How to Troubleshoot a Nissan Altima Car

Knowing what's wrong with your Altima can save you money in the long -term, especially if the fixes are relatively easy. It can be quite helpful to be able to troubleshoot and fix some of the common problems rather than hiring a technician to do the work for you.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
1

Turn on your air conditioning and adjust the controls to see if the air changes according to the dial settings. If there is no response, look at the control panel and check to see if the fuses need replacement. The panel is located under the dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle. You may need a screwdriver to remove the panel. There may be a diagram on the inside of the panel showing where each fuse connects to help you determine which fuse may be the non-working fuse.
2

Listen for a whine when you are applying pressure or removing your foot from the brakes. This indicates that the brakes need replacing. Before the whinnying sound you may notice it takes more pressure or several pumps of the brake to slow the car down to a complete stop. It is best to take your car to an auto repair service to check your brakes as there are several components to consider.
3

Listen and notice how your car feels and sounds to you: The normal vibrations that occur when you are driving through town or out in the open road. When you start to feel that your car's vibrations are not normal to you, this is a sign that something on the car needs attention. Note what you hear. Stop if you notice your car is over-heating due to low coolant or a leak in the line. In this situation carefully lift the hood and be careful of the steam. Do not touch the cap yet until the steam subsides a bit. Then take a rag and gently turn the coolant cap just a bit and let the rest of the steam out. When you are sure you can take the cap all the way off, do so and notice if you need more coolant and replace to the line on the coolant tank. You may consider taking your car in to be looked at by a professional to assess if the line needs replacing.
4

Notice the dashboard lights when they turn on indicating engine problems that could mean fluids (oil, coolant, steering or brake) is low. The lights may also indicate an electrical problem. If you cannot fix the situation take it to a repair service as soon as you can.
5

Put the key in the ignition and turn to hear nothing. The first thing you think of is the battery, and that is a good place to start. However, there are other issues that if are not working properly will also keep your engine from starting: proper fuel mixture, proper setting of the valves to open and close and the compression is set to the proper PSI for your car. Any of these issues will keep your engine from starting.
6

Check your battery. If you left your interior lights on or even the outer lights on during the night this will drain the battery. If the battery is relatively new simply jumping the car (using jumper cables) and leaving the car running for awhile will recharge the battery. On the other hand, if the battery is a few years old it is time to replace the battery.