1997 NISSAN ALTIMA towing

5In case of emergency
Flat tire ...................................................................5-2
Jump starting ..........................................................5-7
Push starting ..........................................................5-9If your vehicle overheats ........................................5-9
Tow truck towing ..................................................5-10
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) ...........5-12
ZX

WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or to get caught in, the running
fan, belts, or fan motor.
The fan motor can start at any time
when the coolant temperature is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at the nearest NISSAN
dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle. Tow-
ing instructions are available from your NIS-
SAN dealer. Local service operators will gen-
erally be familiar with the applicable laws and
procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to
your vehicle, NISSAN recommends that you
have a service operator tow your vehicle. It is
advisable to have the service operator care-
fully read the following precautions:
WARNING
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
cWhen towing with the front wheels
on the ground:Turn the ignition key to the OFF
position and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
place the ignition key in the LOCK
position. This will result in damage
to the steering lock mechanism.
Move the gearshift lever to the Neu-
tral (N position).
On automatic transmission models,
to move the shift lever to the Neutral
position, turn the ignition key to the
ACC position. After moving the shift
lever to the Neutral position, be sure
to turn the ignition key to the OFF
position.
c
When towing with the rear wheels on
the ground, release the parking brake.
On automatic transmission models,
to move the shift lever to the Neutral
position, turn the ignition key to the
ACC position. After moving the shift
lever to the Neutral position, be sure
to turn the ignition key to the OFF
position.
cAttach safety chains for all towing.
TOW TRUCK TOWING
5-10
ZX

NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground as illustrated.
CAUTION
cNever tow an automatic transmis-
sion model with the rear wheels
raised (with the front wheels on the
ground) as this may cause serious
and expensive damage to the trans-
mission. If it is necessary to tow the
vehicle with the rear wheels raised,
always use towing dollies under the
front wheels.cIf you have to tow an automatic
transmission model with four wheels
on ground, observe the following re-
stricted towing speeds and
distances:
cSpeed: Below 30 MPH (50 km/h)
cDistance: Less than 40 miles (65
km)
cNever tow an automatic transmis-
sion model from the rear (for ex-
ample, backward) with four wheels
on the ground as this may cause
serious and expensive damage to
the transmission.
ACE0511
CE1052
5-11
ZX

cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structual members of the
vehicle.
cPulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull
on the vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.
WARNING
Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing
a stuck vehicle)
5-12
ZX

To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and
economical driving, NISSAN provides two
different maintenance schedules that may
be used, depending upon the conditions in
which you usually drive. These schedules
contain both distance and time intervals, up
to 60,000 miles (96,000 km)/48 months. For
most people, the odometer reading indi-
cates when service is needed. However, if
you drive very little, your vehicle should be
serviced at the regular time intervals shown
in the schedule.After 60,000 miles (96,000
km) or 48 months, continue periodic
maintenance at the same mileage/time
intervals.
SCHEDULE 1
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 1 if
your driving habits frequently include one or
more of the following driving conditions:
cRepeated short trips of less than 5
miles (8 km).
cRepeated short trips of less than 10
miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures remaining below freezing.
cOperating in hot weather during stop-
and-go ``rush hour'' traffic.cExtensive idling and/or low speed
driving for long distances, such as
police, taxi or door-to-door delivery
use.
cDriving in dusty conditions.
cDriving on rough, muddy, or salt
spread roads.
cTowing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier.
SCHEDULE 2
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 2 if
none of the driving conditions shown in
Schedule 1 apply to your driving habits.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
8-5
ZX

Abbreviations: I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary.
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or
months, whichever comes first.Miles x 1,000 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
(km x 1,000) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96)
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesIIII
Brake pads, discs, drums & liningsIIIIIIII
Manual & automatic transmission fluid See NOTE (2)IIII
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspension partsIIIIIIII
Steering linkage ball joints & front suspension ball jointsIIIIIIII
Exhaust systemIIIIIIII
Front drive shaft bootsIIIIIIII
Supplemental air bag system See NOTE (1)
NOTE: (1) Inspect the supplemental air bag system 10 years after the date of manufacture as noted on the certification label
located on the left front door pillar.
(2) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect)
fluid at every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months.
8-7
ZX

9Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ........9-2
Fuel recommendation.............................................9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation................9-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number...................9-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ....................................9-7
Engine ....................................................................9-8
Wheel/tire size ........................................................9-9
Dimensions and weights ........................................9-9
Registering your vehicle in another country ........9-10
Vehicle identification ............................................9-10
Vehicle identification number plate ......................9-10
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ..................................................9-10Engine serial number ...........................................9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................................9-11
Emission control information label .......................9-12
Tire placard ..........................................................9-12
Air conditioner specification label.........................9-12
Installing front license plate..................................9-13
Vehicle loading information ..................................9-14
Trailer towing ........................................................9-15
Uniform tire quality grading ..................................9-18
Emission control system warranty .......................9-19
Reporting safety defects (USA) ...........................9-19
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test ........................................................................9-20
ZX

Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new vehicle is equipped with a high-
quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use the genuine oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in
``Change intervals''.
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other
than the specified quality, or oil and filter
change intervals longer than recommended
could reduce engine life. Damage to en-
gines caused by improper maintenance or
use of incorrect oil and filter quality and/or
viscosity is not covered by the new NISSAN
vehicle warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality
engine oil when it was built. You do not have
to change the oil before the first recom-
mended change interval. Oil and filter
change intervals depend upon how you use
your vehicle. Operation under the following
conditions may require more frequent oil
and filter changes:
Ð repeated short distance driving at cold
outside temperatures,Ð driving in dusty conditions,
Ð extensive idling,
Ð towing a trailer.
RECOMMENDED SAE
VISCOSITY NUMBER
cSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred
for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 vis-
cosity oil may be used if the ambient
temperature is above 0ÉF (-18ÉC).
ATI0509
9-6
ZX