2013 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE maintenance

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

To drive away:1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks. ● While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may dete-
riorate overall handling characteristics.
Therefore, to maintain adequate control, re-
duce your speed and shift to a lower gear.
Avoid long or repeated use of the brakes
when descending a hill, as this reduces their
effectiveness and could cause overheating.
Shifting to a lower gear instead provides
“engine braking” and reduces the need to
brake as frequently.
● If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances. ●
Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
● For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
● Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
● When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
● Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway: 1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or applying the brakes. 2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
● Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.
9-22Technical and consumer information

●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.
Continuously Variable Transmission
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. DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information9-23

Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction
Indicator Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M
test condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not
blink after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is
“ready”. Contact a NISSAN dealer to set the
“ready condition” or to prepare the vehicle for
testing.This vehicle is equipped with an Event Data Re-
corder (EDR) . The main purpose of an EDR is to
record, in certain crash or near crash-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or hitting a
road obstacle, data that will assist in understand-
ing how a vehicle’s systems performed. The EDR
is designed to record data related to vehicle
dynamics and safety systems for a short period of
time, typically 30 seconds or less. The EDR in this
vehicle is designed to record such data as:
● How various systems in your vehicle were
operating;
● Whether or not the driver and passenger
safety belts were buckled/fastened;
● How far (if at all) the driver was depressing
the accelerator and/or brake pedal; and,
● How fast the vehicle was traveling.
● Sounds are not recorded. These data can help provide a better understand-
ing of the circumstances in which crashes and
injuries occur. NOTE: EDR data are recorded by
your vehicle only if a nontrivial crash situation
occurs; no data are recorded by the EDR under
normal driving conditions and no personal data
(e.g. name, gender, age and crash location) are
recorded. However, other parties, such as law
enforcement, could combine the EDR data with
the type of personally identifying data routinely
acquired during a crash investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special equip-
ment is required and access to the vehicle or the
EDR is needed. In addition to the vehicle manu-
facturer and NISSAN dealer, other parties, such
as law enforcement, that have the special equip-
ment, can read the information if they have ac-
cess to the vehicle or the EDR. EDR data will only
be accessed with the consent of the vehicle
owner or lessee or as otherwise required or per-
mitted by law.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
9-26Technical and consumer information

Front seats.....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-20
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-19
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-19
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-25, 3-19
Fuses .......................8-21
Fusible links ...................8-23
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-48
Gascap .....................3-19
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
Glove box .....................2-39
Glove box lock ..................2-39
Grocery hooks ..................2-41 H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth .................4-84, 4-98
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-29
Headlight control switch ............2-30
Headlights ....................8-26
Heated seats ...................2-34
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-18, 4-26
Heater operation ...........4-20, 4-27
HomeLink Universal
T

ransceiver ........2-48
Hood release ...................3-17
Horn .......................2-34
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch .........5-7
Immobilizer system .........2-26, 3-3, 5-10
Important vehicle information label .......9-10
In-cabin microfilter ................8-19
Increasing fuel economy .............5-20
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-10
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-23
Inside mirror ...................3-23
Instrument brightness control ..........2-33
Instrument panel ...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-33
Intelligent Key system Key operating range
..............3-8
Key operation .................3-9
Mechanical key ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation .......3-12
Troubleshooting guide ............3-16
Warning signals ...............3-16
Interior light ....................2-46
Interior trunk lid release .............3-18
iPod Player................4-71, 4-73
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-22
J
Jump starting ...................6-7
K
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-25
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .........3-12
Keys, For Intelligent Key system .........3-2
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-10
Emission control

information label .....9-10
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
10-3

Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-52
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ......................1-22
License plate Installing the license plate ..........9-11
Light Air bag warning light .........1-52, 2-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-27
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-10
Bulb replacement ..............8-27
Charge warning light ............2-11
Console light .................2-47
Fog light switch ...............2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-29
Headlight control switch ..........2-30
Headlights ..................8-26
Interior light ..................2-46
Light bulbs ..................8-26
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light ......................2-24
Passenger air bag and status light .....1-47
Security indicator light ............2-16
Spotlights (See map light) .........2-48
Trunk light ..................2-48
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...................2-10
Lights Map lights ..................2-48
Lock Door locks ...................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-19
Glove box lock ................2-39
Power door locks ...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever ..........3-17
Loose fuel cap warning ..........2-25, 3-19 Low fuel warning light
..........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 General maintenance .............8-2
Inside the

vehicle ...............8-3
Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Outside the vehicle ..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance ............1-18
Under the hood and vehicle .........8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............2-15
Manual front seat adjustment ...........1-2
Map lights ....................2-48
Map pocket ....................2-37
Meters and gauges ................2-3
Instrument brightness control ........2-33
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror ......3-23
Inside mirror .................3-23
Outside mirrors ...............3-24
Vanity mirror .................3-23
Moonroof .....................2-44
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key ...........3-2, 3-6
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system ................2-26, 3-3, 5-10
NISSAN voice recognition system ......4-109 O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ......9-4
Odometer .....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine oil ..............8-9
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-10
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Outside mirrors .................3-24
Overheat If your vehicle overheats ...........6-9
Owner’s manual order form ...........9-27
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information ....................9-27
P
Parking Parking brake

operation ...........5-17
Parking/parking on hills ...........5-21
Phone, Bluetooth hands-free
system ...................4-84, 4-98
Power Power door locks ...............3-5
Power outlet .................2-36
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-22
Power windows ...............2-42
10-4

PrecautionsMaintenance precautions ...........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-20, 1-26, 1-31, 1-35
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-12
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-38
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Programmable features ..............4-6
Push starting ....................6-9
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-83
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-44
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-54
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-48
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-26
Rear parcel shelf Refitting covers ...............8-33
Removing covers ...............8-32
Rear seat ......................1-7
RearView Monitor ................4-13
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-28
Recorders Event data ..................9-26
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-25 S
Safety Child seat belts .....1-20, 1-26, 1-31, 1-35
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-25
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ........1-2
Front power seat adjustment .........1-4
Rear seat adjustment .............1-7
Seatback pockets ................2-37
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-18
Infants and small children ..........1-19
Injured Person ................1-15
Larger children ................1-19
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-12
Pregnant women ...............1-15
Seat belt extenders .............1-17
Seat belt

maintenance ............1-18
Seat belts ...................1-12
Three-point type with retractor .......1-15
Seat belt warning light ..............2-14
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Front seats ...................1-2
Heated seats .................2-34
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Rear seat ....................1-7
Security indicator light ..............2-16
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-26, 3-3, 5-10
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-20
Service manual order form ...........9-27
Servicing air conditioner .............4-28
Setting button ...................4-6 Shifting
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .....................5-13
Shift lock release .................5-16
Spark plug replacement .............8-17
Speedometer ...................2-4
Spotlights (See map light) ...........2-48
SRS warning label ................1-52
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-10
Jump starting .................6-7
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Push starting ..................6-9
Starting the engine .............5-11
Steering Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-22
Stop light .....................8-27
Storage ......................2-37
Sunglasses case .................2-38
Sunglasses holder ................2-38
Sunroof ......................2-44
Sunroof (see

Moonroof) .............2-44
Sun visors ....................3-22
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-52, 2-14
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-46
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-52
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-38
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-38
Switch Autolight switch ...............2-31
Automatic power window switch ......2-43
Fog light switch ...............2-34
10-5