Page 1 of 264

Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN
owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with
confidence. It was produced using the latest
techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you under-
stand the operation and maintenance of your
vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles (kilome-
ters) of driving pleasure. Please read through this
manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information Booklet
explains details about the warranties cov-
ering your vehicle. The “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide” explains details
about maintaining and servicing your ve-
hicle. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state’s lemon
law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle
best. When you require any service or have any
questions, they will be glad to assist you with the
extensive resources available to them.Before driving your vehicle please read this Own-
er’s Manual carefully. This will ensure familiarity
with controls and maintenance requirements, as-
sisting you in the safe operation of your vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION RE-
MINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and complete trip for
you and your passengers!
cNEVER drive under the influence of al-
cohol or drugs.
cALWAYS observe posted speed limits
and never drive too fast for conditions.
cALWAYS use your seat belts and appro-
priate child restraint systems. Preteen
children should be seated in the rear
seat.
cALWAYS provide information about the
proper use of vehicle safety features to
all occupants of the vehicle.
cALWAYS review this owner’s manual for
important safety information.
MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
This vehicle should not be modified.
Modification could affect its
performance, safety or durability, and
may even violate governmental
regulations. In addition, damage or per-
formance problems resulting from
modifications may not be covered un-
der NISSAN warranties.
FOREWORD READ FIRST—THEN DRIVE SAFELY
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
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The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.
Page 7 of 264
0 Illustrated table of contents
Airbags, seat belts and child restraints...............0-2
Exterior front......................................0-3
Exterior rear.......................................0-4
Passenger compartment...........................0-5Instrument panel...................................0-6
Engine compartment locations......................0-8
Warning/indicator lights...........................0-10
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Page 8 of 264
1. Supplemental front impact air bags
(P. 1-8)
2. Supplemental curtain side-impact air
bag (if so equipped) (P. 1-8)
3. Front head restraint (P. 1-7)
4. Rear seat belts (P. 1-22)
5. Top tether anchor point (P. 1-38)
6. Rear head restraint (P. 1-7)
7. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) (P. 1-37)
8. Supplemental side impact air bag (if so
equipped) (P. 1-8)
9. Front seat belts (P. 1-22)
10. Seat belt pretensioners (P. 1-19)
11. Seats (P. 1-2)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0025
AIRBAGS, SEAT BELTS AND CHILD
RESTRAINTS
0-2Illustrated table of contents
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Page 19 of 264

1 Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental air bags
Seats............................................1-2
Front manual seat adjustment....................1-2
Front power seat adjustment (if so equipped
for driver’s seat)................................1-4
Folding rear seat...............................1-6
Head restraint adjustment.......................1-7
Supplemental restraint system......................1-8
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system........................................1-8
Supplemental air bag warning labels.............1-20
Supplemental air bag warning light..............1-20
Seat belts.......................................1-22
Precautions on seat belt usage..................1-22
Child safety...................................1-24Pregnant women..............................1-25
Injured persons................................1-25
Three-point type seat belt with retractor..........1-26
Seat belt extenders............................1-29
Seat belt maintenance.........................1-29
Child restraints...................................1-30
Precautions on child restraints..................1-30
Installation on rear seat center or outboard
positions.....................................1-32
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren) system..............................1-37
Top tether strap child restraint..................1-38
Installation on front passenger seat..............1-39
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Page 22 of 264

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 power seat motor has an auto-reset
overload protection 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
1-4Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
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Page 24 of 264

FOLDING REAR SEAT
Interior trunk access
The trunk can be accessed from the passenger
side of the rear seat for loading and unloading, as
shown.
s1Push down on the button on the rear parcel
shelf.
s2Fold down the passenger side seatback.
WARNING
cNever allow anyone to ride in the cargo
area or on the rear seat when it is in the
fold-down position. Use of these areas
by passengers without proper restraints
could result in serious injury in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.
cProperly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
cWhen returning the seatbacks to the
upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched posi-
tion. If they are not completely secured,
passengers may be injured in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.cClosely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
WRS0166
1-6Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
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Page 28 of 264
WARNING
cNever let children ride unrestrained or
extend their hands or face out of the
window. Do not attempt to hold them in
your lap or arms. Some examples of
dangerous riding positions are shown
in the illustrations.
ARS1133ARS1041
1-10Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
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Page 30 of 264

WARNING
cChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental front air
bags, side air bags or curtain side-
impact air bags inflate if they are not
properly restrained. Pre-teens and chil-
dren should be properly restrained in
the rear seat, if possible.
cNever install a rear-facing child re-
straint in the front seat. An inflating
supplemental front air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill your child. See “Child
restraints” later in this section for
details.
WARNING
Supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag (if so equipped):
cThe supplemental side air bag and cur-
tain side-impact air bag ordinarily will
not inflate in the event of a frontal im-
pact, rear impact, rollover or lower se-
verity side collision. Always wear your
seat belts to help reduce the risk or
severity of injury in various kinds of
accidents.
ARS1045ARS1046SSS0101
1-12Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
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