2020 NISSAN ALTIMA maintenance

CAUTION
∙ Oil level should be checked regularly.Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty.
∙ It is normal to add some oil between oil maintenance intervals or during
the break-in period, depending on the
severity of operating conditions.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND OIL
FILTER
For additional information on engine oil
and oil filter change, refer to the instruc-
tions outlined in this section.
Vehicle set-up
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operat- ing temperature.
3. Turn the engine off and wait for 15 min- utes.
4. Raise and support the vehicle using a suitable floor jack and safety jack
stands. ∙ Place the safety jack stands under the
vehicle jack-up points.
∙ A suitable adapter should be attached to the jack stand saddle.
CAUTION
Make sure the correct lif ting and sup-
port points are used to avoid vehicle
damage.
1Oil filler cap
LDI3369
8-8Do-it-yourself

∙ If the battery is labeled “do not open” it ismaintenance free and battery fluid
should not be checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
or a qualified specialist workshop to
confirm the battery’s performance.
∙ Keep the battery surface clean and dry. Clean the battery with a solution of bak-
ing soda and water.
∙ Make certain the terminal connections are clean and securely tightened.
∙ If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or longer, disconnect the nega-
tive (-) battery terminal cable to prevent
discharge.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start conditions
such as: 1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the engine is not
running (Phone chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or
only driven short distances. In these cases, the battery may need to
be charged to maintain battery health.
WARNING
∙ Do not expose the battery to flames,
an electrical spark or a cigarette. Hy-
drogen gas generated by the battery
is explosive. Explosive gases can
cause blindness or injury. Do not allow
battery fluid to contact your skin,
eyes, fabrics or painted surfaces. Sul-
furic acid can cause blindness or in-
jury. Af ter touching a battery or bat-
tery cap, do not touch or rub your
eyes. Thoroughly wash your hands. If
the acid contacts your eyes, skin or
clothing, immediately flush with wa-
ter for at least 15 minutes and seek
medical attention.
∙ When working on or near a battery, always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.
∙
Battery posts, terminals and related
accessories contain lead and lead com-
pounds. Wash hands af ter handling.
∙ Keep battery out of the reach of children.
∙ Do not tip the battery. NOTE:
Do not try to open the top of the battery.
This battery is not equipped with remov-
able vent caps.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, refer to “Jump
starting” in the “In case of emergency” sec-
tion of this manual. If the engine does not
start by jump starting, the battery may
have to be replaced. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this ser-
vice.
LDI3302
Do-it-yourself8-15

1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of un-usual wear, cuts, or fraying. If the belt is
in poor condition, have it replaced. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
2. Have the belt checked regularly for condition.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Iridium-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace iridium-
tipped
Aspark plugs as frequently as con-
ventional type spark plugs because they
last much longer. Follow the maintenance
log shown in the “Maintenance and sched-
ules” section of this manual. Do not service
iridium-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or
regapping.
∙ Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect
socket can damage the spark plugs.
If replacement is required, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
SDI1895
SPARK PLUGS
Do-it-yourself8-17

NOTE:
The air cleaner filter should not be
cleaned and reused.
Replace the air cleaner filter according to
the maintenance log shown in the ”Mainte-
nance and schedules” section of this
manual.
To remove the air cleaner filter:∙ Unlatch the clips and move the air cleaner cover upward.
∙ Remove the air cleaner filter. ∙ Wipe the inside of the air cleaner filter
housing and the cover with a damp
cloth.
The viscous paper type filter element (if so
equipped) should not be cleaned and re-
used. The dry paper type filter element (if so
equipped) may be cleaned and reused. Re-
place the air filter according to the mainte-
nance log shown in the “Maintenance and
schedules” section of this manual.
NOTE:
Af ter installing a new air cleaner filter,
make sure the air cleaner cover is seated
in the housing and latch the clips.
WARNING
∙ Operating the engine with the air cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleaner
not only cleans the air, it stops the
flame if the engine backfires. If it isn’t
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with the
air cleaner removed, and be careful
when working on the engine with the
air cleaner removed. ∙ Never pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry
of airborne dust and pollen particles and
reduces some objectionable outside
odors. The filter is located behind the glove
box. For additional information, refer to the
"Maintenance and schedules" section of
this manual for change intervals.
If replacement is required, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
LDI3273
AIR CLEANER
8-18Do-it-yourself

If you wax the surface of the hood, be care-
ful not to let wax get into the washer nozzle
D. This may cause clogging or improper
windshield-washer operation. If wax gets
into the nozzle, remove it with a needle or
small pin
C. If the brakes do not operate properly, have
the brakes checked. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this ser-
vice.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front and rear disc-type brakes self-
adjust every time the brake pedal is ap-
plied.
WARNING
Have your brake system checked if the
brake pedal height does not return to
normal. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have
audible wear indicators. When a brake pad
requires replacement, a high pitched
scraping or screeching sound will be heard
when the vehicle is in motion. The noise will
be heard whether or not the brake pedal is
depressed. Have the brakes checked as
soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard. Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.
For additional information re-
garding brake inspections, refer to the ap-
propriate maintenance schedule informa-
tion in the "Maintenance and schedules"
section of this manual.
LDI2731
BRAKES
8-20Do-it-yourself

9 Maintenance and schedules
Maintenance requirements......................9-2
General maintenance ........................9-2
Scheduled maintenance .....................9-2
Where to go for service .......................9-2
General maintenance ...........................9-2
Explanation of general maintenance
items .........................................9-2
Explanation of scheduled maintenance items . . . 9-5 Emission control system maintenance: .......9-5
Chassis and body maintenance: ..............9-6
Maintenance schedules .........................9-7
Additional maintenance items for
severe operating conditions ..................9-7
Oil control system ............................9-7
Standard maintenance ......................... 9-10PR25DD Engine model
....................... 9-10
Standard maintenance .......................9-11
Maintenance under severe operating
conditions ...................................... 9-13
Severe driving conditions ....................9-13
Standard maintenance ......................... 9-14
KR20DDET Engine model ....................9-14
Standard maintenance ......................9-15
Maintenance under severe operating
conditions ...................................... 9-18
Severe driving conditions ....................9-18
Maintenance log ............................... 9-19
PR25DD Engine model ....................... 9-19
KR20DDET Engine model ....................9-22

Some day-to-day and regular mainte-
nance is essential to maintain your vehicle
good mechanical condition, as well as its
emissions and engine performance.
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure
that the scheduled maintenance, as well as
general maintenance, is performed.
As the vehicle owner, you are the only one
who can ensure that your vehicle receives
proper maintenance. You are a vital link in
the maintenance chain.
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
General maintenance includes those items
which should be checked during normal
day-to-day operation. They are essential
for proper vehicle operation. It is your re-
sponsibility to perform these procedures
regularly as prescribed.
Performing general maintenance checks
requires minimal mechanical skill and only
a few general automotive tools.
These checks or inspections can be done
by yourself, a qualified technician or, if you
prefer, a NISSAN dealer.
SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE
The maintenance items listed in this sec-
tion are required to be serviced at regular
intervals. However under severe driving
conditions, additional or more frequent
maintenance will be required.
WHERE TO GO FOR SERVICE
If maintenance service is required or your
vehicle appears to malfunction, have the
systems checked and serviced. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
NISSAN technicians are well-trained spe-
cialists and are kept up-to-date with the
latest service information through techni-
cal bulletins, service tips and training pro-
grams. They are fully qualified to work on
NISSAN vehiclesbeforework begins.
If your vehicle is involved in a collision, it is
recommended that you ask your NISSAN
dealer where the nearest NISSAN Certified
Collision Center is located, or go to
http://collision.nissanusa.com.
You can be confident that a NISSAN deal-
er’s service department can perform the
service needed to meet the maintenance
requirements on your vehicle. During the normal day-to-day operation of
the vehicle, general maintenance should
be performed regularly as prescribed in
this section. If you detect any unusual
sounds, vibrations or smells, be sure to
check for the cause or have it checked
promptly. In addition, it is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer if you think
that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or mainte-
nance work, closely observe the “Mainte-
nance precautions” in the “Do-it-yourself ”
section of this manual.
EXPLANATION OF GENERAL
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
Additional information on the following
items with“*”isf
ound in the “Do-it-
yourself ” section of this manual.
Outside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be performed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Doors and engine hood: Check that the
doors and engine hood operate properly.
Also ensure that all latches lock securely.
Lubricate hinges, latches, latch pins, rollers
and links if necessary. Make sure that the
MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS GENERAL MAINTENANCE
9-2Maintenance and schedules

secondary latch keeps the hood from
opening when the primary latch is re-
leased.
When driving in areas using road salt or
other corrosive materials, check lubrica-
tion frequently.
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular
basis. Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and in-
stalled securely. Also check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*: When check-
ing the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are
missing, and check for any loose wheel
nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*: PR25DD Engine model; Tires
should be rotated every 5,000 miles
(8,000 km).
KR25DDET Engine Model; Tires should be
rotated every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Tires*: Check the pressure with a gauge
of ten and always prior to long distance
trips. If necessary, adjust the pressure in all
tires, including the spare, to the pressure
specified. Check carefully for damage, cuts
or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components: Replace theTPMS transmitter grommet seal, valve core
and cap when the tires are replaced due to
wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance:
If the ve-
hicle should pull to either side while driving
on a straight and level road, or if you detect
uneven or abnormal tire wear, there may
be a need for wheel alignment. If the steer-
ing wheel or seat vibrates at normal high-
way speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield: Clean the windshield on a
regular basis. Check the windshield at least
every six months for cracks or other dam-
age. Have a damaged windshield repaired
by a qualified repair facility. It is recom-
mended that you have a damaged wind-
shield repaired by a NISSAN dealer, or a
NISSAN Certified Collision Center. To locate
a collision center in your area, refer to
http://collision.nissanusa.com.
Windshield wiper blades*: Check for
cracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked on a regular basis, such as
when performing scheduled maintenance,
cleaning the vehicle, etc.
Accelerator pedal: Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the
pedal does not catch or require uneven
effort. Keep the floor mat away from the
pedal.
Brake pedal: Check the pedal for smooth
operation. If the brake pedal suddenly goes
down further than normal, the pedal feels
spongy or the vehicle seems to take longer
to stop, have your vehicle checked imme-
diately. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service. Keep the
floor mat away from the pedal.
Brakes: Check that the brakes do not pull
the vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) P (Park) position mechanism: On a
fairly steep hill check that the vehicle is held
securely with the shif t lever in the P (Park)
position without applying any brakes.
Parking brake: Check the parking brake
operation regularly. The vehicle should be
securely held on a fairly steep hill with only
Maintenance and schedules9-3