2013 NISSAN ALTIMA instrument panel

WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6MPH(5
- 10 km/h). The speed varies according to road
conditions.When the ABS senses that 1 or more wheels are
close to locking up, the actuator rapidly applies
and releases hydraulic pressure. This action is
similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You
may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from
the actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is re-
quired while driving.
The Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system uses
various sensors to monitor driver inputs and ve-
hicle motion. Under certain driving conditions,
the VDC System helps to perform the following
functions:
● Controls brake pressure to reduce wheel
slip on one slipping drive wheel so power is
transferred to a non slipping drive wheel on
the same axle.
● Controls brake pressure and engine output
to reduce drive wheel slip based on vehicle
speed (traction control function) .
● Controls brake pressure at individual wheels
and engine output to help the driver maintain
control of the vehicle in the following condi-
tions:
– understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased steer-
ing input)
– oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions)
The VDC system can help the driver to maintain
control of the vehicle, but it cannot prevent loss of
vehicle control in all driving situations.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-33

When the VDC system operates, theindi-
cator in the instrument panel flashes so note the
following:
● The road may be slippery or the system may
determine some action is required to help
keep the vehicle on the steered path.
● You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from under the
hood. This is normal and indicates that the
VDC system is working properly.
● Adjust your speed and driving to the road
conditions.
See “Slip indicator light” and ”Vehicle Dynamic
Control (VDC) off indicator light” in the ”Instru-
ments and controls” section.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
indicator light comes on in the instrument panel.
The VDC system automatically turns off when the
indicator light is off.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the VDC
system. The
indicator illuminates to indi-
cate the VDC system is off.
When the VDC switch is used to turn off the
system, the VDC system still operates to prevent
one drive wheel from slipping by transferring
power to a non slipping drive wheel. The
indicator flashes if this occurs. All other VDC
functions are off and the
indicator will not
flash.
The VDC system is automatically reset to on
when the ignition switch is placed in the off
position then back to the on position.
The computer has a built in diagnostic feature
that tests the system each time you start the
engine and move the vehicle forward or in reverse
at a slow speed. When the self-test occurs, you
may hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in
the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of a malfunction.
WARNING
● The VDC system is designed to help the
driver maintain stability but does not
prevent accidents due to abrupt steer-
ing operation at high speeds or by care-
less or dangerous driving techniques.
Reduce vehicle speed and be especially
careful when driving and cornering on
slippery surfaces and always drive
carefully. ●
Do not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars,
bushings and wheels are not NISSAN
recommended for your vehicle or are
extremely deteriorated, the VDC system
may not operate properly. This could
adversely affect vehicle handling per-
formance, and the
indicator may
flash or the
indicator light may
illuminate.
● If brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, the VDC system may not
operate properly and the
indica-
tor light may illuminate.
● If engine control related parts are not
NISSAN recommended or are extremely
deteriorated, the
indicator light
may illuminate.
● When driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the VDC system may not operate prop-
erly and the
indicator may flash or
the
indicator light may illuminate.
Do not drive on these types of roads.
5-34Starting and driving

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ........5-32
Air bag (See supplemental restraint system). .1-37
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-44
Airbagwarninglight...........1-52,2-14
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-20
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ..........4-24
Air conditioner service ...........4-32
Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-7
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-21,4-30
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-32
Airflowcharts..................4-25
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-26
Anchor point locations .............1-23
Antenna.....................4-72
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-10
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-32
Armrests .....................1-7
Audible reminders ...............2-16
Audio system ..................4-32
Bluetooth®audio.......4-65,4-66,4-67
Compact disc (CD) player . .4-43, 4-48, 4-54
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD)player.................4-41 FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player
..............4-46,4-51
Audio System iPod®Player.............4-60,4-62
Audio system Radio ....................4-32
USB interface ............4-57,4-58
Autolight switch .................2-31
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-44
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-17
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-34
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUXjack..............4-44,4-49,4-56
B
Battery ......................8-16
Chargewarninglight............2-11
Before starting the engine ...........5-11
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-19
Block heater Engine ....................5-36
Bluetooth®audio.........4-65,4-66,4-67
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system ...............4-73,4-88,4-99
Boosterseats..................1-33
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-32
Brake fluid ..................8-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-32
Brake system ................5-31 Brake warning light
.............2-11
Brake wear indicators ........2-16,8-23
Parking brake operation ..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-23
Brakes ......................8-23
Break-inschedule ...............5-28
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-11
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-33
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-10
Bulbreplacement................8-32
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-73
CDcareandcleaning .............4-70
CD player (See audio system) . .4-43, 4-48, 4-54
Check tire pressure ...............2-25
Child restraints .......1-17,1-18,1-19,1-21
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-19,1-25,1-30,1-33
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-23
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
C h

imes,audiblereminders...........2-16
Cleaning exterior and interior ..........7-2
Clock ......................4-42 (models without navigation system) ....4-42
Clockset ....................4-42
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-11

Cold weather driving..............5-35
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-43,4-48,4-54
Compass display .................2-6
Console box ...................2-41
Console light ...................2-47
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-13 Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-13
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-17
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-4 Brightness/contrast button .........4-11
Enterbutton..................4-4
Setting button .................4-7
Controls Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-21,4-30
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
Corrosionprotection ...............7-6
Cruise control ..................5-26
Cupholders...................2-40
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-33
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-29
Dimensionsandweights.............9-9 Dimmer switch for instrument panel
......2-33
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-4
Door locks .....................3-4
Drive belt .....................8-19
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-35
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-13
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-29
Emission control information label .......9-12
Emission control system warranty .......9-18
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-11
Block heater .................5-36
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............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
Engineoil...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-6
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-11
Engine specifications .............9-8
Starting the engine .............5-12
Enterbutton....................4-4 Eventdatarecorders ..............9-20
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)
.........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-26
Eyeglass case ..................2-39
F
Flashers (See

hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-2
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-14
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT)fluid..................8-13
Engine coolant .................8-8
Engine oil ...................8-10
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-15
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-11
Foglightswitch .................2-34
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-44
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-29
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-30
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ......3-30
Fuelgauge...................2-5
Fuel octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-25,3-30
Fuses.......................8-23
10-2

Fusiblelinks ...................8-25G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver....................2-48
Gascap .....................3-30
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Fuel gauge ...................2-5
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-4
Trip odometer .................2-4
Generalmaintenance...............8-2
Glovebox.....................2-41
Gloveboxlock..................2-41
Grocery hooks ..................2-42
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth®.............4-73,4-88,4-99
Hazard warning flasher switch ..........6-2
Headlightandturnsignalswitch........2-30
Headlightcontrolswitch ............2-31
Headlights....................8-28
Heated seats ...................2-35
Heated steering wheel .............2-36
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-21,4-30
Heater operation ...........4-23,4-30
HomeLink® Universal Transceiver .......2-48Hood release
...................3-27
Horn .......................2-34
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch .........5-8
Immobilizer system .........2-27,3-4,5-11
Important vehicle information label .......9-11
In-cabin microfilter ................8-21
Increasing fuel economy .............5-29
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-10
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-34
Inside mirror ...................3-33
Instrument brightness control ..........2-33
Instrument panel ...............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-33
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ..........3-8,3-19
Key operation ................3-10
Mechanicalkey ................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation . . .3-13, 3-19
Troubleshooting guide ........3-17,3-24
Warning signals ............3-17,3-24
Interiorlight....................2-46
Interiortrunklidrelease.............3-29
iPod® Player ...............4-60,4-62
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-21
J
Jump starting ...................6-8 K
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-27
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .....3-13,3-19
Keys, For Intelligent Key system .........3-2
L
Labels Air conditioner specification label .....9-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ........9-11
Emission control information label .....9-12
Engine serial number ............9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .........9-11
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-52
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System ..................... .1-21
License plate
Installing

the license plate ..........9-13
Light Airbagwarninglight.........1-52, 2-14
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-32
Bulb check/instrument panel ........2-10
Bulbreplacement..............8-32
Charge warning light ............2-11
Console light .................2-47
Fog light switch ...............2-34
Headlightandturnsignalswitch......2-30
Headlight control switch ..........2-31
Headlights..................8-28
10-3