Nissan Versa: In case of emergency - If your vehicle overheats

If your Nissan Versa engine begins to overheat—indicated by an extremely high temperature gauge reading High temperature gauge warning indicator on the dashboard of a Nissan Versa (if so equipped), the illumination of a red high temperature warning light (if so equipped), or if you suddenly feel a distinct lack of engine power, notice abnormal mechanical noises, or detect unusual odors—take the following emergency steps immediately.

WARNING

Never continue to drive your vehicle if it is actively overheating. Doing so could cause catastrophic engine damage, structural failure, or even a sudden vehicle fire.
To completely avoid the severe danger of being scalded, never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is still hot. When the pressurized coolant reservoir cap is opened under high heat, boiling hot water and steam will spurt out violently, possibly causing serious personal injury.
Do not attempt to open the engine hood if you see or hear steam escaping from the engine bay.

1. Safely maneuver your Nissan Versa completely off the active roadway, firmly apply the emergency parking brake, and shift the transmission lever into N (Neutral) for manual transmission models or P (Park) for Continuously Variable Transmission models.

2. Turn off the air conditioner immediately to reduce engine load. Open all the vehicle windows, slide the heater or climate temperature control dial to maximum hot, and set the blower fan control to high speed to help draw heat away from the engine block.

3. Safely exit the vehicle. Look closely and listen carefully for any steam or boiling coolant escaping from the radiator before you attempt to open the hood. (If you notice steam or coolant actively escaping, turn off the engine right away). Do not open the hood any further until all visible steam or coolant leakage has completely stopped.

4. Carefully open the engine hood to allow trapped heat to dissipate.

WARNING

If steam, boiling water, or coolant is hissing or spraying from the engine, stand well clear of the vehicle to prevent getting severely burned.

5. Visually inspect the accessory drive belts for any signs of cracking, damage, or looseness. Also check whether the electric cooling fan is running properly. The radiator hoses and the radiator core itself should show no signs of leaking water. If you discover coolant leaking, find that the water pump belt is missing or loose, or observe that the cooling fan is failing to run, shut off the engine immediately.

WARNING

Exercise extreme caution to ensure your hands, fingers, long hair, jewelry, or loose clothing never come into contact with, or get caught in, moving engine belts or the electric engine cooling fan. The radiator cooling fan can start up automatically at any time independently of the ignition.

6. After the engine has cooled down thoroughly, check the coolant fluid level in the engine coolant reservoir tank while the engine is running. Add fresh coolant to the engine coolant reservoir tank if the level is low. Have your vehicle thoroughly inspected and repaired.

It is strongly recommended that you visit an authorized NISSAN dealer for this specialized service.