NISSAN MURANO 2008 Owners Manual

Black plate (359,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
SCE0718
Tie down and recovery hook
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 vehicleIf your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use a tow strap or other device designed
specifically for vehicle recovery. Always follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for the recovery
device.
Front:
Securely install the vehicle recovery hook
(stored in the cargo area) as illustrated. Make
sure that the hook is properly secured in the
original place after use.
CAUTION
.Tow chains or cables must be at-
tached only to the main structural
members of the vehicle or the
recovery hook. Otherwise, the vehi-
cle body will be damaged.
.Never tow a vehicle using the vehi-
cle tie downs or recovery hooks.
.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 vehicleIf 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 (Re-
verse) and D (Drive) .
.Apply the accelerator as little as possi-
ble to maintain the rocking motion.
.Release the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R and D.
.Do not spin the tires above 35 MPH (55
km/h) .
5. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few
tries, contact a professional towing service
In case of emergency
6-15

Black plate (360,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
to remove the vehicle.
6-16
In case of emergency

Black plate (22,1)
7 Appearance and care
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 23
Cleaning exterior................................................ 7-2
Washing...................................................... 7-2
Waxing........................................................ 7-2
Removing spots............................................. 7-3
Underbody................................................... 7-3
Glass.......................................................... 7-3
Aluminum alloy wheels.................................... 7-3
Chrome parts................................................ 7-3
Tire dressing................................................. 7-3Cleaning interior................................................ 7-4
Floor mats.................................................... 7-4
Seat belts.................................................... 7-5
Corrosion protection........................................... 7-5
Most common factors contributing to vehicle
corrosion...................................................... 7-5
Environmental factors influence the rate of
corrosion...................................................... 7-5
To protect your vehicle from corrosion................. 7-5

Black plate (362,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
To protect the paint surface, 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 again 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.
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.
CLEANING EXTERIOR7-2
Appearance and care

Black plate (363,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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.
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.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.
Appearance and care
7-3

Black plate (364,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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.
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.
.Only use fabric protectors approved
by NISSAN..Do not use glass or plastic cleaner
on meter or gauge lens covers. It
may damage the lens cover.
FLOOR MATSThe use of NISSAN floor mats can extend the
life of your vehicle carpet and make it easier to
clean the interior.No matter what mats are
used, be sure they are fitted for your
vehicle and are properly positioned in the
footwell to prevent interference with pedal
operation.Mats should be maintained with
regular cleaning and replaced if they become
excessively worn.
SAI0038
Floor mat positioning aidThis model includes front floor mat brackets to
act as floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your
vehicle model. The front floor mats have
grommet holes in them. To install, simply
position the mat by placing the floor mat bracket
through the floor mat grommet hole while
centering the mat in the floor pan contour.
Periodically check to make certain that the mats
are properly positioned.
CLEANING INTERIOR7-4
Appearance and care

Black plate (365,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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 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.
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
or broom.
.Never allow water or other liquids to
come in contact with electronic
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care
7-5

Black plate (366,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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.
7-6
Appearance and care

Black plate (25,1)
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 23
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
VQ35DE engine............................................ 8-6
Engine cooling system......................................... 8-7
Checking engine coolant level........................... 8-7
Changing engine coolant................................. 8-8
Engine oil......................................................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil and filter............................ 8-8
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid........ 8-11
Power steering fluid.......................................... 8-11
Brake fluid...................................................... 8-12
Window washer fluid........................................ 8-12
Battery.......................................................... 8-13
Jump starting.............................................. 8-14
Variable voltage control system (if so equipped)...... 8-15
Drive belts...................................................... 8-15Spark 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 indicators.............................. 8-19
Fuses............................................................ 8-20
Engine compartment..................................... 8-20
Passenger compartment................................ 8-21
Battery replacement.......................................... 8-21
Lights............................................................ 8-24
Headlights.................................................. 8-25
Exterior and interior lights............................... 8-27
Wheels and tires.............................................. 8-30
Tire pressure............................................... 8-30
Tire labeling................................................ 8-33
Types of tires.............................................. 8-35
Tire chains.................................................. 8-36
Changing wheels and tires............................. 8-37

Black plate (368,1)
Model "Z51-D" EDITED: 2008/ 6/ 26
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. You are a vital link in the main-
tenance 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 vehiclesbeforework 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