1996 NISSAN ALTIMA checking oil

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

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

Cooling
Engine cooling ....................................... 7-4
Interior cooling (automatic) ..................... 3-8
Interior cooling (manual)......................... 3-2
Cornering light ........................................... 1-12
Corrosion protection .................................... 6-5
Cruise control............................................. 4-11
Cup holder ................................................. 1-14
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 1-11
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-10
Defogging/defrosting
Defogging/defrosting (automatic) ........... 3-9
Defogging/defrosting (manual) ............... 3-4
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-8
Door locks .................................................... 2-2
Door open warning light .............................. 1-6
Drive belts .................................................. 7-14
Driving
Cold weather driving cautions .............. 4-17
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ........... 4-8
Precautions when driving ..................... 4-15
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 4-13Emission control information label............. 9-10
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-18
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 7-5
Changing engine oil................................ 7-8
Changing engine oil filter........................ 7-9
Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-4
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-7
Engine compartment check locations .... 7-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-4
Engine cooling system ........................... 7-4
Engine oil ................................................ 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation. 9-4
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 1-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ............................. 9-9
Engine specifications .............................. 9-7
Starting the engine ................................. 4-9
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide).................. 4-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)
Flat tire ......................................................... 5-2
Floor mat positioning ................................... 6-4
Fluid (checking)
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 7-9
Brake and clutch fluid ........................... 7-11
Engine coolant ........................................ 7-4Engine oil ................................................ 7-7
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11
Window washer fluid ............................ 7-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-10
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-13
Front seats ................................................... 2-9
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 4-13
Fuel filler cap .......................................... 2-8
Fuel filler lid lock operation .................... 2-7
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-2
Fuses ......................................................... 7-19
Fusible links ............................................... 7-21
G
Gas station information.............................. 10-6
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-4
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-4
Odometer ................................................ 1-3
Speedometer .......................................... 1-3
Tachometer............................................. 1-3
Trip odometer ......................................... 1-3
Gear selection (See shifting)
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Glove box..................................................... 2-5
10-2
ZX

Changing engine oil................................ 7-8
Changing engine oil filter........................ 7-9
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-7
Engine oil ................................................ 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation. 9-4
Opener lever for trunk lid............................. 2-6
Outside mirror remote control.................... 2-30
Outside mirrors .......................................... 2-30
Overdrive switch .......................................... 4-8
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 5-9
Owner's manuals/service manual
order form .................................................. 9-19
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 7-17
Parking brake operation ....................... 4-10
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 4-14
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 8-5
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 3-21
Power door lock...................................... 2-3
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11
Power rear windows ............................. 1-16
Power windows..................................... 1-15
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-17
Precautions when driving ..................... 4-15
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2Push starting ................................................ 5-8
Q
Quick reference (See gas station information)
R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 3-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player.............................. 3-16
CB radio or car phone .......................... 3-22
Rear seat ................................................... 2-11
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-10
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-6
Registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................... 9-8
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-18
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 2-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-18
Seat adjustment ........................................... 2-9
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-17
Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-23
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-23
Seat belt warning light ............................ 1-6Seat belts.............................................. 2-17
2-point type without retractor................ 2-21
3-point type with retractor..................... 2-19
Seats
Front seats.............................................. 2-9
Rear seats ............................................ 2-11
Service manual/owner's manual
order form .................................................. 9-19
Shifting ......................................................... 4-7
Spark plug replacement............................. 7-14
Speedometer ............................................... 1-3
Spotlight ..................................................... 1-19
SRS warning labels ................................... 2-15
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Jump starting .......................................... 5-7
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
Push starting........................................... 5-8
Starting the engine ................................ 4-9
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11
Tilting steering wheel............................ 2-30
Stop light .................................................... 7-27
Sunroof ...................................................... 1-17
Supplemental restraint system
(Air bag system) ........................................ 2-12
Switch
Automatic power window switch .......... 1-16
Front fog light switch ............................ 1-13
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-13
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 1-11
Ignition switch ......................................... 4-4
10-4
ZX