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

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Foreword .......................................................................\
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About the Nissan Altima Hybrid ........................................................................\
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Altima Hybrid Identification ........................................................................\
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VIN Location ........................................................................\
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Engine Compartment ........................................................................\
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Exterior ...............................................................\
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Interior ...............................................................\
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Hybrid System Locations and Descriptions ........................................................................\
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Battery Information .......................................................................\
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Low Voltage Battery ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Battery ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Battery Specifications ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Battery Recycling ........................................................................\
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High Voltage Safety .......................................................................\
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High Voltage Safety System ........................................................................\
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Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and Seat Belt Pre-tensioners ................................................. - 13 - 
Emergency Response ........................................................................\
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Vehicle Cut Sheet ........................................................................\
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Automatic Door Locks (Not Applicable to 2007 or 2008 Model Years) ...................................................... - 16 -  
Extrication .......................................................................\
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Alternative High Voltage System Shut Down Procedure ........................................................................\
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Fire ...................................................................\
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Recovery/recycling of the Ni-MH high voltage battery ........................................................................\
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Spills ........................................................................\
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First Aid ........................................................................\
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Submersion .............................................................\
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Roadside Assistance .......................................................................\
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Towing ........................................................................\
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Fuel-Filler Door Opener ........................................................................\
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Spare Tire ........................................................................\
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Jump Starting ........................................................................\
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Foreword

Nissan released the Nissan Altima Hybrid in North America in January of 2007. The Nissan Altima Hybrid runs
on conventional gasoline and a traction motor. The basic vehicle systems and features of the Altima Hybrid are
the same as those of the conventional Altima, except where noted in this guide. This First Responder’s Guide
was published to help educate and assist first responders in the safe handling of the Altima Hybrid and its
technology.

A high voltage battery is used to power the traction motor, generator, electric air conditioning compressor,
voltage converter, and inverter unit. A separate 12 volt battery is used to power other electrical devices such as
the radio, horn, headlamps, and instrument cluster gauges. A number of safeguards have been designed to
ensure that the high voltage Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery is kept safe and secure in the event of an
accident.

The Altima Hybrid utilizes both low and high voltage systems:

Low voltage system

• A 12 volt DC negative chassis ground body electrical system

High voltage system

• A 245 volt DC high voltage battery
• A harness that carries high voltage between the high voltage battery, converter, inverter unit, transaxle
and electric air conditioning compressor
• A converter which converts 245 volts DC to 42 volts DC for the electric power steering (EPS) system
• A converter which converts 245 volts DC for charging the 12 volt battery
• An inverter unit which delivers up to 650 volts AC to the transaxle
• A transaxle which houses a traction motor and generator
• A 245 volt DC, electric motor driven electric air conditioning compressor

High voltage electrical safety is an important factor in the emergency handling of the Altima Hybrid. It is
important to recognize and understand the disabling procedures and warnings throughout this guide.
Additional topics in this guide include:
• Nissan Altima Hybrid identification
• Hybrid system component locations and descriptions
• Extrication, fire, recovery, and additional emergency response information
• Roadside assistance information






This First Responders Guide is intended to assist first responders in the safe handling of a Nissan Altima
Hybrid. The information contained in this guide is somewhat simplified and intended to be used as a
technical reference. Please refer to the Nissan Service Manual for information related to vehicle repair.

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DANGER: •
The high voltage system may remain powered for up to 10 minutes after the vehicle is shut
off.
•
The high voltage battery retains high voltage at all times.
High Voltage Safety

High Voltage Safety System


The high voltage safety system is intended to help keep vehicle occupants and emergency responders safe
from high voltage electricity.

• A high voltage fuse provides short circuit protection inside the high voltage battery.

• The high voltage safety system is insulated from the metal chassis so there is no possibility of electric
shock when touching the chassis.

• Positive and negative high voltage power cables are connected to the high voltage battery and are
controlled by normally open system main relays (SMR1 and SMR2). When the vehicle is shut off, the
relays stop electrical flow from leaving the high voltage battery.

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Emergency Response

On arrival, first responders should follow their standard operating procedures for vehicle incidents.
Emergencies involving the Altima Hybrid may be handled like other automobiles, except as noted in these
guidelines for Extrication, Fire, Recovery, Spills, First Aid, and Submersion.














DANGER:

•
Failure to disable the high voltage electrical system before emergency response procedures are
performed may result in serious injury or death from electrical shock.
• Failure to disable the low and high voltage electrical systems before emergency response
procedures are performed may result in serious injury or death from the unintentional deployment of
the SRS.
WARNING:
• Never assume that the Altima Hybrid is shut off simply because it is quiet.
• Always observe the instrument cluster for the READY operation indicator light (green) status to
verify whether the vehicle is on or shut off. The vehicle is shut off when the READY operation
indicator light (green) is off.
• The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) su ch as insulated rubber gloves, insulated rubber
boots, and insulated rubber mats must be used when disabling the high voltage electrical system.

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7. Accessing the occupants
• Glass removal:
Use normal glass removal procedures as required.

• SRS awareness:
First responders need to be cautious when working in proximity of undeployed air bags and seat

belt pre-tensioners. Front dual stage air bags automatically ignite both stages within a fraction of a
second.

• Door removal/displacement:
Doors can be removed by conventional rescue tools such as hand, electric, and hydraulic tools. In
certain situations, it may be easier to pry back the vehicle body to expose and unbolt the hinges.

• Roof removal:
The Altima Hybrid contains curtain air bags. If undeployed, it is not recommended to remove or to
displace the roof. As an alternative, remove the roof panel between the two roof rails.

• Instrument panel displacement:
The Altima Hybrid contains curtain air bags. Do not remove or displace the roof during an instrument panel displacement to avoid cutting into undeployed air bags or inflators. As an
alternative, instrument panel displacement may be performed using a modified instrument panel
roll.

• Rescue lift bags:
First responders should not place cribbing or rescue lift bags under the high voltage power cables,
exhaust system, or fuel system.

NOTE:
Repositioning the power seats must be done prior to 12 volt battery disconnection.

• Repositioning the seats:
The power seat control can be located as shown.
Moving the switch forward or backward will slide
the seat forward or backward to the desired position. Move the recline switch backward until the
desired position is obtained. To bring the seatback forward again, move the switch forward while
moving forward.

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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.