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................8-7
Engine cooling system.............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................8-8
Changing engine coolant........................8-9
Inverter cooling system.............................8-9
Checking inverter coolant level..................8-10
Changing inverter coolant......................8-10
Engine oil........................................8-10
Checking engine oil level.......................8-10
Changing engine oil...........................8-11
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-12
Electronically controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) fluid.........................8-13
Brake fluid.......................................8-13
Brake fluid....................................8-14
Window washer fluid.............................8-14
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-14
12-volt battery...................................8-15
Jump starting.................................8-15
Drive belt........................................8-15
Spark plugs......................................8-16Replacing spark plugs.........................8-16
Air cleaner.......................................8-17
In-cabin microfilter.............................8-17
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-17
Cleaning.....................................8-17
Replacing....................................8-18
Brakes..........................................8-19
Self-adjusting brakes..........................8-19
Brake pad wear indicators......................8-19
Fuses...........................................8-19
Engine compartment...........................8-20
Passenger compartment.......................8-21
Battery replacement..............................8-22
Intelligent key battery..........................8-23
Lights...........................................8-24
Headlights....................................8-24
Front park/turn/sidemarker light.................8-24
Exterior and interior lights.......................8-25
Wheels and tires.................................8-29
Tire pressure..................................8-29
Tire labeling...................................8-32
Types of tires..................................8-35
Tire chains....................................8-36
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-37
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Altima Hybrid Electric
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Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
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When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
cThis vehicle has high voltage DC and AC
systems as well as a 12-volt system. DC
and AC high voltage is very dangerous
and can cause severe burns and electric
shock that may result in serious injury
or death.
cNever touch, disassemble, remove or
replace the high voltage parts, cables
and their connectors. High voltage
cables are orange. Touching, disassem-
bling, removing or replacing those parts
and cables can cause severe burns or
electric shock that may result in serious
injury or death.cNever try to remove the service discon-
nect located in the trunk on the lower
right-hand side. The service disconnect
is used only when the vehicle is ser-
viced by trained technicians wearing
personal protection equipment and is
part of the high voltage system. Touch-
ing the service disconnect can cause
severe burns or electric shock that may
result in serious injury or death.
cThe hybrid system uses high voltage up
to 650 V. The system can be hot while
and after starting. Be careful of both the
high voltage and the high temperature.
Obey the caution labels attached to the
vehicle.
cPark the vehicle on a level surface, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. Move the selector lever to
P (Park) .
cBe sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
cNever leave the engine or the transmis-
sion related component harness con-
nector disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.cNever connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
cYour vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even if
the ignition key is in the OFF position
and the engine is not running. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the negative
battery cable before working near the
fan.
cThe engine can start at any time without
warning when the Hybrid System is in
the READY mode. If you must work with
the Hybrid System in the READY mode,
keep your hands, clothing, hair and
tools away from fans, belts and any
other parts that can move.
cIt is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
cAlways wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.
cIf you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases to escape.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
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cNever get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
cKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
cOn gasoline engine models with the
multiport fuel injection (MFI) system,
the fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure
even when the engine is off.
CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
cAvoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.A genuine NISSAN service manual is also avail-
able. See “Owner’s Manual/Service Manual or-
der information” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage.If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Altima Hybrid Electric
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Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
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The 12-volt battery is located on the right hand
side of the trunk behind an access panel.
cKeep the battery surface clean and dry.
Clean the battery with a solution of baking
soda and water.
cMake certain the terminal connections are
clean and securely tightened.
cIf the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or
longer, disconnect the negative (-) battery
terminal cable to prevent discharge.
WARNING
cDo not expose the battery to flames or
electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas gener-
ated by the battery is explosive. Do not
allow battery fluid to contact your skin,
eyes, fabrics or painted surfaces. After
touching a battery, do not touch or rub
your eyes. Thoroughly wash your hands.
If the acid contacts your eyes, skin or
clothing, immediately flush with water
for at least 15 minutes and seek medi-
cal attention.cThe Hybrid vehicle uses a special 12-
volt battery. If the 12-volt battery needs
to be replaced, use a battery of the
same design. Using the wrong battery
can cause hydrogen gas to build up in
the vehicle, which could lead to an ex-
plosion and personal injury.
cWhen working on or near a battery, al-
ways wear suitable eye protection and
remove all jewelry.
cBattery posts, terminals and related ac-
cessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands after handling.
cKeep battery out of the reach of
children.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump starting”
in the “In case of emergency” section of this
manual. If the Hybrid System does not start by
jump starting, the battery may have to be re-
placed. Contact a NISSAN dealer.
1. Auto tensioner pulley
2. Water pump
3. Idler pulley
4. Crankshaft
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or
LOCK position before servicing drive belt.
The engine could rotate unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusual
wear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If the belt is
in poor condition or is loose, have it replaced
or adjusted by a NISSAN dealer.
LDI0581
12-VOLT BATTERY DRIVE BELT
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Altima Hybrid Electric
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Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
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4. If the fuse is opensA, replace it with an
equivalent good fuse
sB.
5. Push the fuse box cover to install.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical
system checked and repaired by a NISSAN
dealer.
Type A
WDI0452
Type B
LDI0456
WDI0567
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Altima Hybrid Electric
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INTELLIGENT KEY BATTERY
Replace the battery in the Intelligent Key as fol-
lows:
1. Remove the mechanical key from the Intelli-
gent Key.
2. Insert a small screwdriver
sAinto the slitsB
of the corner and twist it to separate the
upper part from the lower part. Use a cloth to
protect the casing.
3. Replace the battery with a new one.
Recommended battery: CR2032 or equiva-
lent.
cDo not touch the internal circuit and elec-
tric terminals as doing so could cause a
malfunction.
cHold the battery by the edges. Holding
the battery across the contact points will
seriously deplete the storage capacity.
cMake sure that the + side faces the bot-
tom of the case.4. Close the lid securely as illustrated
sCsD.
5. Operate the buttons to check its operation.
See a NISSAN dealer if you need assistance for
replacement.
FCC Notice:
Changes or modifications not expressly ap-
proved by the party responsible for compli-
ance could void the user’s authority to op-
erate the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry
Canada.Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, in-
cluding interference that may cause undes-
ired operation of the device.
WDI0568
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-23
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Altima Hybrid Electric
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Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/27/06Ðdebbie
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Tire pressures
cWhen towing a trailer, inflate the ve-
hicle tires to the recommended cold
tire pressure indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information label.
cTrailer tire condition, size, load rating
and proper inflation pressure should
be in accordance with the trailer and
tire manufacturer’s specifications.
Safety chains
Always use suitable safety chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while
using the vehicle tail light, stoplight and
turn signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more
that 15 milliamps from the stop and tail
lamp circuits. Using a module/converter
that exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem. See a reputable trailer dealer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cKeep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
cLoad the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
cCheck your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
9-20Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/27/06Ðarosenma
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Always check with local I/M testing requirements
for Hybrid vehicles before taking your vehicle for
testing.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the 12-volt battery is disconnected, the vehicle
may be reset to a “not ready” condition. Before
taking the I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
“not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready.” If your
vehicle does not pass an I/M test the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) may not come on. Contact a
NISSAN dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-
testing.Your vehicle is equipped with a variety of
computers that monitor and control a num-
ber of systems to optimize performance
and help service technicians with diagno-
sis and repair. Some of the computers
monitor emission control systems, braking
systems, engine systems, transmission
systems, tire pressure systems, and airbag
systems. Some data about vehicle opera-
tion may be stored in the computers for use
during servicing. Other data may be stored
if a crash event occurs. For example, ve-
hicle speed, brake application, steering
angle, air bag readiness, air bag perfor-
mance, and seat belt use by the driver or
passenger may be recorded. These types of
systems are sometimes called Event Data
Recorders.
Special equipment can be used to access
the electronic data that may be stored in
the vehicle’s computers (sounds are not
recorded) . NISSAN and NISSAN dealers
have equipment to access some of this
data; others may also have this equipment.
The data may be retrieved during routine
vehicle servicing or for special research. It
might also be accessed with the consent of
the vehicle owner or lessee, in response to
a request by law enforcement, or as other-
wise required or permitted by law.A genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best
source of service and repair information for your
vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illustrations
and step-by-step diagnostic and adjustment pro-
cedures, this manual is the same one used by the
factory-trained technicians working at NISSAN
dealerships. Also available are genuine NISSAN
Owner’s Manuals, and genuine NISSAN Service
and Owner’s Manuals for older NISSAN models.
For USA
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 2000 model
year and later contact:
Tweddle Litho Company
1-800-450-9491
www.nissan-techinfo.com
For current pricing and availability of genuine
NISSAN Service Manualsfor the 1999 model
year and prior, see a NISSAN dealer, or contact:
Resolve Corporation
20770 Westwood Drive
Strongsville, OH 44149
1-800-247-5321
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TESTEVENT DATA RECORDERS OWNER’S MANUAL/SERVICE
MANUAL ORDER INFORMATION
Technical and consumer information9-25
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2007 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
11/27/06Ðdebbie
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