check engine light NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2012 D32 / 4.G Owners Manual

0 Illustrated table of contents
Air bags, seat belts and child restraints..............0-2
Exterior front ......................................0-3
Exterior rear .......................................0-5
Passenger compartment ...........................0-7 Instrument panel
...................................0-8
Engine compartment check locations ...............0-10
Warning/indicator lights ........................... 0-12

Warninglight Name Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light 2-11
or
Brake warning light 2-11
Charge warning
light
2-11
Continuously Vari-
able Transmission
(CVT) check warn-
ing light (if so
equipped)2-12
Engine oil pressure
warning light
2-12
Warning
light Name Page
Low tire pressure
warning light 2-12
Master warning light 2-13
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-14
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-14
Indicator
light Name Page
Continuously Vari-
able Transmission
(CVT) position indi-
cator light (if so
equipped) 2-14
Cruise main switch
indicator light
2-15
Indicator
light Name Page
Cruise set switch
indicator light 2-15
Front passenger air
bag status light2-15
High beam indicator
light (blue)2-15
Malfunction Indica-
tor Light (MIL)2-15
Security indicator
light2-27
Slip indicator light 2-16
Turn signal/hazard
indicator lights2-16
Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) OFF
indicator light2-16
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
0-12Illustrated table of contents

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges ................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer . . ...................2-4
Tachometer ....................................2-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ...............2-5
Fuel gauge ....................................2-6
Compass display (if so equipped) ...................2-6
Compass display ...............................2-7
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders ......2-10
Checking bulbs ............................... 2-10
Warning lights ................................ 2-11
Indicator lights ................................ 2-14
Audible reminders ............................. 2-16
Vehicle information display ......................... 2-17
How to use the Vehicle Information Display .......2-17
Security systems ................................. 2-25
Vehicle security system ......................... 2-25
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system .............2-27
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...............2-27
Switch operation .............................. 2-27
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch .................................. 2-28
Headlight and turn signal switch. . ..................2-29Xenon headlights (if so equipped)
...............2-29
Headlight control switch ........................ 2-30
Daytime running light system (Canada only) ......2-32
Instrument brightness control ...................2-33
Turn signal switch ............................. 2-33
Fog light switch (if so equipped) ................2-34
Hazard warning flasher switch .....................2-34
Horn ............................................ 2-35
Heated seat (if so equipped) .......................2-35
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off switch ...........2-36
Power outlet ..................................... 2-36
Storage ......................................... 2-37
Map pockets .................................. 2-37
Seatback pockets (if so equipped) ..............2-38
Storage pouch (if so equipped) .................2-38
Sunglasses
holder............................. 2-38
Cup holders . . . ............................... 2-39
Glove box .................................... 2-41
Console box .................................. 2-41
Storage box (if so equipped) ....................2-42
Covered storage box ........................... 2-42
Grocery hooks ................................ 2-42
Cargo net (if so equipped) ......................2-43

orAnti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
orBrake warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
Charge warning lightContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
position indicator light (if so equipped)Slip indicator light
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
check warning light (if so equipped)Cruise main switch indicator lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Engine oil pressure warning lightCruise set switch indicator lightVehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF indicator
light
Low tire pressure warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
Master warning lightHigh beam indicator light (blue)
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
,or,,,,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off:
or,,,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-10Instruments and controls

WARNING LIGHTS
orAnti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning light illuminates and then turns off. This
indicates the ABS is operational.
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 by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See
Brake system in theStarting and driving sec-
tion.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the parking
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 ve-
hicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary. See “Brake fluid” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
●Your brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
● Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require 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 at a
NISSAN dealer.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate the
ABS is not functioning properly. Have the brake
system checked, and if necessary, repaired by a
NISSAN dealer promptly. Avoid high-speed driv-
ing and abrupt braking. (See “Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warning light” in this section.)
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not func-
tioning properly. Turn the engine off and check
the generator belt. If the belt is loose, broken,
missing, or if the light remains on, see a NISSAN
dealer immediately.
Instruments and controls2-11

CAUTION
●Do not ground electrical accessories
directly to the battery terminal. Doing
so will bypass the variable control sys-
tem and the vehicle battery may not
charge completely. Refer to “Variable
voltage control system” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section later
in this manual.
● Do not continue driving if the generator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) check
warning light (if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on for about 2 seconds.
If the light comes on at any other time, it may
indicate the CVT system is not functioning prop-
erly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
Engine oil pressure warninglight
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediately
and 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. See “Engine oil” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause se-
rious damage to the engine almost imme-
diately. Such damage is not covered by
warranty. Turn off the engine as soon as it
is safe to do so.
Low tire pressure warning light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure
Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors 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.
After 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 illuminate.
A CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning also
appears in the vehicle information display.
When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust the
tire pressure of all 4 tires to the recom-
mended COLD tire pressure shown on the
Tire and Loading Information label located
in the driver’s door opening. The low tire
pressure warning light does not automati-
cally turn off when the tire pressure is ad-
justed. After the tire is inflated to the rec-
ommended pressure, the vehicle must be
driven at speeds above 16 MPH (25 km/h)
to activate the TPMS and turn off the low
tire pressure warning light. Use a tire pres-
sure gauge to check the tire pressure.
The CHECK TIRE PRESSURE warning is active
as long as the low tire pressure warning light
remains illuminated.
For additional information, see “Vehicle informa-
tion display” in the “Instruments and controls”
section and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section and
in the “In case of emergency” section.
2-12Instruments and controls

Cruise main switch indicatorlight
The light comes on when the cruise control main
switch is pushed. The light goes out when the
main switch is pushed again. When the cruise
main switch indicator light comes on, the cruise
control system is operational.
Cruise set switch indicatorlight
The light comes on while the vehicle speed is
controlled by the cruise control system. If the light
blinks while the engine is running, it may indicate
the cruise control system is not functioning prop-
erly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
Front passenger air bag statuslight
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 front passenger air bag status light operation,
see “Front passenger air bag and status light” in
the “Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system” section of this manual.
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This blue light comes on when the headlight 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.
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 Malfunction Indicator Light 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.
After a few driving trips, the
light should
turn off if no other potential emission 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 sys- tem inspection/maintenance test. See “Readi-
ness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
Operation
The Malfunction Indicator Light will come on in
one of two ways:
● Malfunction Indicator Light on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel-filler cap if
the LOOSE FUEL CAP warning appears in
the vehicle information 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 after a few
driving trips. If the
light does not turn
off after a few driving trips, have the vehicle
inspected by a NISSAN dealer. You do not
need to have your vehicle towed to the
dealer.
● Malfunction Indicator Light blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system. To re-
duce or avoid emission control system dam-
age:
– do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH (72 km/h) .
– avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
Instruments and controls2-15

– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargobeing hauled or towed.
The Malfunction Indicator Light may stop blinking
and come on steady. Have the vehicle inspected
by a NISSAN dealer. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without hav-
ing the emission control system checked
and repaired as necessary could lead to
poor driveability, reduced fuel economy,
and possible damage to the emission con-
trol system.
Security indicator light
This light blinks when the ignition switch is
placed in the OFF, LOCK or ACC position.
The blinking security indicator light indicates that
the security systems equipped on the vehicle are
operational.
For additional information, see “Security sys-
tems” later in this section.
Slip indicator light
This indicator will blink when the VDC system or
the traction control system is operating, thus
alerting that the vehicle is nearing its traction
limits. The road surface may be slippery.
Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn signal
switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is turned
on.
Vehicle Dynamic Control(VDC) OFF indicator light
This indicator light comes on when the Vehicle
Dynamic Control off switch is pushed to OFF.
This indicates the Vehicle Dynamic Control has
been turned off.
Push the Vehicle Dynamic Control off switch
again or restart the engine and the system will be
reactivated. See “Vehicle Dynamic Control
(VDC) system” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion of this manual.
The Vehicle Dynamic Control light also comes on
when you push the push-button ignition switch to
the ON position. The light will turn off after about 2
seconds if the system is operational. If the light stays
on or comes on along with the
indicator light
while you are driving, have the Vehicle Dynamic
Control system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
While the Vehicle Dynamic Control system is
operating, you might feel slight vibration or hear
the system working when starting the vehicle or
accelerating, but this is normal.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a disc brake pad requires replacement, it
makes a high pitched scraping sound when the
vehicle is in motion, whether or not the brake
pedal is depressed. Have the brakes checked as
soon as possible if the warning sound is heard.
Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver’s door is opened
while the ignition switch is placed in the ACC or
OFF position or placed in the OFF or LOCK
position with the Intelligent Key left in the Intelli-
gent Key port. Make sure the ignition switch is
placed in the LOCK position, and take the Intel-
ligent Key with you when leaving the vehicle.
2-16Instruments and controls

Engine start operation indicator (M/T
models)
This indicator illuminates when the ignition switch
is placed in the LOCK, OFF, ACC or ON position
with the shift selector in neutral and the parking
brake on.
This indicator means that the engine will start by
pushing the ignition switch with the clutch and
the brake pedal depressed.
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ insertion indica-
tor
This indicator illuminates when the Intelligent Key
needs to be inserted into the Intelligent Key port.
(For example, the Intelligent Key battery is dis-
charged.)
If this indicator illuminates, insert the Intelligent
Key into the Intelligent Key port in the correct
direction. See “Push-button ignition switch” in
the “Starting and driving” section.
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ removal indica-
tor
This indicator illuminates when the driver’s door
is opened with the ignition switch placed in the
OFF position and the Intelligent Key placed in the
Intelligent Key port. A key reminder chime also
sounds.If this indicator illuminates, remove the Intelligent
Key from the Intelligent Key port and take it with
you when leaving the vehicle.
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ battery dis-
charge indicator
This indicator illuminates when the Intelligent Key
battery is running out of power.
If this indicator illuminates, replace the battery
with a new one. See “NISSAN Intelligent Key™” in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.
Loose fuel cap warning
This warning appears when the fuel-filler cap is
not tightened correctly after the vehicle has been
refueled. See “Fuel-filler cap” in the “Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section.
Check tire pressure warning
This warning appears when the low tire pressure
warning light in the meter illuminates and low tire
pressure is detected. If this warning appears,
stop the vehicle and adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pressure shown on
the Tire and Loading Information label. See “Low
tire pressure warning light” earlier in this section
and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)”
in the “Starting and driving” section.
Your vehicle may have two types of security sys-
tems:
● Vehicle security system
● NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM
The vehicle security system provides visual and
audible alarm signals if someone opens the doors
or trunk lid when the system is armed. It is not,
however, a motion detection type system that
activates when a vehicle is moved or when a
vibration occurs.
LIC0301
SECURITY SYSTEMS
Instruments and controls2-25

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Verify the location of all Intelligent Keys that are
programmed for the vehicle. If another Intelligent
Key is in range or inside the vehicle, the vehicle
system may respond differently than expected.
SymptomPossible CauseRemedy
When pushing the ignition switch to stop
the engine The SHIFT P warning appears on the dis-
play and the inside warning chime sounds
continuously. The shift selector is not in the P (Park)
position.Shift the shift selector to the P (Park)
position.
When opening the driver’s door to get out
of the vehicle The inside warning chime sounds
continuously. The ignition switch is placed in the ACC
position.
Place the ignition switch in the OFF
position.
The Intelligent Key is in the Intelligent Key
port. Remove the Intelligent Key from the Intelli-
gent Key port.
When closing the door after getting out of
the vehicle The NO KEY warning appears on the
display, the outside chime sounds 3 times
and the inside warning chime sounds for
approximately 3 seconds.
The ignition switch is placed in the ACC or
ON position.Place the ignition switch in the OFF
position.
The NO KEY warning appears on the dis-
play and the outside chime sounds
continuously. The ignition switch is placed in the ACC
position and the shift selector is not in the P
(Park) position.Move the shift selector to the P (Park) posi-
tion and place the ignition switch in the
OFF position.
The shift “P” warning light appears on the
display and the outside chime sounds
continuously. The ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position and the shift selector is not in the P
(Park) position.Move the shift selector to the P (Park)
position.
When closing the door with the inside lock
knob placed in the LOCK position The outside chime sounds for approximately
3 seconds and all the doors unlock. The Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle or
trunk.Carry the Intelligent Key with you.
3-16Pre-driving checks and adjustments