1996 NISSAN ALTIMA check engine

7 Do-it-yourself operations
Maintenance precautions ..................................... 7-2
Engine compartment check locations ................. 7-3
Engine cooling system ......................................... 7-4
Engine oil.............................................................. 7-7
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...................... 7-9
Power steering fluid............................................ 7-11
Brake and clutch fluid......................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid .......................................... 7-12
Battery ................................................................ 7-13
Drive belts .......................................................... 7-14
Spark plug replacement ..................................... 7-14Air cleaner housing filter .................................... 7-15
Wiper blades ...................................................... 7-16
Parking brake check........................................... 7-17
Brake pedal ........................................................ 7-18
Brake booster ..................................................... 7-19
Clutch pedal ....................................................... 7-19
Fuses .................................................................. 7-19
Fusible links........................................................ 7-21
Light bulbs .......................................................... 7-21
Wheels and tires ................................................ 7-28
ZX

ADI0501
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS
7-3
ZX

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze so-
lution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional cooling system addi-
tives are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ra-
tio. Examples are shown below:
Outside temperature
down toAnti-
freezeSoft
water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
The use of other types of coolant solu-
tions may damage your cooling system.
The radiator is equipped with a pressure
cap. Use a NISSAN genuine cap or its
equivalent when replacement is re-
quired.
Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Wait until the engine andradiator cool down. Serious burns could
be caused by high pressure fluid escap-
ing from the radiator. See precautions in
``If your vehicle overheats'' found in the
``In case of emergency'' section.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
With coolant reservoir
Check the coolant level in the reservoir
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below ``MIN'', add coolant up to the
``MAX'' level. If the reservoir is empty, check
the coolant level in the radiatorwhen the
engine is cold.If there is insufficient cool-
ant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir up to the ``MAX'' level.
DI1347
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
7-4
ZX

If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by your NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
cMajor cooling system repairs should be
performed by your NISSAN dealer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.cImproper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine over-
heating.
WARNING
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never change the coolant
when the engine is hot.
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
1. Perform following procedure to open the
heater water cock:
cAutomatic air conditioning
a. Turn ignition switch from ``OFF'' to ``ON''.
b. Within 5 seconds after ignition switch is
turned ``ON'', press the automatic air
conditioning ``OFF'' switch for at least 5
seconds.
c. Press ``
'' (HOT) switch 3 times.
d. Press ``
'' (DEF) switch 2 times.
e. Make sure that the A/C display indicates
``43''.
DI1349
7-5
ZX

f. Wait 10 seconds before turning ignition
switch ``OFF''.
cManual air conditioning
a. Turn ignition switch ``ON'' and set tem-
perature control lever to the maximum
hot position. Wait 10 seconds then turn
switch ``OFF''.
2. Open the radiator drain plug. Open the
drain plug on the engine water pipe.
3. Open the radiator cap to drain the cool-
ant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running
fresh water through the radiator.
5. Close the radiator drain plug and the
drain plug on the engine water pipe se-
curely.
6. See the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section for cooling system ca-
pacity. Fill the radiator slowly with the
proper mixture of coolant and water. Fill
the reservoir tank up to the ``MAX'' level.
7. Open and close the air release plug to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.8. Start the engine, and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under
no load. Watch the coolant temperature
gauge for signs of overheating.
9. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up to the
``MAX'' level.
10. Open and close the air release plug to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.11. Check the radiator drain plug and the
drain plug on the engine water pipe for
any sign of leakage, tighten if neces-
sary.
DI1351DI1299
7-6
ZX

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait a few minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the ``H''
and ``L'' marks. If the oil level is below the
``L'' mark, remove the oil filler cap and
pour recommended oil through the open-
ing.Do not overfill.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
CAUTION
cOil level should be checked regu-
larly. Operating with insufficient
amount of oil can damage the en-
gine, and such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty.
cIt is normal to add some oil between
oil maintenance intervals or during
the break-in period, depending on
the severity of operating conditions.
DI1300DI1301
ENGINE OIL
7-7
ZX

CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature, and then turn it off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
4. Remove the oil filler cap.
5. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, removeand replace it at this time. See ``Chang-
ing oil filter''.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
CAUTION
Waste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly. Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and re-install the drain plug and
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug
with a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 Nzm)
Do not overtighten.
7. Refill engine with recommended oil and
install the cap securely.
See the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section for refill capacity.
8. Start the engine.Check for leakage around the drain plug.
Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
WARNING
cProlonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
cTry to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
cKeep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
DI1302
7-8
ZX

CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench. (Depending on the engine
model, a specialcap typewrench may
be required. See your NISSAN dealer if
in doubt.) Remove the oil filter by turning
it by hand.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resis-
tance is felt, and then tighten an addi-
tional 2/3 turn.
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
WARNING
cWhen engine is running, keep hands
and clothing away from any moving
parts such as cooling fan and drive
belt.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
DI1303DI1304
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID (ATF)
7-9
ZX