Do not attach stickers (including transpar-
ent material), install accessories or apply
additional paint near the sonar sensors.
Do not strike or damage the area around
the sonar sensors. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer if the area around
the sonar sensors is damaged due to a
collision.FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer through the key hole. If the lock
becomes frozen, heat the key before in-
serting it into the key hole, or use the re-
mote keyless entry key fob or the NISSAN
Intelligent Key®.
ANTIFREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),
check the antifreeze to assure proper win-
ter protection. For additional information,
see “Engine cooling system” (P. 8-4).
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the
battery fluid may freeze and damage the
battery. To maintain maximum efficiency,
the battery should be checked regularly.
This vehicle is equipped with a sealed
maintenance free battery. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
service.
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be lef t outside without
antifreeze, drain the cooling system, includ-
ing the engine block. Refill before operatingthe vehicle. For additional information, see
“Changing engine coolant” (P. 8-5).
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced
in snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-
ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on all four
wheels. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However,
some U.S. states and Canadian prov-
inces prohibit their use. Check local,
state and provincial laws before install-
ing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used. For additional information, see “Tire chains” (P. 8-37).
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-141
To use the engine block heater:
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the engineblock heater cord.
3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged extension
cord.
4. Plug the extension cord into a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) protected, grounded
110-volt AC (VAC) outlet.
5. The engine block heater must be plugged in for at least2-4hours, de-
pending on outside temperatures, to
properly warm the engine coolant. Use
an appropriate timer to turn the engine
block heater on.
6. Before starting the engine, unplug and properly store the cord to keep it away
from moving parts.
Starting and driving5-143
CAUTION
• Do not push start this vehicle. The
three-way catalyst may be
damaged.
• Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models and Manual Transmis-
sion (M/T) cannot be push-started or
tow-started. Attempting to do so
may cause transmission damage.
• For Manual Transmission (M/T) mod-
els, never try to start the vehicle by
towing it. When the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle. If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge
reading), or if you feel a lack of engine
power, detect abnormal noise, etc., take the
following steps.
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 coolant reservoir
cap while the engine is still hot. When
the coolant reservoir cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.
• Do not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, ap- ply the parking brake and move the shif t
lever to N (Neutral) (manual transmis-
sion) or to P (Park) (CVT).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner (if so equipped). Open all the windows, move
the heater or air conditioner tempera-
ture control to maximum hot and fan
control to high speed. 3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. (If
steam or coolant is escaping, turn off
the engine.) Do not open the hood fur-
ther until no steam or coolant can be
seen.
4. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking, the water pump belt is missing
or loose, or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into con-
tact with, or get caught in, engine belts
or the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan can start at any time.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-11
6. Af ter the engine cools down, check thecoolant level in the engine coolant res-
ervoir with the engine running. Add cool-
ant to the engine coolant reservoir if
necessary. Have your vehicle repaired. It
is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle.
Towing instructions are available from a
NISSAN dealer. Local service operators are
generally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental
damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recom-
mends having a service operator tow your
vehicle. It is advisable to have the service
operator carefully read the following
precautions:
WARNING
• Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
• Never get under your vehicle af ter it
has been lif ted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
• When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working condi-
tion. If any of these conditions apply,
dollies or a flatbed tow truck must be
used.
• Always attach safety chains before
towing.
For additional information about towing
your vehicle behind a Recreational Vehicle
(RV), see “Flat towing” (P. 10-20).
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends towing your vehicle
based upon the type of drivetrain. For addi-
tional information, refer to the diagrams in
this section to ensure that your vehicle is
properly towed.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-12In case of emergency
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
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid (if so equipped) ............................ 8-10
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ..........8-10
Brake fluid ................................... 8-10
Clutch (if so equipped) fluid ...................8-11
Windshield-washer fluid .........................8-11
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ............8-11
Battery......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ............................... 8-14
Variable voltage control system ................8-15
Drive belt ....................................... 8-15
Spark plugs .................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs .......................8-16
Air cleaner ..................................... 8-17In-cabin microfilter
.......................... 8-17
Windshield wiper blades ........................8-18
Cleaning .................................... 8-18
Replacing ................................... 8-18
Brakes ......................................... 8-19
Fuses .......................................... 8-20
Engine compartment .......................8-20
Passenger compartment ...................8-22
Battery replacement ........................... 8-23
NISSAN Intelligent Key® ......................8-23
Lights .......................................... 8-25
Headlights .................................. 8-25
Turn signal bulb ............................. 8-26
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-26
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-27
Wheels and tires ...............................
8-29
Tir
e pressure ................................ 8-29
Tire labeling ................................. 8-33
Types of tires ................................ 8-36
Tire 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. For manual trans-
mission models, move the shif t lever
to N (Neutral). For CVT models, move
the shif t lever to P (Park).
• 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. •
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.
• Your vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without
warning, 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.
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 the trans-
mission related component harness
connector disconnected while the ig-
nition 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.
This “Do-it-yourself ” section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A Genuine NISSAN service manual is also
available. For additional information, see
“Owner's Manual/Service Manual order in-
formation” (P. 10-25).
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
2.0L 4 cylinder (MR20DD engine model)
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluidreservoir
3. Fuse and relay box
4. Battery
5. Air cleaner
6. Engine oil dipstick
7. Drive belt location
8. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
9. Engine coolant reservoir
NOTE:
Your vehicle may not be equipped with
an engine cover.
LDI3477
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Do-it-yourself8-3
The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a pre-diluted mixture of 50%
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) and 50% water to provide
year-round antifreeze and coolant protec-
tion. The antifreeze solution contains rust
and corrosion inhibitors. Additional engine
cooling system additives are not
necessary.
WARNING
• Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the engine is hot. Wait until
the engine and radiator cool down.
Serious burns could be caused by
high pressure fluid escaping from the
radiator. For additional information
on precautions, see “If your vehicle
overheats” (P. 6-11).
• The coolant reservoir is equipped
with a pressure type coolant reser-
voir cap. To prevent engine damage,
use only a Genuine NISSAN coolant
reservoir cap.
CAUTION
• Never use any cooling system addi-
tives such as radiator sealer. Addi-
tives may clog the cooling system
and cause damage to the engine,
transmission and/or cooling system.
• When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-
diluted to provide antifreeze protec-
tion to -34° F (-37° C). If additional
freeze protection is needed due to
weather where you operate your ve-
hicle, add Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) concen-
trate following the directions on the
container. If an equivalent coolant
other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is used, fol-
low the coolant manufacturer’s in-
structions to maintain minimum an-
tifreeze protection to -34° F (-37° C).
The use of other types of coolant so-
lutions other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
or equivalent may damage the en-
gine cooling system. •
The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
or 7 years. Mixing any other type of
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue)
(or equivalent cooling), including
Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green), or the
use of non-distilled water may re-
duce the life expectancy of the
factory-fill coolant. For additional in-
formation, see the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
8-4Do-it-yourself