1998 NISSAN ALTIMA warning

2 Instruments and controls
Meters and gauges ................................................2-2
Speedometer and odometer ..................................2-3
Tachometer ............................................................2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge and fuel
gauge .....................................................................2-4
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ......................2-5
Theft warning (if so equipped) ...............................2-9
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...................2-11
Rear window defogger switch ..............................2-11
Headlight and turn signal switch ..........................2-12
Daytime running light system (Canada only) .......2-13
Instrument brightness control ...............................2-13
Front fog light switch (if so equipped)..................2-14Hazard warning flasher switch .............................2-14
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ash tray ...........2-15
Cup holder ............................................................2-16
Power windows ....................................................2-17
Automatic power window switch ..........................2-17
Passenger power windows ..................................2-18
Sunroof (if so equipped).......................................2-18
If the sunroof does not close ...............................2-19
Storage compartment for garage door
transmitter (if so equipped) ..................................2-20
Interior light...........................................................2-21
Map light (if so equipped) ....................................2-22
Trunk light.............................................................2-22
ZX

Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights come on:
,or,,,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may
indicate a burned-out bulb or an open
circuit in the electrical system. Have the
system repaired promptly.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
the dipstick to check the oil level.See
``Engine oil'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on could cause serious
damage to the engine almost immedi-
ately. Turn off the engine as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate a problem with the
charging system. Turn the engine off and
check the generator belt. If the belt is loose,
orBrake warning lightSeat belt warning lightEngine oil pressure warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning light
(Canada only)CRUISE indicator light
High beam indicator lightorAnti-lock brake warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
Door open warning lightMalfunction indicator light
(emission system)
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Instruments and controls2-5
ZX

broken, or missing, or if the light remains on,
see an authorized NISSAN dealer immedi-
ately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors
are not closed securely while the ignition
key is ON.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever
the ignition key is turned to ON, and re-
mains illuminated until the driver's seat belt
is fastened. At the same time, the chime
sounds for about seven seconds unless the
driver's seat belt is securely fastened.
Refer to ``Seat belts'' in the ``Seats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systems''
section for precautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag system needs servicing
and your vehicle must be taken to an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on and remain on for 7
seconds and then go off as described
above.
2. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
may not function properly. For additional
details, see ``Supplemental restraint system''
in the `` Seats, restraints and supplemental
air bag systems'' section.
WARNING
If the supplemental airbag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental airbag will not operate in
an accident.
Low washer fluid warning
light (Canada only)
This light comes on when the washer fluid is
at a low level. Add washer fluid as neces-
sary. See the ``Do-it-yourself'' section.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied, and also warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine
is running with the parking brake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1.Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. See ``Brake and clutch
fluid'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section of this
owner's manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
2-6Instruments and controls
ZX

brake system checked by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
cYour brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is
on. Driving could be dangerous. If
you judge it to be safe, drive care-
fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise, have your ve-
hicle towed.
cPressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
greater pedal travel.
cIf the brake fluid level is below the
minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir, do not drive until the brake
system has been checked at a NIS-
SAN dealer.
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it makes a high pitched scraping
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 so equipped)
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate something is wrong
with the anti-lock portion of the brake system.
Have the system checked by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
Turn off the engine, and start it again by
slowly turning the ignition key (quickly
doing so may cause the ABS light to stay
on when there is nothing wrong). If the
light stays on, have the system checked
by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function ceases, but the regular
braking system continues to operate.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an authorized NISSAN dealer for
repair.
Overdrive off indicator light
(Automatic transmission
models only)
This light comes on when the overdrive
switch is pushed to the OFF position.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn
signal switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is
turned on.
High beam indicator light
This light comes on when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low
beam is selected.
Cruise 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 an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
Instruments and controls
2-7
ZX

The theft warning system provides visual
and audio alarm signals if parts of the
vehicle are disturbed.
How to activate the theft warning
system
1. Close all windows.
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Close the hood, trunk lid and all doors.
4. Push the
button on the multi-remote
controller. All doors lock. The hazard
lights flash twice and the horn beeps
once to indicate all doors are locked.cWhen the
button is pushed with all
doors locked, the hazard lights flash
twice and the horn beeps once as a
reminder that the doors are already
locked. The horn may or may not beep
once. Refer to ``silencing the horn beep
feature'' later in this section.
The system can be activated even if the
windows are open.
5.
Confirm that the SECURITY indicator light
comes on. The SECURITY light glows for
about 30 seconds and then begins to flash
once every three seconds. The system is
now activated. If, during this 30-second
time period, the door is unlocked by the
key or the multi-remote controller, or the
ignition key is turned to ACC or ON, the
system will not activate.
If the key is turned slowly when locking
the door, the system may not activate.
Furthermore, if the key is turned exces-
sively to the unlock position, the system
may be deactivated when the key is re-
moved. If the indicator light fails to glow
for 30 seconds, unlock the door once
and lock it again.
Even when the driver and/or passengersare in the vehicle, the system will acti-
vate with all doors, hood and trunk lid
locked and ignition key off. Turn the
ignition key to ACC or ON to turn the
system off.
Theft warning system operation
The theft warning system emits the follow-
ing alarm:
cThe headlights blink and the horn sounds
intermittently. In addition, the starter mo-
tor does not operate.
cThe alarm automatically turns off after 2
to 3 minutes. However, the alarm reacti-
vates if the vehicle is tampered with
again. The alarm can be shut off by
unlocking a door or trunk lid with the key,
or by pressing the
button on the
multi-remote controller.
The alarm is activated by:
copening the door or trunk lid without
using the key (even if the door is un-
locked by releasing the door inside lock
switch) or opening the trunk lid by oper-
ating the opener lever.
copening the hood.
IC0005
THEFT WARNING
(if so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-9
ZX

Push the lever down to operate the wind-
shield wipers. Pull the lever toward you to
operate the washer.
Intermittent operation can be adjusted from
2 to approximately 20 seconds by turning
the knob (Type B only).The wipers automatically cycle twice when
the washer is activated.
CAUTION
The following could damage the
washer system:
cDo not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
cDo not operate the washer if the
reservoir tank is empty.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer
solution may freeze on the windshield
and obscure your vision which may
lead to an accident. Warm the wind-
shield with the defroster before you
wash the windshield.To defog the rear window glass, start the
engine and push the rear window defogger
switch on. The rear window defogger indi-
cator light on the switch comes on. Push the
switch again to turn the defogger off.
The rear window defogger switch automati-
cally turns off after approximately 15 minutes.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the
window, be careful not to scratch or
damage the rear window defogger.
AIC0520
AIC1004
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCHREAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-11
ZX

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYS-
TEM (Canada only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a
reduced intensity when the engine is started
with the parking brake released. The day-
time running lights operate with the head-
light switch in the OFF position or in the
position. Turn the headlight switch to
the
position for full illumination when
driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the
engine is started, the daytime running lights
do not illuminate. The daytime running lights
illuminate once the parking brake is re-
leased. The daytime running lights will re-
main on until the ignition switch is turned off.
WARNING
When the daytime running light system
is active, tail lights on your vehicle are
not on. It is necessary at dusk to turn
on your headlights. Failure to do so
could cause an accident injuring your-
self and others.
Passing signal
Pulling and releasing the lever flashes the
headlight high beams on and off.
Turn signal
Move the lever up or down to signal the
turning direction. When the turn is com-
pleted, the turn signals cancel automati-
cally.
Lane change signal
To signal a lane change, move the lever up
or down to the point where the indicator light
begins to flash, but the lever does not latch.
The instrument brightness control operates
when the light switch is in the
orposition.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of
instrument panel lights.
AIC0608
INSTRUMENT BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL
Instruments and controls2-13
ZX

To turn the front fog lights on, rotate the
switch to theposition.
To turn them off, turn the switch to the OFF
position.
The headlight switch must be in
posi-
tion (low-beam headlights on) for the fog
lights to operate. The fog lights automati-
cally turn off whenever the high-beam head-
light function is selected.Push the switch on to warn other drivers
when you must stop or park under emer-
gency conditions. All turn signal lights flash.
WARNING
cWhen stalled or stopped on the road-
way under emergency conditions,
move the vehicle well off the road.cDo not use the switch while moving
on the highway unless unusual cir-
cumstances force you to drive so
slowly that your vehicle might be-
come a hazard to other traffic.
cTurn signals do not work when the
hazard warning flasher lights are on.
The flashers can be actuated with the igni-
tion switch either OFF or ON.
Some state laws may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving.
IC1292AIC1011
FRONT FOG LIGHT SWITCH
(if so equipped)HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH
2-14Instruments and controls
ZX