2002 NISSAN ALTIMA fuel

The malfunction indicator lamp may stop
blinking and come on steady. Have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your ve-
hicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Traction control off indicator
light
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the light will illuminate. The light
will turn off after about 2 seconds if the
traction control system (TCS) is operational.
If the light stays on or comes on when you
are driving, it may indicate the traction con-
trol system is not functioning properly. Have
the system checked by your NISSAN
dealer.The light comes on when the traction control
off switch is pushed to OFF. This indicates
the traction control system is not operating.
Push the traction control off switch again or
restart the engine and the system will oper-
ate normally. See ªTraction controlº in the
ª5. Starting and drivingº section.
Slip indicator light
This indicator will blink when the traction
control system is limiting wheelspin. Slip-
pery road conditions may exist if the slip
indicator blinks on. If this happens, adjust
your driving accordingly.
The slip indicator light also comes on when
you turn the ignition key to ON. The light will
turn off after about 2 seconds if the system
is operational. If the light does not come on
or go off, have the traction control system
checked by your NISSAN dealer. The sys-
tem operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the
transmission only as high as the indicated
shift lever position.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it makes a high pitched scraping
sound when the vehicle is in motion,
whether or not the brake pedal is depressed.
Have the brakes checked as soon as pos-
sible if the warning sound is heard.
Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver's door is
opened while the key is left in the ignition
switch. Remove the key and take it with you
when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
With the ignition switch in the OFF position,
a chime sounds when the driver's door is
opened with the headlight switch on.
Turn the headlight switch OFF when leaving
the vehicle.
2-12Instruments and controls
ZX

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .......................................................................3-2
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS) keys .......................................................3-2
Doors ......................................................................3-2
Locking with key ................................................3-3
Locking with inside lock knob............................3-3
Locking with power door lock switch.................3-4
Child safety rear door lock ................................3-4
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped)......3-5
How to use remote keyless entry
system ...............................................................3-5
Battery replacement ..........................................3-8
Hood .......................................................................3-9
Trunk lid................................................................3-10
Opener operation ............................................3-10Key operation ..................................................3-11
Interior trunk lid release...................................3-11
Fuel filler lid ..........................................................3-12
Opener operation ............................................3-12
Fuel filler cap ...................................................3-12
Steering wheel .....................................................3-13
Tilt operation ....................................................3-13
Telescopic operation .......................................3-14
Sun visors.............................................................3-14
Vanity mirrors ..................................................3-14
Mirrors ..................................................................3-15
Inside mirror.....................................................3-15
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror
(if so equipped)................................................3-15
Outside mirror remote control .........................3-16
ZX

To open the trunk from the inside, rotate the
illuminated lever until the lock releases and
push up on the trunk lid. The release lever is
made of a material that glows in the dark
after a brief exposure to ambient light.
The handle is located inside the trunk com-
partment on the trunk lock at the center of
the trunk lid.
OPENER OPERATION
The fuel filler lid opener lever is located on
the outside of the driver's seat. To open the
fuel filler lid, pull the opener lever up. To
lock, close the fuel filler lid securely.
FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel filler cap is a ratcheting type.
Tighten the cap clockwise until ratcheting
clicks are heard.
WARNING
cGasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain con-
ditions. You could be burned or se-
riously injured if it is misused or
mishandled. Always stop the engine
and do not smoke or allow open
flames or sparks near the vehicle
when refueling.
c
Fuel may be under pressure. Turn the
cap one-half turn, and wait for any
``hissing'' sound to stop to prevent
fuel from spraying out and possible
personal injury. Then remove the cap.
cDo not attempt to top off the fuel
tank after the fuel pump nozzle shuts
off automatically. Continued refuel-
ing may cause fuel overflow, result-
ing in fuel spray and possibly fire.
cUse only an original equipment type
fuel filler cap as a replacement. It has
a built-in safety valve needed for
proper operation of the fuel system
and emission control system. An in-
correct cap can result in a serious
malfunction and possible injury. It
could also cause the malfunction
indicator lamp to come on.
LPD0076
FUEL FILLER LID
3-12Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ZX

cDo not fill a portable fuel container in
the vehicle or trailer. Static electric-
ity can cause an explosion of flam-
mable liquid, vapor or gas in any
vehicle or trailer. To reduce the risk
of serious injury or death when fill-
ing portable fuel containers:
Ð Always the place container on the
ground when filling.
Ð Do not use electronic devices
while filling.
Ð Keep the pump nozzle in contact
with the container while you are
filling it.
Ð Use only approved portable fuel
containers for flammable liquid.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body
to attempt to start your vehicle.
CAUTION
cIf fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid
paint damage.
cTighten until the fuel filler cap clicks.
Failure to tighten the fuel filler capproperly may cause the
mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL) to illu-
minate. If the
lamp illuminates
because the fuel filler cap is loose or
missing, tighten or install the cap
and continue to drive the vehicle.
The
lamp should turn off after
a few driving trips. If thelamp
does not turn off after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information, see the
ªMalfunction indicator lamp (MIL)''
in the ªInstrument and controlsº
section earlier in this manual.
TILT OPERATION
Pull the lock lever forward and adjust the
steering wheel up or down to the desired
position.
Release the lock lever to lock the steering
wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
LPD0078
STEERING WHEEL
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-13
ZX

TUNING
Memory change (radio):
Push the tuning switch ``
'' or ``''
for less than 1.5 seconds to change to the
next preset station in memory.
Seek tuning (radio):
Push the tuning switch ``
'' or ``''
for more than 1.5 seconds to seek the next
or previous radio station.
Next/Previous Track (CD):
Push the tuning switch ``
'' or ``''
for less than 1.5 seconds to return to the
beginning of the present track or skip to the
next track. Push several times to skip back
or skip through tracks.
This system searches for the blank intervals
between selections. If there is a blank inter-
val within one program or there is no interval
between programs, the system may not
stop in the desired or expected location.
Change Disc (CD) (if so equipped):
Push the tuning switch ``
'' or ``''
for more than 1.5 seconds to change the
playing disc up or down.
ANTENNA
Window antenna
The antenna pattern is printed inside the
rear window.
CAUTION
cDo not place metalized film near the
rear window glass or attach any
metal parts to it. This may cause
poor reception or noise.
cWhen cleaning the inside of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or
damage the rear window antenna.
Lightly wipe along the antenna with
a dampened soft cloth.When installing a CB, ham radio or car
phone in your NISSAN, be sure to observe
the following cautions, otherwise the new
equipment may adversely affect the MFI
(Multiport Fuel Injection) system and other
electronic parts.WARNING
cA cellular telephone should not be
used while driving so full attention
may be given to vehicle operation.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the use
of cellular telephones while driving.
cIf you must make a call while your
vehicle is in motion, the hands free
cellular phone operational mode (if
so equipped) is highly recom-
mended. Exercise extreme caution
at all times so full attention may be
given to vehicle operation.
cIf a conversation in a moving vehicle
requires you to take notes, pull off
the road to a safe location and stop
your vehicle before doing so.
CAR PHONE OR CB RADIO
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-29
ZX

CAUTION
cKeep the antenna as far as possible
away from the Engine Control Mod-
ule (ECM).
cKeep the antenna wire more than 8
in. (20 cm) away from the Multiport
Fuel Injection harness. Do not route
the antenna wire next to any har-
ness.
cAdjust the antenna standing-wave
ratio as recommended by the manu-
facturer.
cConnect the ground wire from the
CB radio chassis to the body.
cFor details, consult an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
4-30Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .......................5-2
Three-way catalyst ............................................5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ...........................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ....................5-4
Ignition switch .........................................................5-4
Automatic transmission .....................................5-4
Manual transmission..........................................5-5
Key positions .....................................................5-5
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS) ................................................................5-6
Before starting the engine ......................................5-6
Starting the engine .................................................5-7
Driving the vehicle ..................................................5-7
Automatic transmission .....................................5-7
Manual transmission........................................5-11
Parking brake .......................................................5-13
Cruise control (if so equipped) .............................5-14
Precautions on cruise control ..........................5-14Cruise control operations ................................5-14
Break-in schedule ................................................5-15
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-16
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-17
Power steering .....................................................5-18
Brake system........................................................5-18
Braking precautions .........................................5-18
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(if so equipped)................................................5-19
Traction control system (TCS) .............................5-20
Cold weather driving ............................................5-21
Freeing a frozen door lock ..............................5-21
Anti-freeze .......................................................5-21
Battery .............................................................5-21
Draining of coolant water ................................5-21
Tire equipment.................................................5-22
Special winter equipment ................................5-22
Driving on snow or ice.....................................5-22
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ..............5-23
ZX

WARNING
cThe exhaust gas and the exhaust-
system are very hot. Keep people,
animals or flammable materials
away from the exhaust system com-
ponents.
cDo not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
cDo not use leaded gasoline. Depos-
its from leaded gasoline seriously
reduce the three way catalyst's abil-
ity to help reduce exhaust pollut-
ants.
cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause over-
rich fuel flow into the three-way cata-
lyst, causing it to overheat. Do not
keep driving if the engine misfires,
or if noticeable loss of performance
or other unusual operating condi-
tions are detected. Have the vehicleinspected promptly by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive
speed, high speed cornering, or sudden
steering maneuvers, because these driving
practices could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle.As with any vehicle, loss of
control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause thevehicle to roll over, particularly if the loss
of control causes the vehicle to slide
sideways.Be attentive at all times, and
avoid driving when tired. Never drive when
under the influence of alcohol or drugs (in-
cluding prescription or over-the-counter
drugs which may cause drowsiness). Al-
ways wear your seat belt as outlined in the
``Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag
systems'' section of this manual, and also
instruct your passengers to do so.
Starting and driving5-3
ZX