Nissan Versa Hatchback (2012 year). Instruction

In order to maintain the appearance of your ve-
hicle, it is important to take proper care of it.

To protect the paint surfaces, please wash your
vehicle as soon as you can:

● 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 bugs get
on the paint surface.

● when dust or mud builds up on the surface.

Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.

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 putting on or removing the body
cover.

WASHING

Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty of
water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild
soap, a special vehicle soap or general purpose
dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm
(never hot) water.

CAUTION

● Do not use car washes that use acid in

the detergent. Some car washes, espe-
cially brushless ones, use some acid for
cleaning. The acid may react with some
plastic vehicle components, causing
them to crack. This could affect their
appearance, and also could cause them
not to function properly. Always check
with your car wash to confirm that acid
is not used.

● Do not wash the vehicle with strong

household soap, strong chemical deter-
gents, gasoline or solvents.

● Do not wash the vehicle in direct sun-

light or while the vehicle body is hot, as
the surface may become water-spotted.

● Avoid using tight-napped or rough

cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must

taken

when

removing

caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.

Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.

Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be cleaned regularly. Take care that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.

A damp chamois can be used to dry the vehicle to
avoid water spots.

WAXING

Regular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing is
recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
re-applying wax.

A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the
proper product.

● Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-

ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the
wax.

● Do not use a wax containing any abrasives,

cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.

Machine compounding or aggressive polishing
on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.

CLEANING EXTERIOR

7-2

Appearance and care

REMOVING SPOTS

Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory
store.

UNDERBODY

In areas where road salt is used in winter, it is
necessary to clean the underbody regularly in
order to prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the un-
derbody and suspension. Before the winter pe-
riod and again in the spring, the underseal must
be checked and, if necessary, retreated.

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 chlorine-based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the electri-
cal conductors, radio antenna elements or
rear window defroster elements.

ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS (if so
equipped)

Wash the wheels regularly with a sponge damp-
ened in a mild soap solution, especially during
winter months in areas where road salt is used. If
not removed, road salt can discolor the wheels.

CAUTION

Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:

● Do not use a cleaner that uses strong acid

or alkali contents to clean the wheels.

● Do not apply wheel cleaners to the

wheels when they are hot. The wheel
temperature should be the same as am-
bient temperature.

● Rinse the wheel to completely remove

the cleaner within 15 minutes after the
cleaner is applied.

CHROME PARTS

Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.

TIRE DRESSINGS

NISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the rub-
ber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it may
react with the coating and form a compound. This
compound may come off the tire while driving and
stain the vehicle paint.

If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:

● Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat-

ing on the tire dissolves more easily than
with an oil-based tire dressing.

● Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help

prevent

from

entering

the

tire

tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove).

● Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry

towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.

● Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom-

mended by the tire dressing manufacturer.

Appearance and care

7-3

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 surfaces with a clean, soft cloth damp-
ened 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 pro-
tectors contain chemicals that may stain or
bleach the seat material.

Use a cloth dampened only with water to clean
the meter and gauge lens.

WARNING

Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can
damage the seat or occupant classifica-
tion sensor. This can also affect the opera-
tion of the air bag system and result in
serious personal injury.

CAUTION

● Never use benzine, thinner or any simi-

lar material.

● Small dirt particles can be abrasive and

damaging

leather

surfaces

and

should be removed promptly. Do not
use saddle soap, car waxes, polishes,
oils, cleaning fluids, solvents, deter-
gents or ammonia-based cleaners as
they may damage the leather’s natural
finish.

● Never use fabric protectors unless rec-

ommended by the manufacturer.

● Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on

meter or gauge lens covers. It may dam-
age the lens cover.

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 per-

manent discoloration when they contact ve-
hicle interior surfaces. Place the air fresh-
ener in a location 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 imme-
diate damage and discoloration when
spilled on interior surfaces.

Carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions before using the air fresheners.

FLOOR MATS

WARNING

To avoid potential pedal interference that
may result in a collision or injury:

● NEVER place a floor mat on top of an-

other floor mat in the driver front
position.

● Use only genuine NISSAN floor mats

specifically designed for use in your ve-
hicle model. See your NISSAN dealer
for more information.

● Properly position the mats in the floor-

well using the floor mat positioning aid.
See

ⴖFloor mat positioning aidⴖ in this

section.

The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can ex-
tend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior. Mats should be main-
tained with regular cleaning and replaced if they
become excessively worn.

CLEANING INTERIOR

7-4

Appearance and care

Floor mat positioning aid (driver’s side
only)

This vehicle includes a front floor mat bracket to
act as a floor mat positioning aid. Genuine
NISSAN floor mats have been specially designed
for your vehicle model. The driver’s side floor mat
has a grommet hole incorporated in it. Position
the mat by placing the floor mat bracket hook
through the floor mat grommet hole while center-
ing the mat in the floorwell.

Periodically check to make certain the mats are
properly positioned.

SEAT BELTS

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. See “Seat belt maintenance”
in the “Safety – Seats, seat belts and supplemen-
tal restraint system” section of this manual.

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.

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 paint and other protective coat-

ings 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 ve-
hicle body underside can accelerate corrosion.
Wet floor coverings will not dry completely inside
the vehicle and should be removed for drying to
avoid floor panel corrosion.

Relative humidity

Corrosion will be accelerated in areas of high
relative humidity, especially those areas where
the temperatures stay above freezing and where
atmospheric pollution exists and road salt is
used.

SAI0024A

CORROSION PROTECTION

Appearance and care

7-5

Temperature

High temperatures accelerate the rate of corro-
sion to those parts which are not well ventilated.

Air pollution

Industrial pollution, the presence of salt in the air
in coastal areas, or heavy road salt use acceler-
ates the corrosion process. Road salt also accel-
erates 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

and repair it as soon as possible.

● Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors

open to avoid water accumulation.

● Check the underbody for accumulation of

sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water
as soon as possible.

CAUTION

● NEVER remove dirt, sand or other de-

bris 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 compo-
nents inside the vehicle as this may
damage them.

Chemicals used for road surface de-icing are
extremely 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 winter, the underbody must be cleaned
periodically.

For additional protection against rust and corro-
sion, which may be required in some areas, con-
sult a NISSAN dealer.

7-6

Appearance and care

Your NISSAN has been designed to have mini-
mum maintenance requirements with long ser-
vice intervals to save you both time and money.
However, some day-to-day and regular mainte-
nance is essential to maintain your NISSAN’s
good mechanical condition, as well as its emis-
sions and engine performance.

It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
the scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.

As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives proper
maintenance. You are a vital link in the mainte-
nance chain.

Scheduled maintenance

For your convenience, both required and optional
scheduled maintenance items are described and
listed in your “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide”. You must refer to that guide to ensure
that necessary maintenance is performed on your
NISSAN at regular intervals.

General maintenance

General maintenance includes those items which
should be checked during normal day-to-day op-
eration. They are essential for proper vehicle op-
eration. It is your responsibility to perform these
maintenance procedures regularly as prescribed.

Performing general maintenance checks requires
minimal mechanical skill and only a few general
automotive tools.

These checks or inspections can be done by you,
a qualified technician, or, if you prefer, a NISSAN
dealer.

Where to go for service

If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and corrected by a NISSAN dealer.

NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
who are kept up-to-date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN ve-
hicles before they work on your vehicle, rather
than after they have worked on it.

You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to meet
the maintenance requirements on your vehicle —
in a reliable and economical way.

During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smells, be sure to check for the cause or have a
NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer if you think that
repairs are required.

When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the “Maintenance precau-
tions” later in this section.

EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS

Additional information on the following
items with “ * ” is found later in this section.

Outside the vehicle

The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.

Doors and engine hood Check that the doors
and engine hood operate properly. Also ensure
that all latches lock securely. Lubricate hinges,
latches, latch pins, rollers and links as necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.

MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

8-2

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.

Lights* Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.

Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)* When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.

Tire rotation* Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km).

Tires* Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.

Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components (if so equipped)
Replace the TPMS transmitter grommet seal,
valve core and cap when the tires are replaced
due to wear or age.

Wheel alignment and balance If the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel

alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.

● For additional information regarding tires,

refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.

Windshield Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.

Windshield wiper blades* Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.

Inside the vehicle

The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.

Additional information on the following
items with an “*” is found later in this sec-
tion.

Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.

Brake pedal Check the pedal for smooth opera-
tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down fur-
ther than normal, the pedal feels spongy or the
vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.

Brakes Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.

Automatic Transmission (A/T) or Continu-
ously Variable Transmission (CVT) P (Park)
position mechanism On a fairly steep hill
check that the vehicle is held securely with the
shift selector in the P (Park) position without
applying any brakes.

Parking brake Check the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment,
see a NISSAN dealer.

Seats Check seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seat back recliner, etc. to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints and
headrests move up and down smoothly and the
locks hold securely in all latched positions.

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-3

Seat belts Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.

Steering wheel Check for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.

Warning lights and chimes Make 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 defroster Check 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 (if so equipped) fluid lev-
els* 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 system Make 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 leaks Check 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 (if so equipped) after use is nor-
mal. If you should notice any leaks or if gasoline
fumes are evident, check for the cause and have
it corrected immediately.

Radiator and hoses Check 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.

Underbody The 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.

8-4

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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 selector to N
(Neutral). For Automatic Transmission
(A/T) or CVT models, move the shift
selector to P (Park).

● Be sure the ignition switch is placed in

the OFF or LOCK position when perform-
ing any parts replacement or repairs.

● Your vehicle is equipped with an automatic

engine cooling fan. It may come on at any
time without warning, even if the ignition
switch is placed 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-yourself

8-5

MR18DE Engine Model

Engine oil filler cap

Brake and clutch (*1) fluid reservoir

Air cleaner

Battery

Fuse/Fusible link box

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF)/
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) dipstick (*2)

Radiator cap

Engine oil dipstick

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/Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion (CVT) model

WDI0733

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS

8-6

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

The engine 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 antifreeze solution con-
tains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional en-
gine 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

● Never use any cooling system additives

such as radiator sealer. Additives may
clog the cooling system and cause
damage to the engine, transmission
and/or cooling system.

● When adding or replacing coolant, be

sure to use only Genuine NISSAN Long
Life

Antifreeze/Coolant

(blue)

equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-diluted
to provide antifreeze protection to -34°
F (-37° C). If additional freeze protec-
tion is needed due to weather where
you operate your vehicle, add Genuine
NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
(blue) concentrate following the direc-
tions on the container. If an equivalent
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is
used, follow the coolant manufacturer’s
instructions to maintain minimum anti-
freeze protection to -34° F (-37° C). The
use of other types of coolant solutions
other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or equivalent
may

damage

the

engine

cooling

system.

● 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.

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-7

CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL

Check the coolant level in the reservoir when
the engine is cold. If the coolant level is below
the MIN level

䊊

, add coolant to the MAX level

䊊

. If the reservoir is empty, check the coolant

level in the radiator when 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

䊊

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 reduce the life
expectancy of the factory-fill coolant. Refer to the
NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide for
more details.

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.

SDI1860

8-8

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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) marks

䊊

. This is the normal oper-

ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark

䊊

, remove the oil filler cap

and pour recommended oil through the
opening. Do not overfill

䊊

6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.

It is normal to add some engine oil be-
tween oil maintenance intervals depending
on the severity of operating conditions or
depending on the property of the engine oil
used. More engine oil is consumed by fre-
quent acceleration/deceleration especially
when the engine rpm is high. Consumption
is likely to be higher when the engine is
new. If the rate of oil consumption, after
driving for 3,100 miles (5,000 km), is more
than 1/2 quart (0.5 liter) per 620 miles
(1,000 km), consult a NISSAN dealer

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.

LDI0520

SDI1597

ENGINE OIL

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

8-9

Nissan Versa Hatchback (2012 year). Instruction - part 16