2009 NISSAN ALTIMA ignition

will not come on, will flash intermit-
tently or will turn on for 7 seconds and remain on
after the ignition switch has been placed in the
ON or START position. In this case, the preten-
sioner may not function properly. They must be
checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to the
nearest NISSAN dealer.
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REVIEW COPY—2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/08/08—debbie


indicates that the fuel-filler door is
located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) may come on. Refuel as soon as
possible. After a few driving trips,
the
light should turn off. If the
light remains on after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.
●For additional information, see “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL)” later in
this section.This unit measures terrestrial magnetism and in-
dicates the direction of the vehicle’s heading.
With the ignition switch placed in the ON posi-
tion, press the
button as described in the
chart below to activate various features of the
automatic anti-glare rearview mirror.
Push and hold
the
button for about:Feature:
(Push button again for about 1 sec-
ond to change settings)
1 second Compass display toggles on/off
5 secondsCompass zone can be changed to
correct false compass readings
9 seconds Compass enters calibration mode
For information about the automatic anti-glare
feature, refer to “Automatic anti-glare rearview
mirror” in the “Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments” section.

button for about 1 second when
the ignition switch is placed in the ON position to
toggle the compass display
1on or off. The
display will indicate the direction of the vehicle’s
heading.
N: North
E: East
S: South
W: West
If the display reads “C”, calibrate the compass by
driving the vehicle in three complete circles at
less than 5 MPH (8 km/h) .You can also calibrate the compass by driving
your vehicle on your everyday route. The com-
pass will be calibrated once it has tracked three
complete circles.
COMPASS DISPLAY
Push thebutton when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position. The direction will be
displayed.
Zone variation change procedure
The difference between magnetic north and geo-
graphical north is known as variance. In some
areas, this difference can sometimes be great
enough to cause false compass readings. Follow
these instructions to set the variance for your
particular location if this happens:
1. Establish your location on the zone map.
Refer to the illustration. Record your zone
number.
2. Place the ignition switch in the ON position.
3. Push the
button in for 5 seconds until
the current zone entry number is displayed.
4. Press the
button repeatedly until the
desired zone entry number is displayed.Once the desired zone number is displayed, stop
pressing the
button and the display will
show compass direction within a few seconds.
NOTE:
Use zone number 5 for Hawaii.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning lightNISSAN Intelligent Key™ warning lightSecurity indicator light
orBrake warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeSlip indicator light (if so equipped)
Charge warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightTraction Control System off indicator light (if so
equipped)
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
check warning light (if so equipped)Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
position indicator light (if so equipped)Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
Engine oil pressure warning lightFront passenger air bag status lightVehicle Dynamic Control off indicator light
(if so equipped)
Low tire pressure warning lightHigh beam indicator light (Blue)
Master warning lightMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
,or,,,
The following lights come on briefly and then go
off:
or,,,,,

orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning light illuminates and then turns off. This
indicates the ABS is operational.
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
Brake systemin theStarting and drivingsec-
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 placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the parking
brake is applied.Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed 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 ve-
hicle 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.

CAUTION
●The TPMS is not a substitute for the
regular tire pressure check. Be sure to
check the tire pressure regularly.
●If the vehicle is being driven at speeds
of less than 16 MPH (25 km/h) , the
TPMS may not operate correctly.
●Be sure to install the specified size of
tires to the 4 wheels correctly.
NISSAN Intelligent Key™
warning light
The Intelligent Key warning light warns of a mal-
function with the electrical steering lock system
or the Intelligent Key system.
After the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light comes on for about 2 seconds
and then turns off.
If the light comes on while the engine is stopped,
it may not be possible to free the steering lock or
to start the engine. If the light comes on while the
engine is running, you can drive the vehicle. How-
ever, in these cases, contact a NISSAN dealer for
repair as soon as possible.
See “NISSAN Intelligent Key™ ” in the “Pre-
driving checks and adjustments” section.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten your
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever the
ignition switch is placed in the ON or START
position and remains illuminated until the driver’s
seat belt is fastened. At the same time, the chime
sounds for about 6 seconds unless the driver’s
seat belt is securely fastened.
Instruments and controls2-13
REVIEW COPY—2009 Altima(alt)
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Supplemental air bag warning
light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or
START position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag, and preten-
sioner systems need servicing and your vehicle
must be taken to a NISSAN dealer:
●The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
●The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
●The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.Unless checked and repaired, the supplemental
restraint system (air bag system) and/or the pre-
tensioners may not function properly. For addi-
tional details, see “Supplemental restraint sys-
tem” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of this
manual.
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) position
indicator light (if so equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this indicator light shows the shift selec-tor position. See “Driving the vehicle” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual.
Front passenger air bag status
light
The front passenger air bag status light ()
will be lit and the passenger front air bag will be
OFF depending on how the front passenger seat
is being used.
For front passenger air bag status light operation,
see “Front passenger air bag and status light” in
the “Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system” section of this manual.
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This blue light comes on when the headlight high
beams are on and goes out when the low beams
are selected.
The high beam indicator light also comes on
when the passing signal is activated.
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate a
potential emission control malfunction.
2-14Instruments and controls
REVIEW COPY—2009 Altima(alt)
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light should
turn off if no other potential emission control
system malfunction exists.
If this indicator light comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds when
the engine is not running, it indicates that the
vehicle is not ready for an emission control sys-
tem inspection/maintenance test. See “Readi-
ness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
Operation
The Malfunction Indicator Light will come on in
one of two ways:●Malfunction Indicator Light on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel-filler cap. If
the fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, tighten
or install the cap and continue to drive the
vehicle. The
light should turn off after
a few driving trips. If the
light does not
turn off after a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected by a NISSAN dealer. You
do not need to have your vehicle towed to
the dealer.
●Malfunction Indicator Light blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system. To re-
duce or avoid emission control system dam-
age:
– do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h) .
– avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The Malfunction Indicator Light may stop blinking
and come on steady. Have the vehicle inspected
by a NISSAN dealer. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
Slip indicator light (if so
equipped)
This indicator light will blink when the traction
control system (if so equipped) or vehicle dy-
namic control system is limiting wheel spin. Slip-
pery road conditions may exist if the slip indicator
blinks on. If this happens, adjust your driving
accordingly.
The slip indicator light also comes on when you
place the ignition switch in the ON position. The
Instruments and controls2-15
REVIEW COPY—2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/08/08—debbie