2006 NISSAN ALTIMA fuel

FUEL RECOMMENDATION
For 2.5L engine
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
For 3.5L
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
For improved vehicle performance, NISSAN rec-
ommends the use of unleaded premium gasoline
with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI number
(Research octane number 96) .
CAUTION
cUsing a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
cUnder no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.cDo not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can damage
the fuel system components and is not
covered by the NISSAN vehicle limited
warranty.
Gasoline specifications
NISSAN recommends using gasoline that meets
the World-Wide Fuel Charter specifications
where it is available. Many of the automobile
manufacturers developed this specification to
improve emission system and vehicle perfor-
mance. Ask your service station manager if the
gasoline meets the World-Wide Fuel Charter
specifications.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing reformu-
lated gasolines. These gasolines are specially
designed to reduce vehicle emissions. NISSAN
supports efforts towards cleaner air and sug-
gests that you use reformulated gasoline when
available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing oxy-
genates such as ethanol, MTBE and methanol
with or without advertising their presence.
NISSAN does not recommend the use of fuels ofwhich the oxygenate content and the fuel com-
patibility for your NISSAN cannot be readily de-
termined. If in doubt, ask your service station
manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please take
the following precautions as the usage of such
fuels may cause vehicle performance problems
and/or fuel system damage.
cThe fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.
cIf an oxygenate-blend other than
methanol blend is used, it should con-
tain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
c
If a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol (me-
thyl alcohol, wood alcohol) . It should
also contain a suitable amount of ap-
propriate cosolvents and corrosion in-
hibitors. If not properly formulated with
appropriate cosolvents and corrosion
inhibitors, such methanol blends may
cause fuel system damage and/or ve-
hicle performance problems. At this
time, sufficient data is not available to
ensure that all methanol blends are
suitable for use in NISSAN vehicles.
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If any driveability problems such as engine stall-
ing and difficult hot-starting are experienced after
using oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately
change to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a
low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
E–85 fuel
E-85 fuel is a mixture of approximately 85% fuel
ethanol and 15% unleaded gasoline. E-85 can
only be used in a Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) . Do
not use E-85 in your vehicle. U.S. government
regulations require fuel ethanol dispensing
pumps to be identified by a small, square, orange
and black label with the common abbreviation or
the appropriate percentage for that region.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than recommended can cause
persistent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark
knock” is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have a NISSAN dealer correct the
condition. Failure to correct the condition
is misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN
is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or engine
damage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
CAUTION
cYour vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel in a vehicle
not specifically designed for E-85 fuel
can damage fuel system components
and is not covered by the NISSAN new
vehicle limited warranty.
cE-85 is a mixture of approximately 85%
fuel ethanol and 15% unleaded
gasoline.
cU.S. government regulations require
ethanol dispensing pumps to be identi-
fied by a small, square, orange and
black label with the common abbrevia-
tion or the appropriate percentage for
that region.
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ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality
and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. See9Capacities
and recommended fuel/lubricants9earlier in this
section. NISSAN recommends the use of an
energy conserving oil in order to improve fuel
economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and ApprovalCommittee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label should not
be used as they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be oper-
ated before the next oil change. The chart “Rec-
ommended SAE viscosity number” shows the
recommended oil viscosities for the expected
ambient temperatures. Choosing an oil viscosity
other than that recommended could cause seri-
ous engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When re-
placing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals”.
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using engine oil and filters
that are not of the specified quality, or exceeding
recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
WTI0082
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When planning to drive your NISSAN ve-
hicle in another country,you should first find
out if the fuel available is suitable for your vehi-
cle’s engine.
Using fuel with an octane rating that is too low
may cause engine damage. All gasoline vehicles
must be operated with unleaded gasoline. There-
fore, avoid taking your vehicle to areas where
appropriate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of your
vehicle to another country, state, province
or district,it may be necessary to modify the
vehicle to meet local laws and regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle emis-
sion control and safety standards vary according
to the country, state, province or district; there-
fore, vehicle specifications may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into an-
other country, state, province or district
and registered, its modifications, transpor-
tation, and registration are the responsibil-
ity of the user. NISSAN is not responsible
for any inconvenience that may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(VIN) PLATE
The vehicle identification number (VIN) plate is
attached as shown. This number is the identifica-
tion for your vehicle and is used in the vehicle
registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
(chassis number)
The vehicle identification number is located as
shown.
LTI0025WTI0037
WHEN TRAVELING OR REGISTERING
YOUR VEHICLE IN ANOTHER
COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
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cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is
not recommended; however, if you must do
so, and if your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, and
then move the transmission shift selector
lever into the P (Park) position. If you move
the shift selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion before blocking the wheels and applying
the parking brake, transmission damage
could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioner
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .cFor the first 500 miles that you do tow, do
not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
cHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
cCrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help sta-
bilize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.cTo maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
5th gear (manual transmission) or overdrive
(automatic transmission) .
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
cIncrease your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
cDo not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.
cCheck your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
cWhen stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
When towing a trailer, transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
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10 Index
A
Active head restraint...............1-8
Air bag (See supplemental restraint system). .1-34
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact air
bag system).................1-41
Air bag warning light...........1-49, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter............8-21
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation..........4-15
Air conditioner service...........4-22
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations..............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-11, 4-20
Servicing air conditioner..........4-22
Air flow charts..................4-16
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-16
Anchor point locations.............1-26
Antenna.....................4-41
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-19
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-11
Armrests.....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-15
Audio system..................4-23
AM-FM-SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) changer................4-35
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-38FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-30
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-25
Radio....................4-23
Autolight switch.................2-22
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-39
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-13
Automatic transmission position indicator
light.....................2-14
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-10
B
Battery......................8-17
Charge warning light............2-12
Before starting the engine............5-6
Belts (See drive belts).............8-19
Booster seats..................1-29
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-19
Brake booster................8-26
Brake fluid..................8-15
Brake light (See stop light).........8-32
Brake pedal.................8-25
Brake system................5-18
Brake warning light.............2-12
Brake wear indicators........2-15, 8-26Parking brake check............8-25
Parking brake operation..........5-14
Self-adjusting brakes............8-26
Break-in schedule................5-16
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-24
Brightness/Contrast button..........4-10
Control panel buttons...........4-10
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-11
Bulb replacement................8-32
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-41
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-40
CD changer (See audio system)........4-38
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-25
Child restraints.......1-11, 1-12, 1-17, 1-24
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-17, 1-29
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-26
Child safety rear door lock............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-15
Cigarette lighter and ashtray..........2-29
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock............4-26, 4-30, 4-36, 4-40
(models with navigation system)......4-8
Clock set
Control panel buttons............4-8
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Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-16
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Cold weather driving..............5-21
Console box...................2-33
Control panel buttons..............4-2
Controls
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-11, 4-20
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-8
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-14
Cup holders...................2-32
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-24
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-20
Dimensions and weights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-24
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks....................3-3
Door open warning light............2-12
Drive belts....................8-19
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-21
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7Driving with manual transmission.....5-11
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-16
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-22
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-6
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
Changing engine oil............8-10
Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Checking engine oil level..........8-9
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-8
Engine cooling system............8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-12
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine..............5-6
Engine oil pressure gauge............2-9
English/Metric button..............4-8
Control panel buttons............4-8
ENTER button..................4-2
Enter button
Control panel buttons............4-2
Event data recorders..............9-24
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2Eyeglass case..................2-31
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-26
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-13
Brake fluid..................8-15
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-16
Engine coolant................8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Power steering fluid.............8-15
Window washer fluid............8-16
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Fog light switch.................2-25
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-41
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-16
Fuel gauge..................2-8
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-12
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-12
Fuel consumption gauge............2-10
FUEL ECON button...............4-4
10-2
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Fuel Econ button
Control panel buttons............4-4
Fuses......................8-26
Fusible links...................8-27
G
Garage door opener, HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver...................2-43
Gascap.....................3-12
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-8
Engine oil pressure gauge..........2-9
Fuel consumption gauge..........2-10
Fuel gauge..................2-8
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-4
Tachometer..................2-7
Trip computer.................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-4
Voltmeter..................2-10
General maintenance..............8-2
Glove box....................2-33
Glove box lock.................2-33
Grocery hooks.................2-36
H
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-26
Head restraints..................1-7
Active head restraint.............1-8
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-21
Headlight control switch............2-21
Heated seats..................2-27Heater
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-11, 4-20
Heater operation...........4-14, 4-21
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.......2-43
Hood release...................3-9
Horn.......................2-26
I
Ignition switch..................5-4
Immobilizer system..........2-17, 3-2, 5-5
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-21
Increasing fuel economy............5-16
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-11
Inside mirror...................3-15
Instrument brightness control.........2-24
Instrument panel.................2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-24
Interior light...................2-41
Interior trunk lid release.............3-11
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-24
J
Jump starting...................6-6
K
Key ........................3-2Keyfob battery replacement..........8-29
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
C.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
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)..........1-48
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers
for CHildren) System..............1-24
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-12
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-49, 2-13
Brake light (See stop light).........8-32
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-11
Bulb replacement..............8-32
Charge warning light............2-12
Fog light switch...............2-25
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-21
Headlight control switch..........2-21
Interior light.................2-41
Light bulbs..................8-30
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-13
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-43
Spotlights (See map light).........2-42
Trunk light..................2-43
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-11
10-3
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