engine coolant NISSAN VERSA HATCHBACK 2009 1.G User Guide

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) .
Battery*Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MIN and MAX lines on the reservoir.Engine coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
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. See 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.
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.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. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield washer fluid*Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


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. For manual transmission
models, move the shift lever to N (Neu-
tral) . For Automatic Transmission (AT)
or CVT models, move the selector lever
to P (Park) .
●Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
●
Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic 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 running. To avoid injury,
always disconnect the negative battery
cable before working near the fan.
●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.
●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.
●On gasoline engine models, 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.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 the transmis-
sion related component harness con-
nector 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.
A genuine NISSAN service manual is also avail-
able. See “Owner’s Manual/Service Manual or-
der information” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
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.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


HR16DE Engine Model
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Brake and clutch (*1) fluid reservoir
3. Air cleaner
4. Battery
5. Fuse/Fusible link box
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
dipstick (*2)
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine coolant reservoir
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Drive belt location
11. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
*1: For Manual Transmission (M/T) model
*2: For Automatic Transmission (A/T)
model
WDI0697
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/26/08—tbrooks


MR18DE Engine Model
1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Brake and clutch (*1) fluid reservoir
3. Air cleaner
4. Battery
5. Fuse/Fusible link box
6. Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)
dipstick (*2)
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Engine coolant reservoir
10. Drive belt location
11. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
*1: For Manual Transmission (M/T) model
*2: For Automatic Transmission (A/T)
model
LII0171
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant to provide year-round anti-
freeze and coolant protection. The anti-freeze
solution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors.
Additional engine cooling system additives are
not necessary.
WARNING
●Never remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. See precautions in “If your
vehicle overheats” found in the “In case
of emergency” section of this manual.
●The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent en-
gine damage, use only a genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be sure
to use only a Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green) or equivalent
with the proper mixture ratio of 50% anti-
freeze and 50% demineralized or distilled
water. The use of other types of coolant
solutions or coolant colors, such as or-
ange, may damage the engine cooling
system.
Outside temperature
down toGenuine
NISSAN
Long Life
Antifreeze/
Coolant or
equivalentDemineral-
ized or dis-
tilled water
°C °F
-34 -29.2 50% 50%
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine is cold.If the coolant level is below
the MIN level
2, add coolant to the MAX level
1. 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
1.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
SDI1860
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


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.
WARNING
●To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
●Never remove the radiator 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.
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.
HR16DE engine
LDI0689
MR18DE engine
LDI0520
ENGINE OIL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
To check the window washer fluid level, use your
finger to plug the center hole of the cap/tube
assembly, then remove it from the reservoir. If
there is no fluid in the tube, add fluid.
Add a washer solvent to the window washer fluid
reservoir for better cleaning. In the winter season,
add a windshield washer antifreeze. Follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for the mixture ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving
conditions require an increased amount of win-
dow washer fluid.Recommended fluid is Genuine NISSAN Wind-
shield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent.
CAUTION
●Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
●Do not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.
●Pre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank.
Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concen-
trate and water.●Keep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution 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 discharge.
WARNING
●Do not expose the battery to electrical
sparks, flames or smoking. Hydrogen
gas generated by the battery is explo-
sive. Explosive gases can cause blind-
ness or injury. Do not allow battery fluid
to contact your skin, eyes, fabrics or
painted surfaces. Sulfuric acid can
cause blindness or severe burns. 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 minutes
and seek medical attention
SDI1866
WINDOW WASHER FLUID BATTERY
8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
US measure Imp measure Liter Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal 50.0 See “Fuel recommendation” in this section.
Engine oil (drain and refill) *5
With oil filter
changeHR16DE 3-1/2 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.3
HR16DE and MR18DE:
Engine oil with API Certification Mark *1
Viscosity SAE 5W-30*1 MR18DE 4-7/8 qt 4 qt 4.6
Without oil filter
changeHR16DE 3-1/4 qt 2-3/4 qt 3.1
MR18DE 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt 4.3
Cooling system (with reservoir)
HR16DE 1-5/8 gal 1-3/8 gal 6.3
50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent *2
50% Demineralized or distilled water
MR18DE 1-3/4 gal 1-1/2 gal 6.8
Manual transmission gear oil— — 5-speed MT: Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ
Multi 75W-85 or API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85
6-speed MT: Genuine NISSAN gear oil (XT4447M+) 75W80, Genu-
ine NISSAN gear oil (ETL8997B) 75Ww80, or equivalent *3
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the in-
structions in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section.*7Genuine NISSAN Matic D ATF or equivalent (if available)
Continuously Varible Transmission (CVT) fluid Genuine NISSAN CVT fluid NS-2-V *4
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine NISSAN Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease — — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


Capacity (Approximate)
US measure Imp measure Liter Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — HFC-134a (R-134a) *5
Air conditioning system oil
M/T and A/T — — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent *5
CVT — — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent *5
Windshield washer fluid — — Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations.”
*2: Use Genuine NISSAN Engine Coolant or equivalent in its quality, in order to avoid possible aluminum corrosion within the engine cooling system caused by the use of non-genuine
engine coolant.Note that any repairs for incidents within the engine cooling system while using non-genuine engine coolant may not be covered by the warranty
even if such incidents occurred during the warranty period.
*3: If Genuine NISSAN gear oil is not available, API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-80 may be used as a temporary replacement. However, use Genuine NISSAN gearoil as soon as it is
available.
*4:Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V.Using transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V will damage the CVT transmission, whichis
not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*5: For further details, see “Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil recommendations.”
*6: For further details, see “Engine oil” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
*7: See your NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop for service.
Technical and consumer information9-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie


Clutch
Clutchfluid .................8-15
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
Cold weather driving..............5-30
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-18
Console box...................2-27
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . .5-17
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid .....................8-14
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-17
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-27
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Corrosionprotection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-24
Cupholders...................2-25
Curtain side-impact air bag system
(See supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system)..........1-47
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-20
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-19
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-21Door locks....................3-4
Door open warning light.............2-8
Drive belt....................8-18
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-30
Driving with automatic transmission....5-14
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-17
Driving with manual transmission.....5-21
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy-fuel .................5-26
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-18
Engine
Before starting the engine.........5-12
Blockheater.................5-32
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingenginecoolant ..........8-9
Changingengineoil ............8-10
Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Checking engine oil level..........8-9
Engine compartment check locations....8-6
Engine cooling system............8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light......2-8
Engine oil viscosity..............9-6
Engine serial number............9-11
Engine specifications.............9-8
Starting the engine.............5-13Eventdatarecorders..............9-20
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
Eyeglass case..................2-25
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-22
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF)....8-13
Brake fluid..................8-15
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-15
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-14
Engine coolant................8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Window washer fluid............8-16
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
Foglightswitch.................2-21
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-43
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-26
Fuelgauge..................2-5
Fuel octane rating..............9-5
Fuel recommendation............9-4
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-26
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-26
10-2
REVIEW COPY—2009 Versa(vrs)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/10/08—debbie