1997 NISSAN ALTIMA transmission oil

7Do-it-yourself operations
Maintenance precautions .......................................7-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................7-3
Engine cooling system ...........................................7-4
Checking engine coolant level ...............................7-4
Changing engine coolant .......................................7-5
Engine oil ...............................................................7-7
Checking engine oil level .......................................7-7
Changing engine oil ...............................................7-8
Changing engine oil filter .......................................7-9
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........................7-9
Temperature conditions for checking ATF ...........7-10
Power steering fluid..............................................7-11
Brake and clutch fluid...........................................7-11
Window washer fluid ............................................7-12
Battery ..................................................................7-13
Jump starting ........................................................7-14
Drive belts ............................................................7-14Spark plug replacement .......................................7-15
Air cleaner housing filter ......................................7-16
Wiper blades ........................................................7-17
Parking brake check.............................................7-18
Brake pedal ..........................................................7-18
Brake booster .......................................................7-19
Clutch pedal .........................................................7-20
Fuses ....................................................................7-20
Fusible links..........................................................7-21
Light bulbs ............................................................7-22
Headlights ............................................................7-22
Headlight aiming adjustment ................................7-23
Adjustment after headlight assembly
replacement ..........................................................7-24
Bulb replacement .................................................7-25
Wheels and tires ..................................................7-29
ZX

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
cPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For a manual
transmission, move the shift lever to
Neutral. For an automatic transmis-
sion, move the shift lever to P (Park).
cBe sure the ignition key is OFF when
performing any parts replacement or
repairs.
cYour vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.cIf you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
cIt is advisable to remove ties and any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
cIf you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases.
cNever get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
cKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the
battery.
cOn gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) sys-
tem, the fuel filter or fuel lines
should be serviced by a NISSAN
dealer because the fuel lines are
under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.
cNever connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized
component connector while the igni-
tion is ON.
cNever leave the engine or the auto-
matic transmission related compo-
nent harness connector discon-
nected while the ignition is on.
c
Avoid contact with used engine oil.
Improperly disposed motor oil and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the en-
vironment. Always conform to local
regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This ``Do-it-yourself operations'' section
gives instructions regarding only those
items which are relatively easy for an owner
to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage.If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done
by your NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
7-2
ZX

CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench. Remove the oil filter by turning it
by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resis-
tance is felt, and then tighten an addi-
tional 2/3 turn.
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
WARNING
cWhen engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away
from any moving parts such as cool-
ing fan and drive belt.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
DI1303ADI0532
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID (ATF)
7-9
ZX

Automatic transmission ``Park'' mecha-
nismÐ On a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the gearshift
lever in the P position without applying any
brakes.
UNDER THE HOOD AND
VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically, such as each time
you check the engine oil or refuel.
Additional information on the items
marked with ª*º can be found in the
ªDo-It-Yourself operationsº section.
Windshield washer fluid*Ð Check that
there is adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine coolant level*Ð Check the cool-
ant level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hosesÐ Check the front of
the radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-
formation, rot or loose connections.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*Ð Make
sure that the brake and clutch fluid level is
between the MAX and MIN lines on the
reservoir.Battery*Ð Check the fluid level in each
cell. It should be between the MAX and MIN
lines.
Engine drive belts*Ð Make sure that no
belt is frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*Ð Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level spot and
turning off the engine. Wait a few minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil pan.
Power steering fluid level* and linesÐ
Check the level when the fluid is cold and
the engine is turned off. Check the lines for
proper attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Automatic transmission fluid level*Ð
Check the level after putting the shift lever in
P with the engine idling.
Exhaust systemÐ Make sure there are no
cracks, holes, loose joints or supports. If the
sound of the exhaust seems unusual or
there is a smell of exhaust fumes, immedi-
ately have the exhaust system inspected by
a qualified individual. (See the carbon mon-
oxide warning in the ``Starting and driving''
section.)
UnderbodyÐ The underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such asthose used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances, otherwise rust forms on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and around the ex-
haust system. At the end of winter, the
underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, being careful to clean
those areas where mud and dirt may accu-
mulate. See the ``Appearance and interior
care'' section for additional information.
Fluid leaksÐ Check under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use is
normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately.
8-4
ZX

Additional information on the following
items marked with ``*'' is found in the
``Do-it- yourself operations'' section.
Emission control system
maintenance
Drive belts*Ð Check drive belts for wear,
fraying or cracking and also for proper ten-
sion. Replace the drive belts if damaged.
Air cleaner filterÐ Under normal driving
conditions, the air cleaner filter should be
replaced in accordance with the mainte-
nance schedule. However, driving the ve-
hicle in dusty areas may cause more rapid
clogging of the element. Consequently, the
element may have to be replaced more
frequently.
Vapor linesÐ Check vapor lines and con-
nections for failure or looseness. If leaks are
found, replace them.
Fuel linesÐ Check the fuel hoses, piping
and connections for leaks, looseness or
deterioration. Replace any parts if they are
damaged.
Fuel filterÐ If the vehicle is operated under
extremely adverse weather conditions or in
areas where ambient temperatures are ei-
ther extremely low or extremely high, the
filter might become clogged. In such an
event, replace the filter immediately.
Engine coolant*Ð Drain and flush the
cooling system.
Engine oil & oil filter*Ð Under normal
driving conditions, the engine oil and oil filter
should be replaced in accordance with the
maintenance schedule. However, under se-
vere driving conditions, they may have to be
replaced more frequently.
Spark plugs*Ð Replace with new plugs
having the correct heat range.
Intake & exhaust valve clearanceÐ Check
the valve clearance if valve noise increases.
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesÐ Check the brake
lines and hoses (including brake booster
vacuum hoses, connections & check valve)
and parking brake cables for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abrasion, de-
terioration, etc.
Brake pads, discs, drums & liningsÐ
Check these and the other neighboring brake
components for wear, deterioration and
leaks. Under severe driving conditions, theymay have to be inspected more frequently.
Manual & automatic transmission fluid*
Ð Check the fluid level and visually inspect
for signs of leakage.
Under severe driving conditions, the fluid
should be replaced at the specified interval.
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspen-
sion parts, and drive shaft bootsÐ
Check for damage, looseness and leakage
of oil or grease. Under severe driving con-
ditions, more frequent inspection should be
performed.
Steering linkage ball joints & front sus-
pension ball jointsÐ Check the ball joints
for damage, looseness and grease leakage.
Exhaust systemÐ Visually check the ex-
haust pipes, muffler, and hangers for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abra-
sion, deterioration, etc. Under severe driv-
ing conditions, inspection should be per-
formed more frequently.
Supplemental air bag systemÐ Check
the supplemental air bag system compo-
nents for proper attachment, damage, de-
formities, cracks, rust, etc. Work around and
on the supplemental air bag system should
be done by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
EXPLANATION OF
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
8-10
ZX

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the ``Do-it-yourself operations'' section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended Specifications
US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 15-7/8 gal 13-1/4 gal 60Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87
AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil (Refill)
With oil filter 4 qt 3-3/8 qt 3.8
API SG or SH and Energy Conserving II *2
API Certification Mark *2
Without oil filter 3-3/4 qt 3-1/8 qt 3.5
Cooling system
With reservoir 8-1/4 qt 6-7/8 qt 7.8
Anti- freeze coolant
(Ethylene glycol base)
Reservoir 3/4 qt 5/8 qt 0.7
Manual transmission gear oil Ð Ð Ð API GL-4*3
Automatic transmission fluid
Refill to the proper level according to the instructions in the
``Do-it-yourself operations'' section.
Nissan Matic `D' (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or
Genuine Nissan Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Canada). *4
Power steering fluidType DEXRONTMIIE, DEXRONTMIII or equivalent.
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine Nissan Brake Fluid*5 or equivalent
DOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease Ð Ð Ð NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Complex)Air conditioning system refrigerantÐ Ð Ð HFC-134a (R-134a)*6
Air conditioning system lubricant Ð Ð Ð Nissan A/C System Oil Type R or exact equivalent*6
*1: For further details, see ``Fuel recommendation.''
*2: For further details, see ``Recommended SAE engine oil viscosity.''
*3: For further details, see ``Recommended SAE gear oil viscosity.''
*4: DexronTIII/MerconTor equivalent may also be used. Outside the Continental United States and Alaska contact a Nissan dealership for more information
regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of DexronTIII/MerconTor DexronTIIE/MerconTAutomatic Transmission Fluid.
*5: Available in mainland USA through your Nissan dealer.
*6: For further details, see ``Air conditioner specification label.''
CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS
9-2
ZX

Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-4
Cornering light ........................................... 1-13
Corrosion protection .................................... 6-5
Cruise control............................................. 4-12
Cup holder ................................................. 1-16
D
Daytime running light system
(for Canada)............................................... 1-13
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-10
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-9
Door locks .................................................... 2-2
Door open warning light .............................. 1-6
Drive belts .................................................. 7-14
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 4-18
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ........... 4-9
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 4-14
Emission control information label............. 9-12
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-19
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Capacities and recommendedfuel/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 ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 1-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-6
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
Engine specifications .............................. 9-8
Starting the engine ............................... 4-10
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide).................. 4-2
Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)
Flat tire ......................................................... 5-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 6-5
Fluid (checking)
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 7-9
Brake and clutch fluid ........................... 7-11
Engine coolant ........................................ 7-4
Engine oil ................................................ 7-7
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11
Window washer fluid ............................ 7-12F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-11
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-14
Front seats ................................................. 2-12
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 4-14
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 2-11
Fuel filler lid lock operation .................. 2-10
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-3
Fuses ......................................................... 7-20
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..................................................... 2-8
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-14
10-2
ZX

Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2
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 ..................................... 9-5
Opener lever for trunk lid........................... 2-10
Outside mirror remote control.................... 2-37
Outside mirrors .......................................... 2-37
Overdrive switch .......................................... 4-8
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 5-9
Owner's manuals/service manual
order form .................................................. 9-21
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 7-18
Parking brake operation ....................... 4-11
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 4-15
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 8-5
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 3-22
Power door lock...................................... 2-3
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11
Power steering system ......................... 4-16
Power windows..................................... 1-17
Rear power windows ............................ 1-18Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-23
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
Push starting ................................................ 5-9
Q
Quick reference (See gas station information)
R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 3-12
AM-FM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player.............................. 3-17
CB radio or car phone .......................... 3-23
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test..................................................... 9-20
Rear seat ................................................... 2-15
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-11
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-7
Registering your vehicle in another
country ....................................................... 9-10
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-19
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 2-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-19Seat adjustment ......................................... 2-12
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-20
Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-30
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-30
Seat belts.............................................. 2-23
Seat belt warning light ............................ 1-6
2-point type without retractor................ 2-28
3-point type with retractor..................... 2-26
Seats
Front seats............................................ 2-12
Rear seat .............................................. 2-15
Service manual/owner's manual
order form .................................................. 9-21
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 4-7
Manual transmission............................... 4-9
Spark plug replacement............................. 7-15
Speedometer ............................................... 1-3
Spotlight ..................................................... 1-21
SRS warning labels ................................... 2-18
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Jump starting .......................................... 5-7
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
Push starting........................................... 5-9
Starting the engine .............................. 4-10
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 7-11
Tilting steering wheel............................ 2-37
Stop light .................................................... 7-28
Sunroof ...................................................... 1-18
10-4
ZX