check oil NISSAN XTERRA 2010 Owner´s Manual

VQ40DE engine
1. Window washer fluid reservoir
2. Fuse/fusible link box
3. Fuse and relay box
4. Engine oil filler cap
5. Engine oil dipstick
6. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluidreservoir (M/T model)
7. Air cleaner
8. Drive belt location
9. Radiator cap
10. Power steering fluid reservoir
11. Battery
12. Engine coolant reservoir
LII0167
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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.
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. 5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) marksB. 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.
LDI0437LDI0371
ENGINE OIL
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature, then turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
B. 5. 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. See “Changing engine
oil filter” in this section.
● Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
● Check your local regulations.
WARNING
●Prolonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
● 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.
WDI0500
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9

6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a newwasher. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 22 - 29 ft-lb (29 - 39 N·m)
7. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” 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.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
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.
4. Unscrew the plate covering the oil filter ex- posing the filter.
5. Loosen the oil filter
Awith an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then
remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
6. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage.
7. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
8. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
9. Start the engine and check for leakage around the oil filter. Correct as required.
10. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
WDI0502
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself

KEYFOB (if so equipped)
Replace the battery in the keyfob as follows:
1Open the lid using a coinA.
2Remove the batteryB.
3Install a new batteryCwith the “+” facing
down.
● Hold the battery by the edges. Holding the
battery across the contact points will seri-
ously deplete the storage capacity. ●
Do not touch the internal circuit and electric
terminals as it could cause a malfunction.
● When changing the battery, do not let dust
or oil get on the keyfob.
● There is danger of explosion if a lithium bat-
tery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only
with the same or equivalent type.
Recommended battery: CR2025 or equivalent.
4Close the lid securely.
5. Press the
button, then thebutton two or three times to check the key-
fob operation.
If the battery is removed for any reason
other than replacement, perform step 5. ● An improperly disposed battery can
hurt the environment. Always confirm
local regulations for battery disposal.
● The keyfob is water-resistant; how-
ever, if it does get wet, immediately
wipe completely dry.
● The operational range of the keyfob
extends to approximately 33 ft (10 m)
from the vehicle. This range may vary
with conditions.
LDI0484
8-26Maintenance and do-it-yourself

●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
● Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
● DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing) . Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic Transmission (if so
equipped)
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels. Always follow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● On four-wheel drive vehicles, place the
transfer case in the 2H range. Failure to do
so will cause the powertrain to bind up.
● After towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.
9-28Technical and consumer information

10 Index
4WD warning light...............2-15
A
Active brake limited slip (ABLS) system . . .5-32
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-44
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-52
Air bag warning labels .............1-58
Air bag warning light ...........1-59, 2-17
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-17
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation .......4-5, 4-13
Air conditioner service ...........4-17
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls .4-2, 4-10
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-17
Air flow charts ...............4-6, 4-14
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-21
Anchor point locations .............1-31
Antenna .....................4-37
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-13
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-31
Audible reminders ...............2-21
Audio system ..................4-17
Compact Disc (CD) changer . . . .4-30, 4-33
Compact disc (CD) player .........4-27 FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer
................4-30
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-25
Radio ....................4-17
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-36
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-46
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-17
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-12
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-13
Automatic door locks ..............3-4
AUX jack ....................4-34
B
Battery ......................8-13
Charge warning light ............2-14
Before starting the

engine ...........5-11
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-37
Bluetooth hands-free phone system .....4-38
Booster seats ..................1-41
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-31
Brake fluid ..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Brake system ................5-30
Brake warning light .............2-14
Brake wear indicators ........2-21, 8-22 Parking brake operation
..........5-18
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-22
Brakes ......................8-22
Break-in schedule ...............5-20
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-28
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-13
Bulb replacement ................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio .............4-37
Cargo light ...................2-48
Cargo net ....................2-41
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning .............4-35
CD changer (See audio system) . . . .4-30, 4-33
CD player (See audio system) .........4-27
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-31
Child restraints .......1-25, 1-26, 1-27, 1-29
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-27, 1-33, 1-38, 1-41
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-31
Child safety rear door lock ............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-21
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-26
Clutch Clutch fluid................ .8-12
Clutch

interlock (clutch start) switch .....2-33

C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-35
Compact disc (CD) player ...........4-27
Console box ...................2-36
Controls Audio controls (steering wheel) .......4-36
Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosion protection ...............7-5
Cruise control ..................5-18
Cup holders ...................2-38
Curtain side-impact and rollover air bag . . . .1-56
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-27
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-25
Dimensions and weights .............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-28
Door locks .....................3-3
Door open warning light .............2-14
Drive belt .....................8-16
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-35
Driving with automatic transmission . . . .5-12
Driving with manual transmission ......5-16
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2 E
Economy - fuel ..................5-20
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system ......................5-27
Electronic locking rear differential (E-Lock)
system switch ..................2-32
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-30
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-11
Block heater .................5-37
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil.............

.8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level ........8-7
Checking engine oil level ...........8-8
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-14
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine .............5-11
Engine oil pressure gauge ............2-8
Event data recorders ..............9-31
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2 F
First aid kit .....................6-2
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-29
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-12
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-8
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Window washer fluid ............8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Fog light switch .................2-28
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-52
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-20
Fuel gauge .................. .2-7
Fuel

octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-10
Fuses .......................8-22
Fusible links ...................8-24
10-2

G
Gascap .....................3-10
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge ..........2-8
Fuel gauge ...................2-7
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-6
Trip computer .................2-5
Trip odometer .................2-4
Voltmeter ....................2-8
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glove box .....................2-36
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth .....4-38
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-29
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-26
Headlight control switch ............2-26
Headlights ....................8-27
Heater Heater and air conditioner controls . .4-2, 4-10
Heater operation ............4-4, 4-11
Hill descent control switch ...........2-31
Hill descent control system ...........5-34
Hill start assist system ..............5-35
Hood release ...................3-9
Hook Luggage hook ................2-39
Horn .......................2-30 I
Immobilizer system .........2-23, 3-2, 5-11
Important vehicle information label .......9-10
In-cabin microfilter ................8-17
Increasing fuel economy .............5-20
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-12
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-13
Inside mirror ...................3-13
Instrument brightness control ..........2-28
Instrument panel .............. .0-6,

2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-28
Interior light ....................2-47
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-29
J
Jump starting ...................6-8
K
Key.........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-25
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-10Emission control information label
.....9-10
Engine serial number ............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-10
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-58
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-29
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-11
Lift gate ......................3-9
Light Air bag warning light .........1-59, 2-17
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-29
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-13
Bulb replacement ..............8-29
Charge warning light ............2-14
Fog light switch ...............2-28
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-26
Headlight control switch ..........2-26
Headlights ..................8-27
Interior light ..................2-47
Light bulbs ..................8-27
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-15
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-17
Off road lamps switch ............2-29
Passenger airbag

and status light .....1-53
Security indicator light ............2-19
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-12
Lights Map lights ..................2-48
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-5
Door locks ...................3-3
10-3

Power door locks...............3-4
Low fuel warning light ..............2-15
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-15
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-17
Luggage hook ..................2-39
Luggage rack (see roof rack) ..........2-42
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
Luggage storage
(see vehicle loading information) ........2-39
M
Maintenance General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-24
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-19
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-48
Map pocket ....................2-37
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-28
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-13
Inside mirror .................3-13
Outside mirrors ...............3-14
Vanity mirror .................3-13
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system) ........3-5 N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-23, 3-2, 5-11
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
Off road lamps switch ..............2-29
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil ..............8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine oil level ...........8-8
Engine oil ...................8-8
Engine oil and

oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-14
Overdrive switch .................5-15
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-32
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-32
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-18
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-29
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free system.....4-38Power
Power door locks ...............3-4
Power outlet .................2-33
Power rear windows .............2-46
Power steering fluid .............8-11
Power steering system ...........5-30
Power windows ...............2-45
Rear power windows ............2-46
Precautions Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
On-pavement and off-road driving
precautions ..................5-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-27, 1-33, 1-38, 1-41
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-14
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-44
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Pre-tensioner seat belt system .........1-57
Push starting ...................6-10
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-37
Compact Disc (CD) changer . . . .4-30, 4-33
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-30
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-25
Steering wheel audio control switch . . . .4-36
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-30
Rear center seat belt ..............1-20
Rear power windows ..............2-46
10-4