spare wheel NISSAN ALTIMA 1998 L30 / 2.G Owners Manual

while driving, take the vehicle to an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer for repair.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent
accidents resulting from careless or
dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces, but re-
member that the stopping distance on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on
normal surfaces, even with the anti-
lock system. Stopping distances may
also be longer on rough, gravel or
snow covered roads, or if you are using
tire chains. Always maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front of you.
Ultimately, the responsibility for safety
of self and others rests in the hands of
the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may
also affect braking effectiveness.
cWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tire on all 4 wheels.cWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. For tire
placard location information, refer to
ªTire placardº in the Owner's Manual
index.
Refer to ``Wheels and Tires'' in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it into the key hole.
Anti-freeze
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check the anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base)
to assure proper winter protection. For de-
tails, see ``Engine cooling system'' in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Do-it-yourself ''
section.
Draining of coolant
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by
opening the drain valves located under the
radiator and on the engine block. Refill
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-18Starting and driving
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before operating the vehicle. See ``Chang-
ing engine coolant'' in the ``Do-it-yourself''
section.
Tire equipment
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced
in snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-
ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON tires on all four
wheels. Please consult an authorized
NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. States and Canadian Provinces pro-
hibit 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.
3. Tire chains may be used. Make sure they
are the proper size for the tires on yourvehicle and are installed according to the
chain manufacturer's suggestions.
Use of tire chains may be prohibited accord-
ing to location. Check the local laws before
installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure they are of proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are installed
according to the chain manufacturer's sug-
gestions.Use only SAE Class ``S'' chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by
the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight
fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fenders
or underbody. If possible, avoid fully loading
your vehicle when using tire chains. In ad-
dition, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise,
your vehicle may be damaged and/or ve-
hicle handling and performance may be
adversely affected.
Never install tire chains on T-type spare
tires. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
Special winter equipment
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
1. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.
2. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
3. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
4. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
Driving on snow or ice
WARNING
cWet ice (32ÉF, 0ÉC and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick
and very hard to drive on. The ve-
hicle will have a lot less traction or
``grip'' under these conditions. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until the
road is salted or sanded.
cWhatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels
will lose even more traction.
Starting and driving
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If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below:
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off of 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 transmis-
sion into R (Reverse), or the automatic
transmission into P (Park).
4. Turn off the engine.
5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic, and
to signal professional road assistance
personnel that you need assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the ve-
hicle and stand in a safe place, away
from traffic and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
cMake sure that the parking brake is
securely applied and the manual
transmission is shifted into R (Re-
verse), or the automatic transmis-
sion into P (Park).cNever change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is hazardous.
cNever change tires if oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Wait for
professional road assistance.
Getting the spare tire and tools
1. Open the trunk. Lift the trunk floor carpet-
ing and spare tire cover. Remove the tool
bag (which contains the jack rod and
wheel nut wrench) and the spare tire. If
necessary, use the flat end of the jack
rod as shown to loosen the spare tire
hold-down bolt.
ACE1002
FLAT TIRE
6-2In case of emergency
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Installing the spare tire
The T-type spare tire is designed for
emergency use. See specific instruc-
tions under the heading ``Wheels and
tires'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section.
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and install
the wheel nuts finger-tight.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel
nuts alternately and evenly until they are
tight.4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-
curely in the sequence as illustrated.
Lower the vehicle completely.
WARNING
cIncorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.cDo not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the
nuts to become loose.
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel
nuts to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
72 to 87 ft-lb
(98 to 118 Nzm)
Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pres-
sure.
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
placard affixed to the driver's door, center
pillar.
cRetighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been run for 600 miles
(1,000 km).
5. With the spare tire installed on the ve-
hicle, place the damaged tire in the spare
tire storage area. Put the jack rod and
wheel nut wrench in the tool bag and
CE1030CE1082
6-6In case of emergency
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place the tool bag in the spare tire stor-
age area.
6. Place the spare tire cover and the trunk
floor carpeting over the damaged tire.
7. Install the jack in its storage area and
tighten the jack screw clockwise.
8. Close the jack access door. Close the
trunk.
WARNING
cAlways make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
accident or sudden stop.
cThe T-type spare tire is designed for
emergency use. See specific instruc-
tions under the heading ``Wheels
and tires'' in the ``Do-it-yourself''
section.To start your engine with a booster battery,
the instructions and precautions below must
be followed.
WARNING
cIf done incorrectly, jump starting can
lead to a battery explosion, resulting
in severe injury or death. It could
also damage your vehicle.
cExplosive hydrogen gas is always
present in the vicinity of the battery.
Keep all sparks and flames away
from the battery.
cDo not allow battery fluid to come
into contact with eyes, skin, cloth or
painted surfaces. Battery fluid is a
corrosive sulphuric acid solution
which can cause severe burns. If the
fluid should come into contact with
anything, immediately flush the con-
tacted area with water.
cKeep battery out of the reach of
children.
cThe booster battery must be rated at
12 volts. Use of an improper rated
battery can damage your vehicle.cWhenever working on or near a bat-
tery, always wear suitable eye pro-
tectors (for example, goggles or in-
dustrial safety spectacles) and
remove rings, metal bands, or any
other jewelry. Do not lean over the
battery when jump starting.
cDo not attempt to jump start a frozen
battery. It could explode and cause
serious injury.
cYour vehicle has an automatic en-
gine cooling fan. It could come on at
any time. Keep hands and other ob-
jects away from it.
JUMP STARTING
In case of emergency6-7
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If you have a flat tire, see the ``In case of
emergency'' section of this manual.
Maximum inflation pressure
Do not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sures shown on the side wall of the tire.
Tire inflation pressure
Periodically check the tire pressure (including
the spare). Incorrect tire pressure may ad-
versely affect tire life and vehicle handling. Tire
pressure should be checked when tires are
COLD. Tires are considered COLD after the
vehicle has been parked for three or more
hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).COLD tire pressures are shown on the tire
placard affixed to the driver's door center pillar.
WARNING
cImproperly inflated tires can fail sud-
denly and cause an accident.
c
The vehicle weight capacity is indi-
cated on the tire placard. Do not load
your vehicle beyond this capacity.
Overloading your vehicle may result
in reduced tire life, unsafe operating
conditions due to premature tire fail-
ure, or unfavorable handling charac-
teristics and could also lead to a
serious accident. Loading beyond the
specified capacity may also result in
failure of other vehicle components.
cBefore taking a long trip, or when-
ever you have loaded your vehicle
heavily, use a tire pressure gauge to
ensure that the tire pressure is at the
specified level.
cDo not drive your vehicle over 85
MPH (140 km/h) unless it is equipped
with high speed capability tires.
Driving faster than 85 MPH (140
km/h) may result in tire failure, loss
of control and possible injury.
ADI1009
DI1033M
WHEELS AND TIRES
8-28Do-it-yourself
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Types of tires
WARNING
When changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same type
(i.e., Summer, All Season or Snow) and
construction. An authorized NISSAN
dealer may be able to help you with
information about tire type, size, speed
rating and availability. Replacement
tires may have a lower speed rating
than the factory equipped tires, and
may not match the potential maximum
vehicle speed. Never exceed the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tire.
All Season tires
NISSAN specifies All Season tires on some
models to provide good performance for
use all year around, including snowy and icy
road conditions. All Season Tires are iden-
tified by ALL SEASON and/or M&S on the
tire sidewall. Snow tires have better snow
traction than All Season tires and may be
more appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance on
dry roads. Summer tire performance in
snow and ice is substantially reduced. Sum-
mer tires do not have the tire traction rating
M&S on the tire sidewall.
If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowy
or icy conditions, NISSAN recommends the
use of SNOW or ALL SEASON tires on all
four wheels.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating
to the original equipment tires. If you do not,
it can adversely affect the safety and han-
dling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may
not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
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 provinciallaws 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.
Tire chains
Use of tire chains may be prohibited accord-
ing to location. Check the local laws before
installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure they are of proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are installed
according to the chain manufacturer's sug-
gestions.Use only SAE class ``S'' chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by
the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight
fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fenders
or underbody. If possible, avoid fully loading
your vehicle when using tire chains. In ad-
dition, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise,
your vehicle may be damaged and/or ve-
hicle handling and performance may be
adversely affected.
Never install tire chains on T-type spare
tires. Do not use tire chains on dry roads.
Do-it-yourself
8-29
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Tire rotation
NISSAN recommends that tires be rotated
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Tighten wheel nuts to 72 to 87 ft-lb
(98 to 118 Nzm).
See ``Flat tire'' in the ``In case of emergency''
section for tire replacing procedures.
WARNING
cAfter rotating the tires, adjust the tire
pressure.cRetighten the wheel nuts after the
aluminum wheels have been run for
the first 600 miles (1,000 km) (also in
cases of a flat tire, etc.).
cDo not include the T-type spare tire
or any other small size spare tire in
the tire rotation.
Tire wear and damage
WARNING
cTires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking, bulging,
or objects caught in the tread. If
excessive wear, cracks, bulging, or
deep cuts are found, the tire should
be replaced.
cThe original tires have a built-in
tread wear indicator. When the wear
indicator is visible, the tire should be
replaced.
DI1127MDI1035M
8-30Do-it-yourself
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cImproper service for a T-type spare
tire may result in serious personal
injury. If it is necessary to repair the
T-type spare tire, contact your NIS-
SAN dealer.Changing tires and wheels
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
tread design, speed rating and load carrying
capacity as originally equipped. Recom-
mended types and sizes are shown in
``wheels/tire size'' in the ``Technical and con-
sumer information'' section of this manual.
WARNING
c
The use of tires other than those rec-
ommended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial), or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, ground clearance, body-to-
tire clearance, tire chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight
aim and bumper height. Some of these
effects may lead to accidents and
could result in serious personal injury.
cIf the wheels are changed for any rea-
son, always replace with wheels which
have the same offset dimension.
Wheels of a different offset could
cause early tire wear, possibly de-
graded vehicle handling characteris-
tics and/or interference with the brakediscs/drums. Such interference can
lead to decreased braking efficiency
and/or early brake pad/shoe wear.
cDo not install a deformed wheel or
tire even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without warn-
ing.
cThe use of retread tires is not recom-
mended.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin
balancing the front wheels on the vehicle
could lead to transmission damage.
Care of wheels
cWash the wheels when washing the ve-
hicle to maintain their appearance.
cClean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
Do-it-yourself
8-31
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the vehicle is washed.
cDo not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
cInspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
cNISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (T-type spare tire)
Observe the following precautions if the
T-type spare tire must be used, otherwise
your vehicle could be damaged or involved
in an accident:
CAUTION
cThe T-type spare tire should be used
only for an emergency. It should be
replaced by the standard tire at the
first opportunity.
cDrive carefully while the T-type
spare tire is installed. Avoid sharp
turns and abrupt braking while driv-
ing.cPeriodically check tire inflation pres-
sure, and always keep it at 60 psi
(420 kPa, 4.2 bar).
cDo not drive your vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).
cDo not use tire chains on a T-type
spare tire. Tire chains will not fit
properly on the T-type spare tire and
may cause damage to the vehicle.
cWhen driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the T-type spare tire
should be used on the rear wheel
and the original tire used on the front
wheels (drive wheels). Use tire
chains only on the front two original
tires.
cTire tread of the T-type spare tire will
wear at a faster rate than the original
tire. Replace the T-type spare tire as
soon as the tread wear indicators
appear.cBecause the T-type spare tire is
smaller than the original tire, ground
clearance is reduced. To avoid dam-
age to the vehicle do not drive over
obstacles. Also do not drive the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.
cDo not use the T-type spare tire on
other vehicles.
cDo not use more than one T-type
spare tire at the same time.
cDo not tow a trailer while the T-type
spare tire is installed.
8-32Do-it-yourself
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