check engine light NISSAN ALTIMA 2021 Owners Manual

Brake warning
light (red)2
or
Electronic parking
brake warning
light (yellow) (if so
equipped)3
orBrake warning light (red)
orElectronic parking
brake warning light
(yellow) (if so equipped)
WARNING LIGHTS
orBrake warning
light (red)
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator (if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the park-
ing brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine is
running with the parking brake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Brake fluid” in the “Do-
it-yourself ” section of this manual.2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have
the warning system checked. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

Malfunction Indicator Light(MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or
blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.
The MIL may also come on steady if the
fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, or if the
vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make sure
the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least
3 gallons (11.4 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
Af ter a few driving trips, the

∙ Make sure the area around the vehicle isclear.
∙ Check fluid levels such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and windshield-
washer fluid as frequently as possible,
or at least whenever you refuel.
∙ Check that all windows and lights are clean.
∙ Visually inspect tires for their appear- ance and condition. Also check tires for
proper inflation.
∙ Lock all doors.
∙ Position seat and adjust headrests/head restraints.
∙ Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
∙ Fasten seat belts and ask all passen- gers to do likewise.
∙ Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch is pushed to
the ON position. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Warning lights, indicator
lights and audible reminders” in the “In-
struments and controls” section of this
manual. 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shif t lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). P (Park) is recommended.
The starter is designed not to oper-
ate if the shif t lever is in any of the
driving positions.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON po- sition. Depress the brake pedal and
push the ignition switch to start the
engine.
To start the engine immediately, push
and release the ignition switch while
depressing the brake pedal with the
ignition switch in any position.
∙ If the engine is very hard to start in extremely cold weather or when re-
starting, depress the accelerator
pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to the
floor) and while holding, crank the en-
gine. Release the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.
∙ If the engine is very hard to start be- cause it is flooded, depress the accel-
erator pedal all the way to the floor
and hold it. Push the ignition switch
to the ON position to start cranking
the engine. Af ter 5 or 6 seconds, stop
cranking by pushing the ignition switch to the LOCK position. Af ter
cranking the engine, release the ac-
celerator pedal. Crank the engine
with your foot off the accelerator
pedal by depressing the brake pedal
and pushing the ignition switch to
start the engine. If the engine starts,
but fails to run, repeat the above pro-
cedure.

– An ultrasonic wave source, such asanother vehicle’s sonar, is near the
vehicle.
∙ Once the automatic brake control op- erates, it does not operate again if the
vehicle approaches the same
obstacle.
∙ The automatic brake control can only operate for a short period of time.
Therefore, the driver must depress
the brake pedal.
∙ In the following situations, the RAB system may not operate properly or
may not function sufficiently:
– The vehicle is driven in bad weather (rain, fog, snow, etc.).
– The vehicle is driven on a steep hill.
– The vehicle’s posture is changed (e.g., when driving over a bump).
– The vehicle is driven on a slippery road.
– The vehicle is turned sharply by turning the steering wheel fully.
– Snow chains are used. – Wheels or tires other than NISSAN
recommended are used.
– The brakes are cold at low ambient temperatures or immediately af ter
driving has started.
– The braking force becomes poor due to wet brakes af ter driving
through a puddle or washing the
vehicle.
∙ Turn the RAB system off in the follow- ing conditions to prevent the occur-
rence of an unexpected accident re-
sulting from sudden system
operation:
– The vehicle is towed.
– The vehicle is carried on a flatbed truck.
– The vehicle is on the chassis dynamometer.
– The vehicle drives on an uneven road surface. – Suspension parts other than those
designated as Genuine NISSAN
parts are used. (If the vehicle
height or the vehicle body inclina-
tion is changed, the system may
not detect an obstacle correctly.)
∙ Excessive noise (e.g., audio system volume, an open vehicle window) will
interfere with the chime sound, and it
may not be heard.
SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
If the RAB system malfunctions, it will be
turned off automatically, the RAB system
warning light will illuminate, and the “Sys-
tem fault” warning message will appear in
the vehicle information display.
Action to take
If the warning light illuminates, park the ve-
hicle in a safe location, turn the engine off,
and restart the engine. If the warning light
continues to illuminate, have the RAB sys-
tem checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
5-128Starting and driving

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

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