2003 NISSAN ALTIMA steering

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate) Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20 gal 16-5/8 gal 75.8 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil *7
Drain and Refill
With oil filter change QR25DE 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt 4.2
• API Certification Mark *2 *3
• API grade SL, Energy Conserving *2 *3
• ILSAC grade GF-III*2 *3 VQ35DE 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt 4.0
Without oil filter change QR25DE 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt 4.0
VQ35DE 3-7/8 qt 3-1/4 qt 3.7
Cooling system
With reservoir
QR25DE 8 qt 6-3/4 qt 7.6
50% Genuine NISSAN Anti-freeze Long Life Coolant or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
VQ35DE 8-5/8 qt 7-1/4 qt 8.2
Manual transmission gear oil 4-7/8 pt 4 pt 2.3 API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the instructions in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.Genuine Nissan Matic D ATF (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or Canada
NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid.*4
Power steering fluid (PSF)Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*8
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*5 or equivalent DOT 3
(US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease———NLGINo.2(Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant— — — HFC-134a (R-134a)*6
Air conditioning system lubricants— — — NISSAN A/C System Lubricant Type DH-PS or equivalent*6
Winshield washer fluid— — — Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-freeze
or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Fuel recommendation.”
*2: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations.”
*3: For further details, see “Recommended SAE engine oil viscosity.”
*4: Dexron™ III/Mercon™ or equivalent may also be used. Outside the Continental United States and Alaska contact a NISSAN dealership for more information regarding suitable fluids, including rec-
ommended brand(s) of Dexron™ III/Mercon™ Automatic Transmission Fluid.
*5: Available in mainland USA through your NISSAN dealer.
*6: For further details, see “Air conditioner specification label.”
*7: For further details, see “Changing engine oil.”
*8: For Canada, NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) , Dexron™ III/Mercon™, or equivalent ATF may also be used.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
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Your new vehicle was designed to be used pri-
marily to carry passengers and cargo. Remember
that towing a trailer places additional loads on
your vehicle’s engine, drive train, steering, brak-
ing and other systems.
ANissan Trailer Towing Guide (U.S. only)is
available from a NISSAN dealer. This guide in-
cludes information on trailer towing ability and the
special equipment required for proper towing.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed the
value specified in the Towing Load/Specification
Chart found later in this section. The total trailer
load equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.
Towing loads greater than specified or using
improper towing equipment could adversely af-
fect vehicle handling, braking and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is not
only related to the maximum trailer loads, but also
the places you plan to tow. Tow weights appro-
priate for level highway driving may have to be
reduced on very steep grades or in low traction
situations (for example, on slippery boat ramps) .
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from improper
towing procedures are not covered by
NISSAN warranties. A NISSAN Trailer
Towing Guide (U.S. only) containing infor-
mation on trailer towing ability and the
special equipment required may be ob-
tained from a NISSAN dealer.
Tongue load
Keep the tongue load between9-11percent of
the total trailer load within the maximum tongue
load limits shown in the following Towing
Load/Specification Chart. If the tongue load be-
comes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow for
proper tongue load.
CA0009
TOWING A TRAILER
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to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. When wiring the vehicle for
towing, connect the stop and tail light pickup into
the vehicle electrical circuit.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly 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 possible
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 practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving 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.
c
Always 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 transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, and
then move the transmission shift selector
lever into the P (Park) position. If you move
the shift selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion before blocking 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 going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating. However, for
long steep grades, do not stay in 1st or 2nd
gear when driving above 35 MPH (56 km/h) .
cIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioner
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally 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 your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
cHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
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.
9-16Technical and consumer information
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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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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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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
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