2003 Nissan Altima Owners Manual

preceding step. Any safe driving mode is accept- able between steps. Do not stop the engine until step 7 is completed.

Technical and consumer information 9-19

Z REVIEW COPY:—2003 Altima (l30) Owners Manual (owners)—USA English (nna) 04/21/03—debbie X

OWNER(cid:146)S MANUAL/SERVICE MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION

A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best source of service and repair information for your vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment pro- cedures, this manual is the same one used by the factory trained technicians working at NISSAN dealerships. Also available are genuine NISSAN Owner(cid:146)s Manuals, and genuine NISSAN Service and Owner(cid:146)s Manuals for older NISSAN models. For USA For current pricing and availability of genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for the 2000 model year and later contact: Tweddle Litho Company 1-800-639-8841
www.nissan-techinfo.com For current pricing and availability of genuine NISSAN Service Manuals for the 1999 model year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact: DDS Distribution Service, Ltd. 20770 Westwood Road Strongsville, OH 44136
1-800-247-5321

9-20 Technical and consumer information

Z REVIEW COPY:—2003 Altima (l30) Owners Manual (owners)—USA English (nna) 04/21/03—debbie X

Why should you take a chance? In over 40 states, the law says you must be advised if non-genuine parts are used to repair your vehicle. And some states have enacted laws that restrict insurance companies from authoriz- ing the use of non-genuine collision parts during the new vehicle warranty. These laws help pro- tect you, so you can take action to protect your- self. It(cid:146)s your right! If you should need further information visit us at: www.nissanusa.com.

For current pricing and availability of genuine NISSAN Owner(cid:146)s Manuals for the 2003 model year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:

DDS Distribution Service, Ltd. 20770 Westwood Road Strongsville, OH 44136
1-800-247-5321
For Canada

To purchase a copy of a genuine NISSAN Ser- vice Manual or Owner(cid:146)s Manual please contact your nearest NISSAN dealer. For the phone num- ber and location of a NISSAN dealer in your area call the NISSAN Information Center at 1-800- 387-0122 and a bilingual NISSAN representa- tive will assist you.

Also available are genuine NISSAN Service and Owner(cid:146)s Manuals for older NISSAN models. IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION Unfortunately, accidents do occur. In this unlikely event, there is some important information you should know.

Many insurance companies routinely authorize the use of non-genuine collision parts in order to cut costs, among other reasons.

Insist on the use of genuine NISSAN collision parts! If you want your vehicle to be restored using parts made to NISSAN(cid:146)s original exacting specifica- tions (cid:150) if you want to help it to last and hold its resale value, the solution is simple. Tell your insurance agent and your repair shop to only use Genuine NISSAN Collision Parts. NISSAN does not warrant non-NISSAN parts, nor does NISSAN(cid:146)s warranty apply to damage caused by a non-genuine part. Using Genuine NISSAN Parts can help protect your personal safety, preserve your warranty pro- tection and maintain the resale value of your vehicle. And if your vehicle was leased, using Genuine NISSAN Parts may prevent or limit un- necessary excess wear and tear expenses at the end of your lease. NISSAN designs its hoods with crumple zones to minimize the risk that the hood will penetrate the windshield of your vehicle in an accident. Non- genuine (imitation) parts may not provide such built in safeguards. Also, non-genuine parts often show premature wear, rust and corrosion.

Technical and consumer information 9-21

Z REVIEW COPY:—2003 Altima (l30) Owners Manual (owners)—USA English (nna) 04/21/03—debbie X

MEMO

9-22 Technical and consumer information

10 Index

Air bag (See supplemental restraint system) . Air bag warning light. Air cleaner housing filter . Air conditioner

Air conditioner operation. Air conditioner service . Air conditioner specification label . Air conditioner system refrigerant and lubrication recommendations . Heater and air conditioner controls. Servicing air conditioner .

Air flow charts . Alarm system (See vehicle security system) . Anchor point locations . Antenna . Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . Anti-lock brake warning light Armrests . Audible reminders. Audio system .

FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD) changer . FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD) player Radio .

Autolight switch .

.4-5
.4-12
.9-11

.9-6

.4-3, 4-11
.4-12
.4-6

.2-12
.1-38
.4-28
.5-18
.2-8
.1-7
.2-12
.4-13

.4-20

.4-15
.4-13
.2-20

Automatic

.2-34
Automatic power window switch . .8-14
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) .5-7
Driving with automatic transmission. Transmission selector lever lock release . .5-9

.1-8
.1-20, 2-10
.8-22

Battery .

Charge warning light .

Battery replacement (See remote keyless entry system) . Before starting the engine . Belts (See drive belts) . Brake

.8-18
.2-9

.3-8, 8-30
.5-6
.8-20

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) . Brake booster . Brake fluid . Brake light (See stop light). Brake pedal . Brake system . Brake warning light . Brake wear indicators . Parking brake check . Parking brake operation . Self-adjusting brakes .

.5-18
.8-27
.8-16
.8-33
.8-26
.5-17
.2-9
.2-12, 8-27
.8-26
.5-12
.8-27
.5-14

Break-in schedule. Brightness control

Instrument panel

Bulb check/instrument panel Bulb replacement .

.2-22
.2-8
.8-33

.9-2
.4-28
.9-12
.4-27

Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants. Car phone or CB radio . Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . CD care and cleaning . Check engine indicator light (See malfunction indicator light) . Child restraint with top tether strap . Child restraints .

.2-11
.1-38
.1-24, 1-25, 1-30, 1-37
.1-30
.1-38
.3-5
.2-12
.7-2
.4-16, 4-21

Precautions on child restraints. Top tether strap anchor point locations .

Child safety rear door lock. Chimes, audible reminders . Cleaning exterior and interior . Clock . Clutch

Clutch fluid .

Cold weather driving . Controls

.8-17
.5-20

Heater and air conditioner controls .4-3, 4-11

Coolant

Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants. Changing engine coolant. Checking engine coolant level. Engine coolant temperature gauge .

Corrosion protection . Cruise control . Cup holders .

.9-2
.8-10
.8-9
.2-6
.7-5
.5-13
.2-28

Z REVIEW COPY:—2003 Altima (l30) Owners Manual (owners)—USA English (nna) 04/21/03—debbie X

D

Daytime running light system (Canada only) . Defogger switch

.2-21

Rear window defogger switch .

Dimensions and weights . Door locks . Door open warning light . Drive belts . Driving

.2-17
.9-8
.3-3
.2-9
.8-20

Cold weather driving . Driving with automatic transmission. Driving with manual transmission . Precautions when starting and driving .

.5-20
.5-7
.5-10
.5-2

Economy - fuel Emission control information label . Emission control system warranty . Engine

.5-15
.9-11
.9-18

Before starting the engine . Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants. Changing engine coolant. Changing engine oil Changing engine oil filter. Checking engine coolant level. Checking engine oil level. Engine compartment check locations. Engine coolant temperature gauge . Engine cooling system . Engine oil

.5-6

.9-2
.8-10
.8-11
.8-13
.8-9
.8-10
.8-9
.2-6
.8-9
.8-10

.9-5
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .2-9
Engine oil pressure warning light . Engine oil viscosity . .9-5
.9-10
Engine serial number . .9-7
Engine specifications. .5-6
Starting the engine . .5-2
.2-28

Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) Eyeglass case .

Fuel filler lid lock opener lever . Fuel gauge . Fuel octane rating . Fuel recommendation .

Fuses . Fusible links .

.3-13
.2-7
.9-4
.9-3
.8-27
.8-28

Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch). Flat tire . Floor mat positioning aid. Fluid

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) Brake fluid . Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants. Clutch fluid . Engine coolant . Engine oil Power steering fluid. Window washer fluid .

F.M.V.S.S. certification label . Fog light switch . Front seats . Fuel

Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants. Fuel economy . Fuel filler cap . Fuel filler lid . Fuel filler lid and cap .

.2-24
.6-2
.7-4

.8-14
.8-16

.9-2
.8-17
.8-9
.8-10
.8-15
.8-17
.9-10
.2-22
.1-2

.9-2
.5-15
.3-13
.3-13
.3-13

Garage door opener, HomeLinkT Universal Transceiver Gas cap . Gauge

.2-38
.3-13

Engine coolant temperature gauge . Fuel gauge . Odometer . Speedometer . Tachometer . Trip odometer .

General maintenance . Glove box . Glove box lock .

.2-6
.2-7
.2-3
.2-3
.2-5
.2-3
.8-2
.2-29
.2-29

Hazard warning flasher switch . Head restraints . Headlight and turn signal switch. Heated seats . Heater