2002 NISSAN ALTIMA wheel

cImproper service of the spare tire
may result in serious personal in-
jury. If it is necessary to repair the
spare tire, contact an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
booklet (Canada).
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
tread design, speed rating and load carrying
capacity as originally equipped. Recom-
mended types and sizes are shown in
``wheels/tire size'' in the ``Technical and con-
sumer information'' section of this manual.
WARNING
c
The use of tires other than those rec-
ommended, or the mixed use of tires
of different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted, radial), or tread patternscan adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, ground clearance, body-to-
tire clearance, tire chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight
aim and bumper height. Some of these
effects may lead to accidents and
could result in serious personal injury.
cIf the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same off-set dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different off-set
could cause premature tire wear, de-
grade vehicle handling characteris-
tics and/or interference with the
brake discs/drums. Such interfer-
ence can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake
pad/shoe wear. Refer to ``Wheel/tire
size'' in the ``Technical and con-
sumer information'' section of this
manual for wheel off-set dimen-
sions.
cDo not install a deformed wheel or
tire even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have unknown
structural damage and could fail
without warning.cThe use of retread tires is not recom-
mended.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
Booklet (Canada).
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be per-
formed with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin
balancing the front wheels on the vehicle
could lead to transmission damage.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety In-
formation'' in the Warranty Information
Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety Informa-
tion'' in the Warranty and Roadside As-
sistance Information Booklet (Canada).
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-41
ZX

Care of wheels
cWash the wheels when washing the ve-
hicle to maintain their appearance.
cClean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
cDo not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
cInspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
cNISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare
tire
Observe the following precautions if the
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire must
be used, otherwise your vehicle could be
damaged or involved in an accident:
WARNING
cThe spare tire should be used for
emergency use only. It should be
replaced with the standard tire at the
first opportunity to avoid possible
tire or differential damage.
cDrive carefully while the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire is in-
stalled. Avoid sharp turns and
abrupt braking while driving.
cPeriodically check spare tire infla-
tion pressure. Always keep the pres-
sure of the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire at 60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 bar).
cWith the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire installed do not drive the
vehicle at speeds faster than 50 MPH
(80 km/h).
cWhen driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire should be used on
the rear wheels and the original tire
used on the front wheels (drive
wheels). Use tire chains only on the
front (original) tires.cTire tread of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire will wear at a faster
rate than the standard tire. Replace
the spare tire as soon as the tread
wear indicators appear.
cDo not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
cDo not use more than one spare tire
at the same time.
cDo not tow a trailer when the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire is
installed.
CAUTION
cDo not use tire chains on the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire
chains will not fit properly and may
cause damage to the vehicle.
cBecause the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire is smaller than the
original tire, ground clearance is re-
duced. To avoid damage to the ve-
hicle, do not drive over obstacles.
Also, do not drive the vehicle
through an automatic car wash since
it may get caught.
8-42Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ........9-2
Fuel recommendation ........................................9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ...........9-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number ..............9-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ...............................9-7
Specifications .........................................................9-8
Engine ...............................................................9-8
Wheels and tires................................................9-9
Dimensions and weights ...................................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ....................................................9-10
Vehicle identification ............................................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................................9-10
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) .............................................9-10
Engine serial number ......................................9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........................9-11
Emission control information label ..................9-12Tire placard......................................................9-12
Air conditioner specification label ....................9-12
Installing front license plate..................................9-13
Vehicle loading information ..................................9-13
Terms...............................................................9-13
Determining vehicle load capacity...................9-14
Loading tips .....................................................9-14
Towing a trailer.....................................................9-15
Maximum load limits ........................................9-15
Towing load/specification chart .......................9-16
Towing safety ..................................................9-16
Uniform tire quality grading ..................................9-18
Emission control system warranty .......................9-19
Reporting safety defects (US only) ......................9-19
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) .......................................................9-20
Owner's manual/service manual order
information .......................................................9-21
In the event of a collision ................................9-22
ZX

WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheels
Steel All 2.5 models 16 x 6.5JJ
Aluminum All 3.5 models 17 x 7JJ
T type (Spare) 16 x 4T
Offset in (mm) 1.57 (40)
Tire size All 2.5 models 205/65R16
All 3.5 models 215/55R17
Spare tire T135/70R16
Spare tire T135/90R16
(1)
Spare tire
T135/90D16(1)
Speed Rating 2.5L T
3.5L A/T H
3.5L M/T V
(1) if so equipped
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Overall length in (mm) 191.5 (4,864)
Overall width in (mm) 70.4 (1,788)
Overall height in (mm) 57.9 (1,471)
Front tread in (mm) 61.0 (1,549)
Rear tread in (mm) 61.2 (1,554)
Wheelbase in (mm) 110.2 (2,799)
Gross vehicle weight rating lb (kg)
See the ``F.M.V.S.S.
certification label'' on
the driver side, center
door pillar. Gross axle weight rating
Front lb (kg)
Rear lb (kg)
Technical and consumer information9-9
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
9-17
ZX

speed. This combination will help stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember, the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance, do
not use fifth gear (manual transmission)
or overdrive (automatic transmission).
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, change the trans-
mission fluid more frequently. For addi-
tional information see the ``Maintenance
and do-it-yourself'' section earlier in this
manual.DOT (Department of Transportation) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to federal safety requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tempera-
ture A
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test courses. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1-1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. However,
relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary signifi-
cantly due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-sent the tire's ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled condi-
tions on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A, B and C
Temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. They represent a tire's resistance to
heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause tire material to degenerate, reducing
tire life. Excessive temperatures can lead to
sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds to
a performance level which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A
and B represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on laboratory test wheels than the
minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
9-18Technical and consumer information
ZX

Tilting steering wheel............................ 3-13
Storage ...................................................... 2-26
Sunglasses case........................................ 2-26
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-33
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels ............ 1-19
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).................... 1-8
Switch
Autolamp switch ................................... 2-20
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-32
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-21
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-23
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-18
Ignition switch ......................................... 5-4
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-17
T
Tachometer .................................................. 2-6
Three-way catalyst....................................... 5-2
Tilting steering wheel ................................. 3-13
Tire
Flat tire.................................................... 6-2
Spare tire....................................... 6-5, 8-42
Tire chains ............................................ 8-39
Tire placard........................................... 9-12
Tire pressure ............................... 8-38, 9-16
Tire rotation .......................................... 8-40
Uniform tire quality grading .................. 9-18
Wheels and tires................................... 8-38Wheel/tire size ........................................ 9-9
Towing
Tow truck towing .................................... 6-9
Towing load/specification chart ............ 9-16
Trailer towing ........................................ 9-15
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-14
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-4
Driving with manual transmission ........... 5-5
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country)......................................... 9-10
Trip odometer .............................................. 2-3
Trunk access through the rear seat ............ 1-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever ........................ 3-10
Trunk light .................................................. 2-35
Turn signal switch (See headlight and turn
signal switch) .................................... 2-18, 2-21
U
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-18
V
Vanity mirror .............................................. 3-14
Vehicle dimensions and weights ................. 9-9
Vehicle identification .................................. 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(chassis number) ....................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate ........................................................... 9-10Vehicle loading information ....................... 9-13
Vehicle recovery ........................................ 6-11
Vehicle security system ............................. 2-14
Ventilators .................................................... 4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light ............ 1-14, 1-19, 2-9
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-23
Vehicle security system ........................ 2-14
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-19
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ................................................ 2-8
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ...... 9-9
Wheels and tires ........................................ 8-38
Wheel/tire size ............................................. 9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country ...................................... 9-10
Window washer fluid.................................. 8-17
Windows
Locking passengers' windows .............. 2-32
Power windows..................................... 2-31
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 2-17
Wiper
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-17
Wiper blades......................................... 8-24
10-5
ZX