2018 NISSAN ALTIMA maintenance

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.
For additional information, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities”
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) certifi-cation or International Lubricant Standard-
ization and Approval Committee (ILSAC)
certification and SAE viscosity standard.
These oils have the API certification 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
necessary when the proper oil type is used
and maintenance 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 operated before
the next oil change. Choosing an oil viscos-
ity 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
replacing, 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 en-
gine oil and filters that are not of the speci-
fied 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-
LTI2051
10-6Technical and consumer information

rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is
not covered by the NISSAN New Vehicle
Limited Warranty.
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 recom-
mended 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 outside temperatures
∙ driving in dusty conditions
∙ extensive idling
∙ stop and go commuting
For additional information, refer to the
“Maintenance and schedules” section of
this manual.AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND OIL
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with the
refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and
NISSAN A/C system oil Type S (DH-PS) or
the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or oil
will cause severe damage to the air con-
ditioning system and will require the re-
placement 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 regulations require the recov-
ery and recycling of any refrigerant during
automotive air conditioner system service.
A NISSAN dealer has the trained techni-
cians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system re-
frigerant. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer when servicing your air conditioner
system.
Technical and consumer information10-7

Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in what is called the
“ready condition” 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 ve-
hicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a “not ready” condi-
tion. Before taking the I/M test, check the
vehicle’s inspection/maintenance test
readiness condition. 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 af ter 20 seconds, the I/M test condi-
tion is “ready”. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer to set the “ready con-
dition” or to prepare the vehicle for testing.This vehicle is equipped with an EDR. The
main purpose of an EDR is to record, in
certain collision or near collision-like situa-
tions, such as an air bag deployment or
hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist
in understanding 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 passen- ger safety belts were buckled/fastened;
∙ How far (if at all) the driver was depress- ing the accelerator and/or brake pedal;
and,
∙ How fast the vehicle was traveling.
∙ Sounds are not recorded. These data can help provide a better un-
derstanding of the circumstances in which
collisions and injuries occur. NOTE: EDR
data are recorded by your vehicle only if a
nontrivial collision situation occurs; no data
are recorded by the EDR under normal driv-
ing conditions and no personal data (e.g.
name, gender, age and collision location)
are recorded. However, other parties, such
as law enforcement, could combine the
EDR data with the type of personally iden-
tif ying data routinely acquired during a col-
lision investigation.
To read data recorded by an EDR, special
equipment is required and access to the
vehicle or the EDR is needed. In addition to
the vehicle manufacturer and NISSAN
dealer, other parties, such as law enforce-
ment, that have the special equipment, can
read the information if they have access 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
permitted by law.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
EVENT DATA RECORDERS (EDR)
10-20Technical and consumer information

Childrestraints........1-20, 1-21, 1-23, 1-25LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren)System..............1-25
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-23, 1-29, 1-36, 1-41
Top tether strap anchor point
locations.................. .1-27
Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ..........2-17
Cleaningexteriorandinterior......7-2,7-4
Clock setting (models without Navigation
System)..................4-34,4-38
C.M.V.S.S. certification label .........10-11
Coldweatherdriving.............5-91
Compact disc (CD) player .......4-35,4-41
Compass .....................2-7
Console box ..................2-47
Console light ..................2-54
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .......................5-14
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) ............5-14
Controls Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-13,4-21
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant .........8-6
Checking engine coolant level ......8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-5
Corrosionprotection..............7-7
Cruisecontrol..................5-41
Cupholders...............2-48,2-49 D
Daytime Running Light System ......2-38
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror
defrosterswitch..............2-35
Dimensions and weights ...........10-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel . . .2-39
Door locks ..................3-4,3-5
Drivebelt ....................8-16
Driving Cold weather driving ...........5-91
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) ............5-14
Precautions when starting and
driving.....................5-2
Drivingthevehicle...............5-14
E
E-CALL (SOS) SWITCH .............2-43
Economy - fuel .................5-78
Emergency engine shutoff .......5-11, 6-3
Emission control information label . . . .10-12
Emission control system warranty . . . .10-18
Engine Before starting the engine ........5-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine coolant .........8-6
Changing engine oil ............8-8
Changing engine oil filter .........8-10
Checking engine coolant level ......8-6
Checking engine oil level .........8-7Engine compartment check
locations...................8-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-5
Engine cooling system
..........8-5
Engine oil ...................8-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .............10-6
Engine oil viscosity .............10-6
Engine serial number ...........10-11
Engine specifications ...........10-8
Starting the engine ............5-13
Engine Block Heater .............5-92
Engine coolant temperature gauge ....2-5
EventDatarecorders............10-20
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .......5-2
Explanation of maintenance items .....9-2
Explanation of scheduled maintenance
i
tems .......................9-5
Extended storage switch ..........2-44
Eyeglasscase .................2-47
F
Firstaidkit....................6-2
Flashers
(Seehazardwarningflasherswitch)....6-2
Flattire....................6-3,6-4
Floormatpositioningaid...........7-6
Fluid Brakefluid..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-11
Engine coolant ...............8-5
11-2

Engine oil...................8-7
Powersteeringfluid............8-11
Windshield-washer fluid .........8-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........10-11
Foglightswitch................2-40
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) . . . .1-51
Front and rear sonar system ........5-86
Front-door pocket ..............2-45
Front power seat adjustment ........1-4
Frontseats................... .1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Fuel economy ...............5-78
Fuel-filler door and cap ..........3-26
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever ....3-26
Fuel gauge ..................2-6
Fueloctanerating.............10-5
Fuel recommendation ..........10-3
Loose fuel cap warning .........2-28
Fuelefficientdrivingtips...........5-77
Fuel-filler door .................3-26
Fuel gauge ....................2-6
Fuses .......................8-21
Fusiblelinks...................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver ............2-56,2-58,2-59
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 .............9-2
Glovebox....................2-46
Gloveboxlock.................2-46
H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth® . .4-54
Hazard warning flasher switch ........6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-35
Headlightcontrolswitch...........2-35
Headlights ...................8-26
Headrestraints .................1-8
Heated seat switches .............2-41
Heated steering wheel switch .......2-42
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-13,4-21
Heater operation ..........4-14,4-22
Hill start assist system ............5-86
HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver ............2-56,2-58,2-59
Hood .......................3-23
Horn.......................2-40
I
Ignition switch Push-button ignition switch .......5-9
Immobilizer system ...........2-32,5-12
Important vehicle information label . . . .10-11In-cabinmicrofilter ..............8-19
Increasing fuel economy
...........5-78
Indicator NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge
indicator...................5-11
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) .................2-15,3-17
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror .....3-30
Instrument brightness control .......2-39
Instrument panel .............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch .....2-39
Intelligent

Cruise Control (ICC) .......5-43
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning
(I-FCW)......................5-65
Intelligent Key system Key operating range ............3-8
Key operation ................3-10
Mechanical key ...............3-3
Remote keyless entry operation ....3-13
Troubleshooting guide ..........3-18
Warning signals ..............3-18
Interiorlight...................2-54
Interiortrunklidrelease...........3-25
iPod®Player ..................4-44
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-25
J
Jumpstarting..............6-10,8-15
K
Key........................ .3-2
11-3

Key fob battery replacement........8-24
Keyless entry With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .......3-13
Keys NISSAN Intelligent Key® ..........3-2
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
keys......................3-4
L
Label Tire and Loading Information label . .10-12
Labels Air conditioner specification label . . .10-12
C.M.V.S.S. certification label .......10-11
Emission control information label . .10-12
Engine serial number ...........10-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ........10-11
Tire and Loading Information label . .10-12
Vehicle identification number (VIN) . .10-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate.....................10-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..........1-61
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for
CHildren)System................1-25
License plate Installing the license plate .......10-13
Light Airbagwarninglight........1-62, 2-15
Brakelight(Seestoplight)........8-28
Bulb check/instrument panel ......2-10
Bulb replacement .............8-28
Charge warning light ...........2-12
Console light ................2-54 ExteriorandInteriorlights........8-28
Foglights..................8-26
Foglightswitch..............2-40
Headlight and turn signal switch
....2-35
Headlightcontrolswitch.........2-35
Headlights .................8-26
Interiorlight.................2-54
Lightbulbs.................8-26
Low tire pressure warning light .....2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light......................2-29
Passenger air bag and status light . . .1-53
Personal lights ...............2-55
Security indicator light ..........2-17
Spotlights(Seemaplight)........2-55
Trunklight..................2-55
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ...............2-15,3-17
Lights......................8-26 Maplights..................2-55
Lock Child safety rear door lock ........3-6
Door locks ................3-4,3-5
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever . . . .3-26
Gloveboxlock...............2-46
Power door locks ...........3-5, 3-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever ........3-24
Loose fuel cap warning ...........2-28
Lowfuelwarninglight.........2-14,2-28
Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Low windshield-washer fluid warning
light........................2-29
Luggage
(See vehicle loading information) .....10-13 M
Maintenance General maintenance ...........9-2
Insidethevehicle..............9-3
Maintenance precautions .........8-2
Outsidethevehicle.............9-2
Seat belt maintenance ..........1-19
Under the hood and vehicle .......9-4
Maintenance log ................9-13
Maintenance requirements ..........9-2
Maintenance schedules ............9-7
Maintenance under severe operation
conditions....................9-12
Malfunctionindicatorlight..........2-16
Manual front seat adjustment ........1-3
Maplights................... .2-55
Meters and gauges ...............2-3
Instrument brightness control .....2-39
Mirror Automatic anti-glare inside mirror. . .3-30
Outsidemirrors..............3-32
Rearview ..................3-30
Vanitymirror................3-30
Mirrors......................3-30
Moonroof ....................2-52
N
NissanConnect® Owner's Manual ......4-2
NISS

AN Intelligent Key® ............3-2
NISSAN Intelligent Key® battery discharge
indicator.....................5-11
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System ..................2-32, 5-12
11-4

O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating). . .10-5
Odometer ....................2-4
Oil Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...............10-2
Changing engine oil ............8-8
Changing engine oil filter .........8-10
Checking engine oil level .........8-7
Engine oil ...................8-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .............10-6
Engine oil viscosity .............10-6
One shot call ...............4-57,4-58
Outsidemirrors................3-32
Overhead sunglasses holder ........2-47
Overheat Ifyourvehicleoverheats.........6-12
Owner's manual order form ........10-21
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ..................10-21
P
Parking Parking brake operation .........5-21
Parking/parkingonhills.........5-80
Personal lights .................2-55
Phone, Bluetooth® hands-free system . .4-54
Power Power door locks ...........3-5,3-6
Powerrearwindows ...........2-51
Powersteeringfluid............8-11
Power steering system .........5-80Powerwindows..............2-49
Rearpowerwindows...........2-51
Powersteering.................5-80
Powersteeringfluid..............8-11
Precautions Maintenance precautions .........8-2
Precautions on booster
seats............1-23, 1-29, 1-36, 1-41
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-23, 1-29, 1-36, 1-41
Precautions on seat belt usage .....1-12
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ................... .1-44
Precautions when starting and
driving.....................5-2
Push starting ..................6-12
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ..........4-54
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-33
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-37
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test ....................10-20
RearCrossTrafficAlert(RCTA) .......5-32
Rearpowerwindows.............2-51
Rearseat.................... .1-6
Rearviewmirror................3-30
RearViewMonitor................4-3
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch......................2-35
Recommended Fluids ............10-2 Recorders
EventData................ .10-20
Refrigerant recommendation ........10-7
Registering a vehicle in another
country .....................10-10
Remote Engine Start ..........3-20,5-14
Reporting safety defects (US only) . . . .10-19
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ........3-6
Childseatbelts......1-23, 1-29, 1-36, 1-41
Reporting safety defects (US only) . .10-19
Seat adjustment Front manual seat adjustment ......1-3
Front power seat adjustment ......1-4
Rear seat adjustment ...........1-6
Seatback pockets ...............2-46
Seat belt Childsafety................ .1-20
Infants
and small children ........1-21
InjuredPerson............... .1-15
Largerchildren.............. .1-21
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.....1-12
Pregnant women ..............1-15
Seat belt extenders ............1-19
Seat belt maintenance ..........1-19
Seatbelts................1-12, 7-6
Shoulder belt height adjustment . . . .1-19
Three-pointtypewithretractor.....1-15
Seat belt extenders ..............1-19
Seatbeltwarninglight.........1-14, 2-15
Seats Adjustment ..................1-2
11-5

Armrests ...................1-7
Frontseats..................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment ......1-3
Rearseat.................. .1-6
Security indicator light ............2-17
Security system (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer
System), engine start ..........2-32,5-12
Security systems Vehicle security system ..........2-31
Self-adjustingbrakes.............8-21
Service manual order form .........10-21
Servicing air conditioner ...........4-24
Shif ting Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .....................5-16
Shiftleverlockrelease............5-19
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-19
Siri® Eyes-Free .................4-50
Spark plug replacement ...........8-17
Spark plugs ...................8-17
Specifications .................10-8
Speedometer ..................2-4
Speedometer and odometer ........2-4
Spotlights(Seemaplight)..........2-55
SRS warning label ...............1-61
Stability control ................5-83
Standard maintenance ............9-7
Starting Before starting the engine ........5-12
Jumpstarting............6-10,8-15
Precautions when starting and
driving .....................5-2
Push starting ................6-12
Starting the engine ............5-13
Starting the engine ..............5-13 Steering
Powersteeringfluid............8-11
Powersteeringsystem .........5-80
Steering wheel .................3-28
Stoplight....................8-28
Storage.....................2-45
Sunglasses case ................2-47
Sunglasses holder ...............2-47
Sunroof (see Moonroof ) ...........2-52
Sunvisors....................3-29
Supplemental air bag warning
light.................... .1-62, 2-15
Supplemental front impact air bag
system ..................... .1-51
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .....1-61
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ................... .1-44
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .......1-44
Switch Autolightswitch..............2-36
Automatic power window switch . . .2-51
Foglightswitch..............2-40
Hazard warning flasher switch ......6-2
Headlight and turn signal switch ....2-35
Headlightcontrolswitch.........2-35
Instrument brightness control .....2-39
Power door lock switch ........3-5,3-6
Rear window and outside mirror
defrosterswitch..............2-35
Turn signal switch .............2-39 T
Tachometer ...................2-5
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge . .2-5
Thef t (NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System),
engine start ...............2-32,5-12
Three-waycatalyst...............5-2
Tilt Telescopicsteering............3-29
Tire F
lattire..................6-3,6-4
Spare tire ................6-5,8-43
Tire and Loading Information label . .10-12
Tire chains .................8-39
Tire pressure ................8-31
Tirerotation ................8-40
Types of tires ................8-38
Uniform tire quality grading .......10-17
Wheels and tires ..............8-31
Wheel/tire size ...............10-9
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .....2-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)....................5-3,6-3
Towing 4-wheel drive models ...........6-14
Flattowing.................10-17
Trailertowing ...............10-17
Towingatrailer................10-17
Towingyourvehicle..............6-13
Transceiver HomeLink® Universal
Transceiver ..........2-56,2-58,2-59
11-6