Nissan Altima (L33) 2013-2018 Owners Manual: Warning lights
For additional information on warnings and indicators, see “Vehicle information display” later in this section.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminates and then turns off. This indicates the ABS is operational.
If the ABS light comes on while the engine is running, it may indicate the anti-lock braking system is not functioning properly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock function is turned off. The brake system then operates normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See “Bra
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 parking 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 applied, stop the vehicle and perform the following: 1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary. See “Brake fluid” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
ARNING
● Your brake system may not be working 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 it could be dangerous.
● Pressing the brake pedal with the engine stopped and/or a low brake fluid level may increase your stopping distance and braking will require greater pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
● 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 at a NISSAN dealer.
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 Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the brake system checked, and if necessary, repaired by a NISSAN dealer promptly. Avoid high-speed driving and abrupt braking. See “Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning light” in this section.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is running, it may indicate the charging system 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, see a NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
● Do not ground electrical accessories directly to the battery terminal. Doing so will bypass the variable control system and the vehicle battery may not charge completely. Refer to “Variable voltage control system (if so equipped) ” in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section later in this manual.
● Do not continue driving if the generator belt is loose, broken or missing.
Low tire pressure warning light
Your vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) that monitors 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 illuminate.
A “Tire Pressure Low - Add Air” warning also appears in the vehicle information display.
When the low tire pressure warning light illuminates, you should stop and adjust the tire pressure of all 4 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 inflated 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, see “Vehicle information display” in this section and “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section and in the “In case of emergency” section.
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 the 1 minute. Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer. 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, see “Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)” in the “Starting and driving” section and “Tire pressure” in the “Starting and driving” section.
WARNING
● Radio waves could adversely affect electric medical equipment. Those who use a pacemaker should contact the electric medical equipment manufacturer for the possible influences before use.
● If the light does not illuminate with the ignition switch in the ON position, have the vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
● 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 increase the likelihood of tire failure. Serious vehicle damage could occur and may lead to an accident and could result in serious personal injury. Check the tire pressure for all four tires. Adjust the tire pressure to the recommended COLD tire pressure shown on the Tire placard located in the driver’s door opening to turn the low tire pressure warning light OFF. If the light still comes on while driving after adjusting the tire pressure, a tire may be flat. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible.
● When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel is replaced, tire pressure will not be indicated, the TPMS will not function and the low tire pressure warning light will flash for approximately 1 minute.
The light will remain on after 1 minute.
Contact your NISSAN dealer as soon as possible for tire replacement and/or system resetting.
● Replacing tires with those not originally 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 4 wheels correctly.
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 assist for the steering will not work. Steering will be harder to operate.
● When the power steering warning light illuminates with the engine running, 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 by a NISSAN dealer.
When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the power steering warning light illuminates. 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 steering system is not functioning properly and may need servicing. Have the hydraulic pump electric power steering system checked by a NISSAN dealer. See “Power steering system” in the “Starting and driving” section.
Seat belt warning light and chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten your seat belts. The light illuminates whenever 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 illuminate 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 system does not activate the warning light for the front passenger.
Refer to “Seat belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system” section for precautions on seat belt usage.
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.
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 seconds.
● 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 supplemental restraint system (air bag system) and/or the pretensioners may not function properly. For additional details, see “Supplemental restraint system” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental 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 systems and/or pretensioner systems will not operate in an accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
Checking bulbs
Indicator lights