1999 NISSAN ALTIMA stop start

WARNING
cOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it isn't
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Don't drive with the
air cleaner removed, and be careful
working on the engine with the air
cleaner removed.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.
8-16Do-it-yourself
ZX

Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front (and rear, if equipped) disc-type
brakes self-adjust every time the brake
pedal is applied. The rear drum-type brakes
also self-adjust every time the brake pedal
is applied.
If the brake pedal goes down farther than
normal, it may be due to a lack of adjust-
ment of the rear drum brakes. To adjust,
apply the parking brake several times.
WARNING
See your NISSAN dealer and have it
checked if the brake pedal height does
not return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have
audible wear indicators. When a brake pad
requires replacement, it makes a high
pitched scraping or screeching sound when
the vehicle is in motion whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wearindicator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) do
not have audible wear indicators. Should
you ever hear an unusually loud noise from
the rear drum brakes, have them inspected
as soon as possible by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regard-
ing brake inspections, see the appropriate
maintenance schedule information in the
``Maintenance'' section of this manual.Check the brake booster function as fol-
lows:
1. With the engine off, press and release
the brake pedal several times. When
brake pedal movement (distance of
travel) remains the same from one pedal
application to the next, continue on to the
next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start
the engine. The pedal height should drop
a little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keep the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds. The pedal height
should not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without
depressing the brake pedal, then turn it
off. Depress the brake pedal several
times. The pedal travel distance will de-
crease gradually with each depression
as the vacuum is released from the
booster.
If the brakes do not operate properly, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
BRAKE BOOSTER
Do-it-yourself8-19
ZX

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.
10-16Technical and consumer information
ZX

Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in what is called the ``ready
condition'' for an Inspection/Maintenance
(I/M) test of the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the ``ready condition''
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the ready condition can be
obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired
or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle
may be reset to a ``not ready'' condition.
Before taking the I/M test, drive the vehicle
through the following pattern to set the ve-
hicle to the ready condition. If you cannot or
do not want to perform the driving pattern, a
NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe man-
ner according to traffic conditions and
obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C.
Allow the engine to idle until the gauge
needle points between the C and H (nor-
mal operating temperature).2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 mph (88
km/h), then quickly release the accelera-
tor pedal completely and keep it released
for at least 6 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for
a moment, then drive the vehicle at a
speed of 53 to 60 mph (86 to 96 km/h) for
at least 5 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 mph (55
km/h) and maintain the speed for 20
seconds.
6. Repeat steps four through five at least
three times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 mph (88
km/h) and maintain the speed for at least
3 minutes.
8. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off.
9. Repeat steps one through eight at least
one more time.
If step one through seven is interrupted,
repeat the preceding step. Any safe driving
mode is acceptable between steps. Do not
stop the engine until step seven is com-
pleted.
READINESS FOR
INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE
(I/M) TEST (US only)
10-20Technical and consumer information
ZX

11 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ........................................................ 1-9
Air bag warning light ................. 1-12, 1-14, 2-6
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-15
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations ................ 10-7
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Heater and air conditioner (manual)....... 4-3
Servicing air conditioner ......................... 4-9
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-6
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............... 2-9
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-34
Antenna
Manual .................................................. 4-27
Power.................................................... 4-26
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-18
Anti-lock brake warning light ....................... 2-7
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-15
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10
AM-FM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player.............................. 4-20AM-FM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................................................... 4-15
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-17
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 8-9
Driving with automatic transmission ...... 5-5,
5-6
Transmission selector lever lock
release .................................................... 5-9
B
Battery........................................................ 8-13
Battery
Charge warning light .............................. 2-5
Battery Replacement (See multi-remote
control system) ............................................ 3-7
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-6
Belts (See drive belts) ...................... 10-8, 8-14
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-18
Brake booster ....................................... 8-19
Brake fluid............................................. 8-11
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-27
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-18
Brake system ........................................ 5-17
Brake warning light ................................. 2-6Brake wear indicators ................... 2-7, 8-19
Parking brake check ............................. 8-18
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-12
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-15
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-5
Bulb replacement ....................................... 8-24
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants.................................................... 10-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading
information) .............................................. 10-13
Cassette player (See audio system) ......... 4-10
CB radio or car phone ............................... 4-27
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light) .................. 2-8
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-33
Child restraints ................................. 1-18, 1-24
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 3-4
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and
ashtray ....................................................... 2-15
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clutch
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-12
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-20
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-19
ZX

Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-4
Odometer ................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer............................................. 2-3
Trip odometer ......................................... 2-3
General maintenance .................................. 9-2
Glove box..................................................... 3-9
Glove box lock ............................................. 3-9
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-14
Head restraints ............................................ 1-6
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............................ 5-15
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 2-5
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-13Instrument brightness control .................... 2-13
Interior light ................................................ 2-21
J
Jack
Screw type .............................................. 6-2
Jump starting ...................................... 6-7, 8-14
K
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) ..................... 1-14
License plate
Installing the license plate .................. 10-13
Light
Air bag warning light ............ 1-12, 1-14, 2-6
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-27
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-5Bulb 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) .................... 2-22
Trunk 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
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.......................... 1-24
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ................. 2-8
Manual antenna ......................................... 4-27
Manual front seat adjustment ...................... 1-3
11-3
ZX

Servicing air conditioner .............................. 4-9
Shift lock release ......................................... 5-9
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 5-7
Manual transmission............................. 5-10
Shoulder belt height adjustment ................ 1-21
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-14
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Spotlights (See map light) ......................... 2-22
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-14
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Jump starting................................. 6-7, 8-14
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting........................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ............................... 5-11
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-11
Power steering system ......................... 5-17
Tilting steering wheel............................ 3-13
Stop light .................................................... 8-27
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-18
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels ............ 1-14
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).................... 1-9
Switch
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-17
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-14
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-14
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-12
Ignition switch ......................................... 5-4Overdrive switch ..................................... 5-9
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-11
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-11
T
Tachometer .................................................. 2-3
Theft warning ............................................... 2-9
Three way catalyst....................................... 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ................................. 3-13
Tire
Flat tire.................................................... 6-2
Spare tire....................................... 6-6, 8-32
Tire chains ............................................ 8-29
Tire placard......................................... 10-12
Tire pressure ............................. 10-16, 8-28
Tire rotation .......................................... 8-30
Types of tires ........................................ 8-29
Uniform tire quality grading ................ 10-18
Wheels and tires................................... 8-28
Wheel/tire size ...................................... 10-9
Tool kit ......................................................... 6-2
Towing
Tow truck towing .................................. 6-10
Towing load/specification chart .......... 10-15
Trailer towing ...................................... 10-14
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 8-9
Driving with automatic
transmission .................................... 5-5, 5-6
Driving with manual
transmission .................................. 5-10, 5-4Selector lever lock release ..................... 5-9
Transmission selector lever lock release .... 5-9
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country)....................................... 10-10
Trip odometer .............................................. 2-3
Trunk access through the rear seat ............ 1-7
Trunk lid lock opener lever .......................... 3-9
Trunk light .................................................. 2-22
Tuning ........................................................ 4-11
Turn signal switch (See headlight and turn
signal switch) ............................................. 2-12
U
Uniform tire quality grading ..................... 10-18
V
Vanity mirror .............................................. 3-14
Vehicle dimensions and weights ............... 10-9
Vehicle identification ................................ 10-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(chassis number) ..................................... 10-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate ......................................................... 10-10
Vehicle loading information ..................... 10-13
Vehicle recovery ........................................ 6-12
Ventilators .................................................... 4-2
11-5
ZX