engine NISSAN ALTIMA 1999 L30 / 2.G Owner's Manual

AM-FM RADIO WITH CASSETTE
PLAYER AND COMPACT DISC
PLAYER
RADIO OPERATION
To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
ACC or ON. If you listen to the radio with the
engine not running, turn the key to the ACC
position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter,
buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-
ternal influences. Intermittent changes in
reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
Using a cellular phone in or near the
vehicle may influence radio reception
quality.
This radio has an FM Diversity reception
system, which employs two antennas. One
is a rod type antenna; the other is an an-
tenna printed on the rear window. This sys-
tem automatically switches to the antenna
which is receiving the strongest radio signal.
AHA1072
4-20Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

Manual antenna
The manual antenna cannot be shortened,
but can be removed. When you need to
remove the antenna, turn the antenna rod
counterclockwise.
To install the antenna rod, turn the antenna
clockwise. Tighten the antenna rod to speci-
fication using a suitable tool such as a
open-end wrench. The antenna rod tighten-
ing specification is 3.4 - 3.6 Nzm(30-32
in-lb). Do not use pliers to tighten the an-
tenna as they can leave marks on the
antenna surface. The antenna rod can not
be hand tightened to the proper specifica-
tion.
CAUTION
Always properly tighten the antenna
rod during installation or the antenna
rod may break during vehicle opera-
tion.
Microphone installed model
If equipped with a genuine NISSAN cellular
phone, your NISSAN features a non-
directional microphone in the steering col-
umn cover, so it is not necessary to look at
or speak directly into the microphone when
calling. To do so could detract from the
driving operation and cause an accident.
See the manual for car phone operation.
Pre-wired and antenna for phone
installed model
Some models are pre-wired to accept the
genuine NISSAN cellular phone. In addition,
the same model has the phone antenna
built into the rear glass window.
When installing a CB, ham radio or car
phone in your NISSAN, be sure to observe
the following cautions, otherwise the new
equipment may adversely affect the MFI
(Multiport Fuel Injection) system and other
electronic parts.
CAUTION
cKeep the antenna as far as possible
away from the Engine Control Mod-
ule.
cAlso keep the antenna wire more
than 8 inches (20 cm) away from the
MFI harness. Do not route the an-
tenna wire next to any harness.
cAdjust the antenna standing-wave
ratio as recommended by the manu-
facturer.
cConnect the ground wire from the
CB radio chassis to the body.
cFor details, consult an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
CB RADIO OR CAR PHONE
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-27
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5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................5-2
Three way catalyst .................................................5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover................................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .........................5-4
Ignition switch .........................................................5-4
Manual transmission ..............................................5-4
Automatic transmission ..........................................5-5
Before starting the engine ......................................5-6
Driving with automatic transmission
(if so equipped) ......................................................5-6
Overdrive switch .....................................................5-9Driving with manual transmission ........................5-10
Starting the engine ...............................................5-11
Parking brake operation .......................................5-12
Cruise control .......................................................5-13
Break-in schedule ................................................5-15
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-15
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-16
Power steering system .........................................5-17
Brake system........................................................5-17
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if so equipped) ....5-18
Cold weather driving ............................................5-19
ZX

WARNING
cDo not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
They could accidentally injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation of the vehicle. Also, on
hot, sunny days, temperatures in a
closed vehicle could quickly become
high enough to cause severe or pos-
sibly fatal injuries to people or ani-
mals.
cClosely supervise children when
they are around cars to prevent them
from playing and becoming locked
in the trunk where they could be
seriously injured.
Keep the car locked, with the trunk
closed, when not in use, and prevent
children's access to car keys.EXHAUST GAS
(Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they
contain colorless and odorless carbon-
monoxide. Carbon monoxide is dan-
gerous. It can cause unconsciousness
or death.
cIf you suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering the vehicle, drive with
all windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
cDo not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.
cDo not park the vehicle with the
engine running for any extended
length of time.
cKeep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing, otherwise exhaust gases could
be drawn into the passenger com-
partment. If you must drive in this
manner for some reason, take the
following steps:
1. Open all the windows.2. Set the air recirculation switch to
off and the fan control at 4 (high)
to circulate the air.
3. Be sure the rear seat armrest and
tray are closed.
cIf electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass to a trailer-
through the seal on the trunk lid or
the body, follow the manufacturer's
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
cThe exhaust system and body
should be inspected by a qualified
mechanic whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust system.
d.
You have had an accident involv-
ing damage to the exhaust system,
underbody, or rear of the vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN
STARTING AND DRIVING
5-2Starting and driving
ZX

THREE WAY CATALYST
The three way catalyst is an emission con-
trol device installed in the exhaust system.
Exhaust gases in the three way catalyst are
burned at high temperatures to help reduce
pollutants.
WARNING
cThe exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep people or
flammable materials away from the
exhaust pipe.
cDo not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
c
Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously re-
duce the three way catalyst's ability
to help reduce exhaust pollutants.
cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause over-
rich fuel flow into the catalyst, caus-
ing it to overheat. Do not keep driv-
ing if the engine misfires, or if
noticeable loss of performance or
other unusual operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected promptly by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive
speed, high speed cornering, or sudden
steering maneuvers, because these driving
practices could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle.As with any vehicle, loss of
control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause the
vehicle to roll over, particularly if the
vehicle slides sideways.Be attentive at all
times, and avoid driving when tired. Never
drive when under the influence of alcohol or
drugs (including prescription or over-the-
counter drugs which may cause drowsi-
ness). Always wear your seat belt as out-
lined in the ``Seat belts'' section of this
manual, and also instruct your passengers
to do so.
Starting and driving5-3
ZX

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
On automatic transmission models the igni-
tion lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to LOCK and removed until the shift
selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
When removing the key from the ignition,
make sure the shift selector lever is in the P
(Park) position.
If the key cannot be turned to the LOCK
position, proceed as follows to remove the
key.1) Move the shift selector lever into the P
(Park) position.
2) Turn the ignition key slightly toward the
ON position.
3) Turn the key to the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
If the key is removed from the ignition switch,
the shift selector lever cannot be moved from
P (Park).The shift selector lever can be
moved if the ignition switch is in the ACC
position. This allows the vehicle to be
moved if the battery is discharged.
The shift selector lever can also be
moved if the ignition switch is in the ON
position and the foot brake pedal is de-
pressed.
There is an OFF position between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF position
is indicated by a ``1'' on the key cylinder.
When the ignition is in OFF, the steering
wheel is not locked.
To lock the steering wheel, remove the
key. In order for the steering wheel to
be locked, it must be turned about 1/8 of
a turn clockwise from the straight up
position. To unlock the steering wheel,insert the key and turn it gently while
rotating the steering wheel slightly right
and left.
WARNING
Never remove the key while driving. If
the key is removed, the steering wheel
will lock. This may cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle and could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
Key positions
LOCK Normal parking position (0)
OFF (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
ON Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and the electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position activates the starter motor,
which starts the engine.ASD1014
Starting and driving5-5
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cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, for example, each
time you check engine oil.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
See ``Warning/Indicator lights and
chimes'' in the ``Instruments and con-
trols'' section.WARNING
cDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 2
or 1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure to
do so could cause you to lose con-
trol and have an accident.
cCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
cNever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This
could cause an accident.
CAUTION
c
When stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle
by depressing the accelerator pedal.
The foot brake should be used for
this purpose.
cOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.The automatic transmission in your vehicle
is electronically controlled by the transmis-
sion control module to produce maximum
power and smooth operation.
The recommended operating procedures for
this transmission are shown on the following
pages. Follow these procedures for maximum
vehicle performance and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
cAfter starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal before shifting the
shift selector lever to the D (Drive), R
(Reverse), 2 or 1 position. Be sure the
vehicle is fully stopped before attempt-
ing to shift the shift selector lever.
cKeep the foot brake pedal depressed
and shift into a driving gear.
c
Release the foot brake, then gradually
start the vehicle in motion.
The automatic transmission is designed
so the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from P (Park) to
any drive position while the ignition switch
is ON.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINEDRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
(if so equipped)
5-6Starting and driving
ZX

The selector lever cannot be moved out
of P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
LOCK or if the key is removed.
The shift selector lever can be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ACC posi-
tion. This allows the vehicle to be moved
if the battery is discharged.
Shifting with automatic transmission
Push the button to shift into P (Park), R
(Reverse) or from D (Drive) to 2. All other
positions can be selected without pushing
the button.
P (Park):
Use this position when the vehicle is parked
or when starting the engine. Always be sure
the vehicle is at a complete stop. For maxi-
mum safety, depress the brake pedal, then
push in the selector lever button and move
the shift selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion. Apply the parking brake. When parkingon a hill, apply the parking brake first, then
move the shift selector lever into the P
(Park) position.
Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the shift selector lever still cannot be moved
out of P (Park), follow these instructions.
1. Turn the ignition key to the lock position
and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
ASD0510
Starting and driving5-7
ZX

3. Remove the key and turn it to the ACC
position.
4. Depress the foot brake pedal, and move
the selector lever to N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained at an authorized NISSAN
dealership. Never drive the vehicle if the
stop lights are not operating properly.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be sure
the vehicle is at a complete stop before
moving the shift selector lever to the R
(Reverse) position. Check to ensure the
area behind the vehicle is clear. With the
brake pedal depressed, push in the selector
lever button and move the shift selector
lever to the R (Reverse) position.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to N (Neutral) and
restart a stalled engine while the vehicle is
moving.D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
2 (Second gear):
Use this position for hill climbing or engine
braking on downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 2 position at speeds
above 74 MPH (118 Km/h). Do not exceed
74 MPH (118 Km/h) in the 2 position.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or slow driving through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 1 position at speeds
above 41 MPH (66 km/h). Do not exceed 41
MPH (66 km/h) in the 1 position.
ASD1018
5-8Starting and driving
ZX

Selector lever lock release
If the battery is discharged, the selector
lever may not be moved from the P position
even with the brake pedal depressed and
the selector lever button pushed.
To move the selector lever, push the shift
lock release and selector lever button. The
selector lever can be moved to N (Neutral).
To push the shift lock release, follow the
following procedure:
1. Turn the ignition key to the lock position
and remove the key
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cap.
4. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock
release slot, and push down.
5. Push the selector lever button and move
the selector lever to N (Neutral) position
while holding down the shift lock release.
6. Start the engine.
If there is any problem moving the selector
lever out of P (Park), take your vehicle to an
authorized NISSAN dealership as soon as
possible.Accelerator downshift
in D position
For rapid passing or hill climbing while driv-
ing, fully depress the accelerator pedal to
the floor. This shifts the transmission down
into second gear or first gear, depending on
vehicle speed.
OVERDRIVE SWITCH
ON: With the engine running and the
selector lever in the D (Drive) posi-
tion, the transmission upshifts into
OVERDRIVE as vehicle speed in-
creases.
OVERDRIVE does not engage until the
engine has reached operating tempera-
ture.
ASD1004
Starting and driving5-9
ZX