User manual NISSAN ALTIMA-2000

Foreword Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the latest techniques and strict quality control. This manual was prepared to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles of driving pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle. In the U.S., a separate Warranty Information and Maintenance Log Booklet and in Canada, a Warranty and Roadside Assistance Information Booklet explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle and vehicle maintenance schedules. Additionally, a separate Customer Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will explain how to resolve any concerns you may have with your vehicle, as well as clarify your rights under your state's lemon law. Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, they will be glad to assist you with the extensive resources available to them. READ FIRST -- THEN DRIVE SAFELY Before driving your vehicle please read this Owner's Manual carefully. This will ensure familiarity with controls and maintenance requirements, assisting you in the safe operation of your vehicle. WARNING IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION REMINDERS FOR SAFETY! Follow these important rules to help ensure a safe and comfortable trip for you and your passengers! NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. ALWAYS observe posted speed limits and never drive too fast for conditions. ALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate child restraint systems. Pre-teen children should be seated in the rear seat. ALWAYS provide information about the proper use of vehicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle. ALWAYS review this owner's manual for important safety information. The inside pages of this manual contain a minimum of 50% recycled fibers, including 10% post-consumer fibers. MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE This vehicle should not be modified. Modification could affect its performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or performance problems resulting from modifications may not be covered under NISSAN warranties. WHEN READING THE MANUAL This manual includes information for all options available on this model. Therefore, you may find some information that does not apply to your vehicle. All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are those in effect at the time of printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change specifications or design without notice and without obligation. The inside pages of this manual contain a minimum of 50% recycled fibers, including 10% post-consumer fibers. IMPORTANT INFORMATION THIS MANUAL ABOUT You will see various symbols in this manual. They are used in the following ways: WARNING This is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that could cause death or serious personal injury. To avoid or reduce the risk, the procedures must be followed precisely. APD1005 CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING WARNING Engine Exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. CAUTION This is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that could cause minor or moderate personal injury or damage to your vehicle. To avoid or reduce the risk, the procedures must be followed carefully. If you see this symbol, it means ``Do not do this'' or ``Do not let this happen.'' © 2000 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. GARDENA, CALIFORNIA All rights reserved. No part of this Owner's Manual may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Nissan North America, Inc., Gardena, California. Welcome To The World Of NISSAN NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics and computers in automobiles, and has led the industry in improving both performance and fuel efficiency through new engine designs and the use of synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight. The company has also developed ways to build quality into its vehicles at each stage of the production process, both through extensive use of automation and -- most importantly -- through an awareness that people are the central element in quality control. From the time the parts arrived from our suppliers until you took delivery of your new NISSAN, dozens of checks were made to ensure that only the best job was being done in producing and delivering your vehicle. NISSAN also takes great care to ensure that when you take your NISSAN to your dealer for maintenance, the service technician will perform his work according to the quality standards that have been established by Nissan. Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. As you know, seat belts are an integral part of the safety systems that will help protect you and your passengers in the event of a sudden stop or an accident. We urge you to use the seat belts every time you drive the vehicle. The NISSAN story of growth and achievement reflects our major goal: to provide you, our customer, with a vehicle that is built with quality and craftsmanship -- a product that we can be proud to build and you can be proud to own. AFW0001 Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedication to produce the finest in safe, reliable and economical transportation. Your vehicle is the product of a successful worldwide company that manufactures cars and trucks in over 17 countries and distributes them in 170 nations. NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufactured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSAN affiliates world wide, collectively growing to become the fifth largest automaker in the world. In addition to cars and trucks, NISSAN also makes textile machinery, forklift trucks, marine engines, boats and other products. NISSAN has made a substantial and growing investment in North America, starting with the opening of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. in 1960 and continuing with the production of some cars and trucks at one of the world's most modern manufacturing facilities, Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation U.S.A. in Smyrna, Tennessee, vehicle styling at Nissan Design International in San Diego, California, and engineering at Nissan Research and Development in Farmington Hills, Michigan. NISSAN and its dealers indirectly employ about 60,000 Americans. NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to the Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its suppliers and over 140 dealers employ approximately 4,500 people. These include company employees and the staffs of NISSAN dealers all across Canada. In addition, many Canadians work for companies that supply NISSAN and NISSAN dealers with materials and services ranging from the operation of port facilities and transportation services, to the supply of lubricants, parts and accessories. NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM NISSAN CARES ... Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and service needs. However, if there is something that your NISSAN dealer cannot assist you with or you would like to provide NISSAN directly with comments or questions, please contact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs Department using our toll-free number: The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the following information: -- Your name, address, and telephone number -- Vehicle identification number (on dashboard) -- Date of purchase -- Current odometer reading -- Your NISSAN dealer's name -- Your comments or questions OR You can write to NISSAN with the information on the left at: For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers Nissan North America Inc. Consumer Affairs Department P.O. Box 191 Gardena, California 90248-0191 For Hawaii customers Nissan Motor Corporation in Hawaii 2880 Kilihau St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 For Canadian customers Nissan Canada Inc. 5290 Orbitor Drive Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5 For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers 1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261) For Hawaii customers (808) 836-0888 (Oahu Number) For CANADIAN customers 1-800-387-0122 We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle. Table of Contents Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems Instruments and controls Pre-driving checks and adjustments Heater, air conditioner and audio systems Starting and driving In case of emergency Appearance and care Do-it-yourself Maintenance Technical and consumer information Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems Seats ......................................................................1-2 Front manual seat adjustment ...............................1-3 Front power seat adjustment (if so equipped) .......1-4 Rear seat adjustment .............................................1-6 Head restraint adjustment ......................................1-8 Supplemental restraint system...............................1-9 Precautions on supplemental restraint system ......1-9 Supplemental air bag warning labels...................1-19 Supplemental air bag warning light......................1-19 Seat belts .............................................................1-21 Precautions on seat belt usage ...........................1-21 Child safety...........................................................1-23 Pregnant women ..................................................1-23 Injured persons ....................................................1-24 Three-point type seat belt with retractor ..............1-24 Seat belt extenders ..............................................1-28 Seat belt maintenance .........................................1-28 Child restraints .....................................................1-28 Precautions on child restraints.............................1-28 Installation on rear seat center or outboard positions ...............................................................1-30 Top tether strap child restraint .............................1-35 Installation on front passenger seat.....................1-36 SEATS ARS1131 WARNING Do not ride in a moving vehicle when the seatback is reclined. This can be dangerous. The shoulder belt will not be against your body. In an accident you could be thrown into it and receive neck or other serious injuries. You could also slide under the lap belt and receive serious internal injuries. For most effective protection when the vehicle is in motion, the seat should be upright. Always sit well back in the seat and adjust the seat properly. See ``Precautions on Seat Belt Usage'' later in this section. 1-2 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems FRONT MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTMENT WARNING Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving so full attention may be given to vehicle operation. The seat may move suddenly and could cause loss of control of the vehicle. After adjustment, gently rock in the seat to make sure it is securely locked. WRS0001 Forward and backward Pull the lever up while you slide the seat forward or backward to the desired position. Release the lever to lock the seat in position. Reclining To recline the seatback, pull the lever up and lean back. To bring the seatback forward again, pull the lever and move yourbody forward. Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-3 SPA0099A LRS0016 Seat lifter (Driver's seat) Turn either dial to adjust the angle and height of the seat cushion to the desired position. FRONT POWER SEAT ADJUSTMENT (if so equipped) WARNING Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving so full attention may be given to vehicle operation. Do not leave children unattended inside the vehicle. They could unknowingly activate switches or controls. Unattended children could become involved in serious accidents. Operating Tips The motor has an auto-reset overload protection circuit. If the motor stops during operation, wait 30 seconds, then reactivate the switch. Do not operate the power seat switch for a long period of time when the engine is off. This will discharge the battery. Forward and backward Moving the switch forward or backward will slide the seat forward or backward to the desired position. 1-4 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems Reclining Move the recline switch backward until the desired angle is obtained. To bring the seatback forward again, move the switch forward and move your body forward. The seatback will move forward. LRS0017 ARS1035 Seat lifter (if so equipped for driver's seat) Push the front or rear end of the switch up or down to adjust the angle and height of the seat cushion. Lumbar support (if so equipped for driver's seat) The lumbar support feature provides lower back support to the driver. Move the lever up or down to adjust the seat lumbar area. Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-5 Closely supervise children when they are around cars to prevent them from playing and becoming locked in the trunk where they could be seriously injured. Keep the car locked, with the rear seat back securely latched, when not in use, and prevent children's access to car keys. WRS0018 REAR SEAT ADJUSTMENT Interior trunk access The trunk can be accessed from the rear seat for loading and unloading, as shown. WARNING Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage area or on the rear seat when it is in the fold-down position. Use of these areas by passengers without proper restraints could result in serious injury in an accident or sudden stop. Properly secure all cargo to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury. When returning seatbacks to the upright position, be certain they are completely secured in the latched position. If they are not completely secured in the latched position, passengers may be injured in an accident or sudden stop. 1-6 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems LRS0056 LRS0057 To fold down the seat back, pull approximately 10 inches of seat belt webbing out of the retractor and hold, then unlatch and fold down the seat back. When using the fold down rear seat back, the rear center seat belt retractor may lock up and prevent folding down the seat back. If the rear center seat belt retractor has inadvertently locked up, push the seat belt webbing towards the retractor as shown in the above illustration. This will unlock the seat belt retractor and allow the rear seat back to fold down. Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-7 ARS1020 PD1319 WRS0002 Center armrest (if so equipped) Pull the armrest forward until it is horizontal. HEAD RESTRAINT ADJUSTMENT To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To lower, push and hold the lock knob and push the head restraint down. WARNING Head restraints should be adjusted properly as they may provide significant protection against injury in an accident. Do not remove them. Check the adjustment after someone else uses the seat. Adjust the head restraints so the top is level with the tops of your ears. 1-8 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM PRECAUTIONS ON SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) section contains important information concerning the driver and passenger supplemental front air bags, supplemental side air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts. Supplemental front air bag system: This system can help cushion the impact force to the face and chest of the driver and front passenger in certain frontal collisions. Supplemental side air bag system (if so equipped): This system can help cushion the impact force to the head and the chest area of the driver and front passenger in certain side impact collisions The supplemental side air bag is designed to inflate on the side where the vehicle is impacted. These supplemental restraint systems are designed to supplement the crash protection provided by the driver and front passenger seat belts and are not a substitute for them. Seat belts should always be correctly worn and the driver and front passenger seated a suitable distance away from the steering wheel, instrument panel and front door finishers. (See ``Seat belts'' later in this Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-9 section for instructions and precautions on seat belt usage.) The supplemental air bags operate only when the ignition switch is in the ON or START position. After turning the ignition key to the ON position, the supplemental air bag warning light illuminates. The supplemental air bag warning light will turn off after about 7 seconds if the system is operational. wheel or instrument panel. Always use the seat belts. Keep hands on the outside of the steering wheel. Placing them inside the steering wheel rim could increase the risk that they are injured when the supplemental front air bag inflates. ARS1132 WARNING The supplemental front air bags ordinarily will not inflate in the event of a side impact, rear impact, roll over, or lower severity frontal collision. Always wear your seat belts to help reduce the risk or severity of injury in various kinds of accidents. The seat belts and the supplemental front air bags are most effective when you are sitting well back and upright in the seat. The front air bags inflate with great force. If you are unrestrained, leaning forward, sitting sideways or out of position in any way, you are at greater risk of injury or death in a crash and may also receive serious or fatal injuries from the supplemental front air bag if you are up against it when it inflates. Always sit back against the seatback and as far away as practical from the steering 1-10 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems ARS1133 ARS1041 ARS1042 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-11 ARS1043 ARS1045 WARNING Never let children ride unrestrained. Do not attempt to hold them in your lap or arms. Some examples of dangerous riding positions are shown in the illustrations. Children may be severely injured or killed when the supplemental front air bag inflates if they are not properly restrained. Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front seat. An inflating supplemental front air bag could seriously injure or kill your child. See ``Child restraints'' later in this section for details. ARS1044 ARS1046 1-12 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems SSS0101 SSS0140 SSS0159 WARNING Supplemental side air bag (if so equipped): The supplemental side air bag ordinarily will not inflate in the event of a frontal impact, rear impact or lower severity side collision. Always wear your seat belt to help reduce the risk or severity of injury in various kinds of accidents. The seat belts and the supplemental side air bag are most effective when you are sitting well back and upright in the seat. The side air bag inflates with great force. Do not allow anyone to place their hand, leg or face near the side air bag on the side of the seatback of the front seat. Do not allow anyone sitting in the front seat to extend their hand out of the window or lean against the door. When sitting in the rear seat, do not hold onto the seatback of the front seat. If the side air bag inflates, the occupant may be seriously injured. Be especially careful with children, who should always be properly restrained. Some examples of dangerous riding positions are shown in the illustrations. Do not use seat covers on the front seatbacks. They may interfere with supplemental side air bag inflation. Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-13