check engine light NISSAN ALTIMA 2023 Owners Manual

0 Illustrated table of contents
Air bags, seat belts and child restraints..........0-2
Exterior front ....................................0-3
Exterior rear .....................................0-4
Passenger compartment .......................0-5 Instrument panel
................................0-6
Engine compartment check locations ...........0-8
Warning/Indicator lights ........................0-10

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel................................2-2
Meters and gauges .............................2-4
Speedometer and odometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................................2-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge ..........2-6
Fuel gauge ................................... 2-7
Distance To Empty (DTE) .....................2-8
Variable Compression Turbo
(if so equipped) ...............................2-8
Warning lights, indicator lights and audible
reminders .......................................2-9
Checking lights .............................. 2-10
Warning/Indicator lights (red) ...............2-10
Warning/Indicator lights (yellow) ............2-12
Warning/Indicator lights (other) .............2-17
Audible reminders ........................... 2-18
Vehicle information display- 5 inch (13 cm)
Type A (if so equipped) ......................... 2-18
How to use the vehicle information
display ...................................... 2-19
Startup display .............................. 2-19
Resetting the drive computer ...............2-20
Oil control system (if so equipped) ...........2-20
Settings ..................................... 2-21
Vehicle information display warnings
and indicators ............................... 2-28Vehicle information display —7 inch (18 cm)
Type B (if so equipped)
......................... 2-34
How to use the vehicle information
display ...................................... 2-35
Startup display .............................. 2-35
Resetting the drive computer ...............2-35
Oil control system (if so equipped) ...........2-36
Settings ..................................... 2-37
Vehicle information display warnings
and indicators ............................... 2-45
Security systems ............................... 2-52
Vehicle security system .....................2-52
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System .........2-54
Wiper and washer switch .......................2-55
Switch operation ............................ 2-55
Rear window and outside mirror
(if so equipped) defroster switch ...............2-56
Headlight and turn signal switch ...............2-57
Headlight control switch ....................2-57
LED

Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
system (if so equipped) ......................2-62
Instrument brightness control ..............2-62
Turn signal switch ........................... 2-63
Fog light switch (if so equipped) .............2-63
Horn ........................................... 2-64

CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine. The following lights (if
so equipped) will come on:
,,,,,or
The following lights (if so equipped) come
on briefly and then go off:
or,,,,,or,
If any light fails to come on or operate in a
way other than described, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb and/or a system mal-
function. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Some indicators and warnings are also dis-
played in the vehicle information display
between the speedometer and tachom-
eter. For additional information, see “Ve-
hicle information display-5 inch (13 cm)
Type A” (P. 2-18) or “Vehicle information
display-7 inch (18 cm) Type B” (P. 2-34).
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS (red)
For additional information on warnings
and indicators, see “Vehicle information
display–5 inch (13 cm) Type A” (P. 2-18) or
“Vehicle information display—7 inch (18cm)
Type B” (P. 2-34).
orBrake warning
light
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 ap-
plied, stop the vehicle and perform the
following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brakefluid as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, see “Brake fluid” (P. 8-12). 2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
WARNING
• Your brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is on.
Driving could be dangerous. If you
judge it to be safe, drive carefully to
the nearest service station for re-
pairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle
towed because driving it could be
dangerous.
• Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
• If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It is
recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
2-10Instruments and controls

Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the charging sys-
tem is not functioning properly. Turn the
engine off and check the generator belt. If
the belt is loose, broken, or missing, or if the
light remains on, have the system checked.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
CAUTION
• Do not ground electrical accessories
directly to the battery terminal. Do-
ing so will bypass the variable volt-
age control system and the vehicle
battery may not charge completely.
For additional information, see “Vari-
able voltage control system” (P. 8-16).
• Do not continue driving if the genera-
tor belt is loose, broken or missing.
orElectronic parking
brake indicator
light (if so
equipped)
This light illuminates when the electronic
parking brake system is operating.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the electronic parking brake
warning light illuminates. When the engine
is started and the parking brake is released,
the warning light turns off.
If the parking brake is not released, the
electronic parking brake warning light re-
mains illuminated. Ensure the electronic
parking brake warning light has turned off
before driving.
If the electronic parking brake warning light
illuminates or flashes while the electronic
parking brake system warning light
(yellow) illuminates, it may indicate
that the electronic parking brake system is
not functioning properly. Have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
For additional information, see “Parking
brake” (P. 5-25).
Engine oil pressure
warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during nor-
mal driving, pull off the road in a safe area,
stop the engine immediatelyand call a
NISSAN dealer or other authorized repair
shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. For
additional information, see “Engine oil”
(P. 8-7).
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Master warning light
When the ignition is in the ON position, the
master warning light illuminates if any of
the following are displayed on the vehicle
information display.
Instruments and controls2-11

If the ABS warning light illuminates while
the engine is running or while driving, it
may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system
then operates normally but without anti-
lock assistance. For additional information,
see “Brake system” (P. 5-173).
Automatic Emergency
Braking (AEB) with
Pedestrian Detection
system warning light
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position. It turns
off af ter the engine is started.
This light illuminates when the AEB with
Pedestrian Detection system is set to OFF
in the vehicle information display.
If the light illuminates when the AEB with
Pedestrian Detection system is on, it may
indicate that the system is unavailable. For
additional information, see “Automatic
Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian
Detection” (P. 5-135) and “Intelligent Forward
Collision Warning (I-FCW)” (P. 5-147).
orElectronic
parking brake
warning light (if
so equipped)
The electronic parking brake system
warning light functions for the electronic
parking brake system. If the warning light
illuminates, it may indicate the electronic
parking brake system is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
For additional information, see “Parking
brake” (P. 5-25).
Front passenger air bag
status light
The front passenger air bag status light will
be lit and the passenger front air bag will be
off depending on how the front passenger
seat is being used.
For additional information, see “Front pas-
senger air bag and status light” (P. 1-57).
Low tire pressure warning
light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) that moni-
tors the tire pressure of all tires except the
spare.
The low tire pressure warning light warns
of low tire pressure or indicates that the
TPMS is not functioning properly.
Af ter the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light illuminates for about 1
second and turns off.
Low tire pressure warning
If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the warning light will illumi-
nate. A “Tire Pressure Low - Add Air”
warning also appears in the vehicle in-
formation display.
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust
the tire pressure of all four tires to the
recommended COLD tire pressure shown
on the Tire and Loading Information la-
bel located in the driver's door opening.
The low tire pressure warning light does
not automatically turn off when the tire
pressure is adjusted. Af ter the tire is in-
flated to the recommended pressure,
Instruments and controls2-13

CAUTION
• The TPMS is not a substitute for the
regular tire pressure check. Be sure
to check the tire pressure regularly.
• If the vehicle is being driven at
speeds of less than 16 mph (25 km/h),
the TPMS may not operate correctly.
• Be sure to install the specified size of
tires to the four wheels correctly.
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
malfunction.
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
light
should turn off if no other potential emis-
sion control system malfunction exists. If this indicator light comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds
when the engine is not running, it indicates
that the vehicle is not ready for an emission
control system inspection/maintenance
test. For additional information, see “Readi-
ness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test”
(P. 10-24).
Operation
The MIL will come on in one of two ways:
• MIL on steady — An emission control sys-
tem malfunction has been detected.
Check the fuel-filler cap if the Loose Fuel
Cap warning appears in the vehicle infor-
mation display. If the fuel-filler cap is loose
or missing, tighten or install the cap and
continue to drive the vehicle. The
light should turn off af ter a few driving
trips. If thelight does not turn off
af ter a few driving trips, have the vehicle
inspected. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. You
do not need to have your vehicle towed
to the dealer.
• MIL blinking — An engine misfire has been detected which may damage the emis-
sion control system. To reduce or avoid
emission control system damage:– do not drive at speeds above 45 mph (72 km/h). – avoid hard acceleration or
deceleration.
– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled or towed.
The MIL may stop blinking and come on
steady. Have the vehicle inspected. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Master warning light
When the ignition is in the ON position, the
master warning light illuminates if any of
the following are displayed on the vehicle
information display.
• No key warning
• Low windshield-washer fluid warning
• Door open warning (when stopped)
• Trunk open warning
Instruments and controls2-15

• Loose fuel cap
• Low tire pressure warning
• AWD warning
If the master warning light illuminates and
the message(s) are not visible on the ve-
hicle information display, use the buttons
located on the steering wheel to navigate
the vehicle information display until the
“Warnings” screen is displayed.
Power steering warning
light
WARNING
• If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the steering will not work.
Steering will be harder to operate.
• When the power steering warning
light illuminates with the engine run-
ning, there will be no power assist for
the steering. You will still have control
of the vehicle, but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the power steering warning light
illuminates. Af ter starting the engine, the
power steering warning light turns off. This
indicates the power steering is operational.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the power steering is not function-
ing properly and may need servicing. Have
the power steering checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, there will
be no power assist for the steering, but you
will still have control of the vehicle. At this
time, greater steering effort is required to
operate the steering wheel, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
For additional information, see “Power
steering” (P. 5-172).
Rear Automatic Braking
(RAB) warning light (if so
equipped)
This light comes on when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position. It turns
off af ter the engine is started. This light illuminates when the RAB system
is turned off in the vehicle information
display.
If the light illuminates when the RAB sys-
tem is on, it may indicate that the system is
unavailable. For additional information, see
“Rear Automatic Braking (RAB)” (P. 5-127).
Slip indicator light
This indicator light will blink when the Ve-
hicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system is op-
erating, thus alerting the driver to the fact
that the road surface is slippery and the
vehicle is nearing its traction limits.
You may feel or hear the system working;
this is normal.
The light will blink for a few seconds af ter
the VDC system stops limiting wheel spin.
The
indicator light also comes on
when you place the ignition switch in the
ON position. The light will turn off af ter ap-
proximately 2 seconds if the system is op-
erational. If the light does not come on
have the system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
2-16Instruments and controls

Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) OFF indicator light
This indicator light comes on when the
VDC is turned off in the vehicle information
display. This indicates the VDC has been
turned off.
Turn the VDC on using the vehicle informa-
tion display, or by restarting the engine. For
additional information, see “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) system” (P. 5-175).
The VDC light also comes on when the ig-
nition switch is placed in the ON position.
The light will turn off af ter a period of time if
the system is operational. If the light stays
on or comes on along with the
indica-
tor light while you are driving, have the VDC
system checked. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
WARNING
VDC should remain on unless freeing a
vehicle from mud or snow.
While the VDC system is operating, you
might feel a slight vibration or hear the sys-
tem working when starting the vehicle or
accelerating, but this is normal.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
(other)
For additional information on warnings
and indicators, see “Vehicle information
display-5 inch (13 cm) Type A” (P. 2-18) or
“Vehicle information display 7 inch (18 cm)
Type B” (P. 2-34).
Automatic brake hold
indicator light (white/green)
(if so equipped)
The automatic brake hold indicator light
(white) illuminates when the automatic
brake hold system is on standby.
The automatic brake hold indicator light
(green) illuminates when the automatic
brake hold system is operating.
For additional information, see “Automatic
brake hold” (P. 5-27).
Front fog light indicator
light (green) (if so
equipped)
The front fog light indicator light illumi-
nates when the front fog lights are on. For
additional information, see “Fog light
switch” (P. 2-63).
High Beam Assist indicator
light (green)
This indicator light illuminates when the
headlights come on while the headlight
switch is in the AUTO position with the high
beams selected. This indicates that the
high beam assist is operational.
For additional information, see “Headlight
and turn signal switch” (P. 2-57).
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This blue light comes on when the head-
light high beams are on and goes out when
the low beams are selected.
The high beam indicator light also comes
on when the passing signal is activated.
Side light and headlight
indicator light (green)
The side light and headlight indicator light
illuminates when the side light or headlight
position is selected. For additional informa-
tion, see “Headlight and turn signal switch”
(P. 2-57).
Instruments and controls2-17

Engine Oil Service due now
This message will be displayed when re-
maining distance is 0, indicating service is
now due/overdue. Af ter service is com-
pleted, the Oil Control System should be
reset from the Maintenance settings
menu.
Loose Fuel Cap
This warning appears when the fuel-filler
cap is not tightened correctly af ter the ve-
hicle has been refueled. For additional in-
formation, see “Fuel-filler door” (P. 3-25).
Low Fuel
This warning appears when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon
as it is convenient, preferably before the
fuel gauge reaches 0 (Empty).There will be
a small reserve of fuel in the tank when
the fuel gauge needle reaches 0 (Empty).
Low Oil Pressure Stop
Vehicle
This warning appears if low oil pressure is
detected.
If the warning appears during normal driv-
ing, pull off the road in a safe area and stop the engine
immediately . Have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer or other authorized repair
shop for this service.
The low oil pressure warning is not de-
signed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level. For additional
information, see “Engine oil” (P. 8-7).
Low outside temperature
indicator
This indicator appears if the outside tem-
perature is below 37°F (3°C). The tempera-
ture can be changed to display in Fahren-
heit or Celsius. For additional information,
see “Unit” (P. 2-27).
Low Washer Fluid
This warning appears when the
windshield-washer fluid is at a low level.
Add windshield-washer fluid as necessary.
For additional information, see
“Windshield-washer fluid” (P. 8-13).
Power will turn off to save the battery
This message appears af ter a period of
time if the ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion and if the vehicle is in P (Park). For ad-
ditional information, see “Push-button igni-
tion switch positions” (P. 5-14).
Power turned off to save the battery
This message appears af ter the ignition
switch is automatically turned off. For addi-
tional information, see “Push-button igni-
tion switch positions” (P. 5-14).
Push brake and start
button to drive
This indicator appears when the shif t lever
is in the P (Park) position and the vehicle
has not been started. Start the engine by
pushing the ignition switch with the brake
pedal depressed. You can start the engine
from any position of the ignition switch.
This message also appears when the ve-
hicle has been started using the Remote
Engine Start function (if so equipped). Push
the ignition switch with the brake pedal
depressed to place the ignition switch in
the ON position. For additional information,
see “Remote Engine Start” (P. 3-19).
Reminder Turn OFF
Headlights
This warning appears when the headlights
are lef t in the ON position when exiting the
vehicle. Place the headlight switch in the
OFF or AUTO position. For additional infor-
mation, see “Headlight and turn signal
switch” (P. 2-57).
2-30Instruments and controls

Release Parking Brake
This warning appears when the parking
brake is set and the vehicle is driven.
Shif t to Park
This warning appears when the ignition
switch is in the AUTO ACC or OFF position
and the shif t lever is not in the P (Park)
position. Also, a chime sounds when the
ignition switch is in the AUTO ACC or OFF
position.
If this warning appears, move the shif t lever
to the P (Park) position and start the engine.
Shipping Mode On Push Storage Fuse
This warning may appear if the extended
storage switch is not pushed in. When this
warning appears, push in the extended
storage switch to turn off the warning. For
additional information, see “Extended stor-
age switch” (P. 2-70).
Tire Pressure Low - Add Air
This warning appears when the low tire
pressure warning light in the meter illumi-
nates and low tire pressure is detected. The
warning appears each time the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position as long
as the low tire pressure warning light re-mains illuminated. If this warning appears,
stop the vehicle and adjust the tire pres-
sures of all four tires to the recommended
COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire and
Loading Information label. For additional
information, see “Low tire pressure warning
light” (P. 2-13) and “Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (TPMS)” (P. 5-5).
Transmission Shif t Position
indicator
This indicator shows the transmission shif t
position.
Service CVT
This warning appears when there is a
problem with the CVT system. If this
warning appears, have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
CVT hot Power reduced
This transmission has a high fluid tem-
perature protection mode. If the fluid tem-
perature becomes too high (for example,
climbing steep grades in high tempera-
tures with heavy loads, such as when tow-
ing a trailer), engine power and, under
some conditions, vehicle speed will be de-
creased automatically to reduce thechance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelera-
tor pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed
may be reduced.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature pro-
tection mode operation occurs, vehicle
speed may be gradually reduced. The
reduced speed may be lower than
other traffic, which could increase the
chance of a collision. Be especially
careful when driving. If necessary, pull
to the side of the road at a safe place
and allow the transmission to return to
normal operation; or have it repaired if
necessary.
CVT (AT) Malfunction Service now
This warning appears when there is a
problem with the CVT system. If this
warning comes on, have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
CVT (AT) Stop the vehicle
This message appears 30 seconds before
the vehicle is shut down due to an above
normal operating transmission tempera-
ture. The Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Instruments and controls2-31