Page 18 of 374

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 light1-57
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
REVIEW COPY—2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/08/08—debbie
Page 52 of 374
should illuminate. If this
light is not illuminated seeFront passenger
air bag and status lightin this section.
Move the child restraint to another
seating position.Have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
After the child restraint is removed and the seat
belt is fully retracted, the ALR mode (child re-
straint mode) is canceled.
Page 59 of 374
may or may not illuminate,
depending on the size of the child and the
type of booster seat being used. See “Front
passenger air bag and status light” later in
this section.
WRS0475
Page 70 of 374

is
located on the instrument panel above the radio
controls. The light operates as follows:
●Unoccupied passenger’s seat: The
is
OFF and the front passenger air bag is OFF
and will not inflate in a crash.
●Passenger’s seat occupied by a small adult,
child or child restraint as outlined in this
section: The
illuminates to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is OFF and
will not inflate in a crash.
●Occupied passenger seat and the passen-
ger meets the conditions outlined in this
section: The light
is OFF to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is opera-
tional.
Front passenger air bag
The front passenger air bag is designed to auto-
matically turn OFF when the vehicle is operated
under some conditions as described below in
accordance with U.S. regulations. If the front
passenger air bag is OFF, it will not inflate in a
crash. The driver air bag and other air bags in your
vehicle are not part of this system.
The purpose of the regulation is to help reduce
the risk of injury or death from an inflating air bagto certain front passenger seat occupants, such
as children, by requiring the air bag to be auto-
matically turned OFF.
The occupant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) is in the front passenger seat cushion and is
designed to detect an occupant and objects on
the seat. For example, if a child is in the front
passenger seat, the Advanced Air Bag System is
designed to turn the passenger air bag OFF in
accordance with the regulations. Also, if a child
restraint of the type specified in the regulations is
on the seat, the occupant classification sensor
can detect it and cause the air bag to turn OFF.
Front passenger seat adult occupants who are
properly seated and using the seat belt as out-
lined in this manual should not cause the passen-
ger air bag to be automatically turned OFF. For
small adults it may be turned OFF, however if the
occupant does not sit in the seat properly (for
example, by not sitting upright, by sitting on an
edge of the seat, or by otherwise being out of
position) , this could cause the sensor to turn the
air bag OFF. Always be sure to be seated and
wearing the seat belt properly for the most effec-
tive protection by the seat belt and supplemental
air bag.
NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and chil-
dren be properly restrained in a rear seat.
NISSAN also recommends that appropriate childrestraints and booster seats be properly installed
in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the occupant
classification sensor is designed to operate as
described above to turn the front passenger air
bag OFF for specified child restraints as required
by the regulations. Failing to properly secure
child restraints and to use the ALR mode (child
restraint mode) may allow the restraint to tip or
move in an accident or sudden stop. This can
also result in the passenger air bag inflating in a
crash instead of being OFF. See “Child re-
straints” earlier in this section for proper use and
installation.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object being detected by the occupant clas-
sification sensor. Other conditions could also
result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants
are seated and restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light, you can
monitor when the front passenger air bag is au-
tomatically turned OFF with the seat occupied.
The light will not illuminate when the front pas-
senger seat is unoccupied.
1-52Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
REVIEW COPY—2009 Altima(alt)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/08/08—debbie
Page 84 of 374

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.
Page 88 of 374

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,,,,,
Page 89 of 374

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.
Page 91 of 374

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)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
09/08/08—debbie