1999 Nissan Altima

ForewordWelcome to the growing family of newNISSAN owners. This vehicle is deliveredto you with confidence. It was producedusing the latest techniques and strict qualitycontrol.This manual was prepared to help youunderstand the operation and maintenanceof your vehicle so that you may enjoy manymiles of driving pleasure. Please readthrough this manual before operating yourvehicle.A separate Warranty Information andMaintenance Log Booklet explains de-tails about the warranties covering yourvehicle and vehicle maintenance sched-ules. Additionally, a separate CustomerCare/Lemon Law Booklet will explainhow to resolve any concerns you mayhave with your vehicle, as well as clarifyyour rights under your states lemonlaw.Your NISSAN dealership knows your ve-hicle best. When you require any service orhave any questions, they will be glad toassist you with the extensive resourcesavailable to them.

READ FIRST THEN DRIVE SAFELYBefore driving your vehicle please read thisowners manual carefully. This will ensurefamiliarity with controls and maintenancerequirements, assisting you in the safe op-eration of your vehicle.

WARNINGIMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONREMINDERS FOR SAFETY!Follow these important rules to helpensure a safe and complete trip for youand your passengers!c NEVER drive under the influence of

alcohol or drugs.c ALWAYS observe posted speed lim-

its and never drive too fast for con-ditions.

c ALWAYS use your seat belts andappropriate child restraint systems.Pre-teen children should be seatedin the rear seat.

c ALWAYS provide information aboutthe proper use of vehicle safety fea-tures to all occupants of the vehicle.

c ALWAYS review this Owners Manualfor important safety information.

MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLEThis vehicle should not be modified.Modification could affect its perfor-mance, safety or durability, and mayeven violate governmental regulations.In addition, damage or performanceproblems resulting from modificationsmay not be covered under NISSANwarranties.

WHEN READING THE MANUALThis manual includes information for alloptions available on this model. Therefore,you may find some information that doesnot apply to your vehicle.All information, specifications and illustra-tions in this manual are those in effect at thetime of printing. NISSAN reserves the rightto change specifications or design withoutnotice and without obligation.

The inside pages of this manual containa minimum of 50% recycled fibers,including 10% post-consumer fibers.

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUTTHIS MANUALYou will see various symbols in this manual.They are used in the following ways:

WARNINGThis is used to indicate the presence ofa hazard that could cause death orserious personal injury. To avoid orreduce the risk, the procedures mustbe followed precisely.

CAUTIONThis is used to indicate the presence ofa hazard that could cause minor ormoderate personal injury or damage toyour vehicle. To avoid or reduce therisk, the procedures must be followedcarefully.

If you see this symbol, it means Do not dothis or Do not let this happen.

1998 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.GARDENA, CALIFORNIA

All rights reserved. No part of this OwnersManual may be reproduced or stored in aretrieval system, or transmitted in any form, orby any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise, without theprior written permission of Nissan NorthAmerica, Inc., Gardena, California.

APD1005

The inside pages of this manual containa minimum of 50% recycled fibers,including 10% post-consumer fibers.

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Welcome To The World Of NISSAN

Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedicationto produce the finest in safe, reliable and eco-nomical transportation. Your vehicle is the prod-uct of a successful worldwide company thatmanufactures cars and trucks in over 17 coun-tries and distributes them in 170 nations.NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufac-tured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which wasfounded in Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSANaffiliates world wide, collectively growing to be-come the fifth largest automaker in the world. Inaddition to cars and trucks, NISSAN also makestextile machinery, forklift trucks, marine engines,boats and other products.NISSAN has made a substantial and growinginvestment in North America, starting with theopening of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. in1960 and continuing with the production of somecars and trucks at one of the worlds most

modern manufacturing facilities, Nissan MotorManufacturing Corporation U.S.A. in Smyrna,Tennessee, vehicle styling at Nissan DesignInternational in San Diego, California, and engi-neering at Nissan Research and Development inFarmington Hills, Michigan.

NISSAN and its dealers indirectly employ about60,000 Americans.

NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to theCanadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its sup-pliers and over 150 dealers employ approxi-mately 4,500 people. These include companyemployees and the staffs of NISSAN dealers allacross Canada. In addition, many Canadianswork for companies that supply NISSAN andNISSAN dealers with materials and servicesranging from the operation of port facilities andtransportation services, to the supply of lubri-cants, parts and accessories.

NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics andcomputers in automobiles, and has led the indus-try in improving both performance and fuel effi-ciency through new engine designs and the useof synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight.The company has also developed ways to buildquality into its vehicles at each stage of theproduction process, both through extensive useof automation and most importantly through an awareness that people are the cen-tral element in quality control.From the time the parts arrived from our suppli-ers until you took delivery of your new NISSAN,dozens of checks were made to ensure that onlythe best job was being done in producing anddelivering your vehicle. NISSAN also takes greatcare to ensure that when you take your NISSANto your dealer for maintenance, the service techni-cian will perform his work according to the qualitystandards that have been established by Nissan.Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. Asyou know, seat belts are an integral part of thesafety systems that will help protect you and yourpassengers in the event of a sudden stop or anaccident. We urge you to use the seat belts everytime you drive the vehicle.The NISSAN story of growth and achievementreflects our major goal: to provide you, ourcustomer, with a vehicle that is built with qualityand craftsmanship a product that we can beproud to build and you can be proud to own.

AFW0001

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NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAMNISSAN CARES ...Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and yourNISSAN dealer are our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and serviceneeds.

However, if there is something that yourNISSAN dealer cannot assist you with oryou would like to provide NISSAN directlywith comments or questions, please con-tact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs Depart-ment using our toll-free number:For U.S. mainland customers

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

For Hawaii customers(808) 836-0888 (Oahu Number)

For Canada customers1-800-387-0122

The Consumer Affairs Department will askfor the following information: Your name, address, and telephone

number Vehicle identification number (on dash-

board) Date of purchase Current odometer reading Your NISSAN dealers name Your comments or questionsORYou can write to NISSAN with the informa-

tion on the left at:For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers

Nissan North America, Inc.Consumer Affairs DepartmentP.O. Box 191Gardena, California 90248-0191

For Hawaii customersNissan Motor Corporation in Hawaii2880 Kilihau St.Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

For Canada customersNissan Canada Inc.5290 Orbitor DriveMississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5

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

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Table ofContents

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

Instruments and controls

Pre-driving checks and adjustments

Heater, air conditioner and audio systems

Starting and driving

In case of emergency

Appearance and care

Do-it-yourself

Maintenance

Technical and consumer information

Index

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

1 Seats, restraints and supplemental airbag systems

Front seats .............................................................1-2Seat adjustment .....................................................1-3Head restraints .......................................................1-6Rear seat................................................................1-7Supplemental restraint system (air bagsystem)...................................................................1-9Supplemental air bag system...............................1-12Warning labels......................................................1-14Supplemental air bag warning light......................1-14Seat belts .............................................................1-16Precautions on seat belt usage ...........................1-16

Child safety...........................................................1-18Pregnant women ..................................................1-18Injured persons ....................................................1-18Three-point type with retractor .............................1-19Two-point type without retractor (rear centerlap belt).................................................................1-22Seat belt extenders ..............................................1-24Seat belt maintenance .........................................1-24Child restraints .....................................................1-24Top strap child restraint .......................................1-33

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WARNINGc Do not ride in a moving vehicle when

the seatback is reclined. This can bedangerous. The shoulder belt willnot be against your body. In an acci-dent you could be thrown into it andreceive neck or other serious inju-ries. You could also slide under thelap belt and receive serious internalinjuries.

c For most effective protection whenthe vehicle is in motion, the seatshould be upright. Always sit wellback in the seat and adjust the seatproperly. See Precautions on SeatBelt Usage later in this chapter.

ARS1131

FRONT SEATS

1-2 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

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SEAT ADJUSTMENTManual

WARNINGc Do not adjust the drivers seat while

driving. The seat may move sud-denly and could cause loss of con-trol of the vehicle.

c After adjustment, gently rock in theseat to make sure it is securelylocked.

Forward and backwardPull the lever up while you slide the seatforward or backward to the desired position.Release the lever to lock the seat in posi-tion.

RecliningTo recline the seatback, pull the lever upand lean back. To bring the seatback for-ward again, pull the lever and move your-body forward. The seatback moves forward.

ARS1222 ARS1223

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-3

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Power (if so equipped)WARNING

c Do not adjust the drivers seat whiledriving in order that full attention maybe given to the driving operation.

c Do not leave children unattended in-side the vehicle. They could unknow-ingly activate switches or controls.Unattended children could becomeinvolved in serious accidents.

Operating Tipsc The motor has an auto-reset overload

protection circuit. If the motor stops dur-ing operation, wait 30 seconds, then re-activate the switch.

c Do not operate the power support seatfor a long period of time when the engineis off. This will discharge the battery.

Forward and backward adjustmentMoving the switch forward or backward willslide the seat forward or backward to thedesired position.

RecliningMove the recline switch backward until thedesired angle is obtained. To bring theseatback forward again, move the switchforward and move your body forward. Theseatback will move forward.

ARS1019


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Seat lifterPush the front or rear end of the switch up ordown to adjust the angle and height of theseat cushion.

Lumbar support (If so equipped)The lumbar support feature provides lowerback support to the driver. Move the leverup or down to adjust the seat lumbar area.

ARS1018 ARS1035


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HEAD RESTRAINTSTo raise the head restraint, pull it up. Tolower, push the lock knob and push thehead restraint down.

WARNINGHead restraints should be adjustedproperly as they may provide significantprotection against injury in an accident.Do not remove them. Check the adjust-ment after someone else uses the seat.

Adjust the head restraints so the top is levelwith the tops of your ears.

PD1319 ARS1130


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Interior trunk access(if so equipped)The trunk can be accessed from the rearseat for loading and unloading, as shown.

WARNINGc Never allow anyone to ride in the

luggage area or on the rear seatwhen it is in the fold-down position.Use of these areas by passengerswithout proper restraints could re-sult in serious injury in an accidentor sudden stop.

c Properly secure all cargo to helpprevent it from sliding or shifting. Donot place cargo higher than the seat-backs. In a sudden stop or collision,unsecured cargo could cause per-sonal injury.

c When returning seatbacks to the up-right position, be certain they arecompletely secured in the latchedposition. If they are not completelysecured in the latched position, pas-sengers may be injured in an acci-dent or sudden stop.

c Closely supervise children whenthey are around cars to prevent themfrom playing and becoming lockedin the trunk where they could beseriously injured. Keep the carlocked, with the rear seat back se-curely latched, when not in use, andprevent childrens access to carkeys.

PD1177M

REAR SEAT


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Center armrest (if so equipped)Pull the armrest forward until it is horizontal.

ARS1020


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This Supplemental Restraint System sectioncontains important information concerningthe driver and passenger supplemental airbags. The Supplemental Restraint SystemAir Bag can help reduce impact force to thedriver and to the front passenger in certainfrontal collisions. The supplemental air bagsare designed to supplement the crash pro-tection provided by the driver and front pas-senger seat belts and are not a substitutefor them. The seat belts should always becorrectly worn and the driver and front pas-senger seated a suitable distance away fromthe steering wheel and instrument panel.(See Seat belts for instructions and precau-tions on seat belt usage later in this section.)The supplemental air bags operate onlywhen the ignition switch is in the ON orSTART position.

WARNINGc The supplemental air bags ordinarily

will not inflate in the event of a sideimpact, rear impact, roll over, orlower severity frontal collision. Al-ways wear your seat belts to helpreduce the risk or severity of injuryin various kinds of accidents.

c The seat belts and the supplementalair bags are most effective when youare sitting back and upright in theseat. Supplemental air bags inflatewith great force. If you are unre-strained, leaning forward, sittingsideways or out of position in anyway, you are at greater risk of injuryor death in a crash and may alsoreceive serious or fatal injuries fromthe supplemental air bag if you are upagainst it when it inflates. Always sitback against the seatback and as far

away as practical from the steeringwheel or instrument panel. Alwaysuse the seatbelts.

c Keep hands on the outside of thesteering wheel. Placing them insidethe steering wheel rim could increasethe risk that they are injured when thesupplemental air bag inflates.

ARS1132

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTSYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM)


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ARS1041

ARS1042

ARS1133


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WARNINGc Never let children ride unrestrained.

Do not attempt to hold them in yourlap or arms. Some examples of dan-gerous riding positions are shown inthe previous illustrations.

c Children may be severely injured orkilled when the supplemental air baginflates if they are not properly re-strained.

c Never install a rear-facing child re-straint in the front seat. An inflatingsupplemental air bag could seri-ously injure or kill your child. SeeChild Restraints later in this sec-tion for details.

ARS1043

ARS1044

ARS1045

ARS1046


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The driver supplemental air bag is located inthe center of the steering wheel. The frontpassenger supplemental air bag is mounted inthe dashboard above the glove box.These systems are designed to meet op-tional certification requirements under U.S.regulations. They are also permitted inCanada. The optional certification allows airbags to be designed to inflate somewhatless forcefully than previously. However, allof the information, cautions and warn-ings in this manual still apply and mustbe followed.The supplemental air bag system is de-

signed to inflate in higher severity frontalcollisions, although it may inflate if theforces in another type of collision are similarto those of a higher severity frontal impact. Itmay not inflate in certain frontal collisions.Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not alwaysan indication of proper supplemental air bagsystem operation.When the supplemental air bag inflates, afairly loud noise may be heard, followed bythe release of smoke. This smoke is notharmful and does not indicate a fire, butcare should be taken not to unintentionallyinhale it, as it may cause irritation and

choking. Those with a history of breathingtrouble should get fresh air promptly.The supplemental air bags, along with theuse of seat belts, help to cushion the impactforce on the face and chest of the occupant.They can help save lives and reduce seri-ous injuries. However, an inflating supple-mental air bag may cause facial abrasionsor other injuries. Supplemental air bags donot provide restraint to the lower body.Seat belts should be correctly worn and thedriver and passenger seated upright as faras practical away from the steering wheel orinstrument panel. Since the supplemental airbags inflate quickly in order to help protectthe front occupants, the force of the supple-mental air bag inflating can increase the riskof injury if the occupant is too close to or isagainst the supplemental air bag moduleduring inflation.The supplemental air bags deflate quicklyafter a collision.The supplemental air bags operate onlywhen the ignition switch is in the ON orSTART position.

APD0530

SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAGSYSTEM


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WARNINGc Do not place any objects on the steer-

ing wheel pad or on the instrumentpanel. Also, do not place any objectsbetween any occupant and the steer-ing wheel or instrument panel. Suchobjects may become dangerous pro-jectiles and cause injury if the supple-mental air bag inflates.

c Right after inflation, several supple-mental air bag system componentswill be hot. Do not touch them; youmay severely burn yourself.

c No unauthorized changes should bemade to any components or wiring ofthe supplemental air bag system. Thisis to prevent accidental inflation ofthe supplemental air bag or damageto the supplemental air bag system.

c Do not make unauthorized changesto your vehicles electrical system,suspension system or front endstructure. This could affect properoperation of the supplemental airbag system.

c Tampering with the supplemental airbag system may result in serious per-sonal injury. Tampering includeschanges to the steering wheel and theinstrument panel assembly by placingmaterial over the steering wheel padand above the dashboard, or by install-ing additional trim material around thesupplemental air bag system.

c Work around and on the supplemen-tal air bag system should be done byan authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-lation of electrical equipment shouldalso be done by an authorized NIS-SAN dealer. The yellow SRS wiringshould not be modified or discon-nected. Unauthorized electrical testequipment and probing devicesshould not be used on the supple-mental air bag system.

c The SRS wiring harnesses are cov-ered with yellow insulation eitherjust before the harness connectorsor over the complete harness foreasy identification.

When selling your vehicle, we request thatyou inform the buyer about the supple-mental air bag system and guide the buyerto the appropriate sections in this ownersmanual.


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Warning labels about the supplemental airbag system are placed in the vehicle asshown in the illustration.

The supplemental air bag warning light,displaying in the instrument panel,monitors the circuits of the supplemental airbag system. The circuits monitored by thesupplemental air bag warning light are thediagnosis sensor unit, supplemental air bagmodules and all related wiring.When the ignition key is in the ON or STARTposition, the supplemental air bag warninglight illuminates for about 7 seconds andthen turns off. This means the system isoperational.

APD0513 APD0523

WARNING LABELS SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAGWARNING LIGHT


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If any of the following conditions occur, thesupplemental air bag needs servicing:1. The supplemental air bag warning light

does not come on and remain on for 7seconds and then go off as described.

2. The supplemental air bag warning lightflashes intermittently or remains on.

3. The supplemental air bag warning lightdoes not come on at all.

Under these conditions, the supplementalrestraint system air bag may not operateproperly. It must be checked and repaired.Take your vehicle to the nearest authorizedNISSAN dealer.

WARNINGIf the supplemental air bag warninglight is on, it could mean that thesupplemental air bag system will notoperate in an accident.

Repair and replacement procedureThe supplemental air bag modules are de-signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.As a reminder, unless it is damaged, thesupplemental air bag light remains illumi-

nated after inflation has occurred. Repairand replacement of the supplemental airbag system should be done only by anauthorized NISSAN dealer.To ensure long-term functioning, thesupplemental air bag system must beinspected 10 years after the date ofmanufacture as noted on the certifica-tion label located on the driver side frontpillar.When maintenance work is required on thevehicle, the supplemental air bag systemand related parts should be pointed out tothe person conducting the maintenance.The ignition key should always be in theLOCK position when working under thehood or inside the vehicle.

WARNINGc Once the supplemental air bag in-

flates, the supplemental air bagmodule will not function again andshould be replaced by an authorizedNISSAN dealer. The supplemental airbag module cannot be repaired.

c The supplemental air bag systemshould be inspected by an autho-rized NISSAN dealer if there is anydamage to the front end portion ofthe vehicle.

c If you need to dispose of a supple-mental air bag or scrap the vehicle,contact an authorized NISSANdealer. Correct supplemental air bagdisposal procedures are set forth inthe appropriate NISSAN ServiceManual. Incorrect disposal proce-dures could cause personal injury.


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PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELTUSAGEIf you are wearing your seat belt properlyadjusted, your chances of being injured orkilled in an accident and/or the severity ofinjury may be greatly reduced. NISSANstrongly encourages you and all of yourpassengers to buckle up every time youdrive, even if your seating position includesa supplemental air bag.Most U.S. states and all Canadian prov-inces and territories, require that seat beltsbe worn at all times when a vehicle is beingdriven.

WARNINGc Every person who drives or rides in

this vehicle should use a seat belt atall times. Children should be prop-erly restrained and, if appropriate, ina child restraint.

c The belt should be properly adjustedto a snug fit. Failure to do so mayreduce the effectiveness of the entirerestraint system and increase thechance or severity of injury in an acci-dent. Serious injury or death can occurif the seat belt is not worn properly.

c Always route the shoulder belt overyour shoulder and across your chest.Never run the belt behind your back,under your arm or across your neck.The belt should be away from yourface and neck, but not falling off yourshoulder.

c Position the lap belt as low and snugas possible AROUND THE HIPS,NOT THE WAIST. A lap belt worn toohigh could increase the risk of inter-nal injuries in an accident.

ARS1134 ARS1049

SEAT BELTS


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c Be sure the seat belt tongue is se-curely fastened to the proper buckle.

c Do not wear the belt inside out ortwisted. Doing so may reduce itseffectiveness.

c Do not allow more than one personto use the same belt.

c Never carry more people in the ve-hicle than there are seat belts.

c If the seat belt warning light glowscontinuously while the ignition isturned ON with all doors closed andall seat belts fastened, it may indi-cate a malfunction in the system.Have the system checked by an au-thorized NISSAN dealer.

c All seat belt assemblies includingretractors and attaching hardwareshould be inspected after any colli-sion by an authorized NISSANdealer. NISSAN recommends that allseat belt assemblies in use during acollision be replaced unless the col-lision was minor and the belts showno damage and continue to operateproperly. Seat belt assemblies not inuse during a collision should also beinspected and replaced if either dam-age or improper operation is noted.

ARS1047 ARS1050


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CHILD SAFETYChildren need adults to help protect them.They need to be properly restrained.The proper restraint depends on the childssize. Generally, infants up to about 1 yearand less than 20 pounds, (9 kg) should beplaced in rear facing child restraints. Forwardfacing child restraints are available for chil-dren who outgrow rear facing child restraints.

WARNINGInfants and children need special pro-tection. The vehicles seat belts maynot fit them properly. The shoulder beltmay come too close to the face or neck.The lap belt may not fit over their smallhip bones. In an accident, an improp-erly fitting seat belt could cause seri-ous or fatal injury. Always use appro-priate child restraints.

All U.S. states and Canadian provinces orterritories require the use of approved childrestraints for infants and small children. SeeChild Restraints later in this section.In addition, there are many types of childrestraints available for larger children whichshould be used for maximum protection.

NISSAN recommends that all preteens andchildren be restrained in the rear seat ifpossible. According to accident statistics,children are safer when properly restrainedin the rear seat than in the front seat. Thisis especially important because your ve-hicle has a supplemental restraint system(Air bag system) for the front passenger.See Supplemental restraint system ear-lier in this section.Infants and small childrenNISSAN recommends that infants and smallchildren be placed in child restraints thatcomply with Federal Motor Vehicle SafetyStandards or Canadian Motor VehicleSafety Standards. You should choose achild restraint that fits your vehicle andalways follow the manufacturers instruc-tions for installation and use.Larger childrenChildren who are too large for child re-straints should be seated and restrained bythe seat belts which are provided.If the childs seating position has a shoulderbelt that fits close to the face or neck, theuse of a booster seat (commercially avail-able) may help overcome this. The boosterseat should raise the child so that the shoul-

der belt is properly positioned across thetop, middle portion of the shoulder and thelap belt is low on the hips. The booster seatshould fit the vehicle seat and have a labelcertifying that it complies with Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Mo-tor Vehicle Safety Standards. Once thechild has grown so the shoulder belt is nolonger on or near the face and neck, use theshoulder belt without the booster seat.

WARNINGNever let a child stand or kneel on anyseat and do not allow a child in thecargo areas while the vehicle is mov-ing. The child could be seriously in-jured or killed in an accident.

PREGNANT WOMENNISSAN recommends that pregnant womenuse seat belts. Contact your doctor for spe-cific recommendations. The lap belt shouldbe worn snug and positioned as low aspossible around the hips, not the waist.INJURED PERSONSNISSAN recommends that injured personsuse seat belts. Check with your doctor forspecific recommendations.


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THREE-POINT TYPE WITHRETRACTOR

WARNINGc Every person who drives or rides in

this vehicle should use a seat belt atall times.

c Do not ride in a moving vehicle whenthe seatback is reclined. This can bedangerous. The shoulder belt will notbe against your body. In an accidentyou could be thrown into it and re-ceive neck or other serious injuries.You could also slide under the lap beltand receive serious internal injuries.

c For most effective protection whenthe vehicle is in motion, the seatshould be upright. Always sit wellback in the seat and adjust the seatbelt properly.

Fastening the seat belt1. Adjust the seat.2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retrac-

tor and insert the tongue into the buckleuntil it clicks.

The retractor is designed to lock duringa sudden stop or on impact. A slowpulling motion permits the seat belt tomove, and allows you some freedom ofmovement in the seat.

ARS1051 ARS1053 ARS1052


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3. Position the lap belt portion low andsnug on the hips as shown.

4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward theretractor to take up extra slack.

The front passenger side seat belt and rearthree-point seat belts have a cinchingmechanism for child restraint installation. Itis referred to as the automatic lockingmode.When automatic locking mode is activatedthe seat belt cannot be withdrawn furtheruntil the seat belt tongue is detached fromthe buckle and fully retracted. Once re-

tracted, the seat belt is in the emergencylocking mode. See Child Restraints laterin this section for more information.The automatic locking mode should beused only for child restraint installation.During normal seat belt use by a passen-ger, the locking mode should not beactivated. If it is activated it may causeuncomfortable seat belt tension.

Unfastening the seat beltsTo unfasten the seat belt, press the buttonon the buckle. The seat belt automaticallyretracts.

ARS1077 ARS1054


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Checking seat belt operation(Three-point type seat belt with re-tractor)Seat belt retractors are designed to lockseat belt movement using two separatemethods:1) When the seat belt is pulled quickly from

the retractor.2) When the vehicle slows down rapidly.To increase your confidence in the seatbelts, check their operation as follows.c Grasp the shoulder belt and pull quickly

forward. The retractor should lock andrestrict further belt movement.

If the retractor does not lock during thischeck or if you have any questions aboutbelt operation, see an authorized NISSANdealer.

Shoulder belt height adjustment(For front seats)The shoulder belt anchor height should beadjusted to the position best for you. (SeePrecautions on seat belt usage earlier inthis section.) To adjust, pull out the adjust-ment button and move the shoulder beltanchor to the desired position, so the beltpasses over the center of the shoulder. Thebelt should be away from your face andneck, but not falling off of your shoulder.Release the adjustment button to lock theshoulder belt anchor into position.

WARNINGc After adjustment, release the adjust-

ment button and try to move theshoulder belt anchor up and down tomake sure it is securely fixed inposition.

c The shoulder belt anchor heightshould be adjusted to the positionbest for you. Failure to do so mayreduce the effectiveness of the en-tire restraint system and increasethe chance or severity of injury in anaccident.APD1013


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TWO-POINT TYPE WITHOUTRETRACTOR (rear center lap belt)Selecting the correct set of seatbeltsThe center seat belt buckle and tongue areidentified by the word CENTER. The centerseat belt tongue can be fastened only intothe center seat belt buckle.

Fastening the seat belts1. Insert the tongue into the buckle until it

clicks. Both the tongue and the buckleare marked CENTER.

2. Tighten the belt by pulling the free end ofthe belt away from the tongue, then pullthe belt clip to take up the slack.

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3. Position the lap belt low and snug onthe hips as illustrated.

4. Loosen the belt by holding the tongue ata right angle to the belt, then pull on thebelt.

Unfastening the beltTo unfasten the seat belt, press the buttonon the buckle.

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SEAT BELT EXTENDERSIf, because of body size or driving position,it is not possible to properly fit the lap-shoulder belt and fasten it, an extender isavailable which is compatible with the in-stalled seat belts. The extender adds ap-proximately 8 inches (200 mm) of lengthand may be used for either the driver or frontpassenger seating position. See your NIS-SAN dealer for assistance if an extender isrequired.

WARNINGc Only NISSAN seat belt extenders,

made by the same company whichmade the original equipment seatbelts, should be used with NISSANseat belts.

c Persons who can use the standardseat belt should not use an extender.Such unnecessary use could resultin serious personal injury in theevent of an accident.

SEAT BELT MAINTENANCEc To clean the seat belt webbings, apply

a mild soap solution or any solution rec-ommended for cleaning upholstery orcarpet. Then wipe with a cloth and allowthe seat belts to dry in the shade. Do notallow the seat belts to retract until theyare completely dry.

c If dirt builds up on the shoulder beltguide of the seat belt anchors, the seatbelts may retract slowly. Wipe the shoul-der belt guide with a clean, dry cloth.

c Periodically check to see that the seatbelt and the metal components, suchas buckles, tongues, retractors, flexiblewires and anchors, work properly. Ifloose parts, deterioration, cuts or otherdamage on the webbing is found, theentire seat belt assembly should be re-placed.

WARNINGc Infants and small children should

always be placed in an appropriatechild restraint while riding in the ve-hicle. Failure to use a child restraintcan result in serious injury or death.

c Infants and small children shouldnever be carried on your lap. It is notpossible for even the strongest adultto resist the forces of a severe acci-dent. The child could be crushedbetween the adult and parts of thevehicle. Also, do not put the sameseat belt around both your child andyourself.

c Never install a rear-facing child re-straint in the front seat. An inflatingsupplemental air bag could seri-ously injure or kill your child. A rear-facing child restraint must only beused in the rear seat.

c Nissan recommends that the childrestraint be installed in the rear seat.According to accident statistics,children are safer when properly re-strained in the rear seat than in thefront seat.

CHILD RESTRAINTS


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c An improperly installed child re-straint could lead to serious injury ordeath in an accident.

c In general, child restraints are de-signed to be installed with a lap beltor the lap portion of a three-pointtype seat belt.

Child restraints for infants and children ofvarious sizes are offered by several manu-facturers. When selecting any child restraint,keep the following points in mind:1) Choose only a restraint with a label cer-

tifying that it complies with Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standard 213 or Cana-dian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

2) Check the child restraint in your vehicleto be sure it is compatible with the vehi-cles seat and seat belt system. Choosea child restraint that meets the guidelinesof the Society of Automotive Engineersrecommended practice J1819 for childrestraint installation.

3) If the child restraint is compatible withyour vehicle, place your child in the childrestraint and check the various adjust-ments to be sure the child restraint iscompatible with your child. Always followall recommended procedures.

All U.S. states and provinces of Canadarequire that infants and small children berestrained in approved child restraints atall times while the vehicle is beingoperated.

WARNINGc Improper use of a child restraint can

result in increased injuries for boththe infant or child and other occu-pants in the vehicle.

c Follow all of the child restraint manu-facturers instructions for installa-tion and use. When purchasing achild restraint, be sure to select onewhich will fit your child and vehicle.It may not be possible to properlyinstall some types of child restraintsin your vehicle.

c If the child restraint is not anchoredproperly, the risk of a child beinginjured in a collision or a suddenstop greatly increases.

c Adjustable seatbacks should be po-sitioned to fit the child restraint, butas upright as possible.

c After attaching the child restraint,test it before you place the child in it.Tilt it from side to side. Try to tug itforward and check to see if the beltholds the restraint in place. If therestraint is not secure, tighten thebelt as necessary, or put the restraintin another seat and test it again.

c For a front-facing child restraint, ifthe seat position where it is installedhas a three-point type lap/shoulderbelt, check to make sure the shoul-der belt does not go in front of thechilds face or neck. If it does, putthe shoulder belt behind the childrestraint. If you must install a front-facing child restraint in the frontseat, see Installation on front pas-senger seat later in this section fordetails.

c When your child restraint is not inuse, keep it secured with a seat belt toprevent it from being thrown aroundin case of a sudden stop or accident.


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CAUTIONc Remember that a child restraint left

in a closed vehicle can become veryhot. Check the seating surface andbuckles before placing your child inthe child restraint.

Front facing installation on rear seatCenter lap beltWhen you install a child restraint in a rearcenter seat, follow these steps:1. Position the child restraint on the seat as

illustrated. Always follow the restraintmanufacturers instructions.

2. Route the seat belt tongue through thechild restraint and insert it into the buckleuntil you hear and feel the latch engage.Be sure to follow the child restraint manu-facturers instructions for belt routing.

ARS1059 ARS1060


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3. Remove all slack in the lap belt for a verytight fit by pulling forcefully on the lap beltadjustment.

4. Before placing the child in the child re-straint, use force to tilt the child restraintfrom side to side, and tug it forward tomake sure it is securely held in place.

5. If it is not secure, try to tighten the beltagain, or put the restraint in another seat.

6. Check to make sure the child restraint isproperly secured prior to each use.

Rear facing installation on rear seatCenter lap beltWhen you install a child restraint in a rearcenter seat, follow these steps:1. Position the child restraint on the seat as

illustrated. Always follow the restraintmanufacturers instructions.

ARS1061 ARS1062 ARS1063


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2. Route the seat belt tongue through thechild restraint and insert it into the buckleuntil you hear and feel the latch engage.Be sure to follow the child restraint manu-facturers instructions for belt routing.

3. Remove all slack in the lap belt for a verytight fit by pulling forcefully on the lap beltadjustment.


5. If it is not secure, try to tighten the beltagain, or put the restraint in another seat.

6. Check to make sure the child restraint isproperly secured prior to each use.

ARS1064 ARS1065 ARS1066


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Front facing installation on rear out-board seating positions

WARNINGc The three-point seat belt in your ve-

hicle is equipped with an automaticlocking mode retractor which mustbe used when installing a child re-straint.

c Failure to do so will result in thechild restraint not being properly se-cured. It could tip over or otherwisebe unsecured and cause injury to thechild in a sudden stop or collision.

When you install a child restraint in a rearoutboard seat, follow these steps:1. Position the child restraint on the seat.

Always follow the restraint manufactur-ers instructions.

2. Route the seat belt tongue through thechild restraint and insert it into the buckleuntil you hear and feel the latch engage.Be sure to follow the child restraint manu-facturers instructions for seat belt rout-ing.

ARS1032 ARS1068


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3. Pull on the shoulder belt until all of thebelt is fully extended. At this time, the beltretractor is in the automatic locking mode(child restraint mode). It reverts back toemergency locking mode when the belt isfully retracted.

4. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on thebelt to remove any slack in the belt.


6. Check that the retractor is in the automaticlocking mode by trying to pull more beltout of the retractor. If you cannot pull anymore belt webbing out of the retractor, thebelt is in the automatic locking mode.

7. Check to make sure the child restraint isproperly secured prior to each use. If thebelt is not locked, repeat steps 3 through 6.

After the child restraint is removed and the

ARS1031 ARS1078 ARS1067


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seat belt is fully retracted, the automaticlocking mode (child restraint mode) is can-celed.Rear facing installation on rear out-board seating positions

WARNINGc The three-point seat belt in your ve-

hicle is equipped with an automaticlocking mode retractor which mustbe used when installing a child re-straint.

c Failure to do so will result in thechild restraint not being properly se-cured. It could tip over or otherwisebe unsecured and cause injury to thechild in a sudden stop or collision.

When you install a child restraint in a rearoutboard seat, follow these steps:1. Position the child restraint on the seat.

Always follow the restraint manufactur-ers instructions.

2. Route the seat belt tongue through thechild restraint and insert it into the buckleuntil you hear and feel the latch engage.Be sure to follow the child restraint manu-facturers instructions for seat belt rout-ing.

ARS1069 ARS1070


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4. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on thebelt to remove any slack in the belt.


6. Check that the retractor is in the automaticlocking mode by trying to pull more beltout of the retractor. If you cannot pull anymore belt webbing out of the retractor, thebelt is in the automatic locking mode.

7. Check to make sure the child restraint isproperly secured prior to each use. If thebelt is not locked, repeat steps 3 through 6.

After the child restraint is removed and the

ARS1033 ARS1071 ARS1072


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seat belt is fully retracted, the automaticlocking mode (child restraint mode) is can-celed.

TOP STRAP CHILD RESTRAINTIf your child restraint has a top strap, it mustbe secured to the provided anchor point.Anchor bracket hardware must be installed.The top strap anchor bracket hardware isavailable through an authorized NISSANdealer.U.S. Part #88894-89900Canadian Part #88894-89902Secure the child restraint with the center lapbelt or the lap portion of an outboard Three-point belt and latch the top strap hook ontothe appropriate anchor bracket. To install

the anchor bracket, a metric bolt of thedimensions listed below must be used:

Bolt diameter: 8.0 mmBolt length: at least 1.18 in (30 mm)Thread pitch: 1.25 mm

Secure the top strap to the attaching boltwhich provides the straightest installation ofthe top strap.

WARNINGChild restraint anchor points are de-signed to withstand only those loadsimposed by correctly fitted child re-straints. Under no circumstances arethey to be used for adult seat belts orharnesses.

ARS1015


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Anchor point locationsAnchor points are located under the rearparcel shelf finisher.To use attaching hardware for child re-straints with top straps, follow these instruc-tions carefully:1. Open the trunk and find the anchor point

nuts on the underside of the rear parcelshelf. Thread a bolt (8.0 mm diameter,1.25 pitch) up through the nut behind theseating position where the child restraintwill be installed and use it to breakthrough the rear parcel shelf support

material. There are pre-cut circles ateach anchor point location that shouldbreak away from the shelf support mate-rial when pressure is applied to them.Remove the bolt after you feel the pre-cutcircle separate from the shelf supportmaterial.

2. Cut a small slit through the parcel shelffabric at the anchor point location. Reachthrough the fabric with a tool such as apair of needle-nose pliers and removethe pre-cut circle in the parcel shelf sup-port material.

3. Install the bolt through the top strap hookand into the anchor point nut.

4. Be sure to follow all of the instructionsthat accompany the top strap attachinghardware.

ARS1014


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Installation on front passenger seatWARNING

c Never install a rear-facing child re-straint in the front passenger seat.Supplemental air bags inflate withgreat force. A rear-facing child re-straint could be struck by the supple-mental air bag in a crash and couldseriously injure or kill your child.

c NISSAN recommends that child re-straints be installed in the rear seat.

However, if you must install aforward-facing child restraint in thefront passenger seat, move the pas-senger seat to the rear most position.

c A child restraint with a top strapshould not be used in the front pas-senger seat.

c The three-point seat belt in your ve-hicle is equipped with an automaticlocking mode retractor which mustbe used when installing a child re-straint.

c Failure to use the retractors lockingmode will result in the child restraintnot being properly secured. The seatcould tip over or otherwise be unse-cured and cause injury to the child ina sudden stop or collision.

ARS1135


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If you must install a child restraint in the frontseat, follow these steps:1. Position the child restraint on the front

passenger seat. It should be placed ina forward-facing direction only. Movethe seat to the rear most position. Alwaysfollow the child restraint manufacturersinstructions. Child restraints for infantsmust be used in the rear-facing direc-tion and therefore must not be used inthe front seat.

2. Route the seat belt tongue through thechild restraint and insert it into the buckleuntil you hear and feel the latch engage.

Be sure to follow the child restraint manu-facturers instructions for belt routing.


ARS1036 ARS1073 ARS1034


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4. Allow the seat belt to retract. Pull up onthe seat belt to remove any slack in thebelt.


6. Check that the retractor is in the auto-matic locking mode by trying to pull moreseat belt out of the retractor. If you can-not pull any more seat belt webbing outof the retractor, the seat belt is in theautomatic locking mode.

7. Check to make sure the child restraint isproperly secured prior to each use. If thelap belt is not locked, repeat steps 3through 6.

After the child restraint is removed and theseat belt is fully retracted, the automaticlocking mode (child restraint mode) is can-celed.

ARS1074 ARS1079


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MEMO


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2 Instruments and controls

Meters and gauges ................................................2-2Speedometer and odometer ..................................2-3Tachometer ............................................................2-3Engine coolant temperature gauge and fuelgauge .....................................................................2-4Warning/indicator lights and chimes ......................2-5Theft warning (if so equipped) ...............................2-9Windshield wiper and washer switch...................2-11Rear window defogger switch..............................2-11Headlight and turn signal switch..........................2-12Daytime running light system (Canada only).......2-13Instrument brightness control...............................2-13Front fog light switch (if so equipped)..................2-14

Hazard warning flasher switch.............................2-14Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ash tray...........2-15Cup holder............................................................2-16Power windows ....................................................2-17Automatic power window switch ..........................2-17Passenger power windows ..................................2-18Sunroof (if so equipped).......................................2-18If the sunroof does not close ...............................2-19Storage compartment for garage doortransmitter (if so equipped) ..................................2-20Interior light...........................................................2-21Map light (if so equipped) ....................................2-22Trunk light.............................................................2-22

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AIC1072

METERS AND GAUGES

2-2 Instruments and controls

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SpeedometerThe speedometer indicates vehicle speed.OdometerThe odometer records the total distance thevehicle has been driven.Trip odometerThe trip odometer records the distance ofindividual trips. Before each trip, set the tripodometer to zero by pushing the reset but-ton.

The tachometer indicates engine speed inrevolutions per minute (r/min).

CAUTIONWhen engine speed approaches thered zone, shift to a higher gear. Oper-ating the engine in the red zone maycause serious engine damage.

IC1261 AIC0076

SPEEDOMETER ANDODOMETER

TACHOMETER

Instruments and controls 2-3

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Engine coolant temperature gaugeThe gauge indicates the engine coolanttemperature.The engine coolant temperature varies withthe outside air temperature and driving con-ditions.

CAUTIONc If the gauge indicates engine coolant

temperature over the normal range,stop the vehicle as soon as safelypossible. If the engine is overheated,continued operation of the vehiclemay seriously damage the engine.See the In case of emergency sec-tion for immediate action required.

Fuel gaugeThe gauge indicates the approximate fuellevel in the tank.The gauge may move slightly during brak-ing, turning, acceleration, or going up ordown hills.The gauge needle remains in approximatelythe same position even when the ignitionkey is turned to OFF.The warning indicator light comes on whenthe amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.Refill the fuel tank before the gaugeregisters E (Empty).

CAUTIONc If the vehicle is driven with the fuel

level very low, the malfunction indi-cator light may come on. Refuel assoon as possible. After driving for awhile, the light should remain off. Ifthe light remains on, have the ve-hicle inspected by an authorizedNISSAN dealer.

c For additional information, see theMalfunction indicator light (MIL)later in this section.

AIC0077

ENGINE COOLANTTEMPERATURE GAUGE ANDFUEL GAUGE


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Checking bulbsApply the parking brake and turn the ignitionkey to ON without starting the engine. Thefollowing lights come on:

, or , , ,

If the driver side seat belt is fastened thelight will not come on. The following

lights come on briefly and then go off:or , ,

If any light fails to come on, it mayindicate a burned-out bulb or an opencircuit in the electrical system. Have the

system repaired promptly.Engine oil pressure warninglight

This light warns of low engine oil pressure. Ifthe light flickers or comes on during normaldriving, pull off the road in a safe area, stopthe engine immediately and call an autho-rized NISSAN dealer.The oil pressure warning light is notdesigned to indicate a low oil level. Usethe dipstick to check the oil level. SeeEngine oil in the Do-it-yourself section.

CAUTIONRunning the engine with the oil pressurewarning light on could cause seriousdamage to the engine almost immedi-ately. Turn off the engine as soon as it issafe to do so.

Charge warning lightIf this light comes on while the engine isrunning, it may indicate a problem with thecharging system. Turn the engine off andcheck the generator belt. If the belt is loose,

or Brake warning light Seat belt warning light Engine oil pressure warning light

Turn signal/hazard indicator lights Low washer fluid warning light(Canada only) CRUISE indicator light

High beam indicator light or Anti-lock brake warning light Supplemental air bag warning light

Charge warning light Overdrive off indicator light

Door open warning light Malfunction indicator light(emission system)

WARNING/INDICATORLIGHTS AND CHIMES


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broken, or missing, or if the light remains on,see an authorized NISSAN dealer immedi-ately.

CAUTIONDo not continue driving if the belt isloose, broken or missing.

Door open warning lightThis light comes on when any of the doorsare not closed securely while the ignitionkey is ON.

Seat belt warning light andchime

The light and chime remind you to fastenseat belts. The light illuminates wheneverthe ignition key is turned to ON, and re-mains illuminated until the drivers seat beltis fastened. At the same time, the chimesounds for about seven seconds unless thedriver seat belt is securely fastened.Refer to Seat belts in the Seats, re-straints and supplemental air bag systemssection for precautions on seat belt usage.

Supplemental air bagwarning light

When the ignition key is in the ON or STARTposition, the supplemental air bag warninglight illuminates for about 7 seconds andthen turns off. This means the system isoperational.If any of the following conditions occur, thesupplemental air bag system needs servicingand your vehicle must be taken to an autho-rized NISSAN dealer:1. The supplemental air bag warning light

does not come on and remain on for 7seconds and then go off as describedabove.

2. The supplemental air bag warning lightflashes intermittently or remains on.

3. The supplemental air bag warning lightdoes not come on at all.

Unless checked and repaired, the supple-mental restraint system (air bag system)may not function properly. For additionaldetails, see Supplemental restraint systemin the Seats, restraints and supplementalair bag systems section.

WARNINGIf the supplemental air bag warninglight is on, it could mean that thesupplemental air bag will not operate inan accident.

Low washer fluid warninglight (Canada only)

This light comes on when the washer fluid isat a low level. Add washer fluid as neces-sary. See the Do-it-yourself section.

or Brake warning lightThis light functions for both the parkingbrake and the foot brake systems.When the ignition key is in the ON position,the light comes on when the parking brake isapplied, and also warns of a low brake fluidlevel. If the light comes on while the engineis running with the parking brake not applied,stop the vehicle and perform the following:1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake

fluid as necessary. See Brake and clutchfluid in the Do-it-yourself section of thisowners manual.


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2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have thebrake system checked by an authorizedNISSAN dealer.

WARNINGc Your brake system may not be work-

ing properly if the warning light is on.Driving could be dangerous. If youjudge it to be safe, drive carefully tothe nearest service station for repairs.Otherwise, have your vehicle towed.

c Pressing the brake pedal with theengine stopped and/or low brakefluid level may increase your stop-ping distance and braking will re-quire greater pedal effort as well asgreater pedal travel.

c If the brake fluid level is below theminimum mark on the brake fluidreservoir, do not drive until the brakesystem has been checked at a NIS-SAN dealer.

Brake pad wear warningThe disc brake pads have audible wearwarnings. When a brake pad requires re-placement, it makes a high pitched scrapingsound when the vehicle is in motion,whether or not the brake pedal is depressed.

Have the brakes checked as soon as pos-sible if the warning sound is heard.

or Anti-lock brakewarning light(if so equipped)

If the light comes on while the engine isrunning, it may indicate something is wrongwith the anti-lock portion of the brake sys-tem. Have the system checked by an autho-rized NISSAN dealer.Turn off the engine, and start it again byslowly turning the ignition key (quicklydoing so may cause the ABS light to stayon when there is nothing wrong). If thelight stays on, have the system checkedby an authorized NISSAN dealer.If an abnormality occurs in the system, theanti-lock function ceases, but the regularbraking system continues to operate.If the light comes on while you are driving,contact an authorized NISSAN dealer forrepair.

Overdrive off indicator light(Automatic transmissionmodels only)

This light comes on when the overdriveswitch is pushed to the OFF position.

Turn signal/hazard indicatorlights

The appropriate light flashes when the turnsignal switch is activated.Both lights flash when the hazard switch isturned on.

High beam indicator lightThis light comes on when the headlight highbeam is on and goes out when the lowbeam is selected.The high beam indicator light also comes onwhen the passing signal is activated.

Cruise indicator lightThis light comes on while the vehicle speedis controlled by the cruise control system. Ifthe CRUISE indicator blinks, have the sys-tem checked by an authorized NISSANdealer.


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Key reminder chimeA chime sounds if the drivers door isopened while the key is left in the ignitionswitch. Remove the key and take it with youwhen leaving the vehicle.Light reminder chimeA chime sounds when the drivers door isopened if the headlight switch is turned on(ignition switch is turned OFF).Turn the headlight switch OFF when leavingthe vehicle.

Malfunction indicator light(MIL)

If the malfunction indicator light comes onsteady or blinks while the engine is running,it may indicate a potential emission controlproblem.The malfunction indicator light may alsocome on steady or blink if the fuel filler caphas not been closed tightly or if the fuel tankis nearly empty. Check to make sure thefuel cap is secure and that you have at leastthree gallons of fuel in the fuel tank.After driving for a while, the light shouldremain off if no other potential emissioncontrol system problem exists.

OperationThe malfunction indicator light will come onin one of two ways:c Malfunction indicator light on steady - An

emission control system malfunction hasbeen detected. Have the vehicle in-spected by an authorized NISSANdealer. You do not need to have yourvehicle towed to the dealer.

c Malfunction indicator light blinking - Anengine misfire has been detected whichmay damage the emission control sys-tem. To reduce or avoid emission controlsystem damage:a) do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH

(72 km/h).b) avoid hard acceleration or decelera-

tion.c) avoid steep uphill grades.d) if possible, reduce the amount of

cargo being hauled or towed.The malfunction indicator light may stopblinking and come on steady. Have thevehicle inspected by an authorized NISSANdealer. You do not need to have your ve-hicle towed to the dealer.

CAUTIONContinued vehicle operation withouthaving the emission control systemchecked and repaired as necessarycould lead to poor driveability, reducedfuel economy, and possible damage tothe emission control system.


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The theft warning system provides visualand audio alarm signals if parts of thevehicle are disturbed.

How to activate the theft warningsystem1. Close all windows.2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.3. Close the hood, trunk lid and all doors.4. Push the button on the multi-remote

controller. All doors lock. The hazardlights flash twice and the horn beepsonce to indicate all doors are locked.

c When the button is pushed with alldoors locked, the hazard lights flashtwice and the horn beeps once as areminder that the doors are alreadylocked.The horn may or may not beep once.Refer to silencing the horn beep fea-ture later in this section.

The system can be activated even if thewindows are open.5. Confirm that the SECURITY indicator light

comes on. The SECURITY light glows forabout 30 seconds and then begins to flashonce every three seconds. The system isnow activated. If, during this 30-secondtime period, the door is unlocked by thekey or the multi-remote controller, or theignition key is turned to ACC or ON, thesystem will not activate.

c If the key is turned slowly when lock-ing the door, the system may not acti-vate. Furthermore, if the key is turnedexcessively to the unlock position, thesystem may be deactivated when thekey is removed. If the indicator lightfails to glow for 30 seconds, unlockthe door once and lock it again.

c Even when the driver and/or passen-gers are in the vehicle, the system willactivate with all doors, hood and trunklid locked and ignition key off. Turnthe ignition key to ACC or ON to turnthe system off.

Theft warning system operationThe theft warning system emits the follow-ing alarm:c The headlights blink and the horn sounds

intermittently. In addition, the starter mo-tor does not operate.

c The alarm automatically turns off after 2to 3 minutes. However, the alarm reacti-vates if the vehicle is tampered withagain. The alarm can be shut off byunlocking a door or trunk lid with the key,or by pressing the button on themulti-remote controller.

The alarm is activated by:c opening the door or trunk lid without

using the key (even if the door is un-locked by releasing the door inside lockswitch) or opening the trunk lid by oper-ating the opener lever.

c opening the hood.

IC0005

THEFT WARNING(if so equipped)


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How to stop the alarmThe alarm stops only by unlocking a door orthe trunk lid with the key, or by pressingthe button on the multi-remote control-ler. The alarm does not stop if the ignitionswitch is turned to ACC or ON.

Silencing the horn beep featureIf desired, the horn beep feature can bedeactivated using the multi-remote control-ler. The instructions are on the back of themulti-remote controller.To deactivate: Press and hold the and

buttons for at least two seconds.The hazard lights will quickly flash threetimes to confirm that the horn beep featurehas been deactivated.To activate: Press and hold the and

buttons for at least two seconds oncemore.

The hazard lights will quickly flash threetimes to confirm that the horn beep featurehas been reactivated.Deactivating the horn feature does not si-lence the horn if the alarm is triggered.If the system does not operate as de-scribed above, have it checked by anauthorized NISSAN dealer.

AIC1037


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Push the lever down to operate the wind-shield wipers. Pull the lever toward you tooperate the washer.Intermittent operation can be adjusted from2 to approximately 20 seconds by turningthe knob (Type B only).

The wipers automatically cycle twice whenthe washer is activated.

CAUTIONThe following could damage thewasher system:c Do not operate the washer continu-

ously for more than 30 seconds.c Do not operate the washer if the

reservoir tank is empty.

WARNINGIn freezing temperatures the washersolution may freeze on the windshieldand obscure your vision which maylead to an accident. Warm the wind-shield with the defroster before youwash the windshield.

To defog the rear window glass, start theengine and push the rear window defoggerswitch on. The rear window defogger indi-cator light on the switch comes on. Push theswitch again to turn the defogger off.The rear window defogger switch automati-cally turns off after approximately 15 minutes.

CAUTIONWhen cleaning the inner side of thewindow, be careful not to scratch ordamage the rear window defogger.

AIC0520

AIC1004

WINDSHIELD WIPER ANDWASHER SWITCH

REAR WINDOW DEFOGGERSWITCH


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NOTE: On some vehicles, the top few rowsof wires on the rear window are not part ofthe rear window defogging system. Thesewires, if so equipped, make up the diversityantenna for the audio system.

LightingTurn the switch to the position: Thefront turn signal/parking, rear combination,side marker, license plate and instrumentpanel lights come on.Turn the switch to the position:

The headlights come on and all the otherlights remain on.To select the high beam function, push thelever forward. The high beam lights comeon and the indicator light illuminates. Pull itback to select the low beam.

AIC0505

HEADLIGHT AND TURNSIGNAL SWITCH


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DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYS-TEM (Canada only)The headlights automatically illuminate at areduced intensity when the engine is startedwith the parking brake released. The day-time running lights operate with the head-light switch in the OFF position or in the

position. Turn the headlight switch tothe position for full illumination whendriving at night.If the parking brake is applied before theengine is started, the daytime running lightsdo not illuminate. The daytime running lightsilluminate once the parking brake is re-leased. The daytime running lights will re-main on until the ignition switch is turned off.

WARNINGWhen the daytime running light systemis active, tail lights on your vehicle arenot on. It is necessary at dusk to turnon your headlights. Failure to do socould cause an accident injuring your-self and others.

Passing signalPulling and releasing the lever flashes theheadlight high beams on and off.Turn signalMove the lever up or down to signal theturning direction. When the turn is com-pleted, the turn signals cancel automati-cally.Lane change signalTo signal a lane change, move the lever upor down to the point where the indicator lightbegins to flash, but the lever does not latch. The instrument brightness control operates

when the light switch is in the orposition.

Turn the control to adjust the brightness ofinstrument panel lights.

AIC0608

INSTRUMENT BRIGHTNESSCONTROL


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To turn the front fog lights on, rotate theswitch to the position.To turn them off, turn the switch to the OFFposition.The headlight switch must be in posi-tion (low-beam headlights on) for the foglights to operate. The fog lights automati-cally turn off whenever the high-beam head-light function is selected.

Push the switch on to warn other driverswhen you must stop or park under emer-gency conditions. All turn signal lights flash.

WARNINGc When stalled or stopped on the road-

way under emergency conditions,move the vehicle well off the road.

c Do not use the switch while movingon the highway unless unusual cir-cumstances force you to drive soslowly that your vehicle might be-come a hazard to other traffic.

c Turn signals do not work when thehazard warning flasher lights are on.

The flashers can be actuated with the igni-tion switch either OFF or ON.Some state laws may prohibit the use ofthe hazard warning flasher switch whiledriving.

IC1292 AIC1011

FRONT FOG LIGHT SWITCH(if so equipped)

HAZARD WARNING FLASHERSWITCH


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The cigarette lighter element is an acces-sory. A genuine NISSAN cigarette lighter canbe purchased from an authorized NISSANdealer.The cigarette lighter operates when theignition switch is in the ACC or ON position.Push the lighter in all the way. When thelighter is heated, it springs out.Return the lighter to its original position afteruse.

CAUTIONThe cigarette lighter socket is a powersource for the cigarette lighter elementonly. The use of the cigarette lightersocket as a power source for any otheraccessory is not recommended.

WARNINGThe cigarette lighter should not beused while driving in order that fullattention may be given to the drivingoperation.AIC0509

CIGARETTE LIGHTER(ACCESSORY) AND ASH TRAY


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To open, lift the console covers. To close,lower the console covers.Each cup holder has a rubber mat at thebottom, that may be removed for cleaning.

WARNINGThe driver should not open the cupholder or remove or insert cups into thecup holder while driving in order thatfull attention may be given to the driv-ing operation.

CAUTIONc Avoid abrupt starting and braking

when the cup holder is being used toprevent spilling the drink. If the liq-uid is hot, it can scald you or yourpassenger.

c Use only soft cups in the cupholder.Hard objects can injure you in anaccident.

AIC1005

CUP HOLDER


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WARNINGc Make sure that all passengers have

their hands, etc. inside the vehiclebefore closing the windows. Use thewindow lock switch to prevent unex-pected use of the power windows.

c Do not leave children unattended in-side the vehicle. They could un-knowingly activate switches or con-trols and become trapped in awindow. Unattended children couldbecome involved in serious acci-dents.

The power windows operate only when theignition key is in the ON position. To open awindow, press down on the switch. To closea window, pull up on the switch. To stop theopening or closing function at any time,simply release the switch.The driver side control panel is equippedwith switches to open or close all of thewindows.

AUTOMATIC POWER WINDOWSWITCHTo fully open the drivers side window, pressthe drivers side window switch down to thesecond detent and release it; it need not beheld. The window automatically opens allthe way. To stop the window, pull up on theswitch while the window is opening.

AIC1017 AIC1018

POWER WINDOWS


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PASSENGER POWER WINDOWSThe front and rear passenger windowswitches operate only the correspondingpassenger window. To open the window,press down on the switch. To close thewindow, pull up on the switch.Locking passenger windowsWhen the power window lock switch on thedriver side control panel is pushed in, onlythe driver side window can be opened orclosed. Push it in again to cancel this func-tion.

The sunroof operates only when the ignitionkey is in the ON position.Sliding the sunroofTo open the roof, press and hold the switchto the DOWN/OPEN side.To close the roof, press and hold the switchto the UP/CLOSE side.

Tilting the sunroofTo tilt up, first close the sunroof, then pushand hold the UP/CLOSE side of the tilt switch.To close the sunroof, push and hold theDOWN/CLOSE side.Sun shadeOpen and close the sun shade by sliding itforward or backward.

WARNINGc In an accident you could be thrown

from the vehicle through an opensunroof. Always use seat belts andchild restraints.

c Do not allow anyone to stand up orextend any portion of their body out ofthe opening while the vehicle is inmotion or while the sunroof is closing.

CAUTIONc Remove water drops, snow, ice or

sand from the sunroof before opening.c Do not place heavy objects on the

sunroof or surrounding area.

AIC1032 AIC1033

SUNROOF(if so equipped)


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IF THE SUNROOF DOES NOTCLOSE1. Turn the ignition key to the OFF position.

Be sure no objects are caught in thesunroof opening.

2. Remove the map light unit. The shaft endof the sunroof motor will be visible.

3. Using a wide blade screwdriver, turn theshaft clockwise to close the sunroof.

Have the sunroof system checked and re-paired by your NISSAN dealer.

AIC1034 AIC1016


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If the vehicle is equipped with a sunroof,there is an additional storage compartmentin the map light unit. This storage compart-ment has been specially designed to holdsome garage door transmitters. Sometransmitters may not fit. When properly in-stalled, the garage door transmitter can beactivated while it is within the storage com-partment.

To install your transmitter, follow the num-bered instructions in the above illustrations.

AIC1007 AIC1008 AIC1009

STORAGE COMPARTMENTFOR GARAGE DOORTRANSMITTER (if so equipped)


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Once the garage door transmitter is in-stalled, close the storage compartmentdoor. Press the button on the center of thestorage compartment door to operate thegarage door transmitter.

The interior light operates regardless ofignition key position.The interior light has a three-position switch.c When the switch is in the OFF position,

the interior light does not illuminate, re-gardless of door position.

c When the switch is in the center jposition, the interior light illuminateswhen a door is opened.

c When the switch is in the ON position,the interior light illuminates, whether anydoor is open or closed.

CAUTIONLeaving the interior light or spot lightswitches in the ON position for ex-tended periods of time will result in adischarged battery.

AIC1006 IC1235M

INTERIOR LIGHT


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The light illuminates when the trunk lid isopened. When the trunk lid is closed, thelight goes off.

AIC1002

MAP LIGHT (if so equipped) TRUNK LIGHT


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3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments

Key .........................................................................3-2Door locks ..............................................................3-2Manual door lock....................................................3-2Power door lock .....................................................3-3Child safety rear door lock.....................................3-4Multi-remote control system (if so equipped).........3-4Battery replacement ...............................................3-7Hood release..........................................................3-8

Glove box ...............................................................3-9Trunk lid lock operation..........................................3-9Fuel filler lid lock operation ..................................3-11Fuel filler cap........................................................3-11Tilting steering wheel ...........................................3-13Outside mirror remote control ..............................3-13Inside mirror .........................................................3-13Vanity mirror (if so equipped)...............................3-14

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The master key can be used for all of thelocks.A key number plate is supplied with yourkey. Record the key number and keep it in asafe place (such as your wallet), NOT INTHE CAR. NISSAN does not record keynumbers so it is very important to keep trackof your key number plate.A key number is only necessary when youhave lost all keys and do not have one toduplicate from. If you still have a key, thiskey can be duplicated by an authorizedNISSAN dealer or a locksmith shop.

WARNINGc Always have the doors locked while

driving. Along with the use of seatbelts, this provides greater safety inthe event of an accident by helpingto prevent persons from beingthrown from the vehicle. This alsohelps keep children and others fromunintentionally opening the doors,and will help keep out intruders.

c Before opening any door, alwayslook for and avoid oncoming traffic.

c Do not leave children unattended in-side the vehicle. They could unknow-ingly activate switches or controls.Unattended children could becomeinvolved in serious accidents.

MANUAL DOOR LOCKTo lock the front doors from the outside, turnthe key toward the front of the vehicle. Tounlock, turn it toward the rear.

APD1025 APD1024

KEY DOOR LOCKS

3-2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments

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To lock the door without the key, move theinside lock knob to the lock position, thenclose the door.When locking the door this way, be certainnot to leave the key inside the vehicle.

POWER DOOR LOCKThe power door lock system allows you tolock or unlock all doors simultaneously.Turning the front door key to the front of thevehicle locks all doors.Turning the front door key one time to therear of the vehicle unlocks the correspond-ing door. From that position, returning thekey to Neutral (where the key can only beremoved and inserted) and turning it to therear again within 5 seconds unlocks alldoors.

AIC1012 APD1011

Pre-driving checks and adjustments 3-3

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To lock from the outside without a key, pushthe door lock button (driver side only) or thedoor lock knob (driver or front passengerside), then close the door. When locking thedoor this way, be certain not to leave thekey inside the vehicle. If the key is left in theignition, all doors will unlock automatically.

CHILD SAFETY REAR DOORLOCKChild safety locks help prevent rear doorsfrom being opened accidentally, especiallywhen small children are in the vehicle.The child safety lock levers are located onthe edge of the rear doors.When the lever is in the lock position, thedoor can be opened only from the outside.

MULTI-REMOTE CONTROLSYSTEM (if so equipped)It is possible to lock/unlock all doors, turnthe interior light on and activate the panicalarm by using the remote controller fromoutside the vehicle.Be sure to remove the key from thevehicle before locking the doors.The remote controller can operate at adistance of approximately 49 ft (15 m) fromthe vehicle. The effective distance dependson the conditions around the vehicle.As many as four remote controllers can beused with one vehicle. For information con-cerning the purchase and use of additionalremote controllers, contact an authorizedNISSAN dealer.

CAUTIONListed below are conditions or occur-rences which will damage the remotecontroller:c Do not allow the remote controller to

become wet.

APD1014 APD1010


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c Do not drop the remote controller.c Do not strike the remote controller

sharply against another object.c Do not place the remote controller

for an extended period in an areawhere temperatures exceed 140F(60C).

Locking doors1. Close all windows.2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.3. Close the hood, trunk lid, and all doors.4. Push the button on the multi-remote

controller. All doors lock. The hazardlights flash twice and the horn beepsonce to indicate all doors are locked.

c When the button is pushed with alldoors locked, the hazard lights flashtwice and the horn beeps once as areminder that the doors are alreadylocked.The horn may or may not beep once.Refer to silencing the horn beep fea-ture later in this section.

Unlocking doors1. Push the button on the multi-

remote controller. Only the drivers sidedoor unlocks.

2. Push the button on the multi-

remote controller again within five sec-onds. The passenger doors unlock.

3. The interior light comes on and stays onfor 30 seconds when the light switch is inthe O position.

APD1058


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The interior light can be turned off withoutwaiting 30 seconds by inserting the key intothe ignition or locking the doors with themulti-remote controller or pushing theinterior light button to OFF.Using the panic alarmIf you are near your vehicle and feel threat-ened, you may activate the alarm to callattention as follows:1. Push the button on the remote con-

troller for longer than 0.8 seconds.2. The theft warning alarm and headlights

will stay on for 30 seconds.3. The panic alarm stops when:c it has run for 30 seconds, orc the , or the button is

pressed, on the multi-remote controller.

Silencing the horn beep featureIf desired, the horn beep feature can bedeactivated using the multi-remote control-ler. The instructions are on the back of themulti-remote controller.To deactivate: Press and hold the and

buttons for at least two seconds.The hazard lights will quickly flash threetimes to confirm that the horn beep featurehas been deactivated.To activate: Press and hold the and

buttons for at least two secondsonce more.

The hazard lights will quickly flash threetimes to confirm that the horn beep featurehas been reactivated.Deactivating the horn feature does not si-lence the horn if the alarm is triggered.

AIC1037


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Replace the battery in the multi-remote con-troller as follows:1. Open the lid using a coin.2. Replace the battery with a new one.

Recommended battery: Sanyo CR2025

or equivalent.3. Close the lid securely.4. Press the button, then the button

two or three times to check the multi-remote controller operation.Each time the button is pressed, the

hazard lights flash once.If the battery is removed for any reasonother than replacement, perform step 4.c An improperly disposed battery can

hurt the environment. Always confirmlocal regulations for battery disposal.

c The multi-remote controller is water-resistant; however, if it does get wet,immediately wipe completely dry.

c The operational range of the multi-remote controller extends to approxi-mately 49 ft (15 m) from the vehicle.This range may vary with conditions.

FCC Notice:Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the manufacturer for com-pliance could void the users authority tooperate the equipment.This device complies with part 15 of theFCC Rules and RSS-210 of IndustryCanada.

APD1087

BATTERY REPLACEMENT


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Operation is subject to the following twoconditions: (1) This device may notcause harmful interference, and (2) thisdevice must accept any interference re-ceived including interference that maycause undesired operation of the device.

1. Pull the hood lock release handle s1located below the driver side instrumentpanel; the hood springs up slightly.

2. Lift the lever s2 at the front of the hoodwith your fingertips and raise the hood.

3. Insert the support rod s3 into the slot onthe underside of the hood.

4. When closing the hood, return the sup-port rod to its original position, lower thehood to approximately 12 inches abovethe latch and release it. This allowsproper engagement of the hood latch.

WARNINGc Make sure the hood is completely

closed and latched before driving.Failure to do so could cause thehood to fly open and result in anaccident.

c If you see steam or smoke comingfrom the engine compartment, toavoid injury do not open the hood.

APD1003

HOOD RELEASE


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The glove box opens by pulling the handle.The glove box with key lock (if so equipped)can be locked or unlocked with the masterkey.To illuminate the glove box light (if soequipped), the headlight switch must beturned to the or position.

WARNINGKeep glove box lid closed while drivingto help prevent injury in an accident ora sudden stop.

Opener lever operationThe trunk lid opener lever is located on theoutside of the drivers seat. To open thetrunk lid, pull the opener lever up.To close the trunk lid, lower and push thetrunk lid down securely.

WARNINGc Do not drive with the trunk lid open.

This could allow dangerous exhaustgases to be drawn into the vehicle.See Exhaust gas in the Startingand driving Section.

c Closely supervise children w

Documents

1999 Nissan Altima