light NISSAN ALTIMA 2010 Manual Online

WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
●Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Keep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle. ●
Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. ●
When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:

●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and 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.

Your NISSAN vehicle is covered by the following
emission warranties:
For USA1. Emission Defects Warranty
2. Emissions Performance Warranty
Details of this warranty may be found with other
vehicle warranties in your Warranty Information
Booklet which comes with your NISSAN vehicle.
If you did not receive a Warranty Information
Booklet, or it is lost, you may obtain a replace-
ment by writing to: ● Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
For Canada
Emission Control System Warranty
Details of this warranty may be found with other
vehicle warranties in your Warranty Information
Booklet which comes with your NISSAN vehicle.
If you did not receive a Warranty Information
Booklet, or it is lost, you may obtain a replace-
ment by writing to: ● Nissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 4Z5If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or the
battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be reset to
a “not ready” condition. Before taking the I/M test,
check the vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test
readiness condition. Place the ignition switch in the
ON position without starting the engine. If the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady
for 20 seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds , the
I/M test condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”. If the MIL indicates the vehicle is in a “not
ready” condition, drive the vehicle through the fol-
lowing pattern to set the vehicle to the ready con-
dition. If you cannot or do not want to perform the
driving pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for
you.
EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTY REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (US
only)READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
Technical and consumer information9-27

Precautions on child
restraints.........1-24, 1-30, 1-35, 1-39
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-28
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-16
Cleaning exterior and interior ...........7-2
Clock ...................4-46, 4-51
(models with navigation system) .......4-8
(models without navigation system) . . . .4-46
Clock set ..................4-8, 4-46
Clutch Clutch fluid ..................8-14
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11
Cold weather driving ..............5-26
Compact disc (CD)
player ............4-47, 4-53, 4-59, 4-65
Compass display .................2-6
Console box ...................2-39
Console light ...................2-47
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-11 Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid ......................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-11
Transmission selector lever lock release . .5-15
Control panel buttons ...............4-2
Brightness/contrast button .........4-12
Enter button ..................4-2
Setting button .................4-6
Controls Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-19, 4-27
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9 Checking engine coolant level
........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-6
Cruise control ..................5-19
Cup holders ................2-38, 2-39
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-31
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-27
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-64
Dimensions

and weights .............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-32
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-4
Drive belt .....................8-18
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-26
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-11
Driving with manual transmission ......5-16
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-21
Emission control information label .......9-12
Emission control system warranty .......9-27
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-9
Block heater .................5-28 Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
.................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-8
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine .............5-10
Enter button ....................4-2
Event data recorders ..............9-28
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-37
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-33
Flat
tire.......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-14
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-13
10-2

Engine coolant.................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Fog light switch .................2-32
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-50
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-21
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Fuel-filler cap .................3-25
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-25
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-25
Fuel-filler lid .................3-25
Fuses .......................8-22
Fusible links ...................8-24
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-49
Gascap .....................3-25
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-5
Trip odometer .................2-4
General maintenance ...............8-2 Glove box
.....................2-39
Glove box lock ..................2-39
Grocery hooks ..................2-41
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth ................4-92, 4-107
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-33
Headlight
and turn signal switch ........2-28
Headlight control switch ............2-29
Headlights ....................8-27
Heated seats ...................2-34
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-19, 4-27
Heater operation ...........4-21, 4-28
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-49
Hood release ...................3-23
Horn .......................2-33
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch .........5-7
Immobilizer system .............2-25, 3-3
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-20
Increasing fuel economy .............5-21
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-10
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-29
Inside mirror ...................3-28 Instrument brightness control
..........2-32
Instrument panel ...............0-8, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-32
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ..........3-8, 3-18
Key operation .................3-9
Mechanical key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation . . .3-12, 3-18
Troubleshooting guide ........3-16, 3-22
Warning signals ............3-16, 3-22
Interior light ....................2-46
Interior trunk lid release .............3-24
iPod Player................4-73, 4-75
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-26
J
Jump starting .................. .6-8
K
K

eyfob battery replacement ...........8-25
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .....3-12, 3-18
Keys, For Intelligent Key system .........3-2
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-13
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-12
10-3

Engine serial number............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-56
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-26
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-13
Light Air bag warning light .........1-56, 2-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-28
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-10
Bulb replacement ..............8-28
Charge warning light ............2-11
Console light .................2-47
Fog light switch ...............2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlight control switch ..........2-29
Headlights ..................8-27
Interior light ..................2-46
Light bulbs ..................8-27
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Low washer fluid warning light .......2-23
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-51
Personal lights ................2-48
Security indicator light ............2-15
Spotlights (See map light) .........2-48
Trunk light ..................2-48
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-10
Lights Map lights ..................2-48
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Door locks ...................3-4 Fuel-filler door lock opener lever
......3-25
Glove box lock ................2-39
Power door locks ...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever ..........3-23
Low

fuel warning light ..........2-13, 2-23
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-12
Low washer fluid warning light .........2-23
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-14
M
Maintenance General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-21
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-15
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-48
Map pocket ....................2-36
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-32
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-29
Inside mirror .................3-28
Outside mirrors ...............3-30
Vanity mirror .................3-28
Moonroof .....................2-44
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . . .4-77 N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ ............3-17
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-25, 3-3
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-118
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-30
Overheat If

your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-29
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-29
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-18
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-22
Personal lights ..................2-48
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free
system ..................4-92, 4-107
10-4

PowerPower door locks ...............3-5
Power outlet .................2-35
Power rear windows .............2-43
Power steering fluid .............8-13
Power steering system ...........5-23
Power windows ...............2-42
Rear power windows ............2-43
Precautions Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-24, 1-30, 1-35, 1-39
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-15
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-42
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Programmable features ..............4-6
Push starting ...................6-10
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-91
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .....................4-45
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-55
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-49
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-27
Rear power windows ..............2-43
Rear seat ......................1-9
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-27
RearView Monitor ................4-13 Recorders
Event data ..................9-28
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . .9-10
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-27
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Child seat belts .....1-24, 1-30, 1-35, 1-39
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-27
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment .........1-4
Rear seat adjustment .............1-9
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-22
Infants
and small children ..........1-23
Injured Person ................1-18
Larger children ................1-23
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-15
Pregnant women ...............1-18
Seat belt extenders .............1-21
Seat belt maintenance ............1-21
Seat belts ...................1-15
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-20
Three-point type with retractor .......1-18
Seat belt warning light ..............2-13
Seatback pockets ................2-36
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Front seats ...................1-2
Heated seats .................2-34
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2Rear seat
....................1-9
Security indicator light ..............2-15
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ............2-25, 3-3
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-22
Service manual order form ...........9-29
Servicing air conditioner .............4-29
Setting button ...................4-6
Shift lock release .................5-15
Shifting Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .....................5-13
Manual transmission .............5-17
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-20
Spark plug replacement .............8-19
Speedometer ...................2-4
Spotlights (See map light) ...........2-48
SRS warning label ................1-56
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-9
Jump
starting .................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Push starting .................6-10
Starting the engine .............5-10
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-13
Power steering system ...........5-23
Stop light .....................8-28
Storage ......................2-36
Sun visors ....................3-27
Sunglasses case .................2-37
Sunglasses holder ................2-37
Sunroof ......................2-44
Sunroof (see Moonroof) .............2-44
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-56, 2-14
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-50
10-5

Supplemental restraint systemInformation and warning labels .......1-56
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-42
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-42
Switch Autolight switch ...............2-30
Automatic power window switch ......2-43
Fog light switch ...............2-32
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-28
Headlight control switch ..........2-29
Power door lock switch ............3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-27
Turn signal switch ..............2-32
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .....................2-34
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
T
Tachometer ....................2-5
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .................2-25, 3-3
Three-way catalyst ................5-2
Tire Flat tire .....................6-2
Spare tire ................6-4, 8-45
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Tire chains ..................8-42
Tire placard ..................9-12 Tire pressure
.................8-34
Tire rotation ..................8-43
Types of tires .................8-41
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-26
Wheels and tires ...............8-34
Wheel/tire size .................9-8
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint .........1-28
Towing Flat towing ..................9-25
T

ow truck towing ...............6-11
Towing load/specification ..........9-21
Trailer towing .................9-18
Transceiver HomeLink Universal Transceiver ......2-49
Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-11
Driving with manual transmission ......5-16
Selector lever lock release .........5-15
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country) ......................9-10
Trip odometer ...................2-4
Trunk access through the rear seat .......1-9
Trunk lid lock opener lever ............3-23
Trunk light ....................2-48
Turn signal switch ................2-32
U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-26USB interface
Audio file operation ..........4-68, 4-70
Video file operation .............4-71
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-28
Variable voltage control system .........8-17
Vehicle dimensions and weights .........9-9
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-34
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-25
Vehicle identification ...............9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number) ................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . . .9-10
Vehicle loading information ...........9-14
Vehicle recovery .................6-14
Vehicle security system .............2-24
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle
immobilizer system) , engine start .....2-25, 3-3
Ventilators ....................4-18
Visors .......................3-27
Voice recognition system ...........4-118
W
W

arning Air bag warning light .........1-56, 2-14
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-11
Battery charge warning light ........2-11
Brake warning light .............2-11
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-33
Low fuel warning light ........2-13, 2-23
10-6

Low tire pressure warning light.......2-12
Low washer fluid warning light .......2-23
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-51
Seat belt warning light ............2-13
Vehicle security system ...........2-24
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-56
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-10
Warning lights ..................2-10
Washer switch Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Weights (See dimensions and weights) .....9-9
Wheels and tires .................8-34
Wheel/tire size ...................9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country ................9-10
Windows Locking passengers’ windows .......2-43
Power rear windows .............2-43
Power windows ...............2-42
Rear power windows ............2-43
Windshield wiper and washer switch .....2-26
Windshield-washer fluid .............8-15
Wiper Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26
Wiper blades .................8-20
10-7