instrument panel NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2008 L32A / 4.G Owners Manual

NISSAN CARES...
Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are
our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and service needs.
However, if there is something that your NISSAN
dealer cannot assist you with or you would like to
provide NISSAN directly with comments or
questions, please contact the NISSAN Con-
sumer Affairs Department using our toll-free
number:
For U.S. customers
1-800-NISSAN-1
(1-800-647-7261)
For Canadian customers
1-800-387-0122The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the
following information:
– Your name, address, and telephone number
– Vehicle identification number (attached to the
top of the instrument panel on the driver’s
side)
– Date of purchase
– Current odometer reading
– Your NISSAN dealer’s name
– Your comments or questions
ORYou can write to NISSAN with the information at:
For U.S. customers
Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
For Canadian customers
Nissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5
We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle.
NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

0 Illustrated table of contents
Airbags, seat belts and child restraints...............0-2
Exterior front......................................0-3
Exterior rear.......................................0-4
Passenger compartment...........................0-5Instrument panel...................................0-6
Engine compartment check locations................0-7
Warning/indicator lights............................0-8
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

1. Vents (P. 4-10)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turn
signal switch (P. 2-29)3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
(if so equipped)/BluetoothTHands-free
Phone System (if so equipped)
(P. 4-36, 4-39)
4. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)5. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-34, 2-34)
6.
Cruise control main/set switch (P. 5-14)7. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-28)
8. Push-button ignition switch (P. 5-6)
9.
Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-33)10. Front passenger air bag status light
(P. 2-15)
11. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-34)
12. Glove box (P. 2-38)
13. Navigation system* (if so equipped)
(P. 4-2)
14. Heater and air conditioner (P. 4-11)
15. Shift selector lever (P. 5-10)
16. Audio system controls (P. 4-13)
17. Tilt/telescopic steering wheel controls
(P. 3-21)
18. Vehicle information display controls
(P. 2-18)
19. Hood release (P. 3-17)
20. Intelligent Key port (P. 3-6)
Trunk opener (P. 3-17)
*: Refer to the separate Navigation System Own-
er’s Manual.
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
WIC1258
INSTRUMENT PANEL
0-6Illustrated table of contents
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

7. If the booster seat is installed in the front
passenger seat, turn the ignition switch to
the ON position. The front passenger air bag
status light
may or may not illuminate,
depending on the size of the child and the
type of booster seat being used. See “Front
passenger air bag and status light” later in
this section.
PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental front air
bags (NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System) , front
seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag
system, roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system andseat belts with
pretensioners.
Supplemental front impact air bag system:
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System can help
cushion the impact force to the head and chest of
the driver and front passenger in certain frontal
collisions.
Front seat-mounted side-impact supple-
mental air bag system:This system can help
cushion the impact force to the chest and pelvic
area of the driver and front passenger in certain
side impact collisions. The supplemental side air
bag is designed to inflate on the side where the
vehicle is impacted.Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bag system:This system can help
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in front and rear outboard seating positions
in certain side impact collisions. The curtain side-
impact air bags are designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted.
These supplemental restraint systems are de-
signed tosupplementthe crash protection pro-
vided by the driver and front passenger seat belts
and arenot a substitutefor them. Seat belts
should always be correctly worn and the occu-
pant seated a suitable distance away from the
steering wheel, instrument panel and door finish-
ers. (See “Seat belts” earlier in this section for
instructions and precautions on seat belt usage.)
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WRS0475
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-34Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

The driver supplemental front air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passenger
supplemental front air bag is mounted in the
dashboard above the glove box. The supplemen-
tal front air bags are designed to inflate in higher
severity frontal collisions, although they may in-
flate if the forces in another type of collision are
similar to those of a higher severity frontal impact.
They may not inflate in certain frontal collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper supplemental front air bag
system operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System has dual
stage air bag inflators. It also monitors informa-
tion from the crash zone sensor, the Airbag Con-
trol Unit (ACU) , seat belt buckle sensors and the
occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor) .
Inflator operation is based on the severity of a
collision and seat belt usage for the driver. For the
front passenger, the occupant classification sen-
sor is also monitored. Based on information from
the sensors, only one front air bag may inflate in a
crash, depending on the crash severity and
whether the front occupants are belted or un-
belted. Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned OFF under some
conditions, depending on the information pro-
vided by the occupant classification sensor. If the
front passenger air bag is OFF, the passenger air
bag status light will be illuminated (if the seat isunoccupied, the light will not be illuminated, but
the air bag will be off) . See “Front passenger air
bag and status light” later in this section for
further details. One front air bag inflating does not
indicate improper performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, please contact NISSAN or your NISSAN
dealer. If you are considering modification of your
vehicle due to a disability, you may also contact
NISSAN. Contact information is contained in the
front of this Owner’s Manual.
When a supplemental front air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by the
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken to
not inhale it, as it may cause irritation and chok-
ing. Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating front air bag may cause
facial abrasions or other injuries. Front air bags
do not provide restraint to the lower body.
Even with NISSAN advanced air bags, seat belts
should be correctly worn and the driver and pas-
senger seated upright as far as practical away
from the steering wheel or instrument panel. Thesupplemental front air bags inflate quickly in order
to help protect the front occupants. Because of
this, the force of the front air bag inflating can
increase the risk of injury if the occupant is too
close to, or is against, the front air bag module
during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
1-42Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

Front passenger air bag and status light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF under some con-
ditions. Read this section carefully to
learn how it operates. Proper use of the
seat, seat belt and child restraints is nec-
essary for most effective protection. Fail-
ure to follow all instructions in this
manual concerning the use of seats, seat
belts and child restraints can increase the
risk or severity of injury in an accident.Status light
The front passenger air bag status light
is
located on the instrument panel above the radio
controls. The light operates as follows:
cUnoccupied passenger’s seat: The
is
OFF and the front passenger air bag is OFF
and will not inflate in a crash.
cPassenger’s seat occupied by a small adult,
child or child restraint as outlined in this
section: The
illuminates to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is OFF and
will not inflate in a crash.
cOccupied passenger seat and the passen-
ger meets the conditions outlined in this
section: The light
is OFF to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is opera-
tional.
Front passenger air bag
The front passenger air bag is designed to auto-
matically turn OFF when the vehicle is operated
under some conditions as described below in
accordance with U.S. regulations. If the front
passenger air bag is OFF, it will not inflate in a
crash. The driver air bag and other air bags in your
vehicle are not part of this system.
The purpose of the regulation is to help reduce
the risk of injury or death from an inflating air bagto certain front passenger seat occupants, such
as children, by requiring the air bag to be auto-
matically turned OFF.
The occupant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) is in the front passenger seat cushion and is
designed to detect an occupant and objects on
the seat. For example, if a child is in the front
passenger seat, the advanced air bag system is
designed to turn the passenger air bag OFF in
accordance with the regulations. Also, if a child
restraint of the type specified in the regulations is
on the seat, the occupant classification sensor
can detect it and cause the air bag to turn OFF.
Front passenger seat adult occupants who are
properly seated and using the seat belt as out-
lined in this manual should not cause the passen-
ger air bag to be automatically turned OFF. For
small adults it may be turned OFF, however if the
occupant does not sit in the seat properly (for
example, by not sitting upright, by sitting on an
edge of the seat, or by otherwise being out of
position) , this could cause the sensor to turn the
air bag OFF. Always be sure to be seated and
wearing the seat belt properly for the most effec-
tive protection by the seat belt and supplemental
air bag.
NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and chil-
dren be properly restrained in a rear seat.
NISSAN also recommends that appropriate child
WRS0475
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-43
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

restraints and booster seats be properly installed
in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the occupant
classification sensor is designed to operate as
described above to turn the front passenger air
bag OFF for specified child restraints as required
by the regulations. Failing to properly secure
child restraints and to use the Automatic Locking
Retractor mode (child restraint mode) may allow
the restraint to tip or move in an accident or
sudden stop. This can also result in the passen-
ger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being
OFF. See “Child restraints” earlier in this section
for proper use and installation.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object being detected by the occupant clas-
sification sensor. Other conditions could also
result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants
are seated and restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light, you can
monitor when the front passenger air bag is au-
tomatically turned OFF with the seat occupied.
The light will not illuminate when the front pas-
senger seat is unoccupied.If an adult occupant is in the seat but the passen-
ger air bag status light is illuminated (indicating
that the air bag is OFF) , it could be that the
person is a small adult, or is not sitting on the seat
properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front seat,
the passenger air bag status light may or may not
be illuminated, depending on the size of the child
and the type of child restraint being used. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated (indicating that
the air bag might inflate in a crash) , it could be
that the child restraint or seat belt is not being
used properly. Make sure that the child restraint is
installed properly, the seat belt is used properly
and the occupant is positioned properly. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
If the passenger air bag status light will not illu-
minate even though you believe that the child
restraint, the seat belts and the occupant are
properly positioned, the system may be sensing
an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is
OFF) . Your NISSAN dealer can check that the
system is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your dealer that
your air bag is working properly, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
The air bag system and passenger air bag status
light will take a few seconds to register a changein the passenger seat status. However, if the seat
becomes unoccupied, the air bag status light will
remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges area
in the center of the instrument panel, will blink.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front air bag precau-
tions
WARNING
cDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
1-44Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

cDo not place objects with sharp edges
on the seat. Also, do not place heavy
objects on the seat that will leave per-
manent impressions in the seat. Such
objects can damage the seat or occu-
pant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) . This can affect the operation of the
air bag system and result in serious
personal injury.
cDo not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can
damage the seat or occupant classifica-
tion sensor. This can also affect the
operation of the air bag system and
result in serious personal injury.
cImmediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will be
hot. Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This is
to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to the
supplemental air bag system.cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental front air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental front
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.
cModifying or tampering with the front
passenger seat may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing mate-
rial on the seat cushion or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, on the seat that are not specifi-
cally designed to assure proper air bag
operation. Additionally, do not stow any
objects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback. Such
objects may interfere with the proper
operation of the occupant classifica-
tion sensor.cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the seat belt system. This may affect the
supplemental front air bag system.
Tampering with the seat belt system
may result in serious personal injury.
cWork on and around the supplemental
front air bag system should be done by
a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electri-
cal equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) wiring should not
be modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used on
the air bag system.
cA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield could
affect the function of the supplemental
air bag system.
cThe SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental front air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appropri-
ate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-45
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

1. SRS air bag warning labels
2. Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag warning label
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front air
bag systems are placed in the vehicle as shown
in the illustration.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits of the supplemental front air bag,
front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air
bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact and
supplemental air bag and seatbelt pretensioner
systems. The circuits monitored by the supple-
mental air bag warning light are the Air bag
Control Unit, crash zone sensor, satellite sen-
sors, front air bag modules, side air bag modules,
curtain side-impact air bag modules, seat belt
pretensioners and all related wiring.When the ignition is in the ON position, the
supplemental air bag warning light illuminates for
about 7 seconds and then turns off. This means
the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, side-impact supple-
mental air bag and curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bag and pretensioner system need
servicing:
cThe supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bag, side-impact supplemental air bag and
curtain side-impact and supplemental air bag or
pretensioner systems may not operate properly. It
must be checked and repaired. Take your vehicle
to the nearest NISSAN dealer.
WRS0169LRS0100
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer.....................2-3
Power meter...................................2-4
High voltage battery status meter.................2-5
Fuel gauge....................................2-5
Compass display (if so equipped)...................2-6
Compass display...............................2-6
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders.......2-9
Checking bulbs................................2-9
Warning lights................................2-10
Indicator lights................................2-15
Audible reminders.............................2-17
Vehicle information display.........................2-18
How to use the Vehicle Information Display.......2-18
Security systems.................................2-26
Vehicle security system.........................2-26
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system.............2-27
Windshield wiper and washer switch...............2-28
Switch operation..............................2-28
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch..................................2-29
Headlight and turn signal switch....................2-29Headlight control switch........................2-29
Daytime running light system (Canada only)......2-32
Instrument brightness control...................2-32
Turn signal switch.............................2-33
Fog light switch (if so equipped)................2-33
Hazard warning flasher switch.....................2-33
Horn............................................2-34
Heated seats (if so equipped)......................2-34
Power outlet.....................................2-35
Storage.........................................2-36
Map pockets..................................2-36
Seatback pockets.............................2-37
Sunglasses holder.............................2-37
Cup holders..................................2-38
Glove box....................................2-38
Console box..................................2-39
Covered storage box...........................2-40
Grocery hooks (if so equipped).................2-40
Cargo net (if so equipped)......................2-41
Windows........................................2-41
Power windows...............................2-41
Sunroof (if so equipped)...........................2-44
Interior light......................................2-45
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X