1996 NISSAN ALTIMA air conditioning

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.
Temperature control lever
This lever allows you to adjust the tempera-
ture of the outlet air.
Air recirculation button
OFF position:
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment and distributed through the
selected outlet.
Use this position for normal heater or air
conditioning operation.
ON position (Indicator light on):
Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle.
Push the air recirculation button to the ``ON''
position when driving on a dusty road or to
avoid traffic fumes and for maximum cooling
when using the air conditioning.
WARNING
Do not use the recirculation mode for
long periods as it may cause the inte-
rior air to become stale and the win-
dows to fog up.
Air conditioning button
(If so equipped)
This button is provided only on vehicles
equipped with air conditioning.
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (1 to 4) position and push the
A/C button to turn on the air conditioning.
The indicator light will come on when the air
conditioning is on. To stop the air condition-
ing, push the switch again to return it to its
original position.
The air conditioning cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
WARNING
Positioning of the heating or air condi-
tioning controls should not be done
while driving, in order that full attention
may be given to the driving operation.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode is used to direct heated air from
the floor outlets. Some air will also come
from the defrost vents.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
``OFF'' position for normal heating.
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.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air from the side
and center vents.
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.
3-3
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

Controls
Start the engine and operate the controls to
activate the climate control system.
WARNING
The air conditioning cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Cooling and/or dehumidified heat-
ing (Auto mode)
This mode may be used throughout the year
as the system automatically works to main-
tain the customer-selected temperature. Airflow distribution and fan speed are also
controlled automatically.
cUSA models will display set temperature
in ÉF. Canadian models will display set
temperature in ÉC.
1. Push the AUTO switch on. ``AUTO'' will
be displayed as well as the previously
selected temperature in the passenger
compartment.
2. Push the temperature set button ``
'' or
``'' to set the desired temperature.
cAdjust the temperature set button to
about 75ÉF (24ÉC) for normal operation.cThe temperature of the passenger com-
partment will be maintained automati-
cally. Air flow distribution and fan speed
are also controlled automatically.
Heating (ECON mode)
The ECON (economy) mode provides cli-
mate control without activating the air con-
ditioning. When only heating of the passen-
ger compartment is desired, use this mode.
1. Push the ECON switch on. ``ECON'' will
be displayed.
2. Push the temperature set button ``
'' or
``'' to set the desired temperature.
cThe temperature of the passenger com-
partment will be maintained as selected
by the temperature set button. Air flow
distribution and fan speed are also con-
trolled automatically in an effort to reach
the desired termperature.
cDo not select a temperature setting lower
than the outside air temperature. Due to
the absence of air conditioning operation,
it is possible that the selected interior
temperature may not be achieved.
cECON mode is not recommended if win-
dows are fogging up. If the windows
AHA0523
HEATER AND AIR CONDITIONER (AUTOMATIC)
(If so equipped)
3-8
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

The sensor on the instrument panel helps
maintain a constant temperature; do not put
anything on or around this sensor.
Servicing air conditioning
The air conditioning system in your NISSAN
vehicle is charged with a new refrigerant
designed with the environment in mind.
This new refrigerant will not harm the
earth's ozone layer.
Special charging equipment and lubricant is
required when servicing your NISSAN air
conditioner. Using improper refrigerants or
lubricants will cause severe damage to your
air conditioning system. See ``Air condition-
ing system refrigerant and lubricant recom-
mendations'' in the ``Technical and con-
sumer information'' section of this manual.
Your NISSAN dealer will be able to service
your environmentally conscious air condi-
tioning system.To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
``ACC'' or ``ON''. If you listen to the radio with
the engine not running, turn the key to the
``ACC'' position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter,
buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-
ternal influences. Intermittent changes in
reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
CLOCK-RADIO (If so equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an AM-FM radio
and cassette player, a clock is integrated
into the audio system. For further details,
refer to Clock Operation later in this section.AHA0501
RADIO
3-10
ZX

cAccelerate slowly and smoothly. Main-
tain cruising speeds with a constant ac-
celerator position.
cDrive at moderate speeds on the high-
way. Driving at high speed will lower fuel
economy.
cAvoid unnecessary stopping and brak-
ing. Maintain a safe distance behind
other vehicles.
cUse a proper gear range which suits road
conditions. On level roads, shift into high
gear as soon as possible.
cAvoid unnecessary engine idling.cKeep your engine tuned up.
cFollow the recommended periodic main-
tenance schedule.
cKeep the tires inflated at the correct
pressure. Low pressure will increase tire
wear and waste fuel.
cKeep the front wheels in correct align-
ment. Improper alignment will cause not
only tire wear but also lower fuel
economy.
cAir conditioning operation lowers fuel
economy. Use the air conditioning only
when necessary.
cWhen cruising at highway speeds, it is
more economical to use the air condition-
ing and leave the windows closed to
reduce drag.
SD1001M
INCREASING FUEL
ECONOMY
4-13
ZX

Switch off all unnecessary electrical
systems (lights, heater, air conditioning,
etc.).
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped). Cover the battery with an old
cloth to reduce explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence
as illustrated.
CAUTION
cAlways connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (þ) to body
ground (for example, strut mounting
bolt, etc. Ð not to the battery).
cMake sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that clamps do not contact
any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster
vehicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start
your engine in the normal manner.
CAUTION
Do not keep starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before
trying again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully dis-
connect the negative cable and then the
positive cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped).
Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to
cover the vent holes as it may be con-
taminated with corrosive acid.CAUTION
cAutomatic transmission models can-
not be push started. This may cause
transmission damage.
cThree way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three way catalyst may be
damaged.
cNever try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it; when the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.
PUSH STARTING
5-8
ZX