1998 NISSAN ALTIMA maintenance schedule

cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, and if your vehicle is
equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion, first block the wheels and apply the
parking brake, and then move the shift
lever into the P position. If you move the
shift lever to the P position before block-
ing the wheels and applying the parking
brake, transmission damage could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and
reduce speed to reduce chances of en-
gine overloading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature when the air
conditioner system is on, turn off the air
conditioner. Coolant heat can be addi-
tionally vented by opening the windows,
switching the fan control to high and
setting the temperature control to the
HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.cAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500
miles (800 km).
cHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn than
your vehicle wheels. To compensate for
this, make a larger than normal turning
radius during the turn.
cCrosswinds and rough roads will ad-
versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When
being passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared for possible changes in crosswinds
that could affect vehicle handling. If
swaying does occur, firmly grip the steer-
ing wheel, steer straight ahead, and im-
mediately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.cTo maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance, do
not use fifth gear (manual transmission)
or overdrive (automatic transmission).
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, change the trans-
mission fluid more frequently. For addi-
tional information see the ``Mainte-
nance'' section earlier in this manual.
Technical and consumer information
10-17
ZX

H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-14
Head restraints ............................................ 1-5
Headlight aiming adjustment ..................... 8-22
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 2-12
Headlights .................................................. 8-21
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Heater and air conditioner (manual)....... 4-3
Heater operation ..................................... 4-4
Heater operation .......................................... 4-4
Hood release ............................................... 3-8
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Important vehicle information label.......... 10-11
Increasing fuel economy............................ 5-14
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 2-5
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-13
Instrument brightness control .................... 2-13
Interior light ................................................ 2-21
J
Jack
Screw type .............................................. 6-2
Jump starting ...................................... 6-7, 8-13K
Key ............................................................... 3-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote
control system) ............................................ 3-4
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-12
Emission control information label...... 10-12
Engine serial number ......................... 10-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .............. 10-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................... 10-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-12
License plate
Installing the license plate .................. 10-13
Light
Air bag warning light ............ 1-10, 1-12, 2-6
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-5
Bulb replacement.................................. 8-24
Charge warning light .............................. 2-5
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-14
Headlight aiming adjustment ................ 8-22
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-12
Headlights ............................................. 8-21
Interior light ........................................... 2-21
Light bulbs ............................................ 8-21
Low washer fluid warning light ............... 2-6
Spotlights (See map light) .................... 2-22Trunk light ............................................. 2-22
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 2-5
Lock
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-4
Door locks............................................... 3-2
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-11
Glove box lock ........................................ 3-9
Power door lock...................................... 3-3
Trunk lid lock opener lever ..................... 3-9
M
Maintenance
General maintenance ............................. 9-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 9-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Outside the vehicle ................................. 9-2
Periodic maintenance schedules ............ 9-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-22
Malfunction indicator light ............................ 2-8
Manual antenna ......................................... 4-26
Manual front seat adjustment ...................... 1-3
Map light .................................................... 2-22
Meters and gauges ...................................... 2-2
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 3-13
Outside mirror control ........................... 3-13
Vanity mirror ......................................... 3-14
Multi-remote control system ........................ 3-4
11-3
ZX

O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ...... 10-3
Odometer ..................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine oil................................ 8-8
Changing engine oil filter........................ 8-9
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-7
Engine oil ................................................ 8-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-5
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-5
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-13
Overdrive switch .......................................... 5-8
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 6-9
Owner's manual/service manual order
forms ........................................................ 10-21
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-18
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-11
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-15
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 9-5
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 4-26
Power door lock...................................... 3-3Power steering fluid .............................. 8-11
Power steering system ......................... 5-16
Power support front seat ........................ 1-5
Power windows..................................... 2-17
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-14
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting ................................................ 6-9
R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10
AM-FM radio with compact disc
player .................................................... 4-15
AM-FM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player ............................ 4-20
CB radio or car phone .......................... 4-27
Cassette tape operation ....................... 4-23
Compact disc (CD) player operation .... 4-25
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test................................................... 10-20
Rear seat ..................................................... 1-6
Rear window defogger switch ................... 2-11
Registering your vehicle in another
country ..................................................... 10-10
Remote keyless entry system (See
multi-remote control system) ....................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............... 10-19S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) .......... 10-19
Seat belt
2-point type without retractor
(rear center lap belt) ............................. 1-20
3-point type with retractor..................... 1-17
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-14
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-22
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-22
Seat belts.............................................. 1-14
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........... 1-19
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-6
Seats
Front seats.............................................. 1-2
Manual front seat adjustment ................. 1-3
Power support front seat ........................ 1-5
Rear seat ................................................ 1-6
Servicing air conditioner .............................. 4-9
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 5-7
Manual transmission............................... 5-9
Shoulder belt height adjustment ................ 1-19
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-14
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-5
Jump starting................................. 6-7, 8-13
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting........................................... 6-9
11-4
ZX