NISSAN QASHQAI 2014 Owner´s Manual

7Appearance and careAppearance and care
Cleaning exterior...................................................... 7-2
Washing ............................................................. 7-2
Removing spots .................................................. 7-2
Waxing ............................................................... 7-2
Cleaning glass .................................................... 7-3
Cleaning rear-view camera (where fitted) ............ 7-3
Underbody ......................................................... 7-3
Care of wheels ................................................... 7-3
Cleaning alloy wheels ......................................... 7-3
Chrome parts ..................................................... 7-3
Cleaning interior ...................................................... 7-4
Monitor display’s maintenance (where fitted) ....... 7-4Air fresheners ..................................................... 7-4
Floor mats .......................................................... 7-4
Cleaning Glass ................................................... 7-5
Plastic parts........................................................ 7-5
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 ................ 7-6

In order to maintain the appearance of your vehicle,
it is important to take proper care of it.
Whenever possible, park your vehicle inside a ga-
rage or in a covered area to minimise the chances
of damaging the paint surface of your vehicle.
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 put-
ting on or removing the body cover.
WASHING
In the following instances, wash your vehicle as soon
as possible to protect the paint surface:
•After a rainfall, to prevent possible damage from
acid rain.
•After driving on coastal roads.
•When contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or insects get on
the paint surface.
•When dust or mud builds up on the paint sur-
face.
1. Wash the vehicle surface with a wet sponge and
plenty of water.
2. Clean the vehicle surface gently and thoroughly
using a mild soap or a special vehicle wash sham-
poo mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot) wa-
ter.CAUTION
•Do not wash the vehicle with strong house-
hold soap, strong chemical detergents, petrol
or solvents.
•Do not wash the vehicle in direct sunlight or
while the vehicle body is hot, as the paint sur-
face 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
substances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
3. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.
4. Use a damp chamois to dry the paint surface to
avoid leaving water spots.
When washing the vehicle, take care of the follow-
ing:
•Inside flanges, joints and folds on the doors, back
door and bonnet are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be cleaned regularly.
•Be sure that the drain holes in the lower edge of
the doors are not clogged.
•Spray water to the underbody and in the wheel
wells to loosen the dirt and/or wash away road
salt.
•If using a high pressure washer always follow
the recommendations on the equipment (pres-
sure and spraying distance).
CAUTION
Do not spray directly into the engine compart-
ment with a high-pressure washer/hose this
could damage the engine.
•If there are damaged areas on the vehicle (e.g.
painted bumpers or headlamp assembly), it is
not recommended to direct the high pressure jet
on to them. Carefully wash these areas by hand.
•Avoid the entry of water into the locks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove 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 store.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and helps
to retain a new vehicle appearance.
After waxing, polishing is recommended to remove
built-up residue.
A NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop can assist
you in choosing the appropriate waxing products.
CAUTION
•Wash your vehicle thoroughly and completely
before applying wax to the paint surface.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care

•Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
supplied with the wax.
•Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may dam-
age the vehicle finish.
•If the vehicle surface cannot polish easily, ap-
ply a road tar remover prior to waxing the ve-
hicle.
•Machine compounding or aggressive polish-
ing on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may
dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
CLEANING GLASS
Use 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.
CLEANING REAR-VIEW CAMERA
(where fitted)
Clean the transparent camera cover regularly. If dirt,
rain or snow attaches to the cover, the monitor may
not display objects clearly.
CAUTION
•Do not use alcohol, benzine or thinner to clean
the transparent camera cover. This will cause
discoloration. To clean the cover, first use a
cloth dampened with diluted mild cleaning
agent and then wipe with a dry cloth.
•Do not use body wax on the transparent cam-
era cover.
•When washing the vehicle with a high pres-
sure water spray, make sure not to spray it
around the transparent camera cover. Other-
wise, water may enter the camera unit caus-
ing water condensation on the lens and it may
result in a malfunction or an electric shock.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in the winter, the
vehicle’s underbody must be cleaned regularly. This
will prevent dirt and salt from building up and caus-
ing underbody and suspension corrosion.
Before the winter period and again in the spring, the
underseal must be checked and, if necessary, re-
treated.
CARE OF WHEELS
•Wash the wheels when washing the vehicle to
maintain their appearance.
•Clean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the vehicle
is washed.
•Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing the
wheels.
•Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or corro-
sion. This may cause loss of pressure or damage
the tyre bead.
•NISSAN recommends that the road wheels be
waxed to protect against road salt in areas where
it is used during winter.
CLEANING ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly with a sponge damp-
ened in a mild soap solution, especially during win-
ter in areas where road salt is used. The salt residue
from road salt could discolour the wheels if it is not
washed off regularly.
CAUTION
Follow the directions as described below in order
to avoid staining or discolouring of the wheels.
•Do not use a cleaner that contains strong con-
tents of acid or alkali to clean the wheels.
•Do not apply wheel cleaner when the wheels
are hot. The wheel temperature should be the
same as ambient temperature.
•Rinse the wheel to completely remove the
cleaner within 15 minutes after the cleaner
has been applied.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a nonabrasive
chrome polish to maintain the finish.
Appearance and care7-3

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 sur-
faces with a clean, soft cloth dampened 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 manu-
facturer’s recommendations. Some fabric protec-
tors contain chemicals that may stain or bleach the
seat material.
Use a soft cloth dampened only with water to clean
the meter and gauge lens covers.
CAUTION
•Never use benzine, thinner or any similar ma-
terial.
•Small dirt particles can be abrasive and dam-
aging to leather surfaces and should be re-
moved promptly. Do not use saddle soap, car
waxes, polishes, oils cleaning fluids, solvents,
detergents or ammonia based cleaners as
they may damage the leather’s natural finish.
•Never use fabric protectors unless recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
•Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on meter
or gauge lens covers. It may damage the lens
covers.
MONITOR DISPLAY’S MAINTENANCE
(where fitted)
•To clean the display screen, first turn the ignition
off and wipe it with a dry soft cloth.
•Never use a rough cloth, alcohol, benzine, thin-
ner, any kind of solvent, or paper tissues with
chemical cleaning agent. They would scratch or
deteriorate the panel.
•Do not splash any liquid such as water or car fra-
grance on the display. Contact with liquid will
cause the system to malfunction and damage
the hardware.
•In case of extreme stain, use a small amount of
neutral detergent with a soft cloth. Never soak
the screen display with water detergent.
AIR FRESHENERS
Most air fresheners use a solvent that could affect
the vehicle interior. If you use an air freshener, take
the following precautions:
•Hanging-type air fresheners can cause perma-
nent discoloration when they contact vehicle in-
terior surfaces. Place the air freshener in a loca-
tion that allows it to hang free and not contact an
interior surface.
•Liquid-type air fresheners typically clip on the
vents. These products can cause immediate
damage and discoloration when spilled on inte-
rior surfaces.
Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions before using air fresheners.
FLOOR MATS
The use of NISSAN floor mats can extend the life of
your vehicle carpet and make it easier to clean the
interior. Regardless of what mats are used, be sure
they are fitted for your vehicle and are properly posi-
tioned in the foot well to prevent interference with
pedal operation. Mats should be maintained with
regular cleaning and replaced if they become exces-
sively worn.
Floor mat positioning aid
Note that the above illustration is for LHD models.
This vehicle includes front floor mat brackets
jAto
act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your vehicle.
Position the mat by placing the floor mat bracket
hook through the floor mat grommet hole while cen-
tering the mat in the foot area.
Periodically check that the mats are properly posi-
tioned.
SAI0037Z
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care

CLEANING GLASS
Use 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 windows, do not
use sharp-edged tools, abrasive cleaners or chlo-
rine-based disinfectant cleaners. They could
damage elements in the rear windows (such as
the window defogger).
Inside rear-view mirror (Automatic
anti-dazzling, where fitted)
Use a soft cloth dampened only with water to clean
the automatic anti-dazzling inside rear view mirror
(where fitted).
CAUTION
Do not use glass cleaner. Doing so will reduce
the sensitivity of the sensor, resulting in improper
operation.
PLASTIC PARTS
Plastic parts can be cleaned with a mild soap solu-
tion. If the dirt cannot be easily removed, use a plas-
tic cleaner. Do not use any solvents.
SEAT BELTS
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 severely weaken the seat belt webbing.
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them with
a sponge dampened in a mild soap solution.
Allow the belts to dry completely in the shade before
using them.
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 the paint surface and other protec-
tive coatings caused by gravel and stone chips
or minor traffic accidents.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
INFLUENCE THE RATE OF
CORROSION
Moisture
Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on the vehicle
body underside can accelerate corrosion. Wet floor
coverings will not dry completely inside the vehicle,
and should be removed for drying to avoid floor pan-
els corrosion.
Relative humidity
Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high rela-
tive humidity, especially those areas where the tem-
peratures stay above freezing, where atmospheric
pollution exists and road salt is used.
Temperature
A temperature increase will accelerate the rate of
corrosion to those parts which are not well venti-
lated.
CORROSION PROTECTION
Appearance and care7-5

Corrosion will also accelerate in areas where the
temperatures stay above freezing.
Air pollution
Industrial 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 acceler-
ate 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 sur-
face and if any exists, repair it as soon as pos-
sible.
•Keep the drain holes at the bottom of the doors
and back door opened to avoid water accumula-
tion.
•Check the vehicle 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 compartment 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 components inside the
vehicle as this may damage them.
Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are ex-tremely 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 the 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 or qualified workshop.
7-6Appearance and care

NOTE
Appearance and care7-7

8Maintenance and do-it-yourselfMaintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements ....................................... 8-2
Scheduled maintenance...................................... 8-2
General maintenance .......................................... 8-2
Where to go for service ...................................... 8-2
General maintenance ............................................... 8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items ........... 8-2
Maintenance precautions ......................................... 8-4
Engine compartment ................................................ 8-5
Engine cooling system ............................................. 8-6
Checking engine coolant level............................. 8-6
Changing engine coolant .................................... 8-6
Engine oil................................................................. 8-8
Checking engine oil level .................................... 8-8
Changing engine oil ............................................ 8-9
Changing engine oil filter .................................... 8-10
Protect the environment ...................................... 8-12
Fuel filter (Diesel engine models) ............................. 8-13
Draining water .................................................... 8-13
Bleeding the fuel system ..................................... 8-13
XTRONIC Continuously variable transmission
(CVT) fluid ............................................................... 8-13
Brakes ..................................................................... 8-13
Checking parking brake ...................................... 8-13
Checking brake pedal......................................... 8-13
Brake booster ..................................................... 8-14
Brake and clutch fluid .............................................. 8-14
Window washer fluid/headlight cleaner fluid
(where fitted) ........................................................... 8-15
Battery..................................................................... 8-16
Vehicle battery .................................................... 8-16Jump-starting ...................................................... 8-18
Integrated keyfob/Intelligent Key battery
replacement........................................................ 8-18
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-20
Spark plugs (Petrol engine models).......................... 8-21
Air duct removal....................................................... 8-21
Air cleaner filter........................................................ 8-23
Viscous paper type ............................................. 8-23
Dry paper type (where fitted) .............................. 8-23
Wiper blades ........................................................... 8-24
Cleaning ............................................................. 8-24
Front window wiper replacement ........................ 8-24
Back door window wiper replacement ................ 8-24
Windscreen washer nozzle ................................. 8-25
Fuses ...................................................................... 8-25
Passenger compartment ..................................... 8-25
Engine compartment ........................................... 8-26
Lights ...................................................................... 8-27
Headlights .......................................................... 8-28
Exterior lights ...................................................... 8-29
Interior lights....................................................... 8-29
Light locations .................................................... 8-30
Wheels and tyres ..................................................... 8-33
Tyre inflation pressure......................................... 8-33
Types of tyres ..................................................... 8-33
Snow chains....................................................... 8-34
Tyre rotation ....................................................... 8-34
Tyre wear and damage ....................................... 8-35
Tyre age ............................................................. 8-35
Changing tyres and wheels................................. 8-35

Four-wheel drive (4WD) models ......................... 8-35
Wheel balance.................................................... 8-36
Spare tyre .......................................................... 8-36
Care of wheels ................................................... 8-36

Some day-to-day and regular maintenance is essen-
tial to maintain your NISSAN’s good mechanical
condition, as well as its emission and engine perfor-
mance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the
specified maintenance, as well as general mainte-
nance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who can
ensure that your vehicle receives the proper mainte-
nance care.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
For your convenience, the required scheduled main-
tenance items are described and listed in the sepa-
rate Warranty Information and Maintenance book-
let. You must refer to that booklet to ensure that
necessary maintenance is performed on your
NISSAN vehicle at regular intervals.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those items which
should be checked during normal day-to-day opera-
tion of the vehicle. They are essential if your vehicle
is to continue to operate properly. It is your respon-
sibility to perform these procedures regularly as pre-
scribed.
Performing general maintenance checks requires
minimal mechanical skill and a few general automo-
tive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by your-
self, a qualified technician or, if you prefer, your
NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems checked
and tuned by an authorised NISSAN dealer or quali-
fied workshop.During the normal day-to-day operation of the ve-
hicle, general maintenance should be performed
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 or
qualified workshop do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer or qualified work-
shop if repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance work,
closely observe the “Maintenance precautions” later
in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following items with
an asterisk (*) is found later in this section.
The maintenance items listed here should be per-
formed from time to time, unless otherwise speci-
fied.
Outside the vehicle
Back door, doors and bonnet:
Check that the back door, all doors and the bonnet
operate properly. Also ensure that all latches lock
securely. Lubricate hinges and latches if necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the bon-
net from opening when the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other cor-
rosive materials, check for lubrication frequently.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE
8-2Maintenance and do-it-yourself