∙ The spare tire is designed for emer-gency use. For additional information
refer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Do-
it-yourself ” section of this manual.
∙ When reinstalling the spare tire bas- ket under the vehicle af ter use, be
sure that the hook engages the bas-
ket from the inside. If the spare tire
basket hook is not engaged properly,
there is an increased risk of the spare
tire separating from the vehicle in a
crash and causing injury.
Stowing the damaged tire
Securely store the damaged tire in the
cargo area.
Securely store the jack and tools in the
storage area.
Return the spare tire basket back to its
original position in the reverse order of re-
moval. For additional information, refer to
“Getting the spare tire and tools” in this sec-
tion. NOTE:
The spare tire basket cannot be used to
store the conventional tire.
WARNING
∙ Always make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured af ter each use. Such items
can become dangerous projectiles in
an accident or sudden stop.
∙ Make sure that the spare tire basket is properly secured in its original posi-
tion af ter removing the spare tire.
∙ The spare tire and small size spare tire are designed for emergency use. For
additional information, refer to
“Wheels and tires” in the “Do-it-
yourself ” section of this manual.
LCE2248
6-10In case of emergency
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 transmissionmodels with the front wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward), as this may
cause serious and expensive damage
to the transmission. If it is necessary
to tow the vehicle with the rear wheels
raised always use towing dollies un-
der the front wheels.
∙ When towing automatic transmission models with the rear wheels on the
ground or on towing dollies: – Place the ignition switch in the OFF
position, and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
secure the steering wheel by plac-
ing the ignition switch in the LOCK
position. This may damage the
steering lock mechanism (for
models with a steering lock
mechanism).
LCE2410
In case of emergency6-15
Floor mat installation
Your vehicle is equipped with floor mat po-
sitioning hook(s). The number and shape of
the floor mat positioning hooks for each
seating position varies depending on the
vehicle.
When installing Genuine NISSAN floor mats,
follow the installation instructions provided
with the mat and the following:1. With the ignition in the OFF position, the shif t lever in P (Park) position (auto-
matic transmission models) or the shif t
lever in the N (Neutral) position (manual
transmission models) and with the
parking brake fully applied, position the
floor mat in the floorwell so that the
floor mat grommet holes are aligned
with the hook(s).
2. Secure the grommet holes into the hook(s) and ensure that the floor mat is
properly positioned. 3. Make sure the floor mat does not inter-
fere with pedal operation. With the igni-
tion still in the OFF position, the shif t
lever in the P (Park) position (automatic
transmission models) or the shif t lever
in the N (Neutral) position (manual
transmission models) and with the
parking brake applied, fully apply and
release all pedals. The floor mat must
not interfere with pedal operation or
prevent the pedal from returning to its
normal position.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for details about installing the floor
mats in your vehicle.
The illustration shows the location of the
floor mat positioning hooks.
SEAT BELTS
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping
them with a sponge dampened in a mild
soap solution. Allow the belts to dry com-
pletely in the shade before using them. For
additional information, refer to “Seat belt
maintenance” in the “Safety—Seats, seat
belts and supplemental restraint system”
section of this manual.
Positioning hooks
LAI2047
7-6Appearance and care
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, ap-ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For manual trans-
mission models, move the shif t lever
to N (Neutral). For Automatic Trans-
mission (A/T) move the shif t lever to P
(Park)
∙ Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
∙ Your vehicle is equipped with an auto- matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even
if the ignition key 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 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 jew-
elry, such as rings, watches, etc. be-
fore working on your vehicle.
∙ Always wear eye protection whenever you work on your vehicle.
∙ 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 neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, sup-
port it with safety stands.
∙ Keep smoking materials, flame and sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
∙ On gasoline engine models, the fuel filter or fuel lines should be serviced
because the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off.
It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
CAUTION
∙ Do not work under the hood while theengine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
∙ Avoid contact with used engine oil and coolant. Improperly disposed en-
gine oil, engine coolant and/or other
vehicle fluids can damage the envi-
ronment. Always conform to local
regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
∙ Never leave the engine or automatic transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the igni-
tion switch is in the ON position.
∙ Never connect or disconnect the bat- tery or any transistorized component
while the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
This “Do-it-yourself ” section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
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
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
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, then
turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
B.
5. Remove the drain plug
Bwith a
wrench by turning it counterclockwise
and completely drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove
and replace it at this time. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Changing
engine oil filter” in this section.
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.
CAUTION
∙ Be careful not to burn yourself. Theengine oil may be hot.
∙ Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
∙ Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug
B
and a new washer. Securely tighten the
drain plug
Bwith a wrench. Do not use
excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 25 f t-lb (34 N·m)
7. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install
the oil filler cap
Asecurely.
For additional information on drain
and refill capacity, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capaci-
ties” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
The drain and refill capacity depends
on the oil temperature and drain time.
Use these specifications for reference
only. Always use the dipstick to deter-
mine when the proper amount of oil is
in the engine.
LDI2788
Do-it-yourself8-7
Caution symbols for batteryWARNING
1No 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.
2Shield eyes Handle the battery cautiously. Always wear eye protection glasses to protect against explosion or
battery acid.
3Keep away from childrenNever allow children to handle the battery. Keep the battery out of the reach of children.
4Battery 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.
5Note operating instructions Before handling the battery, read this instruction carefully to ensure correct and safe handling.
6Explosive gas Hydrogen gas generated by battery fluid is explosive. Explosive gases can cause blindness or
injury.
∙ If the battery is labeled “do not open” it is maintenance free and battery fluid should not be checked. It is recommended that you visita NISSAN dealer or a qualified specialist workshop to confirm the battery’s performance.
∙ Keep the battery surface clean and dry. Clean the battery with a solution of baking 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 (-) battery terminal cable to prevent discharge.
BATTERY
8-12Do-it-yourself
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
WARNING
∙Operating the engine with the air
cleaner filter off can cause you or oth-
ers to be burned. The air cleaner filter
not only cleans the intake air, it also
stops the flame if the engine backfires.
If the air cleaner is not installed and the
engine backfires, you could be burned.
Never drive with the air cleaner filter off.
Be cautious working on the engine
when the air cleaner is off.
∙ Never pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury. To remove the filter from the air cleaner,
release the retaining clips
A, then release
the holders at the back of the unit. Pull the
unit upward
B.
The viscous paper type filter element
should not be cleaned and reused. Replace
the air filter according to the maintenance
log shown in the “Maintenance and sched-
ules” section of this manual.
When replacing the air filter, wipe the inside
of the air cleaner housing and the cover
with a damp cloth.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER (if so
equipped)
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry
of airborne dust and pollen particles and
reduces some objectionable outside
odors. The filter is located behind the glove
box. For additional information, refer to the
"Maintenance and schedules" section of
this manual for change intervals.
If replacement is required, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
LDI2708
AIR CLEANER
Do-it-yourself8-15
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For additional information re-
garding brake inspections, refer to the ap-
propriate maintenance schedule informa-
tion in the "Maintenance and schedules"
section of this manual.
If any electrical equipment does not oper-
ate, check for an open fuse.
Fuses are used in the passenger compart-
ment. Spare fuses are provided and can be
found in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
When installing a fuse make sure the fuse is
installed in the fuse box securely.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Fusible links
If any electrical equipment does not oper-
ate and the fuses are in good condition,
check the fusible links
Ain the holder. If
any of the fusible links are melted, replace
only with Genuine NISSAN parts.
For checking and replacing the fusible links,
it is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
LDI2385LDI3340
FUSES
8-18Do-it-yourself