2009 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual - Page 248

BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE ● Make sure the area around the vehicle is clear. ● Check fluid levels such as engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid as frequently as possible, or at least whenever you refuel. ● Check that all windows and lights are clean. ● Visually inspect tires for their appearance and condition. Also check tires for proper inflation. ● Lock all doors. ● Position seat and adjust head restraints. ● Adjust inside and outside mirrors. ● Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to do likewise. ● Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch is pushed to the ON position. See "Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders" in the "Instruments and controls" section of this manual. STARTING THE ENGINE 1. Apply the parking brake. 2. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) model: Move the shift selector to P (Park) or N (Neutral). P (Park) is recommended. The starter is designed not to operate if the shift selector is in any of the driving positions. Manual transmission: Move the shift selector to N (Neutral). Depress the clutch pedal to the floor. The starter is designed not to operate unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. 3. Push the ignition switch to the ON position. Depress the brake pedal and the clutch pedal (if so equipped) and push the ignition switch to start the engine. To start the engine immediately, push and release the ignition switch while depressing the brake pedal with the ignition switch in any position. ● If the engine is very hard to start in extremely cold weather or when restarting, depress the accelerator pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to the floor) and while holding, crank the engine. Release the accelerator pedal when the engine starts. ● If the engine is very hard to start because it is flooded, depress the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and hold it. Push the ignition switch to the ON position to start cranking the engine. After 5 or 6 seconds, stop cranking by pushing the ignition switch to LOCK. After cranking the engine, release the accelerator pedal. Crank the engine with your foot off the accelerator pedal by depressing the brake pedal and pushing the push-button ignition switch to start the engine. If the engine starts, but fails to run, repeat the above procedure. CAUTION Do not operate the starter for more than 15 seconds at a time. If the engine does not start, push the ignition switch to the OFF position and wait 10 seconds before cranking again, otherwise the starter could be damaged. 5-10 Starting and driving