
5. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-8)
6. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-8)
7. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-14)
8. Relay box (P. 8-23)
9. Air cleaner (P. 8-20)
10. Drive belt location (P. 8-19)
11. Radiator cap (P. 8-6)
12. Battery (P. 8-16)
13. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-14)
14. Relay box (P. 8-23)
15. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-6)
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped with
an engine cover.
Refer to the page number indicated in
parentheses for operating details.
LDI3693
Illustrated table of contents0-9 

AUXILIARY GAUGES (if so
equipped)
1. Automatic Transmission fluid tempera-ture gauge
2. Voltmeter
3. Engine oil pressure gauge
4. Engine oil temperature gauge
Automatic Transmission fluid
temperature gauge
This gauge indicates the temperature of
the automatic transmission fluid.
CAUTION
• This gauge is not designed to indi-
cate low automatic transmission
fluid level. Use the dipstick to check
the fluid level. For additional infor-
mation, see “Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid (ATF)” (P. 8-13).
• If the gauge indicates automatic
transmission fluid temperature over
the normal range, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible. It is recom-
mended that you have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer. Contin-
ued operation of the vehicle may se-
riously damage the transmission.
Voltmeter
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the voltmeter indicates the bat-
tery voltage. When the engine is running, it
indicates the generator voltage.
While cranking the engine, the volts drop
below the normal range. If the range is not
within the normal range (11 – 15 volts) while
the engine is running, it may indicate that
the charging system is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Engine oil pressure gauge
The gauge indicates the engine lubrication
system oil pressure while the engine is run-
ning. The bar should be in the middle of the
gauge when the engine is running.
CAUTION
• This gauge is not designed to indi-
cate low engine oil level. Use the dip-
stick to check the oil level. For addi-
tional information, see “Engine oil”
(P. 8-8).
• If the gauge needle does not move
with the proper amount of engine oil,
it is recommended that you have the
vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Continued vehicle operation in such
a condition could cause serious dam-
age to the engine.
Engine oil temperature gauge
This gauge measures the temperature of
the engine oil.
LIC4328
2-8Instruments and controls 

Engine oil pressure
warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during nor-
mal driving, pull off the road in a safe area,
stop the engineimmediately,and call a
NISSAN dealer or other authorized repair
shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. For
additional information, see “Engine oil”
(P. 8-8).
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Master warning light
This light comes on when various vehicle
information display warnings appear. • Parking brake release warning
• Transmission system warning
Seat belt warning light and
chime
• The light and chime remind you to fasten
the seat belts.
• The seat belt warning light will illuminate when the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position if the driver’s seat belt is not
fastened, or if the front passenger seat
belt is not fastened when occupied.
• The seat belt warning light will also illumi- nate if a rear passenger seat belt is
changed from fastened to unfastened.
• If the driver’s seat belt is not fastened when the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position, the chime will sound shortly.
• If the vehicle is driven above 9 mph (15 km/h) in the conditions that illuminate
the seat belt warning light, the lamp will
begin to blink and the chime will sound
for over one minute, or until the seat belt
is fastened again.
NOTE:
•The warning light and/or chime may
activate if an object is placed in the un-
occupied front passenger seat. In this
case, please remove the object from
the front passenger seat.
• The warning light and/or chime may
activate if any seat belt is unfastened
before the vehicle comes to a complete
stop. Please remain fastened until the
vehicle has come to a complete stop.
Security indicator light
This light blinks when the ignition switch is
in the OFF, LOCK or ACC position. This func-
tion indicates the security systems
equipped on the vehicle are operational.
For additional information, see “Security
systems” (P. 2-39).
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
Instruments and controls2-15 

3.8L 6 cylinder (VQ38DD engine model)
(without idle stop)
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
2. Fusible link
3. Fuse/Fusible link box
4. Fusible link 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
8-4Do-it-yourself 

3.8L 6 cylinder (VQ38DD engine model)
(with idle stop)
1. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
2. Fusible link and relay box
3. Fuse/Fusible link box
4. Fusible link
5. Engine oil filler cap
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Brake fluid reservoir
8. Relay box
9. Air cleaner
10. Drive belt location
11. Radiator cap
12. Battery
13. Power steering fluid reservoir
14. Relay box
15. Engine coolant reservoir
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped with
an engine cover.
LDI3693
Do-it-yourself8-5 

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way. 5. Remove the dipstick again and check
the oil level. It should be between the H
(High) and L (Low) marksOB. This is the
normal operating oil level range. If the oil
level is below the L (Low) mark
OA,re-
move the oil filler cap and pour recom-
mended oil through the opening. Do not
overfill
OC.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the sever-
ity of operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the en-
gine, and such damage is not covered
by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND OIL
FILTER
For additional information on engine oil
and oil filter change, refer to the instruc-
tions outlined in this section.
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for 15 minutes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a suitable floor jack and safety jack
stands.
• Place the safety jack stands under the vehicle jack-up points.
• A suitable adapter should be attached to the jack stand saddle.
LDI3521LDI0371
ENGINE OIL
8-8Do-it-yourself 

2. Remove boltsOBand oil filter access
cover.
Engine oil and filter
1. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug and oil filter.
2. Remove the oil filler cap.
3. Remove the drain plug with a wrench by turning it counterclockwise and com-
pletely drain the oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
WARNING
• Prolonged and repeated contact
with used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
• Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
• Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench by turning it counterclockwise.
Remove the oil filter by turning it by
hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur- face with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket ma-
terial remaining on the sealing surface
of the engine. Failure to do so could
lead to an oil leak and engine damage. •
The dipstick must be inserted in
place to prevent oil spillage from the
dipstick hole when filling the engine
with oil.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
It is recommended that you use a
Genuine NISSAN oil filter or equivalent,
visit your NISSAN dealer parts depart-
ment for proper part.
7. Screw in the oil filter clockwise until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten addi-
tionally more than 2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque: 11 to 15 f t-lb (15 to 21 N·m)
8. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench. Do not use exces-
sive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 22 to 29 f t-lb (29.4 to 39.2 N·m)
9. Refill the engine with the recommended oil through the oil filler opening, and in-
stall the oil filler cap securely.
LDI3629
Oil filter access cover (Type B) (if so equipped)
8-12Do-it-yourself