2012 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE check transmission fluid

●No key warning
● Low fuel warning
● Low windshield-washer fluid warning
● Parking brake release warning
● Door/trunk open warning
● Loose fuel cap
● Check tire pressure warning
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.
The seat belt warning light may also illuminate if
the front passenger’s seat belt is not fastened
when the front passenger’s seat is occupied. For
7 seconds after the ignition switch is placed in
the ON position, the system does not activate the
warning light for the front passenger.
Refer to “Seat belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat
belts and supplemental restraint system” section
for precautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warninglight
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.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag systems
and/or pretensioner systems will not op-
erate in an accident. To help avoid injury
to yourself or others, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
For additional information on warnings and indi-
cators, see “Vehicle information display” later in
this section.
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.
2-14Instruments and controls

Accelerator downshift
— in D position —
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into a lower gear, depending on the
vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperature with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer) , engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may be
limited.
Fail-safe
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)” in the “Instrument and controls” sec-tion. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this
case, place the ignition switch in the OFF
position and wait for 10 seconds. Then
push the switch back to the ON position.
The vehicle should return to its normal op-
erating condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually reduced.
The reduced speed may be lower than
other traffic, which could increase the
chance of a collision. Be especially care-
ful when driving. If necessary, pull to the
side of the road at a safe place and allow
the transmission to return to normal op-
eration, or have it repaired if necessary.
MANUAL TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
WARNING
●
Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
● Do not over-rev the engine when shift-
ing to a lower gear. This may cause a
loss of control or engine damage.
● Do not shift to the N (Neutral) position
while driving. Doing so may result in an
accident due to loss of engine braking.
CAUTION
● Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal
while driving. This may cause clutch
damage.
● Fully depress the clutch pedal before
shifting to help prevent transmission
damage.
● Stop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R (Reverse) .
● When the vehicle is stopped with the
engine running (for example, at a stop
light) , shift to N (Neutral) and release
the clutch pedal with the foot brake
applied.
Starting and driving5-17

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance ..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .........8-2
Maintenance precautions ...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................8-6
Engine cooling system .............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-9
Changing engine coolant ........................8-9
Engine oil ........................................ 8-10
Checking engine oil level .......................8-10
Changing engine oil ........................... 8-11
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid
(if so equipped) .................................. 8-13
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-14
Brake and clutch (if so equipped) fluid ..............8-14
Brake fluid .................................... 8-15
Clutch fluid (if so equipped) ....................8-15
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-15
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-15
Battery .......................................... 8-16
Jump starting ................................. 8-17
Variable voltage control system .....................8-18Drive belt
........................................ 8-18
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-19
Replacing spark plugs ......................... 8-19
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-20
In-cabin microfilter ............................. 8-21
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-21
Cleaning ..................................... 8-21
Replacing .................................... 8-21
Brakes .......................................... 8-22
Self-adjusting brakes .......................... 8-22
Brake pad wear indicators ......................8-22
Fuses ........................................... 8-23
Engine compartment ........................... 8-24
Passenger compartment .......................8-25
Battery replacement .............................. 8-27
NISSAN
Intelligent Key™ ....................... 8-27
Lights ........................................... 8-28
Headlights .................................... 8-28
Front park/turn/sidemarker light .................8-29
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-30
Upper tether anchor/key cylinder covers ............8-36
Removing covers from rear parcel shelf ..........8-36
Installing covers to rear parcel shelf ..............8-37

CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage. 6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean
engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
CAUTION
●Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid
NS-2. Do not mix with other fluids.
● Using transmission fluid other than
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 will
damage the CVT, which is not covered
by the warranty.
When checking or replacement of CVT fluid is
required, we recommend your NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
VQ35DE
WDI0495
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUID (if so
equipped)
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13

BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid level is below the MIN line or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN
Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT
3 fluid up to the MAX line. If fluid must be added
frequently, the system should be checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
CLUTCH FLUID (if so equipped)
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmissions only) . If the fluid level is
below the MIN line, add Genuine NISSAN Super
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3fluid
up to the MAX line. If fluid must be added fre-
quently, the system should be checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir periodi-
cally. Add windshield-washer fluid when the low
windshield-washer fluid warning light comes on.
To fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir, lift
the cap off the reservoir and pour the windshield-
washer fluid into the reservoir opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for the mixture ratio.
LDI0558LDI0558LDI0579
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15

●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, final drive gear oil
should be replaced and transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
● Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
● DO NOT tow any continuously variable
transmission vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground (flat towing) . Do-
ing so WILL DAMAGE internal transmis-
sion parts due to lack of transmission
lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Manual Transmission (if so equipped)
● Always tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
● After towing 500 miles (805 km) , start and
idle the engine with the transmission in Neu-
tral for two minutes. Failure to idle the engine
after every 500 miles (805 km) of towing
may cause damage to internal transmission
parts.
Continuously Variable Transmission (if
so equipped)
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct.
Technical and consumer information9-23

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