1996 NISSAN ALTIMA Defog

1 Instruments and controls
Meters and gauges .............................................. 1-2
Speedometer and odometer ................................ 1-3
Tachometer .......................................................... 1-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge and
Fuel gauge ........................................................... 1-4
Warning/indicator lights and chimes .................... 1-5
Theft warning (If so equipped) ............................. 1-8
Windshield wiper and washer switch ................... 1-9
Rear window defogger switch ............................ 1-10
Headlight and turn signal switch ........................ 1-11
Cornering light .................................................... 1-12Instrument brightness control ............................. 1-12
Front fog light switch (If so equipped) ............... 1-13
Hazard warning flasher switch ........................... 1-13
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray .......... 1-14
Cup holder .......................................................... 1-14
Power windows (If so equipped) ........................ 1-15
Sunroof (If so equipped) .................................... 1-17
Clock Ð instrument panel (If so equipped) ....... 1-18
Interior light......................................................... 1-18
Spotlight (If so equipped) ................................... 1-19
Trunk light........................................................... 1-19
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

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

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

Defrosting or defogging
This mode is used to defrost/defog the
windows.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position.
2. Push the ``
'' button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position between the middle and
the ``HOT'' position.
cTo quickly remove ice or fog from the
windows, turn on the fan control dial to
``4'' and the temperature control lever to
the full ``HOT'' position.
cWhen the ``
'' switch is pushed, the
air conditioning will automatically be
turned on to defog the windshield, and
the air recirculation mode will automati-
cally be turned off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging
performance.
Bi-level heating
This mode directs cooler air from the side
and center vents and warmer air from the
floor outlets.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position.
2. Push the ``
'' button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the interior and defogs the
windshield.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position.
2. Push the ``
'' button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position between the middle and
the ``HOT'' position.
Operating tips
cClear snow and ice from the wiper
blades and air inlet in front of the
windshield. This will improve heater
operation.
cWhen the ``
'' or ``'' switch is
selected, the air recirculation mode will
automatically be turned off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging
performance.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (1 to 4) position and push in the
A/C button to activate the air conditioning.
When the air conditioning is on, cooling and
dehumidifying functions will be added to the
heater operation.
WARNING
The air conditioning cooling function
operates only when the engine is run-
ning.
3-4
ZX

Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position.
2. Push the ``
'' button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push on the air conditioning button. The
indicator light will come on.
5. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
cFor quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, push the air recirculation
button to the ``ON'' position. Be sure to
return the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position for normal cooling.
Operating tips
cKeep the windows and sun roof closed
while the air conditioning is in operation.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for two or
three minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger compart-
ment. Then, close the windows. This will
allow the air conditioning to cool the
interior more quickly.cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for about ten minutes at
least once a month. This helps pre-
vent damage to the system due to lack
of lubrication.
cIf the coolant temperature gauge ex-
ceeds the HOT position, turn the air
conditioning off. See ``If your vehicle
overheats'' in the ``In case of emergency''
section for additional information.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidify.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position.
2. Push the ``
'' button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push on the air conditioning button. The
indicator light will come on.
5. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows
and dehumidify.1. Push the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position.
2. Push the ``
'' button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push the air conditioning button. The
indicator light will come on.
5. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
When the ``
'' button is pushed, the
air conditioning will automatically be
turned on to defog the windshield, and
the air recirculation mode will automati-
cally be turned off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging per-
formance.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The charts on the following pages show the
switch and lever positions forMAXIMUM
and QUICKheating, cooling, or defrosting.
3-5
ZX

begin to fog up while using the ECON
mode, use the procedures outlined in
Dehumified defogging.
Dehumidified defogging
1. Push the DEF switch on. The indicator
light will come on.
2. Push the temperature set button ``
'' or
``
'' to set the desired temperature.
cTo quickly remove ice or fog from the
outside of the windows, push the manual
fan control switch
and set to the
maximum position
.
cAs soon as possible after the windshield
is clean, push the AUTO switch to return
to the auto mode.
cWhen the DEF switch is pushed, the air
conditioning will automatically be turned
on at outside temperatures above 35ÉF
(2ÉC) to defog the windshield, and the air
recirculate mode will automatically be
turned off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging
performance.
Manual fan speed control
Push the fan control switchto manu-
ally control the fan speed. Each fan speed is
indicated by the shading of a fan blade on
the display. For example,
indicates
that the fan is operating at low speed and
indicates that the fan is operating at
medium-high speed.
cPush the AUTO switch to return to auto-
matic control of the fan speed.
Air recirculation switch
Push the air recirculation switch to recircu-
late interior air inside the vehicle. The indi-
cator light will come on.
Push it again to draw outside air into the
passenger compartment. The indicator will
go out.
cThe air recirculation mode will not be and
cannot be activated when the DEF mode
has been selected.
Manual air flow control
Pushing the manual air flow control switch
selects the air outlet.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators and foot outlets.
Ð Air flows mainly from foot outlets.
Ð Air flows from defroster outlets
and foot outlets.
Ð Air flows mainly from defroster
outlets.
To turn the system off
Push the OFF switch.
Operating tips
cWhen the engine coolant temperature
and outside air temperature are low, the
air flow from the foot outlets may not
operate for a maximum of 150 seconds.
However, this is not a malfunction. After
the coolant temperature warms up, the
air flow from the foot outlets will operate
normally.
3-9
ZX

may dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
Only use black wax or black shoe polish on
black urethane or polypropylene bumpers.
Removing spots
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the surface of the paint to avoid lasting
damage or staining. Special cleaning prod-
ucts are available at your NISSAN dealer or
any automotive accessory store.
Underbody
In areas where road salt is used in winter,
the underbody must be cleaned regularly.
This will prevent dirt and salt from building
up and causing underbody and suspension
corrosion. Before winter and again in the
spring, the underseal must be checked and,
if necessary, re-treated.Cleaning glass
When cleaning the rear window, it may be
easier to clean if the high-mounted stop light
is removed first.
Be careful when removing the high-
mounted stop light to reduce the risk of
damaging the high-mounted stop light
wires.
The high-mounted stop light must be prop-
erly reinstalled before driving your vehicle.
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and
dust film from the glass surfaces. It is nor-
mal for glass to become coated with a filmafter the vehicle is parked in the hot sun.
Glass cleaner and a soft cloth will easily
remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dow, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine based
disinfectant cleaners. They could dam-
age electrical conductors or rear win-
dow defogger elements.
AI1009M
6-3
ZX