power steering NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 L31 / 3.G Owners Manual

1. Driver, center and passenger ventila-
tors (P. 4-11)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turn
signal switch (P. 2-21)
3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped) (P. 4-40)
4. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-34, 2-26)
5. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)
6. Cruise control main/set switch
(if so equipped) (P. 5-14)
7. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-19)
8. Storage (if so equipped) (P. 2-30)
9. Glove box (P. 2-33)
10. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-34)
11. Heater and air conditioner
(manual or automatic) (P. 4-11, P.
4-20)
12. Power outlet or cigarette lighter
(if so equipped) (P. 2-28, P. 2-29)
13. Heated seat switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-27)
14. Shift selector lever (P. 5-7)
15. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-26)
16. Storage or ashtray (if so equipped)
(P. 2-30, P. 2-29)
WIC0902
INSTRUMENT PANEL
0-6Illustrated table of contents
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QR25DE engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-15)
2. Spark plug caps (P. 8-20)
3. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-16)
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model)
(P. 8-16)
5. Air cleaner (P. 8-21)
6. Battery (P. 8-17)
7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-26)
8. Transmission dipstick (A/T models)
(P. 8-13)
9. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
10. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
11. Drive belt location (P.8-19)
12. Fuse block (P. 8-26)
13. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-16)
14. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
15. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
NOTE:
Engine cover removed for clarity.
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
WDI0488
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents
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VQ35DE engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-15)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
3. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-16)
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model)
(P. 8-16)
5. Air cleaner (P. 8-21)
6. Battery (P. 8-17)
7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-26)
8. Transmission dipstick (A/T models)
(P. 8-15)
9. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
10. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
11. Drive belt location (P.8-19)
12. Fuse block (P. 8-26)
13. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-16)
14. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
NOTE:
Engine cover removed for clarity.
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
WDI0489
Illustrated table of contents0-9
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1. Driver, center and passenger ventila-
tors (P. 4-11)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turn
signal switch (P. 2-21)
3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped) (P. 4-40)
4. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-34, 2-26)
5. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)
6. Cruise control main/set switch
(if so equipped) (P. 5-14)
7. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-19)
8. Storage (if so equipped) (P. 2-30)
9. Glove box (P. 2-33)
10. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-34)
11. Heater and air conditioner (manual or
automatic) (P. 4-11, P. 4-20)
12. Power outlet or cigarette lighter
(if so equipped) (P. 2-28, P. 2-29)
13. Heated seat switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-27)
14. Shift selector lever (P. 5-7)
15. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-26)
16. Storage or ashtray (if so equipped)
(P. 2-30, P .2-29)
WIC0902
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls
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3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .............................................3-2
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system keys...........3-2
Doors............................................3-3
Locking with key................................3-3
Locking with inside lock knob....................3-4
Locking with power door lock switch.............3-4
Child safety rear door lock.......................3-5
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped).........3-5
How to use remote keyless entry system..........3-6
Hood............................................3-9
Trunk lid.........................................3-10
Opener operation..............................3-10
Key operation (if so equipped)..................3-11
Interior trunk lid release........................3-11Fuel-filler door...................................3-12
Opener operation..............................3-12
Fuel-filler cap.................................3-12
Tilting telescopic steering column..................3-13
Tilt operation..................................3-13
Telescopic operation...........................3-14
Sun visors.......................................3-14
Vanity mirrors.................................3-14
Mirrors..........................................3-15
Rearview mirror...............................3-15
Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror
(if so equipped)...............................3-15
Outside mirrors...............................3-15
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CD CARE AND CLEANING
cHandle a CD by its edges. Do not bend the
disc. Never touch the surface of the disc.
cAlways place the discs in the storage case
when they are not being used.
c
To clean a disc, wipe the surface from the center
to the outer edge using a clean, soft cloth. Do
not wipe the disc using a circular motion.
cDo not use a conventional record cleaner or
alcohol intended for industrial use.
cA new disc may be rough on the inner and
outer edges. Remove the rough edges by
rubbing the inner and outer edges with the
side of a pen or pencil as illustrated.
1. Volume control switch
2. Mode select switch
3. Audio power on/off switch
4. Audio tuning Up/Down
STEERING WHEEL SWITCH FOR
AUDIO CONTROL (if so equipped)
1. Volume control switch
2. Mode select switch
3. Trip
4. Audio tuning Up/Down
POWER on/off switch (Type A)
With the ignition key turned to the ACC or ON
position, push the POWER switch to turn the
audio system on or off.
Trip set (Type B)
For information on using the trip computer see
“Trip computer” in the “Instrument and controls”
section of this owner’s manual.
LHA0049
Type A
WHA0471
Type B
LHA0450
4-40Display screen, heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-3
Ignition switch.....................................5-4
Automatic transmission..........................5-4
Manual transmission............................5-5
Key positions..................................5-5
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system................5-5
Before starting the engine..........................5-6
Starting the engine................................5-6
Driving the vehicle.................................5-7
Automatic transmission (if so equipped)...........5-7
Manual transmission...........................5-11
Parking brake....................................5-14
Cruise control (if so equipped).....................5-14
Precautions on cruise control...................5-14
Cruise control operations.......................5-15Break-in schedule................................5-16
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-16
Parking/parking on hills............................5-17
Power steering...................................5-18
Brake system....................................5-18
Brake precautions.............................5-18
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if so
equipped)....................................5-19
Traction control system (TCS) (if so equipped).......5-20
Cold weather driving..............................5-21
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-21
Anti-freeze....................................5-21
Battery.......................................5-21
Draining of coolant water.......................5-22
Tire equipment................................5-22
Special winter equipment.......................5-22
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-23
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-23
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1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the R (Reverse) posi-
tion. When parking on an uphill grade, place
the shift lever in 1st gear.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the shift selector lever to the P (Park)
position.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
traffic when parked on an incline, it is a good
practice to turn the wheels as illustrated.
cHEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
sA
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
cHEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
sB
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
cHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
sC
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the cen-
ter of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key.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.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
5-18Starting and driving
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WARNING
cWhile 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.
cIf 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 break-in
Break-in the parking brake shoes 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 toheat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return
to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high
speeds until the brakes function correctly.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
(if so equipped)
The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes so
the wheels do not lock when braking abruptly or
when braking on slippery surfaces. The system
detects the rotation speed at each wheel and
varies the brake fluid pressure to prevent each
wheel from locking and sliding. By preventing
wheel lockup, the system helps the driver main-
tain steering control and helps to minimize swerv-
ing and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not operate at
speeds below3-6MPH(5-10km/h) . (The
speeds vary according to road conditions.)When driving, the anti-lock brake system con-
trols the wheels so they will not lock when brak-
ing abruptly or when braking on a slippery road.
Thus, difficult steering and swerving of the ve-
hicle due to locked wheels is minimized. The
system detects the wheel rotation rate and elec-
tronically controls the pressure applied to each
brake. Slight vibration on the brake pedal accom-
panied by noise usually occurs while the ABS
system is operating. Such vibration and noise
encountered during abrupt braking is not a prob-
lem, but indicates that the system is functioning
properly. However, the pulsation may indicate
that road conditions are hazardous and extra care
is required while driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of electronic
sensors and hydraulic solenoids controlled by a
computer. The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you start
the engine and move the vehicle at a low speed in
forward or reverse. When the self-test occurs,
you may hear a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not
an indication of any malfunction. If the computer
senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-lock
brake system off and turns on the ABS brake
warning light on the instrument panel. The brake
system then operates normally, but without anti-
lock assistance.
Starting and driving5-19
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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
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever 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.
cAlways 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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