2012 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE oil filter

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20 gal 16-5/8 gal 75.6 See “Fuel recommendation” later in this section.
Engine oil *8 Drain and RefillWith oil filter change QR25DE 4-7/8 qt 4 qt 4.6
Engine oil with API Certification Mark *1, *2
Viscosity SAE 5W-30 *1, *2
VQ35DE 5-1/8 qt 4-1/4 qt 4.8
Without oil filter
change QR25DE 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt 4.3
VQ35DE 4-3/4 qt 4 qt
4.5
Cooling system With reservoir QR25DE 2 gal 1-3/4 gal 7.7
Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
VQ35DE 2-3/8 gal 2 gal 9.0
Manual transmission gear oil ——— Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or
equivalent *3
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid ——— Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 *4
Power steering fluid (PSF) ——— Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*5
Brake and clutch fluid ——— Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid *6 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease ——— NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant ——— HFC-134a (R-134a) *7
Air conditioning system oil ——— Genuine NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S or equivalent *7
Windshield-washer fluid 1-1/4 gal 1 gal4.5 Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze
fluid or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations” in this section.
*2: NISSAN recommends for the VQ35DE engine, Genuine NISSAN Ester Engine Oil available at a NISSAN dealer.
*3: If Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 is hard to obtain , API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85 may be used as a temporary replacement. However,
use Genuine NISSAN gear oil as soon as it is available.
*4 Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2. Using transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 will damage the CVT, which is not covered by
the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*5 DEXRON™ VI type ATF may also be used.
*6 Available in mainland USA through a NISSAN dealer.
*7 For further details, see “Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil recommendations” in this section.
*8: For further details, see “Engine Oil” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information

ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATIONS
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality
and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory
engine life and performance. See “Capacities
and recommended fuel/lubricants” earlier in this
section. NISSAN recommends the use of an
energy conserving oil in order to improve fuel
economy.
Select only engine oils that meet the American
Petroleum Institute (API) certification or Interna-
tional Lubricant Standardization and ApprovalCommittee (ILSAC) certification and SAE vis-
cosity standard. These oils have the API certifica-
tion mark on the front of the container. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label should not
be used as they could cause engine damage.Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not neces-
sary when the proper oil type is used and main-
tenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has been
previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness changes
with temperature. Because of this, it is important
to select the engine oil viscosity based on the
temperatures at which the vehicle will be oper-
ated before the next oil change. Choosing an oil
viscosity other than that recommended could
cause serious engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with a
high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When re-
placing, use a genuine NISSAN oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in “Change
intervals.”
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using engine oil and filters
that are not of the specified quality, or exceeding
recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited war-
ranty.
WTI0183
Technical and consumer information9-5

Your engine was filled with a high-quality engine
oil when it was built. You do not have to change
the oil before the first recommended change
interval. Oil and filter change intervals depend
upon how you use your vehicle.
Operation under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil and filter changes:● repeated short distance driving at cold out-
side temperatures
● driving in dusty conditions
● extensive idling
● towing a trailer
● stop and go commuting
Refer to the “NISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guide” for the maintenance schedule.
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and NISSAN A/C
system oil Type S or the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil will
cause severe damage to the air condition-
ing system and will require the replace-
ment of all air conditioner system
components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect the
earth’s atmosphere, certain government regula-
tions require the recovery and recycling of any
refrigerant during automotive air conditioner sys-
tem service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your air
conditioner system.
9-6Technical and consumer information

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ........5-25
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-40
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-49
Airbagwarninglight...........1-55,2-14
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-20
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ..........4-21
Air conditioner service ...........4-28
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-19,4-26
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-28
Airflowcharts..................4-22
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-25
Anchor point locations .............1-26
Antenna.....................4-99
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-25
Armrests .....................1-9
Audible reminders ...............2-16
Audio system ..................4-29
Bluetooth audio..............4-93
Compact disc (CD)
player..........4-46,4-52,4-63,4-69 FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD)
player ....................4-44
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-59
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player
..............4-48,4-54
Audio System iPod Player..........4-78,4-80,4-82
Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system ....................4-85
Audio system Radio ....................4-29
Audio System Settings...................4-60
Audio system USB interface .........4-71,4-73,4-75
Autolight switch .................2-31
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-45
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-16
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-31
Automatic door locks ..............3-5
AUXjack.................4-47,4-53
B
Battery ......................8-16
Chargewarninglight............2-11
Before starting the engine ...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-18
Block heater Engine ....................5-29 Bluetooth
audio................4-93
Bluetooth hands-free phone
system .................4- 100, 4-114
Boosterseats..................1-37
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-25
Brakefluid..................8-14
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-30
Brake system ................5-24
Brake warning light .............2-11
Brake wear indicators ........2-16,8-22
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-22
Brakes ......................8-22
B

reak-inschedule ...............5-22
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-12
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-33
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-10
Bulbreplacement................8-30
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CarphoneorCBradio............4-100
CDcareandcleaning .............4-96
CD player
(See audio system) ....4-46,4-52,4-63,4-69
Check tire pressure ...............2-25
Child restraints .......1-20,1-21,1-22,1-24

Precautions on child
restraints.........1-22,1-28,1-33,1-37
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-26
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-16
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock ...................4-45,4-50 (models with navigation system) .......4-8
(models without navigation system) ....4-45
Clockset..................4-8,4-45
Clutch Clutchfluid..................8-15
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-28
Compact disc (CD) player ........4-46,4-52,
4-63, 4-69
Compass display .................2-6
Console box ...................2-41
Console light ...................2-49
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-12 Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-12
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-16
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-2 Brightness/contrast button .........4-12
Enterbutton..................4-2
Setting button .................4-6
Controls Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-19,4-26
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9 Checking engine coolant level
........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-6
Cruisecontrol..................5-20
Cupholders................2-39,2-40
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-32
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-28
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-68
Dimensionsandweights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-33
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-4
Drive belt .....................8-18
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-28
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-12
Driving with manual transmission ......5-17
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-22
Emission control information label .......9-11
Emission control system warranty .......9-25
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-10
Block heater .................5-29 Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants
.................9-2
Changingenginecoolant...........8-9
Changingengineoil.............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-8
Engine

oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine .............5-11
Enterbutton....................4-2
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-26
Eyeglass case ..................2-38
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-34
Flat tire .......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Clutch fluid ..................8-15
10-2

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Power steering fluid .............8-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Foglightswitch .................2-34
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-49
Frontseats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-22
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-26
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-26
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Fueloctanerating...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Loosefuelcapwarning........2-25,3-26
Fuses.......................8-23
Fusiblelinks ...................8-24
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver....................2-51
Gascap .....................3-26
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-5
Trip odometer .................2-4 General maintenance
...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-41
Gloveboxlock..................2-41
Groceryhooks..................2-42
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth ...............4- 100, 4-114
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-29
Headlight control switch ............2-30
Headlights ....................8-28
Heated seats ...................2-35
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-19,4-26
Heater operation ...........4-20,4-27
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-51
Hood release ...................3-24
Horn .......................2-35
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch .........5-7
Immobilizer system .........2-27,3-3,5-10
Important vehicle information label .......9-10
In-cabin microfilter ................8-21
Increasing fuel economy .............5-22
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-10
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-31Inside mirror
...................3-30
Instrument brightness control ..........2-33
Instrument panel ...............0-8,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-33
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ..........3-8, 3-19
Key operation .................3-9
Mechanical

key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation . . .3-12, 3-19
Troubleshooting guide ........3-16, 3-23
Warning signals ............3-16,3-23
Interiorlight....................2-49
Interior trunk lid release .............3-25
iPod Player ............4-78,4-80,4-82
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-24
J
Jump starting ...................6-8
K
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-27
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .....3-12,3-19
Keys, For Intelligent Key system .........3-2
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-10
10-3

Emission control information label.....9-11
Engine serial number ............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-10
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-55
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-24
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-12
Light Airbagwarninglight.........1-55,2-14
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-30
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-10
Bulb replacement ..............8-30
Chargewarninglight ............2-11
Console light .................2-49
Foglightswitch ...............2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-29
Headlightcontrolswitch ..........2-30
Headlights..................8-28
Interiorlight..................2-49
Lightbulbs..................8-28
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-24
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-50
Personal lights ................2-50
Security indicator light ............2-16
Spotlights (See map light) .........2-50
Trunklight ..................2-51
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-10
Lights Maplights ..................2-50 Lock
Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Door locks ...................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-26
Gloveboxlock................2-41
Power door locks ...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever ..........3-24
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-25,3-26
Lowfuelwarninglight ..........2-13,2-24
Low tire pressure warning light .........2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning light . . .2-24
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance Generalmaintenance.............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-19
Underthehoodandvehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-15
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Maplights ....................2-50
Map pocket ....................2-37
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-33
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-31
Inside mirror .................3-30
Outside mirrors ...............3-32
Vanity mirror .................3-30
Moonroof .....................2-46
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-85 N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ ............3-18
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-27,3-3,5-10
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-125
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingengineoil.............8-11
Changing
engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine oil ...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-32
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-27
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-27
P
Parking Parking brake operation ...........5-19
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-23
Personallights..................2-50
10-4

RECOMMENDED FUEL:
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
CAUTION
●Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
● Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
● Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can damage
the fuel system components and is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle lim-
ited warranty.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical
and consumer information” section.
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL:
● Engine oil with API Certification Mark
● Viscosity SAE 5W-30
See “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
COLD TIRE PRESSURE:
See Tire and Loading Information label.
The label is typically located on the driver side
center pillar or on the driver’s door. For additional
information, see “Wheels and tires” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
RECOMMENDED NEW VEHICLE
BREAK-IN PROCEDURE:
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of vehicle
use, follow the recommendations outlined in the
“Break-in schedule” information found in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual. Fol-
low these recommendations for the future reli-
ability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure
to follow these recommendations may result in
vehicle damage or shortened engine life.
GAS STATION INFORMATION