check engine NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2010 L32A / 4.G Owner's Guide

2. Have the belt checked regularly for condi-tion and tension in accordance with the
maintenance schedule found in the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide”.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace iridium-tippedA
spark plugs as frequently as conventional type
spark plugs because they last much longer. Fol-
low the maintenance log shown in the “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”. Do not service
iridium-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or regap-
ping.
● Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect socket
can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer for assistance.
SDI1895
SPARK PLUGS
8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself

If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.
SELF-ADJUSTING BRAKES
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear disc-type brakes self-adjust
every time the brake pedal is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake system
check if the brake pedal height does not
return to normal.
BRAKE PAD WEAR INDICATORS
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, a high pitched scraping or screech-
ing sound will be heard when the vehicle is in
motion. The noise will be heard whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light to
moderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.
For more information regarding
brake inspections, see the appropriate mainte-
nance schedule information in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
Two types of fuses are used. Type
Ais used in
the fuse boxes in the engine compartment. Type
Bis used in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
Type A fuses are provided as spare fuses. They
are stored in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
Type A fuses can be installed in the engine com-
partment and passenger compartment fuse
boxes.
LDI0455
BRAKES FUSES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19

If a type A fuse is used to replace a type B fuse,
the type A fuse will not be level with the fuse
pocket as shown in the illustration. This will not
affect the performance of the fuse. Make sure the
fuse is installed in the fuse box securely.
Type B fuses cannot be installed in the under-
hood fuse boxes. Only use type A fuses in the
underhood fuse boxes.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than specified on the
fuse box cover. This could damage the
electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not come on,
check for an open fuse. 1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight switch are OFF.
2. Open the engine hood.
3. Locate the two fuse blocks. All Hybrid Sys- tem component fuses are located in fuse
panel
A, all other fuses are located inB.
4. Remove the fuse box cover by pushing the tab and lifting the cover up.
5. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller. The fuse puller is located in the center of the fuse
block in the passenger compartment.
LDI0457
LDI0582
8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself

E–85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on levelroads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
CAUTION
●
Your vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel in a vehicle
not specifically designed for E-85 fuel
can damage fuel system components
and is not covered by the NISSAN new
vehicle limited warranty.
● E-85 is a mixture of approximately 85%
fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline. ●
U.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbrevia-
tion or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
9-4Technical and consumer information

WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
●Be certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Keep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle. ●
Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
● Determine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
● Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.
● Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. ●
When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:CAUTION
If you move the shift selector to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Turn off the engine.
Technical and consumer information9-21

If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.Always check with local I/M testing requirements
for Hybrid vehicles before taking your vehicle for
testing.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the 12-volt battery is disconnected, the vehicle
may be reset to a “not ready” condition. Before
taking the I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
“not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready.” If your
vehicle does not pass an I/M test the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) may not come on. Contact a
NISSAN dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-
testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds are not recorded.
These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g. name, gender, age and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (US
only) READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TESTEVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
Technical and consumer information9-25

10 Index
12-volt battery.................8-15
A
Air bag
(See supplemental restraint system) .....1-34
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-42
Air bag warning light ...........1-49, 2-15
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-17
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ...........4-22
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls . . . .4-20
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-22
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-25
Anchor point locations .............1-21
Antenna .....................4-85
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-10
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-21
Armrests .....................1-5
Audible reminders ...............2-17
Audio system ..................4-22
Bluetooth audio..............4-78
Compact disc (CD)
player ..........4-40, 4-46, 4-52, 4-58 FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player
....................4-38
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-48
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-42
Audio System iPod Player .............4-66, 4-68
Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system ....................4-71
Audio system Radio ....................4-22
Audio System Settings ...................4-49
Audio system USB interface ............4-60, 4-62
Autolight switch .................2-30
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-42
Transmission selector lever lock
release ....................5-13
Automatic
anti-glare inside mirror .......3-24
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUX jack .................4-41, 4-47
B
Battery Charge warning light ........2-11, 2-13
Before starting the vehicle ...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-15
Block heater Engine ....................5-25 Bluetooth
audio................4-78
Bluetooth hands-free phone
system .................4-86, 4-101
Booster seats ..................1-31
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-21
Brake fluid ..................8-13
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-25
Brake system ................5-19
Brake warning light .........2-10, 2-12
Brake wear indicators ........2-17, 8-19
Parking brake operation ..........5-14
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-19
Brakes ......................8-19
Break-in schedule ...............5-17
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-32
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-12
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-9
Bulb replacement ................8-25
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio .............4-85
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning .............4-81
CD player
(See audio system) . . . .4-40, 4-46, 4-52, 4-58
Child restraint with top tether strap ......1-21
Child restraints .......1-16,
1-16, 1-17, 1-19

Precautions on child
restraints.........1-17, 1-23, 1-28, 1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-21
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-17
Cleaning exterior and interior ...........7-2
Clock ...................4-39, 4-44
(models with navigation system) .......4-8
(models without navigation system) . . . .4-39
Clock set ..................4-8, 4-39
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-24
Compact disc (CD)
player ............4-40, 4-46, 4-52, 4-58
Compass display .................2-6
Console box ...................2-38
Console light ...................2-45
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Transmission selector lever lock release . .5-13
Control panel buttons ...............4-2
Brightness/contrast button .........4-12
Enter button ..................4-2
Setting button .................4-6
Controls Heater and air conditioner controls .....4-20
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking inverter coolant level .......8-10
Corrosion protection ...............7-6
Cruise control ..................5-15
Cup holders ...................2-37 D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-31
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-29
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-57
Dimensions and weights .............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-32
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-4
Drive belt .....................8-15
Driving Cold

weather driving ............5-24
Driving with Electronically controlled
Continuously Variable Transmission
(eCVT) ....................5-11
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-17
Electronically controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) Driving with Electronically controlled
Continuously Variable Transmission
(eCVT) ....................5-11
Electronically controlled Continuously
Variable Transmission (eCVT) fluid .....8-13
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-24
Energy flow ...................HEV-4
Energy/fuel history ...............HEV-5 Engine
Block heater .................5-25
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-7
Engine cooling system ............8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Enter button ....................4-2
Event data recorders ..............9-25
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-36
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-33
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-6
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-13
Capacities
and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Electronically controlled Continuously
Variable Transmission (eCVT) fluid .....8-13
Engine coolant .................8-8
10-2

Engine oil...................8-10
Inverter coolant ................8-9
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-42
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-17
Fuel gauge ...................2-5
Fuel octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-21
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-21
Fuses .......................8-19
Fusible links ...................8-21
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-47
Gascap .....................3-21
Gauge Fuel gauge ...................2-5
High voltage battery status meter . .2-5, HEV-4
Odometer ...................2-4
Power meter .............2-4, HEV-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Trip odometer .................2-4
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glove box .....................2-38
Glove box lock ..................2-38
Grocery hooks ..................2-39 H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth ................4-86, 4-101
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-29
Headlight control switch ............2-29
Headlights ....................8-24
Heated seats ...................2-34
Heater Heater
and air conditioner controls .....4-20
Heater operation ...............4-20
High voltage battery status meter . . . .2-5, HEV-4
High voltage components ...........HEV-8
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-47
Hood release ...................3-18
Horn .......................2-33
Hybrid System Energy flow .................HEV-4
Energy/fuel history .............HEV-5
Stops operating while driving .........6-6
Vehicle does not start .............6-7
Hybrid vehicle characteristics .........HEV-9
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch .........5-7
Immobilizer system ..........2-26, 3-3, 5-9
Important vehicle information label .......9-10
In-cabin microfilter ................8-17
Increasing fuel economy .............5-17 Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)
.....................2-9
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-24
Inside mirror ...................3-24
Instrument brightness control ..........2-32
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-32
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ..............3-9
Key operation ................3-10
Mechanical key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation .......3-13
Troubleshooting guide ............3-17
Warning signals ...............3-17
Interior light ....................2-45
Interior trunk lid release .............3-20
Inverter Checking inverter coolant level .......8-10
Inverter cooling system ............8-9
iP

od Player ................4-66, 4-68
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-19
J
Jump starting ...................6-7
K
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-23
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .........3-13
Keys, For Intelligent Key system .........3-2
10-3

L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-10
Emission control information label .....9-10
Engine serial number ............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-10
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-48
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-19
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-11
Light Air bag warning light .........1-49, 2-15
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-25
Bulb check/instrument panel .........2-9
Bulb replacement ..............8-25
Charge warning light .........2-11, 2-13
Console light .................2-45
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-29
Headlight control switch ..........2-29
Headlights ..................8-24
Interior light ..................2-45
Light bulbs ..................8-24
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-13
Low washer fluid warning light .......2-24
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-43
Personal lights ................2-46
Security indicator light ............2-17
Spotlights (See map light) .........2-46
Trunk light ..................2-46 Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders
...................2-9
Lights Map lights ..................2-46
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Door locks ...................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-21
Glove

box lock ................2-38
Power door locks ...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever ..........3-18
Low fuel warning light .......2-13, 2-14, 2-24
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-13
Low washer fluid warning light .........2-24
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-15
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-16
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-46
Map pocket ....................2-35
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-32
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-24
Inside mirror .................3-24
Outside mirrors ...............3-25 Vanity mirror
.................3-24
Moonroof .....................2-43
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . . .4-71
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ .............3-7
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system .................2-26, 3-3, 5-9
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-112
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil .............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking
engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-25
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-26
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-26
10-4