charging NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 L31 / 3.G Owners Manual

VOLTMETER
When the ignition key is turned to the ON posi-
tion, the voltmeter indicates the battery voltage.
When the engine is running, it indicates the gen-
erator voltage.
While cranking the engine, the volts drop below
the normal range. If the needle is not in the normal
range (12 - 14.5 volts)
s1while the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging system
is not functioning properly. Have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
FUEL CONSUMPTION GAUGE
This gauge shows the APPROXIMATE fuel con-
sumption while you are driving.
The vehicle speed must be 7 mph (11.2 km/h) or
greater for the gauge to give a reading.
LIC0750
Type A
LIC0751
Type B
LIC0803
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Turn off the engine, and start it again by
slowly turning the ignition key (quickly do-
ing so may cause the ABS light to stay on
when there is nothing wrong) . If the light
stays on, have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the anti-
lock function ceases, but the regular braking
system continues to operate.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact a NISSAN dealer for repair.
Automatic transmission check
warning light (if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is turned ON, the light
comes on for about 2 seconds. If the light comes
on at any other time, it may indicate the automatic
transmission system is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position, the
light comes on when the parking brake is applied,
and also warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running withthe parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary. See “Brake and clutch fluid” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” sec-
tion of this manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the brake system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
cYour brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
c Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
c If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not func-
tioning properly. Turn the engine off and check
the generator belt. If the belt is loose, broken,
missing, or if the light remains on, see a NISSAN
dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the generator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors are not
closed securely while the ignition key is in the ON
position.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediately and call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
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CAUTION
Use the headlights with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
Autolight system (if so equipped)
The autolight system allows the headlights to be
set so they turn on and off automatically. The
autolight system can:c Turn on the headlights, front parking, tail,
license plate and instrument panel lights au-
tomatically when it is dark.
c Turn off all the lights when it is light.
c Keep all the lights on for 45 seconds after
you turn the key to OFF and all doors are
closed.
Type B
LIC0687
Type C
LIC0688LIC0561
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NOTE:
Autolight activation sensitivity and the
time delay for autolight shutoff is adjust-
able for vehicles with navigation system.
See “Vehicle electronic systems” in the
“Display screen, heater, air conditioner and
audio systems” section later in this manual.
To turn on the autolight system:1. Turn the headlight switch to the AUTO posi- tion
s1.
2. Turn the ignition key to ON.
3. The autolight system automatically turns the headlights on and off.
Initially, if the ignition switch is turned OFF and a
door is opened and left open, the headlights
remain ON for 5 minutes. If another door is
opened during the 5 minutes, then the 5 minute
timer is reset.
To turn the autolight system off, turn the switch to
the OFF,
,orposition.
Be sure you do not put anything on top of
the autolight sensor located in the top side
of the instrument panel. The autolight sen-
sor controls the autolight; if it is covered,
the autolight sensor reacts as if it is dark
out and the headlights will illuminate. If
this occurs while parked with the engine
off and the key in the ON position, your
vehicle’s battery could become discharged.
Headlight beam select
s1To select the high beam function, push the
lever forward. The high beam lights come on
and the
light illuminates.
s2Pull the lever back to select the low beam.
s3Pulling and releasing the lever flashes the
headlight high beams on and off.
Battery saver system
If the ignition switch is turned OFF while the
headlight switch is in theorposi-
tion, the headlights will turn off after 5 minutes.
CAUTION
Even though the battery saver feature au-
tomatically turns off the headlights after a
period of time, you should turn the head-
light switch to the OFF position when the
engine is not running to avoid discharging
the vehicle battery.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM
(Canada only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a re-
duced intensity when the engine is started with
the parking brake released. The daytime running
lights operate with the headlight switch in the
OFF position or in the
position. Turn the
headlight switch to theposition for full
illumination when driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the engine is
started, the daytime running lights do not illumi-
nate. The daytime running lights illuminate when
the parking brake is released. The daytime run-
ning lights will remain on until the ignition switch
is turned off.
LIC0562
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The vehicle should be driven with the Traction Con-
trol System (TCS) on for most driving conditions.
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the TCS
reduces the engine output to reduce wheel spin.
The engine speed will be reduced even if the
accelerator is depressed to the floor. If maximum
engine power is needed to free a stuck vehicle,
turn the TCS off.
To turn off the TCS, push the TCS OFF switch.
The
indicator will come on.
Push the “TCS OFF” switch again or restart the
engine to turn ON the system. See “Traction
control system (TCS)” in the “Starting and driv-
ing” section. The power outlets are for powering electrical
accessories such as cellular telephones. They
are rated at 12 volt, 120W (15A) maximum.
CAUTION
c
The outlet and plug may be hot during
or immediately after use.
c Only certain power outlets are designed
for use with a cigarette lighter unit. Do
not use any other power outlet for an
accessory lighter. See your NISSAN
dealer for additional information. c
Do not use with accessories that ex-
ceed a 12 volt, 120W (15A) power draw.
Do not use double adapters or more
than one electrical accessory.
c Use power outlets with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
c Avoid using power outlets when the air
conditioner, headlights or rear window
defroster is on.
LIC0451
Instrument panel (if so equipped)
LIC0714
Console
WIC0699
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
OFF SWITCH (if so equipped) POWER OUTLET
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cBefore inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure the electrical accessory
being used is turned OFF.
c Push the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug may
overheat or the internal temperature
fuse may open.
c When not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water to contact the
outlet.
The cigarette lighter operates when the ignition
switch is in the ACC or ON position.
Lift the lid
sAto open.
Push the lighter
sBin all the way. When the
lighter is heated, it will spring out. Return the
lighter to its original position after use.
Pull out the ashtray
sCto remove it.
This power outlet can also be used for powering
electrical accessories such as cellular tele-
phones.
CAUTION
c The cigarette lighter should not be used
while driving so full attention may be
given to vehicle operation.
c The outlet and plug may be hot during
or immediately after use.
c Do not use any other power outlet for an
accessory lighter.
c Do not use with accessories that ex-
ceed a 12 volt, 120W (15A) power draw.
Do not use double adapters or more
than one electrical accessory.
c
Use power outlets with the engine running
to avoid discharging the vehicle battery.
c Avoid using power outlets when the air
conditioner, headlights or rear window
defroster is on.
c Before inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure the electrical accessory
being used is turned OFF.
c Push the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug may
overheat or the internal temperature
fuse may open.
c When not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water to contact the
outlet.
LIC0692
CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND ASHTRAY
(if so equipped)
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OPERATING TIPS
cWhen the engine coolant temperature and
outside air temperature are low, the air flow
from the foot outlets may not operate for a
maximum of 150 seconds. However, this is
not a malfunction. After the coolant tempera-
ture warms up, air flow from the foot outlets
will operate normally.
The sunload sensor, located on the top driver’s
side of the instrument panel, helps the system
maintain a constant temperature. Do not put any-
thing on or around this sensor. The air conditioner system in your NISSAN ve-
hicle is charged with a refrigerant designed with
the environment in mind.
This refrigerant does not harm the earth’s
ozone layer.
Special charging equipment and lubricant is re-
quired when servicing your NISSAN air condi-
tioner. Using improper refrigerants or lubricants
will cause severe damage to your air conditioner
system. See “Air conditioner system refrigerant
and lubricant recommendations” in the “Techni-
cal and consumer information” section of this
manual.
A NISSAN dealer is able to service your “environ-
mentally friendly” air conditioning system.
WARNING
The air conditioner system contains re-
frigerant under high pressure. To avoid
personal injury, any air conditioner ser-
vice should be done only by an experi-
enced technician with proper equipment.
LHA0457
SERVICING AIR CONDITIONER
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WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage to
the charging system and cause personal
injury.1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries near each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch. 2. Apply the parking brake. Move the shift lever
to N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P
(Park) (automatic transmission) . Switch off
all unnecessary electrical systems (lights,
heater, air conditioner, etc.) .
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so equipped) . Cover the battery with an old
cloth to reduce explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence il- lustrated (
sA,sB,sC,sD).
CAUTION
cAlways connect positive ( 1) to positive
( 1 ) and negative ( 2) to body ground (for
example, strut mounting bolt, engine
lift bracket, etc.) — not to the battery.
c Make sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine com-
partment and that the cable clamps do
not contact any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster ve- hicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start the en-
gine of the vehicle being jump started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine does
not start right away, turn the key off and
wait 3 to 4 seconds before trying again.
7. After starting the engine, carefully discon- nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped) . Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover
the vent holes as it may be contaminated
with corrosive acid.
WCE0054
In case of emergency6-7
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then move the transmission shift selector
lever into the P (Park) position. If you move
the shift selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion before blocking the wheels and applying
the parking brake, transmission damage
could occur.
c When going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
c If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioner
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
c Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
c Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
c For the first 500 miles that you do tow, do
not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) . c
Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
c When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
c Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help sta-
bilize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
c Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
c To maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
5th gear (manual transmission) or overdrive
(automatic transmission) . c
Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
c Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
c Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.
c Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
c When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
When towing a trailer, transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
9-18Technical and consumer information
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