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Brakes
First, know what kind of brakes you have (e.g., drum, disc, ABS,
etc.). Ask your Dealer if you're not sure. Many Nissans come with
disc-brake wear indicators, which emit a high-pitched screech when the
brake pads need replacement. When this occurs, make an appointment
with your Nissan dealer.
Some brake problems are mechanical or fluid related, so you should
also note if your brake pedal ever feels "spongy," or the vehicle
takes longer to stop than specified in your owner's manual. If this
happens, see your Dealer immediately. Note: If you have Anti-Lock
Brakes (ABS), there is no need to "pump" them — simply apply the
brakes firmly.
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Tires
If your steering pulls to one side, or you're not getting the
performance you expect, your vehicle could have improper tire
inflation or improper alignment. Use a tire gauge when the tire is
cool (and take a second to check the spare, while you're at it). Check
Section 8 of your Nissan owner's manual for your vehicle's recommended
inflation levels.
Always check low tires for objects like screws or nails, which might
have caused the leak. Also, it's a good idea to have the alignment and
tire balance checked when your car is serviced. Misalignments lead to
rapid and uneven tire wear, and out-of-balance tires cause steering
vibration. Rotate tires every 7,500 miles (or according to the
manufacturer's rotation schedule). When buying new tires, it's best to
replace all four tires at once.
Finally, regularly monitor tread wear. Many tires have built-in
indicators that, when exposed by wear, signal the end of tread life.
Tires can also be checked by inserting a penny in-between the treads,
with the top of Abraham Lincoln's head going in first. If you can see
the top of his head, the tire is not safe.
See Roadside Trouble Shooting
on this page for what do when you get a flat tire.
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Fuel
Use only gasoline with the octane level recommended in your owner's
manual. A common misconception is that octane measures the quality or
power capabilities of gas, but octane simply rates a gasoline's
resistance to detonation or pinging. So using higher-than-recommended
octane gas is a waste of money, while lower-than-recommended octane
may result in poor performance.
Also, avoid running the tank too close to empty. Gas impurities and
sediments collect at the bottom of your tank and can cause problems if
drawn into the fuel line.
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Oil
Check the oil regularly and change it according to the maintenance
schedule. Driving with insufficient oil can cause irreparable engine
damage. Here's how to check the oil:
• Run the engine until it reaches operating temperature.
• Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
• Turn off the engine. Wait a few minutes for the oil to drain back
into the oil pan.
• Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way.
• Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be
between "H" and "L", if the level is over "H", have a mechanic help
you drain it to the right level. If the oil level is below "L", remove
the oil filler cap and add the recommended oil. Do not overfill.
• Recheck oil level with dipstick.
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Under the Hood
Check the following under the hood on a regular basis:
• Fluid levels: oil, coolant, brake fluid, power-steering fluid.
• Automatic-transmission fluid level after putting your vehicle in
"Park" with the engine idling. See your owner's manual for detailed
instructions.
• Radiator for dirt, insects or leaves that may have accumulated.
• Hoses for cracks, deformations or loose connections that could lead
to overheating.
• Engine drive-belts for cracks, fraying, wearing, or oil.
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Interior
You can check a number of things without leaving the driver's seat:
• Do the seat belts operate properly and smoothly? Check belt webbing
for wear or damage.
• Make sure all gauges and indicator lights — fuel, oil, temperature,
battery — work and indicate normal levels.
• Check brakes for smooth operation. Pedal should be firm and the
vehicle shouldn't pull to one side when stopping.
• Check for steering-wheel vibration, hard steering or strange noises.
If your vehicle pulls to one side, have tires and alignment checked by
your Nissan dealer.
• Accelerator pedal should not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mats away from the pedal.
• Check that wipers and washer are working and do not streak.
• Ensure that air or heat comes out of the defroster outlets properly.
• If the exhaust note sounds unusual, or you smell exhaust fumes, roll
down windows and take the vehicle to your Nissan dealer immediately.
• Test automatic transmission parking on a fairly steep hill. The
vehicle should park securely without applying brakes.
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Exterior
A simple walk around your car can reveal a lot:
• Check the tires to see if any appear to be low on air, showing
cracks or wear or punctured by nails, metal, glass, etc..
• Check for missing or loose wheel nuts.
• Make sure headlights, brake lights, taillights and turn signals
operate properly.
• Check headlight aim according to the aiming instructions in Section
8 of your Nissan owner's manual.
• Check windshield wiper blades for cracks or wear.
• Look underneath the vehicle for a low-hanging muffler or anything
that looks abnormal.
• Look for fluid leaks.
If you see anything unusual, call your Nissan service advisor to see
if the issue warrants bringing your vehicle in for an appointment.
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Roadside Trouble-Shooting
What should you do if you have trouble on the road?
Stalls:
• Get your vehicle off the road if possible, turn on your hazard
warning flashers, and raise the hood to signal that you need
assistance.
• Never stand near traffic while checking the vehicle.
• If you decide to wait for professional assistance, stay inside your
car with the windows up and the doors locked.
Flat Tire:
• Park on a level, solid surface. Apply parking brake and shift manual
transmission into "Reverse," or automatic transmission into "Park."
• If you decide to change the tire yourself, follow the jacking
instructions in your owner's manual.
• Never change tires when the vehicle is on a slope, ice or slippery
area. Also, never change tires if traffic is close to your vehicle.
• Observe the speed and mileage limits on the temporary spare.
Overheating:
• On hot days, watch the temperature gauge. If your engine is running
hot, shut off the air conditioner and roll down the windows. If this
doesn't lower the temperature, turn on the heater to circulate coolant
through more of the engine.
• If the temperature rises beyond normal, stop the vehicle as soon as
possible. Pull over to a safe place and raise the hood.
• Be extremely careful of the radiator and hoses. They may spray steam
or hot coolant. NEVER REMOVE THE RADIATOR CAP WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT.
• If the vehicle overheated because of a long hill or from sitting in
traffic on a hot day, run the engine at a fast idle (approximately
1,500 rpm) until temperature returns to normal.
• If there's a coolant leak, broken belt or other malfunction, shut
off the engine. After the engine cools, check coolant reservoir while
engine is running and take the vehicle to your Nissan dealer.
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