check engine NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2011 L32A / 4.G Owner's Guide

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

●For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway: 1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle.
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes. 2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Downshift the transmission to a lower gear
for engine braking when driving down steep
or long hills. This will help slow the vehicle
without applying the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer. ●
Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, eCVT fluid should be
changed more frequently. For additional
information, see the “Maintenance and do-
it-yourself” section earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
Your vehicle is not designed to be flat towed with
all four wheels on the ground.
9-22Technical and consumer information

You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.
For Canada
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 Transport Canada in addition
to notifying NISSAN.
If Transport Canada receives complaints,
it may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may request that NISSAN con-
duct a recall campaign. However, Trans-
port Canada cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or NISSAN.
You may contact Transport Canada’s De-
fect Investigations and Recalls Division
toll free at 1-800-333-0510. You may
also report safety defects online at:
https://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/Saf-Sec-
Sur/7/PCDB-BDPP/Index.aspx.Additional information concerning motor
vehicle safety may be obtained from
Transport Canada’s Road Safety Informa-
tion Centre at 1-800-333-0371 or online
at www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety.
To notify NISSAN of any safety concerns
please contact our Consumer Information
Centre toll free at 1-800-387-0122.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. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
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.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
Technical and consumer information9-25

10 Index
12-volt battery.................8-15
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-35
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-43
Air bag warning light ...........1-50, 2-15
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-17
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ...........4-21
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls . . . .4-19
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-21
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-27
Anchor point locations .............1-22
Antenna .....................4-83
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..............4-77
Compact disc
(CD) player .......4-39, 4-45, 4-51, 4-57 FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD)
player
....................4-37
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-47
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player .................4-41
Audio System iPod Player .............4-65, 4-67
Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system ....................4-69
Audio system Radio ....................4-22
Audio System Settings ...................4-48
Audio system USB interface ............4-59, 4-61
Autolight switch .................2-31
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-43
Automatic
anti-glare inside mirror .......3-24
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUX jack .................4-40, 4-46
B
Battery Charge warning light ........2-11, 2-13
Before starting the vehicle ...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-25
Bluetooth audio................4-77 Bluetooth
hands-free phone
system ..................4-85, 4-99
Booster seats ..................1-32
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-21
Brake fluid ..................8-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-26
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/contrast button ...........4-12
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-33
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-9
Bulb replacement ................8-26
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
Car phone or CB radio .............4-84
CD care and cleaning .............4-80
CD player
(See audio system) . . . .4-39, 4-45, 4-51, 4-57
Child restraints .......1-17, 1-17, 1-18, 1-20
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-18,

1-24, 1-28, 1-32

Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-22
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-17
Cleaning exterior and interior ...........7-2
Clock ...................4-38, 4-43
(models with navigation system) .......4-8
(models without navigation system) . . . .4-38
Clock set ..................4-8, 4-38
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-24
Compact disc
(CD) player .........4-39, 4-45, 4-51, 4-57
Compass display .................2-6
Console box ...................2-39
Console light ...................2-46
Control panel buttons ...............4-2
Brightness/contrast button .........4-12
Enter button ..................4-2
Setting button .................4-6
Controls Heater and air conditioner controls .....4-19
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking inverter coolant level .......8-10
Corrosion protection ...............7-7
Cruise control ..................5-15
Cup holders ...................2-38
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-32 Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .....................2-30
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-56
Dimensions and weights .............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-33
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-4
Drive belt .....................8-16
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 Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-14
Electronically controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) Driving with Electronically controlled
Continuously Variable Transmission
(eCVT) ....................5-11
Electronically controlled Continuously
Variable Transmission (eCVT) fluid .....8-14
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 .............8-12
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-13
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-11
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-7
Engine cooling system ............8-8
Engine oil ...................8-11
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 ..............9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-37
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-34
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-6
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Electronically

controlled Continuously
Variable Transmission (eCVT) fluid .....8-14
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-11
Inverter coolant ................8-10
10-2

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) ..........1-49
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-20
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Light Air bag warning light .........1-50, 2-15
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-26
Bulb check/instrument panel .........2-9
Bulb replacement ..............8-26
Charge warning light .........2-11, 2-13
Console light .................2-46
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-30
Headlight control switch ..........2-30
Headlights ..................8-25
Interior light ..................2-46
Light bulbs ..................8-25
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-13
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-25
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-44
Personal lights ................2-47
Security indicator light ............2-17
Spotlights (See map light) .........2-47
Trunk light ..................2-47 Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders
...................2-9
Lights Map lights ..................2-47
Lock Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Door locks ...................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-20
Glove

box lock ................2-39
Power door locks ...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever ..........3-18
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-26, 3-20
Low fuel warning light .......2-13, 2-14, 2-25
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-13
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-25
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 ............1-16
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-16
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-47
Map pocket ....................2-36
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-33
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-24
Inside mirror .................3-24 Outside mirrors
...............3-25
Vanity mirror .................3-23
Moonroof .....................2-44
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-69
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ .............3-7
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-28, 3-3, 5-10
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-110
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-3
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil ............ .8-12
Changing

engine oil filter ..........8-13
Checking engine oil level ..........8-11
Engine oil ...................8-11
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