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
17. Instrument brightness control (P. 2-21)
18. Outside mirror remote control (P. 3-17)
19. Front defroster switch (automatic)
(P. 4-10)
20. Heater and air conditioner (automatic)
(P. 4-10)
21. Rear window defroster switch (auto-
matic) (P. 2-17)
1. Tachometer
2. Warning/indicator lights
3. Speedometer
4. Automatic transmission position indica-
tor lights (if so equipped)
5. Engine coolant temperature gauge6. Fuel gauge
7. Odometer/trip odometer
LIC0606
METERS AND GAUGES
Instruments and controls2-3
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X
Pull the lever toward yous5to operate the
washer. The wiper will also operate several times.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer solu-
tion may freeze on the windshield and
obscure your vision which may lead to an
accident. Warm the windshield with the
defroster before you wash the windshield.
CAUTION
cDo not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
cDo not operate the washer if the reser-
voir tank is empty.
c
Do not fill the window washer reservoir
tank with washer fluid concentrates at
full strength. Some methyl alcohol based
washer fluid concentrates may perma-
nently stain the grille if spilled while fill-
ing the window washer reservoir tank.
cPre-mix washer fluid concentrates with
water to the manufacturer’s recom-
mended levels before pouring the fluid
into the window washer reservoir tank.
Do not use the window washer reservoir
tank to mix the washer fluid concen-
trate and water.To defrost the rear window glass and outside
mirrors (if so equipped) , start the engine and
push the rear window defroster switch on. The
rear window defroster indicator light on the
switch comes on. Push the switch again to turn
the defroster off.
The rear window defroster automatically turns off
after approximately 15 minutes.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or dam-
age the rear window defroster.
NOTE:
The top few rows of wires on the rear win-
dow are not part of the rear window de-
froster system. These wires make up the
antenna for the audio system.
Type A
WIC0272
Type B
LIC0317
REAR WINDOW AND OUTSIDE
MIRROR (if so equipped)
DEFROSTER SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-17
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/10/03Ðtbrooks
X
cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid, and window
washer fluid as frequently as possible, or at
least whenever you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights when
the key is turned to the ON (3) position. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders” in the “Instruments and controls”
section of this manual.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the shift selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The shift selector lever cannot be
moved out of P (Park) and into any of
the other gear positions if the ignition
key is turned to the OFF position or if
the key is removed from the ignition
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the shift selector lever is in any of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) . Depress
the clutch pedal to the floor while cranking
the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails to
run, repeat the above procedure.cIf the engine is very hard to start in ex-
tremely cold weather or when restarting,
depress the accelerator pedal a little (ap-
proximately 1/5 to the floor) and hold it
and then crank the engine. Release the
key and the accelerator pedal when the
engine starts.
cIf the engine is very hard to start because
it is flooded, depress the accelerator
pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Crank the engine for 5-6 seconds. After
cranking the engine, release the accel-
erator pedal. Crank the enginewith your
foot off the accelerator pedalby turn-
ing the ignition key to START. Release the
key when the engine starts. If the engine
starts, but fails to run, repeat the above
procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, otherwise
the starter could be damaged.
4. Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 sec-
onds after starting. Drive at moderate speed
for a short distance first, especially in cold
weather.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-6Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Altima(l30)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/13/03Ðtbrooks
X
10 Index
A
Air bag
(See supplemental restraint system)......1-8
Air bag warning light...........1-20, 2-11
Air cleaner housing filter............8-20
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation...........4-5
Air conditioner service...........4-13
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations........9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls.................4-3, 4-12
Servicing air conditioner..........4-13
Air flow charts..................4-6
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-13
Anchor point locations.............1-38
Antenna.....................4-29
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-17
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-9
Armrests.....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-13
Audio system..................4-14
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-22
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-17
Radio....................4-14
Autolight switch.................2-20Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-34
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-13
Automatic transmission position
indicator light................2-11
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Transmission selector lever lock release . .5-9
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.......3-16
B
Battery......................8-17
Charge warning light............2-10
Battery replacement
(See remote keyless entry system). . . .3-9, 8-29
Before starting the engine............5-6
Belts (See drive belts).............8-18
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-17
Brake booster................8-26
Brake fluid..................8-15
Brake light (See stop light).........8-31
Brake pedal.................8-25
Brake system................5-17
Brake warning light.............2-10
Brake wear indicators........2-13, 8-26
Parking brake check............8-25
Parking brake operation..........5-12
Self-adjusting brakes............8-26
Break-in schedule................5-14Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-21
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-9
Bulb replacement................8-31
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-30
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-28
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light)........2-12
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-38
Child restraints.......1-24, 1-25, 1-30, 1-37
Precautions on child restraints.......1-30
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-38
Child safety rear door lock............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-13
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock...................4-18, 4-22
Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-15
Cold weather driving..............5-20
Console box...................2-29
Controls
Heater and air conditioner
controls.................4-3, 4-12
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