battery NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2008 L32A / 4.G First Responders Guide

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Foreword..................................................................................................................................................- 3-
About theNissan Altima Hybrid..............................................................................................................- 4-
AltimaHybridIdentification.....................................................................................................................- 5-
VIN Location..............................................................................................................................................- 5-
Engine Compartment.................................................................................................................................- 6-
Exterior......................................................................................................................................................- 7-
Interior.......................................................................................................................................................- 7-
Hybrid System Locations and Descriptions...........................................................................................- 8-
Battery Information..................................................................................................................................- 9-
Low Voltage Battery...................................................................................................................................- 9-
High Voltage Battery..................................................................................................................................- 9-
High Voltage BatterySpecifications.........................................................................................................- 10-
High Voltage Battery Recycling................................................................................................................- 10-
High Voltage Safety System.....................................................................................................................- 11-
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and Seat Belt Pre-tensioners................................................- 13-
Emergency Response............................................................................................................................- 14-
Vehicle Cut Sheet....................................................................................................................................- 15-
Extrication................................................................................................................................................- 16-
Alternative High Voltage System Shut Down Procedure..........................................................................- 19-
Fire..........................................................................................................................................................- 21-
Recovery/recyclingof the Ni-MH high voltage battery..............................................................................- 22-
Spills........................................................................................................................................................- 22-
First Aid....................................................................................................................................................- 23-
Submersion..............................................................................................................................................- 23-
Roadside Assistance.............................................................................................................................- 24-
Towing.....................................................................................................................................................- 24-
Fuel-Filler Door Opener...........................................................................................................................- 24-
Spare Tire................................................................................................................................................- 24-
Jump Starting...........................................................................................................................................- 25-

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Foreword
Nissan released theNissan Altima Hybridin North America in January of 2007. The Nissan Altima Hybrid runs
onconventional gasolineand a traction motor. The basic vehicle systems and featuresof the Altima Hybrid are
the same as those of the conventionalAltima, except where noted in this guide. This First Responder’s Guide
was published to help educate and assist first responders inthe safe handling of the Altima Hybrid and its
technology.
A high voltage batteryis used to power thetractionmotor, generator, electricair conditioningcompressor,
voltage converter, and inverter unit. A separate 12volt battery is used to power other electrical devices such as
the radio, horn, headlamps, and instrument cluster gauges. A number of safeguards have beendesigned to
ensure that the high voltage Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)battery is kept safe and secure in the event of an
accident.
TheAltimaHybridutilizes both low and high voltagesystems:
Low voltage system

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Hybrid SystemLocations and Descriptions
ComponentLocationDescription
1. ElectricAir
Conditioning
Compressor
Engine compartment, front
passenger side
Electric motor driven compressor supplied with 245 volts
DC.
2. Electric Power
Steering
Engine compartment, on
steering rack
A 42 volt DC assist motor is used for the electric power
steering (EPS) system.
3. EPS DC/DC
Converter
Trunk area, mounted to top
of high voltage battery
Converts 245 volts DC (high voltage) to 42 volts DC (low
voltage) for the EPS.
4. High Voltage
Battery
Trunk area, mounted to
cross member and behind
rear seat
245 volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery
consisting of34 low voltage (7.2 volt) modules connected
in series.
5. DC/DC
Converter
Trunk area, under front left
cover of the high voltage
battery
Converts 245 volts DC (high voltage) to 12 volts DC (low
voltage) for charging the 12 volt battery.
6. Service
Disconnect
Trunk area, on the
passenger side of the high
voltage battery
Used to disable the high voltage system.
7. High Voltage
Harnesses

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Battery Information
The Altima Hybrid utilizes two batteries in order to supply both high and low voltage.
Low Voltage Battery
The Altima Hybrid contains a lead-acid 12 volt DC low voltage battery.
The low voltage battery is located in the passenger rear quarter panel
well of the trunk and is concealed by atrim cover. The negative (-) 12
volt battery cable can be accessed through an access panel in the
trim cover.
The12 volt batterypowers the vehicle’s 12 volt electrical system,
similar to a conventional vehicle. As with conventional vehicles, the 12
volt battery is grounded to the metal chassis of the vehicle. However,
the 12 volt battery is charged by the high voltage battery through the
DC/DC converter.
High VoltageBattery
The Altima Hybrid contains aNi-MH245 volt DC high voltagebattery.
The high voltage batteryisenclosed in a metal case, which is isolated
from high voltage, and is securely mounted in the trunk area behind
the rear seat and is concealed by a trim cover. The service disconnect
can be accessedthrough an access panel in the trim cover.
The 245 volt battery powers the vehicle’s high voltage electrical
system. The high voltagebattery consists of34 low voltage (7.2 volt)
Ni-MH battery modules connected in series to produce approximately
245 volts DC. EachNi-MH battery module is sealed in a non-spillable
plastic case.The electrolyte used in theNi-MH battery module is an alkalinemixtureof potassiumand sodium
hydroxide. The electrolyte is absorbed into the battery cell plates and forms a gelthat should not normally leak,
even in a collision.In the unlikely eventthatthe high voltage batteryis overcharged, the modules vent gases
directly outside the vehiclethrough a venthose.
An air vent is located on the rear parcel shelftocool thehigh voltage
battery.If the vent is covered, the battery will overheat, resultingin
reduced output performance ofthe hybrid system.
The high voltage batterysupplies power to the following:

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High Voltage Battery Specifications
High Voltage Battery Specifications
High voltage battery voltage245V
Number of Ni-MH battery modules in the pack34
Ni-MH battery module voltage7.2V
Ni-MH batterymodule dimensions5 x 1 x 11 in.(125.5 x 25.1 x 276.1 mm)
Ni-MH module weight2.2 lbs (1.0kg)
Ni-MH high voltage batterydimensions8 x34 x19 in.(200.8 x853.4 x476.9mm)
Ni-MH high voltage batteryweight114.6 lbs (52 kg)
High VoltageBattery Recycling
The high voltage battery is recyclable.For information regarding recycling of the high voltage battery,contact
the nearest Nissan dealer or Nissan customer assistance at: United States: 1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261)
or in Canada: 1-800-387-0122.

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NOTE:
Repositioningthe power seats and operating the power trunk release must be done prior to12 volt battery
disconnection.
Extrication
1. Immobilize the vehicle
a.Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.
b.Shut the vehicle OFF by pressing the push-button ignition
switch.
c.Chock the wheels.
d.Set the parking brake.
2. Remove the Intelligent Key (1) from the key port (located on the lower
LH corner of the instrument panel). Keep it at least 3.3 feet (1 meter)
away from the vehicle.
3. Stabilize the vehicle
a.Crib at four points directly under the front and rear pillars. Do
not place cribbing under the high voltage harness, exhaust
system or fuel system.

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Overhaul
During overhaul, immobilize and disable the vehicle if not already done. Refer to the high voltage electrical
system disable procedure located in Extrication. The high voltage battery cover shouldneverbe breached or
removed under any circumstances, including fire. Doing so may result in severe electrical burns, shock and/or
electrocution.
Recovery/recyclingoftheNi-MH high voltagebattery
Clean up of the high voltage battery can be accomplished by the vehicle recovery crew without further concern
of runoff or spillage. For information regarding recycling of thehigh voltage battery, contact the nearestNissan
dealer or Nissan customer assistance at: United States: 1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261) or inCanada:
1-800-387-0122.
Spills
The Altima Hybrid contains the same common automotive fluids used in other non-hybridNissan vehicles, with
the exception oftheNi-MH electrolyte used in thehigh voltagebattery.TheNi-MH battery electrolyte is a
caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues.The electrolyte, however, is absorbed in the cell
plates and should not normally spill or leak out even if a battery module is cracked.Both the metal batterycase
and the plastic battery modules could be breached if a catastrophic crash occurred.
To neutralize a lead-acid battery electrolyte spill, a diluted boric acid solution or vinegarcan be used to
neutralize aNi-MH battery electrolyte spill similar tothe use of baking soda.
NOTE:
Electrolyte leakage from the high voltage battery is unlikely due to the batteryconstruction and the amount of
available electrolyte contained within theNi-MH modules. Any spillage would not warrant a declaration asa
hazardous material incident. Firstresponders should follow the recommendations as outlined in this
emergency response guide.
In an emergency,Nissan Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)are available by contacting:
United States: CHEMTREC at 1-800-424-9300
Canada: CANUTEC at *666 or 1-613-996-6666 (collect)

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Jump Starting
1.Locate the HEV fusible link box located behind the engine air
cleaner.
2.Push the tab(A)in and lift up to remove the lid and expose the
remote positive (+) battery terminal (B).
DANGER:

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3.If the booster battery is in another vehicle, position the vehicles(E) and (F) shown in the illustration
below, to bring the batteries near each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
4.Apply the parking brake. Move the shift lever to P (Park). Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems
(lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).
5.Removethevent caps(if so equipped)on theboosterbattery andcover the battery with an old cloth
(G) to reducetheexplosion hazard.
6.Connect jumper cables in the sequence illustrated (A), (B), (C), (D).
7.Start the engine of the booster vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
CAUTION:

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8.Hold down the brake pedal and press the START button. The
vehicle instrument cluster will light up, and theREADYoperation
indicatorlight(green) will come ON.
9.After theREADYoperation indicatorlight(green)in the instrument
cluster comes ON, carefully disconnect the negative cable and
then the positive (+) cable.
10.Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover the vent holes, as
it may be contaminated with corrosive acid.
The high voltagebatteryCANNOT be jump started.
CAUTION: