steering NISSAN ARMADA 2010 Owner's Manual

The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.

WARNING
●The Vehicle Dynamic Control system is
designed to help improve driving stabil-
ity but does not prevent accidents due
to abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful when
driving and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.
● Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not NISSAN
approved for your vehicle or are ex-
tremely deteriorated the Vehicle Dy-
namic Control system may not operate
properly. This could adversely affect ve-
hicle handling performance, and the
VDC OFF indicator light may come on.
● If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not stan-
dard equipment or are extremely dete-
riorated, the Vehicle Dynamic Control
system (VDC) may not operate properly
and the VDC off indicator light may
come on. ●
When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the Vehicle Dynamic Control system
may not operate properly and the VDC
OFF indicator light may come on. Do
not drive on these types of roads.
● When driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the Vehicle Dynamic Control off
indicator light may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
after driving onto a stable surface.
● If wheels or tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the Vehicle Dy-
namic Control system may not operate
properly and the Vehicle Dynamic Con-
trol off indicator light may come on.
● The Vehicle Dynamic Control system is
not a substitute for winter tires or tire
chains on a snow covered road.

When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)* When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation* Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
Tires* Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance If the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
● For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades* Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with an “*” is found later in this sec-
tion.
Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal. Automatic transmission P (Park) position
mechanism
On a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the shift selector in
the P (Park) position without applying any brakes.
Brake pedal Check the pedal for smooth opera-
tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down fur-
ther than normal, the pedal feels spongy or the
vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.
Brakes Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Parking brake Check the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment,
see a NISSAN dealer.
Seats Check seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints
move up and down smoothly and the locks (if so
equipped) hold securely in all latched positions.
Seat belts Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada (wzw)
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
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada (wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
02/18/09—debbie


1. Battery
2. Fuse/fusible link box
3. Transmission dipstick
4. Engine oil filler cap
5. Brake fluid reservoir
6. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
7. Air cleaner
8. Drive belt location
9. Radiator cap
10. Power steering fluid reservoir
11. Engine oil dipstick
12. Engine coolant reservoir
NOTE:
Engine cover removed for clarity.

1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Automatic belt tensioner
3. Water pump
4. Cooling fan
5. Air conditioner compressor
6. Crankshaft pulley
7. Generator

4. Peel off the tape and connect the jumperharness to the connector
2.
5. Release the parking brake.
6. Install the aftermarket electric trailer brake controller according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Pre-towing tips
●Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition. ●
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Keep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions. ●
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
● When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:

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
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada (wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
03/09/09—tbrooks


Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Engine coolant ................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Window washer fluid ............8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Fog light switch .................2-33
Front air bag system (See supplemental
restraint system) ................1-61
Front seats ....................1-2
Front sonar system ...............5-32
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-20
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Fuel octane rating ..............9-4
Fuel recommendation ............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-28
Fuses ......................8-22
Fusible links ...................8-24
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ...................2-58
Gascap.....................3-28
Gauge Automatic transmission fluid temperature
gauge .....................2-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Odometer ...................2-5 Speedometer
.................2-5
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip odometer .................2-5
Voltmeter ...................2-8
General maintenance ..............8-2
Glass hatch ...................3-28
Glove box ....................2-41
Glove box lock ................

.2-41
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth . . . .4-92,
4-107
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-30
Headlight control switch ............2-30
Headlights ....................8-28
Headphones (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) .............4-80
Heated seats ..................2-35
Heated steering wheel .............2-35
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . . . .4-36
Heater operation ..............4-37
Rear seat air conditioner ..........4-38
HomeLink Universal Transceiver .......2-58
Hood release ..................3-23
Hook Luggage hook ................2-47
Horn .......................2-34
I
Ignition switch ..................5-9 Immobilizer system
.........2-27, 3-4, 5-12
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ...............8-17
Increasing fuel economy ............5-20
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-13
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror .......3-32
Inside mirror ...................3-32
Instrument brightness control .........2-33
Instrument panel ..............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-33
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ............3-14
Key operation ................3-15
Mechanical key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation ......3-17
Troubleshooting guide ...........3-22
Warning signals..............

.3-22
Interior light ...................2-55
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-34
J
Jump starting ...................6-8
K
Key ........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ..........8-25
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) ........3-17
10-3
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada(wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
03/09/09—tbrooks


Changing engine oil filter..........8-10
Checking engine oil level ..........8-8
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-6
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light .......2-15
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Outside mirror control .............3-34
Outside mirrors .................3-34
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ..........9-33
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-33
P
Parking Parking brake operation ..........5-17
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-27
Pedal position adjustment ...........3-30
Personal lights .................2-57
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system . . . .4-92,
4-107
Power Power door locks ...............3-6
Power outlet .................2-38
Power rear windows ............2-52
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Power steering system ...........5-28
Power vent windows ............2-53
Power windows ...............2-50
Rear power windows ............2-52
Precautions Maintenance precautions ..........8-5 On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions
..................5-3
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-32, 1-40,
1-45, 1-50
Precautions on seat belt usage ......1-21
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-53
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-66
Programmable features ..........4-9, 4-26
Push starting ..................6-10
R
Radio Car phone or

CB radio...........4-92
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-50
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ...................4-47
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-55
Rear audio controls .............4-75
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-73
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ........................9-31
Rear audio controls ...............4-75
Rear center seat belt ..............1-27
Rear power windows ..............2-52
Rear seat air conditioner ............4-38
Rear sonar system ...............5-31
Rear sonar system off switch .........2-36
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch ......................2-30
Rear window wiper and washer switches . . .2-29
RearView Monitor ................4-33 Recorders
Event data ..................9-32
Refrigerant recommendation ..........9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Remote controller (See NISSAN mobile
entertainment system) .............4-79
Remote keyless entry system ..........3-7
Reporting safety defects (US only) ......9-31
Resetting the fuel economy ........4-5, 4-21
Roof rack ....................2-49
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-7
Child seat belts . . . .1-32, 1-40, 1-45, 1-50
Reporting safety defects (US only) . . . .9-31
Screen (See NISSAN mobile entertainment
system) .....................4-79
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment ........1-4
Second row bench seats ..........1-6
Second row captain’s chair .........1-5
Third row power folding seats .......1-20
Seat belt Child safety .................1-31
Infants and small children .........1-31
Injured Person............... .1-24
Larger

children ...............1-32
Precautions on seat belt usage ......1-21
Pregnant women ..............1-24
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .......1-66
Rear center seat belt ............1-27
Seat belt extenders .............1-30
10-5
REVIEW COPY—2010 Armada(wzw)
Owners Manual (owners)—USA_English (nna)
03/09/09—tbrooks