2003 NISSAN ALTIMA engine

This manual includes information for all options
available on this model. Therefore, you may find
some information that does not apply to your
vehicle.
All information, specifications and illustrations in
this manual are those in effect at the time of
printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change
specifications or design without notice and with-
out obligation.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT
THIS MANUAL
You will see various symbols in this manual. They
are used in the following ways:
WARNING
This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause death or serious
personal injury. To avoid or reduce the
risk, the procedures must be followed
precisely.
CAUTION
This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause minor or moder-
ate personal injury or damage to your ve-
hicle. To avoid or reduce the risk, the pro-
cedures must be followed carefully.If you see this symbol, it means“Do not do this”
or“Do not let this happen.”
If you see a symbol similar to these in an illustra-
tion, it means the arrow points to the front of the
vehicle.
Arrows in an illustration that are similar to these
indicate movement or action.
Arrows in an illustration that are similar to these
call attention to an item in the illustration.
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents,
and certain vehicle components contain
or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth de-
fects or other reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids contained in vehicles
and certain products of component wear
contain or emit chemicals known to the
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive harm.
© 2003 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
GARDENA, CALIFORNIA
All rights reserved. No part of this Owner’s
Manual may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form, or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,
recording or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of Nissan North America, Inc., Gar-
dena, California.
APD1005
WHEN READING THE MANUAL
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The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.

Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedication to
produce the finest in safe, reliable and economical
transportation. Your vehicle is the product of a suc-
cessful worldwide company that manufactures cars
and trucks in over 17 countries and distributes them
in 170 nations.
NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufactured
by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was founded in
Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSAN affiliates world-
wide, collectively growing to become the fifth largest
automaker in the world. In addition to cars and
trucks, NISSAN also makes forklift trucks, marine
engines, boats and other diversified products.
NISSAN has made a substantial and growing in-
vestment in North America. NISSAN’s commitment
is over $6 billion dollars in capital investments in
facilities across the continent. Some of the facilities
include the Nissan Manufacturing facilities in Can-
ton, Mississippi and in Smyrna, Tennessee, vehiclestyling design at Nissan Design America, Inc. in San
Diego, California, and engineering at Nissan Tech-
nical Center North America in Farmington Hills,
Michigan. Additionally, NISSAN employs nearly
19,000 people throughout the United States,
Canada, and Mexico. An additional 60,000 people
work for the 1,250 NISSAN and INFINITI dealers
across North America.
NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to the
Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its suppli-
ers and over 150 dealers employ approximately
4,500 people. These include company employees
and the staffs of NISSAN dealers all across Canada.
In addition, many Canadians work for companies
that supply NISSAN and NISSAN dealers with ma-
terials and services ranging from the operation of
port facilities and transportation services, to the
supply of lubricants, parts and accessories.NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics and com-
puters in automobiles, and has led the industry in
improving both performance and fuel efficiency
through new engine designs and the use of syn-
thetic materials to reduce vehicle weight. The com-
pany has also developed ways to build quality into its
vehicles at each stage of the production process,
both through extensive use of automation and —
most importantly — through an awareness that
people
are the central element in quality control.
From the time the parts arrived from our suppliers
until you took delivery of your new NISSAN, dozens
of checks were made to ensure that only the best job
was being done in producing and delivering your
vehicle. NISSAN also takes great care to ensure that
when you take your NISSAN to your dealer for
maintenance, the service technician will perform his
work according to the quality standards that have
been established by NISSAN.
Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. As you
know, seat belts are an integral part of the safety
systems that will help protect you and your passen-
gers in the event of a sudden stop or an accident.
We urge you to use the seat belts every time you
drive the vehicle.
The NISSAN story of growth and achievement re-
flects our major goal: to provide you, our customer,
with a vehicle that is built with quality and craftsman-
ship — a product that we can be proud to build and
you can be proud to own.
WFW0002
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF NISSAN
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Seat lifter (if so equipped for driver’s
seat)
Turn either dial to adjust the angle and height of
the seat cushion to the desired position.
FRONT POWER SEAT
ADJUSTMENT (if so equipped for
Driver’s seat)
WARNING
cDo not adjust the driver’s seat while
driving so full attention may be given to
vehicle operation. The seat may move
suddenly and could cause loss of con-
trol of the vehicle.cDo not leave children unattended inside
the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac-
tivate switches or controls and become
trapped in a window. Unattended chil-
dren could become involved in serious
accidents.Operating tips
cThe motor has an auto-reset overload protec-
tion circuit. If the motor stops during operation,
wait 30 seconds, then reactivate the switch.
cDo not operate the power seat switch for a
long period of time when the engine is off.
This will discharge the battery.
WRS0131WRS0163
1-4Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer.....................2-3
Trip computer..................................2-4
Tachometer....................................2-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge...............2-6
Fuel gauge....................................2-7
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders.......2-8
Checking bulbs................................2-8
Warning lights.................................2-8
Indicator lights................................2-10
Audible reminders.............................2-12
Security systems.................................2-12
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system (NVIS)........2-12
Vehicle security system (if so equipped)..........2-14
Windshield wiper and washer switch...............2-16
Switch operation..............................2-16
Rear window defroster switch......................2-17
Headlight and turn signal switch....................2-18
Xenon headlights..............................2-18
Headlight control switch........................2-19
Daytime running light system (Canada only)......2-21
Instrument brightness control...................2-22Turn signal switch.............................2-22
Fog light switch (if so equipped)................2-22
Hazard warning flasher switch.....................2-24
Horn............................................2-24
Heated seat (if so equipped).......................2-25
Traction control system (TCS) off switch
(if so equipped)..................................2-26
Power outlet.....................................2-26
Storage.........................................2-27
Seatback pockets (if so equipped)..............2-27
Seatback side pockets (if so equipped)..........2-27
Sunglasses holder.............................2-28
Cup holders..................................2-28
Glove box....................................2-29
Console box..................................2-30
Covered storage box...........................2-31
Cargo net (if so equipped)......................2-32
Windows........................................2-33
Power windows...............................2-33
Sunroof (if so equipped)...........................2-35
Electric sunroof...............................2-35
Interior light......................................2-36
Map lights.......................................2-37
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TRIP COMPUTER
The display of the trip computer is situated in the
speedometer display. When the ignition is turned
to ON, the display scrolls all the modes of the trip
computer and then shows the mode chosen be-
fore the ignition switch is turned OFF.
If the battery terminal is disconnected,
push the trip computer mode switch more
than 1 second to activate the computer.
When the ignition switch is turned to ON, modes
of the trip computer can be selected by pushing
the trip mode switch on the steering wheel switch
for audio controls or by the trip computer change
button. The following modes can be selected:
Outside air temperature (ICY-°F or °C)
The outside air temperature is displayed in °F or
°C.
The outside air temperature mode includes a low
temperature warning feature: below 37°F (3°C) ,
the outside air temperature mode is automatically
selected and ICY will illuminate in order to draw
the driver’s attention. Press the mode switch if
you wish to return to the mode that was selectedbefore the warning occurred. The ICY indicator
will continue blinking as long as the temperature
remains below 39°F (4°C) .
The ambient temperature sensor is located in
front of the radiator. The sensor may be affected
by road or engine heat, wind directions and other
driving conditions. The display may differ from the
actual ambient temperature or the temperature
displayed on various signs or billboards.
Distance to empty (dte—mile or km)
The distance to empty (dte) mode provides you
with an estimation of the distance that can be
driven before refueling. The dte is constantly be-
ing calculated, based on the amount of fuel in the
fuel tank and the actual fuel consumption.
The display is updated every 30 seconds.
The dte mode includes a low range warning
feature: when the fuel level is low, the dte mode is
automatically selected and the digits blink in or-
der to draw the driver’s attention. Press the mode
switch if you wish to return to the mode that was
selected before the warning occurred. The dte
mark (dte) will remain blinking until the vehicle is
refueled.
When the fuel level drops even lower, the dte
display will change to (----) .
WIC0267
2-4Instruments and controls
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NOTE:
cIf the amount of fuel added while the
ignition switch is OFF is small, the dis-
play just before the ignition switch is
turned OFF may continue to be dis-
played.
cWhen driving uphill or rounding curves,
the fuel in the tank shifts, which may
momentarily change the display.
Average fuel consumption (Mpg or
l/100km)
The average fuel consumption mode shows the
average fuel consumption since the last reset.
Resetting is done by pressing the mode switch
for more than approximately 1 second. The dis-
play is updated every 30 seconds. At about the
first 1/3 miles (500 m) after a reset, the display
shows (----) .
Average speed (MPH or km/h)
The average speed mode shows the average
vehicle speed since last reset. Resetting is done
by pressing the mode switch for more than ap-
proximately 1 second. The display is updated
every 30 seconds. The first 30 seconds after a
reset, the display shows (----) .
Journey time
The journey time mode shows the time since the
last reset. The displayed time can be reset by
pressing the mode switch for more than approxi-
mately 1 second.
NOTE:
If a low temperature warning and low range
warning occur simultaneously, other dis-
play modes switch automatically to the
outside temperature display.
When the mode switch is pushed, the dis-
play switches to the mode chosen before
the warning display, and the outside air
temperature indicator marked ICY will
blink.
TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revo-
lutions per minute (r/min) . Do not rev engine into
the red zone
s1.
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the red
zone, shift to a higher gear. Operating the
engine in the red zone may cause serious
engine damage.
Type A
WIC0268
Instruments and controls2-5
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ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range
s1when the gauge needle points
between the C and the H on the gauge.
The engine coolant temperature varies with the
outside air temperature and driving conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, stop the
vehicle as soon as safely possible. If the
engine is overheated, continued opera-
tion of the vehicle may seriously damage
the engine. See “If your vehicle over-
heats” in the “In case of emergency” sec-
tion for immediate action required.
Type B
WIC0269WIC0322
2-6Instruments and controls
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orAnti-lock brake warning lightLow washer fluid warning lightHigh beam indicator light (Blue)
orBrake warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeMalfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
Charge warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSlip indicator light
Door open warning lightTrunk lid open warning lightTraction control system off indicator light
Engine oil pressure warning lightCRUISE main switch indicator light
(if so equipped)Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
Low fuel warning lightCruise SET switch indicator light
(if so equipped)
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
will 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
orAnti-lock brake
warning light (if so
equipped)
If the light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the anti-lock brake system is not
functioning properly. Have the system checked
by a NISSAN dealer.Turn off the engine, and start it again by
slowly turning the ignition key (quickly do-
ing so may cause the ABS light to stay on
when there is nothing wrong) . If the light
stays on, have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the anti-
lock function ceases, but the regular braking
system continues to operate.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact a NISSAN dealer for repair.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-8Instruments and controls
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