check engine NISSAN PATHFINDER HYBRID 2015 Service Manual

and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimesMake sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
12–volt Battery*Except for maintenance-free
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.NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electronic
accessories that consume battery power
when the engine is not running (Phone
chargers, GPS, DVD players, etc.) .
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances. In these cases,
the battery may need to be charged to
maintain battery health.
Brake fluid level*Make sure that the brake fluid
level is between the MIN and MAX lines on the
reservoir.
Engine coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold. Make sure that the
coolant level is
between theMAXandMINlines on the reser-
voir.
Inverter coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the inverter is cold. Make sure the coolant
level is between the “MAX” and “MIN” lines on the
reservoir.
Engine drive belts*Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.Engine oil level*Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust systemMake 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 have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. For addi-
tional information, refer to the carbon monoxide
warning in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
Fluid leaksCheck 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.
Power steering fluid level* and linesCheck
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hosesCheck 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.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself

UnderbodyThe 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 from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. For
additional information, refer to “Appearance and
care” section of this manual.
Windshield-washer fluid*Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.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, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. Move the shift lever to P
(Park) .
●Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
●If you must work with the engine run-
ning, 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 remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
●Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.●Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even if
the ignition switch is in the OFF posi-
tion and the engine is not running. To
avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative battery cable before working
near the fan.
●If you must run the engine in an en-
closed 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 neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
●Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
●The fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure
even when the engine is off.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5

CAUTION
●Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
●Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
●Never leave the engine or continuously
variable transmission related compo-
nent harnesses disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
●Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage.If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
LDI2514
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance 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 cool-
ant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) , includ-
ing Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (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.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine is cold.If the coolant level is below
the MIN level
1, add coolant to the MAX level
2. If the reservoir 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 up to the MAX level
2.This vehicle contains Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) . The life expectancy of
the factory-fill coolant is 105,000 miles
(168,000 km) or 7 years. Mixing any other type of
coolant or the use of non-distilled water will re-
duce the life expectancy of the factory-fill coolant.
Refer to the NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide for more details.
For additional information on the location of the
engine coolant reservoir, refer to “Engine com-
partment check locations” in this section.
The engine coolant reservoir is a pressur-
ized tank. When installing the cap, tighten
it until a clicking sound is heard.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine coolant.
The service procedure can be found in the
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
LDI2519
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself

WARNING
●To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
●Never remove the radiator or engine
coolant reservoir 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 the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.The inverter 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 anti-freeze solution con-
tains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional in-
verter cooling system additives are not neces-
sary.
WARNING
●Never remove the coolant reservoir cap
when the engine and inverter are hot.
Wait until the engine and inverter cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the reservoir.
●The inverter reservoir is equipped with a
pressure type cap. To prevent engine
and inverter damage, use only a genu-
ine NISSAN inverter reservoir cap.
CAUTION
●Never use any additives in the coolant
such as radiator sealer in the cooling
system. This may cause damage to elec-
trical equipment such as the motor and
inverter, as well as the engine and
transmission.●When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only a Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-diluted
to provide antifreeze protection to
-34° F (-37° C) . If additional antifreeze
protection is needed due to weather
where you operate your vehicle, add
Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) . The use of
other types of coolant solutions other
than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equiva-
lent, may damage the inverter cooling
system.
●The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 125,000 miles (200,000 km) or
15 years. Mixing any other type of cool-
ant other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/ Coolant (blue) , includ-
ing Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/ Coolant (green) , or the use
on non-distilled water will reduce the
life expectancy of factory-fill coolant.
Refer to the NISSAN Service and Main-
tenance Guide for more details.
INVERTER COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9

CHECKING INVERTER COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine and inverter are cold.The coolant
level should be between the MIN level
1, add
coolant to the MAX level
2.
If the inverter cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
CHANGING INVERTER COOLANT
Major cooling system repairs should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The service procedure can be
found in the NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in inverter
overheating.
WARNING
●To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the in-
verter is hot.
●Never remove the cap when the inverter
is hot. Serious burns could be caused by
high pressure fluid escaping from the
inverter coolant reservoir.
●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 the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than
10 minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re-
insert it all the way.
LDI2516LDI2257
ENGINE OIL
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself

5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) marks
B. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
A, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening.Do not overfill
C.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the severity
of operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly. Op-
erating the engine with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the engine, and
such damage is not covered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
WARNING
●Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
LDI0371
LDI2479
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11

●Try to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner as
soon as possible.
●Keep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature, then turn it off.
3. Refer to, “Engine compartment check loca-
tions” in this section to locate the oil filler cap
A.
4. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise.
5. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
B.
6. Remove the drain plug
Bwith a wrench by
turning it counterclockwise and completely
drain the oil.If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. Refer to “Changing
engine oil filter” in this section.
●Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
●Check your local regulations.
7. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a new
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque:
25 ft-lb (34 N·m)
8. Refill engine with recommended oil through
the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
Refer to “Recommended fluids/lubricants
and capacities” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual for
drain and refill capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.9. Start the engine. Check for leakage around
the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
10. Turn the engine off and wait more than
10 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
8-12Maintenance and do-it-yourself

CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
CAUTION
●Be sure to remove any old gasket mate-
rial remaining on the sealing surface of
the engine. Failure to do so could lead
to an oil leak and engine damage.●The dipstick must be inserted in place
to prevent oil spillage from the dipstick
hole when filling the engine with oil.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
A.
4. Loosen the oil filter
Awith an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then
remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with
a clean rag.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean
engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than
10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
CAUTION
●NISSAN recommends using Genuine
NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 ONLY in
NISSAN CVTs. Do not mix with other
fluids.
●Do not use Automatic transmission
fluid (ATF) or Manual transmission fluid
in a NISSAN CVT, as it may damage the
CVT. Damage caused by the use of flu-
ids other than recommended is not cov-
ered under NISSAN’s New Vehicle Lim-
ited Warranty.
●Using fluids that are not equivalent to
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 may
damage the CVT. Damage caused by the
use of fluids other than as recom-
mended is not covered under NISSAN’s
New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
When checking or replacement of CVT fluid is
required, we recommend your NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
LDI2439
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13

Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the brake
fluid is below the MIN line
B, the brake warning
light will illuminate. Add brake fluid up to the MAX
line
A. Refer to “Recommended
fluids/lubricants and capacities” in the “Technical
and consumer information” section for the rec-
ommended type of brake fluid.
If the brake fluid must be added frequently, the
brake system should be thoroughly checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir periodi-
cally. Add windshield-washer fluid when the low
windshield-washer fluid warning light comes on.
To fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir, lift
the cap off the reservoir and pour the windshield-
washer fluid into the reservoir opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield-
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for the mixture ratio.Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of
windshield-washer fluid.
Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN Wind-
shield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze
or equivalent.
CAUTION
●Do not substitute engine antifreeze
coolant for windshield-washer fluid.
This may result in damage to the paint.
●Do not fill the windshield-washer fluid
reservoir with washer fluid concen-
trates at full strength. Some methyl al-
cohol based washer fluid concentrates
may permanently stain the grille if
spilled while filling the windshield-
washer fluid reservoir.
●Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the windshield-washer fluid reser-
voir. Do not use the windshield-washer
fluid reservoir to mix the washer fluid
concentrate and water.
LDI2258LDI2089
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15