2002 NISSAN ALTIMA maintenance

placed. Contact an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position. The engine could rotate
unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of
unusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness.
If the belt is in poor condition or is loose,
have it replaced or adjusted by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
2.
Have the belts checked regularly for condi-
tion and tension in accordance with the main-
tenance schedule found in the ``NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide.''
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DRIVE BELTS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
ZX

Platinum-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace platinum-
tipped spark plugs as frequently as conven-
tional type spark plugs because they last
much longer. Follow the maintenance
schedule, but do not reuse the spark plugs
by cleaning or regapping.
cAlways replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
(QR25DE)
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the coil pack bolt.
3. Remove the coil pack/spark plug boot
from the spark plug.
4. Remove the spark plugs with a spark
plug socket.
The plug socket has a rubber seal that
holds the spark plug so it does not fall
when it is pulled out. Make sure each
spark plug is snugly fitted into the spark
plug socket.5. Fit the new plugs, one at a time, into the
spark plug socket and install them.Use
only the specified spark plugs.Turn
each plug several full turns by hand, then
tighten with the spark plug socket to the
correct torque. Do not overtighten.
Spark plug tightening torque:
14 to 22 ft-lb
(20 to 29 Nzm)
6. Install the coil pack/spark plug boot on
the spark plug by pushing it on until you
feel a snap.
7. Install the coil pack bolt.
Coil pack tightening torque:
48-65 in-lb
(5.4 - 7.3 Nzm)
8. Connect the negative battery cable.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
(VQ35DE)
If replacement is required, see your NIS-
SAN dealer for servicing.
WDI0005
SPARK PLUGS
8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned
and reused. Replace it according to the
maintenance intervals shown in the
``NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide.''
When replacing the filter, wipe the inside of
the air cleaner filter housing and the cover
with a damp cloth.
WARNING
cOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops the
flame if the engine backfires. If it
isn't there, and the engine backfires,
you could be burned. Do not drive
with the air cleaner removed, and be
careful when working on the engine
with the air cleaner removed.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.CABIN AIR FILTER (if so
equipped)
The cabin air filter restricts the entry of
airborne dust and pollen particles and re-
duces some objectionable outside odors.
The filter is located behind the glove box.
Refer to the ``Nissan Service and Mainte-
nance Guide'' for change intervals.
To replace the filter, perform the following
procedure:
LDI0084
AIR CLEANER
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-21
ZX

1. Remove the 2 lower glove box hinge
pins. Remove the glove box from the
opening and let it hang by the cord.2. Remove the filter cover from the intake
unit by disengaging the 2 hook tabs at
the bottom of the cover.NOTE:
The filter is marked ``UP'' with an arrow.
The end of the filter with the arrow
should face the rear of the vehicle.
3. Slide the filter into the housing.
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8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

NOTE:
Make sure the filter sits on top of the 2
supporting tabs on the hosing.
4. Replace the cover by inserting the upper
tabs inside the housing slot and pushing
the hook tabs until they snap onto the
housing lip.
5. Install the glove box door.
6. Fill out the date information on the small
replacement label and attach it to the
glove box lid.
LDI0157
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-23
ZX

CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chat-
ters when running, wax or other material
may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when rinsing with clear water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild deter-
gent. Then rinse the blade with clear water.
If your windshield is still not clear aftercleaning the blades and using the wiper,
replace the blades.CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can
damage the windshield and impair
driver vision.
REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.
1. Pull the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield.
2. Push the tab, then move the wiper blade
down the wiper arm to remove.3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper
arm until it clicks.
CAUTION
c
After wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when
the hood is opened.
cMake sure the wiper blades contact
the glass; otherwise the arms may
be damaged from wind pressure.
ADI1022
WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
8-24Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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.
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PARKING BRAKE AND BRAKE
PEDAL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-25
ZX

Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear, disc-type brakes self-
adjust every time the brake pedal is applied.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have
audible wear indicators. When a brake pad
requires replacement, it makes a high
pitched scraping or screeching sound when
the vehicle is in motion whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear
indicator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regard-
ing brake inspections, see the appropriate
maintenance schedule information in the
``NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide.''
BRAKE BOOSTER
Check the brake booster function as fol-
lows:
1. With the engine off, press and release
the brake pedal several times. When
brake pedal movement (distance of
travel) remains the same from one pedal
application to the next, continue on to the
next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start
the engine. The pedal height should drop
a little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keep the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds. The pedal height
should not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without
depressing the brake pedal, then turn it
off. Depress the brake pedal several
times. The pedal travel distance will de-
crease gradually with each depression
as the vacuum is released from the
booster.
If the brakes do not operate properly, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
CHECKING CLUTCH PEDAL
Press the pedal by hand and be sure the
free travel is within the limits shown above.
If free travel is out of the range shown
above, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.
ADI0528
CLUTCH PEDAL
8-26Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX