wiper fluid NISSAN ALTIMA 2012 Owners Manual

FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de-
icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key
hole or use the remote keyless entry function on
the Intelligent Key.
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem-
perature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check the
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see “Engine cooling system” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi-
mum efficiency, the battery should be checked
regularly. For details, see “Battery” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
DRAINING OF COOLANT WATER
If the vehicle is to be left outside without anti-
freeze, drain the cooling system, including the
engine block. Refill before operating the vehicle.
For details, see “Changing engine coolant” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed toprovide superior performance on dry pave-
ment. However, the performance of these
tires will be substantially reduced in snowy
and icy conditions. If you operate your ve-
hicle on snowy or icy roads, NISSAN recom-
mends the use of MUD & SNOW or ALL
SEASON TIRES on all four wheels. Please
consult a NISSAN dealer for the tire type,
size, speed rating and availability informa-
tion.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, studded tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow tires. 3. Tire chains may be used. For details see
“Tire chains” in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
SPECIAL WINTER EQUIPMENT
It is recommended that the following items be
carried in the vehicle during winter:
● A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove
ice and snow from the windows and wiper
blades.
● A sturdy, flat board to be placed under the
jack to give it firm support.
● A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snowdrifts.
● Extra washer fluid to refill the windshield-
washer fluid reservoir.
DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance ..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .........8-2
Maintenance precautions ...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................8-6
Engine cooling system .............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-9
Changing engine coolant ........................8-9
Engine oil ........................................ 8-10
Checking engine oil level .......................8-10
Changing engine oil ........................... 8-11
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid
(if so equipped) .................................. 8-13
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-14
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ..............8-14
Brake fluid .................................... 8-15
Clutch fluid (if so equipped) ....................8-15
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-15
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-15
Battery .......................................... 8-16
Jump starting ................................. 8-17
Variable voltage control system .....................8-18Drive belt
........................................ 8-18
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-19
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-19
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-20
In-cabin microfilter ............................. 8-21
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-21
Cleaning ..................................... 8-21
Replacing .................................... 8-22
Brakes .......................................... 8-23
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-23
Brake pad wear indicators ......................8-23
Fuses ........................................... 8-23
Engine compartment ........................... 8-24
Passenger compartment .......................8-25
Battery replacement .............................. 8-27
NISSAN
Intelligent Key™ ....................... 8-27
Lights ........................................... 8-29
Headlights .................................... 8-29
Front park/turn/sidemarker light .................8-29
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-30
Upper tether anchor/key cylinder covers ............8-36
Removing covers from rear parcel shelf ..........8-36
Installing covers to rear parcel shelf ..............8-37

and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery* Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid lev-
els* Make sure that the brake and clutch fluid
level is between the MIN and MAX lines on the
reservoir. Engine coolant level*
Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts* Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. See “Ex-
haust gas (carbon monoxide)” in the “Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaks Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.
Power steering fluid level* and lines Check
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc. Radiator and hoses
Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield-washer fluid* Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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

Brake warning light.............2-11
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-34
Low fuel warning light ........2-13, 2-24
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-24
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-51
Seat belt warning light ............2-14
Vehicle security system ...........2-26
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-56
Warning lights ..................2-10
Washer switch Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-28
Weights (See dimensions and weights) .....9-8
Wheels and tires .................8-38
Wheel/tire size ...................9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ..................9-9
Windows Locking passengers’ windows .......2-45
Power rear windows .............2-45
Power windows ...............2-43
Rear power windows ............2-45
Windshield-washer fluid .............8-15
Windshield wiper and washer switch .....2-28
Wiper Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-28
Wiper blades .................8-21
10-7