NISSAN Altima Hybrid First Responder's Guide 2008

Nissan Altima Hybrid

Pub. No. FR8E-1H32U0

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Foreword ................................ ..................................................................................................................- 3 -

About the Nissan Altima Hybrid................................ ..............................................................................- 4 -

Altima Hybrid Identification.....................................................................................................................- 5 -

VIN Location ..............................................................................................................................................- 5 -

Engine Compartment ................................ ................................ .................................................................- 6 -

Exterior ......................................................................................................................................................- 7 -

Interior ................................ ................................ ....................................................................................... - 7 -

Hybrid System Locations and Descriptions ........................................................................................... - 8 -

Battery Information ..................................................................................................................................- 9 -

Low Voltage Battery ...................................................................................................................................- 9 -

High Voltage Battery ................................ ..................................................................................................- 9 -

High Voltage Battery Specifications .........................................................................................................- 10 -

High Voltage Battery Recycling ................................ ................................................................................- 10 -

High Voltage Safety System .....................................................................................................................- 11 -

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) and Seat Belt Pre -tensioners ................................................- 13 -

Emergency Response............................................................................................................................- 14 -

Vehicle Cut Sheet ....................................................................................................................................- 15 -

Extrication................................................................................................................................................- 16 -

Alternative High Voltage System Shut Down Procedure ..........................................................................- 19 -

Fire .......................................................................................................................................................... - 21 -

Recovery/recycling of the Ni-MH high voltage battery ..............................................................................- 22 -

Spills........................................................................................................................................................ - 22 -

First Aid....................................................................................................................................................- 23 -

Submersion..............................................................................................................................................- 23 -

Roadside Assistance ............................................................................................................................. - 24 -

Towing .....................................................................................................................................................- 24 -

Fuel-Filler Door Opener ........................................................................................................................... - 24 -

Spare Tire................................................................................................................................................- 24 -

Jump Starting................................ ...........................................................................................................- 25 -

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Foreword

This First Responders Guide is intended to assist first responders in the safe handling of a Nissan Altima Hybrid. The information contained in this guide is somewhat simplified and intended to be used as a technical reference. Please refer to the Nissan Service Manual for information related to vehicle repair.

Nissan released the Nissan Altima Hybrid in North America in January of 2007. The Nissan Altima Hybrid runs on conventional gasoline and a traction motor. The basic vehicle systems and features of the Altima Hybrid are the same as those of the conventional Altima, except where noted in this guide. This First Responder ’s Guide was published to help educate and assist first responders in the safe handling of the Altima Hybrid and its technology.

A high voltage battery is used to power the traction motor, generator, electric air conditioning compressor, voltage converter, and inverter unit. A separate 12 volt battery is used to power other electrical devices such as the radio, horn, headlamps, and instrument cluster gauges. A number of safeguards have been designed to ensure that the high voltage Nickel Metal Hydride ( Ni-MH) battery is kept safe and secure in the event of an accident.

The Altima Hybrid utilizes both low and high voltage systems: Low voltage system

 A 12 volt DC negative chassis ground body electrical system

High voltage system

 A 245 volt DC high voltage battery  A harness that carries high voltage between the high voltage battery, converter, inverter unit, transaxle

and electric air conditioning compressor

 A converter which converts 245 v olts DC to 42 volts DC for the e lectric power steering (EPS) system  A converter which converts 245 volts DC for charging the 12 volt batt ery  An inverter unit which delivers up to 650 volts AC to the transaxle  A transaxle which houses a traction motor and generator  A 245 volt DC, electric motor driven electric air conditioning compressor

High voltage electrical safety is an important factor in the emergency handling of the Altima Hybrid. It is important to recognize and understand the disabling procedures and warnings throughout th is guide.

Additional topics in this guide include:

 Nissan Altima Hybrid identification  Hybrid system component locations and descriptions  Extrication, fire, recovery, and additional emergency re sponse information  Roadside assistance information

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About the Nissan Altima Hybrid

There are two power sources stored on board that are used to drive the vehicle:

 Gasoline is stored in a fuel tank and used to supply the gasoline engine.  Electricity is stored in a high voltage battery and is used to power the traction motor.

The result of combining these two power sources is improved fuel economy and reduced emiss ions. The gasoline engine also powers an electric generator to recharge the high voltage battery; unlike an entirely electric vehicle, the Altima Hybrid never needs to be recharged from an external electric power source .

Depending on the driving conditio ns, one or both sources are used to drive the vehicle. The following information explains how the Altima Hybrid operates in various driving modes:

1. During light acceleration at low speeds, the ve hicle is driven by the traction motor. The gasoline engine is shut off.

2. During normal driving, the vehicle is driven mainly by the gasoline engine. The gasoline engine also powers the generator to recharge the high voltage battery.

3. During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill, both the gasoline engine and the traction motor drive the vehicle.

4. During deceleration, such as when braking, the vehicle converts kinetic energy from the front wheels to electricity that will recharge the high voltage battery.

5. While the vehicle is stopped, such as at a stoplight, the gasoline engine and the traction motor are off, however the vehicle remains operational.

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Altima Hybrid Identification

In appearance, the Nissan Altima Hybrid is nearly identical to the conventional Nissan Altima. VIN Location The VIN can be located on either the front windshield cowl (1) or on the driver’s side B -pillar (2). Example VIN: 1N4CL21E67C051138 An Altima Hybrid is identified by the 4th alphanumeric character: C

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Engine Compartment

Fuse/Fusible link box

Fuse block

Inverter unit

High voltage harness (orange)

Transaxle

Electric air conditioning compressor

Gasoline engine

HV electrical connector

Vehicle front

The engine compartment of the Altima Hybrid houses an aluminum alloy 2.5 liter gasoline engine, the high voltage harnesses, fuse/fusible link box, fuse block, inverter unit, transaxle and electric air conditioning compressor.

Engine compartment components and locations

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Exterior

 A Hybrid logo is located on the right side of the trun k.

 A Hybrid logo is located on each front door above the body

side molding.

Interior

 In place of a tachometer, a power meter (1) is used.  In place of a temperature gauge, a high voltage battery

status meter (2) is used.

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Hybrid System Locations and Descriptions

Component

Location

Description

1. Electric Air Conditioning Compressor

Engine compartment, front passenger side

Electric motor driven compressor supplied with 245 volts DC.

2. Electric Power Steering

Engine compartment, on steering rack

A 42 volt DC assist motor is used for the electric power steering (EPS) system.

3. EPS DC/DC Converter

Trunk area, mounted to top of high voltage battery

Converts 245 volts DC (high voltage) to 42 volts DC (low voltage) for the EPS.

4. High Voltage Battery

Trunk area, mounted to cross member and behind rear seat

245 volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni -MH) battery consisting of 34 low voltage (7.2 volt) modules connected in series.

5. DC/DC Converter

Trunk area, under front left cover of the high voltage battery

Converts 245 volts DC (high voltage) to 12 volts DC (low voltage) for charging the 12 volt battery.

6. Service Disconnect

Trunk area, on the passenger side of the high voltage battery

Used to disable the high voltage system.

7. High Voltage Harnesses

 Trunk area, on high

voltage battery and EPS DC/DC converter

 Under passenger side

rear seat and floor pan

 Engine compartment,

on rear, driver side and front

Orange colored power cables carry high voltage direct current (DC) between the high voltage battery, EPS DC/DC converter, inverter unit, and electric air conditioning compressor. There are two cables which also carry 3-phase alternating current (AC) between the inverter unit and transaxle. NOTE: High voltage cables under the vehicl e floor are encased in a black plastic protector.

8. Transaxle

Engine compartment, on driver side

Contains a traction motor and generator used to drive the front wheels and recharge the high voltage battery.

9. Inverter Unit

Engine compartment, front driver side

Changes the 245 volts DC from the high voltage battery to 3-phase 650 volts AC to power the transaxle. The inverter unit also changes AC electricity from the transaxle to DC that recharges the high voltage battery.

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Battery Information

The Altima Hybrid utilizes two batteries in order to supply both high and low voltage. Low Voltage Battery The Altima Hybrid contains a lead -acid 12 volt DC low voltage battery.

The low voltage battery is located in the passenger rear quarter panel well of the trunk and is concealed by a trim cover. The negative (-) 12 volt battery cable can be accessed through an access panel in the trim cover.

The 12 volt battery powers the vehicle’s 12 volt electrical system, similar to a conventional vehicle. As wit h conventional vehicles, the 12 volt battery is grounded to the metal chassis of the vehicle. However, the 12 volt battery is charged by the high voltage battery through the DC/DC converter.

High Voltage Battery The Altima Hybrid contains a Ni-MH 245 volt DC high voltage battery.

The high voltage battery is enclosed in a metal case, which is isolated from high voltage, and is securely mounted in the trunk area behind the rear seat and is concealed by a trim cover. The service disconnect can be accessed through an access panel in the trim cover.

The 245 volt battery powers the vehicle’s high voltage electrical

system. The high voltage battery consists of 34 low voltage (7.2 volt) Ni-MH battery modules connected in series to produce approximately 245 volts DC. Each Ni-MH battery module is sealed in a non -spillable plastic case. The electrolyte used in the Ni-MH battery module is an alkaline mixture of potassium and sodium hydroxide. The electrolyte is absorbed into the battery cell plates and form s a gel that should not normally leak, even in a collision. In the unlikely event that the high voltage battery is overcharged, the modules vent gases directly outside the vehicle through a vent hose.

An air vent is located on the rear parcel shelf to cool the high voltage battery. If the vent is covered, the battery will overheat , resulting in reduced output performance of the hybrid system.

The high voltage battery supplies power to the following:

 Power cables  EPS DC/DC converter  DC/DC converter  Inverter unit  Transaxle  Electric air conditioning compressor

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