engine overheat NISSAN CUBE 2014 3.G Owners Manual

SSI0564
MR18DE ENGINE*1. Engine oil filler cap (P.8-9)
2. Brake and clutch (*1) fluid reservoir (P.8-12)
3. Air cleaner (P.8-16)
4. Battery (P.8-13)— Jump starting (P.6-10)
5. Window washer fluid reservoir (P.8-12) 6. Engine drive belt location (P.8-15)
7. Engine oil dipstick (P.8-9)
8. Engine coolant reservoir (P.8-8)
9. Radiator filler cap (P.8-7)
— Vehicle overheat (P.6-12)
10. Fuse/fusible link holder (P.8-20)
* Shown with the resonator removed. For removal instructions, see “Engine compartment check
locations” (P.8-6) .
*1: for Manual Transmission (MT) models
Illustrated table of contents0-9
ENGINE COMPARTMENT

SIC4122
TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in
revolutions per minute (RPM) .Do not rev the
engine into the red zone
*1.
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the red
zone, shift to a higher gear or reduce
engine speed. Operating the engine in
the red zone may cause serious engine
damage.
SIC4123
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge*1indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range when the gauge is within the zone
*2shown in the illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with the
outside air temperature and driving conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates engine coolant
temperature near the hot (H) end of the normal range, reduce vehicle speed to
decrease temperature. If gauge is over
the normal range, stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible. If the engine is
overheated, continued operation of the
vehicle may seriously damage the en-
gine. See “If your vehicle overheats”
(P.6-12) for immediate action required.
Instruments and controls2-7

THREE-WAY CATALYST
The three-way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Exhaust
gases in the three-way catalyst are burned at
high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.
WARNING
.The exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep people,
animals or flammable materials
away from the exhaust system com-
ponents.
. Do not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
.Do not use leaded gasoline. Depos-
its from leaded gasoline will ser-
iously reduce the three-way
catalyst’s ability to help reduce ex-
haust pollutants.
. Keep your engine tuned up. Mal-
functions in the ignition, fuel injec- tion, or electrical systems can cause
overrich fuel flow into the three-way
catalyst, causing it to overheat. Do
not keep driving if the engine mis-
fires, or if noticeable loss of perfor-
mance or other unusual operating
conditions are detected. Have the
vehicle inspected promptly by a
NISSAN dealer.
. Avoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, dama-
ging the three-way catalyst.
. Do not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.
. Do not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYS-
TEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided) ,
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If your
vehicle has tires of a different size than the size
indicated on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label, you should determine the proper
tire inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when
the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you
should stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire
causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire
failure. Under-inflation also reduces fuel effi-
ciency and tire tread life, and may affect the
vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire
Starting and driving5-3

5-26Starting and driving
center of the road if it moves.
4. Models with Intelligent Key system:
Place the ignition switch in the OFF position.
Models without Intelligent Key system:
Place the ignition switch in the LOCK
position and remove the key.
WARNING
.If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the steering will not work.
Steering will be harder to operate.
. When the electric power steering
warning light illuminates with the
engine running, the power assist for
the steering will cease operation.
You will still have control of the
vehicle but the steering will be
harder to operate.
The electric power steering system is designed
to provide power assist while driving to operate
the steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated repeatedly
or continuously while parking or driving at a very
low speed, the power assist for the steering
wheel will be reduced. This is to prevent
overheating of the electric power steering
system and protect it from getting damaged.
While the power assist is reduced, steering
wheel operation will become heavy. When the
temperature of the electric power steering
system goes down, the power assist level will
return to normal. Avoid repeating such steering wheel operations that could cause the electric
power steering system to overheat.
You may hear a sound when the steering wheel
is operated quickly. However, this is not a
malfunction.
If the electric power steering warning light
illuminates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the electric power steering system is
not functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the electric power steering system
checked by a NISSAN dealer. (See “Electric
power steering warning light” (P.2-13) .)
When the electric power steering warning light
illuminates with the engine running, the power
assist for the steering will cease operation. You
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
greater steering effort is needed, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
SYSTEM

BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
You may feel a small click and hear a sound
when the brake pedal is fully depressed slowly.
This is not a malfunction and indicates that the
brake assist mechanism is operating properly.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and the stopping
distance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will cause overheating of the
brakes, wearing out the brake pads and shoes
faster and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
.While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an
accident.
. If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly tapping the brake pedal to heat-up
the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to
normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds
until the brakes function correctly.
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.
Always maintain a safe distance
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 the
Starting and driving5-27
BRAKE SYSTEM

6 In case of emergency
Hazard warning flasher switch .............................................. 6-2
Emergency engine shut off (models with Intelligent
Key system) ........................................................................\
........ 6-2
Flat tire ........................................................................\
................. 6-3 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) .................... 6-3
Changing a flat tire ............................................................. 6-3 Jump starting ........................................................................\
.. 6-10
Push starting ........................................................................\
... 6-12
If your vehicle overheats ...................................................... 6-12
Towing your vehicle .............................................................. 6-14
Towing recommended by NISSAN ........................... 6-15
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ............... 6-16

6-12In case of emergency
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 shift lever to the P (Park) position.
Manual Transmission (MT) models:
Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral)
position.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS

SDI2394
Removing the resonator
Remove the resonator*Aif necessary. Pull the
resonator upward to remove it. Install the
resonator securely after any inspection or
maintenance work is performed. The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with a pre-diluted mixture of 50% Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) and
50% water to provide year-round anti-freeze
and coolant protection. The antifreeze solution
contains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional
engine cooling system additives are not neces-
sary.
WARNING
.
Never remove the radiator or cool-
ant reservoir cap when the engine is
hot. Wait until the engine and
radiator cool down. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
See precautions in “If your vehicle
overheats” (P.6-12) of this manual.
. The radiator is equipped with a
pressure type radiator cap. To pre-
vent engine damage, use only a
genuine NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
.Never use any cooling system ad-
ditives such as radiator sealer. Ad- ditives may clog the cooling system
and cause damage to the engine,
transmission and/or cooling sys-
tem.
. When adding or replacing coolant,
be sure to use only Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) or equivalent. Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) is pre-diluted to provide
antifreeze protection to −348 F
(−378C) . If additional freeze protec-
tion is needed due to weather where
you operate your vehicle, add Gen-
uine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) concentrate follow-
ing the directions on the container.
If an equivalent coolant other than
Genuine NISSAN Long Life Anti-
freeze/Coolant (blue) is used, fol-
low the coolant manufacturer’s
instructions to maintain minimum
antifreeze protection to −348 F
(−378C) . The use of other types of
coolant solutions other than Genu-
ine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/
Coolant (blue) or equivalent may
damage the engine cooling system.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
.The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000
km) or 7 years. Mixing any other
type of coolant other than Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (blue) , including Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Cool-
ant (green) , or the use of non-
distilled water will reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill cool-
ant. Refer to the NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide for more
details.
SDI2385
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine is cold. If the coolant level is below
the MIN level
*2, open the reservoir cap and
add coolant up to the MAX level
*1. If the
reservoir is empty, check the coolant level in the
radiator when the engine is cold. If there is
insufficient coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator
with coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir up to the MAX level
*1.
Tighten the cap securely after adding engine
coolant.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
Major cooling system repairs should be per-
formed by a NISSAN dealer. The service
procedures can be found in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
. To avoid the danger of being
scalded, never change the coolant
when the engine is hot.
. Never remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
. Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
. Keep coolant out of reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.

blends may cause fuel system damage
and/or vehicle performance problems.
At this time, sufficient data is not
available to ensure that all methanol
blends are suitable for use in NISSAN
vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling and difficult hot-starting are experienced
after using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygenates
can cause paint damage.
E-15 fuel
E-15 fuel is a mixture of approximately 15% fuel
ethanol and 85% unleaded gasoline. E-15 can
only be used in vehicles designed to run on E-
15 fuel. Do not use E-15 in your vehicle. U.S.
government regulations require fuel ethanol
dispensing pumps to be identified with small,
square, orange and black label with the common
abbreviation or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
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 fuel in your vehicle. U.S. govern-
ment 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
injector cleaner, octane booster, intake valve
deposit removers, etc.) which are sold commer-
cially. Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain active
solvent 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
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect 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 condi-
tion is misuse of the vehicle, for which
NISSAN is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will 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
encountered, 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.
Technical and consumer information9-5