1999 NISSAN ALTIMA key

while driving, take the vehicle to an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer for repair.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent
accidents resulting from careless or
dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces, but re-
member that the stopping distance on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on
normal surfaces, even with the anti-
lock system. Stopping distances may
also be longer on rough, gravel or
snow covered roads, or if you are using
tire chains. Always maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front of you.
Ultimately, the responsibility for safety
of self and others rests in the hands of
the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may
also affect braking effectiveness.
cWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tire on all 4 wheels.cWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. For tire
placard location information, refer to
ªTire placardº in the Owner's Manual
index.
Refer to ``Wheels and Tires'' in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it into the key hole.
Anti-freeze
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check the anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base)
to assure proper winter protection. For de-
tails, see ``Engine cooling system'' in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Do-it-yourself ''
section.
Draining of coolant
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by
opening the drain valves located under the
radiator and on the engine block. Refill
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-19
ZX

cMake sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that clamps do not contact
any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster
vehicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start the
engine of the vehicle being jump started.
CAUTION
Do not keep starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before
trying again.
7. After starting the engine, carefully dis-
connect the negative cable and then the
positive cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped).
Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to
cover the vent holes as it may be con-
taminated with corrosive acid.
CAUTION
cAutomatic transmission models can-
not be push started. This may cause
transmission damage.
cThree way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three way catalyst may be
damaged.
cNever try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it; when the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading),
or if you feel a lack of engine power, detect
abnormal noise, etc., take the following steps.
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never remove the radiator
cap while the engine is still hot.
When the radiator cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
shift lever to N (Neutral) (manual trans-
mission) or to P (Park) (automatic trans-
mission).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-9
ZX

cWhen towing manual transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground (if you do not use towing
dollies):
Turn the ignition key to the OFF
position and secure the steering
wheel in a straight-ahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
place the ignition key in the LOCK
position. This will result in damage
to the steering lock mechanism.
Move the gearshift lever to the Neu-
tral (N position).
c
When towing with the rear wheels on
the ground, release the parking brake.
cAttach safety chains for all towing.
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground as illustrated.
CAUTION
cNever tow an automatic transmis-
sion model with the rear wheels
raised (with the front wheels on the
ground) as this may cause serious
and expensive damage to the trans-
mission. If it is necessary to tow the
vehicle with the rear wheels raised,
always use towing dollies under the
front wheels.
ACE0511
ACE1001
In case of emergency6-11
ZX

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
cPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For a manual
transmission, move the shift lever to
Neutral. For an automatic transmis-
sion, move the shift lever to P (Park).
cBe sure the ignition key is OFF when
performing any parts replacement or
repairs.
cYour vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.c
If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans,
belts and any other moving parts.
cIt is advisable to remove ties and any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
cAlways wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
cIf you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases.
cNever get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
c
Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the battery.
cOn gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) sys-
tem, the fuel filter or fuel lines
should be serviced by a NISSAN
dealer because the fuel lines are
under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.
cNever connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized
component connector while the igni-
tion is ON.
cNever leave the engine or the auto-
matic transmission related compo-
nent harness connector discon-
nected while the ignition is ON.
c
Avoid contact with used engine oil.
Improperly disposed motor oil and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the en-
vironment. Always conform to local
regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This ``Do-it-yourself'' section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage.If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done
by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself
ZX

2. Check the fluid level in each cell.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only
distilled water to bring the level up to the
OK level indicator in each filler opening.
Do not overfill.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see the ``In
case of emergency'' section of this owner's
manual. If the engine does not start by jump
starting, the battery may have to be re-
placed. Contact an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
Be sure the ignition key is OFF. The
engine could rotate unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of
unusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness.
If the belt is in poor condition or is loose,
have it replaced or adjusted by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for con-
dition and tension in accordance with the
maintenance schedule found in the
``Maintenance'' section of this manual.WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
DI1310ADI0533DI1229M
DRIVE BELTS SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT
8-14Do-it-yourself
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

Map lights .................................................. 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
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 .......................................... 5-9
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 6-9
Owner's manual/service manual order
forms ........................................................ 10-21P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-18
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-12
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-16
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 9-5
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 4-26
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-11
Power steering system ......................... 5-17
Power support front seat ........................ 1-5
Power windows..................................... 2-17
Power Lock
Power door locks .................................... 3-3
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-16
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 cassette player and
compact disc player.............................. 4-20
AM-FM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................................................... 4-15
CB radio or car phone .......................... 4-27Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test................................................... 10-20
Rear seat ..................................................... 1-7
Rear window defogger switch ................... 2-11
Refrigerant recommendation ..................... 10-7
Registering your vehicle in another
country ..................................................... 10-10
Remote keyless entry system
(See multi-remote control system) .............. 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............... 10-19
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) .......... 10-19
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-16
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-24
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-24
Seat belts.............................................. 1-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........... 1-21
Three-point type without retractor ........ 1-19
Two-point type without retractor
(rear center lap belt) ............................. 1-22
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 ................................................ 1-7
11-4
ZX