2002 NISSAN ALTIMA checking oil

CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake and turn the ignition key to the ON
position without starting the engine. The
following lights come on:
,or,,,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off:
or,,,
If any light fails to come on, it may
indicate a burned-out bulb or an open
circuit in the electrical system. Have the
system repaired promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stopthe engineimmediatelyand call an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level.
See ``Engine oil'' in the ``Maintenance and
do-it-yourself'' section.
orBrake warning lightLow washer fluid warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsorAnti-lock brake warning lightLow fuel warning light
High beam indicator lightMalfunction indicator lamp
(emission system)Trunk open warning light
Charge warning lightEngine oil pressure warning lightTraction control off indicator light
Door open warning lightCRUISE main switch indicator light
(if so equipped)Slip indicator light
Seat belt warning light and chimeCruise SET switch indicator light
(if so equipped)
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE
REMINDERS
2-8Instruments and controls
ZX

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements .....................................8-2
General maintenance .............................................8-3
Explanation of general maintenance
items ..................................................................8-3
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-5
Engine compartment check locations QR
engine .....................................................................8-7
Engine compartment check locations VQ
engine .....................................................................8-8
Engine cooling system ...........................................8-9
Checking engine coolant level ..........................8-9
Changing engine coolant ................................8-10
Engine oil .............................................................8-10
Checking engine oil level ................................8-10
Changing engine oil ........................................8-11
Changing engine oil filter.................................8-13
Automatic transmission fluid ................................8-14
Temperature conditions for checking ..............8-14
Power steering fluid..............................................8-15
Brake and clutch fluid...........................................8-16
Brake fluid........................................................8-16
Clutch fluid .......................................................8-16Window washer fluid ............................................8-17
Battery ..................................................................8-17
Jump starting ...................................................8-18
Drive belts ............................................................8-19
Spark plugs ..........................................................8-20
Replacing spark plugs (QR25DE) ...................8-20
Replacing spark plugs (VQ35DE) ...................8-20
Air cleaner ............................................................8-21
Cabin air filter (if so equipped) ........................8-21
Windshield wiper blades ......................................8-24
Cleaning ..........................................................8-24
Replacing .........................................................8-24
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................8-25
Checking parking brake...................................8-25
Checking brake pedal .....................................8-25
Brake booster ..................................................8-26
Clutch pedal .........................................................8-26
Checking clutch pedal .....................................8-26
Fuses ....................................................................8-27
Engine compartment .......................................8-27
Passenger compartment .................................8-28
Keyfob battery replacement .................................8-29
ZX

CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
An authorized NISSAN dealer can change
the engine coolant. The service procedure
is found in NISSAN's Service Manual.
Improper 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.
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 more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
WDI0145WDI0146
ENGINE OIL
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 2-20
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-17
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-9
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Door open warning light .............................. 2-9
Drive belts .................................................. 8-19
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-21
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-4
Driving with manual transmission ........... 5-5
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-16
Emission control information label............. 9-12
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-19
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant...................... 8-10
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-11
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-13
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-9
Checking engine oil level ..................... 8-10Engine compartment check
locations .......................................... 8-7, 8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-6
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-9
Engine oil .............................................. 8-10
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light .. 2-12, 2-8
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
Engine specifications .............................. 9-8
Starting the engine ................................. 5-7
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
Eyeglass case............................................ 2-26
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-23
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-5
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-14
Brake fluid............................................. 8-16
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-16
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-9
Engine oil .............................................. 8-10
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-15
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-17
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-11Front fog light switch ................................. 2-21
Front seats ................................................... 1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-16
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 3-12
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-12
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-3
Fuses ......................................................... 8-27
Fusible links ............................................... 8-27
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-6
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer............................................. 2-6
Trip odometer ......................................... 2-3
General maintenance .................................. 8-3
Glove box................................................... 2-28
Glove box lock ........................................... 2-28
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-23
Head restraints ............................................ 1-7
10-2
ZX

O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ........ 9-3
Odometer ..................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-11
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-13
Checking engine oil level ..................... 8-10
Engine oil .............................................. 8-10
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-16
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 6-8
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ................................................. 9-21
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-25
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-13
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-17
Power
Power door locks .................................... 3-3
Power outlet.......................................... 2-25
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-15
Power steering system ......................... 5-18Power windows..................................... 2-31
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ................ 8-2, 8-5
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-21
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting ................................................ 6-8
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio ......................... 4-29
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ....................................... 4-16, 4-21
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test..................................................... 9-20
Rear seat ..................................................... 1-6
Rear window defogger switch ................... 2-17
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-7
Registering your vehicle in another
country ....................................................... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system ..................... 3-5
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-19
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-19
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment................ 1-3
Front power seat adjustment.................. 1-4Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-21
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-28
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-28
Seat belts.............................................. 1-21
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........... 1-27
Three-point type with retractor ............. 1-24
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-9
Seatback pockets ...................................... 2-26
Seatback side pockets............................... 2-26
Seats
Front seats.............................................. 1-2
Heated seats ........................................ 2-24
Rear seat ................................................ 1-6
Self-adjusting brakes ................................. 8-26
Servicing air conditioner ............................ 4-11
Shifting
Manual transmission............................. 5-12
Shoulder belt height adjustment ................ 1-27
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-20
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Spotlights (See map light) ......................... 2-34
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-19
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Jump starting................................. 6-6, 8-18
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting........................................... 6-8
Starting the engine ................................. 5-7
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-15
Power steering system ......................... 5-18
10-4
ZX