2012 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE engine

To sound the horn, push near the horn icon of the
steering wheel.
WARNING
Do not disassemble the horn. Doing so
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental front air bag system. Tam-
pering with the supplemental front air bag
system may result in serious personal
injury.The front seats are warmed by built-in heaters.
1. Start the engine.
2. Push the low or high position of the switch, as desired, depending on the temperature.
The indicator light in the switch will illumi-
nate.
The heater is controlled by a thermostat,
automatically turning the heater on and off.
The indicator light will remain on as long as
the switch is on.
3. When the seat is warmed or before you leave the vehicle, be sure to turn the switch
off.
WARNING
Do not use or allow occupants to use the
seat heater if you or the occupants cannot
monitor elevated seat temperatures or
have an inability to feel pain in body parts
that contact the seat. Use of the seat
heater by such people could result in se-
rious injury.
CAUTION
●Do not use the seat heater for extended
periods or when no one is using the
seat.
● Do not put anything on the seat which
insulates heat, such as a blanket, cush-
ion, seat cover, etc. Otherwise, the seat
may become overheated.
● Do not place anything hard or heavy on
the seat or pierce it with a pin or similar
object. This may result in damage to the
heater.
● Any liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with a
dry cloth.
● When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, benzine, thinner, or any simi-
lar materials.
LIC2133LIC1543
HORN HEATED SEAT (if so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-35

●If any malfunctions are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn the
switch off and have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.
● The battery could run down if the seat
heater is operated while the engine is
not running.
The vehicle should be driven with the Vehicle
Dynamic Control (VDC) system on for most driv-
ing conditions.
If the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the VDC
system reduces the engine output to reduce
wheel spin. The engine speed will be reduced
even if the accelerator is depressed to the floor. If
maximum engine power is needed to free a stuck
vehicle, turn the VDC system off.
To turn off the VDC system, push the VDC OFF
switch. The
indicator will come on.
Push the VDC OFF switch again or restart the
engine to turn on the system. See “Vehicle Dy-
namic Control (VDC) system” in the “Starting and
driving” section. The power outlets are for powering electrical
accessories such as cellular telephones. They
are rated at 12 volt, 120W (10A) maximum.
Type A:
the power outlet in the front console box
is powered directly by the battery.
Type B:the power outlet in the front console box
is powered only when the ignition switch is in the
ACC or ON position.
The power outlet in the instrument panel is pow-
ered only when the ignition switch is in the ACC
or ON position.
LIC1548
Instrument panel
LIC1070
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH POWER OUTLET
2-36Instruments and controls

Open the lower half of the console box to access
the power outlet. Refer to “Console box” in this
section.
CAUTION
●The outlet and plug may be hot during
or immediately after use.
● Only certain power outlets are designed
for use with a cigarette lighter unit. Do
not use any other power outlet for an
accessory lighter. See your NISSAN
dealer for additional information. ●
Do not use with accessories that ex-
ceed a 12 volt, 120W (10A) power draw.
● Do not use double adapters or more
than one electrical accessory.
● Use power outlets with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
● Avoid using power outlets when the air
conditioner, headlights or rear window
defroster is on.
● Before inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure the electrical accessory
being used is turned OFF.
● Push the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug may
overheat or the internal temperature
fuse may open.
● When not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water or any other
liquid to contact the outlet.
MAP POCKETSConsole box
WIC1262LIC1073
STORAGE
Instruments and controls2-37

The interior light has a three-position switch and
operates regardless of ignition switch position.● When the switch is in the ON position
1,
the interior light illuminates, regardless of
door position. The light will go off after a
period of time unless the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position.
● When the switch is in the center DOOR
position
2, the front and rear personal
lights will illuminate when the driver’s door is
opened. Lights remain on for a period of time
after driver’s door is closed.
The lights will go off when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position, or the driver’s door is
closed and locked.
The lights will also go off after a period of time
when the doors are open. ● When the switch is in the OFF position
3,
the interior light does not illuminate, regard-
less of door position. NOTE:
The doorstep lights illuminate when the
driver and passenger doors are opened re-
gardless of the interior light switch posi-
tion. These lights will turn off automatically
after a period of time while doors are open
to prevent the battery from becoming dis-
charged.
CAUTION
Do not use for extended periods of time
with the engine stopped. This could result
in a discharged battery.
CONSOLE LIGHT (if so equipped)
The console light will turn on whenever the park-
ing lights or headlights are illuminated.
The console light brightness can be adjusted
with the instrument brightness control.
WIC1476
INTERIOR LIGHT
Instruments and controls2-49

To turn the rear personal lights on, press the
switch. To turn them off, press the switch again.To turn the map lights on, press the light lens. To
turn them off, press the lens again.
CAUTION
Do not use for extended periods of time
with the engine stopped. This could result
in a discharged battery.
Rear personal lights (sedan only)
LIC1083
Front map lights
WIC1494
PERSONAL LIGHTSMAP LIGHTS
2-50Instruments and controls

The light illuminates when the trunk lid is opened.
When the trunk lid is closed, the light goes off.
The light will go off after a period of time if the
trunk lid is left open, unless the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position.
For bulb replacement procedures, refer to “Exte-
rior and interior lights” in the “Maintenance and
do-it-yourself” section of this manual.The HomeLink
Universal Transceiver provides a
convenient way to consolidate the functions of up
to three individual hand-held transmitters into
one built-in device.
HomeLink Universal Transceiver:
● Will operate most Radio Frequency (RF)
devices such as garage doors, gates, home
and office lighting, entry door locks and se-
curity systems.
● Is powered by your vehicle’s battery. No
separate batteries are required. If the vehi-
cle’s battery is discharged or is discon-
nected, HomeLink will retain all program-
ming.
Once the HomeLink Universal Transceiver
is programmed, retain the original trans-
mitter for future programming procedures
(Example: new vehicle purchases) . Upon
sale of the vehicle, the programmed
HomeLink Universal Transceiver buttons
should be erased for security purposes. For
additional information, refer to “Program-
ming HomeLink” later in this section.WARNING
● Do not use the HomeLink Universal
Transceiver with any garage door
opener that lacks safety stop and re-
verse features as required by federal
safety standards. (These standards be-
came effective for opener models
manufactured after April 1, 1982) . A ga-
rage door opener which cannot detect
an object in the path of a closing garage
door and then automatically stop and
reverse, does not meet current federal
safety standards. Using a garage door
opener without these features in-
creases the risk of serious injury or
death.
● During the programming procedure
your garage door or security gate will
open and close (if the transmitter is
within range) . Make sure that people or
objects are clear of the garage door,
gate, etc. that you are programming.
● Your vehicle’s engine should be turned
off while programming the HomeLink
Universal Transceiver.
TRUNK LIGHT HOMELINKUNIVERSAL
TRANSCEIVER (if so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-51

CAUTION
●Be sure to carry the Intelligent Key with
you when operating the vehicle.
● Never leave the Intelligent Key in the
vehicle when you leave the vehicle.
The Intelligent Key is always communicating with
the vehicle as it receives radio waves. The Intel-
ligent Key transmits weak radio waves. Environ-
mental conditions may interfere with the opera-
tion of the Intelligent Key under the following
operating conditions: ● When operating near a location where
strong radio waves are transmitted, such as
a TV tower, power station and broadcasting
station.
● When in possession of wireless equipment,
such as a cellular telephone, transceiver,
and CB radio.
● When the Intelligent Key is in contact with or
covered by metallic materials.
● When any type of radio wave remote control
is used nearby.
● When the Intelligent Key is placed near an
electric appliance such as a personal com-
puter. ●
When the vehicle is parked near a parking
meter.
In such cases, correct the operating conditions
before using the Intelligent Key function or use
the mechanical key.
Although the life of the battery varies depending
on the operating conditions, the battery’s life is
approximately 2 years. If the battery is dis-
charged, replace it with a new one.
When the Intelligent Key battery is almost dis-
charged, insert the Intelligent Key into the Intelli-
gent Key port to start the engine. Replace the
discharged battery with a new one as soon as
possible. For more details, see “Push-button ig-
nition switch” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion.
Since the Intelligent Key is continuously receiving
radio waves, if the key is left near equipment
which transmits strong radio waves, such as sig-
nals from a TV and personal computer, the bat-
tery life may become shorter.
For information regarding replacement of a bat-
tery, see “Battery replacement” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section.
As many as 4 Intelligent Keys can be registered
and used with one vehicle. For information about
the purchase and use of additional Intelligent
Keys, contact a NISSAN dealer.
CAUTION
Listed below are conditions or occur-
rences which will damage the Intelligent
Key:
● Do not allow the Intelligent Key, which
contains electrical components, to
come into contact with water or salt
water. This could affect the system
function.
● Do not drop the Intelligent Key.
● Do not strike the Intelligent Key sharply
against another object.
● Do not change or modify the Intelligent
Key.
● Wetting may damage the Intelligent
Key. If the Intelligent Key gets wet, im-
mediately wipe until it is completely dry.
● Do not place the Intelligent Key for an
extended period in an area where tem-
peratures exceed 140°F (60°C) .
● Do not attach the Intelligent Key with a
key holder that contains a magnet.
● Do not place the Intelligent Key near
equipment that produces a magnetic
field, such as a TV, audio equipment and
personal computers.
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-7

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Verify the location of all Intelligent Keys that are
programmed for the vehicle. If another Intelligent
Key is in range or inside the vehicle, the vehicle
system may respond differently than expected.
SymptomPossible CauseRemedy
When pushing the ignition switch to stop
the engine The SHIFT P warning appears on the dis-
play and the inside warning chime sounds
continuously. The shift selector is not in the P (Park)
position.Shift the shift selector to the P (Park)
position.
When opening the driver’s door to get out
of the vehicle The inside warning chime sounds
continuously. The ignition switch is placed in the ACC
position.
Place the ignition switch in the OFF
position.
The Intelligent Key is in the Intelligent Key
port. Remove the Intelligent Key from the Intelli-
gent Key port.
When closing the door after getting out of
the vehicle The NO KEY warning appears on the
display, the outside chime sounds 3 times
and the inside warning chime sounds for
approximately 3 seconds.
The ignition switch is placed in the ACC or
ON position.Place the ignition switch in the OFF
position.
The NO KEY warning appears on the dis-
play and the outside chime sounds
continuously. The ignition switch is placed in the ACC
position and the shift selector is not in the P
(Park) position.Move the shift selector to the P (Park) posi-
tion and place the ignition switch in the
OFF position.
The shift “P” warning light appears on the
display and the outside chime sounds
continuously. The ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position and the shift selector is not in the P
(Park) position.Move the shift selector to the P (Park)
position.
When closing the door with the inside lock
knob placed in the LOCK position The outside chime sounds for approximately
3 seconds and all the doors unlock. The Intelligent Key is inside the vehicle or
trunk.Carry the Intelligent Key with you.
3-16Pre-driving checks and adjustments