2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE high

Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light2-11
or
Brake warning light 2-11
Charge warning
light2-11
Continuously Vari-
able Transmission
(CVT) check warn-
ing light (if so
equipped)2-11
Engine oil pressure
warning light2-12
Low tire pressure
warning light2-12
Warning
lightName Page
Master warning light 2-13
NISSAN Intelligent
Key ™ warning light2-13
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-13
Supplemental air
bag warning light1-58
Indicator
lightName Page
Continuously Vari-
able Transmission
(CVT) position indi-
cator light (if so
equipped)2-14
Front passenger air
bag status light2-14
High beam indicator
light (blue)2-14
Indicator
lightName Page
Malfunction Indica-
tor Light (MIL)2-14
Security indicator
light2-26
Slip indicator light (if
so equipped)2-15
Traction Control
System off indicator
light (if so equipped)2-35
Turn signal/hazard
indicator lights2-16
Vehicle Dynamic
Control off indicator
light (if so equipped)2-35
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
0-12Illustrated table of contents
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X

1. Open the access cover on the rear parcel
shelf.
2. Push down on the button on the rear parcel
shelf.
3. Fold down the passenger’s side seatback.
WARNING
cNever allow anyone to ride in the cargo
area or on the rear seat when it is in the
fold-down position. Use of these areas
by passengers without proper restraints
could result in serious injury in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.
cProperly secure all cargo with ropes or
straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
cWhen returning the seatbacks to the
upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched posi-
tion. If they are not completely secured,
passengers may be injured in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.cClosely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
To fold down the driver’s side of the rear seat,
reach through the opening and pull on the strap
s1located behind the seat.
The rear seats can be locked using the mechani-
cal key to prevent unauthorized access. For more
information on keys, refer to “Keys” in the “Pre-
driving checks and adjustments” section of this
manual.
WRS0745
1-10Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X

To lower, push and hold the lock knob and push
the head restraint down.Removal
Use the following procedure to remove the ad-
justable head restraints.
1. Pull the head restraint up to the highest
position.
2. Push and hold the lock knob.
3. Remove the head restraint from the seat.
4. Store the head restraint properly so it is not
loose in the vehicle.
5. Install and properly adjust the head restraint
before an occupant uses the seating posi-
tion.
Install
1. Align the head restraint stalks with the holes
in the seat. Make sure the head restraint is
facing the correct direction. The stalk with
the adjustment notches
s1must be installed
in the hole with the lock button
s2.
2. Push and hold the lock knob and push the
head restraint down.
3. Properly adjust the head restraint before an
occupant uses the seating position.
LRS0889LRS0890LRS0891
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-13
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X

WARNING
cAlways route the shoulder belt over
your shoulder and across your chest.
Never put the belt behind your back,
under your arm or across your neck. The
belt should be away from your face and
neck, but not falling off your shoulder.
cPosition the lap belt as low and snug as
possible AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THE
WAIST. A lap belt worn too high could
increase the risk of internal injuries in
an accident.cBe sure the seat belt tongue is securely
fastened to the proper buckle.
cDo not wear the seat belt inside out or
twisted. Doing so may reduce its
effectiveness.
cDo not allow more than one person to
use the same seat belt.
cNever carry more people in the vehicle
than there are seat belts.
cIf the seat belt warning light glows con-
tinuously while the ignition is turned
ON with all doors closed and all seat
belts fastened, it may indicate a mal-
function in the system. Have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
cNo changes should be made to the seat
belt system. For example, do not modify
the seat belt, add material, or install
devices that may change the seat belt
routing or tension. Doing so may affect
the operation of the seat belt system.
Modifying or tampering with the seat
belt system may result in serious per-
sonal injury.cOnce a seat belt pretensioner has acti-
vated, it cannot be reused and must be
replaced together with the retractor.
See your NISSAN dealer.
cRemoval and installation of preten-
sioner system components should be
done by a NISSAN dealer.
cAll seat belt assemblies, including re-
tractors and attaching hardware,
should be inspected after any collision
by a NISSAN dealer. NISSAN recom-
mends that all seat belt assemblies in
use during a collision be replaced un-
less the collision was minor and the
belts show no damage and continue to
operate properly. Seat belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also
be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
cAll child restraints and attaching hard-
ware should be inspected after any col-
lision. Always follow the restraint
manufacturer’s inspection instructions
and replacement recommendations.
The child restraints should be replaced
if they are damaged.
SSS0014
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-17
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X

cAfter placing the child in the booster
seat and fastening the seat belt, make
sure the shoulder portion of the belt is
away from the child’s face and neck and
the lap portion of the belt does not
cross the abdomen.
cDo not put the shoulder belt behind the
child or under the child’s arm. If you
must install a booster seat in the front
seat, see “Booster seat installation”
later in this section.
cWhen your booster seat is not in use,
keep it secured with a seat belt to pre-
vent it from being thrown around in
case of a sudden stop or accident.
CAUTION
Remember that a booster seat left in a
closed vehicle can become very hot.
Check the seating surface and buckles
before placing your child in the booster
seat.Booster seats of various sizes are offered by
several manufacturers. When selecting any
booster seat, keep the following points in mind:
cChoose only a booster seat with a label
certifying that it complies with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
cCheck the booster seat in your vehicle to be
sure it is compatible with the vehicle’s seat
and seat belt system.cMake sure the child’s head will be properly
supported by the booster seat or vehicle
seat. The seatback must be at or above the
center of the child’s ears. For example, if a
low back booster seats1is chosen, the
vehicle seatback must be at or above the
center of the child’s ears. If the seatback is
lower than the center of the child’s ears, a
high back booster seat
s2should be used.
cIf the booster seat is compatible with your
vehicle, place your child in the booster seat
and check the various adjustments to be
sure the booster seat is compatible with your
child. Always follow all recommended pro-
cedures.
LRS0455WRS0813
1-40Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X

NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
(front seats)
This vehicle is equipped with the NISSAN Ad-
vanced Air Bag System for the driver and front
passenger seats. This system is designed to
meet certification requirements under U.S. regu-
lations. It is also permitted in Canada.However,
all of the information, cautions and warn-
ings in this manual still apply and must be
followed.
The driver supplemental front-impact air bag is
located in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger supplemental front-impact air bag is
mounted in the dashboard above the glove box.
The front air bags are designed to inflate in higher
severity frontal collisions, although they may in-
flate if the forces in another type of collision are
similar to those of a higher severity frontal impact.
They may not inflate in certain frontal collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper front air bag system opera-
tion.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System has dual
stage air bag inflators. It also monitors informa-
tion from the crash zone sensor, the Air bag
Control Unit (ACU) , seat belt buckle sensors and
the occupant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) . Inflator operation is based on the severity of
a collision and seat belt usage for the driver. Forthe front passenger, the occupant classification
sensor is also monitored. Based on information
from the sensors, only one front air bag may
inflate in a crash, depending on the crash severity
and whether the front occupants are belted or
unbelted. Additionally, the front passenger air
bag may be automatically turned OFF under
some conditions, depending on the information
provided by the occupant classification sensor. If
the front passenger air bag is OFF, the passenger
air bag status light will be illuminated (if the seat is
unoccupied, the light will not be illuminated, but
the air bag will be off) . See “Front passenger air
bag and status light” later in this section for
further details. One front air bag inflating does not
indicate improper performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, please contact NISSAN or your NISSAN
dealer. If you are considering modification of your
vehicle due to a disability, you may also contact
NISSAN. Contact information is contained in the
front of this Owner’s Manual.
When a front air bag inflates, a fairly loud noise
may be heard, followed by the release of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a
fire. Care should be taken to not inhale it, as it may
cause irritation and choking. Those with a history
of a breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.Front air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force on the face and
chest of the front occupants. They can help save
lives and reduce serious injuries. However, an
inflating front air bag may cause facial abrasions
or other injuries. Front air bags do not provide
restraint to the lower body.
Even with NISSAN advanced air bags, seat belts
should be correctly worn and the driver and pas-
senger seated upright as far as practical away
from the steering wheel or instrument panel. The
front air bags inflate quickly in order to help
protect the front occupants. Because of this, the
force of the front air bag inflating can increase the
risk of injury if the occupant is too close to, or is
against, the front air bag module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The front air bags operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
After placing the ignition switch in 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.
1-52Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X

Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag and roof-
mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag systems
The side air bags are located in the outside of the
seatback of the front seats. The curtain 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 side air bags
and curtain air bags are designed to inflate in
higher severity side collisions, although they mayinflate 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 cer-
tain side collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper side air bag and curtain air
bag operation.
When the side air bags and curtain air bags
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 con-
dition should get fresh air promptly.
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 air
bags help to cushion the impact force to the head
of occupants in the front and rear outboard seat-
ing positions. They can help save lives and re-
duce serious injuries. However, an inflating side
air bag and curtain air bag may cause abrasions
or other injuries. Side air bags and curtain 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 side air bag. Rear seat
passengers should be seated as far away aspractical from the door finishers and side roof
rails. The side air bags and curtain air bags inflate
quickly in order to help protect the front occu-
pants. Because of this, the force of the side air
bag and curtain 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 bags and curtain air bag will deflate
quickly after the collision is over.
The side air bags and curtain air bags op-
erate only when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position.
After placing the ignition switch in 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.
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 a side air bag inflates.
WRS0816
1-56Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X

TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revo-
lutions per minute (rpm) . Do not rev engine into
the red zone
s1.
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the red
zone, shift to a higher gear or reduce en-
gine speed. Operating the engine in the
red zone may cause serious engine
damage.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range
s1when the gauge needle points
within the zone shown in the illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with the
outside air temperature and driving conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates coolant tempera-
ture near the hot (H) end of the normal
range, reduce vehicle speed to decrease
temperature. If the gauge is over the nor-
mal range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible. If the engine is over-
heated, continued operation of the ve-
hicle may seriously damage the engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” in the “In
case of emergency” section for immediate
action required.
LIC1058LIC1059
Instruments and controls2-5
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA_English(nna)
02/03/09Ðdebbie
X