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Foreword
Nissan released the Nissan Altima Hybrid in North America in January of 2007. The Nissan Altima Hybrid runs
on conventional gasoline and a traction motor. The basic vehicle systems and features of the Altima Hybrid are
the same as those of the conventional Altima, except where noted in this guide. This First Responder’s Guide
was published to help educate and assist first responders in the safe handling of the Altima Hybrid and its
technology.
A high voltage battery is used to power the traction motor, generator, electric air conditioning compressor,
voltage converter, and inverter unit. A separate 12 volt battery is used to power other electrical devices such as
the radio, horn, headlamps, and instrument cluster gauges. A number of safeguards have been designed to
ensure that the high voltage Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery is kept safe and secure in the event of an
accident.
The Altima Hybrid utilizes both low and high voltage systems:
Low voltage system
• A 12 volt DC negative chassis ground body electrical system
High voltage system
• A 245 volt DC high voltage battery
• A harness that carries high voltage between the high voltage battery, converter, inverter unit, transaxle
and electric air conditioning compressor
• A converter which converts 245 volts DC to 42 volts DC for the electric power steering (EPS) system
• A converter which converts 245 volts DC for charging the 12 volt battery
• An inverter unit which delivers up to 650 volts AC to the transaxle
• A transaxle which houses a traction motor and generator
• A 245 volt DC, electric motor driven electric air conditioning compressor
High voltage electrical safety is an important factor in the emergency handling of the Altima Hybrid. It is
important to recognize and understand the disabling procedures and warnings throughout this guide.
Additional topics in this guide include:
• Nissan Altima Hybrid identification
• Hybrid system component locations and descriptions
• Extrication, fire, recovery, and additional emergency response information
• Roadside assistance information
This First Responders Guide is intended to assist first responders in the safe handling of a Nissan Altima
Hybrid. The information contained in this guide is somewhat simplified and intended to be used as a
technical reference. Please refer to the Nissan Service Manual for information related to vehicle repair.
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Battery Information
The Altima Hybrid utilizes two batteries in order to supply both high and low voltage.
Low Voltage Battery
The Altima Hybrid contains a lead-acid 12 volt DC low voltage battery.
The low voltage battery is located in the passenger rear quarter panel
well of the trunk and is concealed by a trim cover. The negative (-) 12
volt battery cable can be accessed through an access panel in the
trim cover.
The 12 volt battery powers the vehicle’s 12 volt electrical system,
similar to a conventional vehicle. As with conventional vehicles, the 12
volt battery is grounded to the metal chassis of the vehicle. However,
the 12 volt battery is charged by the high voltage battery through the
DC/DC converter.
High Voltage Battery
The Altima Hybrid contains a Ni-MH 245 volt DC high voltage battery.
The high voltage battery is enclosed in a metal case, which is isolated
from high voltage, and is securely mounted in the trunk area behind
the rear seat and is concealed by a trim cover. The service disconnect
can be accessed through an access panel in the trim cover.
The 245 volt battery powers the vehicle’s high voltage electrical
system. The high voltage battery consists of 34 low voltage (7.2 volt)
Ni-MH battery modules connected in series to produce approximately
245 volts DC. Each Ni-MH battery module is sealed in a non-spillable
plastic case. The electrolyte used in the Ni-MH battery module is an alkaline mixture of potassium and sodium
hydroxide. The electrolyte is absorbed into the battery ce ll plates and forms a gel that should not normally leak,
even in a collision. In the unlikely event that the high voltage battery is overcharged, the modules vent gases
directly outside the vehicle through a vent hose.
An air vent is located on the rear parcel shelf to cool the high voltage
battery. If the vent is covered, the battery will overheat, resulting in
reduced output performance of the hybrid system.
The high voltage battery supplies power to the following:
• Power cables
• EPS DC/DC converter
• DC/DC converter
• Inverter unit
• Transaxle
• Electric air conditioning compressor
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• A ground fault monitor continuously monitors for high voltage leakage to the metal chassis while the
vehicle is running. If a malfunction is detected, the high voltage ECU will illuminate the hybrid system
warning light in the instrument cluster.
• The high voltage battery relays (SMR1 and SMR2) will automatically open to stop the electrical flow in a
frontal collision that is sufficient enough to activate the supplemental restraint system (SRS).
