2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID service

OFF-ROAD RECOVERY
While driving, the right side or left side wheels
may unintentionally leave the road surface. If this
occurs, maintain control of the vehicle by follow-
ing the procedure below. Please note that this
procedure is only a general guide. The vehicle
must be driven as appropriate based on the con-
ditions of the vehicle, road and traffic.1. Remain calm and do not overreact.
2. Do not apply the brakes.
3. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight
course.
4. When appropriate , slowly release the accel- erator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
5. If there is nothing in the way, steer the ve- hicle to follow the road while vehicle speed
is reduced. Do not attempt to drive the ve-
hicle back onto the road surface until vehicle
speed is reduced.
6. When it is safe to do so, gradually turn the steering wheel until both tires return to the
road surface. When all tires are on the road
surface, steer the vehicle to stay in the ap-
propriate driving lane. ●
If you decide that it is not safe to return the
vehicle to the road surface based on vehicle,
road or traffic conditions, gradually slow the
vehicle to a stop in a safe place off the road.
RAPID AIR PRESSURE LOSS
Rapid air pressure loss or a “blow-out” can occur
if the tire is punctured or is damaged due to
hitting a curb or pothole. Rapid air pressure loss
can also be caused by driving on under-inflated
tires.
Rapid air pressure loss can affect the handling
and stability of the vehicle, especially at highway
speeds.
Help prevent rapid air pressure loss by maintain-
ing the correct air pressure and visually inspect
the tires for wear and damage. See “Wheels and
tires” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself”
section of this manual. If a tire rapidly loses air
pressure or “blows-out” while driving, maintain
control of the vehicle by following the procedure
below. Please note that this procedure is only a
general guide. The vehicle must be driven as
appropriate based on the conditions of the ve-
hicle, road and traffic.
WARNING
The following actions can increase the
chance of losing control of the vehicle if
there is a sudden loss of tire air pressure.
Losing control of the vehicle may cause a
collision and result in personal injury.
● The vehicle generally moves or pulls in
the direction of the flat tire.
● Do not rapidly apply the brakes.
● Do not rapidly release the accelerator
pedal.
● Do not rapidly turn the steering wheel.
1. Remain calm and do not over react.
2. Maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel with both hands and try to hold a straight
course.
3. When appropriate, slowly release the accel- erator pedal to gradually slow the vehicle.
4. Gradually steer the vehicle to a safe location off the road and away from traffic if possible.
5. Lightly apply the brake pedal to gradually stop the vehicle.
6. Turn on the hazard warning flashers and either contact a roadside emergency service
to change the tire or see “Changing a flat
tire” in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
5-6Starting and driving

R (Reverse):
CAUTION
To prevent transmission damage, use the
P (Park) or R (Reverse) position only when
the vehicle is completely stopped.
Use the R (Reverse) position to back up. Make
sure the vehicle is completely stopped before
selecting the R (Reverse) position. The brake
pedal must be depressed to move the shift
selector from P (Park) , N (Neutral) or any
drive position to R (Reverse) .
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is engaged. Do
not leave the shift selector in the N (Neutral)
position for a long period of time. In the N (Neu-
tral) position, the gasoline engine operates but
electricity cannot be generated. The high voltage
battery will be discharged requiring unnecessary
engine power to recharge.
Depending on the status of the engine before
shifting into the N (Neutral) position, the engine
may not operate. D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward driving.
B (Brake) low gear:
Downshift into the B position with your foot off
the accelerator pedal to use engine braking while
driving.
You may feel that engine braking is less effective
than a conventional vehicle when driving at higher
speeds.
Driving with the transmission in the B position for
long periods of time may cause a decrease in fuel
economy.
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
shift selector may not be moved from the P (Park)
position even with the brake pedal depressed
and the shift selector button pushed.
It will be necessary to jump start or have your
battery charged, see “Jump starting” in the “In
case of emergency” section. Contact your
NISSAN dealer or a professional towing service.
LSD0190
Starting and driving5-13

WARNING
●If the Hybrid System is not in the READY
mode or is turned off while driving, the
power assist for the steering will not
work. Steering will be harder to
operate.
● When the power steering warning light
illuminates with the Hybrid System in
the READY mode, there will be no
power assist for the steering. You will
still have control of the vehicle but the
steering will be harder to operate. Have
the power steering system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
The power steering system is designed to pro-
vide power assist while driving to operate the
steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated repeatedly
or continuously while parking or driving at a very
low speed, the power assist for the steering
wheel will be reduced. This is to prevent over-
heating of the power steering system and protect
it from getting damaged. While the power assist
is reduced, steering wheel operation will become
heavy. When the temperature of the power steer-
ing system goes down, the power assist level will
return to normal. Avoid repeating such steering wheel operations that could cause the power
steering system to overheat.
You may hear a sound when the steering wheel is
operated quickly. However, this is not a malfunc-
tion.
If the power steering warning light
PSilluminates
while the Hybrid System is in the READY mode, it
may indicate the power steering system is not
functioning properly and may need servicing.
Have the power steering system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
When the power steering warning light illumi-
nates with the Hybrid System in the READY
mode, there will be no power assist for the steer-
ing but you will still have control of the vehicle. At
this time, greater steering effort is required to
operate the steering wheel, especially in sharp
turns and at low speeds.
For additional information see “Electric Power
steering warning light” in the “Instruments and
controls” section.
WARNING
Your brake system may not be working
properly if the hydraulic brake warning
light and the electronically controlled
brake system warning light is on. Driving
could be dangerous. If you judge it to be
safe, drive carefully to the nearest service
station for repairs. Otherwise, have your
vehicle towed because driving it could be
dangerous.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Regenerative brake
The Hybrid System changes vehicle motion into
electricity. The electricity is used to recharge the
high voltage battery. When applying the brakes,
you may hear a sound coming from the regenera-
tive braking system. This is a normal operating
characteristic of a hybrid vehicle.
The regenerative braking works in the following
conditions:
1. When the accelerator pedal is released, the Hybrid System makes electricity while the
vehicle slows down during coasting.
2. When the brake pedal is depressed with the shift selector in “D” or “B”.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-19

Hydraulic system
The brake system has separate hydraulic circuits.
If one circuit malfunctions, you will still have brak-
ing at other wheels.
However, the brake pedal will have to be de-
pressed harder and your stopping distance will
increase. The brake system warning light will also
come on.
Brake actuator
The brake actuator uses a pump to provide
power assisted braking.
The brake warning light comes on if the actuator
is not functioning properly. The brake pedal will
be hard to depress and stopping distance will
increase. Depress the brake pedal firmly to stop
the vehicle in a safe place and contact a NISSAN
dealer.
If the brake pedal is depressed repeatedly, the
brake warning light may turn on. However this is
normal if the light turns off after a few seconds.
Noise may be heard in the engine room under the
following conditions. This is a normal operating
characteristic and does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.● When you open a door.
● When the brake pedal is depressed firmly. ●
When the brake pedal is depressed repeat-
edly.
● When the Hybrid System is in the READY
mode.
● When the Hybrid System is turned off.
It may be hard to depress the brake pedal or the
pedal stroke may be short with the Hybrid System
OFF. This is not a malfunction.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
When applying the brakes, you may hear a sound
coming from the braking system. This is normal.
WARNING
While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or acceler-
ating could cause the wheels to skid and
result in an accident.
Parking brake break-in
Break-in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drum/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best brake performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return
to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high
speeds until the brakes function correctly.
5-20Starting and driving

6. After the engine and inverter cools down,check the coolant level in the engine and
inverter coolant reservoir tank with the en-
gine running. Add coolant to the engine and
inverter coolant reservoir tank if necessary.
Have your vehicle repaired at a NISSAN
dealer. When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must be
followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service opera-
tors are generally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure proper
towing and to prevent accidental damage to your
vehicle, NISSAN recommends having a service
operator tow your vehicle. It is advisable to have
the service operator carefully read the following
precautions:
WARNING
●
Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
● Never get under your vehicle after it has
been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
● When towing, make sure that the trans-
mission, axles, steering system and
powertrain are in working condition. If
any of these conditions apply, dollies or
a flatbed tow truck must be used.
● Always attach safety chains before
towing. For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , refer to “Flat towing”
in the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-11

●When towing hybrid vehicles with the
rear wheels on the ground (if you do not
use towing dollies): Always release the
parking brake.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
Pulling a stuck vehicle
WARNING
To avoid vehicle damage, serious per-
sonal injury or death when recovering a
stuck vehicle:
● Contact a professional towing service
to recover the vehicle if you have any
questions regarding the recovery
procedure. ●
Do not use the vehicle tie-downs to tow
or free a stuck vehicle.
● Only use devices specifically designed
for vehicle recovery and follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
● Always pull the recovery device straight
out from the front of the vehicle. Never
pull at an angle.
● Route recovery devices so they do not
touch any part of the vehicle except the
attachment point.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use a tow strap or other device designed specifi-
cally for vehicle recovery. Always follow the
manufacturer’s instructions for the recovery de-
vice.
Do not use the tie-down hooks for towing or
vehicle recovery.
LCE0145
In case of emergency6-13

Rocking a stuck vehicle
WARNING
●Stand clear of a stuck vehicle.
● Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure: 1. Make sure the area in front and behind the vehicle is clear of obstructions.
2. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear an area around the front tires.
3. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back- ward.
● Shift back and forth between R (Reverse)
and D (Drive) .
● Apply the accelerator as little as possible
to maintain the rocking motion.
● Release the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R (Reverse) and D
(Drive) . ●
Do not spin the tires above 35 mph (55
km/h) .
4. If the vehicle cannot be freed after a few tries, contact a professional towing service
to remove the vehicle.
6-14In case of emergency

Your NISSAN has been designed to have mini-
mum maintenance requirements with long ser-
vice intervals to save you both time and money.
However, some day-to-day and regular mainte-
nance is essential to maintain your NISSAN’s
good mechanical condition, as well as its emis-
sions and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that
the scheduled maintenance, as well as general
maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one who
can ensure that your vehicle receives proper
maintenance. You are a vital link in the mainte-
nance chain.
Scheduled maintenance
For your convenience, both required and optional
scheduled maintenance items are described and
listed in your “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide”. You must refer to that guide to ensure
that necessary maintenance is performed on your
NISSAN at regular intervals.
General maintenance
General maintenance includes those items which
should be checked during normal day-to-day op-
eration. They are essential for proper vehicle op-
eration. It is your responsibility to perform these
maintenance procedures regularly as prescribed.Performing general maintenance checks requires
minimal mechanical skill and only a few general
automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done by you,
a qualified technician, or, if you prefer, a NISSAN
dealer.
Where to go for service
If maintenance service is required or your vehicle
appears to malfunction, have the systems
checked and corrected by a NISSAN dealer.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained specialists
who are kept up-to-date with the latest service
information through technical bulletins, service
tips, and in-dealership training programs. They
are completely qualified to work on NISSAN ve-
hicles
before they work on your vehicle, rather
than after they have worked on it.
You can be confident that a NISSAN dealer’s
service department performs the best job to meet
the maintenance requirements on your vehicle —
in a reliable and economical way. During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section. If
you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smells, be sure to check for the cause or have a
NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition, you
should notify a NISSAN dealer if you think that
repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the “Maintenance precau-
tions” later in this section.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with“*”isfound later in this section.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Doors and engine hood
Check that the doors
and engine hood operate properly. Also ensure
that all latches lock securely. Lubricate hinges,
latches, latch pins, rollers and links as necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE
8-2Maintenance and do-it-yourself