check engine NISSAN ARMADA 2010 User Guide

Your NISSAN has been designed to have mini-
mum maintenance requirements with long ser-
vice intervals to save you both time and money.
However, some day-to-day and regular mainte-
nance is essential to maintain your NISSAN’s
good mechanical condition, as well as its emis-
sions 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 proper
maintenance. You are a vital link in the mainte-
nance chain.
Scheduled maintenance
For your convenience, both required and optional
scheduled maintenance items are described 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 maintenance
General maintenance includes those items which
should be checked during normal day-to-day op-
eration. They are essential for proper vehicle op-
eration. It is your responsibility to perform these
maintenance procedures regularly as prescribed.Performing general maintenance checks requires
minimal mechanical skill and only a few general
automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by you,
a qualified technician, or, if you prefer, a NISSAN
dealer.
Where to go for service
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and corrected by a NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
who are kept up-to-date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN ve-
hicles
before they work on your vehicle, rather
than after they have worked on it.
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
smells, 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, closely observe the “Maintenance precau-
tions” later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with“*”isfound later in this section.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood
Check that the doors
and engine hood operate properly. Also ensure
that all latches lock securely. Lubricate hinges,
latches, latch pins, rollers and links as necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE
8-2Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/18/09—debbie


Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The 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. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake fluid level* Make sure that the brake fluid
level is between the MIN and MAX lines on the
reservoir.
Engine coolant level* Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold. Engine drive belts*
Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
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 the
carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
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 imme-
diately.
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 from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield washer fluid* Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine coolant.
The service procedure can be found in the
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.

If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. See “Changing engine
oil filter” later in this section.
● Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
● Check your local regulations.

Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump starting”
in the “In case of emergency” section of this
manual. If the engine does not start by jump
starting, the battery may have to be replaced.
Contact a NISSAN dealer.

Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
E–85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If youdetect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.

3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal-anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
● Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits. ●
Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
Tow mode
Using tow mode is recommended when pulling a
heavy trailer or hauling a heavy load. Press the
TOW MODE switch to activate tow mode. The
indicator light on the TOW MODE switch illumi-
nates when tow mode is selected. Press the
TOW MODE switch again to turn tow mode off.
Tow mode is automatically cancelled when the
ignition switch is turned OFF.
Tow mode includes the following features: ●
Grade logic — Adjusts transmission shifts
when pulling a trailer or hauling a load up a
grade.
● Downhill Speed Control (DSC) — automati-
cally downshifts when driving down a grade
with a trailer or heavy load to help control
vehicle speed.
Driving the vehicle in the tow mode with no
trailer/load or light trailer/light load will not cause
any damage. However, fuel economy may be
reduced and the transmission/engine driving
characteristics may feel unusual.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
9-28Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada (wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/18/09—debbie


If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
“not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready”. If the
MIL indicates the vehicle is in a “not ready” con-
dition, drive the vehicle through the following
pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If
you cannot or do not want to perform the driving
pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.

Car phone or CB radio.............4-92
Cargo light ...................2-57
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CD care and cleaning .............4-71
CD changer (See audio system) ........4-50
CD player (See audio system) .........4-58
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-37
Child restraints .......1-31, 1-31, 1-32, 1-34
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-32, 1-40, 1-45, 1-50
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-37
Child safety rear door lock ............3-7
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-20
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ...................4-48, 4-56
(models with navigation system) . .4-11, 4-27
Clock set .................4-11, 4-27
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-33
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-58
CompactFlash (CF) player ...........4-60
Console box ...............2-40, 2-46
Control panel buttons .............4-17
Brightness/contrast button .....4-16, 4-32
Enter button ..............4-2, 4-17
Setting button .............4-9, 4-26
Startup screen ...............4-20
Without navigation system ..........4-2
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) ......4-73
Heater and air conditioner controls . . . .4-36
Rear audio controls .............4-75
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-38
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2 Changing engine coolant
..........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-18
Cup holders ...................2-44
Curtain

side-impact and rollover air bag . . .1-65
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ..................2-32
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ....................2-30
Digital video disc DVD .............4-76
Dimensions and weights .............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-33
Display controls
(see control panel buttons) ........4-2, 4-17
Distance to empty .............4-5, 4-21
Door locks ....................3-5
Drive belt ....................8-16
Drive positioner, Automatic ...........3-36
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-33
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-14
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel .................5-20
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-30Engine
Before starting the engine .........5-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ..........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Checking engine oil level ..........8-8
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine ............ .5-12
Engine oil pressure

gauge ............2-8
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .........2-15
Enter button ................4-2, 4-17
Event data recorders ..............9-32
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-41
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-34
Flat tire ......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
10-2
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Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
03/09/09—tbrooks


Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-7
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-11
Engine serial number ............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .....................9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-67
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-34
License plate Installing the license plate .........9-12
Lift gate .....................3-23
Lift gate release .................3-27
Light Air bag warning light .........1-68, 2-18
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-30
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-13
Bulb replacement ..............8-30
Charge warning light ............2-15
Fog light switch ...............2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-30
Headlight control switch ..........2-30
Headlights ..................8-28
Interior light .................2-55
Light bulbs ..................8-28
Low tire pressure warning light ......2-16
Low washer fluid warning light .......2-24Passenger air bag and status light
.....1-62
Personal lights ...............2-57
Security indicator light ...........2-19
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................2-13
Lights Map lights ..................2-57
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Door locks ..................3-5
Glove

box lock ...............2-41
Lift gate release ...............3-27
Power door locks ...............3-6
Low fuel warning light ......2-16, 2-18, 2-24
Low tire pressure warning light ........2-16
Low washer fluid warning light .........2-24
Luggage hook ..................2-47
Luggage rack (see roof rack) .........2-49
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
Luggage storage
(see vehicle loading information) ........2-47
M
Maintenance Changing the maintenance
interval .................4-8, 4-24
Displaying the maintenance notice
reminder ................4-8, 4-24
General maintenance ............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ..........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Resetting the maintenance interval . .4-8, 4-24
Seat belt maintenance ...........1-30 Setting
.................4-7, 4-23
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ...........2-19
Manual front seat adjustment ..........1-2
Manual vent windows ..............2-53
Map lights ....................2-57
Map pocket ...................2-42
Meters and gauges ................2-4
Instrument brightness control .......2-33
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .....3-32
Inside mirror .................3-32
Outside mirror control ...........3-34
Outside mirrors ...............3-34
Vanity mirror .................3-31
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-62
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ .........3-2,
3-12
NISSAN mobile

entertainment system
(MES) ......................4-76
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-27, 3-4, 5-12
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-118
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) .....9-4
Odometer .....................2-5
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-9
10-4
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada(wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
03/09/09—tbrooks