2001 NISSAN ALTIMA check engine

ADI1005
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS
8-4Do-it-yourself
ZX

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze so-
lution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional engine cooling system
additives are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethelene glycol anti-
freeze with the proper mixture ratio of
50% Genuine Nissan Anti-freeze coolant
or equivalent and 50% soft tap water.
The use of other types of coolant solu-
tions may damage the engine cooling
system.
Outside
temperature
down toGenuine
Nissan
Anti-freeze
coolant or
equivalentSoft tap
water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
WARNING
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
c
The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent
engine damage, use only a genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below MIN, add coolant up to the MAX
level. If the reservoir is empty, check the
coolant level in the radiatorwhen the en-
gine is cold.If there is insufficient coolant
in the radiator, fill the radiator with coolant
up to the filler opening and also add it to the
reservoir up to the MAX level.
ADI1006
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Do-it-yourself8-5
ZX

If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
cMajor cooling system repairs should be
performed by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. The service procedures can be
found in an appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual.cImproper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine over-
heating.
WARNING
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never change the coolant
when the engine is hot.
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
cAvoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
cKeep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
Perform the following procedure to open the
heater water cock:
1. Turn the ignition switch ON and set the
temperature control lever to the maxi-
mum hot position. Wait 10 seconds, then
turn the switch OFF.
2. Open the radiator drain plug. Open the
DI1349
8-6Do-it-yourself
ZX

drain plug on the engine water pipe.
3. Open the radiator cap to drain the cool-
ant.
cWaste coolant must be disposed of
properly.
cCheck your local regulations.
4. Flush the cooling system by running
fresh water through the radiator.
5. Close the radiator drain plug and the
drain plug on the engine water pipe se-
curely.
6. See the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section for cooling system ca-
pacity. Fill the radiator slowly with the
proper mixture of coolant and water. Fill
the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
7. Open and close the air release plug to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
8. Start the engine and let it idle until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under
no load. Watch the engine coolant tem-
perature gauge for signs of overheating.
9. Stop the engine. After it completely coolsdown, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up to the
MAX level.
10. Open and close the air release plug to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
11. Check the radiator drain plug and the
drain plug on the engine water pipe for
any sign of leakage, tighten if neces-
sary.
AMA098
Do-it-yourself8-7
ZX

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it
reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait a few minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the H
(High) and L (Low) marks. If the oil level
is below the L (Low) mark, remove the oil
filler cap and pour recommended oil
through the opening.Do not overfill.
6. Recheck the oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the sever-
ity of operating conditions.
DI1299DI1300DI1301
ENGINE OIL
8-8Do-it-yourself
ZX

CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it
reaches operating temperature, then turn
it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
5. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.If the oil filter is to be changed, remove
and replace it at this time. See ``Chang-
ing engine oil filter'' later in this section.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The
engine oil may be hot.
c
Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
cCheck your local regulations.
6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 Nzm)
Do not overtighten.
7. Refill the engine with a recommended oil
through the oil filler opening, then install
the oil filler cap securely.
See the ``Technical and consumer informa-
tion'' section for drain and refill capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always
DI1302
Do-it-yourself8-9
ZX

use the dipstick to determine when the
proper amount of oil is in the engine.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage
around the drain plug. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
WARNING
cProlonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin can-
cer.
cTry to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
cKeep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil
filter.
4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench. Then, remove the oil filter by
turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The
engine oil may be hot.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old gasket mate-
rial remaining on the mounting surface of
the engine.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with
clean engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resis-
tance is felt, then tighten an additional
2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
DI1303
8-10Do-it-yourself
ZX

WARNING
cWhen the engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away
from any moving parts such as the
cooling fan and drive belts.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
FOR CHECKING
cThe fluid level should be checked using
the HOT range on the dipstick after the
following conditions have been met:
Ð The engine should be warmed up to
operating temperature.
Ð The vehicle should be driven at least 5
minutes.
Ð The automatic transmission fluid should
be warmed to between 122É and 176ÉF
(50É to 80ÉC).
cThe fluid can be checked at fluid tem-
peratures of 86É to 122ÉF (30 to 50ÉC)
using the COLD range on the dipstick,
after the engine is warmed up and before
driving. However, the fluid should be
re-checked using the HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the shift
selector lever through each gear range.
Move the shift selector lever to P (Park)
after you have moved it through all
ranges.3. Check the fluid level with the engine
idling.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean
with lint-free paper.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick
tube as far as it will go.
6. Remove the dipstick and note the read-
ing. If the level is at the low side of either
range, add fluid through the dipstick tube.
WDI0013ADI1012
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
Do-it-yourself8-11
ZX