engine overheat NISSAN ALTIMA 2005 L31 / 3.G Owners Manual

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range
s1when the gauge needle points
within the zone shown in the illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with the
outside air temperature and driving conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates coolant tempera-
ture near the hot (H) end of the normal
range, reduce vehicle speed to decrease
temperature. If the gauge is over the nor-
mal range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible. If the engine is over-
heated, continued operation of the ve-
hicle may seriously damage the engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” in the “In
case of emergency” section for immediate
action required.
FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates the approximatefuel level
in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hills.
The gauge needle returns to E (Empty) after the
ignition key is turned to OFF.
The low fuel warning light comes on when the
amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge regis-
ters E (Empty) .
LIC0685LIC0686
2-8Instruments and controls
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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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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)
2-28Instruments and controls
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5. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-sired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows and
dehumidify the air.
1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi- tion.
3. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
When the
,or positions in between
are selected, the air conditioner automatically
turns on (however, the indicator light will not
illuminate) if the outside temperature is more than
36°F (2°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the vehicle is restarted, even
if the air flow control dial is turned to a position
other than the
position. This dehumidifies
the air which helps defog the windshield.
The
mode automatically turns off, allowing
outside air to be drawn into the passenger com-
partment to further improve the defogging perfor-
mance. 4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Operating tips
cKeep the windows and sunroof closed while
the air conditioner is in operation.
c After parking in the sun, drive for 2 or 3
minutes with the windows open to vent hot
air from the passenger compartment. Then,
close the windows. This allows the air con-
ditioner to cool the interior more quickly.
c The air conditioning system should be
operated for approximately 10 minutes
at least once a month. This helps pre-
vent damage to the system due to lack
of lubrication.
c If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turn
the air conditioner off. See “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of
emergency” section of this manual.
AIRFLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and dial
positions for MAXIMUM AND QUICK heating,
cooling or defrosting. The air recirculation
button should always be in the OFF posi-
tion for heating and defrosting.
4-16Display screen, heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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CAUTION
cDo not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline will seriously re-
duce the three-way catalyst’s ability to
help reduce exhaust pollutants.
c Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the three-way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep driv-
ing if the engine misfires, or if notice-
able loss of performance or other un-
usual operating conditions are
detected. Have the vehicle inspected
promptly by a NISSAN dealer.
c Avoid driving with an extremely low fuel
level. Running out of fuel could cause
the engine to misfire, damaging the
three-way catalyst.
c Do not race the engine while warming it
up.
c Do 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 ve-
hicle, loss of control could result in a colli-
sion with other vehicles or objects, or cause
the vehicle to roll over, particularly if the loss
of control causes the vehicle to slide side-
ways. 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 drowsiness) .
Always wear your seat belt as outlined in the
“Safety – Seats, seat belts and supplemental re-
straint system” section of this manual, and also
instruct your passengers to do so.
Seat belts help reduce the risk of injury in collisions
and rollovers. In a rollover crash, an unbelted
or improperly belted person is significantly
more likely to be injured or killed than a
person properly wearing a seat belt.
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS AND
DRIVING
WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alcohol
or drugs. Alcohol in the bloodstream re-
duces coordination, delays reaction time
and impairs judgement. Driving after
drinking alcohol increases the likelihood
of being involved in an accident injuring
yourself and others. Additionally, if you
are injured in an accident, alcohol can
increase the severity of the injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. However,
you must choose not to drive under the influence
of alcohol. Every year thousands of people are
injured or killed in alcohol-related accidents. Al-
though the local laws vary on what is considered
to be legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most people
underestimate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix! And
that is true for drugs, too (over-the-counter, pre-
scription, and illegal drugs) . Don’t drive if your
ability to operate your vehicle is impaired by alco-
hol, drugs, or some other physical condition.
Starting and driving5-3
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The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned off
while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
much harder to operate.The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brakes and pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
c
While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
c If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Parking brake bedding
The parking brake shoes must be “bedded down”
whenever the stopping effect of the parking
brake is weakened or whenever the parking brake
shoes and/or drum/rotors are replaced, in order
to assure the best brake performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-19
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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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CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine coolant.
The service procedure can be found in the
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
cTo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
c Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
c Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
c Keep coolant out of the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan. 4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re-
insert it all the way.
QR25DE
WDI0211
VQ35DE
WDI0212
ENGINE OIL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9
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Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or enginedamage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
9-4Technical and consumer information
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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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