Nissan Altima 2011 Owner's Manual

2011 ALTIMA

OWNER’S MANUAL

For your safety, read carefully and keep in this vehicle.

FOREWORD READ FIRST—THEN DRIVE SAFELY

Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the latest techniques and strict quality control.

This manual was prepared to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles (kilometers) of driving pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle.

A separate Warranty Information Booklet explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle. The “NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide” explains details about maintaining and servicing your vehicle. Additionally, a separate Customer Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will explain how to resolve any concerns you may have with your vehicle, as well as clarify your rights under your state’s lemon law.

Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, they will be glad to assist you with the extensive resources available to them.

Before driving your vehicle, please read this Owner’s Manual carefully. This will ensure familiarity with controls and maintenance requirements, assisting you in the safe operation of your vehicle.

WARNING

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!

Follow these important driving rules to help ensure a safe and comfortable trip for you and your passengers!

● NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

● ALWAYS observe posted speed limits and never drive too fast for conditions.

ALWAYS give your full attention to driving

●

and avoid using vehicle features or taking other actions that could distract you.

●

ALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate child restraint systems. Preteen children should be seated in the rear seat.

● ALWAYS provide information about the proper use of vehicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle.

● ALWAYS review this Owner’s Manual for important safety information.

MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE This vehicle should not be modified.

Modification could affect its performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or performance problems resulting from modifications may not be covered under NISSAN warranties.

WHEN READING THE MANUAL

This manual includes information for all options available on this model. Therefore, you may find some information that does not apply to your vehicle.

All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are those in effect at the time of printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change specifications or design without notice and without obligation.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MANUAL

You will see various symbols in this manual. They are used in the following ways:

WARNING

This is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that could cause death or serious personal injury. To avoid or reduce the risk, the procedures must be followed precisely.

CAUTION

This is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that could cause minor or moderate personal injury or damage to your vehicle. To avoid or reduce the risk, the procedures must be followed carefully.

APD1005

If you see this symbol, it means “Do not do this” or “Do not let this happen.”

If you see a symbol similar to these in an illustration, it means the arrow points to the front of the vehicle.

Arrows in an illustration that are similar to these indicate movement or action.

Arrows in an illustration that are similar to these call attention to an item in the illustration.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING

WARNING

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids contained in vehicles and certain products of component wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

CALIFORNIA PERCHLORATE ADVISORY

Some vehicle parts, such as lithium batteries, may contain perchlorate material. The following advisory is provided: “Perchlorate Material – special handling may apply, See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.”

BLUETOOTH威 is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc., U.S.A. and licensed to Visteon and Clarion.

XM Radio威 requires subscription, sold separately. Not available in Alaska, Hawaii or Guam. For more information, visit www.xmradio.com.

All rights reserved. No part of this Owner’s Manual may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Nissan North America, Inc.

NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM

NISSAN CARES...

Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and service needs.

However, if there is something that your NISSAN dealer cannot assist you with or you would like to provide NISSAN directly with comments or questions, please contact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs Department using our toll-free number:

For U.S. customers

1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261)

For Canadian customers

1-800-387-0122

We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle.

The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the following information:

– Your name, address, and telephone number

– Vehicle identification number (attached to the

top of the instrument panel on the driver’s side)

– Date of purchase

– Current odometer reading

– Your NISSAN dealer’s name

– Your comments or questions

You can write to NISSAN with the information at:

For U.S. customers

Nissan North America, Inc. Consumer Affairs Department P.O. Box 685003 Franklin, TN 37068-5003

For Canadian customers

Nissan Canada Inc. 5290 Orbitor Drive Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5

or via e-mail at:

For U.S. customers

nnaconsumeraffairs@nissan-usa.com

For Canadian customers

information.centre@nissancanada.com

Table of

Illustrated table of contents

Contents

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Instruments and controls

Pre-driving checks and adjustments

Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems

Starting and driving

In case of emergency

Appearance and care

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Technical and consumer information

Index

0 Illustrated table of contents

Air bags, seat belts and child restraints ..............0-2

Exterior front ......................................0-3

Exterior rear.......................................0-5

Passenger compartment ...........................0-7

Instrument panel...................................0-8

Engine compartment check locations . . . ............0-10

Warning/indicator lights ...........................0-12

AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS

1. Top tether strap anchor (P. 1-27)

2. Rear seat belts (P. 1-14)

3. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bag (P. 1-41)

4. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag (P. 1-41)

5. Head Restraints (P. 1-10)

6. Front seat belts (P. 1-14)

7. Side-impact air bag pressure sensor (driver’s side shown; passenger’s side similar) (P. 1-57)

8. Supplemental front-impact air bags (P. 1-41)

9. Seats (P. 1-2)

10. Occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor) (P. 1-50)

11. Seat belt with pretensioner (P. 1-55)

12. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system (P. 1-25)

See the page number indicated in parentheses for operating details.

0-2 Illustrated table of contents

LII2001

EXTERIOR FRONT

Coupe

1. Power windows (P. 2-43)

2. Windshield (P. 8-21)

3. Windshield wiper and washer switch

(P. 2-28)

4. Engine hood (P. 3-23)

5. Tie down (P. 6-14)

6. Fog light switch (if so equipped)

(P. 2-34)

7. Headlight and turn signal switch

(P. 2-29)

8. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-28)

9. Tire pressure (P. 8-38)

10. Flat tire (P. 6-2)

11. Tire chains (P. 8-46)

12. Mirrors (P. 3-29)

13. Door locks, NISSAN Intelligent Key ™ ,

keys (P. 3-4, 3-6, 3-2)

LII0114

Illustrated table of contents 0-3

0-4 Illustrated table of contents

Sedan

1. Power windows (P. 2-43)

2. Windshield (P. 8-21)

3. Windshield wiper and washer switch

(P. 2-28)

4. Engine hood (P. 3-23)

5. Tie down (P. 6-14)

6. Fog light switch (if so equipped)

(P. 2-34)

7. Headlight and turn signal switch

(P. 2-29)

8. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-28)

9. Tire pressure (P. 8-38)

10. Flat tire (P. 6-2)

11. Tire chains (P. 8-46)

12. Mirrors (P. 3-29)

13. Door locks, NISSAN Intelligent Key ™ ,

keys (P. 3-4, 3-6, 3-2)

See the page number indicated in parentheses for operating details.

LII0094

EXTERIOR REAR

Coupe

1. Rear window and outside mirror

(if so equipped) defroster switch (P. 2-29)

2. Interior trunk lid release (P. 3-24)

3. Trunk lid (P. 3-23)

4. Vehicle loading (P. 9-13)

5. Opener operation (P. 3-23)

6. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-28)

7. Fuel-filler cap, fuel recommendation

(P. 3-25, P. 9-3)

8. Fuel-filler door (P. 3-25)

WII0125

Illustrated table of contents 0-5

0-6 Illustrated table of contents

Sedan

1. Rear window and outside mirror

(if so equipped) defroster switch (P. 2-29)

2. Interior trunk lid release (P. 3-24)

3. Trunk lid (P. 3-23)

4. Vehicle loading (P. 9-13)

5. Opener operation (P. 3-23)

6. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-28)

7. Fuel-filler cap, fuel recommendation

(P. 3-25, P. 9-3)

8. Fuel-filler door (P. 3-25)

9. Child safety rear door lock (P. 3-6)

LII0095

PASSENGER COMPARTMENT

1. Interior trunk access (P. 1-8)

2. Moonroof (if so equipped) (P. 2-46)

3. Sun visors (P. 3-28)

4. Interior lights, illuminated entry (P. 2-49)

5. HomeLink姞 universal transceiver

(if so equipped) (P. 2-51)

6. Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror

(if so equipped) (P. 3-29)

7. Glove box (P. 2-41)

8. Front cup holders (P. 2-40)

9. Front console (P. 2-41)

10. Front seat (P. 1-2)

11. Rear seat (P. 1-8)

See the page number indicated in parentheses for operating details.

WII0126

Illustrated table of contents 0-7

INSTRUMENT PANEL

1. Vents (P. 4-18)

2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turn signal switch (P. 2-29)

WIC1598

3. Steering wheel switch for audio control (if so equipped)/Bluetooth姞 Hands-free Phone System (if so equipped) (P. 4-95, P. 4-91, P. 4-106)

4. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)

5. Driver supplemental air bag/horn (P. 1-41, P. 2-35)

6. Cruise control main/set switch (P. 5-20)

7. Windshield wiper and washer switch (P. 2-28)

8. Ignition switch (P. 5-7)

9. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-34)

10. Front passenger air bag status light (P. 1-51)

11. Front passenger supplemental air bag (P. 1-41)

12. Glove box (P. 2-41)

13. Navigation system* (if so equipped) (P. 4-2)

14. Covered storage box (P. 2-42)

15. Heater and air conditioner (automatic) (P. 4-26)

16. Heater and air conditioner (manual) (P. 4-19)

17. Shift selector (P. 5-11)

18. Audio system controls (if so equipped)/ Storage (if so equipped) (P. 4-29, P.2-42)

19. Tilt/telescopic steering wheel controls (P. 3-28)

0-8 Illustrated table of contents

20. Vehicle information display controls (P. 2-17)

21. Hood release (P. 3-23)

22. Trunk opener (P. 3-23) Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF switch (P. 2-36) NISSAN Intelligent Key™ port (P. 5-7)

*: Refer to the separate Navigation System Owner’s Manual (if so equipped).

See the page number indicated in parentheses for operating details.

Illustrated table of contents 0-9

ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK LOCATIONS

QR25DE engine

1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-14)

2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-10)

3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model) (P. 8-15, 8-15)

4. Air cleaner (P. 8-20)

5. Fuse block (P. 8-23)

6. Battery (P. 8-16)

7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-23)

8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-10)

9. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)

10. Drive belt location (P. 8-18)

11. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)

12. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir (P. 8-15)

See the page number indicated in parentheses for operating details.

0-10 Illustrated table of contents

LDI0553

LDI0552

VQ35DE engine

1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-14)

2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-10)

3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model) (P. 8-15, 8-15)

4. Air cleaner (P. 8-20)

5. Fuse block (P. 8-23)

6. Battery (P. 8-16)

7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-23)

8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-10)

9. Radiator cap (P. 8-8)

10. Drive belt location (P. 8-18)

11. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-8)

12. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir (P. 8-15)

See the page number indicated in parentheses for operating details.

Illustrated table of contents 0-11

WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS

Warning

light

Name Page

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light

Brake warning light 2-11

Charge warning light

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) check warning light (if so equipped)

Engine oil pressure warning light

2-11

2-12

Warning

light

Indicator

light

Name Page

Low tire pressure warning light

Master warning light 2-13

Seat belt warning light and chime

Supplemental air bag warning light

Name Page

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) position indicator light (if so equipped)

Cruise main switch indicator light

2-12

2-14

Indicator

light

Name Page

Cruise set switch indicator light

Front passenger air bag status light

High beam indicator light (blue)

Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

Security indicator light

Slip indicator light 2-16

Turn signal/hazard indicator lights

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF indicator light

2-15

2-27

2-16

0-12 Illustrated table of contents

1 Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Seats ............................................1-2

Front manual seat adjustment

(if so equipped) ................................1-2

Front power seat adjustment

(if so equipped for driver’s seat) ..................1-4

Folding rear seat ...............................1-8

Head restraints................................1-10

Seat belts .......................................1-14

Precautions on seat belt usage..................1-14

Pregnant women ..............................1-17

Injured persons................................1-17

Three-point type seat belt with retractor ..........1-17

Seat belt extenders ............................1-20

Seat belt maintenance .........................1-20

Child safety ......................................1-21

Infants........................................1-22

Small children .................................1-22

Larger children ................................1-22

Child restraints ...................................1-23

Precautions on child restraints ..................1-23

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for

CHildren) System .............................1-25

Rear-facing child restraint installation using

LATCH.......................................1-27

Rear-facing child restraint installation using

the seat belts .................................1-29

Forward-facing child restraint installation

using LATCH..................................1-32

Forward-facing child restraint installation

using the seat belts ............................1-34

Installing top tether strap .......................1-38

Booster seats .................................1-38

Supplemental restraint system .....................1-41

Precautions on supplemental restraint

system .......................................1-41

Supplemental air bag warning labels .............1-56

Supplemental air bag warning light ..............1-57

SEATS

WARNING

● Do not ride in a moving vehicle when the seatback is reclined. This can be dangerous. The shoulder belt will not be against your body. In an accident, you could be thrown into it and receive neck or other serious injuries. You could also slide under the lap belt and receive serious internal injuries.

ARS1152

● For the most effective protection when the vehicle is in motion, the seat should be upright. Always sit well back in the seat with both feet on the floor and adjust the seat properly. See “Precautions on seat belt usage” later in this section.

● After adjustment, gently rock in the seat to make sure it is securely locked.

● Do not leave children unattended inside the vehicle. They could unknowingly activate switches or controls. Unattended children could become involved in serious accidents.

● The seatback should not be reclined any more than needed for comfort. Seat belts are most effective when the passenger sits well back and straight up in the seat. If the seatback is reclined, the risk of sliding under the lap belt and being injured is increased.

CAUTION

When adjusting the seat positions, be sure not to contact any moving parts to avoid possible injuries and/or damage.

FRONT MANUAL SEAT ADJUSTMENT (if so equipped)

1-2 Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WRS0738 WRS0739 WRS0740

Forward and backward

Pull the center of the bar up and hold it while you slide the seat forward or backward to the desired position. Release the bar to lock the seat in position.

Reclining

To recline the seatback, pull the lever up and lean back. To bring the seatback forward, pull the lever up and lean your body forward. Release the lever to lock the seatback in position.

The reclining feature allows adjustment of the seatback for occupants of different sizes for added comfort and to help obtain proper seat belt fit. See “Precautions on seat belt usage” later in this section. Also, the seatback can be reclined to allow occupants to rest when the vehicle is stopped and the transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) position with the parking brake fully applied.

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-3

Seat lifter (if so equipped for driver’s seat)

Pull up or push down the adjusting lever to adjust the seat height until the desired position is achieved.

Coupe

FRONT POWER SEAT ADJUSTMENT (if so equipped for driver’s seat)

Operating tips

WARNING

Before driving the vehicle, return the seatback to an upright seating position after manually releasing it. Also, make sure the seat is locked in place. Failure to do so may cause the seat to move in a collision or sudden stop. This may result in damage to the seat or personal injury.

● Do not operate the power recline switch when the seatback has been manually released using the upper seatback release lever the seat.

● Do not pull on the upper seatback release lever or the trim to return the seatback to a normal seating position. Doing so may damage the seat.

CAUTION

. Doing so can damage

䊊

1-4 Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WRS0841

● The power seat motor has an auto-reset overload protection circuit. If the motor stops during operation, wait 30 seconds, then reactivate the switch.

● Do not operate the power seat switch for a long period of time when the engine is off. This will discharge the battery.

● Pull up on the upper seatback release lever to release the seatback only. Push the seatback forward to allow for access to items behind the front seat. Push the seatback to the rear of the vehicle to return the seatback to the upright and locked position. The upper seatback release lever does not need to be used.

Forward and backward

Moving the switch forward or backward will slide the seat forward or backward to the desired position.

hicle is stopped and the transmission is in P (Park) or N (Neutral) position with the parking brake fully applied.

WRS0751

Sedan

Reclining

Move the recline switch backward until the desired angle is obtained. To bring the seatback forward again, move the switch forward and move your body forward. The seatback will move forward.

The reclining feature allows adjustment of the seatback for occupants of different sizes for added comfort and to help obtain proper seat belt fit (see “Precautions on seat belt usage” later in this section). Also, the seatback can be reclined to allow occupants to rest when the ve-

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-5

WRS0842

Coupe shown, Sedan similar

Seat lifter (if so equipped for driver’s seat)

Pull the lever up or push down to adjust the angle and height of the seat cushion.

Lumbar support (if so equipped for driver’s seat)

The lumbar support feature provides lower back support to the driver. Push the switch (Type A) forward or backward or move the lever (Type B) up or down to adjust the seat lumbar area.

Type A

1-6 Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WRS0743

WRS0843

Type B

WRS0739 WRS0791

Entry to the rear seat from outside of the vehicle (if so equipped for Coupe models)

Pull the seat recliner lever to the uppermost position folding the seatback forward, releasing the seat track.

Slide the entire seat forward for access to the rear seat.

To return the seat to a locked position:

Push the upper seatback rearward until the seatback and track are locked.

Operating tips:

● The seatback and track will not lock until the seatback is returned rearward.

● The seatback will return to the first locking notch when using the seat recliner lever.

Exiting from the rear seat on the passenger’s side, using the upper seatback release lever (if so equipped for Coupe models)

Pull the upper seatback release lever uppermost position, folding the seatback forward

, releasing the seat track.

䊊

Slide the entire seat forward to exit from the rear seat.

To return the seat to a locked position:

Push the upper seatback rearward until the seatback and track are locked.

䊊

to the

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-7

Operating tips:

● The seatback and track will not lock until the seat back is returned rearward.

● The seatback will return to an upright seating position if the upper seatback release lever is pulled to the uppermost position.

FOLDING REAR SEAT

Interior trunk access

The trunk can be accessed from the passenger side of the rear seat for loading and unloading, as shown.

1-8 Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WRS0794

1. Open the access cover on the rear parcel shelf.

2. Push down on the button on the rear parcel shelf.

3. Fold down the passenger’s side seatback.

To remove or reinstall the seatback release button access covers, see “Upper tether anchor/key cylinder covers” in the “Maintenance and do-ityourself” section of this manual.

WARNING

● Never allow anyone to ride in the cargo area or on the rear seat when it is in the fold-down position. Use of these areas by passengers without proper restraints could result in serious injury in an accident or sudden stop.

● Properly secure all cargo with ropes or straps to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury.

● When returning the seatbacks to the upright position, be certain they are completely secured in the latched position. If they are not completely secured, passengers may be injured in an accident or sudden stop.

● Closely supervise children when they are around cars to prevent them from playing and becoming locked in the trunk where they could be seriously injured. Keep the car locked, with the rear seatback and trunk lid securely latched when not in use, and prevent children’s access to car keys.

WRS0745 WRS0167

To fold down the driver’s side of the rear seat, reach through the opening and pull on the strap

located behind the seat.

䊊

The rear seats can be locked using the mechanical key to prevent unauthorized access. For more information on keys, refer to “Keys” in the “Predriving checks and adjustments” section of this manual.

Center armrest (if so equipped)

Pull the armrest down until it is horizontal.

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-9

HEAD RESTRAINTS

WARNING

Head restraints supplement the other vehicle safety systems. They may provide additional protection against injury in certain rear end collisions. Adjust the head restraints properly, as specified in this section. Check the adjustment after someone else uses the seat. Do not attach anything to the head restraint stalks or remove the head restraint. Do not use the seat if the head restraint has been removed. If the head restraint was removed, reinstall and properly adjust the head restraint before an occupant uses the seating position. Failure to follow these instructions can reduce the effectiveness of the head restraints. This may increase the risk of serious injury or death in a collision.

LRS0893 WRS0921

The illustration shows the seating positions equipped with head restraints. All of the head restraints are adjustable.

䉱 Indicates the seating position is equipped with a head restraint.

Components

1. Head restraint

2. Adjustment notches

3. Lock knob

4. Stalks

5. Release knob

1-10 Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WRS0134 LRS0888 LRS0889

Adjustment

Adjust the head restraint so the center is level with the center of the seat occupant’s ears.

To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To lower, push and hold the lock knob and push

the head restraint down.

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system 1-11

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