2001 NISSAN ALTIMA ECU

hitch, trailer tongue load and any other
optional equipment. In addition, front or rear
gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on
the F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
CHART
UNIT: lb (kg)
MAXIMUM
TOWING LOAD1,000 (454)
MAXIMUM
TONGUE LOAD110 (49)
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. A genuine NISSAN trailer hitch is
available from your NISSAN dealer
(Canada only). Make sure the trailer hitch is
securely attached to the vehicle, to help
avoid personal injury or property damage
due to sway caused by crosswinds, rough
road surfaces or passing trucks.
CAUTION
cDo not use axle-mounted hitches.
cThe hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. to install
a trailer hitch.
cTo reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage if your vehicle is
struck from the rear, where practical,
remove the hitch and/or 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.
10-16Technical and consumer information
ZX

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 if
it 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.
cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, and if your vehicle is
equipped with an automatic transmis-
sion, first block the wheels and apply the
parking brake, and then move the shift
lever into the P position. If you move the
shift lever to the P position before block-
ing the wheels and applying the parking
brake, transmission damage could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and
reduce speed to reduce chances of en-
gine overloading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature when the airconditioner system is on, turn off the air
conditioner. Coolant heat can be addi-
tionally vented by opening the windows,
switching the fan control to high and
setting the temperature control to the
HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500
miles (800 km).
cHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn than
your vehicle wheels. To compensate for
this, make a larger than normal turning
radius during the turn.
cCrosswinds and rough roads will ad-
versely affect vehicle/trailer handling,
possibly causing vehicle sway. When
being passed by larger vehicles, be pre-
pared for possible changes in crosswinds
that could affect vehicle handling. If
swaying does occur, firmly grip the steer-
ing wheel, steer straight ahead, and im-
mediately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
Technical and consumer information
10-17
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 and
prudent manner 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 (shift lever in the ``P'' or
``N'' position).
9. Rev the engine up between 2,500 and
3,500 rpm and hold it for 3 consecutive
minutes, then release the accelerator
pedal completely.
10. Wait 5 seconds at idle.
11. Rev the engine up between 2,000 and3,000 rpm and maintain it for 5 consecu-
tive minutes.
12. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off.
13. Repeat steps one through twelve 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) ........................................................ 1-8
Air bag warning light ................. 1-14, 1-19, 2-7
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner service ............................ 4-9
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations ................ 10-7
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Servicing air conditioner ......................... 4-9
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-6
Alarm system (See vehicle security
system) ...................................................... 2-10
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-34
Antenna...................................................... 4-37
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-18
Anti-lock brake warning light ....................... 2-8
Armrests....................................................... 1-7
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-20
Audio system
FM-AM radio with cassette player and
compact disc (CD) player ..................... 4-17
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ................................................. 4-24FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................................................... 4-10
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-26
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-11
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-4
B
Battery........................................................ 8-14
Battery
Charge warning light .............................. 2-7
Battery replacement (See multi-remote
control system) ............................................ 3-8
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-6
Belts (See drive belts) ...................... 10-8, 8-15
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-18
Brake booster ....................................... 8-20
Brake fluid............................................. 8-12
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-34
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-19
Brake system ........................................ 5-17
Brake warning light ................................. 2-7
Brake wear indicators ................... 2-9, 8-20
Parking brake check ............................. 8-19
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-12
Self-adjusting brakes ............................ 8-20Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-15
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-6
Bulb replacement ....................................... 8-31
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants.................................................... 10-2
Car phone or CB radio .............................. 4-37
Cargo (See vehicle loading
information) .............................................. 10-13
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light) .................. 2-9
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-34
Child restraints ................................. 1-22, 1-28
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 3-5
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and
ashtray ....................................................... 2-20
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clock................................................. 4-12, 4-19
Clutch
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-13
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-21
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-19
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
ZX

Shoulder belt height adjustment ................ 1-26
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-16
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Spotlights (See map light) ......................... 2-28
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-18
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Jump starting................................. 6-8, 8-15
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting......................................... 6-10
Starting the engine ................................. 5-7
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-12
Power steering system ......................... 5-17
Tilting steering wheel............................ 3-14
Stop light .................................................... 8-34
Storage ...................................................... 2-21
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-26
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels ............ 1-18
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).................... 1-8
Switch
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-26
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-18
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-18
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-16
Ignition switch ......................................... 5-4
Overdrive switch ................................... 5-10
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-15
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-14T
Tachometer .................................................. 2-4
Three-way catalyst....................................... 5-2
Tilting steering wheel ................................. 3-14
Tire
Flat tire.................................................... 6-2
Spare tire....................................... 6-7, 8-38
Tire chains ............................................ 8-36
Tire placard......................................... 10-12
Tire pressure ............................. 10-16, 8-35
Tire rotation .......................................... 8-36
Types of tires ........................................ 8-35
Uniform tire quality grading ................ 10-18
Wheels and tires................................... 8-35
Wheel/tire size ...................................... 10-9
Towing
Tow truck towing .................................. 6-11
Towing load/specification chart .......... 10-16
Trailer towing ...................................... 10-15
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-11
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-4
Driving with manual transmission ........... 5-5
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country)....................................... 10-10
Trip odometer .............................................. 2-3
Trunk access through the rear seat ............ 1-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever ........................ 3-10
Trunk light .................................................. 2-29
Trunk side net ............................................ 2-25Turn signal switch (See headlight and turn
signal switch) .................................... 2-16, 2-17
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 ........................................ 6-13
Vehicle security system ............................. 2-12
Ventilators .................................................... 4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light ............ 1-14, 1-19, 2-7
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-18
Vehicle security system ........................ 2-12
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-18
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 2-6
Weights (See dimensions and weights) .... 10-9
Wheels and tires ........................................ 8-35
11-5
ZX