ESP NISSAN MURANO 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

For models equipped with the low tire
pressure warning system:
After adjusting tire pressure to the COLD tire
pressure, the display of the tire pressure infor-
mation may show higher pressure than the
COLD tire pressure after the vehicle has been
driven more than 1 mile (1.6 km). This is because
the tire pressurizes as the tire temperature rises.
This does not indicate a system malfunction.
WARNING
Retighten the wheel nuts when the ve-
hicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
Stowing the damaged tire and toolsSecurely store the spare tire and jacking equip-
ment in the vehicle.
WARNING

Always make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
accident or sudden stop.

The T-type spare tire and small sizespare tire are designed for emer-
gency use. See “Wheels and tires” in
the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.
SCE0436
In case of emergency
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REMOVING SPOTSRemove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at your NISSAN dealer or any automotive acces-
sory store.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 caus-
ing underbody and suspension corrosion. Be-
fore 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-
dow, do not use sharp-edged tools,abrasive cleaners or chlorine based dis-
infectant cleaners. They could damage
the electrical conductors, radio antenna
elements or rear window defogger ele-
ments.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELSWash regularly, especially during winter months
in areas where road salt is used. Salt could
discolor the wheel if not removed.CHROME PARTSClean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior
trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum
cleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl and leather
surfaces with a clean, soft cloth dampened in
mild soap solution, then wipe clean with a dry
soft cloth. 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.
CAUTION

Never use gasoline, thinner, or any
similar material.

The leather seats should be regularly
coated with a leather wax like saddle
soap. Never use car wax.

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.CLEANING INTERIOR
Appearance and care
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MOST COMMON FACTORS
CONTRIBUTING 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
INFLUENCE 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 and where
atmospheric pollution exists and 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 sur-
faces.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 or
broom.

Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic com-
ponents inside the vehicle as this
may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing 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 corro-
sion, which may be required in some areas,
consult your local NISSAN dealer.
CORROSIONPROTECTION
Appearance and care
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Your new NISSAN has been designed to have
minimum maintenance requirements with longer
service intervals to save you both time and
money. However, some day-to-day and regular
maintenance is essential to maintain your
NISSAN’s good mechanical condition, as well
as its emission and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
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 maintenance:
For your convenience, both required and op-
tional scheduled maintenance items are de-
scribed and listed in your “Service and Mainte-
nance 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 operation of the vehicle. They are essential if
your vehicle is to continue to operate properly. It
is your responsibility to perform these proce-
dures regularly as prescribed.Performing general maintenance checks require
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,
your NISSAN dealer.
Where to go for service:
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and tuned 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 training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN
vehiclesbeforethey work on your vehicle,
rather than after they have worked on it.
You can be confident that your NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to
meet the maintenance requirements of your ve-
hicle — in a reliable and economic 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
your NISSAN dealer check it promptly. In addi-
tion, you should notify your 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 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.
Tires*:Check the pressure with a gauge at least
once a month 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.
Wheel nuts*:When checking the tires, make
sure no nuts are missing, and check for any
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE8-2
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spare tire. Tire chains will not fit
properly on the T-type spare tire and
may cause damage to the vehicle.

When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the T-type spare tire
should be used on the rear wheel and
the original tire used on the front
wheels (drive wheels). Use tire chains
only on the front two original tires.

Tire tread of the T-type spare tire will
wear at a faster rate than the original
tire. Replace the T-type spare tire as
soon as the tread wear indicators
appear.

Because the T-type spare tire is
smaller than the original tire, ground
clearance is reduced. To avoid dam-
age to the vehicle do not drive over
obstacles. Also do not drive the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.

Do not use the T-type spare tire on
other vehicles.

Do not use more than one T-typespare tire at the same time.

Do not tow a trailer while the T-type
spare tire is installed.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 87 or 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number.
However, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI number in
these high altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219
m)] such as: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico,
Utah, Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, southern
Idaho, western South Dakota, western Ne-
braska, and that part of Texas which is directly
south of New Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy spark knock. (Spark
knock is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, 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 your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may cause
excessive fuel consumption or damage to the
engine. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer or other competent service fa-
cility.However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is no
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.9-4
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When planning to travel in another country,
you should first find out if the fuel available is
suitable for your vehicle’s engine.
Using fuel with too low an octane rating may
cause engine damage. All gasoline vehicles
must be operated with unleaded engine gaso-
line. Therefore, avoid taking your vehicle to areas
where appropriate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district,it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle emis-
sion control and safety standards vary according
to the country, state, province or district; there-
fore, vehicle specifications may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into an-
other country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation, and registration are the responsibil-
ity of the user. NISSAN is not responsible
for any inconvenience that may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATEThe vehicle identification number plate is at-
tached as shown. This number is the identifica-
tion for your vehicle and is used in the vehicle
registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(Chassis number)The number is stamped under the passenger’s
seat as shown.
STI0334
STI0335
WHENTRAVELING OR
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE IN
ANOTHER COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION9-10
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plus the total trailer load. Towing loads greater
than these or using improper towing equipment
could adversely affect vehicle handling, braking
and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is not
only related to the maximum trailer loads, but
also the places you plan to tow. Tow weights
appropriate for level highway driving may have to
be reduced on very steep grades or in low
traction situations (for example, on slippery boat
ramps).
Temperature conditions also can affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in high
outside temperatures on graded roads can af-
fect engine performance and cause overheating.
The transmission high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode, which helps reduce the chance of
transmission damage, could activate and auto-
matically decrease engine power. Vehicle speed
may decrease to 40 to 50 MPH (65 to 80 km/h)
under high load. Plan your trip carefully to ac-
count for trailer and vehicle load, weather, and
road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced en-
gine power and lower vehicle speed.Also, when the high temperature mode
operates, vehicle speed may be gradu-
ally reduced. On highways, the reduced
speed may be lower than other traffic
which could increase the chance of a
collision. Be especially careful when
driving. If necessary, pull to the side of
the road at a safe place and allow the
engine to cool or the transmission to
return to normal operation.
Tongue loadKeep the tongue load between 9 to 11% of the
total trailer load within the maximum tongue load
limits shown in the following Towing
Load/Specifications Chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow for
proper tongue load.
Maximum gross vehicle weight/
maximum gross axle weightThe gross vehicle weight of the towing vehicle
must not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S. certification
label. The gross vehicle weight equals the com-
bined weight of the unloaded vehicle, passen-
gers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue load and any
other optional equipment. In addition, front or
rear gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
TI1012M
Technical and consumer information
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