1999 NISSAN ALTIMA engine

cTo quickly remove ice or fog from the
windows, turn on the fan control dial to 4
and the temperature control lever to the
full HOT position.
cWhen the
position is selected, the
air conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light will not illu-
minate). This dehumidifies the air which
helps defog the windshield. The air recir-
culation mode automatically turns off,
allowing outside air to be drawn into the
passenger compartment which helps de-
fog the windshield.
Bi-level heating/cooling
This mode directs air from the side, center
and foot outlets.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Push the
button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the interior and defogs the
windshield.1. Push the
button in.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position between the middle and
the HOT position.
Operating tips
cClear snow and ice from the wiper
blades and air inlet in front of the
windshield. This improves heater op-
eration.
cWhen the
orswitch is selected,
the air recirculation mode automatically
turns off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging
performance.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
(if so equipped)
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (1 to 4) position and push in the
A/C button to activate the air conditioner.
When the air conditioner is on, cooling and
dehumidifying functions are added to the
heater operation.The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify
the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Push the
button in.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push on the air conditioner button. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
cFor quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, push the
button to
the on position (Indicator light on). Be
sure to return the
button to the off
position for normal cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidify.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Push the
button in.
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-5
ZX

3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push on the air conditioner button. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode defogs the windows and dehu-
midifies the air.
1. Push the
button in.
When the
position is selected, the
air conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light will not illu-
minate). This dehumidifies the air which
helps defog the windshield. The air recir-
culation mode automatically turns off,
allowing outside air to be drawn into the
passenger compartment which helps de-
fog the windshield.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
Outside air is drawn into the passengercompartment to improve the defogging per-
formance.
Operating tips
cKeep the windows and sun roof closed
while the air conditioner is in operation.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for two or
three minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger compart-
ment. Then, close the windows. This
allows the air conditioner to cool the
interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioner system should be
operated for approximately ten min-
utes at least once a month. This helps
prevent damage to the system due to
lack of lubrication.
cIf the engine coolant temperature gauge
exceeds the H (hot) position, turn the air
conditioner off. See ``If your vehicle over-
heats'' in the ``In case of emergency''
section of this owner's manual for addi-
tional information.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The charts on the following pages show the
switch and lever positions forMAXIMUM
and QUICKheating, cooling, or defrosting.
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

AM-FM RADIO WITH CASSETTE
PLAYER
RADIO OPERATION
To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
ACC or ON. If you listen to the radio with the
engine not running, turn the key to the ACC
position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter,
buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-
ternal influences. Intermittent changes in
reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
Using a cellular phone in or near the
vehicle may influence radio reception
quality.
ONzOFF/VOL control knob
Turn the ignition key to ACC or ON, then push
the ONzOFF/VOL control knob. The mode
(radio or cassette) which was playing imme-
diately before the system was turned off re-
sumes playing. When no cassette is loaded,
the radio comes on. Pushing the ONzOFF/-
VOL button again turns the system off.
Turn the ONzOFF/VOL control knob to ad-
just the volume.AHA1004
4-10Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

AM-FM RADIO WITH COMPACT
DISC PLAYER (U.S. only)
RADIO OPERATION
To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
ACC or ON. If you listen to the radio with the
engine not running, turn the key to the ACC
position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter,
buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-
ternal influences. Intermittent changes in
reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
Using a cellular phone in or near the
vehicle may influence radio reception
quality.
ONzOFF/VOL control knob
Turn the ignition key to ACC or ON, then push
the ONzOFF/VOL control knob. The mode
(radio or CD) which was playing immediately
before the system was turned off resumes
playing. When no CD is loaded, the radio
comes on. Pushing the ONzOFF/VOL button
again turns the system off.
Turn the ONzOFF/VOL control knob to ad-
just the volume.AHA1096
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-15
ZX

AM-FM RADIO WITH CASSETTE
PLAYER AND COMPACT DISC
PLAYER
RADIO OPERATION
To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
ACC or ON. If you listen to the radio with the
engine not running, turn the key to the ACC
position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter,
buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-
ternal influences. Intermittent changes in
reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
Using a cellular phone in or near the
vehicle may influence radio reception
quality.
This radio has an FM Diversity reception
system, which employs two antennas. One
is a rod type antenna; the other is an an-
tenna printed on the rear window. This sys-
tem automatically switches to the antenna
which is receiving the strongest radio signal.
AHA1072
4-20Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

Manual antenna
The manual antenna cannot be shortened,
but can be removed. When you need to
remove the antenna, turn the antenna rod
counterclockwise.
To install the antenna rod, turn the antenna
clockwise. Tighten the antenna rod to speci-
fication using a suitable tool such as a
open-end wrench. The antenna rod tighten-
ing specification is 3.4 - 3.6 Nzm(30-32
in-lb). Do not use pliers to tighten the an-
tenna as they can leave marks on the
antenna surface. The antenna rod can not
be hand tightened to the proper specifica-
tion.
CAUTION
Always properly tighten the antenna
rod during installation or the antenna
rod may break during vehicle opera-
tion.
Microphone installed model
If equipped with a genuine NISSAN cellular
phone, your NISSAN features a non-
directional microphone in the steering col-
umn cover, so it is not necessary to look at
or speak directly into the microphone when
calling. To do so could detract from the
driving operation and cause an accident.
See the manual for car phone operation.
Pre-wired and antenna for phone
installed model
Some models are pre-wired to accept the
genuine NISSAN cellular phone. In addition,
the same model has the phone antenna
built into the rear glass window.
When installing a CB, ham radio or car
phone in your NISSAN, be sure to observe
the following cautions, otherwise the new
equipment may adversely affect the MFI
(Multiport Fuel Injection) system and other
electronic parts.
CAUTION
cKeep the antenna as far as possible
away from the Engine Control Mod-
ule.
cAlso keep the antenna wire more
than 8 inches (20 cm) away from the
MFI harness. Do not route the an-
tenna wire next to any harness.
cAdjust the antenna standing-wave
ratio as recommended by the manu-
facturer.
cConnect the ground wire from the
CB radio chassis to the body.
cFor details, consult an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
CB RADIO OR CAR PHONE
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-27
ZX

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................5-2
Three way catalyst .................................................5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover................................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .........................5-4
Ignition switch .........................................................5-4
Manual transmission ..............................................5-4
Automatic transmission ..........................................5-5
Before starting the engine ......................................5-6
Driving with automatic transmission
(if so equipped) ......................................................5-6
Overdrive switch .....................................................5-9Driving with manual transmission ........................5-10
Starting the engine ...............................................5-11
Parking brake operation .......................................5-12
Cruise control .......................................................5-13
Break-in schedule ................................................5-15
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-15
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-16
Power steering system .........................................5-17
Brake system........................................................5-17
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (if so equipped) ....5-18
Cold weather driving ............................................5-19
ZX

WARNING
cDo not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
They could accidentally injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation of the vehicle. Also, on
hot, sunny days, temperatures in a
closed vehicle could quickly become
high enough to cause severe or pos-
sibly fatal injuries to people or ani-
mals.
cClosely supervise children when
they are around cars to prevent them
from playing and becoming locked
in the trunk where they could be
seriously injured.
Keep the car locked, with the trunk
closed, when not in use, and prevent
children's access to car keys.EXHAUST GAS
(Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they
contain colorless and odorless carbon-
monoxide. Carbon monoxide is dan-
gerous. It can cause unconsciousness
or death.
cIf you suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering the vehicle, drive with
all windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
cDo not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.
cDo not park the vehicle with the
engine running for any extended
length of time.
cKeep the trunk lid closed while driv-
ing, otherwise exhaust gases could
be drawn into the passenger com-
partment. If you must drive in this
manner for some reason, take the
following steps:
1. Open all the windows.2. Set the air recirculation switch to
off and the fan control at 4 (high)
to circulate the air.
3. Be sure the rear seat armrest and
tray are closed.
cIf electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass to a trailer-
through the seal on the trunk lid or
the body, follow the manufacturer's
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
cThe exhaust system and body
should be inspected by a qualified
mechanic whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust system.
d.
You have had an accident involv-
ing damage to the exhaust system,
underbody, or rear of the vehicle.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN
STARTING AND DRIVING
5-2Starting and driving
ZX