tow NISSAN ALTIMA 2023 Service Manual

Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle
handling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle.
Spin balancing the wheels on the vehicle
could lead to mechanical damage.
•For additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety In-
formation” (US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet.
Care of wheels
• Wash the wheels when washing the ve- hicle to maintain their appearance.
• Clean the inner side of the wheels when the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
• Do not use abrasive cleaners when washing the wheels.
• Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents or corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
• NISSAN recommends waxing the road wheels to protect against road salt in ar-
eas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire) (if so equipped)
When using a wheel without the TPMS such
as the spare tire, the TPMS will not function.
Observe the following precautions if the
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire must be
used. Otherwise, your vehicle could be
damaged or involved in an accident:
WARNING
• For AWD vehicles - the TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire must be installed
to the rear wheels only. If a front tire
is punctured, install the original rear
tire onto the front wheel, then install
the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire
on the rear. Failure to do so could
cause overheating to the AWD
system
• The spare tire should be used for
emergency use only. It should be re-
placed with the standard tire at the
first opportunity to avoid possible
tire or differential damage.
• Drive carefully while the TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire is installed. Avoid
sharp turns and abrupt braking while
driving. •
Periodically check spare tire inflation
pressure. Always keep the pressure
of the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire at 420 kPa, 4.2 bar (60 psi).
• With the TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire installed do not drive the vehicle
at speeds faster than 50 mph (80
km/h).
• When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire should be used on the
rear wheels and the original tire used
on the front wheels (drive wheels).
• Tire tread of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire will wear at a faster
rate than the standard tire. Replace
the spare tire as soon as the tread
wear indicators appear.
• Do not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
• Do not use more than one spare tire
at the same time.
• Do not tow a trailer when the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire is installed.
8-42Do-it-yourself

CAUTION
• Do not use tire chains on a TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire chains
will not fit properly and may cause
damage to the vehicle.
• Because the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire is smaller than the original
tire, ground clearance is reduced. To
avoid damage to the vehicle, do not
drive over obstacles. Also, do not
drive the vehicle through an auto-
matic car wash since it may get
caught.
Emergency tire puncture repair kit
(if so equipped)
The emergency tire puncture repair kit
(Emergency Tire Sealant) is supplied with
the vehicle instead of a spare tire. It can be
used to temporarily repair minor tire
punctures.
If possible, have the vehicle towed to a fa-
cility that can repair or replace the flat tire.
Using the emergency tire puncture repair
kit may cause a malfunction of the tire
pressure sensor and cause the low tire
pressure warning light to illuminate. For additional information, see “Flat tire”
(P. 6-3).
NOTE:
For models with the emergency tire
puncture repair kit, a spare tire, jack
and rod are not equipped as
standard.
Do-it-yourself
8-43

How driving conditions affect OCS dis-
play timing
2.5L 4 cylinder (PR25DD engine model):
ConditionsDriving Scene Display timing
Light • Freeway driving
• City driving (flat/moderate hills)
• No towing or heavy loads
• No extended engine idling Normal
Extreme • Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles (8 km).
• Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km) with outside temperatures remaining
below freezing.
• Operating in hot weather in stop-and-go “rush hour” traffic.
• Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for long distances, such as police, taxi or door-to- door delivery use.
• Using a car-top carrier.
• Driving with frequent use of braking or in mountainous areas.
• Sustained high speed driving. Early
CAUTION
• If the oil replacement indicator is dis-
played, change the engine oil within
two weeks or less than 500 miles
(800 km).
• Operating your vehicle with deterio-
rated oil can damage the engine.
• If your oil replacement indicator re-
sets prematurely or becomes inop-
erative, please change the oil within
six months or 5,000 miles (8,000 km)
from your last oil change.
9-8Maintenance and schedules

2.0L 4 cylinder (KR20DDET engine
model):
ConditionsDriving Scene Display timing
Light • Freeway driving
• City driving (flat/moderate hills)
• No towing or heavy loads
• No extended engine idling Normal
Extreme • Repeated short trips of less than 5 miles (8 km).
• Repeated short trips of less than 10 miles (16 km) with outside temperatures remaining
below freezing.
• Operating in hot weather in stop-and-go “rush hour” traffic.
• Extensive idling and/or low speed driving for long distances, such as police, taxi or door-to- door delivery use.
• Using a car-top carrier.
• Driving with frequent use of braking or in mountainous areas.
• Sustained high speed driving. Early
CAUTION
• If the oil replacement indicator is dis-
played, change the engine oil within
two weeks or less than 500 miles
(800 km).
• Operating your vehicle with deterio-
rated oil can damage the engine.
• If your oil replacement indicator re-
sets prematurely or becomes inop-
erative, please change the oil within
six months or 3,750 miles (6,000 km)
from your last oil change.
Maintenance and schedules9-9

10 Technical and consumer information
Recommended fluids/lubricants and
capacities...................................... 10-2
Fuel recommendation ......................10-4
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendations .......................... 10-7
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .......................10-8
Specifications .................................. 10-9
Engine ...................................... 10-9
Wheels and tires ........................... 10-10
Dimensions and weights ....................10-11
When traveling or registering in another
country ....................................... 10-12
Vehicle identification .......................... 10-12
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
plate ....................................... 10-12
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ........................... 10-12
Engine serial number ......................10-13
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........10-13
Emission control information label .........10-14
Tire and Loading Information label .........10-14 Air conditioner specification label
..........10-14
Installing front license plate ...................10-15
Vehicle loading information ...................10-16
Terms ...................................... 10-16
Vehicle load capacity ....................... 10-17
Loading tips ................................ 10-19
Measurement of weights ...................10-20
Towing a trailer ................................ 10-20
Flat towing ................................. 10-20
Uniform tire quality grading ...................10-21
Emission control system warranty ............10-22
Reporting safety defects ......................10-22
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M)
test ........................................... 10-24
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ...................10-24
Additional data recording (on vehicles
equipped with optional ProPILOT
Assist) ...................................... 10-25
Owner's Manual/Service Manual order
information ................................... 10-26

FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an oc-
tane rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock
Index) number (Research octane number
91).
CAUTION
• Only vehicles with the E-85 filler door
label can operate on E-85. Fuel sys-
tem or other damage can occur if
E-85 is used in vehicles that are not
designed to run on E-85.
• Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect
the warranty coverage.
• Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because
this will damage the three-way
catalyst. •
Do not use a fuel containing more
than 15% ethanol in your vehicle. Your
vehicle is not designed to run on a
fuel containing more than 15% etha-
nol. Using a fuel containing more
than 15% ethanol in a vehicle not spe-
cifically designed for a fuel contain-
ing more than 15% ethanol can ad-
versely affect the emission control
devices and systems of the vehicle.
Damage caused by such fuel is not
covered by the NISSAN New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
• Do not use fuel that contains the oc-
tane booster methylcyclopentadi-
enyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT).
Using fuel containing MMT may ad-
versely affect vehicle performance
and vehicle emissions. Not all fuel
dispensers are labeled to indicate
MMT content, so you may have to
consult your gasoline retailer for
more details. Note that Federal and
California laws prohibit the use of
MMT in reformulated gasoline. •
U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be
identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common ab-
breviation or the appropriate per-
centage for that region.Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that
meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC)
specifications where it is available. Many of
the automobile manufacturers developed
this specification to improve emission con-
trol system and vehicle performance. Ask
your service station manager if the gaso-
line meets the WWFC specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing re-
formulated gasolines. These gasolines are
specially designed to reduce vehicle emis-
sions. NISSAN supports efforts towards
cleaner air and suggests that you use re-
formulated gasoline when available.
10-4Technical and consumer information

WARNING
• It is extremely dangerous to
ride in a cargo area inside a ve-
hicle. In a collision, people rid-
ing in these areas are more
likely to be seriously injured or
killed.
• Do not allow people to ride in
any area of your vehicle that is
not equipped with seats and
seat belts.
• Be sure everyone in your ve-
hicle is in a seat and using a
seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself
with the following terms before
loading your vehicle: • Curb Weight (actual weight of your
vehicle) - vehicle weight including:
standard and optional equipment,
fluids, emergency tools, and spare
tire assembly. This weight does
not include passengers and cargo.
• GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight plus the combined weight
of passengers and cargo.
• GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat- ing) - maximum total combined
weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, cargo, hitch, trailer
tongue load and any other op-
tional equipment. This information
is located on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
• GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maximum weight (load) limit
specified for the front or rear axle.
This information is located on the
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label. • GCWR (Gross Combined Weight
Rating) - The maximum total
weight rating of the vehicle, pas-
sengers, cargo, and trailer.
• Vehicle Capacity Weight, Load limit, Total load capacity - maximum to-
tal weight limit specified of the load
(passengers and cargo) for the ve-
hicle. This is the maximum com-
bined weight of occupants and
cargo that can be loaded into the
vehicle. If the vehicle is used to tow
a trailer, the trailer tongue weight
must be included as part of the
cargo load. This information is lo-
cated on the Tire and Loading In-
formation label.
• Cargo capacity - permissible weight of cargo, the subtracted
weight of occupants from the load
limit.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
10-16Technical and consumer information

5. Determine the combined weightof luggage and cargo being
loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the avail-
able cargo and luggage load ca-
pacity calculated in step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Con-
sult this manual to determine
how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity
of your vehicle.
Towing a trailer with a vehicle that is
not intended for towing may result in
an accident involving injury or death.
WARNING
Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.
Towing a trailer may result in an acci-
dent involving injury or death.
Before driving a loaded vehicle, con-
firm that you do not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
or the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) for your vehicle. For addi-
tional information, see “Measure-
ment of weights” (P. 10-20).
Also check tires for proper inflation
pressures. For additional informa-
tion, see “Tire and Loading Informa-
tion label” (P. 8-31).
LOADING TIPS
• The GVW must not exceed GVWR or GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S./
C.M.V.S.S. certification label.
• Do not load the front and rear axle to the GAWR. Doing so will exceed
the GVWR.
WARNING
• Properly secure all cargo with
ropes or straps to help prevent
it from sliding or shif ting. Do
not place cargo higher than the
seatbacks. In a sudden stop or
collision, unsecured cargo
could cause personal injury.
• Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or the
maximum front and rear
GAWRs. If you do, parts of your
vehicle can break, tire damage
could occur, or it can change
the way your vehicle handles.
This could result in loss of con-
trol and cause personal injury.
Technical and consumer information10-19

•Overloading not only can
shorten the life of your vehicle
and the tire, but can also cause
unsafe vehicle handling and
longer braking distances. This
may cause a premature tire
failure which could result in a
serious accident and personal
injury. Failures caused by over-
loading are not covered by the
vehicle’s warranty.MEASUREMENT OF WEIGHTS
Secure loose items to prevent
weight shif ts that could affect the
balance of your vehicle. When the ve-
hicle is loaded, drive to a scale and
weigh the front and the rear wheels
separately to determine axle loads.
Individual axle loads should not ex-
ceed either of the Gross Axle Weight
Ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle
loads should not exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). These
ratings are given on the vehicle cer-
tification label. If weight ratings are
exceeded, move or remove items to
bring all weights below the ratings.
Do not tow a trailer with your vehicle.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is sometimes called flat towing.
This method is sometimes used when
towing a vehicle behind a recreational ve-
hicle, such as a motor home.
CAUTION
• Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission
damage.
• Whenever flat towing your vehicle,
always tow forward, never backward.
• Never tow your front wheel drive ve-
hicle with the front tires on the
ground. Doing so may cause serious
and expensive damage to the
powertrain.
• DO NOT tow any continuously vari-
able transmission vehicle with all
four wheels on the ground (flat tow-
ing). Doing so WILL DAMAGE internal
transmission parts due to lack of
transmission lubrication.
• For emergency towing procedures
see “Towing recommended by
NISSAN” (P. 6-20).
TOWING A TRAILER
10-20Technical and consumer information

Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT)
To tow a vehicle equipped with a CVT, an
appropriate vehicle dollyMUSTbe placed
under the towed vehicle's drive wheels. Al-
ways follow the dolly manufacturer's rec-
ommendations when using their product. DOT (Department of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature
A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly from
the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire's ability to stop on wet pave-ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire
is based on straight-ahead braking
traction tests, and does not include ac-
celeration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A, B and C
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat, and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel than the mini-
mum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information10-21