15k Service
(V6, 4WD, Auto Transmission)

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    Think of this service as the 30k light.  You just need to change the motor oil and visually inspect alot of things.

Equipment needed:

Tire Gauge
Paper Towel (or Napkin)
3/8" Ratchet
3/8" Socket Set (mostly metric)
1/2" to 3/8" Socket adapter
1/2" Breaker Bar or Ratchet
Torque Wrench
Socket Extensions
Engine oil (check 30k service for fluid capacities and recommendations)
Oil Filter
Grease Gun with needle adapter
Inductive Timing Light
Phillips Head Screwdriver

Check for obvious damage

  1. Walk around the Xterra looking for damage.

  2. Check the underside for obvious damage.

  3. Check under the hood for damage or disconnected hoses.

Check Tire Pressure

  1. Pretty easy, use a quality tire gauge to check the tire pressure.  The pressure will depend on the type of tires you have and the weight of your Xterra.

Rotate Tires
  1. Rotate tires from front to back, keep them on the same side; i.e. passenger front to passenger back, and passenger back to passenger front.  If you have certain aftermarket tires you may need to rotate them differently but the above method is the Nissan recommended method for Radial tires.
  2. Tighten the lugs nuts in a star pattern to 87-108 ft-lbs; check them the next day to make sure none have come loose and retighten them after driving 300 miles (about a week or two).
  3. Check tire pressures after rotation.

Inspect Brake System

  1. Check Lines and Cables for improper attachment, cracking, or damage.  Check that the brake reservoir is keeping its level; if it is constantly losing oil then you may have a leak somewhere in the system.
  2. Check the condition of Calipers and rear brake linkage (take off the drums) for damage.
  3. Check thickness of Pads (minimum 2mm front, 1.5mm rear), Rotors (repair limit min. 26mm), and Drums (repair limit min. internal diameter 296.5mm). If rotors or drums are worn unevenly or warped have them turned if still within repair limit.
  4. Be sure to check that parking brake can keep you from rolling on a moderately steep hill.

Check Drivetrain Fluid Levels

  1. Check fluid levels for the transmission, transfer case, and differential.
  2. Top off fluid levels if needed.
  3. If you tow things frequently your Limited Slip Differential oil should be changed every 15k (see 30k schedule for instructions).
Lubricate Propeller Shaft
  1. Check front and rear propeller shaft (main axles) for damage, wear, looseness, or grease leakage.
  2. Grease front axle at grease nipple.  Grease until pressure is felt when pumping.
  3. Re-grease if axle has been immersed in water.

Inspect wheel hub grease

  1. Check the condition of grease in the front wheel hubs.  If the grease is contaminated with water or dirt repack the bearings.  Make sure there's plenty of grease left in the hubs before putting them back on.

See Greasing the Wheel bearings page for instructions of how to remove the hubs.

Inspect CV Boots
  1. Check for grease leakage and damage to boot.
  2. Check in between folds for cracks.
Inspect ASCD (Cruise Control) Vacuum Hoses
  1. Check ASCD hoses and components for damage or cracks.
  2. Check cable for proper installation, rust or wear.
  3. If you have the equipment, disconnect the vacuum hose from the ASCD Actuator and apply -5.8 psi (vacuum), ASCD cable should pull the throttle.  Wait 10 seconds to make sure the system holds vacuum.
Change Engine Oil and Filter (engine warm)
  1. Bring engine to operating temperature, check for oil leakage in engine compartment.
  2. Stop engine, wait five to ten minutes.
  3. Remove drain plug and oil filler cap.  Draining oil will be hot from driving try to avoid contact as much as possible.
  4. Remove oil filter while engine is draining, there will be some excess oil trapped behind the filter even if the engine is already drained so have an oil pan ready to catch spillage.  Clean oil filter mounting surface and threads.
  5. Coat rubber seal of new filter with clean engine oil and screw on till resistance is felt (hand tight) then turn an additional 2/3 turn.  If the new oil filter manufacturer advises turning filter ¾ turn, stay with 2/3 turn or you’ll have a hell of a time taking off the filter next time.
  6. Clean mating surface for oil drain plug and replace plug, copper washer optional.  Tighten to 22-29 ft/lbs.
  7. Refill engine with 3.25qts recommended oil.  Start engine for a few minutes and recheck oil level.  It should be about .25qts low, fill oil till it is at the “H” level.  Do not over-fill (but don’t worry if it’s a hair over).

Throttle Position Sensor HarnessCheck Timing  

  1. Get a decent induction timing light (about $20-$30).
  2. Bring the engine up to temperature, run the engine at 2000 RPM for 2 minutes, rev the engine 2000 to 3000 RPMs a few times under no load.
  3. Turn the engine off and connect the timing light.  Connect the battery clips to the battery terminals, red to positive, black to negative.  Clip the induction sensor around the #1 spark plug wire, of the six spark plug wires it's the closest to the front on the passenger side.
  4. Disconnect the Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) Harness.  It's the bottom plug of the two plugs on the left side of the throttle body.
  5. Start the engine again and rev it a few times under no load.
  6. Aim the light at the crankshaft pulley.  The light will strobe so that the timing Before Top Dead Center (BTDC) can be measured from the timing indicator.  The timing indicator is a metal arrow pointing to notches in the pulley.  From left to right the notches indicate 0, 5, 10, 15, 20.  The arrow should be at 15° +or- 2° for the 2000, 10° +or- 2° on 2002 and later.  Be Careful not to come in contact with the fan!
  7. If the timing is off use a ratchet with U-joint and 12mm socket to loosen the bolt on the right of the base of the distributor (It's too hard to get a Phillips head screwdriver into the bolt).  Twist the distributor by hand while checking the timing to get the timing indicator to point to 15° BTDC.
  8. Tighten the distributor bolt, and re-check the timing.
  9. If the timing is correct; turn off the engine, disconnect the timing light and reconnect the Throttle Position Sensor Harness.  If you're going to the check the Idle Speed leave the TPS Harness unhooked and skip to step 4 on "Check Base Idle Speed".

Check Base Idle Speed

  1. Bring the engine up to temperature, run the engine at 2000 RPM for 2 minutes, rev the engine 2000 to 3000 RPMs a few times under no load.
  2. Check the idle speed, it should be 750 +or- 50 RPM in Park or Neutral.
  3. If the idle speed is off turn off the engine and disconnect the Throttle Position Sensor Harness (see above for which one it is).  Restart engine and rev it a few times.
  4. Turn the Idle Speed Screw at the back driver side of the intake manifold until the idle speed is 700 +or- 50 RPM.  The Idle Speed Screw is a Phillips head screw next to the EGRC-BPT valve.
  5. Turn off the engine, reconnect the TPS Harness, restart the engine, and rev the engine a few times.
  6. Check that the idle speed is 750 +or- 50 RPM in Park or Neutral.

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