check oil NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2009 L32A / 4.G Owners Manual

1. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-14)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-10)
3. Air cleaner (P. 8-17)
4. Fuse/fusible link box/jump-start location
(P. 8-19)
5. Fuse box (P. 8-19)
6. Inverter coolant reservoir (P. 8-9)
7. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-10)
8. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
9. Drive belt location (P.8-15)
10. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
11. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-14)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LDI0577
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Illustrated table of contents0-7
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orAnti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning lightHybrid System warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
orBrake warning light (Red)Low tire pressure warning light (if so equipped)High beam indicator light (Blue)
12–volt battery charge warning lightMaster warning lightLow temperature indicator light (Blue)
Electric power steering warning lightNISSAN Intelligent Key™ warning lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Electronically controlled brake warning light
(Yellow)Seat belt warning light and chimeReady operation indicator light (Green)
Engine oil pressure warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
High temperature warning light (Red)Vehicle Dynamic Control warning lightSlip indicator light
High voltage battery warning lightElectronically controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) position indicator lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the Hybrid System. The following
lights will come on:
,or,,,,
,,.The following lights come on when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position before the
READY light comes on indicating the Hybrid Sys-
tem is activated:
or,,,.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Instruments and controls2-9
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functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the power steering system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
When the power steering warning light illumi-
nates with the Hybrid System in the READY
mode, there will be no power assist for the steer-
ing but you will still have control of the vehicle. At
this time, greater steering effort is required to
operate the steering wheel, especially in sharp
turns and at low speeds.
See “Power steering” in the “Starting and driving”
section.
Electronically controlled brake
warning light (yellow)
This light functions for both the regenerative
brake and electronically controlled brake sys-
tems.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position and the Hybrid System is in the READY
mode, the light stays on for about 2 seconds. If
the light comes on at any other time, it may
indicate the regenerative brake and/or the elec-
tronically controlled brake systems are not func-
tioning properly. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
If the hydraulic brake warning light also comes on
with the parking brake not applied, stop the ve-hicle immediately and call a NISSAN dealer. For
additional information, see9Brake system9in
9Starting and Driving9section.
WARNING
Your brake system may not be working
properly if both the brake warning light
and electronically controlled brake sys-
tem warning light come on when the Hy-
brid System is in READY mode and the
parking brake is not applied. Driving could
be dangerous. If you judge it to be safe,
drive carefully to the nearest service sta-
tion for repairs. Otherwise, have your ve-
hicle towed because driving could be
dangerous.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
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
immediatelyand 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.
High temperature warning light
(red)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the high temperature warning light illu-
minates and then turns off. This indicates that the
high temperature sensor in the engine coolant
system is operational.
CAUTION
If the high temperature warning light illu-
minates while the engine is running, it
may indicate the engine temperature is
extremely high. Stop the vehicle safely as
soon as possible. If the vehicle is over-
heated, continuing vehicle operation may
seriously damage the engine. See “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of emer-
gency” section.
2-12Instruments and controls
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2. Place the ignition switch in the OFF or
LOCK position, and wait approximately 10
seconds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device
(which may have caused the interference)
separate from the registered key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, NISSAN rec-
ommends placing the registered key on a sepa-
rate key ring to avoid interference from other
devices.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid as
frequently as possible, or at least whenever
you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position. See “Warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders” in the “Instruments and
controls” section of this manual.1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shift selector to P (Park) .
The Hybrid System is designed not to
operate if the shift selector is not in the
P (Park) position.
3. Place the ignition switch in the ON position.
Depress the brake pedal and push the igni-
tion switch to start the Hybrid System. The
READY light will illuminate on the meter.
NOTE:
When starting the Hybrid System at very
low outside temperatures, the READY light
will flash and it may take longer for the
READY light to illuminate.
cThe engine may not start even with the
READY light illuminated. Once the
READY light is illuminated you may begin
driving the vehicle.
cYou may hear a sound in the engine com-
partment when the brake pedal is de-
pressed with the Hybrid System off. This
does not indicate a problem.
cWhen the Hybrid System is started or
stopped, you may hear a sound coming
from the high voltage battery located un-
der the rear seats. This does not indicate
a problem.
BEFORE STARTING THE HYBRID
SYSTEMSTARTING THE HYBRID SYSTEM
5-10Starting and driving
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REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory
store.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, it is
necessary to clean the underbody regularly in
order to prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the un-
derbody and suspension. Before the winter pe-
riod and again in the spring, the underseal must
be checked and, if necessary, retreated.
GLASS
When cleaning the rear window, it may be easier
to clean if the high-mounted stop light is removed
first.
Be careful when removing the high-mounted
stop light to reduce the risk of damaging the
high-mounted stop light wires.
To remove the high-mounted stop light:
s1Push toward rear of vehicle.
s2Lift to remove.
The high-mounted stop light must be properly
reinstalled before driving your vehicle.Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows,
do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive
cleaners or chlorine-based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the electri-
cal conductors, radio antenna elements or
rear window defroster elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly with a sponge damp-
ened in a mild soap solution, especially during
winter months in areas where road salt is used. If
not removed, road salt can discolor the wheels.
CAUTION
Follow the directions below to avoid
staining or discoloring the wheels:
cDo not use a cleaner that uses strong
acid or alkali contents to clean the
wheels.
WAI0005
Appearance and care7-3
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8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-7
Engine cooling system.............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................8-8
Changing engine coolant........................8-9
Inverter cooling system.............................8-9
Checking inverter coolant level..................8-10
Changing inverter coolant......................8-10
Engine oil........................................8-10
Checking engine oil level.......................8-10
Changing engine oil...........................8-11
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-12
Electronically controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) fluid.........................8-13
Brake fluid.......................................8-13
Brake fluid....................................8-14
Window washer fluid.............................8-14
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-14
12-volt battery...................................8-15
Jump starting.................................8-15Drive belt........................................8-15
Spark plugs......................................8-16
Replacing spark plugs.........................8-16
Air cleaner.......................................8-17
In-cabin microfilter.............................8-17
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-17
Cleaning.....................................8-17
Replacing....................................8-18
Brakes..........................................8-19
Self-adjusting brakes..........................8-19
Brake pad wear indicators......................8-19
Fuses...........................................8-19
Engine compartment...........................8-20
Passenger compartment.......................8-21
Battery replacement..............................8-22
NISSAN Intelligent Key™.......................8-23
Lights...........................................8-24
Headlights....................................8-24
Front park/turn/sidemarker light.................8-24
Exterior and interior lights.......................8-25
Wheels and tires.................................8-29
Tire pressure..................................8-29
Tire labeling...................................8-33
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Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimesMake sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Brake fluid level*Make sure that the brake fluid
level is between the MIN and MAX lines on the
reservoir.Electronically controlled Continuously
Variable Transmission (eCVT) fluid*Check
under the vehicle for leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while.
Engine coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust systemMake sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. See the
carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaksCheck under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner after use is normal. If you should
notice any leaks or if gasoline fumes are evident,
check for the cause and have it corrected imme-
diately.Inverter coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the inverter is cold.
Radiator and hosesCheck the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
UnderbodyThe underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield washer fluid*Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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1. Brake fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Air cleaner
4. Fuse/Fusible link box/Jump-start
location
5. Fuse box
6. Inverter coolant reservoir
7. Engine oil dipstick
8. Radiator cap
9. Drive belt location
10. Engine coolant reservoir
11. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
LDI0577
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
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CHECKING INVERTER COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine and inverter are cold.If the cool-
ant level is below the MIN level
sB, add coolant to
the MAX level
sA.
If the inverter cooling system frequently
requires coolant, have it checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
CHANGING INVERTER COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the inverter cool-
ant. The service procedure can be found in the
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in inverter
overheating.
WARNING
cTo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the in-
verter is hot.
cNever remove the cap when the inverter
is hot. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the inverter coolant reservoir.
cAvoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
cKeep coolant out of the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature.
3. Turn off the vehicle.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re-
insert it all the way.
LDI0583LDI0555
ENGINE OIL
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) marks
sB. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
sA, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening.Do not overfill
sC.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the severity
of operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly. Op-
erating the engine with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the engine, and
such damage is not covered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Start the vehicle and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature, then turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap
sAby turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
sB.
WDI0214
sAOil filler cap
sBOil drain plug
sCOil filter
WDI0597
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
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