NISSAN ALTIMA 2004 L31 / 3.G Owners Manual

Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN
owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with
confidence. It was produced using the latest
techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you under-
stand the operation and maintenance of your
vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles (kilome-
ters) of driving pleasure. Please read through this
manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information Booklet
explains details about the warranties cov-
ering your vehicle. The “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide” explains details
about maintaining and servicing your ve-
hicle. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state’s lemon
law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle
best. When you require any service or have any
questions, they will be glad to assist you with the
extensive resources available to them.Before driving your vehicle please read this Own-
er’s Manual carefully. This will ensure familiarity
with controls and maintenance requirements, as-
sisting you in the safe operation of your vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION RE-
MINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and complete trip for
you and your passengers!
cNEVER drive under the influence of al-
cohol or drugs.
cALWAYS observe posted speed limits
and never drive too fast for conditions.
cALWAYS use your seat belts and appro-
priate child restraint systems. Preteen
children should be seated in the rear
seat.
cALWAYS provide information about the
proper use of vehicle safety features to
all occupants of the vehicle.
cALWAYS review this owner’s manual for
important safety information.
MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
This vehicle should not be modified.
Modification could affect its
performance, safety or durability, and
may even violate governmental
regulations. In addition, damage or per-
formance problems resulting from
modifications may not be covered un-
der NISSAN warranties.
FOREWORD READ FIRST—THEN DRIVE SAFELY
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The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.

This manual includes information for all options
available on this model. Therefore, you may find
some information that does not apply to your
vehicle.
All information, specifications and illustrations in
this manual are those in effect at the time of
printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change
specifications or design without notice and with-
out obligation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
THIS MANUAL
You will see various symbols in this manual. They
are used in the following ways:
WARNING
This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause death or serious
personal injury. To avoid or reduce the
risk, the procedures must be followed
precisely.
CAUTION
This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause minor or moder-
ate personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle. To avoid or reduce the risk, the pro-
cedures must be followed carefully.If you see this symbol, it means“Do not do this”
or“Do not let this happen.”
If you see a symbol similar to these in an illustra-
tion, it means the arrow points to the front of the
vehicle.
Arrows in an illustration that are similar to these
indicate movement or action.
Arrows in an illustration that are similar to these
call attention to an item in the illustration.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth de-
fects or other reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles
and certain products of component wear
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
© 2003 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA
All rights reserved. No part of this Owner’s
Manual may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form, or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of Nissan North America, Inc., Gar-
dena, California.
APD1005
WHEN READING THE MANUAL
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The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.

Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedication to
produce the finest in safe, reliable and economical
transportation. Your vehicle is the product of a suc-
cessful worldwide company that manufactures cars
and trucks in over 17 countries and distributes them
in 170 nations.
NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufactured
by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was founded in
Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSAN affiliates world-
wide, collectively growing to become the fifth largest
automaker in the world. In addition to cars and
trucks, NISSAN also makes forklift trucks, marine
engines, boats and other diversified products.
NISSAN has made a substantial and growing in-
vestment in North America. NISSAN’s commitment
is over $6 billion dollars in capital investments in
facilities across the continent. Some of the facilities
include the Nissan Manufacturing facilities in Can-
ton, Mississippi and in Smyrna, Tennessee, vehiclestyling design at Nissan Design America, Inc. in San
Diego, California, and engineering at Nissan Tech-
nical Center North America in Farmington Hills,
Michigan. Additionally, NISSAN employs more than
21,000 people throughout the United States,
Canada, and Mexico. An additional 60,000 people
work for the 1,250 NISSAN and INFINITI dealers
across North America.
NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to the
Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its suppli-
ers and over 150 dealers employ approximately
4,500 people. These include company employees
and the staffs of NISSAN dealers all across Canada.
In addition, many Canadians work for companies
that supply NISSAN and NISSAN dealers with ma-
terials and services ranging from the operation of
port facilities and transportation services, to the
supply of lubricants, parts and accessories.NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics and com-
puters in automobiles, and has led the industry in
improving both performance and fuel efficiency
through new engine designs and the use of syn-
thetic materials to reduce vehicle weight. The com-
pany has also developed ways to build quality into its
vehicles at each stage of the production process,
both through extensive use of automation and —
most importantly — through an awareness that
people
are the central element in quality control.
From the time the parts arrived from our suppliers
until you took delivery of your new NISSAN, dozens
of checks were made to ensure that only the best job
was being done in producing and delivering your
vehicle. NISSAN also takes great care to ensure that
when you take your NISSAN to your dealer for
maintenance, the service technician will perform his
work according to the quality standards that have
been established by NISSAN.
Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. As you
know, seat belts are an integral part of the safety
systems that will help protect you and your passen-
gers in the event of a sudden stop or an accident.
We urge you to use the seat belts every time you
drive the vehicle.
The NISSAN story of growth and achievement re-
flects our major goal: to provide you, our customer,
with a vehicle that is built with quality and craftsman-
ship — a product that we can be proud to build and
you can be proud to own.
WFW0002
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF NISSAN
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NISSAN CARES...
Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are
our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and service needs.
However, if there is something that your NISSAN
dealer cannot assist you with or you would like to
provide NISSAN directly with comments or ques-
tions, please contact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs
Department using our toll-free number:
For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers
1-800-NISSAN-1
(1-800-647-7261)
For Hawaii customers1-808-836-0888 (Oahu Number)
For Canadian customers1-800-387-0122
The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the
following information:
– Your name, address, and telephone number
– Vehicle identification number (attached to the
top of the instrument panel on the driver’s
side)
– Date of purchase
– Current odometer reading
– Your NISSAN dealer’s name
– Your comments or questions
ORYou can write to NISSAN with the information at:
For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers
Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 191
Gardena, California 90248-0191
For Hawaii customersNissan Motor Corporation in Hawaii
2880 Kilihau St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
For Canadian customersNissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5
We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle.
NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM
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Table of
ContentsIllustrated table of contents
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
Instruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and care
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Technical and consumer information
Index
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

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0 Illustrated table of contents
Airbags, seat belts and child restraints...............0-2
Exterior front......................................0-3
Exterior rear.......................................0-4
Passenger compartment...........................0-5Instrument panel...................................0-6
Engine compartment locations......................0-8
Warning/indicator lights...........................0-10
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1. Supplemental front impact air bags
(P. 1-8)
2. Supplemental curtain side-impact air
bag (if so equipped) (P. 1-8)
3. Front head restraint (P. 1-7)
4. Rear seat belts (P. 1-22)
5. Top tether anchor point (P. 1-38)
6. Rear head restraint (P. 1-7)
7. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) (P. 1-37)
8. Supplemental side impact air bag (if so
equipped) (P. 1-8)
9. Front seat belts (P. 1-22)
10. Seat belt pretensioners (P. 1-19)
11. Seats (P. 1-2)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0025
AIRBAGS, SEAT BELTS AND CHILD
RESTRAINTS
0-2Illustrated table of contents
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1. Engine hood (P. 3-10)
2. Headlight and turn signal switch
(P. 2-18)
3. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-30)
4. Windshield wiper and washer switch
(P. 2-16)
5. Windshield (P. 8-24)
6. Power windows (P. 2-32)
7. Door locks, keyfob, keys
(P. 3-3, 3-5, 3-2)
8. Mirrors (P. 3-16)
9. Tire pressure (P. 9-11)
10. Flat tire (P. 6-2)
11. Tire chains (P. 8-40)
12. Fog light switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-22)
13. Tie down/towing hooks (P. 6-11)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0024
EXTERIOR FRONT
Illustrated table of contents0-3
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1. Rear window defroster switch (P. 2-17)
2. Trunk lid (P. 3-11)
3. Vehicle loading (P.9-12)
4. Interior trunk lid release (P. 3-12)
5. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-30)
6. Fuel filler cap, fuel recommendation
(P. 3-13, P. 9-23)
7. Fuel filler lid (P. 3-13)
8. Child safety locks (P. 3-5)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0023
EXTERIOR REAR
0-4Illustrated table of contents
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