Nissan Altima (2018 year). Instruction

Instrument brightness control
(P. 2-35)
Trip computer reset switch (P. 2-3)

Vents (P. 4-11)

Headlight/fog light (if so
equipped)/turn signal switch
(P. 2-35)

Driver supplemental air bag
(P. 1-44)
Horn (P. 2-40)

Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)
Warning and indicator lights
(P. 2-10)
Vehicle information display (P. 2-18)

Paddle shift controls (if so
equipped) (P. 5-14)

Wiper and washer switch (P. 2-34)

Hazard warning flasher switch
(P. 6-2)

Front passenger air bag status
light (P. 1-44)

10.

Navigation system*
(if so equipped)

11.

Front passenger supplemental air
bag (P. 1-44)

12.

Glove box (P. 2-45)

13.

Power outlet (P. 2-43)

14.

Heater and air conditioner (P. 4-12)

LIC3763

INSTRUMENT PANEL

2-2

Instruments and controls

15.

Shift lever (P. 5-14)

16.

USB connection port
(if so equipped) (P. 4-23)
Aux jack (P. 4-23)

17.

Push-button ignition switch
(P. 5-9)

18.

Cruise control main/set switches
(if so equipped) (P. 5-41)
Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC)
switches (if so equipped) (P. 5-43)
Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone
System (P. 4-2, 4-53)

19.

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

20.

Vehicle information display
controls (P. 2-18)
Steering wheel switch for audio
control (P. 4-47)

21.

Hood release (P. 3-23)

22.

Trunk opener (P. 3-24)
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF
switch (P. 2-42)
Heated steering wheel switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-42)

*: For additional information, refer to the
separate NissanConnect® Owner’s Manual.

Refer to the page number indicated in
parentheses for operating details.

Tachometer

Warning and indicator lights

Vehicle information display
Odometer
Twin trip odometer

Speedometer

Fuel gauge

Engine coolant temperature gauge

LIC3459

METERS AND GAUGES

Instruments and controls

2-3

SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER

This vehicle is equipped with a speedom-
eter and odometer. The speedometer is
located on the right side of the meter clus-
ter. The odometer is located within the ve-
hicle information display.

Speedometer

The speedometer indicates vehicle speed.

Odometer/Twin trip odometer

The odometer and the twin trip odometer

䊊

are displayed in the vehicle information

display when the ignition switch is placed
in the ON position.

The odometer records the total distance
the vehicle has been driven.

The twin trip odometer records the dis-
tance of individual trips.

LIC2218

LIC2921

2-4

Instruments and controls

Changing the display

Push the TRIP RESET switch

䊊

on the left

side of the instrument panel to change the
display as follows:

Trip

→ Trip

→ Odometer Mile-

age

→ Trip

Resetting the trip odometer
Pushing the TRIP RESET switch

䊊

for more

than 1 second resets the currently dis-
played trip odometer to zero.

TACHOMETER

The tachometer indicates engine speed in
revolutions per minute (rpm). Do not rev
engine into the red zone

䊊

CAUTION

When engine speed approaches the red
zone, reduce engine speed. Operating
the engine in the red zone may cause
serious engine damage.

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE

The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature. The engine coolant tempera-
ture is within the normal range

䊊

when

the gauge needle points within the zone
shown in the illustration.

The engine coolant temperature varies
with the outside air temperature and driv-
ing conditions.

LIC2219

LIC2220

Instruments and controls

2-5

CAUTION

If the gauge indicates coolant tempera-
ture near the hot (H) end of the normal
range, reduce vehicle speed to decrease
temperature. If the gauge is over the
normal range, stop the vehicle as soon
as safely possible. If the engine is over-
heated, continued operation of the ve-
hicle may seriously damage the engine.
For additional information, refer to “If
your vehicle overheats” in the “In case
of emergency” section of this manual
for immediate action required.

FUEL GAUGE

The gauge indicates the approximate fuel
level in the tank.

The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning, acceleration, or going up or
down hills.

The gauge needle returns to 0 (Empty) af-
ter the ignition switch is placed in the OFF
position.

The low fuel warning message shows in
the vehicle information display when the
amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.

Refill the fuel tank before the gauge reg-
isters 0 (Empty).

The

indicates that the fuel-filler

door is located on the driver’s side of the
vehicle.

CAUTION

∙ If the vehicle runs out of fuel, the

Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may
come on. Refuel as soon as possible.
After a few driving trips, the

light

should turn off. If the light remains on
after a few driving trips, have the ve-
hicle inspected. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.

∙ For additional information, refer to

“Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)” in
this section.

LIC2222

2-6

Instruments and controls

This unit measures terrestrial magnetism
and indicates the direction of the vehicle’s
heading.
With the ignition switch placed in the ON
position, press the

button as de-

scribed in the chart below to activate vari-
ous features of the automatic anti-glare
rearview mirror.

Press and hold

the
button for
about:

Feature:
(Press button again for about
1 second to change settings)

1 second

Compass display toggles on/off

5 seconds

Compass zone can be changed
to correct false compass read-
ings

9 seconds

Compass enters calibration
mode

For information about the automatic anti-
glare feature, refer to “Automatic anti-glare
rearview mirror” in the “Pre-driving checks
and adjustments” section of this manual.

Press the

button for about 1 second

when the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position to toggle the compass display

䊊

on or off. The display will indicate the direc-
tion of the vehicle’s heading.
N: North
E: East
S: South
W: West

If the display reads “C”, calibrate the com-
pass by driving the vehicle in three com-
plete circles at less than 5 mph (8 km/h).

You can also calibrate the compass by driv-
ing your vehicle on your everyday route.

The compass will be calibrated once it has
tracked three complete circles.

COMPASS DISPLAY

Press the

button when the ignition

switch is placed in the ON position. The
direction will be displayed.

Zone variation change procedure

The difference between magnetic north
and geographical north is known as vari-
ance. In some areas, this difference can
sometimes be great enough to cause false
compass readings. Follow these instruc-
tions to set the variance for your particular
location if this happens:

1. Establish your location on the zone

map. Refer to the illustration. Record
your zone number.

2. Place the ignition switch in the ON po-

sition.

3. Press the

button in for 5 seconds

until the current zone entry number is
displayed.

4. Press the

button repeatedly until

the desired zone entry number is dis-
played.

LIC1487

COMPASS (if so equipped)

Instruments and controls

2-7

∙ If a magnet is located near the com-

pass or the vehicle is driven where the
terrestrial magnetism is disturbed,
the compass display may not indi-
cate the correct direction.

∙ In places where the terrestrial mag-

netism is disturbed, the correction of
the direction starts automatically.

Inaccurate compass direction
The compass display is equipped with au-
tomatic correction function. If the correct
direction is not shown, follow this proce-
dure.

1. With the display turned on, press and

hold the

button for about 9 sec-

onds. The display will read “C.”

2. Calibrate the compass by driving the

vehicle in three complete circles at a
maximum speed of 5 mph (8 km/h).

3. After completing the circles the display

should return to normal.

∙ If the compass deviates from the cor-

rect indication soon after repeated ad-
justment, have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

∙ The compass may not indicate the cor-

rect compass point in tunnels or while
driving up or down a steep hill. (The
compass returns to the correct com-
pass point when the vehicle moves to
an area where the geomagnetism is
stabilized.)

CAUTION

∙ Do not install a ski rack, antenna, etc.,

which are attached to the vehicle by
means of a magnet. They affect the
operation of the compass.

∙ When cleaning the mirror, use a paper

towel or similar material dampened
with glass cleaner. Do not spray glass
cleaner directly on the mirror as it
may cause the liquid cleaner to enter
the mirror housing.

Instruments and controls

2-9

Anti-lock Braking System

(ABS) warning light

Seat belt warning light and chime

Security indicator light

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
system warning light

Supplemental air bag warning light

Side light and headlight indicator light
(green)

Brake warning light

Front fog light indicator light
(if so equipped)

Slip indicator light

Charge warning light

Front passenger air bag status light

Turn signal/hazard indicator lights

Low tire pressure warning light

High beam indicator light (blue)

Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFF indi-
cator light

Master warning light

Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL)

Power steering warning light

Overdrive OFF indicator light
(if so equipped)

CHECKING LIGHTS

With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine. The following lights (if
so equipped) will come on:

The following lights (if so equipped) will
come on briefly and then go off:

If any light does not come on or operate in
a way other than described, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb and/or a system mal-

function. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

Some indicators and warnings are also dis-
played on the vehicle information display
between the speedometer and tachom-
eter. For additional information, refer to “Ve-
hicle information display” in this section.

WARNING LIGHTS, INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS

2-10

Instruments and controls

WARNING LIGHTS

For additional information on warnings
and indicators, refer to “Vehicle information
display” in this section.

Anti-lock Braking

System (ABS)

warning light

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the ABS warning light illuminates
and then turns off. This indicates the ABS is
operational.

If the ABS warning light illuminates while
the engine is running or while driving, it
may indicate the ABS is not functioning
properly. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock
function is turned off. The brake system
then operates normally but without anti-
lock assistance. For additional information,
refer to “Brake system” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.

Automatic Emergency

Braking (AEB) system
warning light

This light comes on when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position. It turns
off after the engine is started.

This light illuminates when the AEB system
is set to OFF on the meter display.

If the light illuminates when the AEB sys-
tem is on, it may indicate that the system is
unavailable. For additional information, re-
fer to “Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)”
in the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.

Brake warning

light

This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.

Parking brake indicator

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the park-
ing brake is applied.

Low brake fluid warning light

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid

level. If the light comes on while the engine
is running, with the parking brake not ap-
plied, stop the vehicle and perform the fol-
lowing:

1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake

fluid as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Brake fluid” in the “Do-
it-yourself ” section of this manual.

2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have

the warning system checked. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

WARNING

∙ Your brake system may not be work-

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

driving

could

dangerous.

∙ Pressing the brake pedal with the en-

gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.

Instruments and controls

2-11

∙ If the brake fluid level is below the

MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator

When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the
brake warning light and the ABS warning
light illuminate, it may indicate the ABS is
not functioning properly. Have the brake
system checked and, if necessary, repaired.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. Avoid high-speed
driving and abrupt braking. For additional
information, refer to “Anti-lock Braking Sys-
tem (ABS) warning light” in this section.

Charge warning light

If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the charging sys-
tem is not functioning properly. Turn the
engine off and check the generator belt. If
the belt is loose, broken, missing, or if the
light remains on, have the system checked.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

CAUTION

∙ Do not ground electrical accessories

directly to the battery terminal. Doing
so will bypass the variable voltage
control system and the vehicle bat-
tery may not charge completely. For
additional information, refer to “Vari-
able voltage control system” in the
“Do-it-yourself ”

section

this

manual.

∙ Do not continue driving if the genera-

tor belt is loose, broken or missing.

Low tire pressure warning

light

Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pres-
sure Monitoring System (TPMS) that moni-
tors the tire pressure of all tires except the
spare.

The low tire pressure warning light warns
of low tire pressure or indicates that the
TPMS is not functioning properly.

After the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this light illuminates for about
1 second and turns off.

Low tire pressure warning

If the vehicle is being driven with low tire
pressure, the warning light will illumi-
nate. A “Tire Pressure Low - Add Air”
warning also appears in the vehicle in-
formation display.

When the low tire pressure warning light
illuminates, you should stop and adjust
the tire pressure of all four tires to the
recommended COLD tire pressure shown
on the Tire Load and Information label
located in the driver’s door opening. The
low tire pressure warning light does not
automatically turn off when the tire
pressure is adjusted. After the tire is in-
flated to the recommended pressure,
the vehicle must be driven at speeds
above 16 mph (25 km/h) to activate the
TPMS and turn off the low tire pressure
warning light. Use a tire pressure gauge
to check the tire pressure.

The “Tire Pressure Low - Add Air” warning is
active as long as the low tire pressure
warning light remains illuminated.

For additional information, refer to “Vehicle
information display” in this section and
“Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in

2-12

Instruments and controls

the “Starting and driving” section and in the
“In case of emergency” section of this
manual.

TPMS malfunction

If the TPMS is not functioning properly, the
low tire pressure warning light will flash for
approximately 1 minute when the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position. The
light will remain on after 1 minute. Have the
system checked. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
The "Tire Pressure Low — Add Air" warning
does not appear if the low tire pressure
warning light illuminates to indicate a
TPMS malfunction.

For additional information, refer to “Tire
Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the
“Starting and driving” section and “Tire
pressure” in the “Do-it-yourself ” section of
this manual.

WARNING

∙ Radio waves could adversely affect

electric medical equipment. Those
who use a pacemaker should contact
the

electric

medical

equipment

manufacturer for the possible influ-
ences before use.

∙ If the light does not illuminate with

the ignition switch placed in the ON
position, have the vehicle checked as
soon as possible. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.

∙ If the light illuminates while driving,

avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Driving with under-inflated tires may
permanently damage the tires and in-
crease the likelihood of tire failure. Se-
rious vehicle damage could occur and
may lead to an accident and could re-
sult in serious personal injury or
death. Check the tire pressure for all
four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to
the recommended COLD tire pressure
show on the Tire and Loading Infor-
mation label located in the driver’s
door opening to turn the low tire pres-
sure warning light off. If the light still
illuminates while driving after adjust-
ing the tire pressure, a tire may be flat
or the TPMS may be malfunctioning. If
you have a flat tire, replace it with a

spare tire as soon as possible. If no tire
is flat and all tires are properly in-
flated, have the vehicle checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

∙ When replacing a wheel without the

TPMS such as the spare tire, the TPMS
will not function and the low tire pres-
sure warning light will flash for ap-
proximately 1 minute. The light will re-
main on after 1 minute. Have your
tires replaced and/or TPMS system
reset as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for these services.

∙ Replacing tires with those not origi-

nally specified by NISSAN could affect
the proper operation of the TPMS.

CAUTION

∙ The TPMS is not a substitute for the

regular tire pressure check. Be sure to
check the tire pressure regularly.

∙ If the vehicle is being driven at speeds

of less than 16 mph (25 km/h), the
TPMS may not operate correctly.

∙ Be sure to install the specified size of

tires to the four wheels correctly.

Instruments and controls

2-13

Master warning light

When the ignition is in the ON position, the
master warning light illuminates if any of
the following are displayed on the vehicle
information display.

∙ No key warning

∙ Low fuel warning

∙ Low windshield-washer fluid warning

∙ Parking brake release warning

∙ Door/trunk open warning

∙ Loose fuel cap

∙ Check tire pressure warning

Power steering warning

light

WARNING

∙ If the engine is not running or is

turned off while driving, the power as-
sist for the steering will not work.
Steering will be harder to operate.

∙ When the power steering warning

light illuminates with the engine run-
ning, there will be no power assist for
the steering. You will still have control
of the vehicle, but the steering will be
much harder to operate. Have the
power steering system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.

When the ignition switch is in the ON posi-
tion, the power steering warning light illu-
minates. After starting the engine, the
power steering warning light turns off. This
indicates that the electric power steering
system is operational. If the power steering
warning light illuminates while the engine
is running, it may indicate the power steer-
ing system is not functioning properly and
may need servicing. Have the hydraulic
pump electric power steering system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Power steering”
in the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.

Seat belt warning light and

chime

The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. The light illuminates when-
ever the ignition switch is placed in the ON
or START position and remains illuminated
until the driver’s seat belt is fastened. At the
same time, the chime sounds for about
6 seconds unless the driver’s seat belt is
securely fastened.

The seat belt warning light may also illumi-
nate if the front passenger’s seat belt is not
fastened when the front passenger’s seat
is occupied. For 7 seconds after the ignition
switch is placed in the ON position, the sys-
tem does not activate the warning light for
the front passenger.

For additional information, refer to “Seat
belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of
this manual.

Supplemental air bag

warning light

When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
or START position, the supplemental air
bag warning light illuminates for about
7 seconds and then turns off. This means
the system is operational.

2-14

Instruments and controls

If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
and pretensioner systems need servicing
and your vehicle must be taken to a NISSAN
dealer:

∙ The supplemental air bag warning light

remains on after approximately 7 sec-
onds.

∙ The supplemental air bag warning light

flashes intermittently.

∙ The supplemental air bag warning light

does not come on at all.

Unless checked and repaired, the supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
and/or the pretensioners may not function
properly. For additional details, refer to
“Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)” in
the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and supple-
mental restraint system” section of this
manual.

WARNING

If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag sys-
tems and/or pretensioner systems will
not operate in an accident. To help
avoid injury to yourself or others, have
your vehicle checked as soon as pos-
sible. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.

INDICATOR LIGHTS

For additional information, refer to “Vehicle
information display” in this section.

Front fog light indicator

light (if so equipped)

The front fog light indicator light illumi-
nates when the front fog lights are on. For
additional information, refer to “Fog light
switch” in this section.

Front passenger air bag

status light

The

front

passenger

air

bag

status

light

will be lit and the passenger front

air bag will be off depending on how the
front passenger seat is being used.

For additional information, refer to “Front
passenger air bag and status light” in the
“Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemen-
tal restraint system” section of this manual.

High beam indicator light

(blue)

This blue light comes on when the head-
light high beams are on and goes out when
the low beams are selected.

The high beam indicator light also comes
on when the passing signal is activated.

Malfunction Indicator Light

(MIL)

If this indicator light comes on steady or
blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate a potential emission control mal-
function.

The MIL may also come on steady if the
fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, or if the
vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make sure
the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least
3 gallons (11.4 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.

After a few driving trips, the

light

should turn off if no other potential emis-
sion control system malfunction exists.

Instruments and controls

2-15

If this indicator light comes on steady for
20 seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds
when the engine is not running, it indicates
that the vehicle is not ready for an emission
control system inspection/maintenance
test. For additional information, refer to
“Readiness

for

Inspection/Maintenance

(I/M) test” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.

Operation
The MIL will come on in one of two ways:

∙ MIL on steady — An emission control

system malfunction has been de-
tected. Check the fuel-filler cap if the
Loose Fuel Cap warning appears in the
vehicle information display. If the fuel-
filler cap is loose or missing, tighten or
install the cap and continue to drive the
vehicle. The

light should turn off

after a few driving trips. If the

light

does not turn off after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. You do not need
to have your vehicle towed to the
dealer.

∙ MIL blinking — An engine misfire has

been detected which may damage the
emission control system. To reduce or
avoid emission control system dam-
age:

– do

not

drive

speeds

above

45 mph (72 km/h).

– avoid hard acceleration or decelera-

tion.

– avoid steep uphill grades.

– if possible, reduce the amount of

cargo being hauled or towed.

The MIL may stop blinking and come on
steady. Have the vehicle inspected. It is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.

CAUTION

Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.

Overdrive OFF indicator

light (if so equipped)

QR25DE:

This light illuminates and then turns off
when the ignition switch in placed to the
ON position, and when the overdrive OFF
mode is selected.

VQ35DE:

This light illuminates and then turns off
when the ignition switch is placed to the
ON position.

QR25DE and VQ35DE:

For additional information, refer to “Con-
tinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)” in
the “Starting and driving” section of this
manual.

Security indicator light

This light blinks when the ignition switch is
placed in the OFF, LOCK or ACC position.

The blinking security indicator light indi-
cates that the security systems equipped
on the vehicle are operational.

For additional information, refer to “Security
systems” in this section.

2-16

Instruments and controls

Nissan Altima (2018 year). Instruction - part 6