2007 Nissan Altima Owners Manual

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3rd to 4th 4th to 5th 5th to 6th (km/h) 15 (24) 25 (40) 33 (53) 44 (71) 51 (82) (km/h) 8 (24) 17 (27) 25 (40) 36 (58) 51 (82) ACCEL shift point MPH CRUISE shift point MPH (km/h) 15 (25) 25 (40) 31 (50) 36 (58) 43 (69) (km/h) 9 (14) 19 (30) 26 (42) 31 (50) 37 (59) Gear change 1st to 2nd 2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th 4th to 5th 5th to 6th For VQ35DE: Gear change 1st to 2nd 2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th 4th to 5th 5th to 6th MPH (km/h) 8 (13) 17 (27) 25 (40) 36 (58) 51 (82) MPH (km/h) 15 (24) 25 (40) 40 (64) 45 (72) 50 (80) Starting and driving 5-15 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X PARKING BRAKE WARNING c Be sure the parking brake is fully re- leased before driving. Failure to do so can cause brake failure and lead to an accident. c Do not release the parking brake from outside the vehicle. c Do not use the gear shift in place of the parking brake. When parking, be sure the parking brake is fully engaged. c Do not leave children unattended in a vehicle. They could release the parking brake and cause an accident. Suggested maximum speed in each gear Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate. Do not exceed the maximum suggested speed (shown below) in any gear. For level road driving, use the highest gear suggested for that speed. Always observe posted speed limits, and drive according to the road conditions, which will en- sure safe operation. Do not over-rev the engine when shifting to a lower gear as it may cause engine damage or loss of vehicle control. GEAR QR25DE MPH (km/h) VQ35DE MPH (km/h) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 32 (53) 59 (95) 82 (133) (cid:151) (cid:151) (cid:151) 36 (58) 58 (93) 81 (131) (cid:151) (cid:151) (cid:151) 5-16 Starting and driving Type A LSD0158 To engage: Type A, firmly depress the parking brake. Type B, pull the lever up sA . To release: 1. Firmly apply the foot brake. 2. Manual transmission models: Place the shift lever in the N (Neutral) posi- tion. Automatic transmission models: Move the shift selector lever to the P (Park) position. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X CRUISE CONTROL WSD0169 Type B 3. Type A, firmly depress the parking brake pedal and it will release. Type B, while pulling up on the parking brake lever slightly, push the button and lower completely sB . 4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning light goes out. LSD0184 1. CANCEL switch 2. ACCEL/RES switch 3. COAST/SET switch 4. ON/OFF switch PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE CONTROL c If the cruise control system malfunctions, it cancels automatically. The SET indicator light in the instrument panel then blinks to warn the driver. c If the SET indicator light blinks, turn the cruise control switch off and have the sys- tem checked by a NISSAN dealer. c The SET indicator light may blink when the cruise control switch is turned ON while pushing the ACCEL/RES, COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch. To properly set the cruise control system, use the following proce- dures. WARNING Do not use the cruise control when driving under the following conditions: c When it is not possible to keep the vehicle at a set speed. c In heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in speed. c On winding or hilly roads. c On slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.). c In very windy areas. Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle control and result in an accident. CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS The cruise control allows driving at a speed be- tween 25 - 89 MPH (40 - 144 km/h) without keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal. To turn on the cruise control, push the main switch. The CRUISE indicator light in the instru- ment panel comes on. Starting and driving 5-17 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X The cruise control is automatically canceled and the SET light in the instrument panel goes out if: c you depress the brake or clutch pedal while pushing the ACCEL/RES or SET/COAST switch. The preset speed is deleted from memory. c the vehicle slows down more than 8 MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed. To reset at a slower cruising speed, use one of the following three methods. c Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the ve- hicle attains the desired speed, push the COAST/SET switch and release it. c Push and hold the COAST/SET switch. Re- lease the switch when the vehicle slows to the desired speed. c you depress the clutch pedal (manual trans- mission), or move the shift selector lever to N (Neutral) (CVT). c Push and release the COAST/SET switch. Each time you do this, the set speed de- creases by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h). To resume the preset speed, push and re- lease the ACCEL/RES switch. The vehicle re- turns to the last set cruising speed when the vehicle speed is over 25 MPH (40 km/h). To reset at a faster cruising speed, use one of the following three methods. c Depress the accelerator pedal. When the vehicle attains the desired speed, push and release the COAST/SET switch. c Push and hold the ACCEL/RES switch. When the vehicle attains the speed you de- sire, release the switch. c Push and release the ACCEL/RES switch. Each time you do this, the set speed in- creases by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h). To set cruising speed, accelerate the vehicle to the desired speed, push the COAST/SET switch and release it. The SET indicator light in the instrument panel comes on. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle maintains the set speed. c To pass another vehicle, depress the ac- celerator pedal. When you release the pedal, the vehicle returns to the previously set speed. c The vehicle may not maintain the set speed when going up or down steep hills. If this happens, drive without the cruise control. To cancel the preset speed, use one of the following three methods. c Push the CANCEL button; the SET indicator light in the instrument panel goes out. c Tap the brake pedal; the SET indicator light goes out. c Turn the main switch off. Both the CRUISE indicator light and SET indicator light in the instrument panel go out. 5-18 Starting and driving Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X BREAK-IN SCHEDULE INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY CAUTION During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow these recommendations to obtain maximum engine performance and en- sure the future reliability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in short- ened engine life and reduced engine performance. c Avoid driving for long periods at constant speed, either fast or slow, and do not run the engine over 4,000 rpm. c Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear. c Avoid quick starts. c Avoid hard braking as much as possible. c Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km). Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged. c Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain cruising speeds with a constant accelerator position. c When cruising at highway speeds, it is more economical to use the air conditioner and leave the windows closed to reduce drag. c Use the recommended viscosity engine oil. See (cid:147)Engine oil and oil filter recommenda- tion(cid:148) in (cid:147)Technical and consumer informa- tion(cid:148) later in this manual. c Drive at moderate speeds on the highway. Driving at high speed lowers fuel economy. c Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking. Maintain a safe distance behind other ve- hicles. c Use a proper gear range which suits road conditions. On level roads, shift into high gear as soon as possible. c Avoid unnecessary engine idling. c Keep your engine tuned up. c Follow the recommended periodic mainte- nance schedule. c Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres- sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear and lowers fuel economy. c Keep the wheels in correct alignment. Im- proper alignment increases tire wear and lowers fuel economy. c Air conditioner operation fuel economy. Use the air conditioner only when necessary. lowers Starting and driving 5-19 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS WARNING c Do not stop or park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags. They may ignite and cause a fire. c Safe parking procedures require that both the parking brake be set and the transmission placed into P (Park) for CVT models or in an appropriate gear for manual transmission models. Fail- ure to do so could cause the vehicle to move unexpectedly or roll away and re- sult in an accident. Make sure the shift lever has been pushed as far forward as 5-20 Starting and driving SSD0488 it can go and cannot be moved without depressing the foot brake pedal. c Never leave the engine running while the vehicle is unattended. c Do not leave children unattended inside the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac- tivate switches or controls. Unattended children could become involved in seri- ous accidents. 1. Firmly apply the parking brake. 2. Manual transmission models: Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse) posi- tion. When parking on an uphill grade, place the shift lever in 1st gear. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) models: Move the shift selector lever to the P (Park) position. 3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into traffic when parked on an incline, it is a good practice to turn the wheels as illustrated. c HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB: s1 Turn the wheels into the curb and move the vehicle forward until the curb side wheel gently touches the curb. c HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB: s2 Turn the wheels away from the curb and move the vehicle back until the curb side wheel gently touches the curb. c HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO CURB: s3 Turn the wheels toward the side of the road so the vehicle will move away from the cen- ter of the road if it moves. 4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position and remove the key. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering. If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you will still have control of the vehicle. However, much greater steering effort is needed, especially in sharp turns and at low speeds. WARNING If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the steering will not work. Steering will be harder to operate. The brake system has two separate hydraulic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still have braking at two wheels. BRAKE PRECAUTIONS Vacuum assisted brakes The brake booster aids braking by using engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However, greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis- tance will be longer. Using the brakes Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the brakes and pads faster, and reduce gas mileage. To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the brakes from overheating, reduce speed and downshift to a lower gear before going down a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may reduce braking performance and could result in loss of vehicle control. WARNING c While driving on a slippery surface, be careful when braking, accelerating or downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel- erating could cause the wheels to skid and result in an accident. c If the engine is not running or is turned off while driving, the power assist for the brakes will not work. Braking will be harder. Parking brake break-in Break-in the parking brake shoes whenever the stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or drum/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the best brake performance. This procedure is described in the vehicle service manual and can be performed by a NISSAN dealer. Wet brakes When the vehicle is washed or driven through water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your braking distance will be longer and the vehicle may pull to one side during braking. Starting and driving 5-21 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X (cid:150) When replacing tires, the specified size of tires on all four wheels. install (cid:150) When installing a spare tire, make sure that it is the proper size and type as specified on the Tire and Loading Information label. See (cid:147)Tire and Loading Information label(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Technical and consumer informa- tion(cid:148) section of this manual. (cid:150) For detailed information, see (cid:147)Wheels and tires(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Mainte- nance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard braking or when braking on slippery surfaces. The system detects the rotation speed at each wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre- vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By preventing each wheel from locking, the system helps the driver maintain steering control and helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip- pery surfaces. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high speeds until the brakes function correctly. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) (if so equipped) WARNING c The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a sophisticated device, but it cannot pre- vent accidents resulting from careless or dangerous driving techniques. It can help maintain vehicle control during braking on slippery surfaces. Remem- ber that stopping distances on slippery surfaces will be longer than on normal surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis- tances may also be longer on rough, gravel or snow covered roads, or if you are using tire chains. Always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately, the driver is respon- sible for safety. c Tire type and condition may also affect braking effectiveness. 5-22 Starting and driving Using the system Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De- press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure, but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper- ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer the vehicle to avoid obstacles. WARNING in result increased Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so may stopping distances. Self-test feature The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear a (cid:147)clunk(cid:148) noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc- tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The brake system then operates normally, but without anti-lock assistance. If the ABS warning light illuminates during the self-test or while driving, have the vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X Normal operation The ABS operates at speeds above 3 - 6 MPH (5 - 10 km/h). When the ABS senses that one or more wheels are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly ap- plies and releases hydraulic pressure. This action is similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from the actuator when it is oper- ating. This is normal and indicates that the ABS is operating properly. However, the pulsation may indicate that road conditions are hazardous and extra care is required while driving. TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS) (if so equipped) When accelerating on slippery surfaces the tire may spin or slip. With the vehicle traction control system (TCS), sensors detect these movements and control the braking and engine output to help improve vehicle stability while accelerating. c When the traction control system is operat- ing, the slip indicator in the instrument panel blinks. c If the slip indicator blinks, the vehicle is un- der slippery conditions. Be sure to drive carefully. See (cid:147)Slip indicator light(cid:148) and (cid:147)Trac- tion control system (TCS) off indicator light(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Instruments and controls(cid:148) section of this manual. c If a malfunction occurs in the system, lights the come on in the instrument panel. indicator and As long as these lights are on, the traction control function is canceled. The vehicle will behave like a vehicle without the system. WARNING c The traction control system is designed to help improve driving stability but does not prevent accidents due to abrupt steering operation at high speeds or by careless or dangerous driving techniques. Reduce vehicle speed and be especially careful when driving and cornering on slippery sur- faces and always drive carefully. c If brake related parts such as brake pads, rotors and calipers are not stan- dard equipment or are extremely dete- riorated, the traction control system may not operate properly and the indicator light may come on. c Do not modify the vehicle(cid:146)s suspension. If suspension parts such as shock ab- sorbers, struts, springs and bushings are not standard equipment or are ex- tremely deteriorated, the traction con- trol system may not operate properly and the indicator light may come on. Starting and driving 5-23 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X c When driving on extremely inclined sur- faces such as higher banked corners, the traction control system may not op- indicator erate properly and the light may come on. Do not drive on these types of roads. c If wheels or tires other than the recom- mended ones are used, the traction control system may not operate prop- erly and the indicator light may come on. c The traction control system is not a sub- stitute for winter tires or tire chains on a snow covered road. VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC) SYSTEM (if so equipped) When accelerating or driving on slippery sur- faces, the tires may spin or slide. With the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, sensors detect these movements and control the braking and engine output to help improve vehicle stability. c When the vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system is operating, the slip indicator in the instrument panel blinks. c If the slip indicator blinks, the road condi- tions are slippery. Be sure to adjust your speed and driving to these conditions. See (cid:147)Slip indicator light(cid:148), and (cid:147)Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off indicator light(cid:148) in the (cid:147)In- struments and controls(cid:148) section. c Indicator light and in the system, indicator lights come If malfunction occurs the on in the instrument panel. As long as these indicator lights are on, the traction control function is canceled. If the vehicle is operated with the vehicle dynamic control system OFF using the VDC OFF switch, VDC functions will be turned off. The VDC sys- tem will still try to transfer power from a slipping drive wheel to one with more traction when the VDC system switch is OFF. The Slip indicator will flash if wheel spin is detected. The ABS will still operate with the VDC system off. 5-24 Starting and driving When the VDC system is operating, you may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or vibration from under the hood. This is normal and indicates that the VDC system is working prop- erly. The computer has a built in diagnostic feature that tests the system each time you start the engine and move the vehicle forward or in reverse at a slow speed. When the self-test occurs, you may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an indication of a malfunction. WARNING c The vehicle dynamic control system is designed to help improve driving stabil- ity but does not prevent accidents due to abrupt steering operation at high speeds or by careless or dangerous driving techniques. Reduce vehicle speed and be especially careful when driving and cornering on slippery sur- faces and always drive carefully. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X c If wheels or tires other than the recom- mended ones are used, the vehicle dy- namic control system may not operate properly and the vehicle dynamic con- trol off indicator light may come on. c The vehicle dynamic control system is not a substitute for winter tires or tire chains on a snow covered road. c If brake related parts such as brake pads, rotors and calipers are not stan- dard equipment or are extremely dete- riorated, the vehicle dynamic control system may not operate properly and the vehicle dynamic control off indica- tor light may come on. c Do not modify the vehicle(cid:146)s suspension. If suspension parts such as shock ab- sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars and bushings are not NISSAN approved for your vehicle or are extremely dete- riorated the vehicle dynamic control system may not operate properly. This could adversely affect vehicle handling performance, and the VDC OFF indica- tor light may come on. c When driving on extremely inclined sur- faces such as higher banked corners, the vehicle dynamic control system may not operate properly and the VDC OFF indicator light may come on. Do not drive on these types of roads. c When driving on an unstable surface such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or ramp, the vehicle dynamic control off indicator light may illuminate. This is not a malfunction. Restart the engine after driving onto a stable surface. COLD WEATHER DRIVING FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de- icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key hole or use the remote keyless entry keyfob (if so equipped). ANTI-FREEZE In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem- perature will drop below 32(cid:176)F (0(cid:176)C), check the anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection. For details, see (cid:147)Engine cooling system(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Maintenance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual. BATTERY If the battery is not fully charged during extremely cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi- mum efficiency, the battery should be checked regularly. For details, see (cid:147)Battery(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Main- tenance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual. Starting and driving 5-25 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti- freeze, drain the cooling system, including the engine block. Refill before operating the vehicle. For details, see (cid:147)Changing engine coolant(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Maintenance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual. TIRE EQUIPMENT 1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to provide superior performance on dry pave- ment. However, the performance of these tires will be substantially reduced in snowy and icy conditions. If you operate your ve- hicle on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recom- mends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on all four wheels. Please consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating and availability informa- tion. 2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S. states and Canadian provinces prohibit their use. Check local, state and provincial laws before installing studded tires. Skid and traction capabilities of studded snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer than that of non-studded snow tires. 5-26 Starting and driving 3. Tire chains may be used. For details see (cid:147)Tire chains(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Maintenance and do-it- yourself(cid:148) section of this manual. SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT It is recommended that the following items be carried in the vehicle during winter: c A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove ice and snow from the windows and wiper blades. c A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the jack to give it firm support. c A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts. c Extra window washer fluid to refill the reser- voir tank. DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE WARNING c Wet ice (32(cid:176)F, 0(cid:176)C and freezing rain), very cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard to drive on. The vehicle will have much less traction or (cid:147)grip(cid:148) under these conditions. Try to avoid driving on wet the road is salted or sanded. ice until c Whatever the condition, drive with cau- tion. Accelerate and slow down with care. If accelerating or downshifting too fast, the drive wheels will lose even more traction. c Allow more stopping distance under these conditions. Braking should be started sooner than on dry pavement. c Allow greater following distances on slippery roads. c Watch for slippery spots (glare ice). These may appear on an otherwise clear road in shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead, brake before reach- ing it. Try not to brake while on the ice, and steering avoid maneuvers. sudden any c Do not use the cruise control on slip- pery roads. c Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X WARNING c Do not use your engine block heater with an ungrounded electrical system or a 2-pronged adapter. You can be se- riously injured by an electrical shock if you use an ungrounded connection. c Disconnect and properly store the en- gine block heater cord before starting the engine. Damage to the cord could result in an electrical shock and can cause serious injury. c Use a heavy-duty 3-wire, 3-pronged ex- tension cord rated for at least 10 A. Plug the extension cord into a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) protected, grounded 110-VAC outlet. Failure to use the proper extension cord or a grounded outlet can result in a fire or electrical shock and cause serious personal injury. ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so equipped) Engine block heaters are available through NISSAN dealers to assist in cold temperature starting. The engine block heater should be used when the outside temperature is 20(cid:176) F (-7(cid:176) C) or lower. To use the engine block heater: 1. Turn the engine off. 2. Open the hood and unwrap the engine block heater cord. 3. Plug the engine block heater cord into a grounded 3-wire, 3-pronged extension cord. 4. Plug the extension cord into a Ground Fault Interrupt (GFI) protected, grounded 110- volt AC (VAC) outlet. 5. The engine block heater must be plugged in for at least 2 - 4 hours, depending on outside temperatures, to properly warm the engine coolant. Use an appropriate timer to turn the engine block heater on. 6. Before starting the engine, unplug and prop- erly store the cord to keep it away from moving parts. Starting and driving 5-27 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X MEMO 5-28 Starting and driving 6 In case of emergency Flat tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Changing a flat tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2 Jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-6 Push starting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-8 If your vehicle overheats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-9 Towing your vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 Towing recommended by NISSAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10 Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) . . . . . . . . . 6-12 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X FLAT TIRE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) This vehicle is equipped with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). It monitors tire pres- sure of all tires except the spare. When the low tire pressure warning light is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly under-inflated. If the vehicle is being driven with low tire pressure, the TPMS will activate and warn you of it by the low tire pressure warning light. This system will acti- vate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h). For more details, refer to (cid:147)Warning/indicator lights and audible remind- ers(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Instruments and controls(cid:148) section, and (cid:147)Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Starting and driving(cid:148) section. 6-2 In case of emergency WARNING c If the low tire pressure warning light illuminates while driving, avoid sudden steering maneuvers or abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed, pull off the road to a safe location and stop the vehicle as soon as possible. Serious vehicle damage could occur and may lead to an accident and could result in serious personal injury. Check the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire pres- sure shown on the Tire and Loading Information label to turn the low tire pressure warning light OFF. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible. c When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is replaced, the TPMS will not function and the low tire pressure warning light will flash for approximately 1 minute. The light will remain on after 1 minute. Contact your NISSAN dealer as soon as possible for tire replacement and/or system resetting. c Replacing tires with those not originally specified by NISSAN could affect the proper operation of the TPMS. c Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a malfunction of the tire pressure sensors. CHANGING A FLAT TIRE If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions be- low. Stopping the vehicle 1. Safely move the vehicle off the road and away from traffic. 2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers. 3. Park on a level surface and apply the parking brake. Shift the manual transmission into R (Reverse), or the CVT into P (Park). 4. Turn off the engine. 5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and to signal professional road assistance person- nel that you need assistance. 6. Have all passengers get out of the vehicle and stand in a safe place, away from traffic and clear of the vehicle. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X WARNING c Make sure the parking brake is securely applied and the manual transmission is shifted into R (Reverse), or the CVT is shifted into P (Park). c Never change tires when the vehicle is on a slope, ice or slippery areas. This is hazardous. c Never change tires if oncoming traffic is close to your vehicle. Wait for profes- sional road assistance. WCE0044 LCE0137 Blocking wheels Place suitable blocks s1 at both the front and back of the wheel diagonally opposite the flat tire s2 to prevent the vehicle from moving when it is jacked up. Getting the spare tire and tools Open the trunk. Lift the trunk floor carpeting and spare tire cover. Remove the jack s1 and wheel nut wrench s2 from the tool box. Remove the spare tire. WARNING Be sure to block the wheel as the vehicle may move and result in personal injury. In case of emergency 6-3 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X c Use the correct jack-up points. Never use any other part of the vehicle for jack support. c Never jack up the vehicle more than necessary. c Never use blocks on or under the jack. c Do not start or run the engine while vehicle is on the jack. It may cause the vehicle to move. This is especially true for slip differentials. vehicles limited with c Do not allow passengers to stay in the vehicle while it is on the jack. c Never run the engine with a wheel(s) off the ground. It may cause the vehicle to move. SAI0484 CE1089 Removing the bolt-on wheel cover (if so equipped) CAUTION Do not use your hands to pry off wheel caps or wheel covers. Doing so could re- sult in personal injury. The wheel covers are held on by the wheel nuts. The wheel cover will be removed along with the wheel when the nuts are removed. Jacking up vehicle and removing the damaged tire WARNING c Never get under the vehicle while it is supported only by the jack. If it is nec- essary to work under the vehicle, sup- port it with safety stands. c Use only the jack provided with your vehicle to lift the vehicle. Do not use the jack provided with your vehicle on other vehicles. The jack is designed for lifting only your vehicle during a tire change. 6-4 In case of emergency Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X Always refer to the proper illustrations for the correct placement and jack-up points for your specific vehicle model and jack type. Carefully read the caution label attached to the jack body and the following instruc- tions. 1. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turns by turning counterclockwise with the wheel nut wrench. Do not remove the wheel nuts until the tire is off the ground. LCE0020 2. Place the jack directly under the jack-up point as illustrated so the top of the jack contacts the vehicle at the jack-up point. Align the jack head between the two notches in the front or the rear as shown. Also fit the groove of the jack head between the notches as shown. The jack should be used on firm and level ground. 3. To lift the vehicle, securely hold the jack lever and rod with both hands. Carefully raise the vehicle until the tire clears the ground. Re- move the wheel nuts, and then remove the tire. WCE0056 Installing the spare tire The spare tire is designed for emergency use. See specific instructions under the heading (cid:147)Wheels and tires(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Mainte- nance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual. 1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface be- tween the wheel and hub. 2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten the wheel nuts finger tight. 3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel nuts alternately and evenly as illustrated until they are tight. In case of emergency 6-5 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X 4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire touches the ground. Then, with the wheel nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts securely in the sequence illustrated (sA , sB , sC , sD , sE ). Lower the vehicle completely. WARNING c Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose or come off. This could cause an accident. c Do not use oil or grease on the wheel studs or nuts. This could cause the nuts to become loose. c Retighten the wheel nuts when the ve- hicle has been driven for 600 miles (1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire, etc.). As soon as possible, tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque with a torque wrench. Wheel nut tightening torque: 83 ft-lb (112 N•m) The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to specification at all is recom- mended that wheel nuts be tightened to specifications at each lubrication interval. 6-6 In case of emergency times. It Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pressure. COLD pressure: After vehicle has been parked for three hours or more or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km). COLD tire pressures are shown on the tire and loading information label affixed to the driver side center pillar. 5. Securely store the flat tire and jacking equip- ment in the vehicle. 6. Place the spare tire cover and the trunk floor carpeting over the damaged tire. 7. Close the trunk. WARNING c Always make sure that the spare tire and jacking equipment are properly se- cured after use. Such items can become dangerous projectiles in an accident or sudden stop. c The spare tire is designed for emer- gency use. See specific instructions un- der the heading (cid:147)Wheels and tires(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Maintenance and do-it-yourself(cid:148) section of this manual. JUMP STARTING To start your engine with a booster battery, the instructions and precautions below must be fol- lowed. WARNING c If done incorrectly, jump starting can lead to a battery explosion, resulting in severe injury or death. It could also damage your vehicle. c Explosive hydrogen gas is always present in the vicinity of the battery. Keep all sparks and flames away from the battery. c Do not allow battery fluid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing or painted surfaces. Battery fluid is a cor- rosive sulfuric acid solution which can cause severe burns. If the fluid should come into contact with anything, imme- diately flush the contacted area with water. c Keep battery out of children. the reach of c The booster battery must be rated at 12 volts. Use of an improperly rated battery can damage your vehicle. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X c Whenever working on or near a battery, always wear suitable eye protectors (for example, goggles or industrial safety spectacles) and remove rings, metal bands, or any other jewelry. Do not lean over the battery when jump starting. c Do not attempt to jump start a frozen battery. It could explode and cause se- rious injury. c Your vehicle has an automatic engine cooling fan. It could come on at any time. Keep hands and other objects away from it. WARNING Always follow the instructions below. Failure to do so could result in damage to the charging system and cause personal injury. 1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, position the two vehicles to bring their bat- teries near each other. Do not allow the two vehicles to touch. WCE0054 2. Apply the parking brake. Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P (Park) (Continuously Variable Transmission). Switch off all unnecessary electrical sys- tems (lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.). 3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so equipped). Cover the battery with an old cloth to reduce explosion hazard. 4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence il- lustrated (sA , sB , sC , sD ). In case of emergency 6-7 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X 8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the vent holes as it may be contaminated with corrosive acid. PUSH STARTING CAUTION c Three-way catalyst equipped models should not be started by pushing. The three-way catalyst may be damaged. c Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) models cannot be push-started or tow-started. Attempting to do so may cause transmission damage. c For manual transmission models, never try to start the vehicle by towing it. When the engine starts, the forward surge could cause the vehicle to collide with the tow vehicle. CAUTION c Always connect positive (1) to positive (1) and negative (2) to body ground (for example, strut mounting bolt, engine lift bracket, etc.) (cid:151) not to the battery. c Make sure the jumper cables do not touch moving parts in the engine com- partment and that the cable clamps do not contact any other metal. 5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and let it run for a few minutes. 6. Keep the engine speed of the booster ve- hicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start the en- gine of the vehicle being jump started. CAUTION Do not keep the starter motor engaged for more than 10 seconds. If the engine does not start right away, turn the key off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying again. 7. After starting the engine, carefully discon- nect the negative cable and then the positive cable. 6-8 In case of emergency Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an extremely high temperature gauge reading), or if you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal noise, etc. take the following steps. WARNING c Do not continue to drive if your vehicle overheats. Doing so could cause engine damage or a vehicle fire. c To avoid the danger of being scalded, never remove the radiator cap while the engine is still hot. When the radiator cap is removed, pressurized hot water will spurt out, possibly causing serious injury. c Do not open the hood if steam is com- ing out. 1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake and move the shift lever to N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P (Park) (CVT). Do not stop the engine. 2. Turn off the air conditioner (if so equipped). Open all the windows, move the heater or air conditioner temperature control to maximum hot and fan control to high speed. 3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for steam or coolant escaping from the radiator before opening the hood. (If steam or cool- ant is escaping, turn off the engine.) Do not open the hood further until no steam or coolant can be seen. 6. After the engine cools down, check the cool- ant level in the engine coolant reservoir tank with the engine running. Add coolant to the engine coolant reservoir tank if necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at a NISSAN dealer. 4. Open the engine hood. WARNING If steam or water is coming from the en- gine, stand clear to prevent getting burned. 5. Visually check drive belts for damage or looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is running. The radiator hoses and radiator should not leak water. If coolant is leaking, the water pump belt is missing or loose, or the cooling fan does not run, stop the en- gine. WARNING Be careful not to allow your hands, hair, jewelry or clothing to come into contact with, or get caught in, engine belts or the engine cooling fan. The engine cooling fan can start at any time when the coolant temperature is high. In case of emergency 6-9 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X TOWING YOUR VEHICLE When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in Canada) and local regulations for towing must be followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam- age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail- able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service opera- tors are generally familiar with the applicable laws and procedures for towing. To assure proper towing and to prevent accidental damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recommends having a service operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have the service operator carefully read the following precautions: WARNING c Never ride in a vehicle that is being towed. c Never get under your vehicle after it has been lifted by a tow truck. CAUTION c When towing, make sure that the trans- mission, axles, steering system and powertrain are in working condition. If any unit is damaged, dollies must be used. c Always attach safety chains before towing. 6-10 In case of emergency For information about towing your vehicle behind a recreational vehicle (RV), refer to (cid:147)Flat towing(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Technical and consumer information(cid:148) sec- tion of this manual. ACE0511 TOWING RECOMMENDED BY NISSAN NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed with the driving (front) wheels off the ground or place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as illustrated. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X c When towing Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) or manual trans- mission models with the rear wheels on the ground (if you do not use towing dollies): Always release the parking brake. CAUTION c Never tow Continuously Variable Trans- mission (CVT) models with the front wheels on the ground or four wheels on the ground (forward or backward), as this may cause serious and expensive damage to the transmission. If it is nec- essary to tow the vehicle with the rear wheels raised always use towing dollies under the front wheels. c When towing Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) models with the front wheels on towing dollies, or when towing manual transmission models with the front wheels on the ground: (cid:150) Turn the ignition key to the OFF po- sition, and secure the steering wheel in a straight-ahead position with a rope or similar device. Never secure the steering wheel by turning the ig- nition key to the LOCK position. This may damage the steering lock mechanism. (cid:150) Move the gearshift lever to the N (Neutral) position. SCE0199A In case of emergency 6-11 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X LCE0138 VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck vehicle) Front or Rear Do not use the hook to tow the vehicle. WARNING c Stand clear of a stuck vehicle. c Do not spin your tires at high speed. This could cause them to explode and result in serious injury. Parts of your vehicle could also overheat and be damaged. 6-12 In case of emergency 3. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back- ward. c Shift back and forth between R (Reverse) and D (Drive) (CVT models) or 1st (Low) and R (Reverse) (MT models). c Apply the accelerator as little as possible to maintain the rocking motion. c Release the accelerator pedal before shifting between R and D (CVT models) or 1st and R (MT models). c Do not spin the tires above 35 mph (55 km/h). 4. If the vehicle can not be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing service to remove the vehicle. CAUTION c Tow chains or cables must be attached only to the main structural members of the vehicle or the towing hooks (if so equipped). Otherwise, the vehicle body will be damaged. c Do not use the vehicle tie downs to free a vehicle stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc. Never tow the vehicle using the vehicle tie downs or recovery hooks. c Always pull the cable straight out from the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull the vehicle at an angle. c Pulling devices should be routed so they do not touch any part of the sus- pension, steering, brake or cooling systems. c Pulling devices such as ropes or canvas straps are not recommended for use in vehicle towing or recovery. If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc., use the following procedure: 1. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions. 2. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X 7 Appearance and care Cleaning exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Waxing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 Removing spots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 Underbody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 Glass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 Aluminum alloy wheels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-3 Chrome parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 Tire dressings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 Cleaning interior. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-4 Floor mats . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5 Seat belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-5 Corrosion protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6 Most common factors contributing to vehicle corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6 Environmental factors influence the rate of corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6 To protect your vehicle from corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X CLEANING EXTERIOR 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: c after a rainfall to prevent possible damage from acid rain. c after driving on coastal roads. c when contaminants such as soot, bird drop- pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on the paint surface. c 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. 7-2 Appearance and care CAUTION c 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. c Do not wash the vehicle with strong household soap, strong chemical deter- gents, gasoline or solvents. c Avoid using tight-napped or c Do not wash the vehicle in direct sun- light or while the vehicle body is hot, as the surface may become water-spotted. rough cloths, such as washing mitts. Care must removing caked-on dirt or other foreign sub- stances so the paint surface is not scratched or damaged. taken when be 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. c Wax your vehicle only after a thorough wash- ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the wax. c 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. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X 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. 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 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: c Do not use a cleaner that uses strong acid or alkali contents to clean the wheels. Appearance and care 7-3 WAI0005 GLASS When cleaning the rear window, it may be easier to clean if the high-mounted stop light is removed first. Be careful when removing the high-mounted stop light to reduce the risk of damaging the high-mounted stop light wires. To remove the high-mounted stop light: s1 Push toward rear of vehicle. s2 Lift to remove. The high-mounted stop light must be properly reinstalled before driving your vehicle. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X c Apply a light coat of tire dressing to help prevent tire tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to remove). from entering the it c Wipe off excess tire dressing using a dry towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com- pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves. c Allow the tire dressing to dry as recom- mended by tire dressing manufacturer. CLEANING INTERIOR 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(cid:146)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. CAUTION c 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 operation of the air bag system and result in serious personal injury. c Never use benzine, thinner or any simi- lar material. c Do not apply wheel cleaners to the wheels when they are hot. The wheel temperature should be the same as am- bient temperature. c 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: c Use a water-based tire dressing. The coat- ing on the tire dissolves more easily with an oil-based tire dressing. 7-4 Appearance and care Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X 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 (cid:147)Seat belt maintenance(cid:148) in the (cid:147)Safety (cid:150) Seats, seat belts and supplemen- tal restraint system(cid:148) 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. c Small dirt particles can be abrasive and damaging to 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(cid:146)s natural finish. c Never use fabric protectors unless rec- ommended by the manufacturer. c Do not use glass or plastic cleaner on meter or gauge lens covers. It may dam- age the lens cover. FLOOR MATS The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can ex- tend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it easier to clean the interior. No matter what mats are used, be sure they are fitted for your vehicle and are properly positioned in the footwell to prevent interference with pedal operation. Mats should be maintained with regular cleaning and replaced if they be- come excessively worn. WAI0006 Floor mat positioning aid (driver(cid:146)s side only) This vehicle includes a front floor mat bracket to act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor mats have been specially designed for your ve- hicle model. The driver(cid:146)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 centering the mat in the footwell. Periodically check to make certain the mats are properly positioned. Appearance and care 7-5 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X CORROSION PROTECTION MOST COMMON FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO VEHICLE CORROSION c The accumulation of moisture-retaining dirt and debris in body panel sections, cavities, and other areas. c 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. 7-6 Appearance and care 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 c Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep the vehicle clean. c Always check for minor damage to the paint and repair it as soon as possible. c Keep drain holes at the bottom of the doors open to avoid water accumulation. c Check the underbody for accumulation of sand, dirt or salt. If present, wash with water as soon as possible. CAUTION c 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. c 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. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X 8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself Maintenance requirements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2 General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2 Explanation of general maintenance items . . . . . . . . . 8-2 Maintenance precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-5 Engine compartment check locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-6 Engine cooling system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8 Checking engine coolant level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-8 Changing engine coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Engine oil. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Checking engine oil level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 Changing engine oil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10 Changing engine oil filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-11 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid . . . . . . 8-12 Power steering fluid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13 Brake and clutch fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13 Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13 Clutch fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14 Window washer fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14 Window washer fluid reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14 Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-15 Jump starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16 Drive belts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16 Spark plugs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17 Replacing spark plugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17 Air cleaner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18 In-cabin microfilter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19 Windshield wiper blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19 Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19 Replacing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-20 Brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-21 Self-adjusting brakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21 Brake pad wear indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-21 Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-21 Engine compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-22 Passenger compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-23 Battery replacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-24 Intelligent key battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-25 Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-26 Headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26 Front park/turn/sidemarker light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-26 Exterior and interior lights. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-27 Wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31 Tire pressure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-31 Tire labeling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-34 Types of tires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-37 Tire chains. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-38 Changing wheels and tires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-39 Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE Your new NISSAN has been designed to have minimum maintenance requirements with longer service intervals to save you both time and money. However, some day-to-day and regular maintenance is essential to maintain your NIS- SAN(cid:146)s good mechanical condition, as well as its emission and engine performance. It is the owner(cid:146)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 (cid:147)NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide.(cid:148) 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. 8-2 Maintenance and do-it-yourself 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(cid:146)s service department performs the best job to meet the maintenance requirements on your vehicle (cid:151) 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 (cid:147)Maintenance precau- tions(cid:148) later in this section. EXPLANATION OF GENERAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS information on the following Additional items with (cid:147)*(cid:148) 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. Z REVIEW COPY—2007 Altima (alt) Owners Manual—USA_English (nna) 10/27/06—debbie X 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* 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 Replace the grom- met seal, valve core and cap of the transmitter in vehicles equipped with TPMS at every tire re- placement or when reaching the wear limit of the tires. 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. c For additional information regarding tires, refer to (cid:147)Important Tire Safety Information(cid:148) (US) or (cid:147)Tire Safety Information(cid:148) (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 (cid:147)*(cid:148) 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.

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2007 Nissan Altima Owners Manual