Nissan Maintenance Information

Check engine oil regularly, especially if you notice that the oil level drops between the oil changes. Engine oil cools down as well as lubricates the engine. Driving with very low oil level can cause engine problems. Park your vehicle on a level ground. Set the parking brake and make sure the transmission is in “Park.” Stop the engine. Wait for a minute or two to let engine oil drain into the oil pan. Pull the engine oil dipstick. If you don’t know where it is located, check your owner’s manual, usually it has a bright handle (yellow) saying “Engine Oil”. Wipe the dipstick off. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the oil level. The oil level should be between the “Low” and “Full” marks on the oil dipstick. Check the oil’s color: If it’s way too black, it’s definitely time to change it. If it’s brown, but still clean and transparent, it’s OK. If engine oil is of the “coffee with milk” color it means that engine coolant mixes with oil. This is a sign of some internal engine problem, such as a leaking head-gasket – have your car checked out. If the oil looks clean, but the level is low, you can just top it up. Use the recommended type of oil found in your owner’s manual or on the oil filler cap. Example: SAE 5W-20, SAE 5W-20, etc. If your engine requires synthetic oil, use only synthetic oil. You can find the recommended oil type for your car in your owner’s manual. To simply top off engine oil, add a little amount of oil into the oil filler neck. Wait for a minute to let oil flow into the oil pan. Check the oil level again using the dipstick. If it’s still low, add some more, but don’t overfill it. Don’t forget to install the dipstick back and close the oil filler cap when you finished.

Visually check the engine coolant level in the overflow tank. Your owner’s manual has the directions. The level should be between “Low” and “Full” marks. (CAUTION!!!! Do not open the radiator cap or the pressurized overflow tank cap when the engine is hot! The cooling system is under pressure when hot and will spray scalding liquid and steam!) If the coolant level is low, you can top it up using the recommended type of coolant mixed with water. Again, your owner’s manual has the proper way to do it. Add coolant only when the engine is cool. Use only recommended engine coolant. Sometimes engine coolant is sold already premixed with water and sometimes you will have to mix it. Check your owner’s manual or read the directions on the coolant bottle. Carefully add the coolant into the overflow tank to make it between “LOW” and “FULL” marks. If the coolant level drops within a short time after topping up, there may be a leak. Have the coolant system checked – lack of coolant may cause the engine to overheat which may result in serious damage.

The engine air filter keeps the air entering the engine clean, but over time the filter gets dirty and restricts the airflow. The engine air filter is usually recommended to be replaced every 12,000-15,000 miles or 20,000-24,000 km. Typically the air filter gets checked when you bring your car for an oil change. If you want to check it or replace yourself, on most cars and trucks it’s a fairly easy task. Your owner’s manual has the directions. If you find that the air filter is dirty, replace it; it’s not a very expensive part. It’s best to use an original air filter that you can purchase from the parts department at your local dealership for around $30. When you are installing the air filter, make sure it’s installed correctly; again, check your owner’s manual. If the filter is not installed properly, unfiltered air entering the engine could damage the airflow sensor and increase engine wear.

An automatic transmission depends on the transmission fluid for transferring engine power to the wheels, shifting gears, lubricating moving parts and cooling down the transmission. Check the transmission fluid when your car is serviced and change it as recommended. Different cars have different ways of checking the transmission fluid level; some require the engine to be shut off (e.g. Honda), some cars don’t have a transmission dipstick at all and the fluid can only be checked in a repair shop. Check your owner’s manual for the proper procedure. This is how the transmission fluid checked on most cars: After the vehicle was driven for a while to let the transmission fluid warm up, place your vehicle on level ground. Set the parking brake. Make sure the transmission is in “P” (Park) position. Leave the engine running. Find the automatic transmission dipstick (your owner’s manual will tell you where it is located). Pull the dipstick out.

Wipe the dipstick off with a clean lint-free rag. Insert it back fully. Pull it out again and check the fluid level. Transmission fluid expands when warmed up, so if the car has been driven for a while (20-30 minutes), the transmission level should be between “HOT” marks. If the vehicle is cold, the level should be between “COOL” marks. Check the fluid condition: a very dirty fluid with strong burnt smell is a warning sign of transmission problems. Normally the automatic transmission fluid should be clean and transparent. On most cars the new transmission fluid comes red and over time it becomes brownish. If your fluid looks very dark or dirty, check your owner’s manual; maybe it’s time to change it. Some manufacturers require you to change the transmission fluid at 30,000 or 50,000 miles, so check what your car owner’s manual says. If the transmission fluid level is low, you can top it up, but be careful not to overfill it. Overfilling the transmission can cause problems. It’s very important to use the specified transmission fluid type – check your owner’s manual or simply visit your local dealer, as they always have proper transmission fluid in stock. Incorrect fluid can damage your transmission. Here’s how to top up the transmission fluid: Using a thin funnel, add a small amount of the fluid through the dipstick pipe. Wait for a few minutes – let the fluid drain down. Recheck the level again, and don’t overfill!

Modern batteries are fully-enclosed and require very little maintenance. You do need to check the battery condition visually and inspect for any leaks, cracks or other damage that would indicate the battery needs to be replaced. Make sure the battery terminals are tight and not corroded. Corrosion at the battery terminals will cause poor connection, which can result in all kinds of problems, including a no-start. You may find tips on how to clean the battery terminals in your vehicle’s owner’s manual, or online. Just search the internet for how to clean car battery terminals; there are some video instructions available. Use caution, that white flaky corrosion stuff is very acidic.

Replace the wipers at least once a year, or earlier if they don’t clean the windshield properly. If you still have the original wipers installed, you can just replace the rubber refills; they cost just a few bucks and can be purchased from your local dealership’s parts department. Check if the windshield washer jets are working properly.

Check the tire pressure regularly – at least once a month. If you don’t have a tire pressure gauge, it’s worth the investment to buy a good one. You can find the recommended tire pressure in the owner’s manual, on the tire pressure placard (usually located on the driver’s door jamb), inside the gas tank lid, or inside the glove box. Measure tire pressure when the tires are still cold. Inflate or deflate to the recommended pressure. The maximum pressure listed on tires is NOT the proper pressure! Visually inspect each tire for proper and even wear. There is a safe limit to tread wear and if the tire is worn below this limit, it’s unsafe to drive (and in some states, it’s illegal to drive). Your owner’s manual will describe how to measure tire wear, but you can always have your automotive technician check them for you. A vibration in your steering wheel is an indication your tires may be out of balance or you may need an alignment. Improper alignment causes increased wear on tires and suspension components, as well as poor handling. Have the alignment checked if your vehicle pulls aside, wanders, or feels unstable on the road. A properly performed alignment will make your vehicle more enjoyable to drive.

Front and rear tires wear at different rates and have different typical wear patterns. On a typical front-wheel drive vehicle, for instance, the front tires would wear out a lot faster than the rear ones if not rotated regularly. By rotating your tires regularly, you are making sure that your tires wear more evenly and last longer. Some manufacturers recommend rotating tires at every oil change, others may recommend to do it at different intervals. Tire rotation patterns are also different for different tires. It’s best to check your owner’s manual or call your local dealer for exact recommendations for your tires.

As soon as you feel there is something wrong with your car (irregular noise, vibration, shimmer, leaks, warning lights, etc.), have it inspected at a dealership or garage as soon as possible. Not only may it be unsafe to drive, it’s definitely better to have any small problems checked and repaired before it leads to something much more serious.