battery NISSAN MURANO 2003 1.G Owner's Manual

Shift lock releaseIf the battery charge is low or discharged, the
selector lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal de-
pressed.
To move the selector lever, depress the brake
pedal, remove the cover using a suitable tool and
push the shift lock release button. The selector
lever can be moved to N (Neutral). This allows
the vehicle to be moved if the battery is dis-
charged.
If the selector lever cannot be moved out of P
(Park), have your NISSAN dealer check the CVTsystem as soon as possible.
Accelerator downshift
— In D position —For rapid passing or hill climbing, fully depress
the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts the
transmission down into lower range, depending
on the vehicle speed.High fluid temperature protection
modeThis transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperature with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer), engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the vehicle may not accelerate above
approximately 40 to 50 MPH (65 to 80 km/h).Fail-safeIf the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction indicator lamp(MIL)” in the “2. Instrument and controls”
section. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this
case, turn the ignition key OFF and wait for
3 seconds. Then turn the key back to the
ONposition. The vehicle should return to
its normal operating condition. If it does
not return to its normal operating condi-
tion, have your NISSAN dealer check the
transmission and repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually re-
duced. 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 transmission
to return to normal operation, or have it
repaired if necessary.
SSD0290
Starting and driving
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is designed to help improve driving
stability but does not prevent acci-
dents due to abrupt steering opera-
tion at high speeds or by careless or
dangerous driving techniques. Re-
duce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering
on slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully.

If engine related parts such as muf-
fler are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the ve-
hicle dynamic control off indicator
light and slip indicator light may
come on.

If suspension parts such as shock
absorbers, struts, springs and bush-
ings are not standard equipment or
are extremely deteriorated, the ve-
hicle dynamics control off indicator
light may come on.

When driving on extremely inclined
surfaces such as higher banked cor-
ners, the vehicle dynamic control sys-
tem may not operate properly orthe vehicle dynamic control off indi-
cator light may come on. Do not drive
on these types of roads.

If the tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle
dynamic control system may not op-
erate properly or the vehicle dynamic
control 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 the vehicle is on a conveyance
such as a ferry, the vehicle dynamic
control off indicator light and slip
indicator light may come on. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
after departing the conveyance.
FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCKTo prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before
inserting it into the key hole.ANTI-FREEZEIn the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32°F (0°C), check
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For additional information, see “Engine cooling
system” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.BATTERYIf the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain
maximum efficiency, the battery should be
checked regularly. For additional information,
see “Battery” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.DRAINING OF COOLANT WATERIf the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system by opening the
drain plug located under the radiator. Refill
before operating the vehicle. See “Engine cool-
ing system” in the “8. Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section for changing engine coolant.COLD WEATHER DRIVING
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To start your engine with a booster battery, the
instructions and precautions below must be
followed.
WARNING

If done incorrectly, jump starting can
lead to a battery explosion, resulting
in severe injury or death. It could also
damage your vehicle.

Explosive hydrogen gas is always
present in the vicinity of the battery.
Keep all sparks and flames away
from the battery.

Do not allow battery fluid to come
into contact with eyes, skin, cloth or
painted surfaces. Battery fluid is a
corrosive sulphuric acid solution
which can cause severe burns. If the
fluid should come into contact with
anything, immediately flush the con-
tacted area with water.

Keep battery out of the reach of
children.
The booster battery must be rated at
12 volts. Use of an improperly rated
battery can damage your vehicle.

Whenever working on or near a bat-
tery, always wear suitable eye protec-
tors (for example, goggles or indus-
trial safety spectacles) and remove
rings, metal bands, or any other jew-
elry. Do not lean over the battery
when jump starting.

Do not attempt to jump start a frozen
battery. It could explode and cause
serious injury.

Your vehicle has an automatic en-
gine cooling fan. It could come on at
any time. Keep hands and other ob-
jects away from it.JUMP STARTING6-8
In case of emergency


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WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause per-
sonal injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries into close proximity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply parking brake. Move the selector leverto the P (Park) position. Switch off all unnec-
essary electrical systems (light, heater, air
conditioner, etc.).
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped). Cover the battery with an old
cloth as illustrated to reduce explosion haz-
ard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence as
illustrated (
A
→
B
→
C
→
D).
CAUTION

Always connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (−) to body
ground (for example, strut mounting
bolt, etc. — not to the battery).

Make sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that clamps do not contact
any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the other vehicle and let it
run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the other vehicle at
about 2,000 rpm, and start your engine in the
normal manner.
CAUTION
Do not keep starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying
again.
SCE0437
In case of emergency
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8 Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance requirements .................................................. 8-2
General maintenance ............................................................ 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items ................ 8-2
Maintenance precautions ..................................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ............................. 8-7
Engine cooling system.......................................................... 8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................................... 8-8
Changing engine coolant ............................................... 8-9
Engine oil ................................................................................. 8-9
Checking engine oil level ............................................... 8-9
Changing engine oil ...................................................... 8-10
Changing engine oil filter ............................................ 8-11
CVT fluid ................................................................................ 8-12
Power steering fluid ............................................................ 8-12
Brake fluid ............................................................................. 8-12
Window washer fluid.......................................................... 8-13
Battery .................................................................................... 8-14
Jump starting .................................................................. 8-15
Drive belts ............................................................................. 8-15
Spark plugs ........................................................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs.................................................. 8-16
Air cleaner ............................................................................. 8-16
Windshield wiper blades ................................................... 8-17
Cleaning ........................................................................... 8-17Replacing ......................................................................... 8-18
Rear window wiper blade ................................................. 8-19
Parking brake and brake pedal ........................................ 8-19
Checking parking brake ............................................... 8-19
Checking brake pedal .................................................. 8-20
Brake booster ................................................................. 8-20
Fuses ...................................................................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ..................................................... 8-21
Passenger compartment .............................................. 8-22
Keyfobbattery replacement .............................................. 8-22
Lights ..................................................................................... 8-24
Headlights ...................................................................... 8-25
Exterior and interior lights............................................ 8-26
Wheels and tires ................................................................. 8-27
Tire pressure ................................................................... 8-27
Types of tires .................................................................. 8-28
Tire chains ....................................................................... 8-29
Changing wheels and tires ......................................... 8-30


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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.Under the hood and the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel).
Windshield washer fluid*:Check that there is
adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine coolant level*:Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
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, deterioration
or loose connections.
Brake fluid level*:Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines on
the reservoir.
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 conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Engine drive belts*:Make sure that no belt isfrayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*:Check the level on the
dipstick after parking the vehicle on a level spot
and turning off the engine.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:Check
the level in the reservoir tank with the engine off.
Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
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 locate the trouble
and correct it. (See “Precautions when starting
and driving” in the “5. Starting and driving”
section for exhaust gas (carbon monoxide).)
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” in the “7. Appearance and care” sec-
tion.
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.8-4
Maintenance and do-it-yourself


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When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING

Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. Move the selector
lever to the P (Park) position.

Be sure the ignition key is OFF or
LOCK when performing any parts re-
placement or repairs.

Your vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warning,
even if the ignition key is in the OFF
position and the engine is not run-
ning. To avoid injury, always discon-
nect the negative battery cable be-
fore working near the fan.

If you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.

It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.

Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.

If you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.

Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.

Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the bat-
tery.

On gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) Sys-
tem, the fuel filter or fuel lines shouldbe serviced by a NISSAN dealer be-
cause the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is off.
CAUTION

Do not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.

Never connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized
component connector while the igni-
tion key is on.

Never leave the engine or the CVT
related component harness connec-
tor disconnected while the ignition
key is on.

Avoid direct contact with used engine
oil and coolant. Improperly disposed
engine oil, engine coolant and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the envi-
ronment. Always conform to local
regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Air cleaner
5. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
6. Engine coolant reservoir
7. Radiator filler cap
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Fuse/fusible link holder
10. Battery
SDI1492
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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Keep the battery surface clean and dry. Any
corrosion should be washed off with a solu-
tion of baking soda and water.

Make certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.

If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the (—) negative battery
terminal cable to prevent discharging it.
WARNING

Do not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas
generated by battery action is explo-
sive. Do not allow battery fluid to
contact your skin, eyes, fabrics, or
painted surfaces. After touching a
battery or battery cap, do not touch
or rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash
your hands. If the acid contacts your
eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 min-
utes and seek medical attention.

Do not operate the vehicle if the fluid
in the battery is low. Low battery fluid
can cause a higher load on the bat-tery which can generate heat, reduce
battery life, and in some cases lead
to an explosion.

When working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.

Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead
compounds. Wash hands after han-
dling.

Keep the battery out of the reach of
children.
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should be
between the MAX and MIN lines.
If the side of the battery is not visible, the
electrolyte level can be checked through each
filler opening as illustrated.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only distilled
water to bring the level to the indicator in each
filler opening.Do not overfill.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
1. Remove the cell plugs.
2. Add distilled water up to the MAX level.
3. Tighten cell plugs.
DI0137M
BATTERY8-14
Maintenance and do-it-yourself


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JUMP STARTINGIf jump starting is necessary, see “Jump starting”
in the “6. In case of emergency” section. If the
engine does not start by jump starting, the
battery may have to be replaced. Contact your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position. The engine could rotate
unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of unusual
wear, cuts, fraying, oil adhesion or looseness.
If the belt is in poor condition or loose, have
it replaced or adjusted by your NISSAN
dealer.2. Have the belts checked regularly for condi-
tion and tension.
SDI1480
SDI0141
DRIVE BELTS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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