2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID ABS

Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light2-10
or
Brake warning light
(red)2-10
Charge warning
light2-11
Engine oil pressure
warning light2-12
Electric power
steering warning
light2-11
Electronically con-
trolled brake warn-
ing light (yellow)2-11
High temperature
warning light (red)2-12
Warning
lightName Page
High voltage battery
warning light2-12
Hybrid system warn-
ing light2-13
Intelligent Key sys-
tem warning light2-13
Low tire pressure
warning light2-13
Master warning light 2-14
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-14
Supplemental air
bag warning light1-49
Vehicle Dynamic
Control warning
light2-15
Indicator
lightName Page
Electronically Con-
trolled Continuously
Variable Transmis-
sion (eCVT) position
indicator light2-15
Front passenger air
bag status light2-15
High beam indicator
light (blue)2-16
Low temperature
indicator light (blue)2-16
Malfunction Indica-
tor Light (MIL)2-16
Ready operation
indicator light
(green)2-17
Security indicator
light2-27
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
0-8Illustrated table of contents
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cDo not attach anything to the head re-
straint stalks. Doing so could impair
Active Head Restraint function.
The Active Head Restraint moves forward utiliz-
ing the force that the seatback receives from the
occupant in a rear-end collision. The movement
of the head restraint helps support the occu-
pant’s head by reducing its backward movement
and helping absorb some of the forces that may
lead to whiplash type injuries.
Active Head Restraints are effective for collisions
at low to medium speeds in which it is said that
whiplash injury occurs most.
Active Head Restraints operate only in certain
rear-end collisions. After the collision, the head
restraints return to their original positions.
Properly adjust the Active Head Restraints as
described earlier in this section.
PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
If you are wearing your seat belt properly ad-
justed and you are sitting upright and well back in
your seat with both feet on the floor, your chances
of being injured or killed in an accident and/or the
severity of injury may be greatly reduced.
NISSAN strongly encourages you and all of your
passengers to buckle up every time you drive,
even if your seating position includes a supple-
mental air bag.
Most U.S. states and Canadian provinces
or territories specify that seat belts be worn
at all times when a vehicle is being driven.
SSS0136
SEAT BELTS
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-7
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orAnti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning lightHybrid System warning lightFront passenger air bag status light
orBrake warning light (Red)Intelligent Key system warning lightHigh beam indicator light (Blue)
Charge warning lightLow tire pressure warning light (if so equipped)Low temperature indicator light (Blue)
Electronically controlled brake warning light
(Yellow)Master warning lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Electric power steering warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeReady operation indicator light (Green)
Engine oil pressure warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
High temperature warning light (Red)Vehicle Dynamic Control warning lightSlip indicator light
High voltage battery warning lightElectronically controlled Continuously Variable
Transmission (eCVT) position indicator lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and push the ignition switch to the ON position
without starting the Hybrid System. The following
lights will come on:
,or,,,,
,,.
The following lights come on when the ignition
switch is pushed ON before the READY light
comes on indicating the Hybrid System is activated:
or,,,.The following light comes on briefly and then
goes off:
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Instruments and controls2-9
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WARNING LIGHTS
For additional information on warnings and indi-
cators, see “Vehicle information display” later in
this section.
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light
illuminates. After the Hybrid System is in the
READY mode, the ABS warning light turns off.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
Hybrid System is running, or while driving, it may
indicate the ABS is not functioning properly.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See
9Brake system9in the9Starting and driving9sec-
tion.
orBrake warning light
This light perfomrs the following functions for the
parking brake and brake systems.
cParking brake indicator
cLow brake fluid warning lightcHydraulic brake system warning light
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the Hybrid System is in the READY mode,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the Hybrid System is in the READY mode,
the light warns of a low brake fluid level. Check
the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary.
See “Brake fluid” in the “Maintenance and do-it-
yourself” section of this manual. If the brake fluid
level is correct, see “Hydraulic brake system
warning light” in this section
Hydraulic brake system warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the Hybrid System is in the READY mode,
the light warns that the hydraulic brake system is
not functioning properly. If the brake warning light
comes on with the parking brake not applied
when the Hybrid System is in READY position,
perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See “Brake fluid” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
If the hydraulic brake warning light comes on
when the parking brake is not applied and the
electronically controlled brake system warning
light also comes on, stop the vehicleimmedi-
atelyand call a NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
cYour brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
cPressing the brake pedal with the igni-
tion switch off and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
cIf the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
2-10Instruments and controls
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5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-3
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
(if so equipped)................................5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-5
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-6
Push-Button Ignition Switch........................5-6
Push-button ignition switch positions.............5-7
Intelligent key battery discharge..................5-8
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system................5-9
Before starting the Hybrid System...................5-9
Starting the Hybrid System........................5-10
Driving the vehicle................................5-10
Electronically controlled Continuously
Variable Transmission (eCVT)...................5-10
Parking brake....................................5-13
Cruise control....................................5-14
Precautions on cruise control...................5-14Cruise control operations.......................5-14
Break-in schedule................................5-15
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-15
Parking/parking on hills............................5-16
Power steering...................................5-17
Brake system....................................5-17
Brake precautions.............................5-17
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).................5-19
Traction Control System (TCS).....................5-20
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.............5-21
Cold weather driving..............................5-22
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-22
Anti-freeze....................................5-22
Draining of coolant water.......................5-22
Tire equipment................................5-22
Special winter equipment.......................5-22
Driving on snow or ice.........................5-22
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-23
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ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
cThe Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a
sophisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces. Remem-
ber that stopping distances on slippery
surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if you
are using tire chains. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you. Ultimately, the driver is respon-
sible for safety.
cTire type and condition of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.– When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Tire and
Loading Information label” in the
“Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
– For detailed information, see
“Wheels and tires” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip-
pery surfaces. When the ABS is operating the
SLIP indicator light in the instrument panel will
blink.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise. This is normal and does not
indicate a malfunction. If the computer senses a
malfunction, it switches the ABS off and illumi-
nates the ABS warning light on the instrument
panel. The brake system then operates normally,
but without anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Starting and driving5-19
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Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above4-6MPH(7
- 10 km/h) .
When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the system electronically
controls the pressure applied to each brake.
This action is similar to pumping the brakes very
quickly. You may hear a noise from under the
hood or feel a vibration from the actuator when it
is operating. This is normal and indicates that the
ABS is operating properly. However, if the SLIP
indicator light blinks, the road conditions are haz-
ardous and extra care is required while driving.When accelerating on slippery surfaces the tire
may spin or slip. With the vehicle Traction Control
System (TCS) , sensors detect these movements
and control the braking and engine output to help
improve vehicle stability while accelerating.
cWhen the Traction Control System is oper-
ating, the slip indicator in the instrument
panel blinks.
cIf the slip indicator blinks, the vehicle is un-
der slippery conditions. Be sure to drive
carefully.
cIf a malfunction occurs in the system, the
VDC warning light illuminates in the instru-
ment panel.
As long as the VDC warning light is on, the
traction control function is canceled. The vehicle
will behave like a vehicle without the system.
WARNING
cThe Traction Control System is de-
signed to help improve driving stability
but does not prevent accidents due to
abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Reduce vehicle
speed and be especially careful when
driving and cornering on slippery sur-
faces and always drive carefully.cIf brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not stan-
dard equipment or are extremely dete-
riorated, the Traction Control System
may not operate properly and the VDC
warning light may come on.
cDo not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs and bushings
are not standard equipment or are ex-
tremely deteriorated, the Traction Con-
trol System may not operate properly
and the VDC warning light may come
on.
cIf wheels or tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the Traction
Control System may not operate prop-
erly and the VDC warning light may
come on.
cThe Traction Control System is not a
substitute for winter tires or tire chains
on a snow covered road.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS)
5-20Starting and driving
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The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
log shown in the “NISSAN Service and Mainte-
nance Guide.” When replacing the filter, wipe the
inside of the air cleaner filter housing and the
cover with a damp cloth.
To remove the air cleaner filter, push the tabs and
pull the unit upward.
WARNING
cOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or oth-
ers to be burned. The air cleaner not
only cleans the air, it stops the flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and
the engine backfires, you could be
burned. Do not drive with the air cleaner
removed, and be careful when working
on the engine with the air cleaner
removed.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body or
attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry of air-
borne dust and pollen particles and reduces
some objectionable outside odors. The filter is
located behind the glove box. Refer to the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide” for
change intervals.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer.
CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a washer
solution or a mild detergent. Your windshield is
clean if beads do not form when rinsing with clear
water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth soaked
in a washer solution or a mild detergent. Then
rinse the blades with clear water. If your wind-
shield is still not clear after cleaning the blades
and using the wiper, replace the blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can dam-
age the windshield and impair driver
vision.
LDI0580
AIR CLEANERWINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-17
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