Nissan Altima Quiz
Starting and driving

Engine Block Heater (if equipped)

In this manual: Starting and driving
Foreword — 1Nissan Customer Assistance Program — 1Illustrated Table of Contents — 8Safety - Seats, Seat Belts and Supplemental Restraint System — 28Controls and instruments — 50Pre-Start Checks and Adjustments — 43Monitor, Climate, Audio, Phone and Voice Recognition Systems — 90Starting and driving — 37In an Emergency — 12Appearance and care — 17Maintenance and owner do-it-yourself — 37Technical data and consumer information — 24Using the multi-function display — 1Start-up Display — 1Settings — 1Multi-function display warnings and indicators — 1Changing the Display — 1How to Park Using the Predicted Course Lines — 1Screen Settings — 1Driving tips — 1Moving Object Detection System (if equipped) — 1Blind Spot Warning System Operation — 1Blind Spot Warning system driving situations — 1Lane Departure Warning system operation — 1Camera Maintenance — 1Headlights — 1Fog Lights (if equipped) — 1Parking Lights and Turn Signal Lights — 1
6steps
~36min
2/5difficulty
Done 0 of 6

Engine block heaters are designed to make starting easier in cold weather.

Use of an engine block heater is recommended when the outside temperature is -7°C (20°F) or below.

WARNING

  • Never connect your engine block heater to an ungrounded electrical circuit or use a two-prong adapter. You could receive an electric shock and be seriously injured if you use an ungrounded connection.
  • Unplug the engine block heater power cord and store it properly before starting the engine.
You risk electric shock and serious injury if you use a damaged power cord.
  • Use a heavy-duty three-wire grounded extension cord rated for at least 10 A. Connect the extension cord to a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet (110 V AC). You risk electric shock and serious injury if you use an improper extension cord or an outlet without a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

    • Using the engine block heater:

    1. Switch off the ignition.
    2. Open the hood and unwind the engine block heater cord.
    3. Connect the plug of the engine block heater power cord to a three-wire grounded extension cord.
    4. Connect the extension cord to a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) household outlet (110 V AC).
    5. Depending on the outside temperature, the engine block heater should be left plugged in for at least two to four hours to ensure adequate warming of the engine coolant. You can use a timer to switch on the engine block heater at the appropriate time.
    6. Before starting the engine, unplug the power cord and store it properly, away from moving engine parts.

    Test yourself

    A quick Nissan Altima quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.