
1. Engine hood (P. 3-10)
2. Headlight and turn signal switch
(P. 2-18)
3. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-30)
4. Windshield wiper and washer switch
(P. 2-16)
5. Windshield (P. 8-24)
6. Power windows (P. 2-32)
7. Door locks, keyfob, keys
(P. 3-3, 3-5, 3-2)
8. Mirrors (P. 3-16)
9. Tire pressure (P. 9-11)
10. Flat tire (P. 6-2)
11. Tire chains (P. 8-40)
12. Fog light switch (if so equipped)
(P. 2-22)
13. Tie down/towing hooks (P. 6-11)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LII0024
EXTERIOR FRONT
Illustrated table of contents0-3
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X 

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer.....................2-4
Trip computer (if so equipped)...................2-5
Tachometer....................................2-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge...............2-7
Fuel gauge....................................2-8
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders.......2-9
Checking bulbs................................2-9
Warning lights.................................2-9
Indicator lights................................2-11
Audible reminders.............................2-13
Security systems.................................2-13
Vehicle security system (if so equipped)..........2-13
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system (NVIS)........2-15
Windshield wiper and washer switch...............2-16
Switch operation..............................2-16
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch..................................2-17
Headlight and turn signal switch....................2-18
Xenon headlights (if so equipped)...............2-18
Headlight control switch........................2-19
Daytime running light system (Canada only)......2-21Instrument brightness control...................2-21
Turn signal switch.............................2-22
Fog light switch (if so equipped)................2-22
Hazard warning flasher switch.....................2-23
Horn............................................2-24
Heated seat (if so equipped).......................2-24
Traction control system (TCS) off switch
(if so equipped)..................................2-25
Power outlet.....................................2-26
Storage.........................................2-27
Map pockets..................................2-27
Seatback pockets (if so equipped)..............2-27
Sunglasses holder.............................2-27
Cup holders..................................2-28
Glove box....................................2-29
Console box..................................2-29
Covered storage box...........................2-31
Cargo net (if so equipped)......................2-32
Windows........................................2-32
Power windows...............................2-32
Sunroof (if so equipped)...........................2-34
Automatic sunroof.............................2-34
Interior light......................................2-36
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X 

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
Turn signal
s1Move the lever up or down to signal the
turning direction. When the turn is com-
pleted, the turn signals cancel automatically.
Lane change signal
s2To signal a lane change, move the lever up or
down to the point where the indicator light
begins to flash, but the lever does not latch.
FOG LIGHT SWITCH (if so equipped)
Normal operation of the fog lights in the
ONposition:
Headlight switch in the AUTO position; day-
time operation
cFog lights, marker and taillights come ON.
cHeadlights do not come ON.
cDash readouts dim unless the dimmer
switch is on full bright.
cIf the ignition switch is in the OFF position
with the fog lights turned ON, a warning
chime will sound indicating the fog lightswere left ON. The fog lights will be turned
OFF by the Battery Saver function approxi-
mately 5 minutes after the last door is
closed.
cIf the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position after the fog lights were turned OFF
by the Battery Saver function, the fog lights
will immediately come back ON.
Headlight switch in the AUTO position;
nighttime operation
cFog lights, marker and taillights come ON.
cHeadlights come ON.
The lights can be adjusted to turn ON in
brighter or dimmer environments. See
your NISSAN dealer to have the sensi-
tivity setting adjusted.
cDash readouts dim unless the dimmer
switch is on full bright.
cIf the ignition switch is in the OFF position
with the fog lights turned ON, the fog lights
will be turned OFF by the Twilight Sentinel
function approximately 45 seconds after the
last door is closed.
The default setting is 45 seconds. See
your NISSAN dealer to have this time
adjusted up to 180 seconds.
LIC0319WIC0320
2-22Instruments and controls
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/10/03Ðtbrooks
X 

cIf any door is opened when the ignition
switch is in the OFF position, the Twilight
Sentinel function operates for approximately
5 minutes. After approximately 5 minutes,
the lights will turn OFF due to the Battery
Saver function.
cIf the ignition switch is turned to the ON
position after the fog lights were turned OFF
by the Twilight Sentinel function, the fog
lights and the headlights will come ON to-
gether when the Auto Light Sensor deter-
mines it is dark enough. The fog lights will
now operate independently of the headlights
only if the headlight switch is turned OFF.
cWhen the high beams are turned ON, the
fog lights will turn OFF. The fog lights will
come back ON when the high beams are
turned OFF.
Headlights turned ON and OFF by the
driver (no AUTO headlight function) ; day or
nighttime operation
cSame operation as “Headlight switch in the
AUTO position; daytime operation” de-
scribed above.
Some of the Battery Saver and Twilight
Sentinel functions can be turned ON and
OFF or adjusted. Please see your NISSAN
dealer if you have any questions.To turn the fog lights OFF, turn the switch to the
OFF position.
The fog lights automatically turn off whenever the
high beam headlight function is selected.
Push the switch on to warn other drivers when
you must stop or park under emergency condi-
tions. All turn signal lights flash.
WARNING
cIf stopping for an emergency, be sure to
move the vehicle well off the road.
cDo not use the hazard warning flashers
while moving on the highway unless
unusual circumstances force you to
drive so slowly that your vehicle might
become a hazard to other traffic.
WIC0275
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-23
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/10/03Ðtbrooks
X 

ON position (Indicator light on):
Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle.
Push the
button to the on position when:
cdriving on a dusty road.
cto prevent traffic fumes from entering pas-
senger compartment.
cfor maximum cooling when using the air con-
ditioner.
OFF position (Indicator light off):
Outside air is drawn into the passenger compart-
ment and distributed through the selected outlet.
Use the off position for normal heater or air con-
ditioner operation.
Air conditioner button (if so
equipped)
The button is provided only on vehicles equipped
with an air conditioner.
Start the engine, turn the fan control dial to the
desired (1 - 4) position and push the
button to turn on the air conditioner. The indicator
light comes on when the air conditioner is oper-
ating. To turn off the air conditioner, push
the
button again.
The air conditioner cooling function oper-
ates only when the engine is running.
Rear window defroster switch
For more information about the rear window de-
froster switch, see “Rear window defroster
switch” in the “Instruments and controls” section
of this manual.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode is used to direct heated air to the foot
outlets. Some air also flows from the defrost
outlets.
1. Push the
button to the off position for
normal heating.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position between the middle and the
hot position.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air to the side and
center ventilators.
1. Push the
button to the off position.2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode directs the air to the defrost outlets to
defrost/defog the windows.
1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
3. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position between the middle and the
hot position.
cTo quickly remove ice or fog from the win-
dows, turn the fan control dial to 4 and the
temperature control lever to the full HOT
position.
cWhen the
position is selected, the air
conditioner automatically turns on (however,
the indicator light will not illuminate) if the
outside temperature is more than 36°F
(2°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the vehicle is restarted,
4-4Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X 

even if the air flow control dial is turned to a
position other than theposition. This
dehumidifies the air which helps defog the
windshield. The
mode automatically
turns off, allowing outside air to be drawn
into the passenger compartment to further
improve the defogging performance.
Bi-level heating
This mode directs air from the side, center and
the foot outlets.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the interior and defogs the wind-
shield.
1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.3. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position between the middle and the
hot position.
cWhen the
position is selected, the air
conditioner automatically turns on (however,
the indicator light will not illuminate) if the
outside temperature is more than 36°F
(2°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the vehicle is restarted,
even if the air flow control dial is turned to a
position other than the
position. This
dehumidifies the air which helps defog the
windshield. The
mode automatically
turns off, allowing outside air to be drawn
into the passenger compartment to further
improve the defogging performance.
Operating tips
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
and air inlet in front of the windshield. This
improves heater operation.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION (if
so equipped)
Start the engine, turn the fan control dial to the
desired (1 - 4) position, and push in the
button to activate the air conditioner. When the
air conditioner is on, cooling and dehumidifying
functions are added to the heater operation.The air conditioner cooling function oper-
ates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the MAX A/C
or
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
cFor quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, push the
button to
the on position (indicator light on) . Be sure
to return the
button to the off position
for normal cooling. MAX A/C may be used
for quick cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidify the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-5
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X 

3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows and
dehumidify the air.
1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
3. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
When the
,or positions in between
are selected, the air conditioner automatically
turns on (however, the indicator light will not
illuminate) if the outside temperature is more than
36°F (2°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the vehicle is restarted, even
if the air flow control dial is turned to a position
other than the
position. This dehumidifies
the air which helps defog the windshield.
The
mode automatically turns off, allowingoutside air to be drawn into the passenger com-
partment to further improve the defogging perfor-
mance.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Operating tips
cKeep the windows and sunroof closed while
the air conditioner is in operation.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for 2 or 3
minutes with the windows open to vent hot
air from the passenger compartment. Then,
close the windows. This allows the air con-
ditioner to cool the interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for approximately 10 minutes
at least once a month. This helps pre-
vent damage to the system due to lack
of lubrication.
cIf the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turn
the air conditioner off. See “If your
vehicle overheats” in the “In case of
emergency” section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and dial
positions forMAXIMUM AND QUICKheating,
cooling or defrosting.The air recirculation
button should always be in the OFF posi-
tion for heating and defrosting.
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X 

AUTOMATIC OPERATION
Cooling and/or dehumidified heating
(auto)
This mode may be normally used all year round as
the system automatically works to keep a con-
stant temperature. Air flow distribution and fan
speed are also controlled automatically.
1. Push the AUTO button on. (AUTO will be
displayed.)
2. Turn the temperature dial to the left or right
to set the desired temperature.
cAdjust the temperature dial to about 75°F
(24°C) for normal operation.
cThe temperature of the passenger compart-
ment will be maintained automatically. Air
flow distribution and fan speed are also con-
trolled automatically.
Heating (econ)
The air conditioner does not activate. When you
need to heat only, use this mode.
1. Push the ECON (Economy) button on.
(ECON will be displayed.)
2. Turn the temperature dial to the left or right
to set the desired temperature.cThe temperature of the passenger compart-
ment will be maintained automatically. Air
flow distribution and fan speed are also con-
trolled automatically.
cDo not set the temperature lower than the
outside air temperature. Otherwise the sys-
tem may not work properly.
cNot recommended if windows fog up.
Dehumidified defogging
1. Push the DEF buttonon. The indica-
tor light on the button will come on.
2. Turn the temperature dial to the left or right
to set the desired temperature.
cTo quickly remove ice from the outside of the
windows, push the manual fan control
button
and set to the maximum
position.
cAs soon as possible after the windshield is
clean, push the AUTO button to return to the
auto mode.
cWhen the DEF button
is pushed, the
air conditioner will automatically be turned
on at outside temperatures above 36°F
(2°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the vehicle is restarted,even if the air flow control dial is turned to a
position other than the
position. This
dehumidifies the air which helps defog the
windshield. The air recirculate mode auto-
matically turns off, allowing outside air to be
drawn into the passenger compartment to
further improve the defogging performance.
MANUAL OPERATION
Fan speed control
Push the fan control buttonup or down
to manually control the fan speed.
Push the AUTO button to return to automatic
control of the fan speed.
Air recirculation
Push the air recirculation buttonto recir-
culate interior air inside the vehicle. The indicator
light on the switch will come on.
Push it again to make the air inlet controlled
automatically (FRESH, REC/FRE and RECIR-
CULATION) . The indicator will go out.
The air recirculation button will not be activated
when the air conditioner is in DEF mode.
4-12Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X