2008 NISSAN ALTIMA Owners Manual

NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and chil-
dren be properly restrained in a rear seat.
NISSAN also recommends that appropriate child
restraints and booster seats be properly installed
in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the occupant
classification sensor is designed to operate as
described above to turn the front passenger air
bag OFF for specified child restraints as required
by the regulations. Failing to properly secure
child restraints and to use the Automatic Locking
Retractor mode (child restraint mode) may allow
the restraint to tip or move in an accident or
sudden stop. This can also result in the passen-
ger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being
OFF. See “Child restraints” earlier in this section
for proper use and installation.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object being detected by the occupant clas-
sification sensor. Other conditions could also
result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants
are seated and restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light, you can
monitor when the front passenger air bag is au-
tomatically turned OFF with the seat occupied.The light will not illuminate when the front pas-
senger seat is unoccupied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the passen-
ger air bag status light is illuminated (indicating
that the air bag is OFF) , it could be that the
person is a small adult, or is not sitting on the seat
properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front seat,
the passenger air bag status light may or may not
be illuminated, depending on the size of the child
and the type of child restraint being used. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated (indicating that
the air bag might inflate in a crash) , it could be
that the child restraint or seat belt is not being
used properly. Make sure that the child restraint is
installed properly, the seat belt is used properly
and the occupant is positioned properly. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
If the passenger air bag status light will not illu-
minate even though you believe that the child
restraint, the seat belts and the occupant are
properly positioned, the system may be sensing
an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is
OFF) . Your NISSAN dealer can check that the
system is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your dealer that
your air bag is working properly, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.The air bag system and passenger air bag status
light will take a few seconds to register a change
in the passenger seat status. However, if the seat
becomes unoccupied, the air bag status light will
remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges area
in the center of the instrument panel, will blink.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front air bag precau-
tions
WARNING
cDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
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cDo not place objects with sharp edges
on the seat. Also, do not place heavy
objects on the seat that will leave per-
manent impressions in the seat. Such
objects can damage the seat or occu-
pant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) . This can affect the operation of the
air bag system and result in serious
personal injury.
cDo not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can
damage the seat or occupant classifica-
tion sensor. This can also affect the
operation of the air bag system and
result in serious personal injury.
cImmediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will be
hot. Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This is
to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to the
supplemental air bag system.cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental front air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental front
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.
cModifying or tampering with the front
passenger seat may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing mate-
rial on the seat cushion or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, on the seat that are not specifi-
cally designed to assure proper air bag
operation. Additionally, do not stow any
objects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback. Such
objects may interfere with the proper
operation of the occupant classifica-
tion sensor.cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the seat belt system. This may affect the
supplemental front air bag system.
Tampering with the seat belt system
may result in serious personal injury.
cWork on and around the supplemental
front air bag system should be done by
a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electri-
cal equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) wiring should not
be modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used on
the air bag system.
cA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield could
affect the function of the supplemental
air bag system.
cThe SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental front air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appropri-
ate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
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Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bags and roof-
mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bags system
The front seat-mounted side-impact supplemen-
tal air bags are located in the outside of the
seatback of the front seats. The roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental air bags are
located in the side roof rails. These systems are
designed to meet voluntary guidelines to help
reduce the risk of injury to out-of-position occu-
pants.However, all of the information, cau-
tions and warnings in this manual still ap-
ply and must be followed.The supplementalside air bags and curtain side-impact air bags are
designed to inflate in higher severity side colli-
sions, although they may inflate if the forces in
another type of collision are similar to those of a
higher severity side impact. They are designed to
inflate on the side where the vehicle is impacted.
They may not inflate in certain side collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper supplemental side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag operation.
When the supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag inflate, a fairly loud noise may
be heard, followed by release of smoke. 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.
Supplemental side air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the chest and pelvic area of the front occupants.
Curtain side-impact air bags help to cushion the
impact force to the head of occupants in the front
and rear outboard seating positions. They can
help save lives and reduce serious injuries. How-
ever, an inflating side air bag and curtain side-
impact air bag may cause abrasions or otherinjuries. Supplemental side air bags and curtain
side-impact air bags do not provide restraint to
the lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the supplemental side air
bag. Rear seat passengers should be seated as
far away as practical from the door finishers and
side roof rails. The side air bags and curtain
side-impact air bag inflate quickly in order to help
protect the front occupants. Because of this, the
force of the side air bag and curtain side-impact
air bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to, or is against, these
air bag modules during inflation. The side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag will deflate
quickly after the collision is over.
The supplemental side air bags and curtain
side-impact air bags operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WRS0816
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WARNING
cDo not place any objects near the seat-
back of the front seats. Also, do not
place any objects (an umbrella, bag,
etc.) between the front door finisher
and the front seat. Such objects may
become dangerous projectiles and
cause injury if the supplemental side air
bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag system
components will be hot. Do not touch
them; you may severely burn yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the side air bag and curtain side-impact
air bag system. This is to prevent acci-
dental inflation of the side air bag and
curtain side-impact air bag or damage
to the side air bag and curtain side-
impact air bag system.
cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or side panel. This
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system.cTampering with the supplemental side
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing mate-
rial near the seatbacks or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bag.
cWork around and on the curtain air bag
system should be done by a NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical equip-
ment should also be done by a NISSAN
dealer. The SRS wiring harnesses*
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices should
not be used on the side air bag or cur-
tain air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental side air
bag and curtain side-impact air bag system and
guide the buyer to the appropriate sections in this
Owner’s Manual.
Seat belts with pretensioners (Front
seats)
WARNING
cThe seat belts with pretensioners can-
not be reused after activation. It must
be replaced 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 seat belts with pretensioners. This
is to prevent accidental activation of
the seat belts with pretensioners or
damage to the seat belts with preten-
sioners operation. Tampering with the
seat belts with pretensioners may result
in serious personal injury.
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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 belts with pretensioners activate in
conjunction with the supplemental air bag sys-
tems. 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 seat belt activates,
smoke is released 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 maycause 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 seat belt 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. SRS air bag warning labels
2. Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag warning label
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front air
bag systems are placed in the vehicle as shown
in the illustration.
WRS0169
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits of the supplemental front air bag,
front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air
bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact and
rollover supplemental air bag and seatbelt with
pretensioners. The circuits monitored by the
supplemental air bag warning light are the Air bag
Control Unit, crash zone sensor, satellite sen-
sors, front air bag modules, side air bag modules,
curtain side-impact air bag modules, seatbelt
with pretensioners and all related wiring.When the ignition is in the ON position, the
supplemental air bag warning light illuminates for
about 7 seconds and then turns off. This means
the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, front seat-mounted
side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-
mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air
bag and seat belts with pretensioners need ser-
vicing:
cThe supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bag, front seat-mounted side-impact supple-
mental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-
impact and rollover supplemental air bag or seat-
belt with pretensioners may not operate properly.
It must be checked and repaired. Take your ve-
hicle to the nearest NISSAN dealer.
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 rollover
supplemental air bag and/or seat belt
with pretensioners will not operate in an
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself
or others, have your vehicle 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 belts with 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-LRS0100
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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, front
seat-mounted side-impact supplemen-
tal air bags, roof-mounted curtain side-
impact and rollover 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 seat belts with pretensioners
must also be replaced. The air bag mod-
ule and seat belts with pretensioners
should be replaced by a NISSAN dealer.
The air bag module and seat belts with
pretensioners cannot be repaired.
cThe supplemental front air bag, roof-
mounted curtain side-impact and roll-
over supplemental air bag systems, and
the seat belts with 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, seat belts with preten-
sioners or scrap the vehicle, contact a
NISSAN dealer. Correct supplemental
air bag and seat belts with pretension-
ers disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal procedures
could cause personal injury.
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2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer.....................2-4
Tachometer....................................2-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge...............2-5
Fuel gauge....................................2-6
Compass display (if so equipped)...................2-6
Compass display...............................2-7
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders......2-10
Checking bulbs...............................2-10
Warning lights................................2-10
Indicator lights................................2-14
Audible reminders.............................2-16
Vehicle information display.........................2-16
How to use the Vehicle Information Display.......2-17
Security systems.................................2-24
Vehicle security system.........................2-24
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system.............2-25
Windshield wiper and washer switch...............2-26
Switch operation..............................2-26
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch..................................2-27
Headlight and turn signal switch....................2-27Xenon headlights (if so equipped)...............2-27
Headlight control switch........................2-28
Daytime running light system (Canada only)......2-30
Instrument brightness control...................2-31
Turn signal switch.............................2-31
Fog light switch (if so equipped)................2-32
Hazard warning flasher switch.....................2-32
Horn............................................2-33
Heated seat (if so equipped).......................2-33
Traction control system (TCS) off switch
(if so equipped)..................................2-34
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch
(if so equipped)..................................2-34
Power outlet.....................................2-35
Storage.........................................2-36
Map pockets..................................2-36
Seatback pockets.............................2-36
Storage pouch................................2-37
Sunglasses holder.............................2-37
Cup holders..................................2-38
Glove box....................................2-39
Console box..................................2-39
Covered storage box...........................2-40
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