check engine NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 L31 / 3.G User Guide

Keyfob operation:
cPush the
button on the keyfob.
All doors lock. The hazard lights flash
twice and the horn beeps once to indicate
all doors are locked.
c When the
button is pushed with
all doors locked, the hazard lights flash
twice and the horn beeps once as a re-
minder that the doors are already locked.
For vehicles with navigation system, see
9 Vehicle electronic systems 9in the 9Display
screen, heater, air conditioner and audio
systems 9section later in this manual. For
vehicles without navigation system, see 9Si-
lencing the horn beep feature 9in the 9Pre-
driving checks and adjustments 9section
later in this manual.
4. Confirm that the security indicator light comes on. The security light stays on for
about 30 seconds. The vehicle security sys-
tem is now pre-armed. After about 30 sec-
onds the vehicle security system automati-
cally shifts into the armed phase. The
security light begins to flash once every 3
seconds. If, during the 30-second pre-arm
time period, the door is unlocked by the key
or the keyfob, or the ignition key is turned to
ACC or ON, the system will not arm. c
If the key is turned slowly when locking
the door, the system may not arm. Fur-
thermore, if the key is turned beyond
the vertical position toward the unlock
position to remove the key, the system
may be disarmed when the key is re-
moved. If the indicator light fails to
glow for 30 seconds, unlock the door
once and lock it again.
c Even when the driver and/or passen-
gers are in the vehicle, the system will
arm with all doors and trunk lid closed
and locked with the ignition key in the
OFF position.
Vehicle security system activation
The vehicle security system will give the following
alarm:
c The headlights blink and the horn sounds
intermittently.
c The alarm automatically turns off after ap-
proximately 50 seconds. However, the alarm
reactivates if the vehicle is tampered with
again. The alarm can be shut off by unlocking
a door or trunk lid with the key, or by pressing
the
button on the keyfob. The alarm is activated by:
c opening the door or trunk lid without using
the key or keyfob (even if the door is un-
locked by releasing the door inside lock
switch) .
How to stop an activated alarm
The alarm stops only by unlocking a door or the
trunk lid with the key, or by pressing the
button on the keyfob.
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM (NVIS)
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS)
will not allow the engine to start without the use of
a registered NVIS key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered NVIS
key (for example, when interference is caused by
another NVIS key, an automated toll road device
or automatic payment device on the key ring) ,
restart the engine using the following proce-
dures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK position, and wait approximately 10 sec-
onds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
Instruments and controls2-17
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To sound the horn, push the center pad area of
the steering wheel.
WARNING
Do not disassemble the horn. Doing so
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental front air bag system. Tam-
pering with the supplemental front air bag
system may result in serious personal
injury.The front seats are warmed by built-in heaters (if
so equipped) . The switches are located on the
center console.
1. Start the engine.
2.Push the low or high position of the switch, as
desired, depending on the temperature. The
indicator light in the switch will illuminate.
The heater is controlled by a thermostat,
automatically turning the heater on and off.
The indicator light will remain on as long as
the switch is on.
3.
When the seat is warmed or before you leave
the vehicle, be sure to turn the switch off.
CAUTION
c Do not use the seat heater for extended
periods or when no one is using the
seat.
c Do not put anything on the seat which
insulates heat, such as a blanket, cush-
ion, seat cover, etc. Otherwise, the seat
may become overheated.
c Do not place anything hard or heavy on
the seat or pierce it with a pin or similar
object. This may result in damage to the
heater.
c Any liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with a
dry cloth.
c When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, benzine, thinner, or any simi-
lar materials.
c If any abnormalities are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn the
switch off and have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.
c The battery could run down if the seat
heater is operated while the engine is
not running.
LIC0395LIC0690
HORN HEATED SEAT (if so equipped)
2-26Instruments and controls
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s1Pull the hood lock release handle located
below the driver side instrument panel; the
hood springs up slightly.
s2Lift the lever at the front of the hood with your
fingertips and raise the hood.
s3Remove the support rod from the clamp.
s4Insert the support rod into the slot on the
passenger side fender ledge.5. When closing the hood, return the support
rod to its original position, lower the hood to
approximately 12 inches above the latch and
release it. This allows proper engagement of
the hood latch.
WARNING
cMake sure the hood is completely
closed and latched before driving. Fail-
ure to do so could cause the hood to fly
open and result in an accident.
c If you see steam or smoke coming from
the engine compartment, to avoid injury
do not open the hood.
WPD0288
HOOD
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-9
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WARNING
cGasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain condi-
tions. You could be burned or seriously
injured if it is misused or mishandled.
Always stop the engine and do not
smoke or allow open flames or sparks
near the vehicle when refueling.
c Fuel may be under pressure. Turn the
cap a third of a turn, and wait for any
“hissing” sound to stop to prevent fuel
from spraying out and possibly causing
personal injury. Then remove the cap.
c Do not attempt to top off the fuel tank
after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off
automatically. Continued refueling may
cause fuel overflow, resulting in fuel
spray and possibly a fire.
c Use only an original equipment type
fuel filler cap as a replacement. It has a
built-in safety valve needed for proper
operation of the fuel system and emis-
sion control system. An incorrect cap
can result in a serious malfunction and
possible injury. It could also cause the
malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
c Never pour fuel into the throttle body to
attempt to start your vehicle. c
Do not fill a portable fuel container in
the vehicle or trailer. Static electricity
can cause an explosion of flammable
liquid, vapor or gas in any vehicle or
trailer. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death when filling portable fuel
containers:
– Always place the container on the ground when filling.
– Do not use electronic devices when filling.
– Keep the pump nozzle in contact with the container while you are fill-
ing it.
– Use only approved portable fuel con- tainers for flammable liquid.
CAUTION
cIf fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid paint
damage. c
Tighten until the fuel filler cap clicks.
Failure to tighten the fuel filler cap
properly may cause the
mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL) to illumi-
nate. If the
lamp illuminates be-
cause the fuel filler cap is loose or
missing, tighten or install the cap and
continue to drive the vehicle.
The
lamp should turn off after a
few driving trips. If the
lamp
does not turn off after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.
c For additional information, see the
“Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)” in
the “Instruments and Controls” section
earlier in this manual.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-13
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cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
c Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid, and window
washer fluid as frequently as possible, or at
least whenever you refuel.
c Check that all windows and lights are clean.
c Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
c Lock all doors.
c Position seat and adjust head restraints.
c Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
c Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
c Check the operation of warning lights when
the key is turned to the ON (3) position. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders” in the “Instruments and controls”
section of this manual. 1. Apply the parking brake.
2.
Automatic transmission:
Move the shift selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The shift selector lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park) and into any of
the other gear positions if the ignition
key is turned to the OFF position or if
the key is removed from the ignition
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the shift selector lever is in any of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) . Depress
the clutch pedal to the floor while cranking
the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3. Crank the engine with your foot off the
accelerator pedal by turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above procedure. c
If the engine is very hard to start in ex-
tremely cold weather or when restarting,
depress the accelerator pedal a little (ap-
proximately 1/5 to the floor) and hold it
and then crank the engine. Release the
key and the accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.
c If the engine is very hard to start because
it is flooded, depress the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Crank the engine for 5-6 seconds. After
cranking the engine, release the accel-
erator pedal. Crank the engine with your
foot off the accelerator pedal by turn-
ing the ignition key to START. Release the
key when the engine starts. If the engine
starts, but fails to run, repeat the above
procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, otherwise
the starter could be damaged.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 sec- onds after starting. Drive at moderate speed
for a short distance first, especially in cold
weather.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-6Starting and driving
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1. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK positionand remove the key
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover as shown.
4. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock release slot and push down.
5. Move the shift selector lever to the N (Neu- tral) position while holding down the shift
lock release. 6. Turn the key to the ON position to unlock the
steering wheel. Now the vehicle may be
moved to the desired location.
If the shift selector lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) , have a NISSAN dealer check the auto-
matic transmission system as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is depressed,
the stop lights may not work. Malfunction-
ing stop lights could cause an accident
injuring yourself and others.
Accelerator downshift
— in D position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into a lower gear, depending on the
vehicle speed.
Fail-safe
When the fail-safe operation occurs, please note
that the transmission will be locked in any of the
forward gears according to the condition.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe system may be activated. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, turn the ignition key
OFF and wait for 3 seconds. Then turn the
key back to the ON position. The vehicle
should return to its normal operating con-
dition. If it does not return to its normal
operating condition, have a NISSAN dealer
check the transmission and repair it if nec-
essary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION
WARNING
c
Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
c Do not over-rev the engine when shift-
ing to a lower gear. This may cause a
loss of control or engine damage.
CAUTION
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
c Fully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.
Type B
LSD0127
Starting and driving5-11
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1. ACCEL/RES switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. ON/OFF switch
4. CANCEL switch
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
cIf 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 main switch off and have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer. c
The SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned ON
while pushing the ACCEL/RES,
COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (located
on the steering wheel) . To properly set the
cruise control system, use the following pro-
cedures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driving
under the following conditions:
cWhen 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.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into N (Neutral) without depressing
the clutch pedal when the cruise control is
set. Should this occur, depress the clutch
pedal and turn the main switch off imme-
diately. Failure to do so may cause engine
damage.
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.
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.
LSD0075
CRUISE CONTROL (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-15
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cWhen driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the traction control system may not op-
erate properly and the
indicator
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.
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.
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem-
perature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check the
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see ‘‘Engine cooling system’’ in the
‘‘Maintenance and do-it-yourself’’ 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 ‘‘Battery’’ in the ‘‘Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself’’ section of this
manual.
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 ‘‘Changing engine coolant’’ in the
‘‘Maintenance and do-it-yourself’’ 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. 3. Tire chains may be used.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-22Starting and driving
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CAUTION
cAutomatic transmission models cannot
be push-started or tow-started. At-
tempting to do so may cause transmis-
sion damage.
c Three-way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing. The
three-way catalyst may be damaged.
c 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. 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) (automatic transmission) .
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.
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.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
6-8In case of emergency
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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. 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
cWhen 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. For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , refer to “Flat towing”
in the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-9
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