1999 NISSAN ALTIMA Owners Manual

When planning to travel in another coun-
try,you should first find out if the fuel
available is suitable for your vehicle's en-
gine.
Using fuel with an octane rating that is too
low may cause engine damage. All gasoline
vehicles must be operated with unleaded
gasoline. Therefore, avoid taking your ve-
hicle to areas where appropriate fuel is not
available.
When transferring the registration of
your vehicle to another country, state,
province or district,it may be necessary to
modify the vehicle to meet local laws and
regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle
emission control and safety standards vary
according to the country, state, province or
district; therefore, vehicle specifications
may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into
another country, state, province or dis-
trict and registered, its modifications,
transportation, and registration are the
responsibility of the user. NISSAN is not
responsible for any inconvenience that
may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER PLATE
The vehicle identification number plate is
attached as shown. This number is the
identification for your vehicle and is used in
the vehicle registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (Chassis number)
The number is stamped as shown.
ADI1016ATI1003
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE
IN ANOTHER COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
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ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The number is stamped on the engine as
shown.
F.M.V.S.S. CERTIFICATION
LABEL
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards (F.M.V.S.S.) certification label is af-
fixed as shown. This label contains valuable
vehicle information, such as: Gross Vehicle
Weight Ratings (GVWR), Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR), month and year of
manufacture, Vehicle Identification Number,
(VIN), etc. Review it carefully.
ATI1002TI1068
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EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION LABEL
The emission control information label is
attached as shown.
TIRE PLACARD
The cold tire pressure is shown on the tire
placard, affixed to the driver's door, center
pillar.
AIR CONDITIONER
SPECIFICATION LABEL
The air conditioner specification label is
affixed as shown.
ADI1014ADI1015ADI1013
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Use the following steps to mount the license
plate:
1. Make a hole in each plastic finisher at the
location mark (small dimple) using a 0.31
in (8 mm) drill. To avoid damaging the
threads behind the finisher, apply only
light pressure to the drill.2.Mount the license plate bracket using two of
the four8 mm slotted hex head screws.
3. Use the remaining two8 mm slotted hex
head screwsto mount the license plate
to the license plate bracket.
WARNING
cIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these ar-
eas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
cDo not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
c
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a seat belt properly.
Terms
It is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:
c
Curb Weight (actual weight of your ve-
hicle) - vehicle weight including: standard
and optional equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly. This weight
does notinclude passengers and cargo.
cGVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight of pas-
sengers and cargo.
cGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -
ATI1004
INSTALLING FRONT LICENSE
PLATEVEHICLE LOADING
INFORMATION
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maximum total weight (load) limit speci-
fied for the vehicle.
cGAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
maximum weight (load) limit specified for
the front or rear axle.
Determining Vehicle Load Capacity
The load capacity of this vehicle is determined
by weight, not by available cargo space. For
example, a luggage rack, bike carrier, cartop
carrier or similar equipment does not increase
load carrying capacity of your vehicle.
To determine vehicle load capacity:
Vehicle weight can be determined by using
a commercial-grade scale, found at places
such as a truck stop, gravel quarry, grain
elevator, or a scrap metal recycling facility.
1)
Determine the curb weight of your vehicle.
2) Compare the curb weight amount to the
GVWR specified for your vehicle to de-
termine how much more weight your
vehicle can carry.
3) After loading (cargo and passengers),
re-weigh your vehicle to determine if
either GVWR or GAWR for your vehicle
is exceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, re-
move cargo as necessary. If either thefront or rear GAWR is exceeded, shift the
load or remove cargo as necessary.
Loading Tips
cThe GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the FMVSS Cer-
tification Label.
cDo not load the front and rear axle to the
GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
c
Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
cDo not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum
front and rear GAWRs. If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, or it
can change the way your vehicle
handles. This could result in loss of
control and cause personal injury.
cOverloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle. Failures caused by
overloading are not covered by your
warranty.Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer will place
additional loads on your vehicle's engine,
drive train, steering, braking and other sys-
tems.
A Nissan Trailer Towing Guide (U.S. only)
containing information on trailer towing abil-
ity and the special equipment required may
be obtained from an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
TI1011M
TRAILER TOWING
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Maximum load limits
Maximum trailer loads:
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
1,000 lb (454 kg). The total trailer load
equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.
Towing loads greater than 1,000 lb (454 kg)
or using improper towing equipment could
adversely affect vehicle handling, braking
and performance.
WARNING
Vehicle damage and/or personal injury
resulting from improper towing proce-
dures is not covered by NISSAN warran-
ties. Information on trailer towing and
required towing equipment should be ob-
tained from dealers who specialize in pro-
viding trailers or other towing equipment.
Tongue load:
Keep the tongue load between 9 and 11%
of the total trailer load. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to al-
low for proper tongue load.
Maximum gross vehicle weight/maximum
gross axle weight:
The gross vehicle weight of the towing
vehicle must not exceed the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S. certification label. The gross ve-
hicle weight equals the combined weight of
the unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any otheroptional equipment. In addition, front or rear
gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on
the F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
UNIT: lb (kg)
MAXIMUM
TOWING LOAD1,000 (454)
MAXIMUM
TONGUE LOAD110 (49)
Trailer hitch
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. A genuine NISSAN trailer hitch is
available from your NISSAN dealer
(Canada only). Make sure the trailer hitch is
securely attached to the vehicle, to help
avoid personal injury or property damage
due to sway caused by crosswinds, rough
road surfaces or passing trucks.
CAUTION
cDo not use axle-mounted hitches.
cThe hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
TI1012M
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cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. when the
hitch is installed.
cTo reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical
remove the hitch when not in use.
Remove receiver when not in use.
cAfter the hitch is removed, seal the
bolt holes to prevent exhaust fumes,
water or dust from entering the pas-
senger compartment.
cRegularly check that all hitch mount-
ing bolts are securely mounted.
Tire pressures
cWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle
tires to the recommended cold tire pres-
sure indicated on the tire placard (affixed
to the driver's door, center pillar).
cTrailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer and tire
manufacturer's specifications.
Safety chains
Always use suitable chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. Safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the
hitch, not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be
sure to leave enough slack in the chains to
permit turning corners.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights should comply with federal
and/ or local regulations. When wiring the
vehicle for towing, connect the stop and tail
light pickup into the vehicle electrical circuit.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to Federal
and/or local regulations and that it is prop-
erly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle ifit has an abnormal nose-up or nose- down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other pos-
sible causes of either condition.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
cBe certain your rear view mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering
stability and braking performance will be
somewhat different than under normal driv-
ing conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
cAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
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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.
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