recommended oil NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2011 L32A / 4.G Owners Manual

CAUTION
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) ,
follow these recommendations to obtain
maximum engine performance and en-
sure the future reliability and economy of
your new vehicle. Failure to follow these
recommendations may result in short-
ened engine life and reduced engine
performance.● Do not accelerate at full throttle in any gear.
● Avoid quick starts.
● Avoid hard braking as much as possible.
● Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km) . Your engine, axle or other parts
could be damaged. ●
Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Maintain
cruising speeds with a constant accelerator
position.
● Drive at moderate speeds on the highway.
Driving at high speed lowers fuel economy.
● Avoid unnecessary stopping and braking.
Maintain a safe distance behind other ve-
hicles.
● Keep your engine tuned up.
● Follow the recommended periodic mainte-
nance schedule.
● Keep the tires inflated to the correct pres-
sure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear
and lowers fuel economy.
● Keep the wheels in correct alignment. Im-
proper alignment increases tire wear and
lowers fuel economy.
● Air conditioner operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioner only when
necessary.
● When cruising at highway speeds, it is more
economical to use the air conditioner and
leave the windows closed to reduce drag. ●
Use the recommended viscosity engine oil.
See “Engine oil and oil filter recommenda-
tions” in “Technical and consumer informa-
tion” later in this manual.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE INCREASING FUEL ECONOMY
Starting and driving5-17

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
●To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the in-
verter is hot.
● Never remove the cap when the inverter
is hot. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the inverter coolant reservoir.
● Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
● Keep 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. 5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) marksB. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
A, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening. Do not overfill
C.
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.
LDI0555WDI0214
ENGINE OIL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11

6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a newwasher. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 22 - 29 ft-lb (29 - 39 N·m)
7. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual for
drain and refill capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.
8. Start the vehicle. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the vehicle off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Turn the vehicle off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
C.
4. Loosen the oil filter
Cwith an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then
remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
8. Start the vehicle and check for leakage around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the vehicle off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
AOil filler cap
BOil drain plug
COil filter
WDI0597
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants.........9-2
Fuel recommendation . . .........................9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendations ..........9-5
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations ..............................9-6
Specifications .....................................9-7
Engine ........................................9-7
Wheels and tires ...............................9-8
Dimensions and weights ........................9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ...................................9-9
Vehicle identification ...............................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ..........9-9
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ...............................9-9
Engine serial number ........................... 9-10
F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Emission control information label ...............9-10
Tire and loading information label ................9-11Air conditioner specification label
................9-11
Installing front license plate ........................9-12
Vehicle loading information ........................9-12
Terms ........................................ 9-12
Vehicle load capacity .......................... 9-13
Loading tips .................................. 9-15
Measurement of weights .......................9-15
Towing a trailer ................................... 9-16
Maximum load limits ........................... 9-16
Towing load/specification .......................9-19
Towing safety ................................. 9-19
Flat towing .................................... 9-22
Uniform tire quality grading ........................9-23
Emission control system warranty ..................9-24
Reporting safety defects .......................... 9-24
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test .....9-25
Event Data Recorders (EDR) .......................9-26
Owner’s Manual/Service Manual order information . . . 9-26 In the event of a collision .......................9-27

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20 gal 16-5/8 gal 75.6Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON
91)*1
Engine oil *7 Drain and RefillWith oil filter change 4-7/8 qt 4 qt4.6
Engine oil with API Certification Mark *2, *3
Viscosity SAE 0W-20 *2, *3
Without oil filter
change 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt 4.3
Cooling system With reservoir 2 gal1-3/4 gal
7.7 Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
Inverter unit cooling system 7/8 gal 3/4 gal 3.2Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion (eCVT) fluid —
—— Genuine NISSAN Matic W ATF *4
Brake fluid ——— Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid *5 or equivalent
DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease ——— NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant ——— HFC-134a (R-134a) *6
Air conditioning system oil ——— Compressor oil ND OIL-11 *6
Windshield-washer fluid ——— Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Fuel recommendation” in this section.
*2: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations” in this section.
*3: SAE 5W-20 or 5W-30 engine oil may also be used. However, SAE 0W-20 is the best choice for optimum fuel economy and optimum starting in cold weather.
*4: Use only Genuine NISSAN Matic W ATF. Using transaxle fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic W ATF will damage the eCVT.
*5: Available in mainland USA through your NISSAN dealer.
*6: For further details, see “Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil recommendations” in this section.
*7: For further details, see “Engine Oil” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information

ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality
and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. See “Capacities
and recommended fuel/lubricants” earlier in this
section. NISSAN recommends the use of an
energy conserving oil in order to improve fuel
economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and ApprovalCommittee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label should not
be used as they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be oper-
ated before the next oil change. Choosing an oil
viscosity other than that recommended could
cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When re-
placing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals.”
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using engine oil and filters
that are not of the specified quality, or exceeding
recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
WTI0186
Technical and consumer information9-5

Your engine was filled with a high-quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil and filter changes:● repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures
● driving in dusty conditions
● extensive idling
● towing a trailer
● stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the oil, com-
pressor oil ND OIL-11.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil will
cause severe damage to the air condition-
ing system and will require the replace-
ment of all air conditioner system
components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect the
earth’s atmosphere, certain government regula-
tions require the recovery and recycling of any
refrigerant during automotive air conditioner sys-
tem service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your air
conditioner system.
9-6Technical and consumer information

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