1996 NISSAN MAXIMA Owners Manual

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself
or damage to the vehicle. The following are
general precautions which should be closely
observed.
IPark the vehicle on a level surface, apply
the parking brake securely and block the
wheels to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. Move the transmission control lever
to neutral (ªNº).
IBe sure the ignition key is ªOFFº or
ªLOCKº when performing any replace-
ment or repair.
When the ignition key is in the ªONº or
ªACCº position, the cooling fan may
start to operate suddenly even when the
engine is not running.
IDo not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn off the engine and
wait until it cools down.
IIf you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts.
IIt is advisable to remove ties and any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.IIf you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases.
INever get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
IKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and battery.
INever connect or disconnect either the
battery or any transistorized component
connector while the ignition is on.
IOn gasoline engine models with the Mul-
tiport fuel injection system, the fuel filter
or fuel lines should be serviced by a
NISSAN dealer because the fuel lines
are under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
IFailure to follow these or other common
sense guidelines may lead to serious
injury or vehicle damage.
IImproperly disposed motor oil and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the environ-
ment. Always conform to local regula-
tions for disposal of vehicle fluid.
This ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section givesinstructions regarding only those items which
are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or im-
proper servicing may result in operating diffi-
culties or excessive emissions, and could af-
fect your warranty coverage.If in doubt about
any servicing, have it done by your NISSAN
dealer.
PRECAUTIONS
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CHECK LOCATIONS IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT
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The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze solu-
tion contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional cooling system additives
are not necessary.
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol anti-
freeze with the proper mixture ratio of
50% anti-freeze 50% softwater.
Outside temperature
down toAnti-
freezeSoft water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
The use of other types of coolant solutions
may damage your cooling system.
The radiator is equipped with a pressure
cap. Use a NISSAN genuine cap or its
equivalent when replacement is required.
Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. See precautions in ªIf Your Vehicle
Overheatsº found in the ªIn case of emer-
gencyº section.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
With coolant reservoir
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below ªMINº, add coolant up to the ªMAXº
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check the
coolant level in the radiatorwhen the engine
is cold.If there is insufficient coolant in the
radiator, fill the radiator with coolant up to the
filler opening and also add it to the reservoir
tank up to the ªMAXº level.
If the cooling system frequently requires
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ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
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coolant, have it checked by your NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
IMajor cooling system repairs should be
performed by your NISSAN dealer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.IImproper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
ITo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
INever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
1. Open the radiator cap and drain plug.
2. Open the drain plug on the engine block.
3. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
4. Close the radiator drain plug and the drain
plug on the engine block securely.
5. See the ªTechnical informationº section for
cooling system capacity. Fill the radiator
slowly with the proper mixture of coolant
and water. Fill the reservoir tank up to the
ªMAXº level. Then install the radiator cap.
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6. Start the engine, and warm it up until the
radiator fan operates. Then race the engine
2 or 3 times under no load. Watch the
coolant temperature gauge for signs of
overheating.
7. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up to the
ªMAXº level.
8. Check the radiator drain plug and the drain
plug on the engine block for any sign of
leakage.CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 5
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
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ENGINE OIL
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5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the ªHº and
ªLº marks. If the oil level is below the ªLº
mark, remove the oil filler cap and pour
recommended oil through the opening.Do
not overfill.
6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
IOil level should be checked regularly.
Operating with insufficient amount of
oil can damage the engine, and such
damage is not covered by warranty.IIt is normal to add some oil between
oil maintenance intervals or during
the break-in period, depending on the
severity of operating conditions.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature, and then turn it off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
4. Remove the oil filler cap.
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5. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.
If oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. See ªChanging oil
filterº.
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and re-install the drain plug and new
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 )
Do not use excessive force.
7. Refill engine with recommended oil and
install the cap securely.See the ªTechnical informationº section for
refill capacity.
8. Start the engine.
Check for leakage around the drain plug.
Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several min-
utes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
IProlonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin can-
cer.
ITry to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
IKeep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
CHANGING OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
(Depending on the engine model, a special
cap typewrench may be required. See
your NISSAN dealer if in doubt.) Remove
the oil filter by turning it by hand.
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Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten additionally more than
2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
10.85 to 15.19 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.6 )
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several min-
utes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
When engine is running, keep hands
and clothing away from any moving
parts such as fan drive belt.
IAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
FOR CHECKING
IThe fluid level should be checked using the
ªHOTº range on the dipstick after the follow-
ing conditions have been met:
Ð The engine should be warmed up to oper-
ating temperature.
Ð The vehicle should be driven at least 5
minutes.
Ð The automatic transmission fluid should be
warmed to between 122 and 176ÉF (50 and
80ÉC).
IThe fluid can be checked at fluid tempera-
tures of 86 to 122ÉF (30 to 50ÉC) using the
ªCOLDº range on the dipstick after the
engine is warmed up and before driving.
However, the fluid should be re-checked
using the ªHOTº range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the selector
lever through each gear range. Move the
shift lever to ªPº after you have moved it
through all ranges.
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
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