NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2009 L32A / 4.G First Responders Guide

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• Repositioning the steering wheel:
The Altima Hybrid is equipped with a tilting telescopic steering column. To adjust the tilt: pull the lever (1) all the
way toward you and adjust the steering wheel up or down
in the desired direction (2). Release the lever after the
desired position has been achieved.

To adjust the telescopic position: pull the lever (1) all the
way toward you and adjust the steering wheel forward or
backward (3) into the desired position. Release the lever
after the desired position has been achieved.
Fire


Approach and extinguish a fire using proper vehicle fire fighting practices as recommended by NFPA, IFSTA,
or the National Fire Academy (USA).

• Extinguishing agent
Water has been proven to be a suitable extinguishing agent.

• Initial fire attack
Perform a fast, aggressive fire attack.
Divert the runoff from entering watershed areas.
Attack teams may not be able to identify an Altima Hybrid until the fire has been knocked down
and overhaul operations have commenced.

• Fire in a high voltage battery
Should a fire occur in the Ni-MH high voltage battery, attack crews should utilize a water stream
or fog pattern to extinguish any fire within the trunk EXCEPT for the high voltage battery.










When allowed to burn themselves out, the Altima Hybrid Ni-MH battery modules burn rapidly and can quickly
be reduced to ashes except for the metal.

Offensive fire attack
Flooding the Altima Hybrid high voltage battery is not
recommended due to the battery case design and
location preventing the responder from properly, and safely, applying water through the available vent
openings. Therefore, it is recommended that the incident commander allow the Altima Hybrid high voltage
battery to burn itself out.
Normally
, flooding a Ni-MH high voltage battery with copious amounts of water at a safe distance will
effectively control the high voltage battery fire by cooling the adjacent Ni-MH battery modules to a point below
their ignition temperature. The remaining modules on fire, if not extinguished by the water, will burn themselves
out.

Defensive fire attack
If the decision has been made to fight the fire using a def ensive attack, the fire attack crew should pull back a
safe distance and allow the Ni-MH battery modules to burn themselves out. During this defensive operation,
fire crews may utilize a water stream or fog pattern to protect exposures or to control the path of smoke.
DANGER:
•
Never breach or remove the high voltage battery under any circumstances, including fire. Doing
so could result in serious injury or death from electrical shock.
• The Ni-MH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues. To
avoid injury by coming in contact with the electrolyte, wear proper personal protective equipment.

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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 should
never be breached or
removed under any circumstances, including fire. Doing so may result in severe electrical burns, shock and/or
electrocution.

Recovery/recycling of the Ni-MH high voltage battery

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 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.

Spills

The Altima Hybrid contains the same common automotive fluids used in other non-hybrid Nissan vehicles, with
the exception of the Ni-MH electrolyte used in the high voltage battery. The Ni-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 battery case
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 vinegar can be used to
neutralize a Ni-MH battery electrolyte spill similar to the use of baking soda.

NOTE:
Electrolyte leakage from the high voltage battery is unlikely due to the battery construction and the amount of
available electrolyte contained within the Ni-MH modules. Any spillage would not warrant a declaration as a
hazardous material incident. First responders 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)

• Handle Ni-MH electrolyte spills using the following personal protective equipment:
¾ Splash shield or safety goggles (fold down helmet shields are not acceptable for acid or alkaline
electrolyte spills)
¾ Insulated rubber gloves
¾ Acid-resistant apron
¾ Insulated rubber boots
¾ Insulated rubber mats (for connect/disconnect of high voltage battery)

• Neutralize Ni-MH electrolyte
¾ Use a diluted boric acid solution or vinegar.
¾ Boric acid solution = 800 grams boric acid to 20 liters water or 5.5 ounces boric acid to 1 gallon
of water.

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First Aid


Emergency responders may not be familiar with a Ni-MH electrolyte exposure when rendering aid to a patient.
Exposure to the electrolyte is unlikely except in a catastrophic crash or through improper handling. Utilize the
following guidelines in the event of exposure.








• Absorption
¾ Perform gross decontamination by removing affected clothing and properly disposing of the
garments.
¾ Rinse the affected area with water for 20 minutes.
¾ Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.

• Inhalation in non-fire situations
¾ Toxic gases are given off as by-products of combustion. All responders in the Hot Zone should
wear the proper PPE for fire fighting, including SCBA.
¾ Move patients from the hazardous environment to a safe area and administer oxygen.
¾ Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.

• Ingestion
¾ Do not induce vomiting.
¾ Allow patient to drink large quantities of water to dilute the electrolyte (never give water to an
unconscious person).
¾ If vomiting occurs spontaneously, keep the patient’s head lowered and forward to reduce the
risk of asphyxiation.
¾ Transport patients to the nearest emergency medical care facility.
¾ Contact Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222

Submersion


When fully or partially submersed, an Altima Hybrid can be safely handled by following these
recommendations:
• Remove the vehicle from the water.
• Drain the water from the vehicle, if possible.
• Follow the immobilizing and disabling procedures.
DANGER:
• The Ni-MH battery electrolyte is a caustic alkaline (pH 13.5) that is damaging to human tissues. To
avoid injury by coming in contact with the electrolyte, wear proper personal protective equipment.

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Roadside Assistance

Nissan Altima Hybrid roadside assistance may be handled like conventional Nissan vehicles, except as noted
in the following pages.

Towing


The Altima Hybrid is a front wheel drive vehicle and it must be towed with the front wheels off the ground.
Failure to do so may cause serious damage to the hybrid system components.
• A flat bed trailer is the preferred method of towing.
• When towing the vehicle, be sure to release the parking brake.
• The vehicle may be shifted out of P (Park) into N (Neutral) by turning the ignition ON, depr\
essing the
brake, and then moving the shift lever to N (Neutral).
• If the shift lever cannot be moved out of P (Park), a shift release button is provided near the shift lever.
To use the shift release button, perform the following: a. Remove the shift lock cover as shown.
b. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock release slot and
push down.
c. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) position while holding
down the release button.





Fuel-Filler Door Opener


The fuel-filler door release is located on the floor to the left of the
driver’s seat. To open the fuel filler door, pull upward on the release
lever. There may be a delay up to 15 seconds before the fuel-filler door
opens.







Spare Tire


The jack (1), tools (2), and spare tire are provided in the trunk.

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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:
• The engine may start at any time without warning when the ignition is on and the Hybrid System is
in the READY mode. When jump starting keep your hands, clothing, hair and tools away from
fans, belts and any other parts that can move to avoid personal injury.
• If done incorrectly, jump starting can lead to a battery explosion, resulting in severe injury or death.
It could also damage the vehicle.
• Explosive hydrogen gas is always present in the vicinity of the battery. Keep all sparks and flames
away from the battery.
• Do not allow battery fluid to come into contact with eyes, skin, clothing or painted surfaces. Battery
fluid is a corrosive sulfuric acid solution which can cause severe burns. If the fluid should come
into contact with anything, immediately flush the contacted area with water.
• Whenever working on or near a battery, always wear suitable eye protectors (for example, goggles
or industrial safety spectacles) and remove rings, metal bands, or any other jewelry. Do not lean
over the battery when jump starting.
• Do not attempt to jump start a frozen battery. It could explode and cause serious injury.
• The vehicle has an automatic engine cooling fan. It could come on at any time. Keep hands and
other objects away from it.
• Always follow the instructions below. Failure to do so could result in damage to the charging
system and cause personal injury.

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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 (P ark). Switch off all unnecessary electrical systems
(lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).

5. Remove the vent caps (if so equipped) on the booster battery and cover the battery with an old cloth
(G) to reduce the explosion 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:
• The booster battery must be rated at 12 volts. Use of an improperly rated battery can damage
the vehicle.
• Always connect positive (+) from booster vehicle to remote positive (+) battery terminal.
• Always connect negative (-) from booster vehicle to body ground (for example, strut mounting
bolt, engine lift bracket, etc.).
• Make sure the jumper cables do not touch moving parts in the engine compartment and that the
cable clamps do not contact any other metal.

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8. Hold down the brake pedal and press the START button. The
vehicle instrument cluster will light up, and the READY operation
indicator light (green) will come ON.

9. After the READY operation indicator light (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 voltage battery CANNOT be jump started.

CAUTION:
• If the READY operation indicator light (green) does not come on, press the START button to
turn the Hybrid System OFF. Carefully disconnect the negative (-) cable, then the positive (+)
cable. Have the vehicle taken to a Nissan dealership for repair.