engine NISSAN ALTIMA 2012 Repair Manual

When planning to drive your NISSAN ve-
hicle in another country,you should first find
out if the fuel available is suitable for your vehi-
cle’s engine.
Using fuel with an octane rating that is too low
may cause engine damage. All gasoline vehicles
must be operated with unleaded gasoline. There-
fore, avoid taking your vehicle to areas where
appropriate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district, it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle emis-
sion control and safety standards vary according
to the country, state, province or district; there-
fore, vehicle specifications may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into an-
other country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation, and registration are the responsibil-
ity of the user. NISSAN is not responsible
for any inconvenience that may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATE
The vehicle identification number (VIN) plate is
attached as shown. This number is the identifica-
tion for your vehicle and is used in the vehicle
registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(chassis number)
The vehicle identification number is located as
shown.

ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The number is stamped on the engine as shown.
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
CERTIFICATION LABEL
The Federal/Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard (F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.) certification la-
bel is affixed as shown. This label contains valu-
able vehicle information, such as: Gross Vehicle
Weight Ratings (GVWR) , Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) , month and year of manufacture,
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) , etc. Review
it carefully.

Temperature conditions can also affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in high outside
temperatures on graded roads can affect engine
performance and cause overheating. The engine
protection mode, which helps reduce the chance
of engine damage, could activate and automati-
cally decrease engine power. Vehicle speed may
decrease under high load. Plan your trip carefully
to account for trailer and vehicle load, weather
and road conditions.

To drive away:1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks. ● While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may dete-
riorate overall handling characteristics.
Therefore, to maintain adequate control, re-
duce your speed and shift to a lower gear.
Avoid long or repeated use of the brakes
when descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheating.
Shifting to a lower gear instead provides
“engine braking” and reduces the need to
brake as frequently.
● If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances. ●
Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
● 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.
● 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.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway: 1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes. 2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● 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.
● Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
9-22Technical and consumer information

Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from
Transport Canada’s Road Safety Informa-
tion Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online
at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety (English
speakers) or
www.tc.gc.ca/securiteroutiere (French
speakers) .
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.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 condi-
tion. 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”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for
testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g. name, gender, age and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
9-26Technical and consumer information

Child restraints.......1-20, 1-21, 1-22, 1-24
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-22, 1-28, 1-33, 1-37
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-26
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-16
Cleaning exterior and interior ...........7-2
Clock ...................4-45, 4-50
(models with navigation system) .......4-8
(models without navigation system) . . . .4-45
Clock set ..................4-8, 4-45
Clutch Clutch fluid ..................8-15
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-28
Compact disc (CD)
player ............4-46, 4-52, 4-58, 4-64
Compass display .................2-6
Console box ...................2-41
Console light ...................2-49
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-12 Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-12
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-16
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, 4-26
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2 Changing engine coolant
...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-6
Cruise control ..................5-20
Cup holders ................2-39, 2-40
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-33
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-29
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-63
Dimensions
and weights .............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-33
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-4
Drive belt .....................8-18
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-28
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-12
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-22
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-25
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-10
Block heater .................5-29 Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
.................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine .............5-11
Enter button ....................4-2
Event data recorders ..............9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-26
Eyeglass case ..................2-38
F
Flashers
(See

hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-34
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-15
10-2

Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid..................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Power steering fluid .............8-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Fog light switch .................2-34
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-50
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-22
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-25
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-25
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-25, 3-25
Fuses .......................8-23
Fusible links ...................8-25
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-51
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 .....................2-41
Glove box lock ..................2-41
Grocery hooks ..................2-42
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth . . . .4-92,
4-106
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-34
Headlight
and turn signal switch ........2-29
Headlight control switch ............2-31
Headlights ....................8-29
Heated seats ...................2-35
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-19, 4-26
Heater operation ...........4-20, 4-27
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-51
Hood release ...................3-23
Horn .......................2-35
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch .........5-7
Immobilizer system .........2-27, 3-3, 5-10
Important vehicle information label .......9-10
In-cabin microfilter ................8-21
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-10
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-30Inside mirror
...................3-29
Instrument brightness control ..........2-33
Instrument panel ...............0-8, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-33
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 ....................2-48
Interior trunk lid release .............3-24
iPod Player................4-72, 4-74
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-24
J
Jump starting .................. .6-8
K
K

eyfob battery replacement ...........8-27
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 .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-10
10-3

Emission control information label.....9-11
Engine serial number ............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-10
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-56
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-24
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Light Air bag warning light .........1-56, 2-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-30
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-10
Bulb replacement ..............8-30
Charge warning light ............2-11
Console light .................2-49
Fog light switch ...............2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-29
Headlight control switch ..........2-31
Headlights ..................8-29
Interior light ..................2-48
Light bulbs ..................8-29
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-24
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-51
Personal lights ................2-49
Security indicator light ............2-16
Spotlights (See map light) .........2-50
Trunk light ..................2-50
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-10
Lights Map lights ..................2-50 Lock
Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Door locks ...................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-25
Glove box lock ................2-41
Power door locks ...............3-5
T

runk lid lock opener lever ..........3-23
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-25, 3-25
Low fuel warning light ..........2-13, 2-24
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-24
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-19
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-15
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-50
Map pocket ....................2-37
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-33
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-30
Inside mirror .................3-29
Outside mirrors ...............3-31
Vanity mirror .................3-29
Moonroof .....................2-46
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-77 N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ ............3-17
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system . . .2-27, 3-3, 5-10
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-117
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine
oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-31
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-27
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-27
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-23
Personal lights ..................2-49
10-4

Phone, Bluetoothhands-free
system ..................4-92, 4-106
Power Power door locks ...............3-5
Power outlet .................2-36
Power rear windows .............2-45
Power steering fluid .............8-14
Power steering system ...........5-24
Power windows ...............2-43
Rear power windows ............2-45
Precautions Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-22, 1-28,
1-33, 1-37
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-13
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-41
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 .....................4-44
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-54
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-48
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-26
Rear parcel shelf Refitting covers ...............8-37
Removing covers ...............8-36 Rear power windows
..............2-45
Rear seat ......................1-8
RearView Monitor ................4-13
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-29
Recorders Event data ..................9-26
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-25
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Child seat belts .....1-22, 1-28, 1-33, 1-37
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-25
Seat adjustment Front
manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment .........1-4
Rear seat adjustment .............1-8
Seatback pockets ................2-38
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-20
Infants and small children ..........1-21
Injured Person ................1-16
Larger children ................1-21
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-13
Pregnant women ...............1-16
Seat belt extenders .............1-19
Seat belt maintenance ............1-19
Seat belts ...................1-13
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-18
Three-point type with retractor .......1-16
Seat belt warning light ..............2-14 Seats
Adjustment ...................1-2
Front seats ...................1-2
Heated seats .................2-35
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Rear seat ....................1-8
Security indicator light ..............2-16
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-27, 3-3, 5-10
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-23
Service manual order form ...........9-27
Servicing air conditioner .............4-28
Setting button ...................4-6
Shifting Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .....................5-13
Manual transmission .............5-18
Shift lock release .................5-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-18
Spark plug replacement .............8-19
Speedometer ...................2-4
Spotlights

(See map light) ...........2-50
SRS warning label ................1-56
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-10
Jump starting .................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Push starting .................6-10
Starting the engine .............5-11
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-14
Power steering system ...........5-24
Stop light .....................8-30
Storage ......................2-37
Sunglasses case .................2-38
Sunglasses holder ................2-38
10-5

Sunroof......................2-46
Sunroof (see Moonroof) .............2-46
Sun visors ....................3-28
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-56, 2-14
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-50
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-56
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-41
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-41
Switch Autolight switch ...............2-31
Automatic power window switch ......2-45
Fog light switch ...............2-34
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-29
Headlight control switch ..........2-31
Power door lock switch ............3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-29
Turn signal switch ..............2-34
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch .....................2-36
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-28
T
Tachometer ....................2-5
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-27, 3-3, 5-10
Three-way catalyst ................5-2 Tire
Flat tire .....................6-2
Spare tire ................6-4, 8-49
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Tire chains ..................8-46
Tire placard ..................9-11
Tire pressure .................8-38
Tire rotation ..................8-47
Types of tires .................8-45
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-24
Wheels and tires ...............8-38
Wheel/tire size .................9-8
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Tire

Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . . .5-3
Towing Flat towing ..................9-23
Towing load/specification ..........9-19
Tow truck towing ...............6-11
Trailer towing .................9-16
Transceiver HomeLink Universal Transceiver ......2-51
Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-12
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Shift selector lock release ..........5-16
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country) ......................9-9
Trip odometer ...................2-4
Trunk access through the rear seat .......1-8
Trunk lid lock opener lever ............3-23
Trunk light ....................2-50
Turn signal switch ................2-34 U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-24
USB interface Audio file operation ..........4-67, 4-69
Video file operation .............4-70
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-29
Variable voltage control system .........8-18
Vehicle dimensions and weights .........9-8
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-36
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system .....5-26
Vehicle identification ...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number) .................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . . .9-9
Vehicle loading information ...........9-12
Vehicle recovery .................6-14
Vehicle security system .............2-26
Vehicle security system
(NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-27, 3-3, 5-10
Ventilators ....................4-18
Visors .......................3-28
V
oice recognition system ...........4-117
W
Warning Air bag warning light .........1-56, 2-14
Anti-lock brake warning light ........2-11
Battery charge warning light ........2-11
10-6