coolant reservoir NISSAN PATHFINDER 2002 R50 / 2.G Owners Manual

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:
WARNING
IDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
ITo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while
the engine is still hot. When the radia-
tor cap is removed, pressurized hot
water will spurt out, possibly causing
serious injury.
IDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply
the parking brake and move the gearshift
lever to the neutral position (automatic
transmission to P (Park)).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner switch. Open all
the windows, move the heater or air condi-tioner temperature control to maximum hot
and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climbing
a long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a
fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the
temperature gauge indication returns to
normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. Wait until no
steam or coolant can be seen before pro-
ceeding.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leaking,
the cooling fan belt is missing or loose or
the cooling fan does not run, stop the
engine.
WARNING
IBe careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or to get caught in, the
cooling fan, or drive belt.
IThe engine cooling fan can start at
any time when the coolant tempera-
ture is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the reservoir
tank if necessary. Have your vehicle re-
paired at the nearest NISSAN dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency
6-11
Z
01.9.21/R50-D/V5
X

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance requirements ........................................ 8-2
General maintenance ................................................ 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .......... 8-2
Interior maintenance............................................. 8-3
Maintenance precautions .......................................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations ....................... 8-7
Engine cooling system .............................................. 8-9
Checking engine coolant level ............................. 8-9
Changing engine coolant ................................... 8-10
Engine oil ................................................................ 8-13
Checking engine oil level ................................... 8-13
Changing engine oil ........................................... 8-14
Changing engine oil filter ................................... 8-15
Automatic transmission fluid ................................... 8-16
Temperature conditions for checking ................. 8-17
Power steering fluid ................................................ 8-18
Brake and clutch fluid ............................................. 8-18
Brake fluid .......................................................... 8-18
Clutch fluid.......................................................... 8-19
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-20
Window washer fluid reservoir ........................... 8-20
Battery ..................................................................... 8-21
Jump starting ...................................................... 8-21
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-22Spark plugs ............................................................. 8-23
Replacing spark plugs ........................................ 8-23
Air cleaner ............................................................... 8-23
Windshield wiper blades ......................................... 8-24
Cleaning ............................................................. 8-24
Replacing............................................................ 8-24
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................... 8-25
Checking parking brake ..................................... 8-25
Checking brake pedal ........................................ 8-26
Brake booster ..................................................... 8-26
Clutch pedal ............................................................ 8-27
Checking clutch pedal ........................................ 8-27
Fuses....................................................................... 8-27
Engine compartment .......................................... 8-27
Passenger compartment .................................... 8-28
Keyfob battery replacement ............................... 8-29
Lights ....................................................................... 8-30
Headlights........................................................... 8-31
Wheels and tires ..................................................... 8-34
Tire pressure ...................................................... 8-34
Types of tires...................................................... 8-35
Tire chains .......................................................... 8-36
Changing wheels and tires ................................. 8-37
Clutch housing drain............................... 8-40Z
01.9.21/R50-D/V5
X

tors) operate properly and smoothly, and are
installed securely. Check the belt webbing for
cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Accelerator pedal:
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
make sure the pedal does not catch or require
uneven effort. Keep the floor mats away from
the pedal.
Clutch pedal*:
Make sure the pedal operates smoothly and
check that it has the proper free travel.
Brakes:
Check that the brakes do not pull the vehicle to
one side when applied.
Brake pedal and booster*:
Check the pedal for smooth operation and
make sure it has the proper distance under it
when depressed fully. Check the brake
booster function. Be certain to keep floormats
away from the pedal.
Parking brake*:
Check that the lever has the proper travel and
confirm that your vehicle is held securely on a
fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied.Automatic transmission P (Park) position
mechanism:
On a fairly steep hill check that your vehicle is
held securely with the selector lever in the P
position without applying any brakes.
Under the hood and vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically e.g. each time you check
the engine oil or refuel.
Windshield washer fluid*:
Check that there is adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine oil level*:
Check the level after parking the vehicle on a
level spot and turning off the engine. (Be sure
to wait a few minutes to allow the oil to drain
back into the sump.)
Brake and clutch fluid levels*:
Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid level
is between the MAX and MIN lines on the
reservoir.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:
Check the level when the fluid is cold and the
engine is turned off. Check the lines for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.Automatic transmission fluid level*:
Check the level after putting the selector lever
in P (Park) with the engine idling.
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, rot or loose connections.
Engine drive belts*:
Make sure that no belt is frayed, worn, cracked
or oily.
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.
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.
8-4
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Z
01.9.21/R50-D/V5
X

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze solu-
tion contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional cooling system additives
are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing the coolant,
be sure to use only a genuine NISSAN
anti-freeze coolant or equivalent with
the proper mixture ratio of 50% anti-
freeze and 50% demineralized water/
distilled water. The use of other types of
coolant solutions may damage your en-
gine cooling system.Outside tempera-
ture down to
Anti-
freezeDeminer-
alized
water or
distilled
water ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
WARNING
INever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator. Wait
until the engine and radiator cool
down. See ªIf your vehicle overheatsº
in the ª6. In case of emergencyº sec-
tion.
IThe radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure cap. To prevent engine damage,
use only a genuine NISSAN radiator
cap.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVELCheck the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below the MIN level, add coolant to the MAX
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check the
coolant level in the radiatorwhen 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
tank up to the MAX level.
If the engine cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
SDI0378
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-9
Z
01.9.21/R50-D/V5
X

3. Open the air release plug(s) to drain the
coolant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
IWaste coolant must be disposed of
properly.
ICheck your local regulations.
5. Close the radiator drain plugs and engine
block drain plugs securely.
6. See the ª9. Technical and consumer infor-
mationº section for cooling system capacity.
Fill the radiator slowly with the proper mix-ture of coolant and water. Fill the reservoir
tank slowly up to the MAX level. Then install
the radiator cap and close the air release
plug(s).
7. Start the engine and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under no
load.
Watch the coolant temperature gauge for
signs of overheating.
8. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up the MAX
level.
9. Check the radiator drain plug and engine
block drain plugs for any sign of leakage.
SDI1110SDI1189
SDI0419
8-12
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Z
01.9.21/R50-D/V5
X

WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
For USTo check the fluid level, use your finger to plug
the center hole of the cap/tube assembly (as
shown above), then remove it from the tank. If
there is no fluid in the tube, add fluid. Add a
washer solvent to the water for better cleaning.
In the winter season, add a windshield washer
anti-freeze. Follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions for the mixture ratio.
For CANADAAdd fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. Add a washer solvent to the
water for better cleaning. In the winter season,
add a windshield washer anti-freeze. Follow
the manufacturer's instructions for the mixture
ratio.
CAUTION
Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.This may result in damage to the paint.
WARNING
Anti-freeze is poisonous and should be
stored carefully marked containers out
of the reach of children.
SDI0423A
SDI0389
WINDOW WASHER FLUID8-20
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Z
01.9.21/R50-D/V5
X

The following values are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different from them. When refilling, follow the
procedure instructed in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended specifications
US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 20-7/8 gal 17-3/8 gal 79Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 91 AKI (RON 96) (VQ35DE) or
87AKI (RON 91) (VG33E)*1
Engine oil*4
Drain and refill
with oil filter
change5-1/4 qt 4-3/8 qt 5.0IAPI Certification Mark*2 *3
IAPI grade SG/SH, Energy Conserving I
& II or API grade SJ, Energy Conserv-
ing*2 *3
IILSAC grade GF-I & GF-II*2 *3 without oil filter
change5-1/8 qt 4-1/4 qt 4.8
Cooling system
(with heater and
reservoir tank)9-3/4 qt 8-1/8 qt 9.2Genuine Nissan Anti-Freeze Coolant or
equivalent
*1: See later in this section for fuel recommendation.
*2: See later in this section for recommended SAE viscosity number.
*3: See later in this section for engine oil and oil filter recommendation.
*4: See ªChanging engine oilº in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section for further details.CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS9-2
Technical and consumer information
Z
01.9.21/R50-D/V5
X