2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID service

Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN
owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with
confidence. It was produced using the latest
techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you under-
stand the operation and maintenance of your
vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles (kilome-
ters) of driving pleasure. Please read through this
manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information Booklet
explains details about the warranties cov-
ering your vehicle. The “NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide” explains details
about maintaining and servicing your ve-
hicle. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state’s lemon
law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle
best. When you require any service or have any
questions, they will be glad to assist you with the
extensive resources available to them.Before driving your vehicle please read this Own-
er’s Manual carefully. This will ensure familiarity
with controls and maintenance requirements, as-
sisting you in the safe operation of your vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION RE-
MINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and complete trip for
you and your passengers!
cNEVER drive under the influence of al-
cohol or drugs.
cALWAYS observe posted speed limits
and never drive too fast for conditions.
cALWAYS give your full attention to driv-
ing and avoid using vehicle features or
taking other actions that could distract
you.
cALWAYS use your seat belts and appro-
priate child restraint systems. Preteen
children should be seated in the rear
seat.
cALWAYS provide information about the
proper use of vehicle safety features to
all occupants of the vehicle.cALWAYS review this Owner’s Manual
for important safety information.
MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
This vehicle should not be modified.
Modification could affect its
performance, safety or durability, and
may even violate governmental
regulations. In addition, damage or per-
formance problems resulting from modi-
fications may not be covered under
NISSAN warranties.
FOREWORD READ FIRST—THEN DRIVE SAFELY
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NISSAN CARES...
Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are
our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and service needs.
However, if there is something that your NISSAN
dealer cannot assist you with or you would like to
provide NISSAN directly with comments or
questions, please contact the NISSAN Con-
sumer Affairs Department using our toll-free
number:
For U.S. customers
1-800-NISSAN-1
(1-800-647-7261)
For Canadian customers
1-800-387-0122The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the
following information:
– Your name, address, and telephone number
– Vehicle identification number (attached to the
top of the instrument panel on the driver’s
side)
– Date of purchase
– Current odometer reading
– Your NISSAN dealer’s name
– Your comments or questions
ORYou can write to NISSAN with the information at:
For U.S. customers
Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
For Canadian customers
Nissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5
We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle.
NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM
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The Hybrid System combines the power of a
gasoline engine and an electric motor to minimize
fuel consumption and emissions.
Depending on driving conditions, the vehicle runs
on a combination of the gasoline engine and the
electric motor, whichever is best for those condi-
tions.
Because the gasoline engine charges the high
voltage battery as needed, the battery does not
have to be charged from an outside source like an
all-electric vehicle.WARNING
Your vehicle contains a sealed Nickel-
Metal hydride high voltage battery. If dis-
posed of improperly, it is hazardous to the
environment and there is a risk of severe
burns and electrical shock that may result
in serious injury or death.
The high voltage battery is used to drive the
electric motors in the Hybrid System.
The high voltage battery has a limited service life.
Contact your NISSAN dealer for information
about recycling or disposal of the battery.
WARNING
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.
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.
HYBRID SYSTEM HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY HIGH VOLTAGE CAUTIONS
HEV-2HEV Overview
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1. Air conditioner compressor location
2. Electric power steering location
3. 42V DC/DC converter
4. High voltage battery and 12V DC/DC
converter
5. Service disconnect
6. High voltage harnesses
7. Traction motor location
8. Inverter unit
The Hybrid System uses high voltage up to 650
V. High voltage components are indicated in the
illustration. High voltage cables are orange. The
system can be hot while and after starting. Be
careful of both the high voltage and the high
temperature.
HYBRID VEHICLE
CHARACTERISTICS
WARNING
cPay special attention to pedestrians
when the vehicle is powered only by the
traction motor. Because there is no en-
gine noise, pedestrians may not know
the vehicle is moving or about to move
and step into the direction of vehicle
travel.cWhen you leave your vehicle, be sure to
turn off the Hybrid System.
cBe sure to put the transmission in the P
(Park) position because the vehicle can
move when the READY light is on even
if the engine is stopped. When the
READY light is on, do not leave your
vehicle in a shift position other than the
P (Park) position. The vehicle will creep
and start abruptly if the accelerator
pedal is depressed by mistake. This may
cause serious injury or death.
CAUTION
cIf the vehicle is parked for a long time,
the high voltage battery will discharge
gradually. To keep the high voltage bat-
tery in good condition, drive the vehicle
at least once every several months for
at least 30 minutes or ten miles. If the
high voltage battery becomes fully dis-
charged and the vehicle will not start
even with a jump-start to the 12-volt
system, contact your NISSAN dealer.cAfter the 12-volt battery is discon-
nected, run down, or replaced, the
gasoline engine may not stop even
while the vehicle is powered only by the
traction motor. If this condition contin-
ues for several days, take the vehicle to
your NISSAN dealer.
cDo not load large amounts of water in
open containers (aquariums or buck-
ets) into the vehicle. If the water spills
onto the high voltage battery, it may
cause a short circuit and damage the
battery.
High voltage parts and cables on the hybrid
vehicles emit approximately the same amount of
electromagnetic waves as the conventional
gasoline powered vehicles or home electronic
appliances despite of their electromagnetic
shieldings. Unwanted noise may occur in the
reception of a mobile two-way radio.
Charging the high voltage battery while driving is
important. The vehicle cannot run if the high
voltage battery is discharged. In the N (Neutral)
position, the high voltage battery does not re-
charge. Leaving the transmission in the N (Neu-
tral) position for an extended period of time may
discharge the high voltage battery. The high volt-
age battery recharges when the selector lever is
in any position other than N (Neutral) . Repeated
HEV OverviewHEV-9
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Seat belts with pretensioners (Front
seats)
WARNING
cThe pretensioner system cannot be re-
used after activation. It must be re-
placed together with the retractor and
buckle as a unit.
cIf the vehicle becomes involved in a
frontal collision but the pretensioner is
not activated, be sure to have the pre-
tensioner system checked and, if nec-
essary, replaced by your NISSAN
dealer.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pretensioners. This is to prevent
damage to or accidental activation of
the pretensioner. Tampering with the
pretensioner system may result in seri-
ous personal injury.cWork around and on the seat belts with
pretensioners should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the seat belts
with pretensioners.
cWork around and on the seat belts with
pretensioners should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the seat belts
with pretensioners..
cIf you need to dispose of the preten-
sioner or scrap the vehicle, contact a
NISSAN dealer. Correct pretensioner
disposal procedures are set forth in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.
Incorrect disposal procedures could
cause personal injury.
The front seat belt pretensioners activate in con-
junction with the supplemental air bag systems.
Working with the seat belt retractor, it helps
tighten the seat belt when the vehicle becomes
involved in certain types of collisions, helping to
restrain front seat occupants.The pretensioner is encased with the seat belt’s
retractor. These seat belts are used the same as
conventional seat belts.
When the pretensioner activates, smoke is re-
leased and a loud noise may be heard. This
smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a fire.
Care should be taken not to inhale it, as it may
cause irritation and choking. Those with a history
of a breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
After the pretensioners have activated, load lim-
iters allow the seat belt to release webbing (if
necessary) to reduce forces against the chest.
If any abnormality occurs in the pretensioners, the
supplemental air bag warning light
will not
come on, will flash intermittently or will turn on for
7 seconds and remain on after the ignition key
has been turned to the ON or START position. In
this case, the pretensioner may not function
properly. They must be checked and repaired.
Take your vehicle to the nearest NISSAN dealer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the seat belts with preten-
sioners and guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner’s Manual.
1-48Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemental
front air bag, front seat-mounted side-
impact supplemental air bags, roof-
mounted curtain side-impact and supple-
mental air bags and/or pretensioners will
not operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your ve-
hicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon
as possible.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental front air bags, front seat-
mounted side-impact supplemental air bags,
roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental
air bags and seat belt pretensioners are designed
to inflate on a one-time-only basis. As a reminder,
unless it is damaged, the supplemental air bag
warning light remains illuminated after inflation
has occurred. Repair and replacement of these
supplemental air bag systems should be done
only by a NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the ve-
hicle, the supplemental front air bags, supple-
mental side air bags, curtain side-impact air
bags, pretensioners and related parts should be
pointed out to the person performing the mainte-nance. The ignition should always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or inside
the vehicle.
WARNING
cOnce a supplemental front air bag,
side-impact supplemental air bag, cur-
tain side-impact and supplemental air
bag has inflated, the air bag module will
not function again and must be re-
placed. Additionally, if any of the
supplemental front air bags inflate, the
activated pretensioners must also be
replaced. The air bag module and pre-
tensioners should be replaced by a
NISSAN dealer. The air bag module and
pretensioners cannot be repaired.
cThe supplemental front air bag, curtain
side-impact and supplemental air bag
systems, and the pretensioners should
be inspected by a NISSAN dealer if
there is any damage to the front end or
side portion of the vehicle.cIf you need to dispose of the supple-
mental air bag, pretensioners or scrap
the vehicle, contact a NISSAN dealer.
Correct supplemental air bag and pre-
tensioner disposal procedures are set
forth in the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal procedures
could cause personal injury.
1-50Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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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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cYour brake system may not be working
properly if both the brake warning light
and electronically controlled brake sys-
tem warning light come on when the
Hybrid System is in READY mode and
the parking brake is not applied. Driving
could be dangerous. If you judge it to be
safe, drive carefully to the nearest ser-
vice station for repairs. Otherwise, have
your vehicle towed because driving
could be dangerous.
12–volt battery charge
warning light
If this light comes on while the Hybrid System is
running, it may indicate the 12-volt battery charg-
ing system is not functioning properly. See a
NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
The charging system may not be function-
ing properly if the charge warning light
comes on while the Hybrid System is run-
ning. The Hybrid System will stop operat-
ing when the 12-volt battery becomes dis-
charged. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your NISSAN
dealer.
Electronically controlled brake
warning light
This light functions for both the regenerative
brake and electronically controlled brake sys-
tems.
When the ignition switch is pushed ON and the
Hybrid System is in the READY mode, the light
stays on for about 2 seconds. If the light comes
on at any other time, it may indicate the regenera-
tive brake and/or the electronically controlled
brake systems are not functioning properly. Have
the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If the hydraulic brake warning light also comes on
with the parking brake not applied, stop the ve-
hicle immediately and call a NISSAN dealer. For
additional information, see9Brake system9in
9Starting and Driving9section.
WARNING
Your brake system may not be working
properly if both the brake warning light
and electronically controlled brake sys-
tem warning light come on when the Hy-
brid System is in READY mode and the
parking brake is not applied. Driving could
be dangerous. If you judge it to be safe,
drive carefully to the nearest service sta-
tion for repairs. Otherwise, have your ve-
hicle towed because driving could be
dangerous.
Electric power steering
warning light
WARNING
cIf the ignition switch is not in the ON
position and the Hybrid System is not in
the READY mode, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be harder to operate.
Instruments and controls2-11
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