2008 NISSAN ALTIMA headlights

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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Both lights flash when the hazard switch is turned
on.
Vehicle dynamic control off
indicator light (if so equipped)
This indicator light comes on when the vehicle
dynamic control off switch is pushed to OFF. This
indicates the vehicle dynamic control system is
not operating.
Push the vehicle dynamic control off switch again
or restart the engine and the system will operate
normally. See “Vehicle dynamic control (VDC)
system” in the “Starting and driving” section of
this manual.
The vehicle dynamic control light also comes on
when you push the push-button ignition switch to
the ON position. The light will turn off after about
2 seconds if the system is operational. If the light
stays on or comes on along with the SLIP indica-
tor light while you are driving, have the vehicle
dynamic control system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
While the vehicle dynamic control system is op-
erating, you might feel slight vibration or hear the
system working when starting the vehicle or ac-
celerating, but this is normal.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear warnings.
When a disc brake pad requires replacement, it
makes a high pitched scraping sound when the
vehicle is in motion, whether or not the brake
pedal is depressed. Have the brakes checked as
soon as possible if the warning sound is heard.
Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver’s door is opened
while the ignition switch is pushed to the ACC or
OFF position or pushed to the OFF or LOCK
position with the Intelligent Key left in the Intelli-
gent Key port. Make sure the ignition switch is
pushed to the LOCK position, and take the Intel-
ligent Key with you when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
With the ignition switch in the OFF position, a
chime sounds when the driver’s door is opened if
the headlights or parking lights are on.
Turn the headlight control switch off before leav-
ing the vehicle.The vehicle information display
s1is located to
the left of the speedometer. It displays such items
as:
ccruise control system information
cIntelligent Key operation information
csome indicators and warnings
cother information
For details about the Intelligent Key system, see
“Intelligent Key system” in the “Pre-driving
checks and adjustments” section.
WIC1102
VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY
2-16Instruments and controls
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Your vehicle may have two types of security sys-
tems:
cVehicle security system
cNISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM
The vehicle security system provides visual and
audible alarm signals if someone opens the doors
or trunk lid when the system is armed. It is not,
however, a motion detection type system that
activates when a vehicle is moved or when a
vibration occurs.The system helps deter vehicle theft but cannot
prevent it, nor can it prevent the theft of interior or
exterior vehicle components in all situations. Al-
ways secure your vehicle even if parking for a
brief period. Never leave your Intelligent Key in
the vehicle, and always lock the vehicle when
unattended. Be aware of your surroundings, and
park in secure, well-lit areas whenever possible.
Many devices offering additional protection, such
as component locks, identification markers, and
tracking systems, are available at auto supply
stores and specialty shops. Your NISSAN dealer
may also offer such equipment. Check with your
insurance company to see if you may be eligible
for discounts for various theft protection features.
How to arm the vehicle security
system
1. Close all windows.(The system can be
armed even if the windows are open.)
2. Remove the Intelligent Key from the vehicle.
3. Close all doors, hood and trunk. Lock all
doors. The doors can be locked with the
Intelligent Key, door handle request switch,
power door lock switch or mechanical key.4. Confirm that the security indicator light
comes on. The security light stays on for
about 30 seconds. The vehicle security sys-
tem is now pre-armed. After about 30 sec-
onds the vehicle security system automati-
cally shifts into the armed phase. The
security light begins to flash once every 3
seconds. If, during the 30-second pre-arm
time period, the driver’s door is unlocked by
the key or the keyfob, or the ignition switch is
pushed to ACC or ON, the system will not
arm.
cEven when the driver and/or passen-
gers are in the vehicle, the system will
activate with all the doors, hood and
trunk lid locked with the ignition
switch in the LOCK position. When
pushing the ignition switch to the ACC
or ON position, the system will be re-
leased.
Vehicle security system activation
The vehicle security system will give the following
alarm:
cThe headlights blink and the horn sounds
intermittently.
LIC0301
SECURITY SYSTEMS
2-24Instruments and controls
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To defrost the rear window glass and outside
mirrors (if so equipped) , start the engine and
push the rear window defroster switch on. The
rear window defroster indicator light on the
switch comes on. Push the switch again to turn
the defroster off.
The rear window defroster automatically turns off
after approximately 15 minutes.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the rear
window, be careful not to scratch or dam-
age the rear window defroster.NOTE:
The top few rows of wires on the rear win-
dow are not part of the rear window de-
froster system. These wires make up the
antenna for the audio system.
XENON HEADLIGHTS (if so
equipped)
WARNING
cHIGH VOLTAGE
cWhen xenon headlights are on, they
produce a high voltage. To prevent an
electric shock, never attempt to modify
or disassemble. Always have your xe-
non headlights replaced at a NISSAN
dealer.
cXenon headlights provide considerably
more light than conventional head-
lights. If they are not correctly aimed,
they might temporarily blind an oncom-
ing driver or the driver ahead of you and
cause a serious accident. If headlights
are not aimed correctly, immediately
take your vehicle to a NISSAN dealer
and have the headlights adjusted
correctly.
Type A
WIC1126
Type B
LIC1218
REAR WINDOW AND OUTSIDE
MIRROR (if so equipped)
DEFROSTER SWITCHHEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-27
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When the xenon headlight is initially turned on, its
brightness or color varies slightly. However, the
color and brightness will soon stabilize.
cThe life of xenon headlights will be
shortened by frequent on-off opera-
tion. It is generally desirable not to turn
off the headlights for short intervals
(for example, when the vehicle stops at
a traffic signal) . Even when the daytime
running lights are active (Canada only) ,
the xenon headlights do not turn on.
This way the life of the xenon head-
lights is not reduced.
cIf the xenon headlight bulb is close to
burning out, the brightness will drasti-
cally decrease, the light will start blink-
ing, or the color of the light will be-
come reddish. If one or more of the
above signs appear, contact a NISSAN
dealer.
HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH
Lighting
s1When turning the switch to theposi-
tion, the front parking, tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights come on.
s2When turning the switch to theposi-
tion, the headlights come on and all the other
lights remain on.
CAUTION
Use the headlights with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
Type A
LIC1085
Type B
LIC1064
2-28Instruments and controls
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Autolight system (if so equipped)
The autolight system allows the headlights to be
set so they turn on and off automatically. The
autolight system can:
cTurn on the headlights, front parking, tail,
license plate and instrument panel lights au-
tomatically when it is dark.
cTurn off all the lights when it is light.
cKeep all the lights on for 45 seconds after
you turn the key to OFF and all doors are
closed.To turn on the autolight system:
1. Turn the headlight switch to the AUTO posi-
tion
s1.
2. Push the push-button ignition switch to the
ON position.
3. The autolight system automatically turns the
headlights on and off.
Initially, if the push-button ignition switch is
pushed OFF and a door is opened and left open,
the headlights remain ON for 5 minutes. If an-
other door is opened during the 5 minutes, then
the 5 minute timer is reset.
To turn the autolight system off, turn the switch to
the OFF,
,orposition.Type C
LIC1063LIC1086
Instruments and controls2-29
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima(alt)
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Be sure you do not put anything on top of
the autolight sensor located on the top side
of the instrument panel. The autolight sen-
sor controls the autolight; if it is covered,
the autolight sensor reacts as if it is dark
out and the headlights will illuminate. If
this occurs while parked with the engine
off and the ignition switch in the ON posi-
tion, your vehicle’s battery could become
discharged.Headlight beam select
s1To select the high beam function, push the
lever forward. The high beam lights come on
and the
light illuminates.
s2Pull the lever back to select the low beam.
s3Pulling and releasing the lever flashes the
headlight high beams on and off.
Battery saver system
If the ignition switch is turned OFF while the
headlight switch is in theorposi-
tion, the headlights will turn off after 5 minutes.
CAUTION
Even though the battery saver feature au-
tomatically turns off the headlights after a
period of time, you should turn the head-
light switch to the OFF position when the
engine is not running to avoid discharging
the vehicle battery.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM
(Canada only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a re-
duced intensity when the engine is started with
the parking brake released. The daytime running
lights operate with the headlight switch in the
OFF position or in the
position. Turn the
headlight switch to theposition for full
illumination when driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the engine is
started, the daytime running lights do not illumi-
nate. The daytime running lights illuminate when
the parking brake is released. The daytime run-
ning lights will remain on until the ignition switch
is pushed off.
LIC1068LIC1087
2-30Instruments and controls
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima(alt)
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WARNING
When the daytime running light system is
active, tail lights on your vehicle are not
on. It is necessary at dusk to turn on your
headlights. Failure to do so could cause
an accident injuring yourself and others.
INSTRUMENT BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL
The instrument cluster illuminates when the igni-
tion switch is in ON position.
The instrument brightness control operates when
the headlight control switch is in the
AUTO,
orposition.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of instru-
ment panel lights when driving at night.
The instrument brightness control will not adjust
the brightness when the headlights or parking
lights are off.
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
Turn signal
s1Move the lever up or down to signal the
turning direction. When the turn is com-
pleted, the turn signals cancel automatically.
Lane change signal
s2To signal a lane change, move the lever up or
down to the point where the indicator light
begins to flash, but the lever does not latch.
LIC1066LIC1088
Instruments and controls2-31
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