1996 NISSAN ALTIMA wheel

2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key ....................................................................... 2-2
Door locks ............................................................ 2-2
Hood release ........................................................ 2-5
Glove box ............................................................. 2-5
Trunk lid lock operation ........................................ 2-6
Fuel filler lid lock operation .................................. 2-7
Front seats ........................................................... 2-9
Rear seat ............................................................ 2-11
Supplemental restraint system (air bag system). 2-12
Warning labels.................................................... 2-15
Air bag warning light .......................................... 2-16
Seat belts ........................................................... 2-17
Child restraints for infants and small children.... 2-23
Tilting steering wheel ......................................... 2-30
Outside mirror remote control ............................ 2-30
Outside mirrors ................................................... 2-30
Inside mirror ....................................................... 2-31
Vanity mirror (If so equipped) ............................ 2-31
ZX

This Supplemental Restraint System sec-
tion contains important information concern-
ing the driver and passenger air bags. The
Supplemental Restraint System Air Bag can
help reduce impact force to the driver and to
the front passenger in certain frontal colli-
sions. The air bags are designed tosupple-
mentthe crash protection provided by the
driver and front passenger seat belts and
arenot a substitutefor them. The seat
belts should always be correctly worn and
the driver and front passenger seated a
suitable distance from the steering wheel
and instrument panel. (See ``Seat belts'' for
instructions and precautions on seat belt
usage.)
The supplemental air bags will operate
only when the ignition switch is in the
``ON'' or ``START'' position.
WARNING
The supplemental air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or lower
severity frontal collision; so always
wear your seat belts to help reduce the
risk or severity of injury in various
kinds of accidents.
WARNING
The seat belts and the supplemental air
bags are most effective when you are
sitting back and upright in the seat. Air
bags inflate with great force. If you are
unrestrained, leaning forward, sitting
sideways or out of position in any way,
you are at greater risk of injury or death
in a crash and may also receive serious
or fatal injuries from the supplemental
air bag if you are up against it when it
inflates. Always sit back against the
seatback and use the seatbelts.
IPD062IPD061
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM)
2-12
ZX

Air bag system
The driver air bag is located in the center of
the steering wheel; the front passenger air
bag is mounted in the dashboard above the
glove box. The supplemental air bag system
is designed to inflate in higher severity fron-
tal collisions, although it may inflate if the
forces in another type of collision are similar
to those of a higher severity frontal impact. It
may not inflate in certain frontal collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always
an indication of proper air bag operation.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed byrelease of smoke. This smoke is not harmful
and does not indicate a fire, but care should
be taken not to intentionally inhale it, as it
may cause irritation and choking. Those
with a history of breathing trouble should get
fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bags, along with the use
of seat belts, help to cushion the impact force
on the face and chest of the occupant. They
can help save lives and reduce serious inju-
ries. However, an inflating air bag may cause
facial abrasions or other injuries. Air bags do
not provide restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and thedriver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
dashboard. Since the air bag inflates quickly
in order to help protect the occupant, the
force of the air bag inflating can increase the
risk of injury if the occupant is too close to or
is against the air bag module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag will deflate quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bags will operate
only when the ignition switch is in the
``ON'' or ``START'' position.
WARNING
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
c
No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This
is to prevent accidental inflation of
the supplemental air bag or damage
to the supplemental air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
APD0507
2-14
ZX

changes to the steering wheel and
the instrument panel assembly by
placing material over the steering
wheel pad and above the dashboard,
or by installing additional trim mate-
rial around the supplemental air bag
system.
cDo not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause in-
jury if the air bag inflates.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. The yellow SRS wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag system are placed in the vehicle.
APD0513
WARNING LABELS
2-15
ZX

Tilt operation
Push the lock lever down and adjust the
steering wheel up or down to the desired
position.
Pull the lock lever up firmly to lock the
steering wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving.The outside mirror remote control will only
operate when the ignition switch is in the
``ACC'' or ``ON'' position.
Push the right or left end of the switch to
select the right or left outside mirror, and
then adjust using the control lever.
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear.The driver and passenger outside mirrors
are foldable. Push the outside mirror back-
ward to fold it.
PD1028PD1322AIC0504
TILTING STEERING WHEEL OUTSIDE MIRROR REMOTE
CONTROLOUTSIDE MIRRORS
2-30
ZX

Manual transmission
The switch includes an anti-theft steering
lock device.
``LOCK'' Normal parking position (0)
The key can only be removed when the
ignition switch is in this position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the
ignition key to ``LOCK'' from ``ACC'' or ``ON'',
turn the key to ``OFF'' and press in the key
release button, then turn the key to ``LOCK''.In order for the steering wheel to be locked,
it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn coun-
terclockwise from the straight up position.
Automatic transmission
On automatic transmission models the igni-
tion lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to ``LOCK'' and removed until the
shift lever is moved to the ``P'' (Park) posi-
tion.
When removing the key from the ignition,
make sure the shift lever is in the ``P'' (Park)
position.
When the key cannot be turned to the
``LOCK'' position, proceed as follows to re-
move the key:
ASD0022ASD0023
IGNITION SWITCH
4-4
ZX

1) Move the shift lever into the ``P'' (Park)
position.
2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ``ON''
direction.
3) Turn the key toward the ``LOCK'' posi-
tion.
4) Remove the key.
If the key is removed from the ignition
switch, the shift lever cannot be moved from
``P'' (Park).The shift lever can be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ``ACC'' posi-
tion. The shift lever can also be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ``ON'' posi-
tion and the foot brake pedal is de-
pressed.
There is an ``OFF'' position in between
``LOCK'' and ``ACC'', although it does not
show on the key cylinder. When the ignition
is in ``OFF'' the steering wheel is not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked,
it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn coun-
terclockwise from the straight up position,
and the key must be removed from the
ignition.WARNING
To lock the steering wheel, remove the
key. To unlock the steering wheel, in-
sert the key and turn it gently while
rotating the steering wheel slightly
right and left.
Never remove the key while driving. If
the key is removed, the steering wheel
will lock. This may cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle and could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
``OFF'' (Manual transmission model) (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
``ACC'' (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
``ON'' Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and the electrical accessories.``START'' (4)
This position activates the starter motor,
which starts the engine.
cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, for example, each
time you check engine oil.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ``ON'' (3) posi-
tion.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
4-5
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