steering NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 L32A / 4.G Owners Manual

1. Vents (P. 4-10)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turn
signal switch (P. 2-27)3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped)/BluetoothThands-free
phone system (if so equipped)
(P. 4-43, P. 4-46, P. 4-60)
4. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)5. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-39, P. 2-33)
6. Cruise control main/set switch
(P. 5-17)
7. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-26)
8. Push-button ignition switch (P. 5-6)
9. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-32)
10. Front passenger air bag status light
(P. 1-48)
11. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-39)
12. Glove box (P. 2-39)
13. Navigation system* (if so equipped)
(P. 4-2)
14. Heater and air conditioner (manual or
automatic) (P. 4-10, P. 4-18)
15. Shift selector lever (P. 5-10)
16. Audio system controls (P. 4-20)
17. Tilt/telescopic steering wheel controls
(P. 3-20)
18. Vehicle information display controls
(P. 2-16)
19. Hood release (P. 3-16)
WIC1258
INSTRUMENT PANEL
0-6Illustrated table of contents
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QR25DE engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-13)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reser-
voir (M/T model) (P. 8-13, 8-14)
4. Air cleaner (P. 8-18)
5. Fuse block (P. 8-21)
6. Battery (P. 8-15)
7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-21)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
10. Drive belt location (P.8-16)
11. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
12. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-14)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LDI0553
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents
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VQ35DE engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-13)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reser-
voir (M/T model) (P. 8-13, 8-14)
4. Air cleaner (P. 8-18)
5. Fuse block (P. 8-21)
6. Battery (P. 8-15)
7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-21)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
10. Drive belt location (P.8-16)
11. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
12. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-14)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LDI0552
Illustrated table of contents0-9
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PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental front air
bags (NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System) , front
seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air
bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bags and pretensioner seat belts.
Supplemental front impact air bag system:
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System can help
cushion the impact force to the head and chest of
the driver and front passenger in certain frontal
collisions.
Front seat-mounted side-impact supple-
mental air bag system:This system can help
cushion the impact force to the chest and pelvic
area of the driver and front passenger in certain
side impact collisions. The supplemental side air
bag is designed to inflate on the side where the
vehicle is impacted.
Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bag system:This system can help
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in front and rear outboard seating positions
in certain side impact collisions. The curtain side-impact air bags are designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted.
These supplemental restraint systems are de-
signed tosupplementthe crash protection pro-
vided by the driver and front passenger seat belts
and arenot a substitutefor them. Seat belts
should always be correctly worn and the occu-
pant seated a suitable distance away from the
steering wheel, instrument panel and door finish-
ers. (See “Seat belts” earlier in this section for
instructions and precautions on seat belt usage.)
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
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WARNING
cThe supplemental front air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
side impact, rear impact, rollover, or
lower severity frontal collision. Always
wear your seat belts to help reduce the
risk or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.
cThe front passenger air bag will not
inflate if the passenger air bag status
light is lit or if the front passenger seat
is unoccupied. See “Front passenger air
bag and status light” later in this
section.cThe seat belts and the supplemental
front air bags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright in
the seat with both feet on the floor. The
front air bags inflate with great force.
Even with the NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System, if you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways or out
of position in any way, you are at
greater risk of injury or death in a crash.
You may also receive serious or fatal
injuries from the supplemental front air
bag if you are up against it when it
inflates. Always sit back against theseatback and as far away as practical
from the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Always use the seat belts.
cThe driver and front passenger seat belt
buckles are equipped with sensors that
detect if the seat belts are fastened. The
advanced air bag system monitors the
severity of a collision and seat belt us-
age then inflates the air bags. Failure to
properly wear seat belts can increase
the risk or severity of injury in an
accident.
cThe front passenger seat is equipped
with an occupant classification sensor
(pattern sensor) that turns the front
passenger air bag OFF under some
conditions. This sensor is only used in
this seat. Failure to be properly seated
and wearing the seat belt can increase
the risk or severity of injury in an acci-
dent. See “Front Passenger air bag and
status light” later in this section.
cKeep hands on the outside of the steer-
ing wheel. Placing them inside the
steering wheel rim could increase the
risk that they are injured when the
supplemental front air bag inflates.
WRS0031
1-40Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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The driver supplemental front air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passenger
supplemental front air bag is mounted in the
dashboard above the glove box. The supplemen-
tal front air bags are designed to inflate in higher
severity frontal collisions, although they may in-
flate if the forces in another type of collision are
similar to those of a higher severity frontal impact.
They may not inflate in certain frontal collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper supplemental front air bag
system operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System has dual
stage air bag inflators. It also monitors informa-
tion from the crash zone sensor, the Airbag Con-
trol Unit (ACU) , seat belt buckle sensors and the
occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor) .
Inflator operation is based on the severity of a
collision and seat belt usage for the driver. For the
front passenger, the occupant classification sen-
sor is also monitored. Based on information from
the sensors, only one front air bag may inflate in a
crash, depending on the crash severity and
whether the front occupants are belted or un-
belted. Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned OFF under some
conditions, depending on the information pro-
vided by the occupant classification sensor. If the
front passenger air bag is OFF, the passenger air
bag status light will be illuminated (if the seat isunoccupied, the light will not be illuminated, but
the air bag will be off) . See “Front passenger air
bag and status light” later in this section for
further details. One front air bag inflating does not
indicate improper performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, please contact NISSAN or your NISSAN
dealer. If you are considering modification of your
vehicle due to a disability, you may also contact
NISSAN. Contact information is contained in the
front of this Owner’s Manual.
When a supplemental front air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by the
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken to
not inhale it, as it may cause irritation and chok-
ing. Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating front air bag may cause
facial abrasions or other injuries. Front air bags
do not provide restraint to the lower body.
Even with NISSAN advanced air bags, seat belts
should be correctly worn and the driver and pas-
senger seated upright as far as practical away
from the steering wheel or instrument panel. Thesupplemental front air bags inflate quickly in order
to help protect the front occupants. Because of
this, the force of the front air bag inflating can
increase the risk of injury if the occupant is too
close to, or is against, the front air bag module
during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-47
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NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and chil-
dren be properly restrained in a rear seat.
NISSAN also recommends that appropriate child
restraints and booster seats be properly installed
in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the occupant
classification sensor is designed to operate as
described above to turn the front passenger air
bag OFF for specified child restraints as required
by the regulations. Failing to properly secure
child restraints and to use the Automatic Locking
Retractor mode (child restraint mode) may allow
the restraint to tip or move in an accident or
sudden stop. This can also result in the passen-
ger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being
OFF. See “Child restraints” earlier in this section
for proper use and installation.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object being detected by the occupant clas-
sification sensor. Other conditions could also
result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants
are seated and restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light, you can
monitor when the front passenger air bag is au-
tomatically turned OFF with the seat occupied.The light will not illuminate when the front pas-
senger seat is unoccupied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the passen-
ger air bag status light is illuminated (indicating
that the air bag is OFF) , it could be that the
person is a small adult, or is not sitting on the seat
properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front seat,
the passenger air bag status light may or may not
be illuminated, depending on the size of the child
and the type of child restraint being used. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated (indicating that
the air bag might inflate in a crash) , it could be
that the child restraint or seat belt is not being
used properly. Make sure that the child restraint is
installed properly, the seat belt is used properly
and the occupant is positioned properly. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
If the passenger air bag status light will not illu-
minate even though you believe that the child
restraint, the seat belts and the occupant are
properly positioned, the system may be sensing
an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is
OFF) . Your NISSAN dealer can check that the
system is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your dealer that
your air bag is working properly, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.The air bag system and passenger air bag status
light will take a few seconds to register a change
in the passenger seat status. However, if the seat
becomes unoccupied, the air bag status light will
remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges area
in the center of the instrument panel, will blink.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front air bag precau-
tions
WARNING
cDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49
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cDo not place objects with sharp edges
on the seat. Also, do not place heavy
objects on the seat that will leave per-
manent impressions in the seat. Such
objects can damage the seat or occu-
pant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) . This can affect the operation of the
air bag system and result in serious
personal injury.
cDo 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.
cImmediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will be
hot. Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This is
to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to the
supplemental air bag system.cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental front air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental front
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.
cModifying or tampering with the front
passenger seat may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing mate-
rial on the seat cushion or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, on the seat that are not specifi-
cally designed to assure proper air bag
operation. Additionally, do not stow any
objects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback. Such
objects may interfere with the proper
operation of the occupant classifica-
tion sensor.cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the seat belt system. This may affect the
supplemental front air bag system.
Tampering with the seat belt system
may result in serious personal injury.
cWork on and around the supplemental
front air bag system should be done by
a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electri-
cal equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) wiring should not
be modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used on
the air bag system.
cA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield could
affect the function of the supplemental
air bag system.
cThe SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental front air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appropri-
ate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
1-50Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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1. Vents (P. 4-10)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turn
signal switch (P. 2-27)3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped)/BluetoothThands-free
phone system (if so equipped)
(P. 4-43, P. 4-46, P. 4-60)
4. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)5. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-39, P. 2-33)
6. Cruise control main/set switch
(P. 5-17)
7. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-26)
8. Push-button ignition switch (P. 5-6)
9. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-32)
10. Front passenger air bag status light
(P. 1-48)
11. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-39)
12. Glove box (P. 2-39)
13. Navigation system* (if so equipped)
(P. 4-2)
14. Heater and air conditioner (manual or
automatic) (P. 4-10, P. 4-18)
15. Shift selector lever (P. 5-10)
16. Audio system controls (P. 4-20)
17. Tilt/telescopic steering wheel controls
(P. 3-20)
18. Vehicle information display controls
(P. 2-16)
19. Hood release (P. 3-16)
WIC1258
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls
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The engine oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level.Use the
dipstick to check the oil level. See “Engine oil” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause se-
rious damage to the engine almost imme-
diately. Such damage is not covered by
warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as it
is safe to do so.
Intelligent Key system warning
light
The Intelligent Key system warning light warns of
a malfunction with the electrical steering lock
system or the Intelligent Key system.
After the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position, this light comes on for about 2 seconds
and then turns off.
If the light comes on while the engine is stopped,
it may not be possible to free the steering lock or
to start the engine. If the light comes on while the
engine is running, you can drive the vehicle. How-
ever, in these cases, contact a NISSAN dealer for
repair as soon as possible.See “Intelligent Key system” in the “Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section.
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors the tire
pressure of all tires except the spare.
The low tire pressure warning light warns of low
tire pressure or indicates that the TPMS is not
functioning properly.
After the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light illuminates for about 1 second
and turns off.
Low tire pressure warning:
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire pres-
sure, the warning light will illuminate.
When the low tire pressure warning light illumi-
nates, you should stop and adjust the tire pres-
sure to the recommended COLD tire pressure
shown on the Tire and Loading Information label.
The low tire pressure warning light does not
automatically turn off when the tire pressure is
adjusted. After the tire is inflated to the recom-
mended pressure, the vehicle must be driven at
speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h) to activate theTPMS and turn off the low tire pressure warning
light. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the tire
pressure.
For additional information, see “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “Starting and
driving” section and in the “In case of emergency”
section.
TPMS malfunction:
If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the low
tire pressure warning light will flash for approxi-
mately 1 minute when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position. The light will remain on
after the 1 minute. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
For additional information, see “Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “Starting and
driving” section.
WARNING
cIf the light does illuminate with the ig-
nition switch in the ON position, have
the vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer
as soon as possible.
2-12Instruments and controls
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