check engine NISSAN MURANO 2008 Owner's Manual

Black plate (331,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CON-
TROL.If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
will cancel automatically. The CRUISE in-
dicator light on the meter panel will then
blink to warn the driver.
.If the engine coolant temperature becomes
excessively high, the cruise control system
will cancel automatically.
.If the CRUISE indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
.The CRUISE indicator light may blink when
the cruise control main switch is turned ON
while pushing the RESUME/ACCELERATE,
SET/COAST or CANCEL switch. To prop-
erly set the cruise control system, perform
the following procedures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions:
.when it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed
.in heavy traffic or in traffic that
varies in speed
.on winding or hilly roads.on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.)
.in very windy areas
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
SSD0694
1. RESUME/ACCELERATE switch
2. SET/COAST switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. MAIN (ON·OFF) switchCRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONSThe cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 25 to 89 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the MAIN
switch on. The CRUISE indicator light will
illuminate.
To set cruising speed,accelerate the vehicle
to the desired speed, push the SET/COAST
CRUISE CONTROL
Starting and driving
5-19

Black plate (336,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
If any malfunction occurs in the AWD system
while the engine is running, the warning light will
come on.
The warning light may blink rapidly (about twice
per second) while trying to free a stuck vehicle
due to high powertrain oil temperature. The
driving mode may change to 2WD. AUTO mode
may change to LOCK mode before the warning
light blinks. If the warning light blinks rapidly
during operation, stop the vehicle with the
engine idling in a safe place immediately. Then
if the light turns off after a while, you can
continue driving.
A large difference between the diameters of
front and rear wheels will make the warning light
blink slowly (about once per two seconds) . Pull
off the road in a safe area, and idle the engine.
Check that all tire sizes are the same, tire
pressure is correct and tires are not worn.
CAUTION
.If the warning light remains on after
the above operation, have your
vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer
as soon as possible.
.If the warning light comes on while
driving there may be a malfunction
in the AWD system. Reduce the
vehicle speed and have your vehiclechecked by a NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.
.The powertrain may be damaged if
you continue driving with the warn-
ing light blinking rapidly.
.Never drive on dry hard surface
roads in the LOCK mode, as this
will overload the powertrain and
may cause a serious malfunction.5-24
Starting and driving

Black plate (339,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS)
WARNING
.The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
is a sophisticated device, but it
cannot prevent accidents resulting
from careless or dangerous driving
techniques. It can help maintain
vehicle control during braking on
slippery surfaces. Remember that
stopping distances on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping
distances may also be longer on
rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Alwaysmaintainasafedistance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Ultimately, the driver is responsible
for safety.
.Tire type and condition may also
affect braking effectiveness.
— When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
— When installing a spare tire,
make sure that it is the proper
size and type as specified on theTire and Loading Information
label. See “TIRE AND LOADING
INFORMATION LABEL” in the “9.
Technical and consumer infor-
mation” section of this manual.
— For detailed information, see
“WHEELS AND TIRES” in the
“8. Maintenance and do-it-your-
self” section of this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls
the brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to
prevent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on
slippery surfaces.
Using the systemDepress the brake pedal and hold it down.
Depress the brake pedal with firm steady
pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The
ABS will operate to prevent the wheels from
locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing somay result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Self-test featureThe ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward
or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may
hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and does not
indicate a malfunction. If the computer senses
a malfunction, it switches the ABS off and
illuminates the ABS warning light on the
instrument panel. The brake system then oper-
ates normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.Normal operationThe ABS operates at speeds above 3 to 6 MPH
(5 to 10 km/h) . The speed varies according to
road conditions.
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly
applies and releases hydraulic pressure. This
action is similar to pumping the brakes very
quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or
Starting and driving
5-27

Black plate (341,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
speed and be especially careful
when driving and cornering on slip-
pery surfaces and always drive care-
fully.
.Do not modify the vehicle’s suspen-
sion. If suspension parts such as
shock absorbers, struts, springs,
stabilizer bars and bushings and
wheels are not NISSAN approved
or are extremely deteriorated the
VDC system may not operate prop-
erly. This could adversely affect
vehicle handling performance, and
the “VDC OFF” indicator or “SLIP”
indicator or both indicator lights
may illuminate.
.If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
standard equipment or are extre-
mely deteriorated, the “VDC OFF”
indicator or “SLIP” indicator or both
indicator lights may illuminate.
.If engine related parts such as
muffler are not standard equipment
or are extremely deteriorated, the
“VDC OFF” indicator or “SLIP” in-
dicator or both indicator lights may
illuminate..When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked
corners, the VDC system may not
operate properly and the “VDC OFF”
indicator or “SLIP” indicator or both
indicator lights may illuminate. Do
not drive on these types of roads.
.When driving on unstable surfaces
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator
or ramp, the “VDC OFF” indicator or
“SLIP” indicator or both indicator
lights may illuminate. This is not a
malfunction. Restart the engine
after driving onto a stable surface.
.If wheels or tires other than those
recommended are used, the VDC
system may not operate properly
and “VDC OFF” indicator or “SLIP”
indicator or both indicator lights
may illuminate.
.The VDC system is not a substitute
for winter tires or tire chains on a
snow covered road.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCKTo prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
deicer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the
key hole or use the remote keyless entry keyfob.ANTI-FREEZEIn the winter when it is anticipated that the
outside temperature will drop below 328F(08C) ,
check the anti-freeze to assure proper winter
protection. For additional information, see “EN-
GINE COOLING SYSTEM” in the “8. Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section.BATTERYIf 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. For additional information,
see “BATTERY” in the “8. Maintenance and do-
it-yourself” section.DRAINING OF COOLANT WATERIf the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system, including the
engine block. Refill before operating the vehicle.
For details, see “ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM”
in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section.COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving
5-29

Black plate (342,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
TIRE EQUIPMENTSUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide
superior performance on dry pavement. How-
ever, the performance of these tires will be
substantially reduced in snowy and icy condi-
tions. If you operate your vehicle on snowy or icy
roads, NISSAN recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON tires on all four wheels.
Consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S. states
and Canadian provinces prohibit their use.
Check local, state and provincial laws before
installing 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.
Tire chains may be used. For details, see “TIRE
CHAINS” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.All-Wheel Drive (AWD) modelIf you install snow tires, they must also be the
same size, brand, construction and tread pattern
on all four wheels.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENTIt is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
.A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
.A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
.A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
.Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
.Wet ice (328F, 08C and freezing rain) ,
very cold snow or ice can be slick
and very hard to drive on. The
vehicle will have much less traction
or “grip” under these conditions. Try
to avoid driving on wet ice until the
road is salted or sanded.
.Whatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheelswill lose even more traction.
.Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pave-
ment.
.Allow greater following distances
on slippery roads.
.Watch for slippery spots (glare ice) .
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a
patch of ice is seen ahead, brake
before reaching it. Try not to brake
while on the ice, and avoid any
sudden steering maneuvers.
.Do not use cruise control on slip-
pery roads.
.Snow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep
snow clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)Engine block heatersare available through
NISSAN dealers to assist in cold temperature
starting. The engine block heater should be
used when the outside temperature is 208F
(78C) or lower.
5-30
Starting and driving

Black plate (346,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYS-
TEM (TPMS)This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) . It monitors tire
pressure of all tires except the spare. When
the low tire pressure warning light is lit, one or
more of your tires is significantly under-inflated.
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the TPMS will activate and warn you
of it by the low tire pressure warning light. This
system will activate only when the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) . For
more details, see “WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS” in the
“2. Instruments and controls” section and “TIRE
PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)”
in the “5. Starting and driving” section.
WARNING
.If the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates while driving, avoid sud-
den steering maneuvers or abrupt
braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull
off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possi-
ble. Driving with under-inflated tires
may permanently damage the tires
and increase the likelihood of tire
failure. Serious vehicle damagecould occur and may lead to an
accident and could result in serious
personal injury. Check the tire pres-
sure for all four tires. Adjust the tire
pressure to the recommended COLD
tire pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label to turn
the low tire pressure warning light
OFF. If you have a flat tire, replace it
with a spare tire as soon as possi-
ble.
.When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not
function and the low tire pressure
warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute. The light will
remain on after 1 minute. Contact
your NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/
or system resetting.
.Replacing tires with those not ori-
ginally specified by NISSAN could
affect the proper operation of the
TPMS.
.Do not inject any tire liquid or
aerosol tire sealant into the tires,
as this may cause a malfunction of
the tire pressure sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIREIf you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.Stopping the vehicle1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and
away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking
brake. Move the selector lever to the P
(Park) position.
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic, and to
signal professional road assistance person-
nel that you need assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle
and stand in a safe place, away from traffic
and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
.Make sure the parking brake is
securely applied and the transmis-
sion is shifted into the P (Park)
position.
.Never change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is hazardous.
FLAT TIRE6-2
In case of emergency

Black plate (355,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
CAUTION
.Do not continue to drive if your
vehicle overheats. Doing so could
cause engine damage or a vehicle
fire.
.To avoid the danger of being
scalded, never remove the radiator
cap while the engine is still hot.
When the radiator 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) , 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, apply
the parking brake and move the selector
lever to the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air conditioner
temperature 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 radiator
before opening the hood. (If steam or
coolant is escaping, turn off the engine.)
Do not open the hood further 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 radiator
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 contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or
the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan can start at any time.6. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir
tank if necessary. Have your vehicle repaired
at a NISSAN dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency
6-11

Black plate (25,1)
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 23
Maintenance requirement..................................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance................................... 8-2
General maintenance...................................... 8-2
Where to go for service................................... 8-2
General maintenance.......................................... 8-2
Explanation of maintenance items....................... 8-2
Maintenance precautions..................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations...................... 8-6
VQ35DE engine............................................ 8-6
Engine cooling system......................................... 8-7
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-7
Changing engine coolant................................. 8-8
Engine oil......................................................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter............................ 8-8
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid........ 8-11
Power steering fluid.......................................... 8-11
Brake fluid...................................................... 8-12
Window washer fluid........................................ 8-12
Battery.......................................................... 8-13
Jump starting.............................................. 8-14
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped)...... 8-15
Drive belts...................................................... 8-15Spark plugs.................................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs................................... 8-16
Air cleaner...................................................... 8-16
Windshield wiper blades.................................... 8-17
Cleaning.................................................... 8-17
Replacing................................................... 8-18
Rear window wiper blade................................... 8-19
Brakes........................................................... 8-19
Self-adjusting brakes.................................... 8-19
Brake pad wear indicators.............................. 8-19
Fuses............................................................ 8-20
Engine compartment..................................... 8-20
Passenger compartment................................ 8-21
Battery replacement.......................................... 8-21
Lights............................................................ 8-24
Headlights.................................................. 8-25
Exterior and interior lights............................... 8-27
Wheels and tires.............................................. 8-30
Tire pressure............................................... 8-30
Tire labeling................................................ 8-33
Types of tires.............................................. 8-35
Tire chains.................................................. 8-36
Changing wheels and tires............................. 8-37

Black plate (368,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
Your new NISSAN has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with long
service intervals to save you both time and
money. However, some day-to-day and regular
maintenance is essential to maintain your
NISSAN’s fine mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
the scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives the proper
maintenance. You are a vital link in the main-
tenance chain.SCHEDULED MAINTENANCEFor your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “NISSAN Service and
Maintenance Guide”. You must refer to that
guide to ensure that necessary maintenance is
performed on your NISSAN at regular intervals.GENERAL MAINTENANCEGeneral maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal day-
to-day operation. They are essential for proper
vehicle operation. It is your responsibility to
perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.Performing general maintenance checks re-
quires minimal mechanical skill and only a few
general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by
yourself, a qualified technician or, if you prefer, a
NISSAN dealer.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICEIf maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and serviced by a NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
and are kept up-to-date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership information systems.
They are completely qualified to work on
NISSAN vehiclesbeforework begins.
You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements on your
vehicle — in a reliable and economical way.During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or have a
NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer if you think that
repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, see “MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS”
later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF MAINTENANCE
ITEMSAdditional information on the following
items with “*” is found later in this section.Outside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood:Check that all doors
and the 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 lubrication frequently.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT GENERAL MAINTENANCE8-2
Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Black plate (370,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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 properly and that
the wipers do not streak.Under the hood and vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*:Check the fluid level in each cell.
It should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe condition require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake fluid level*:Make sure that the brake
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*:Make sure that the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*:Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface and turning off the
engine. Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan.Exhaust system:Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. (See
“PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING AND
DRIVING” in the “5. Starting and driving”
section for exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .)
Fluid leaks:Check under the vehicle for fuel,
oil, water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected
immediately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hoses:Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody:The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the endof winter, the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accumu-
late. For additional information, see “CLEANING
EXTERIOR” in the “7. Appearance and care”
section.
Windshield washer fluid*:Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.8-4
Maintenance and do-it-yourself