brake NISSAN CUBE 2012 3.G Owner's Guide

5-30Starting and driving
TIRE EQUIPMENT
SUMMER 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” (P.8-35) of this manual.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It 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, 0 8C 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 wheels
will 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 heaters are used to assist in cold
temperature starting.
The engine block heater should be used when
the outside temperature is 208F( −78C) or lower.
To use the engine block heater
1. Turn the engine off.
2. Open the hood and unwrap the engine
block heater cord.
3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged extension cord.

the tire pressure sensors.
CHANGING A FLAT TIRE
If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road andaway from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
4. Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
Manual Transmission (MT) models:
Move the shift lever to the R (Reverse)
position.
5. Turn off the engine.
6. Raise the hood to warn other traffic, and to signal professional road assistance person-
nel that you need assistance.
7. 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 Manual
Transmission is shifted into R (Re-
verse) , or the Continuously Variable
Transmission into P (Park) .
. Never change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is hazardous.
. Never change tires if oncoming
traffic is close to your vehicle. Wait
for professional road assistance.
MCE0001A
Blocking wheels
Place suitable blocks*1at both the front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat
tire to prevent the vehicle from moving when it is
jacked up.
WARNING
Be sure to block the wheel as the
vehicle may move and result in personal
injury.
In case of emergency6-3

6-10In case of emergency
SCE0862
WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause
personal injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle
*B, position the two vehicles (*Aand*B)
to bring their batteries into close proximity to
each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch. 2. Apply the parking brake.
3.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
Manual Transmission (MT) models:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position.
4. Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems (headlights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).
5. Remove the vent caps on the battery (if so equipped) . Cover the battery with a firmly
wrung out moist cloth to reduce explosion
hazard. 6. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as
illustrated (
*1?*2?*3?*4).
CAUTION
.Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground (for example, as illustrated) ,
not to the battery.
. Make sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine
compartment and that the cable
clamps do not contact any other
metal.
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
*B
and let it run for a few minutes.
8. Keep the engine speed of the booster vehicle
*Bat about 2,000 rpm, and start
the engine of the vehicle
*Abeing jump
started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged
for more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, place the
ignition switch in the OFF position and

wait 10 seconds before trying again.
9. After starting your engine, carefully discon- nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable (
*4?*3?*2?*1).
10. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover
the vent holes as it may be contaminated
with corrosive acid. Do not attempt to start the engine by pushing.
CAUTION
.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models cannot be push-
started or tow-started. Attempting
to do so may cause transmission
damage.
. Three-way catalyst equipped mod-
els should not be started by pushing
since the three way catalyst may be
damaged.
. Never try to start the vehicle by
towing it; when the engine starts,
the forward surge could cause the
vehicle to collide with the tow
vehicle.
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 and apply the parking brake.
2. Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) models:
Move the selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
Manual Transmission (MT) models:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
In case of emergency6-11
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS

6-14In case of emergency
steering wheel in a straight-
ahead position with a rope or
similar device.
— Move the selector lever or shift lever to the N (Neutral) position.
. When towing a CVT model with the
rear wheels on the ground (if you do
not use towing dollies): Always
release the parking brake.
. If you have to tow an MT model with
the rear wheels on the ground (if
you do not use towing dollies) or
four wheels on the ground:
— Place the ignition switch in the
ON position and turn off all
accessories.
— Always release the parking brake.
— Move the transmission shift le- ver to the N (Neutral) position.
— Observe the following restricted towing speeds and distances for
manual transmission models
only:
.Rear wheels on the ground:
Speed: Below 50 MPH (80
km/h) Distance: Less than 50 miles
(80 km)
.Four wheels on the ground:
Speed: Below 60 MPH (96
km/h)
Distance: Less than 500 miles
(800 km)
SCE0815
Front
SCE0833

VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
WARNING
.Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
. Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode
and result in serious injury. Parts of
your vehicle could also overheat
and be damaged.
Pulling a stuck vehicle
Do not use the tie down hook for towing or
vehicle recovery.
Front:
1. Remove the hook cover
*1from the
bumper with a suitable tool.
2. Securely install the recovery hook
*2as
illustrated. (The hook is stored under the
floor behind the driver’s seat.)
Make sure that the hook is properly secured in
its original position after use.
SCE0678
Rear
Rear:
Do not use the tie down hook to pull the vehicle.
CAUTION
. Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to the vehicle recovery
hook or main structural members of
the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle
body will be damaged.
. Do not use the vehicle tie down
hook to free a vehicle stuck in sand,
snow, mud, etc. .
Never tow a vehicle using the vehi-
cle tie down hook or recovery hook.
. Always pull the cable straight out
from the front of the vehicle. Never
pull on the vehicle at an angle.
. Pulling devices should be routed so
they do not touch any part of the
suspension, steering, brake or cool-
ing systems.
. Pulling devices such as ropes or
canvas straps are not recommended
for use in vehicle towing or recov-
ery.
Rocking a stuck vehicle
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
system.
2. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back- ward.
.Shift back and forth between R (Reverse)and D (Drive) (Continuously Variable
In case of emergency6-15

Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the rate
of corrosion to those parts which are not well
ventilated.
Air pollution
Industrial 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.
Appearance and care7-7

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirement ........................................................ 8-2Scheduled 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 ........................................................... 8-12
Window washer fluid ............................................................ 8-12
Battery ........................................................................\
............... 8-13 Jump starting ..................................................................... 8-15
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped) .......... 8-15
Drive belt ........................................................................\
.......... 8-15
Spark plugs ........................................................................\
..... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs .................................................... 8-16 Air cleaner ........................................................................\
....... 8-17
Windshield wiper blades ..................................................... 8-18 Cleaning ........................................................................\
... 8-18
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 .............................................. 8-22
Key battery replacement ...................................................... 8-23 Keyfob ........................................................................\
....... 8-24
Intelligent Key .................................................................. 8-25
Lights ........................................................................\
................ 8-26 Headlights ........................................................................\
8-27
Exterior and interior lights ............................................ 8-28
Wheels and tires ................................................................... 8-30 Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-30
Tire labeling ..................................................................... 8-33
Types of tires ................................................................... 8-35
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-35
Changing wheels and tires .......................................... 8-36

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
necessary, 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 War-
ranty 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
damaged 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
performing scheduled maintenance, cleaning
the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mat away from the pedal.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes
down further 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. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) position mechanism:
On a fairly
steep hill, check that the vehicle is held securely
with the selector lever in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only the
parking brake applied. If the parking brake needs
adjusted, see a NISSAN dealer.
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
webbing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Seats: Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliners, etc. to ensure
they operate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
the locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all
latched positions.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure that
all warning lights and chimes are operating
properly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3

8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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 washers operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
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.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe condition require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch fluid level*: Make sure that
the brake and clutch 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 belt*: Make sure that the drive
belt is 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” (P.5-2)
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.
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 end
of 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” (P.7-2).
Windshield washer fluid*:
Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.