1996 NISSAN ALTIMA Owners Manual

Engine coolant temperature gauge
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature will vary
with the outside air temperature and driving
conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates over the normal
range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible. If the engine is over-
heated, continued operation of the ve-
hicle may seriously damage the engine.
See the ``In case of emergency'' section
for immediate action required.
Fuel gauge
The gauge indicates the APPROXIMATE
fuel level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning, acceleration, or going up or
downhill.
The gauge needle is designed to hold its
position when the ignition key is turned
``OFF''.
The indicator light comes on when the
amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refuel as soon as it is convenient, prefer-
ably before the gauge reaches ``E''. There
should be a small reserve of fuel in the tank
when the fuel gauge needle reaches ``E''.AIC0077
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND
FUEL GAUGE
1-4
ZX

Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ``ON'' without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,or,,,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in theelectrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN
dealer or other authorized repair shop.Run-
ning the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on could cause serious
damage to the engine.The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
the dipstick to check the oil level.See
``Engine oil'' in the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate that there is some-
thing wrong with the charging system. Turn
the engine off and check the generator belt.
If the belt is loose, broken, missing or if the
light remains on, see your NISSAN dealer
immediately.
orBrake warning lightSeat belt warning lightEngine oil pressure warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning light
(Canada only)CRUISE indicator light
High beam indicator lightorAnti-lock brake warning lightAir bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator lightRear window defogger indicator light
Door open warning lightMalfunction indicator light (emission
system)Theft warning light (If so equipped)
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
1-5
ZX

CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors
are not closed securely while the ignition
key is ``ON''.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
This light and chime remind you to fasten
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever
the ignition key is turned to ``ON'', and will
remain illuminated until the driver's seat belt
is fastened. At the same time, the chime will
sound for about seven seconds unless the
driver's seat belt is securely fastened.
Refer to ``Seat belts'' in the ``Pre-driving
checks and adjustments'' section for pre-
cautions on seat belt usage.
Air bag warning light
When the ignition key is in the ``ON'' or
``START'' position, the air bag light will
illuminate for about 7 seconds and then turnoff. This means the Air Bag Supplemental
Restraint System is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the air
bag system needs servicing and your vehicle
should be taken to your nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer as soon as practical.
1. The air bag light does not come on for 7
seconds and then go off as described
above.
2. The air bag light flashes intermittently or
remains on.
3. The air bag light does not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-
mental Restraint System may not function
properly. For additional details, see ``Supple-
mental Restraint System'' in the ``Pre-driving
checks and adjustments'' section.
Low washer fluid warning
light (Canada only)
This light comes on when the washer tank
fluid is at a low level. Add washer fluid as
necessary. See the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator:
The light comes on when the parking brake
is applied.
Low brake fluid warning:
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If
the light comes on while the engine is
running with the parking brake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. See ``Brake and
clutch fluid'' in the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, check
the warning system.
WARNING
cIf you judge it to be safe, drive care-
fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise, have your ve-
hicle towed because driving it could
be dangerous.
1-6
ZX

cPressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and require greater
pedal effort as well as greater pedal
travel.
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it will make a high pitched scrap-
ing sound when the vehicle is in motion
whether or not the brake pedal is de-
pressed. Have the brakes checked as soon
as possible if the warning sound is heard.
orAnti-lock brake
warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate there is something
wrong with the anti-lock portion of the brake
system. Have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function will cease but the regular
braking system will continue to operate nor-
mally.
If the light comes on while you are driving,contact your NISSAN dealer for repair.
Overdrive off indicator light
This light comes on when the overdrive
switch is pushed to the OFF position.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
This light flashes when the turn signal
switch lever or hazard switch is turned on.
High beam indicator light
(Blue)
This light comes on when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low
beam is selected.
Rear window defogger indi-
cator light
This light comes on when the rear defogger
switch is activated.
Indicator light
This light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system. If
the CRUISE indicator blinks, have the sys-
tem checked by your NISSAN dealer.
Theft warning light (If so
equipped)
This light is used to verify theft warning
system activation. For further info, see
``Theft Warning'' later in this chapter.
Key reminder chime
The chime will sound if the driver side door
is opened while the key is left in the ignition
switch. Remove the key and take it with you
when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime will sound when the driver side
door is opened if the light switch is turned on
(ignition switch is turned off).
Turn the light switch off when you leave the
vehicle.
Malfunction indicator light
(MIL)
If the MIL comes on or blinks while the
engine is running, it may indicate a potential
emission control problem.
1-7
ZX

CAUTION
cContinued operation without having
the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, re-
duced fuel economy, and possible
damage to the emission control sys-
tem which may affect your warranty
coverage.
cAlthough the vehicle is still drive-
able, see your nearest NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible. To avoid
system damage, do not drive at
speeds above 45 MPH (72 km/h). If
possible, avoid hard acceleration or
deceleration.
If the fuel filler cap is not tightened properly,
the MIL may come on. Check and securely
tighten the fuel filler cap, and have your
vehicle checked as noted above.The theft warning system provides visual
and audio alarm signals if parts of the
vehicle are disturbed.
How to activate the theft warning
system
1. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
2. Close all windows. Close and lock all
doors, hood and trunk lid. The doors can
be locked either with or without the key.
The system can be activated even if the
windows are open.
3. Confirm that the indicator light comes on.The light will glow for about 30 seconds
and then go out. The system is now
activated. If, during this 30-second time
period, the door is unlocked or the igni-
tion key is turned to ``ACC'' or ``ON'', the
system will not activate.
CAUTION
cIf the key is turned slowly when lock-
ing the door, the system may not
activate. Furthermore, if the key is
turned excessively to the unlock po-
sition, the system may be deacti-
vated when the key is removed. If the
indicator light fails to glow for 30
seconds, unlock the door once and
lock it again.
cEven when the driver and/or passen-
gers are in the vehicle, the system
will activate with all doors, hood,
trunk lid and back door locked and
ignition key off. Turn the ignition key
to ``ACC'' or ``ON'' to turn the system
off.
IC0005
THEFT WARNING
(If so equipped)
1-8
ZX

Theft warning system operation
The warning system will give the following
alarm:
cThe headlights blink and the horn sounds
intermittently. In addition, the starter mo-
tor will not operate.
cThe alarm automatically turns off after 2
to 3 minutes; however, the alarm will
reactivate if the vehicle is tampered with
again. The alarm can be shut off by
unlocking a door or trunk lid with the key.
The alarm is activated by:
cOpening the door or trunk lid without
using the key (even if the door is un-
locked by releasing the door inside lock
switch) or opening the trunk lid by oper-
ating the opener lever.
cOpening the hood.
cPushing in or pulling out of the key
cylinder on the door or trunk lid.
How to stop the alarm
The alarm will stop only by unlocking a door
or the trunk lid with the key. The alarm will
not stop if the ignition switch is turned to
``ACC'' or ``ON''.If the system does not operate as de-
scribed above, have it checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
Push the lever down to operate the wind-
shield wipers. Pull the lever toward you to
operate the washer.
Intermittent operation can be adjusted from
2 to approximately 20 seconds by turning
the knob (Type B only).
AIC0079
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCH
1-9
ZX

The wipers cycle twice when the washer is
activated.
CAUTION
cDo not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
cDo not operate the washer if the
reservoir tank is dry.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer
solution may freeze on the windshield
and obscure your vision. Warm the
windshield with the defroster before
you wash the windshield.To defog the rear window glass, start the
engine and push the rear window defogger
switch on. The rear window defogger indi-
cator light in the meter will come on. Push
the switch again to turn the defogger off.
It will automatically turn off in approximately
15 minutes.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the
window, be careful not to scratch or
damage the electrical conductors.NOTE: On some vehicles, the top few rows
of wires on the rear window are not part of
the rear window defogging system. These
wires, if so equipped, make up the diversity
antenna for the audio system.
IC1267
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
SWITCH
1-10
ZX

Lighting
Turn the switch to the ``'' position.
The front park, side marker, tail, license
plate and instrument lights will come on.
Turn the switch to the ``
'' position. Head-lights will come on and all the other lights
remain on.
To select the high beam, push the lever
forward. Pull it back to select the low beam.
Daytime running light system
(For Canada)
Even if the headlight control switch is off,
the headlights' high beams will illuminate
after starting the engine. The headlights will
be a little dimmer than they are with the
headlight switch in the ``
'' position.
If the parking brake is applied before the
engine is started, the daytime running lights
will not be illuminated. The daytime running
lights will illuminate once the parking brake
is released. Thereafter, the daytime running
lights will not turn off when using the parking
brake at stop signals, etc.
WARNING
When the daytime running light system
is active, tail lights on your vehicle will
not be on. It is necessary at dusk to
turn on your headlights. Failure to do
so could cause an accident injuring
yourself and others.
Passing signal
Pulling the lever toward you will turn on the
headlight high beam.
AIC0505
HEADLIGHT AND TURN
SIGNAL SWITCH
1-11
ZX