QR25DE engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-13)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reser-
voir (M/T model) (P. 8-13, 8-14)
4. Air cleaner (P. 8-18)
5. Fuse block (P. 8-21)
6. Battery (P. 8-15)
7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-21)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
10. Drive belt location (P.8-16)
11. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
12. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-14)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LDI0553
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents
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VQ35DE engine
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-13)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-9)
3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reser-
voir (M/T model) (P. 8-13, 8-14)
4. Air cleaner (P. 8-18)
5. Fuse block (P. 8-21)
6. Battery (P. 8-15)
7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-21)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-9)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)
10. Drive belt location (P.8-16)
11. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)
12. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-14)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
LDI0552
Illustrated table of contents0-9
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima(alt)
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If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine 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 functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the light
comes on while the engine is running with the
parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle and
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.
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 en-
gine stopped 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.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not func-
tioning properly. Turn the engine off and checkthe drive belt. If the belt is loose, broken, missing,
or if the light remains on, see a NISSAN dealer
immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the drive belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) check
warning light (if so equipped)
When the push-button ignition switch is pushed
to the ON position, the light comes on for about 2
seconds. If the light comes on at any other time, it
may indicate the CVT system is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If the
light flickers or comes on during normal driving,
pull off the road in a safe area, stop the engine
immediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer or other
authorized repair shop.
Instruments and controls2-11
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Vehicle information display warnings
and indicators
1. Door and trunk open warning
2. Push warning
3. Low fuel warning4. Low windshield washer fluid warning
5. No key warning
6. Parking brake indicator
7. Shift P warning8. Cruise main switch indicator
9. Cruise set switch indicator
10. Engine start operation indicator (CVT mod-
els)
WIC1275
Instruments and controls2-21
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11. Engine start operation indicator (MT mod-
els)
12. Intelligent Key insertion indicator
13. Intelligent Key removal indicator
14. Intelligent Key battery discharge indicator
15. Steering lock release malfunction indicator
Door and trunk open warning
This warning illuminates when a door or the trunk
has been opened when the engine is running.
Push warning (CVT models)
After the Shift P warning illuminates, the Push
warning will illuminate if the ignition switch in the
ACC position when the shift selector lever is
moved to the P (Park) position.
See “Shift P warning” in this section for additional
information.
To turn off the Push warning, push the ignition
switch to the ON position and then to the LOCK
position.
Low fuel warning
This warning illuminates when the fuel level in the
fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the fuel gauge
reaches E (Empty) .There will be a small re-serve of fuel in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches E (Empty) .
Low windshield washer fluid warning
This warning illuminates when the windshield
washer fluid is at a low level. Add windshield
washer fluid as necessary. See “Window washer
fluid” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section of this manual.
No key warning
This warning illuminates following two condi-
tions:
1. When the ignition switch is pushed and the
Intelligent Key cannot be recognized by the
system. If this warning illuminates, you can-
not start the engine.
Check for the following causes and perform
the assigned remedies:
– The battery of the Intelligent Key carried
with you is discharged completely. Re-
place the battery with a new one.
– The Intelligent Key carried with you is not
registered to the system. Use the regis-
tered Intelligent Key.
– You do not have an Intelligent Key with
you. Carry an Intelligent Key with you.2. When the door is closed with the Intelligent
Key left outside the vehicle and the ignition
switch is in the ACC or ON position. A
chime will also sound.
Parking brake warning
This warning illuminates when the parking brake
is set and the vehicle is driven.
SHIFT P warning (CVT models)
This warning illuminates when the ignition switch
is pushed to stop the engine with the selector
lever in any position except in the P (Park) posi-
tion.
If this warning illuminates, the ignition switch is in
the OFF position. Move the selector lever to the P
(Park) position or push the ignition switch to the
ON position.
An inside warning chime will also sound.
If the shift selector lever is moved to the P (Park)
position, the Push warning will appear. Refer to
“Push warning” in this section.
For additional information about Intelligent Key,
see “Intelligent Key system” in the “Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section.
Cruise main switch indicator
This indicator illuminates when the cruise control
main switch is pushed. The indicator turns off
2-22Instruments and controls
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To remove the Intelligent Key from the port, push
the ignition switch to the LOCK position and pull
the Intelligent Key out of the port
sC.NOTE:
The Intelligent Key port does not charge
the Intelligent Key battery. If you see the
low battery indicator, replace the battery as
soon as possible. See “Intelligent Key bat-
tery replacement” in the “Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section.
CAUTION
cNever place anything except the Intelli-
gent Key in the Intelligent Key port. Do-
ing so may cause damage to the
equipment.
cMake sure the Intelligent Key is in the
correct direction when inserting it to
the Intelligent Key port. The engine may
not start if it is in the wrong direction.
cRemove the Intelligent Key from the
Intelligent Key port after the ignition
switch is pushed to the LOCK position.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid as
frequently as possible, or at least whenever
you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights when
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position. See “Warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders” in the “Instruments and
controls” section of this manual.
LSD0186
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-8Starting and driving
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Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
shift selector lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal de-
pressed and the selector lever button pushed.
If the battery is discharged completely, the steer-
ing wheel cannot be locked or unlocked. Do not
move the vehicle with the steering wheel locked.
It will be necessary to jump start or have your
battery charged, see “Jump starting” in the “In
case of emergency” section. Contact your
NISSAN dealer or a professional towing service.To move the shift selector lever, complete the
following procedure:
1. Push the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Remove the shift lock release cover as
shown.
4. Insert a small screwdriver in the shift lock
release slot and push down.
5. Move the shift selector lever to the N (Neu-
tral) position while holding down the shift
lock release.
6. Push the ignition switch to the ON position
to unlock the steering wheel. Now the ve-
hicle may be moved to the desired location.
If the shift selector lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) , have a NISSAN dealer check the trans-
mission as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is depressed,
the stop lights may not work. Malfunction-
ing stop lights could cause an accident
injuring yourself and others.
Accelerator downshift
— in D position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into a lower gear, depending on the
vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperature with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer) , engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may be
limited.
Fail-safe
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction indicator light
(MIL)” in the “Instrument and controls” sec-
LSD0183
Starting and driving5-13
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tion. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this
case, push the ignition switch to the OFF
position and wait for 10 seconds. Then
push the switch back to the ON position.
The vehicle should return to its normal op-
erating condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually reduced.
The reduced speed may be lower than
other traffic, which could increase the
chance of a collision. Be especially care-
ful when driving. If necessary, pull to the
side of the road at a safe place and allow
the transmission to return to normal op-
eration, or have it repaired if necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
WARNING
cDo not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
cDo not over-rev the engine when shift-
ing to a lower gear. This may cause a
loss of control or engine damage.
CAUTION
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
cFully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.
cStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse) .
cWhen the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running (for example, at a stop
light) , shift to N (Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
Shifting
To change gears, or when upshifting or down-
shifting, depress the clutch pedal fully, shift into
the appropriate gear, then release the clutch
slowly and smoothly.
To ensure smooth gear changes, fully depress
the clutch pedal before operating the shift lever. If
the clutch pedal is not fully depressed before the
transmission is shifted, a gear noise may be
heard. Transmission damage may occur.
Start the vehicle in 1st gear and shift to 2nd, 3rd,
4th and 5th up to 6th gear in sequence according
to vehicle speed.
LSD0180
5-14Starting and driving
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima(alt)
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