1996 NISSAN ALTIMA cruise control

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

4 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ................. 4-2
Ignition switch ....................................................... 4-4
Before starting the engine .................................... 4-5
Driving with automatic transmission..................... 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ........................ 4-8
Starting the engine ............................................... 4-9
Parking brake operation ..................................... 4-10
Cruise control ..................................................... 4-11
Break-in schedule............................................... 4-12
Increasing fuel economy .................................... 4-13
Parking/parking on hills ...................................... 4-14
Precautions when driving ................................... 4-15
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so equipped).. 4-15
Cold weather driving cautions ............................ 4-17
ZX

while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
cStop your vehicle completely before shift-
ing into reverse.
cWhen the vehicle is stopped for a dura-
tion, for example at a stop light, shift to
neutral and release the clutch pedal with
the foot brake applied.
Suggested upshift speeds
Shown below are suggested vehicle speeds
for shifting into a higher gear. These sug-
gestions relate to fuel economy and vehicle
performance. Actual upshift speeds will vary
according to road conditions, the weather
and individual driving habits.
For normal acceleration in low altitude ar-
eas [less than 4,000 ft (1,219 m)]:
Gear changeACCEL
shift point
MPH (km/h)CRUISE
shift point
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24) 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40) 18 (29)
3rd to 4th 36 (58) 30 (48)
4th to 5th 40 (64) 39 (63)
For quick acceleration in low altitude areas
and high altitude areas [over 4,000 ft (1,219
m)]:
Gear change MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gear
Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
Do not exceed the maximum suggested
speed (shown below) in any gear. For level
road driving, use the highest gear sug-
gested for that speed. Always observe
posted speed limits, and drive according to
the road conditions, which will ensure safe
operation. Do not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear as it may cause
engine damage or loss of vehicle control.
Gear MPH (km/h)
1st 30 (50)
2nd 60 (95)
3rd 90 (145)
4th þ
5th þ1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the shift lever to ``P'' (Park) or ``N''
(Neutral). (``P'' preferred.)
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
``P'' and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
``OFF'' or if the key is removed.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the shift lever is in any of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to ``N'' (Neutral),
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to ``START''. Release the key when
the engine starts. If the engine starts, but
fails to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, de-
press and hold the accelerator pedal
to help start the engine.
Ð In the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
STARTING THE ENGINE
4-9
ZX

The cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 30 to 90 MPH (48 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the
main switch. The indicator light on the
switch will come on.
To set cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
``COAST/SET'' switch and release it. The
``CRUISE'' indicator light will come on. Take
your foot off the accelerator pedal. Your
vehicle will maintain the set speed.cTo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the previ-
ously set speed.
c
The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,use one of
the following three methods:
a) Push the CANCEL button; the ``CRUISE''
light will go out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; the ``CRUISE'' light
will go out.c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ``ON''
indicator and ``CRUISE'' lights will go out.
The cruise control is automatically can-
celled and the ``CRUISE'' light goes out if:
cYou depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the ``ACCEL'' set switch.
cThe vehicle slows down more than 8
MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.
cYou depress the clutch pedal (manual
transmission), or move the shift lever to
``N'' (automatic transmission).
To reset at a faster cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the ``COAST/SET'' switch.
b) Push and hold the ``ACCEL'' set switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
c) Push, then quickly release the ``ACCEL''
set switch. Each time you do this, the set
speed will increase by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
ASD0512
CRUISE CONTROL
4-11
ZX

a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the ``COAST/SET'' switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the ``COAST/SET'' switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle
slows down to the desired speed.
c) Push, then quickly release the
``COAST/SET'' switch. Each time you do
this, the set speed will decrease by about
1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the ``RESUME'' switch. The vehicle will
resume the last set cruising speed when the
vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48 km/h).
Precautions
cIf the cruise control system malfunctions,
it will cancel automatically. The cruise
indicator light in the instrument panel will
then blink to warn the driver.
cWhen the cruise indicator light blinks,
turn the cruise control main switch off
and have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
cThe cruise indicator light may blink when
the cruise control main switch is turned
on while pushing the ªRES/ACCELº,ªCOAST/SETº, or ªCANCELº switch (lo-
cated on the steering wheel). To properly
set the cruise control system perform the
steps above in the order indicated.
Avoid using the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions:
cwhen it is not possible to keep the vehicle
at set speed.
cin heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in
speed.
con winding roads, or hilly roads.
con slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.).
cin very windy areas.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do
not shift into neutral without depress-
ing the clutch pedal when the cruise
control is on. Should this occur, de-
press the clutch pedal and turn the
main switch off immediately. Failure to
do so may cause engine damage.During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km),
follow these recommendations for the future
reliability and economy of your new vehicle.
Failure to follow these recommendations
may result in vehicle damage or shortened
engine life.
cDo not drive over 55 MPH (90 km/h) and
do not run the engine over 4,000 rpm.
Avoid driving for long periods at constant
speed, either fast or slow.
cDo not accelerate at full throttle in any
gear.
cAvoid quick starts.
cAvoid hard braking as much as possible.
cDo not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE
4-12
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