maintenance NISSAN ALTIMA 2021 User Guide

∙ If the battery is labeled “do not open” it ismaintenance free and battery fluid
should not be checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
or a qualified specialist workshop to
confirm the battery’s performance.
∙ Keep the battery surface clean and dry. Clean the battery with a solution of bak-
ing soda and water.
∙ Make certain the terminal connections are clean and securely tightened.
∙ If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or longer, disconnect the nega-
tive (-) battery terminal cable to prevent
discharge.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start conditions
such as: 1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not
running (Phone chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances. In these cases, the battery may need to
be charged to maintain battery health.

1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of un-usual wear, cuts, or fraying. If the belt is
in poor condition, have it replaced. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
2. Have the belt checked regularly for condition.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace iridium-
tipped
Aspark plugs as frequently as con-
ventional type spark plugs because they
last much longer. Follow the maintenance
log shown in the “Maintenance and sched-
ules” section of this manual. Do not service
iridium-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or
regapping.
∙ Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.

NOTE:
The air cleaner filter should not be
cleaned and reused.
Replace the air cleaner filter according to
the maintenance log shown in the ”Mainte-
nance and schedules” section of this
manual.
To remove the air cleaner filter:∙ Unlatch the clips and move the air cleaner cover upward.
∙ Remove the air cleaner filter. ∙ Wipe the inside of the air cleaner filter
housing and the cover with a damp
cloth.
The viscous paper type filter element (if so
equipped) should not be cleaned and re-
used. The dry paper type filter element (if so
equipped) may be cleaned and reused. Re-
place the air filter according to the mainte-
nance log shown in the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual.
NOTE:
Af ter installing a new air cleaner filter,
make sure the air cleaner cover is seated
in the housing and latch the clips.

Your engine was filled with a high-quality
engine oil when it was built. You do not have
to change the oil before the first recom-
mended change interval. Oil and filter
change intervals depend upon how you
use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions
may require more frequent oil and filter
changes:∙ repeated short distance driving at cold outside temperatures
∙ driving in dusty conditions
∙ extensive idling
∙ stop and go commuting
For additional information, refer to the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of
this manual.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFO-1234yf (R-1234yf ) and
NISSAN A/C system oil Type PAG
(VC100YF oil) or the exact equivalents.

WARNING
A vehicle equipped with All -Wheel Drive
(AWD) should never be tested using a
two wheel dynamometer (such as the
dynamometers used by some states for
emissions testing), or similar equip-
ment. Make sure you inform the test fa-
cility personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with AWD before it is placed
on a dynamometer. Using the wrong
test equipment may result in drivetrain
damage or unexpected vehicle move-
ment which could result in serious ve-
hicle damage or personal injury.
Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in what is called the
“ready condition” 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 ve-
hicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready” condi-
tion. 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 af ter 20 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is “ready”. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer to set the “ready con-
dition” or to prepare the vehicle for testing.
This vehicle is equipped with an EDR. The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain collision or near collision-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or
hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding 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 passen- ger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
∙ How far (if at all) the driver was depress- ing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,
∙ How fast the vehicle was traveling.
∙ Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better un-
derstanding of the circumstances in which
collisions and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR
data are recorded by your vehicle only if a
nontrivial collision situation occurs; no data
are recorded by the EDR under normal driv-
ing conditions and no personal data (e.g.
name, gender, age and collision location)
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
Technical and consumer information10-21

Child safety rear door lock..........3-7
Chimes, audible reminders .........2-18
Cleaningexteriorandinterior......7-2,7-5
C.M.V.S.S. certification label .........10-12
Coldweatherdriving ............5-180
Console box ..................2-59
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .......................5-18
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-12
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) ............5-18
Controls Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-29,4-38
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant .........8-6
Checking engine coolant level ......8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Corrosionprotection..............7-8
Cruisecontrol .................5-63
Cupholders ...............2-60,2-61
D
Daytime Running Light System ......2-50
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror
defrosterswitch..............2-44
Dimensions and weights ..........10-10
Dimmer switch for instrument panel . . .2-50
Door locks ....................3-4
Drivebelt ....................8-16 Drive positioner, Automatic . . .3-32, 3-33, 3-34
Driving
Cold weather driving ..........5-180
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) ............5-18
Precautions when starting and
driving..................5-4,5-11
Drivingthevehicle...............5-18
E
E-call (SOS) Button ..............2-54
Economy - fuel ................5-164
Emergency engine shutoff .......5-15,6-2
Emission control information label . . . .10-13
Emission control system warranty . . . .10-19
Engine Before starting the engine ........5-17
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant .........8-6
Changing engine oil ............8-8
Changing engine oil filter .........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ......8-6
Checking engine oil level .........8-7
Engine compartment check
locations...................8-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Engine cooling system ..........8-5
Engine oil ...................8-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .............10-7
Engine oil pressure warning light ....2-12
Engine oil viscosity .............10-7
Engine serial number ..........10-12 Engine specifications
...........10-9
Starting the engine ............5-17
Engine Block Heater .............5-182
Engine coolant temperature gauge ....2-6
EventDatarecorders.........10-21,10-22
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .......5-4
Explanation of maintenance items .....9-2
Explanation of scheduled maintenance
items .......................9-5
Extended storage switch ..........2-57
Eyeglasscase.................2-59
F
Flashers
(Seehazardwarningflasherswitch)....6-2
Flattire....................6-3,6-4
Floormatpositioningaid...........7-6
Fluid Brakefluid..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-12
Engine coolant ...............8-5
Engine oil ...................8-7
Windshield-washer fluid .........8-13
F

.M.V.S.S. certification label .........10-12
Foglightswitch ................2-51
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) . . .1-54
Front-door pocket ..............2-58
Front power seat adjustment ........1-4
Frontseats....................1-2
11-2

FuelCapacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Fuel economy ...............5-164
Fuel-filler door and cap ..........3-25
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ....3-25
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Fueloctanerating.............10-6
Fuel recommendation ..........10-4
Loose fuel cap warning .........2-35
Fuelefficientdrivingtips ..........5-163
Fuel-filler door .................3-25
Fuel gauge ....................2-7
Fuses .......................8-21
Fusiblelinks...................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver . . .2-67, 2-68, 2-69, 2-70, 2-70, 2-71
Gascap.....................3-25
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Fuel gauge ..................2-7
Odometer ..................2-5
Speedometer ..............2-4,2-5
Tachometer .................2-6
Trip odometer .............2-4,2-5
General maintenance .............9-2
Glovebox....................2-59
Gloveboxlock.................2-59 H
Hazard warning flasher switch ........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-45
Headlightcontrolswitch...........2-45
Headlights ...................8-25
Headrestraints................. .1-7
Heated seat switches ............2-52
Heated steering wheel ............2-53
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-29,4-38
Heater operation ..........4-30,4-39
Hill start assist system ............5-174
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver . . .2-67, 2-68, 2-69, 2-70, 2-70, 2-71
Hood .......................3-22
Horn.......................2-52
I
Ignition switch Push-button ignition switch .......5-13
Immobilizer system ..........2-42,5-16
Important vehicle information label . . .10-12
In-cabinmicrofilter..............8-18
Increasing fuel economy ..........5-164
Indicator NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge
indicator...................5-16
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-15
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror .....3-30
Instrument brightness control .......2-50Instrument panel
.............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch .....2-50
Intelligent Around View Monitor .......4-11
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
(for vehicles without ProPILOT Assist) . . .5-66
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
(for vehicles with ProPILOT Assist) . . . .5-102
Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA) .....5-159
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
(I-FCW) .................... .5-147
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ............3-9
Key operation ................3-10
Mechanical key ...............3-3
Remote keyless entry operation ....3-14
Troubleshooting guide ..........3-17
Warning signals ...............3-17
Intelligent Lane Intervention (I-LI) .....5-39
Intelligent Trace Control (I-TC) .......5-174
Interiorlight...................2-66
I
nteriortrunklidrelease...........3-24
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-26
J
Jumpstarting...............6-9,8-15
K
Key........................ .3-2
Key fob battery replacement ........8-23
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .......3-14
11-3

KeysNISSAN Intelligent Key® ..........3-2
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
keys......................3-4
L
Label Tire and Loading Information label . .10-13
Labels Air conditioner specification label . . .10-13
C.M.V.S.S. certification label .......10-12
Emission control information label . .10-13
Engine serial number ..........10-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .......10-12
Tire and Loading Information label . .10-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN) . .10-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate.....................10-11
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-67
Lane Departure Warning (LDW) .......5-34
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren)System............... .1-26
License plate Installing the license plate .......10-14
Light Airbagwarninglight ........1-67, 2-15
Brakelight(Seestoplight)........8-26
Bulb check/instrument panel ......2-10
Bulb replacement .............8-26
Charge warning light ...........2-11
ExteriorandInteriorlights........8-26
Foglights..................8-26
Foglightswitch ..............2-51
Headlight and turn signal switch ....2-45Headlightcontrolswitch.........2-45
Headlights .................8-25
Interiorlight.................2-66
Lightbulbs.................8-25
Low tire pressure warning light
.....2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-35
Personal lights ...............2-67
Security indicator light ..........2-17
Spotlights(Seemaplight)........2-66
Trunklight..................2-67
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ..................2-15
Lights ......................8-25 Maplights..................2-66
Lock Child safety rear door lock ........3-7
Door locks ..................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ....3-25
Gloveboxlock...............2-59
Power door locks ..............3-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever ........3-23
Loose fuel cap warning ...........2-35
Lowfuelwarninglight.........2-14,2-35
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light........................2-35
Luggage
(See vehicle loading information) .....10-14
M
Maintenance General maintenance ...........9-2
Insidethevehicle..............9-3 Maintenance precautions
.........8-2
Outsidethevehicle.............9-2
Seat belt maintenance ..........1-20
Under the hood and vehicle .......9-4
Maintenance log ................9-19
Maintenance requirements ..........9-2
Maintenance schedules .........9-7,9-7
Maintenance under severe operation
conditions.................9-13,9-18
Malfunctionindicatorlight..........2-17
Manual front seat adjustment ........1-3
Maplights................... .2-66
Memory Seat ...........3-32,3-33,3-34
Meters and gauges ...............2-4
Instrument brightness control .....2-50
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror. . .3-30
Outsidemirrors...............3-31
Rearview ..................3-30
Vanitymirror................3-29
Mirrors......................3-30
Moonroof ..................2-64,7-5
Moving Object Detection (MOD) ......4-23
N
NissanConnect® Owner's Manual ......
4-2
NISSAN Intelligent Key® ............3-2
NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge
indicator.................... .5-16
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System..................2-42, 5-16
11-4

O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) . .10-6
Odometer ....................2-5
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine oil ............8-8
Changing engine oil filter .........8-8
Checking engine oil level .........8-7
Engine oil ...................8-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .............10-7
Engine oil viscosity .............10-7
Outsidemirrors.................3-31
Overhead sunglasses holder ........2-59
Overheat Ifyourvehicleoverheats.........6-11
Owner's manual order form ........10-23
Owner's manual/service manual order
information..................10-23
P
Parking Parking brake operation .........5-25
Parking/parkingonhills.........5-168
Parkingbrake...........2-12,2-16,5-25
Personal lights .................2-67
Power Power door locks ..............3-6
Poweroutlet................2-56
Powerrearwindows...........2-63
Power steering system .........5-168
Powerwindows ..............2-61 Rearpowerwindows...........2-63
Poweroutlet..................2-56
Powersteering................5-168
Precautions Maintenance precautions .........8-2
Precautions on booster
seats............1-23, 1-31, 1-38, 1-43
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-23, 1-31, 1-38, 1-43
Precautions on seat belt usage .....1-12
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ................... .1-46
Precautions when starting and
driving..................5-4,5-11
ProPILOT Assist ................5-90
Push starting ..................6-11
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ..........4-42
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test .......................10-21
Rear Automatic Braking (RAB) .......5-124
RearCrossTrafficAlert(RCTA) .......5-55
Rear Door Alert .............2-37,2-55
Rearpowerwindows.............2-63
Rearseat.................... .1-5
Rear Sonar System (RSS) ..........5-175
Rearviewmirror................3-30
RearViewMonitor................4-3
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch......................2-44
Recommended Fluids ............10-2 Recorders
EventData.............10-21,10-22
Refrigerant recommendation ........10-8
Registering a vehicle in another
country .....................10-11
Remote Engine Start ..........3-19,5-18
Reporting safety defects (US only) . . . .10-20
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ........3-7
Childseatbelts......1-23, 1-31, 1-38, 1-43
Reporting safety defects (US only) . .10-20
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ......1-3
Front power seat adjustment ......1-4
Rear seat adjustment ...........1-5
Seatback pockets ...............
2-58
Seat belt Childsafety ................ .1-21
Infants and small children ........1-22
InjuredPerson............... .1-15
Largerchildren.............. .1-22
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.....1-12
Pregnant women ..............1-15
Seat belt extenders ............1-20
Seat belt maintenance ..........1-20
Seatbelts................1-12, 7-7
Shoulder belt height adjustment . . . .1-19
Three-pointtypewithretractor.....1-15
Seat belt extenders ..............1-20
Seatbeltwarninglight.........1-14, 2-15
Seats Adjustment ..................1-2
11-5

Armrests ...................1-7Automatic drive positioner. .3-32, 3-33, 3-34
Frontseats..................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment ......1-3
Rearseat...................1-5
Security indicator light ............2-17
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), engine start ..........2-42,5-16
Security systems Vehicle security system .........2-40
Self-adjustingbrakes.............8-20
Service manual order form .........10-23
Servicing air conditioner ...........4-41
Shif ting Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .....................5-21
Shiftleverlockrelease............5-23
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-19
Sonar Rear system ................5-175
Spark plug replacement ...........8-17
Spark plugs ...................8-17
Specifications ..................10-9
Speedometer ................2-4,2-5
Speedometer and odometer ........2-4
Spotlights(Seemaplight)..........2-66
SRS warning label ...............1-67
Stability control ................5-171
Standard maintenance . .9-10, 9-11, 9-14, 9-15
Starting Before starting the engine ........5-17
Jumpstarting.............6-9,8-15
Precautions when starting and
driving ..................5-4,5-11
Push starting ................6-11
Starting the engine ............5-17 Starting the engine
..............5-17
Steering Heated steering wheel ..........2-53
Powersteeringsystem.........5-168
Steering Assist switch
(forvehicleswithProPILOTAssist).....2-54
Steering wheel .................3-28
Stoplight....................8-26
Storage.....................2-58
Sunglasses case ................2-59
Sunglasses holder ..............2-59
Sunroof ......................7-5
Sunroof (see Moonroof ) ...........2-64
Sunvisors....................3-29
Supplemental air bag warning
light.................... .1-67, 2-15
Supplemental front impact air bag
system ..................... .1-54
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels . . . .1-67
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ................... .1-46
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .......1-46
Switch Autolightswitch..............2-47
Automatic power window switch . . .2-63
Foglightswitch ..............2-51
Hazard warning flasher switch ......6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ....2-45
Headlightcontrolswitch.........2-45
Instrument brightness control .....2-50
Power door lock switch ..........3-6
Rear window and outside mirror
defrosterswitch..............2-44
Turn signal switch .............2-50 T
Tachometer ...................2-6
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-6
Thef t (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
engine start ...............2-42,5-16
Three-waycatalyst...............5-4
Tilt T

elescopicsteering............3-28
Tire Flattire..................6-3,6-4
Spare tire ...............6-5,8-40
Tire and Loading Information label . .10-13
Tire chains .................8-36
Tire pressure ................8-29
Tirerotation.................8-37
Types of tires ................8-35
Uniform tire quality grading ......10-18
Wheels and tires ..............8-29
Wheel/tire size ...............10-10
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .....2-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)....................5-5,6-3
Towing 4-wheel drive models ...........6-14
Flattowing.................10-18
Trailertowing...............10-18
Towingatrailer................10-18
Towingyourvehicle..............6-12
Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR) ........5-31
Transceiver HomeLink® Universal Transceiver . . .2-67, 2-68, 2-69, 2-70, 2-70, 2-71
11-6