brake fluid NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2011 L32A / 4.G Owners Manual

WARNING
●Pull your vehicle off the road, put the
transmission in the P (Park) position,
apply the parking brake and turn the
Hybrid System off.
● Check to see if there are exposed high
voltage parts and cables. Never touch
the parts and cables. See “High voltage
components”, later in this section for
the locations of the high voltage parts
and cables.
● To avoid personal injury, do not touch
high voltage wiring, connectors and
high voltage parts (inverter unit, high
voltage battery etc.) .
● If exposed electric wires are visible in-
side or outside of your vehicle, an elec-
tric shock may occur. Never touch the
electric wires.
● Inspect the ground under the vehicle. If
liquid has leaked onto the ground, the
fuel system may have been damaged.
Leave the vehicle as soon as possible. ●
Never touch fluid leaks inside or out-
side the vehicle. The leak may be strong
alkaline electrolyte from the high volt-
age battery. If it contacts your skin or
eyes, wash it off immediately with a
large amount of water or if possible,
boric acid solution. Get immediate
medical attention to help avoid serious
injury.
● If a fire occurs in the hybrid vehicle,
leave the vehicle as soon as possible.
Never use a fire extinguisher that is not
meant for use on electric fires. Using
even a small amount of water may be
also dangerous.
● If your vehicle needs to be towed, do it
with the front wheels raised. If the front
wheels are on the ground when towing,
the traction motor may generate elec-
tricity. This may damage the Hybrid Sys-
tem components and cause a fire.
EMERGENCY SHUT OFF SYSTEM
The emergency shut off system automatically
turns off the high voltage current in certain frontal
collisions. This is to minimize the risk of electrical
short circuits. If the system activates, your vehicle
will not restart. To restart the Hybrid System,
contact a NISSAN dealer. The Hybrid System monitors the status of power
being sent to the traction motor and the battery
state of charge. The status is shown on the hybrid
power meter and high voltage battery status me-
ter. System status can also be shown on the
navigation system display (if so equipped) when
the screen is in the Energy Flow mode or
energy/fuel history mode.
ROAD ACCIDENT CAUTIONS
ENERGY MONITORS
HEV OverviewHEV-3

1. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 1-22)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-11)
3. Air cleaner (P. 8-17)
4. Fuse/fusible link box/jump-start location(P. 8-20)
5. Fuse box (P. 8-20)
6. Inverter coolant reservoir (P. 8-10)
7. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-11)
8. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
9. Drive belt location (P. 8-16)
10. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
11. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-15)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LDI0577
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Illustrated table of contents0-7

The following light comes on briefly and then
goes off:
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
For additional information on warnings and indi-
cators, see “Vehicle information display” later in
this section.
orAnti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning light illuminates. After the Hybrid System
is in the READY mode, the ABS warning light
turns off.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
Hybrid System is running, or while driving, it may
indicate the ABS is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See
Brake system
in theStarting and driving sec-
tion.
orBrake warning light
(red)
This light preforms the following functions for the
parking brake and brake systems.
● Parking brake indicator
● Low brake fluid warning light
● Hydraulic brake system warning light
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position and the Hybrid System is in the READY
mode, the light comes on when the parking brake
is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position and the Hybrid System is in the READY
mode, the light warns of a low brake fluid level.
Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as
necessary. See “Brake fluid” in the “Maintenance
and do-it-yourself” section of this manual. If the
brake fluid level is correct, see “Hydraulic brake
system warning light” in this section. Hydraulic brake system warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position and the Hybrid System is in the READY
mode, the light warns that the hydraulic brake
system is not functioning properly. If the brake
warning light comes on with the parking brake not
applied when the Hybrid System is in READY
position, perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary. See “Brake fluid” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
If the hydraulic brake warning light comes on
when the parking brake is not applied and the
electronically controlled brake system warning
light also comes on, stop the vehicle immedi-
ately and call a NISSAN dealer.
2-10Instruments and controls

WARNING
●Your brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
● Pressing the brake pedal with the igni-
tion switch placed in the OFF position
and/or a low brake fluid level may in-
crease your stopping distance and
braking will require greater pedal effort
as well as pedal travel.
● If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer. ●
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
Hybrid 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 ser-
vice station for repairs. Otherwise, have
your vehicle towed because driving
could be dangerous.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate the
ABS is not functioning properly. Have the brake
system checked, and if necessary, repaired by a
NISSAN dealer promptly. Avoid high-speed driv-
ing and abrupt braking. (See “Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warning light” in this section.)
12–volt battery charge warning light
If this light comes on while the Hybrid System is
running, it may indicate the 12-volt battery charg-
ing system is not functioning properly. See a
NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
The charging system may not be function-
ing properly if the charge warning light
comes on while the Hybrid System is run-
ning. The Hybrid System will stop operat-
ing when the 12-volt battery becomes dis-
charged. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your NISSAN
dealer.
Electric power steering
warning light
WARNING
● If the ignition switch is not placed in the
ON position and the Hybrid System is
not in the READY mode, the power as-
sist for the steering will not work. Steer-
ing will be harder to operate.
● When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the Hybrid System in
the READY mode, there will be no
power assist for the steering. You will
still have control of the vehicle but the
steering will be harder to operate. Have
the power steering system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
Instruments and controls2-11

Vehicle information display warnings
and indicators
1. Door and trunk open warning
2. Push warning
3. Low fuel warning4. Low windshield-washer fluid warning
5. No key warning
6. Parking brake indicator
7. Shift P warning
8. Cruise main switch indicator
9. Cruise set switch indicator
10. Hybrid system operation indicator
11. EV mode indicator
LIC2031
2-24Instruments and controls

12. NISSAN Intelligent Key™ insertion indicator
13. NISSAN Intelligent Key™ removal indicator
14. NISSAN Intelligent Key™ battery dischargeindicator
15. Loose fuel cap warning
Door and trunk open warning
This warning illuminates when a door or the trunk
has been opened when the engine is running.
Push warning
After the Shift P warning illuminates, the Push
warning will illuminate if the ignition switch is
placed in the ACC position when the shift selec-
tor is moved to the P (Park) position.
See “Shift P warning” in this section for additional
information.
To turn off the Push warning, place the ignition
switch in the ON position and then in the LOCK
position.
Low fuel warning
This warning illuminates when the fuel level in the
fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the fuel gauge
reaches E (Empty) . There will be a small re-
serve of fuel in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches E (Empty) . Low windshield-washer fluid warning
This warning illuminates when the windshield-
washer fluid is at a low level. Add windshield-
washer fluid as necessary. See “Windshield-
washer fluid” in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual.
No key warning
This warning illuminates following two condi-
tions:
1. When the ignition switch is pushed and the Intelligent Key cannot be recognized by the
system. If this warning illuminates, you can-
not start the engine.
Check for the following causes and perform
the assigned remedies:
– The battery of the Intelligent Key carried with you is discharged completely. Re-
place the battery with a new one.
– The Intelligent Key carried with you is not registered to the system. Use the regis-
tered Intelligent Key.
– You do not have an Intelligent Key with you. Carry an Intelligent Key with you. 2. When the door is closed with the Intelligent
Key left outside the vehicle and the ignition
switch is placed in the ACC or ON position.
A chime will also sound.
Parking brake warning
This warning illuminates when the parking brake
is set and the vehicle is driven.
SHIFT P warning
This warning may appear during the following
conditions:
– the ignition switch is pushed to stop the Hy- brid System with the shift selector in any po-
sition except in the “P” position,
– the high voltage battery drops because the transmission is in the “N” position,
– the driver’s door is opened with the shift se- lector in “N”, “B” or “D”.
If this warning illuminates while the ignition switch
is placed in the OFF position, move the shift
selector to the “P” position or place the ignition
switch in the ON position.
An inside warning chime will also sound. See
“NISSAN Intelligent Key™” in the “Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section.
Instruments and controls2-25

CAUTION
●Never place anything except the Intelli-
gent Key in the Intelligent Key port. Do-
ing so may cause damage to the
equipment.
● Make sure the Intelligent Key is in the
correct direction when inserting it to
the Intelligent Key port. The engine may
not start if it is in the wrong direction.
● Remove the Intelligent Key from the
Intelligent Key port after the ignition
switch is pushed to the LOCK position.
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer system will not
allow the engine to start without the use of the
registered key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered key
(for example, when interference is caused by
another registered key, an automated toll road
device or automatic payment device on the key
ring) , restart the engine using the following pro-
cedure:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position for approximately 5 seconds. 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. ●
Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
● Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and windshield–washer fluid
as frequently as possible, or at least when-
ever you refuel.
● Check that all windows and lights are clean.
● Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
● Lock all doors.
● Position seat and adjust head restraints.
● Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
● Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
● Check 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.
BEFORE STARTING THE HYBRID
SYSTEM
5-10Starting and driving

ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
●The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a
sophisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces. Remem-
ber that stopping distances on slippery
surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if you
are using tire chains. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you. Ultimately, the driver is respon-
sible for safety.
● Tire type and condition of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the specified size of tires on all four
wheels. – When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Tire and
Loading Information label” in the
“Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
– For detailed information, see “Wheels and tires” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip-
pery surfaces. When the ABS is operating the
SLIP indicator light in the instrument panel will
blink.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise. This is normal and does not
indicate a malfunction. If the computer senses a
malfunction, it switches the ABS off and illumi-
nates the ABS warning light on the instrument
panel. The brake system then operates normally,
but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Starting and driving5-21

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 ...................8-9
Changing engine coolant ........................8-9
Inverter cooling system ............................ 8-10
Checking inverter coolant level ..................8-10
Changing inverter coolant ......................8-11
Engine oil ........................................ 8-11
Checking engine oil level .......................8-11
Changing engine oil ........................... 8-12
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-13
Electronically controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) fluid ......................... 8-14
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-14
Brake fluid .................................... 8-14
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-15
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-15
12-volt battery ................................... 8-15
Jump starting ................................. 8-16Drive belt
........................................ 8-16
Spark plugs . ..................................... 8-17
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-17
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-17
In-cabin microfilter ............................. 8-18
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-18
Cleaning ..................................... 8-18
Replacing .................................... 8-18
Brakes .......................................... 8-19
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-19
Brake pad wear indicators ......................8-19
Fuses ........................................... 8-20
Engine compartment ........................... 8-21
Passenger compartment .......................8-22
Battery replacement .............................. 8-23
NISSAN
Intelligent Key™ ....................... 8-23
Lights ........................................... 8-25
Headlights .................................... 8-25
Front park/turn/sidemarker light .................8-25
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-26
Upper tether anchor covers ........................8-30
Removing covers from rear parcel shelf ..........8-30
Installing covers to rear parcel shelf ..............8-31

Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes Make 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 defroster Check 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 system Make 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
“Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) in the “Starting
and driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaks Check 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 hoses Check 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. Underbody
The 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