
8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................8-8
Changing engine coolant........................8-9
Engine oil.........................................8-9
Checking engine oil level........................8-9
Changing engine oil...........................8-10
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-12
Automatic transmission fluid.......................8-13
Temperature conditions for checking.............8-13
Power steering fluid...............................8-14
Brake and clutch fluid.............................8-15
Brake fluid....................................8-15
Clutch fluid...................................8-15
Window washer fluid.............................8-16
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-16
Battery..........................................8-17
Jump starting.................................8-18
Drive belts.......................................8-18
Spark plugs......................................8-19Replacing spark plugs.........................8-19
Air cleaner.......................................8-20
In-cabin microfilter (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
Fuses...........................................8-26
Engine compartment...........................8-26
Passenger compartment.......................8-28
Keyfob battery replacement........................8-29
Lights...........................................8-30
Headlights....................................8-30
Front park/turn/sidemarker light.................8-30
Fog lights (if so equipped)......................8-30
Exterior and interior lights.......................8-31
Wheels and tires.................................8-38
Tire pressure..................................8-38
Types of tires..................................8-39
Tire chains....................................8-40
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-40
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X 

WARNING
cOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or oth-
ers to be burned. The air cleaner not
only cleans the air, it stops the flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and
the engine backfires, you could be
burned. Do not drive with the air cleaner
removed, and be careful when working
on the engine with the air cleaner
removed.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body or
attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER (if so
equipped)
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry of air-
borne dust and pollen particles and reduces
some objectionable outside odors. The filter is
located behind the glove box. Refer to the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide” for
change intervals.
To replace the filter, perform the following proce-
dure:1. Remove the 2 lower glove box hinge pins.
Remove the glove box from the opening and
let it hang by the cord.2. Remove the filter cover from the intake unit
by disengaging the 2 hook tabs at the bot-
tom of the cover.
LDI0154LDI0155
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-21
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X 

H
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-23
Head restraints..................1-7
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-18
Heated seats..................2-24
Heater
Heater and air conditioner
controls.................4-3, 4-12
Heater operation............4-4, 4-12
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.......2-38
Hood release..................3-10
Horn.......................2-24
I
Ignition switch..................5-4
Immobilizer system..........2-15, 3-2, 5-5
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-21
Increasing fuel economy............5-14
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders).....................2-9
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror.......3-16
Inside mirror...................3-16
Instrument brightness control.........2-21
Instrument panel.................2-2
Interior light...................2-36
Interior trunk lid release.............3-12
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-37
J
Jump starting...................6-6K
Key ........................3-2
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Emission control information label.....9-11
Engine serial number............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-20
LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System......................1-37
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-12
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-20, 2-11
Brake light (See stop light).........8-31
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-9
Bulb replacement..............8-31
Charge warning light............2-10
Fog light switch...............2-22
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-18
Interior light.................2-36
Light bulbs..................8-30
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-11
Spotlights (See map light).........2-37
Trunk light..................2-38
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-9Lights
Map lights..................2-37
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Door locks..................3-3
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever.......3-13
Glove box lock...............2-29
Power door locks...............3-4
Trunk lid lock opener lever.........3-11
Low fuel warning light.............2-10
Low washer fluid warning light.........2-11
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance
General maintenance............8-2
Inside the vehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance...........1-29
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)........2-12
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Map lights....................2-37
Map pocket...................2-27
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-21
Mirror
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.....3-16
Inside mirror.................3-16
Vanity mirror.................3-15
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
10-3
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X