2003 NISSAN ALTIMA automatic transmission

cCrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help sta-
bilize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. 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
5th 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 reduced
braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on tire wear rate when tested under controlled
conditions on specified government test courses.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and a half (1-1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. However,
relative tire performance depends on actual driv-
ing conditions, and may vary significantly 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 represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. 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, hydroplan-
ing 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 conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature 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 rep-
resent higher levels of performance on laboratory
test wheels than the minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information9-17
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10 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system)......................1-8
Air bag warning light...........1-20, 2-10
Air cleaner housing filter............8-22
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation...........4-5
Air conditioner service...........4-12
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations........9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls.................4-3, 4-11
Servicing air conditioner..........4-12
Air flow charts..................4-6
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-12
Anchor point locations.............1-38
Antenna.....................4-28
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-18
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-8
Armrests.....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-12
Audio system..................4-13
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-20
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-15
Radio....................4-13
Autolight switch.................2-20Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-34
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Transmission selector lever lock release . .5-9
B
Battery......................8-18
Charge warning light.............2-9
Battery replacement
(See remote keyless entry system). . . .3-8, 8-30
Before starting the engine............5-6
Belts (See drive belts).............8-20
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-18
Brake booster................8-27
Brake fluid..................8-16
Brake light (See stop light).........8-33
Brake pedal.................8-26
Brake system................5-17
Brake warning light..............2-9
Brake wear indicators........2-12, 8-27
Parking brake check............8-26
Parking brake operation..........5-12
Self-adjusting brakes............8-27
Break-in schedule................5-14
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-22
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-8
Bulb replacement................8-33C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-28
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-27
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light)........2-11
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-38
Child restraints.......1-24, 1-25, 1-30, 1-37
Precautions on child restraints.......1-30
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-38
Child safety rear door lock............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-12
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock...................4-16, 4-21
Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-17
Cold weather driving..............5-20
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls .4-3, 4-11
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-13
Cup holders...................2-28
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D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-21
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch.......2-17
Dimensions and weights.............9-8
Door locks....................3-3
Door open warning light.............2-9
Drive belts....................8-20
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-20
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Driving with manual transmission.....5-10
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-15
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-18
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..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Engine cooling system............8-9
Engine oil..................8-10Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light......2-9
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine..............5-6
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
Eyeglass case..................2-28
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-24
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Brake fluid..................8-16
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-17
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..........9-10
Fog light switch.................2-22
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-15
Fuel filler cap................3-13
Fuel filler lid.................3-13
Fuel filler lid and cap............3-13Fuel filler lid lock opener lever.......3-13
Fuel gauge..................2-7
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuses......................8-27
Fusible links...................8-28
G
Garage door opener, HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver...................2-38
Gascap.....................3-13
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Fuel gauge..................2-7
Odometer...................2-3
Speedometer.................2-3
Tachometer..................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-3
General maintenance..............8-2
Glove box....................2-29
Glove box lock.................2-29
H
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-24
Head restraints..................1-7
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-18
Heated seats..................2-25
Heater
Heater and air conditioner
controls.................4-3, 4-11
Heater operation............4-4, 4-11
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.......2-38
10-2
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O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4
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.............3-17
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats...........6-9
Owner’s manual order form..........9-20
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-20
P
Parking
Parking brake check............8-26
Parking brake operation..........5-12
Parking/parking on hills...........5-16
Power
Power door locks...............3-4
Power outlet.................2-26
Power steering fluid.............8-15
Power steering system...........5-17
Power windows...............2-33
Rear power windows............2-34
PrecautionsMaintenance precautions..........8-5
Precautions on child restraints.......1-30
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-22
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting...................6-8
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio...........4-28
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-20
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-15
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test........................9-19
Rear power windows..............2-34
Rear seat.....................1-6
Rear window defogger switch.........2-17
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country. . .9-9
Remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-18
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Child seat belts...............1-30
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-18
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2Front power seat adjustment........1-4
Rear seat adjustment.............1-6
Seat belt
Child safety.................1-24
Infants and small children.........1-25
Injured Person................1-25
Larger children...............1-25
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-22
Pregnant women..............1-25
Seat belt extenders.............1-29
Seat belt maintenance...........1-29
Seat belts..................1-22
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-28
Three-point type with retractor.......1-26
Seat belt warning light.............2-10
Seatback pockets................2-27
Seatback side pockets.............2-27
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Front seats..................1-2
Heated seats................2-25
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Rear seat...................1-6
Security system (Nissan vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start.........2-12, 3-2, 5-5
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-27
Service manual order form...........9-20
Servicing air conditioner............4-12
Shift lock release.................5-9
Shifting
Automatic transmission...........5-8
Manual transmission............5-10
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-28
Spark plug replacement............8-21
Speedometer...................2-3
Spotlights (See map light)...........2-37
10-4
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
04/21/03Ðdebbie
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SRS warning label...............1-20
Starting
Before starting the engine..........5-6
Jump starting.................6-6
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting.................6-8
Starting the engine..............5-6
Steering
Power steering fluid.............8-15
Power steering system...........5-17
Tilting steering wheel............3-14
Stop light....................8-33
Storage.....................2-27
Sunglasses case................2-28
Sunglasses holder...............2-28
Sunroof.....................2-35
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-20, 2-10
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-20
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-8
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-8
Switch
Autolight switch...............2-20
Automatic power window switch.....2-34
Fog light switch...............2-22
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-24
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-18
Ignition switch................5-4
Power door lock switch...........3-4
Rear window defogger switch.......2-17
Traction control system (TCS) off
switch....................2-26
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-16T
Tachometer....................2-5
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Theft (Nissan vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start..............2-12, 3-2, 5-5
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tilting steering wheel..............3-14
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-44
Tire chains..................8-42
Tire placard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-40
Tire rotation.................8-42
Types of tires................8-41
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-17
Wheels and tires..............8-40
Wheel/tire size................9-8
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-38
Towing
Flat towing..................6-12
Tow truck towing..............6-10
Towing load/specification chart......9-15
Trailer towing................9-14
Traction control system (TCS) off switch . . .2-26
Transceiver
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.....2-38
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Driving with manual transmission.....5-10
Selector lever lock release..........5-9
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country)......................9-9
Trip odometer...................2-3
Trunk access through the rear seat.......1-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever...........3-11
Trunk light....................2-37
Turn signal switch (See headlight
and turn signal switch)..........2-18, 2-22
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-17
V
Vanity mirror...................3-15
Vehicle dimensions and weights........9-8
Vehicle identification...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number).................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. . . .9-9
Vehicle loading information...........9-12
Vehicle recovery.............6-11, 6-12
Vehicle security system.........2-12, 4-12
Vehicle security system (Nissan vehicle
immobilizer system) , engine start . .2-12, 3-2, 5-5
Ventilators.....................4-2
10-5
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
04/21/03Ðdebbie
X