NISSAN CUBE 2010 3.G Owners Manual

Black plate (22,1)
7 Appearance and care
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 4/ 14
Cleaning exterior................................................ 7-2
Washing ...................................................... 7-2
Waxing ........................................................ 7-3
Removing spots ............................................. 7-3
Underbody ................................................... 7-3
Glass .......................................................... 7-3
Wheels ........................................................ 7-3
Chrome parts ................................................ 7-4
Tire dressing ................................................. 7-4 Cleaning interior
................................................ 7-5
Air fresheners ................................................ 7-5
Floor mats .................................................... 7-5
Seat belts .................................................... 7-6
Corrosion protection ........................................... 7-7
Most common factors contributing to vehicle
corrosion ...................................................... 7-7
Environmental factors influence the rate of
corrosion ...................................................... 7-7
To protect your vehicle from corrosion ................. 7-7

Black plate (256,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 9/ 17
In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
To protect the paint surfaces, wash your vehicle
as soon as you can:
.after a rainfall to prevent possible damage
from acid rain
. after driving on coastal roads
. when contaminants such as soot, bird
droppings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs
get on the paint surface
. when dust or mud builds up on the surface
Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.WASHINGWash dirt off the vehicle with a wet sponge and
plenty of water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly
using a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or
general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed with
clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.
CAUTION
. Do not use car washes that use acid
in the detergent. Some car washes,
especially brushless ones, use some
acid for cleaning. The acid may react
with some plastic vehicle compo-
nents, causing them to crack. This
could affect their appearance, and
also could cause them not to func-
tion properly. Always check with
your car wash to confirm that acid
is not used.
. Do not wash the vehicle with strong
household soap, strong chemical
detergents, gasoline or solvents.
. Do not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight or while the vehicle body is
hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.
. Avoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water. Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be regularly cleaned. Make sure that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface
by using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle.
CLEANING EXTERIOR7-2
Appearance and care

Black plate (257,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 9/ 17
SAI0045
Kro¯
m models
CAUTION
Do not use an automatic car wash for
Kro ¯
m models. The rear spoiler and the
wheel coating may be damaged.WAXINGRegular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing
is recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
reapplying wax.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the proper product.
.
Wax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions supplied
with the wax.
. Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compound or aggressive polishing on a
base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTSRemove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the paint surface to avoid lasting damage
or staining. Special cleaning products are
available at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive
accessory stores.UNDERBODYIn areas where road salt is used in winter, the
underbody must be cleaned regularly. This will
prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the
underbody and suspension. Before the winter
period and again in the spring, the underseal
must be checked and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASSUse glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust
film from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass
to become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine-based
disinfectant cleaners. They could da-
mage the electrical conductors, radio
antenna elements or rear window
defroster elements.WHEELSWash the wheels when washing the vehicle to
maintain their appearance.
. Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
. Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
. NISSAN recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Appearance and care
7-3

Black plate (258,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 9/ 17
CAUTION
Do not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.Aluminum alloy wheelsWash regularly with a sponge dampened in a
mild soap solution, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheels if not removed.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
.Do not use a cleaner that uses
strong acid or alkali contents to
clean the wheels.
. Do not apply wheel cleaners to the
wheels when they are hot. The
wheel temperature should be the
same as ambient temperature.
. Rinse the wheel to completely re-
move the cleaner within 15 minutes
after the cleaner is applied.Wheels for Kro ¯
m modelsThe wheels on Kro ¯
m models use a different
coating process than typical aluminum alloy wheels. These wheels require special cleaning.
CAUTION
.
The surfaces of the wheels use a
different coating process than typi-
cal aluminum alloy wheels. Do not
use aluminum alloy wheel cleaners
or abrasive cleaners to clean the
wheels. Using such cleaners could
damage the wheel surfaces.
. Do not use an automatic car wash
for Kro ¯
m models. The wheel coating
may be damaged.
. Do not use a brush to wash the
wheels on Kro ¯
m models. The wheel
coating may be damaged.CHROME PARTSClean chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.TIRE DRESSINGNISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the
rubber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it
may react with the coating and form a com-
pound. This compound may come off the tire while driving and stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
.
Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat-
ing on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
. Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire tread/
grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove) .
. Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is
completely removed from the tire tread/
grooves.
. Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.
7-4
Appearance and care

Black plate (259,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 4/ 14
Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior
trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum
cleaner or soft bristled brush. Wipe the vinyl and
leather surfaces with a clean, soft cloth dam-
pened in mild soap solution, then wipe clean
with a dry soft cloth.
Regular care and cleaning is required in order to
maintain the appearance of the leather.
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer’s recommendations. Some fabric
protectors contain chemicals that may stain or
bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water, to clean
the meter and gauge lens.
WARNING
Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can
damage the seat or occupant classifica-
tion sensors. This can also affect the
operation of the air bag system and
result in serious personal injury.
CAUTION
.Never use benzine, thinner, or any
similar material.
. Small dirt particles can be abrasive and damaging to the leather sur-
faces and should be removed
promptly. Do not use saddle soap,
car waxes, polishes, oils, cleaning
fluids, solvents, detergents or am-
monia-based cleaners as they may
damage the leather’s natural finish.
. Never use fabric protectors unless
recommended by the manufacturer.
. Do not use glass or plastic cleaner
on meter or gauge lens covers. It
may damage the lens cover.
AIR FRESHENERSMost air fresheners use a solvent that could
affect the vehicle interior. If you use an air
freshener, take the following precautions:
.Hanging-type air fresheners can cause
permanent discoloration when they contact
vehicle interior surfaces. Place the air
freshener in a location that allows it to hang
free and not contact an interior surface.
. Liquid-type air fresheners typically clip on
the vents. These products can cause
immediate damage and discoloration when
spilled on interior surfaces.
Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s
instructions before using air fresheners.
FLOOR MATS
WARNING
To avoid potential pedal interference
that may result in a collision or injury:
. NEVER place a floor mat on top of
another floor mat in the driver front
position.
. Use only genuine NISSAN floor
mats specifically designed for use
in your vehicle model. See your
NISSAN dealer for more informa-
tion.
. Properly position the mats in the
floorwell using the floor mat posi-
tioning aid. See “Floor mat posi-
tioning aid (driver’s side only)” later
in this section.
The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can
extend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior. Mats should be
maintained with regular cleaning and replaced if
they become excessively worn.
CLEANING INTERIOR
Appearance and care
7-5

Black plate (260,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 4/ 14
SAI0042
Floor mat positioning aid (driver’s side
only)This vehicle includes front floor mat brackets to
act as floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your
vehicle model. The driver’s side floor mat has
grommet holes in it. To install, position the mat
by placing the floor mat bracket hook through
the floor mat grommet hole while centering the
mat in the floorwell.
Periodically check to make certain that the mats
are properly positioned.
SAI0054
Bracket positions
The illustration shows the location of the floor
mat brackets.
SEAT BELTSThe seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap
solution. Allow the belts to dry completely in
the shade before using them.
See “SEAT BELTS” in the “1. Safety — Seats,
seat belts and supplemental restraint system”
section.
WARNING
Do not allow wet seat belts to roll up in
the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or
chemical solvents to clean the seat
belts, since these materials may se-
verely weaken the seat belt webbing.
7-6
Appearance and care

Black plate (261,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2010/ 4/ 14
MOST COMMON FACTORS CONTRI-
BUTING TO VEHICLE CORROSION.The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt
and debris in body panel sections, cavities,
and other areas.
. Damage to paint and other protective coat-
ings caused by gravel and stone chips or
minor traffic accidents.ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLU-
ENCE THE RATE OF CORROSION
MoistureAccumulation of sand, dirt and water on the
vehicle body underside can accelerate corro-
sion. Wet floor coverings will not dry completely
inside the vehicle, and should be removed for
drying to avoid floor panel corrosion.Relative humidityCorrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing where
atmospheric pollution exists, or where road salt
is used.TemperatureA temperature increase will accelerate the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not well
ventilated.
Air pollutionIndustrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air
in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use will
accelerate the corrosion process. Road salt will
also accelerate the disintegration of paint
surfaces.TO PROTECT YOUR VEHICLE FROM
CORROSION.Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the
vehicle clean.
. Always check for minor damage to the paint
and repair it as soon as possible.
. Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors
open to avoid water accumulation.
. Check the underbody for accumulation of
sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible.
CAUTION
.NEVER remove dirt, sand or other
debris from the passenger compart-
ment by washing it out with a hose.
Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
. Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic
components inside the vehicle as this may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface deicing are
extremely corrosive. They accelerate corrosion
and deterioration of underbody components
such as the exhaust system, fuel and brake
lines, brake cables, floor pan and fenders.
In winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.
For additional protection against rust and
corrosion, which may be required in some areas,
consult a NISSAN dealer.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care
7-7

Black plate (262,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 9/ 17
MEMO7-8
Appearance and care

Black plate (25,1)
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 9/ 17
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
MR18DE engine ............................................ 8-6
Engine cooling system ......................................... 8-7
Checking engine coolant level ........................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant ................................. 8-8
Engine oil ......................................................... 8-9
Checking engine oil level ................................. 8-9
Changing engine oil and filter ............................ 8-9
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid ........ 8-11
Brake and clutch fluid ....................................... 8-11
Window washer fluid ........................................ 8-12
Battery .......................................................... 8-13
Jump starting .............................................. 8-14
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped) ...... 8-15
Drive belt ....................................................... 8-15
Spark 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 warning ................................ 8-19
Fuses ............................................................ 8-20
Engine compartment ..................................... 8-20
Passenger compartment ................................ 8-21
Key battery replacement .................................... 8-22
Keyfob ....................................................... 8-22
Intelligent Key .............................................. 8-23
Lights ............................................................ 8-25
Headlights .................................................. 8-26
Exterior and interior lights ............................... 8-27
Wheels and tires .............................................. 8-28
Tire pressure ............................................... 8-28
Tire labeling ................................................ 8-31
Types of tires .............................................. 8-33
Tire chains .................................................. 8-34
Changing wheels and tires ............................. 8-35

Black plate (264,1)
Model "Z12-D" EDITED: 2009/ 9/ 17
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 care. You are a vital link in the
maintenance 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 vehicles
beforework 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