2000 NISSAN ALTIMA hood release

cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference re-
ceived including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
1. Pull the hood lock release handle
s1
located below the driver side instrument
panel; the hood springs up slightly.
2. Lift the lever
s2at the front of the hood
with your fingertips and raise the hood.
3. Insert the support rod
s3into the slot on
the underside of the hood.
4. When closing the hood, return the sup-
port rod to its original position, lower the
hood to approximately 12 inches above
the latch and release it. This allows
proper engagement of the hood latch.
WARNING
cMake sure the hood is completely
closed and latched before driving.
Failure to do so could cause the
hood to fly open and result in an
accident.
cIf you see steam or smoke coming
from the engine compartment, to
avoid injury do not open the hood.
WPD0006
HOOD
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-9
ZX

WARNING
c
While driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerating
or downshifting. Abrupt braking or
accelerating could cause the wheels
to skid and result in an accident.
cIf the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As a
result, your braking distance will be longer
and the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal
to heat-up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS) (if so equipped)
The anti-lock brake system installed in
some models controls the brakes at each
wheel so the wheels do not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slip-
pery surfaces. The system detects the rota-
tion speed at each wheel and varies the
brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheel
from locking and sliding. By preventing
wheel lockup, the system helps the driver
maintain steering control and helps to mini-
mize swerving and spinning on slippery
surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10
km/h). The speeds vary according to roadconditions. When the anti-lock system
senses that one or more wheels are close to
locking up, the actuator (under the hood)
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure (like pumping the brakes very quickly).
While the actuator is working, you may feel
a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise or vibration from the actuator under
the hood. This is normal and indicates that
the anti-lock system is working properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that
road conditions are hazardous and extra
care is required while driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system is sophisticated,
with electronic sensors, electric pumps, and
hydraulic solenoids controlled by a com-
puter. The computer has a built-in diagnos-
tic feature that tests the system each time
you start the engine and move the vehicle at
a low speed in forward or reverse. When the
self-test occurs, you may hear a ``clunk''
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indica-
tion of any malfunction. If the computer
senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-
lock brake system OFF and turns on the
ABS brake warning light in the dashboard.
Starting and driving
5-19
ZX

If you wax the surface of the hood, be
careful not to let wax get into the washer
nozzle. This may cause clogging or im-
proper windshield washer operation. If wax
gets into the nozzle, remove it with a needle
or small pin.
CHECKING PARKING BRAKE
From the released position, pull the parking
brake lever up slowly and firmly. If the
number of clicks is out of the range listed
above, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.
CHECKING BRAKE PEDAL
With the engine running, check the distance
between the upper surface of the pedal and
the metal floor. If it is out of the range shown
above, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.
ADI0613
ADI1003DI1020M
PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
PEDAL
Do-it-yourself8-19
ZX

Tires* ÐCheck the pressure with a gauge
periodically when at a service station, in-
cluding the spare, and adjust to the speci-
fied pressure if necessary. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Wheel nuts* ÐWhen checking the tires,
make sure no wheel nuts are missing, and
check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation* ÐTires should be rotated
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Wheel alignment and balance ÐIf the
vehicle should pull to either side while driv-
ing on a straight and level road, or if you
detect uneven or abnormal tire wear, there
may be a need for a wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing
may be needed.Windshield wiper blades* ÐCheck for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and engine hood ÐCheck that all
doors and the hood operate properly. Also
ensure all latches lock securely. Lubricate
hinges, latches, rollers and links if neces-
sary. Make sure the secondary latch keeps
the hood from opening when the primary
latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrication
frequently.
Lights* ÐMake sure the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.
INTERIOR MAINTENANCE
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing periodic maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.Warning lights and chimes ÐMake sure
all warning lights and buzzers/chimes are
operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* ÐCheck
that the wipers and washer operate properly
and that the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster ÐCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient quantity when operating the
heater or air conditioner.
Steering wheel ÐCheck for changes in
the steering conditions, such as excessive
freeplay, hard steering or strange noises.
Seats ÐCheck seat position controls such
as seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to
ensure they operate smoothly and all
latches lock securely in every position.
Check that the head restraints move up and
down smoothly and the locks (if so
equipped) hold securely in all latched posi-
tions.
Seat belts ÐCheck that all parts of the seat
belt system (for example, buckles, anchors,
adjusters and retractors) operate properly
and smoothly, and are installed securely.
Check the belt webbing for cuts, fraying,
wear or damage.
Maintenance
9-3
ZX

Tachometer............................................. 2-4
Trip odometer ......................................... 2-3
General maintenance .................................. 9-2
Glasses case ............................................. 2-21
Glove box................................................... 2-23
Glove box lock ........................................... 2-23
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-18
Head restraints ............................................ 1-8
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 2-16
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Heater operation ..................................... 4-4
Homelink Transceiver
Integrated HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver (If so equipped) ................ 2-30
Hood release ............................................... 3-9
Horn ........................................................... 2-19
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Immobilizer system ..................... 2-12, 3-2, 5-6
Important vehicle information label.......... 10-11
Increasing fuel economy............................ 5-16
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 2-6
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-14
Instrument brightness control .................... 2-17Integrated HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver (If so equipped)...................... 2-30
Interior light ................................................ 2-29
J
Jump starting ...................................... 6-8, 8-15
K
Key ............................................................... 3-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote
control system) ............................................ 3-5
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) ..................... 1-19
License plate
Installing the license plate .................. 10-13
Light
Air bag warning light ............ 1-14, 1-19, 2-7
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-33
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-6
Bulb replacement.................................. 8-30Charge warning light .............................. 2-7
Cornering light ...................................... 2-18
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-18
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-16
Interior light ........................................... 2-29
Low washer fluid warning light ............... 2-7
Spotlights (See map light) .................... 2-29
Trunk light ............................................. 2-30
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 2-6
Lock
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-5
Door locks............................................... 3-2
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-11
Glove box lock ...................................... 2-23
Power door locks .................................... 3-3
Trunk lid lock opener lever ................... 3-10
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.......................... 1-28
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ................. 2-9
Map lights .................................................. 2-29
Map pocket ................................................ 2-21
Meters and gauges ...................................... 2-2
11-3
ZX