2003 NISSAN ALTIMA light

Malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL)
If this indicator lamp comes on steady or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate a
potential emission control malfunction.
The malfunction indicator lamp may also come on
steady if the fuel filler cap is loose or missing, or if
the vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make sure
the fuel filler cap is installed and closed tightly,
and that the vehicle has at least 3 gallons of fuel
in the fuel tank.
After a few driving trips, the
lamp should
turn off if no other potential emission control
system malfunction exists.
Operation
The malfunction indicator lamp will come on in
one of two ways:
cMalfunction indicator lamp on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel filler cap. If
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 a NISSAN dealer. Youdo not need to have your vehicle towed to
the dealer.
cMalfunction indicator lamp blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system. To re-
duce or avoid emission control system dam-
age:
– do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h) .
– avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator lamp may stop blinking
and come on steady. Have the vehicle inspected by
a NISSAN dealer. You do not need to have your
vehicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without hav-
ing the emission control system checked
and repaired as necessary could lead to
poor driveability, reduced fuel economy,
and possible damage to the emission con-
trol system.
Slip indicator light (if so
equipped)
This indicator light will blink when the traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. Slippery
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 the ON position. 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 a
NISSAN dealer.
The system operates in all transmission shift lever
positions, but the system can upshift the trans-
mission only as high as the indicated shift lever
position.
Traction control system 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 control system
is not functioning properly. Have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
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The light comes on when the traction control off
switch is pushed to OFF. This indicates the trac-
tion control system is not operating.
Push the traction control off switch again or re-
start the engine and the system will operate nor-
mally. See “Traction control” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn signal
switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is turned
on.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a brake pad requires replacement, 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 possible 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 if
the headlights or parking lights are on.
Turn the headlight control switch off before leav-
ing the vehicle.
Your vehicle has two types of security systems:
cNISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System—NVIS
cVehicle security system (if so equipped)
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM (NVIS)
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS)
will not allow the engine to start without the use of
a registered NVIS key.
LIC0301
SECURITY SYSTEMS
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If the engine fails to start using a registered NVIS
key (for example, when interference is caused by
another NVIS key, an automated toll road device
or automatic payment device on the key ring) ,
restart the engine using the following proce-
dures:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position
for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF or LOCK
position, and wait approximately 5 seconds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device
(which may have caused the interference)
separate from the registered NVIS key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, NISSAN rec-
ommends placing the registered NVIS key on a
separate key ring to avoid interference from other
devices.
Statement related to Section 15 of FCC
Rules for NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer Sys-
tem (CONT ASSY — IMMOBILIZER, ANT
ASSY — IMMOBILIZER)This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the follow-
ing two conditions;
(1) This device may not cause harmful in-
terference, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including inter-
ference that may cause undesired opera-
tion of the device.
CHANGES OR MODIFICATIONS NOT EX-
PRESSLY APPROVED BY THE MANUFAC-
TURER FOR COMPLIANCE COULD VOID
THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE
THE EQUIPMENT.
Security indicator light (NISSAN Ve-
hicle Immobilizer System)
The security indicator lights1is located on the
instrument panel near the windshield.
The security indicator light blinks every 3 sec-
onds whenever the ignition switch is in the
LOCK, OFF or ACC position. This function indi-
cates the NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
(NVIS) is operational.
If the NVIS is malfunctioning, the light will remain
on while the ignition key is in the ON position.
WIC0270
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If the light still remains on and/or the en-
gine will not start, see a NISSAN dealer for
NVIS service as soon as possible. Please
bring all NVIS keys that you have when
visiting your NISSAN dealer for service.
VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
The vehicle security system provides visual and
audio alarm signals if parts of the vehicle are
disturbed.
Security indicator light (Vehicle secu-
rity system)
The security indicator lights1is located on the
instrument panel near the windshield.
The security indicator light shows the status of
the vehicle security system.
The light operates whenever the ignition switch is
in the LOCK, OFF, or ACC position.
The vehicle security system has four phases. For
each phase the operation of the security indicator
light is different.
How to arm the vehicle security sys-
tem
1. Close all windows.(The system can be
armed even if the windows are open.)
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
WIC0270
LIC0053
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3. Close the trunk lid and all doors. Lock all
doors. The doors can be locked with the key,
power door lock switch or with the keyfob.
Keyfob operation:
cPush the
button on the keyfob.
All doors lock. The hazard lights flash
twice and the horn beeps once to indicate
all doors are locked.
cWhen the
button is pushed with
all doors locked, the hazard lights flash
twice and the horn beeps once as a re-
minder that the doors are already locked.
The horn may or may not beep. Refer to
“Silencing the horn beep feature” later in this
section.
4. Confirm that the SECURITY indicator light
comes on. The SECURITY light stays on for
about 30 seconds. The vehicle security sys-
tem is now pre-armed. After about 30 sec-
onds the vehicle security system automati-
cally shifts into the armed phase. The
SECURITY light begins to flash once every 3
seconds. If, during the 30-second pre-arm
time period, the door is unlocked by the key
or the keyfob, or the ignition key is turned to
ACC or ON, the system will not arm.cIf the key is turned slowly when locking
the door, the system may not arm. Fur-
thermore, if the key is turned beyond
the vertical position toward the unlock
position to remove the key, the system
may be disarmed when the key is re-
moved. If the indicator light fails to
glow for 30 seconds, unlock the door
once and lock it again.
cEven when the driver and/or passen-
gers are in the vehicle, the system will
arm with all doors and trunk lid closed
and locked with the ignition key in the
OFF position.
Vehicle security system activation
The vehicle security system will give the following
alarm:
cThe headlights blink and the horn sounds
intermittently.
cThe alarm automatically turns off after ap-
proximately 1 minute. However, the alarm
reactivates if the vehicle is tampered with
again. The alarm can be shut off by unlocking
a door or trunk lid with the key, or by pressing
the
button on the keyfob.The alarm is activated by:
copening the door or trunk lid without using
the key or keyfob (even if the door is un-
locked by releasing the door inside lock
switch) or opening the trunk lid by operating
the opener lever.
How to stop an activated alarm
The alarm stops only by unlocking a door or the
trunk lid with the key, or by pressing the
button on the keyfob.
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Silencing the horn beep feature
If desired, the horn beep feature can be deacti-
vated using the keyfob.
To deactivate:Press and hold both the
andbuttons at the same timefor at least
2 seconds.
The hazard lights will quickly flash 3 times to
confirm that the horn beep feature has been
deactivated.
To activate:Press and hold both the
andbuttons at the same timefor at least
2 seconds once more.The hazard lights will quickly flash once and the
horn will sound once to confirm that the horn
beep feature has been reactivated.
Deactivating the horn feature does not silence
the horn if the alarm is triggered.
If the system does not operate as described
above, have it checked by a NISSAN dealer.
1. Intermittent (if so equipped)
2. Low speed
3. High speed
4. Wash
5. Intermittent control (if so equipped)
6. Mist
SWITCH OPERATION
The ignition switch must be in the ON position for
the wipers or washer to be activated.
Push the lever down to operate the windshield
wipers. Pull the lever toward you to operate the
washer.
WIC0271WIC0311
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER
SWITCH
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cIntermittent (if so equipped) — intermittent
wiper operation.
cLow speed — continuous low speed opera-
tion.
cHigh speed — continuous high speed op-
eration.
cWash — pull the lever toward you to operate
the washer function. Operating the washer
automatically cycles the wipers several
times.
cIntermittent control (if so equipped) — inter-
mittent wiper operation can be adjusted
from 1-19 seconds by turning the time con-
trol knob.
cMist — push the lever up to activate the mist
feature.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer solu-
tion may freeze on the windshield and
obscure your vision which may lead to an
accident. Warm the windshield with the
defroster before you wash the windshield.
CAUTION
cDo not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.cDo not operate the washer if the reser-
voir tank is empty.
cDo not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol
based washer fluid concentrates may
permanently stain the grille if spilled
while filling the window washer reser-
voir tank.
cPre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank.
Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concen-
trate and water.
To defrost the rear window glass, start the engine
and push the rear window defroster switch on.
The rear window defroster indicator light on the
switch comes on. Push the switch again to turn
the defroster off.
The rear window defroster automatically turns off
after approximately 15 minutes.
Type A
WIC0272
REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER
SWITCH
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CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or dam-
age the rear window defroster.
NOTE:
The top few rows of wires on the rear win-
dow are not part of the rear window de-
froster system. These wires make up the
antenna for the audio system.
XENON HEADLIGHTS
WARNING
cHIGH VOLTAGE
cWhen xenon headlights are on, they
produce a high voltage. To prevent an
electric shock, never attempt to modify
or disassemble. Always have your xe-
non headlights replaced at a NISSAN
dealer.
cXenon headlights provide considerably
more light than conventional head-
lights. If they are not correctly aimed,
they might temporarily blind an oncom-
ing driver or the driver ahead of you and
cause a serious accident. If headlights
are not aimed correctly, immediately
take your vehicle to a NISSAN dealer
and have the headlights adjusted
correctly.
When the xenon headlight is initially turned on, its
brightness or color varies slightly. However, the
color and brightness will soon stabilize.cThe life of xenon headlights will be
shortened by frequent on-off opera-
tion. It is generally desirable not to turn
off the headlights for short intervals
(for example, when the vehicle stops at
a traffic signal) . Even when the daytime
running lights are active (Canada only) ,
the xenon headlights do not turn on.
This way the life of the xenon head-
lights is not reduced.
cIf the xenon headlight bulb is close to
burning out, the brightness will drasti-
cally decrease, the light will start blink-
ing, or the color of the light will be-
come reddish. If one or more of the
above signs appear, contact a NISSAN
dealer.
Type B
LIC0317
HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
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