2000 NISSAN ALTIMA towing

6 In case of emergency
Flat tire ...................................................................6-2
Changing a flat tire .................................................6-2
Jump starting ..........................................................6-8
Push starting ........................................................6-10If your vehicle overheats ......................................6-10
Towing your vehicle .............................................6-11
Towing recommended by Nissan.........................6-12
Vehicle recovery (Freeing a stuck vehicle) ..........6-13
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3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. Wait until
no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
5. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking, the water pump belt is missing or
loose, or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or
the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan motor can start at any time
when the coolant temperature is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.When towing your vehicle, U.S. States,
Canadian Provinces and local regulations
for towing must be followed. Incorrect tow-
ing equipment could damage your vehicle.
Towing instructions are available from an
authorized NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators will generally be familiar with the
applicable laws and procedures for towing.
To assure proper towing and to prevent
accidental damage to your vehicle, NISSAN
recommends that you have a service opera-
tor tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have
the service operator carefully read the fol-
lowing precautions:
WARNING
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-11
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cWhen towing front wheel drive,
manual transmission models with
the front wheels on the ground (If
you do not use a towing dolly):
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 N
(Neutral) position.
c
When towing front wheel drive, auto-
matic transmission models with the
rear wheels on the ground (if you do
not use towing dollies), release the
parking brake.
cAlways attach safety chains before
towing.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground as illustrated.
CAUTION
cNever tow front wheel drive, auto-
matic transmission models with the
front wheels on the ground, as this
may cause serious and expensive
damage to the transmission. If it is
necessary to tow the vehicle with the
rear wheels raised, always use tow-
ing dollies under the front wheels.
ACE0511
ACE1001
6-12In case of emergency
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cNever tow an automatic transmis-
sion model with all four wheels on
the ground. This may cause serious
and expensive damage to the trans-
mission.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a
stuck vehicle)
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structual members of the
vehicle.
cPulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull
on the vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.
WARNING
Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
In case of emergency
6-13
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and exhaust system. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, especially those areas
where mud and dirt may accumulate. See
the ``Appearance and care'' section for ad-
ditional information.
Fluid leaks ÐCheck under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use is
normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and
economical driving, NISSAN provides two
periodic maintenance schedules that may
be used, depending upon the conditions in
which you usually drive. These schedules
contain both distance and time intervals, up
to 60,000 miles (96,000 km)/48 months. For
most people, the odometer reading indi-
cates when service is needed. However, if
you drive very little, your vehicle should be
serviced at the regular time intervals shown
in the schedules.After 60,000 miles
(96,000 km)/48 months, continue peri-
odic maintenance at the same
mileage/time intervals.
SCHEDULE 1
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 1 if
your driving habits frequently include one or
more of the following driving conditions:
cRepeated short trips of less than 5
miles (8 km).
cRepeated short trips of less than 10
miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures below freezing.
cOperating the vehicle in hot weather
during in stop-and-go ``rush hour''
traffic.cExtensive idling and/or low speed
driving for long distances, such as
police, taxi or door-to-door delivery
use.
cDriving in dusty conditions.
cDriving on rough, muddy, or salt
spread roads.
cTowing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier.
SCHEDULE 2
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 2 if
none of the driving conditions shown in
Schedule 1 apply to your driving habits.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
Maintenance9-5
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Schedule 1
Abbreviations: I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary.
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
Perform at number of miles, kilometers or months,
whichever comes first.Miles x 1,000 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
(km x 1,000) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96)
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesIIII
Brake pads, rotors, drums & liningsIIIIIIII
Manual transmission oil & automatic transmission fluid See NOTE (2)IIII
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspension partsIIIIIIII
Tire rotation See NOTE (3)
Exhaust systemIIIIIIII
Drive shaft bootsIIIIIIII
Supplemental front and side air bag system See NOTE (1)
Automatic speed control device (ASCD) vacuum hosesIIII
NOTE: (1) Inspect the supplemental air bag system 10 years after the date of manufacture noted on the FMVSS certification label.
(2) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect)
oil at every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months.
(3) Refer to ``Tire rotation'' under the ``General Maintenance'' heading earlier in this section.
Maintenance
9-7
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10 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ......10-2
Fuel recommendation...........................................10-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation..............10-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number.................10-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ..................................10-7
Specifications .......................................................10-8
Engine ..................................................................10-8
Wheels and tires ..................................................10-9
Dimensions and weights ......................................10-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ..................................................10-10
Vehicle identification ..........................................10-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate...........10-10
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ................................................10-10
Engine serial number .........................................10-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..............................10-11
Emission control information label .....................10-12Tire placard ........................................................10-12
Air conditioner specification label.......................10-12
Installing front license plate................................10-13
Vehicle loading information ................................10-13
Terms .................................................................10-13
Determining vehicle load capacity .....................10-14
Loading tips ........................................................10-14
Towing a trailer...................................................10-15
Maximum load limits...........................................10-15
Towing load/specification chart ..........................10-16
Towing safety .....................................................10-16
Uniform tire quality grading ................................10-18
Emission control system warranty .....................10-19
Reporting safety defects (US only) ....................10-19
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) .....................................................10-20
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ..........................................................10-21
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Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with
a high- quality genuine NISSAN oil filter.
When replacing, use a genuine NISSAN oil
filter or its equivalent for the reason de-
scribed in ``Change intervals''.
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other
than the specified quality, or oil and filter
change intervals longer than recommended
could reduce engine life. Damage to the
engine caused by improper maintenance or
use of incorrect oil and filter quality and/or
viscosity is not covered by the new NISSAN
vehicle warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality
engine oil when it was built. You do not have
to change the oil before the first recom-
mended change interval. Oil and filter
change intervals depend upon how you use
your vehicle. Operation under the following
conditions may require more frequent oil
and filter changes:
Ð repeated short distance driving at cold
outside temperatures,Ð driving in dusty conditions,
Ð extensive idling,
Ð towing a trailer.
RECOMMENDED SAE
VISCOSITY NUMBER
cSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred
for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 viscosity oil may be used if
TI1028
10-6Technical and consumer information
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