1996 NISSAN MAXIMA tires

IAfter rotating the tires, adjust the tire
pressure.
IRetighten the wheel nuts after the
aluminum wheels have been run for
the first 600 miles (1,000 km) (also in
cases of a flat tire, etc.).
IDo not include the T-type spare tire or
any other small size spare tire in the
tire rotation.
Tire wear and damage
Tires should be periodically inspected
for wear, cracking, bulging, or objects
caught in the tread. If excessive wear,
cracks, bulging, or deep cuts are found,
the tire should be replaced.
The original tires have a built-in tread
wear indicator. When the wear indicator
is visible, the tire should be replaced.
Improper service for a T-type spare tiremay result in serious personal injury. If
it is necessary to repair the T-type spare
tire, contact your NISSAN dealer.
Changing tires and wheels
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
speed rating and load carrying capacity as
originally equipped. Recommended types and
sizes are shown in ªWheels and tiresº in the
ªTechnical informationº section. The use of
tires other than those recommended or the
mixed use of tires of different brands, con-
struction (bias, bias-belted or radial), or tread
patterns can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, ground clearance, body-to-tire clear-
ance, snow chain clearance, speedometer
calibration, headlight aim and bumper height.
Some of these effects may lead to acci-
dents and could result in serious personal
injury.
If the wheels are changed for any reason,
always replace with wheels which have the
same offset dimension. Wheels of a different
offset could cause early tire wear, possibly
degraded vehicle handling characteristics
and/or interference with the brake
discs/drums. Such interference can lead to
decreased braking efficiency and/or early
brake pad/shoe wear.
MDI0004
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Do not install a deformed wheel or tire
even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without warning.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore, they
should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed
with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balancing
the front wheels on the vehicle could lead to
transmission damage.
Care of wheels
IWash the wheels when washing the vehicle
to maintain their appearance.
IClean the inner side of the wheels when the
wheel is changed or the underside of the
vehicle is washed.
IDo not use abrasive cleaners when wash-
ing the wheels.
IInspect wheel rims regularly for dents orcorrosion. Such damage may cause loss of
pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
INISSAN recommends that the road wheels
be waxed to protect against road salt in
areas where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (T-type spare tire)
Observe the following precautions if the T-type
spare tire must be used, otherwise your ve-
hicle could be damaged or involved in an
accident.
IThe T-type spare tire should be used
only for emergency. It should be re-
placed by the standard tire at the first
opportunity.
IDrive carefully while the T-type spare
tire is installed.
Avoid sharp turns and abrupt braking
while driving.
IPeriodically check tire inflation pres-
sure, and always keep it at 60 psi (420
kPa, 4.2 bar).
IDo not drive your vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).IDo not use tire chains on a T-type
spare tire. Tire chains will not fit prop-
erly on the T-type spare tire and may
cause damage to the vehicle.
IWhen driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the T-type spare tire
should be used on the rear wheel and
the original tire used on the front
wheels (drive wheels). Use tire chains
only on the front two original tires.
ITire tread of the T-type spare tire will
wear at a faster rate than the original
tire. Replace the T-type spare tire as
soon as the tread wear indicators
appear.
IBecause the T-type spare tire is
smaller than the original tire, ground
clearance is reduced. To avoid dam-
age to the vehicle do not drive over
obstacles. Also do not drive the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.
IDo not use the T-type spare tire on
other vehicles.
IDo not use more than one T-type
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During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section.
If you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or have
your NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition,
you should notify your NISSAN dealer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the precautions in the
ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
Additional information on the following
items with ª*º is found in the ªDo-it-
yourself operationsº section.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tires*Check the pressure with a gauge peri-
odically when at a service station, including the
spare, and adjust to the specified pressure if
necessary. Check carefully for damage, cuts
or excessive wear.
Wheel nuts*When checking the tires, make
sure no nuts are missing, and check for any
loose nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*Tires should be rotated every7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the vehicle
pulls to either side while driving on a straight
and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for
wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and engine hoodCheck that all doors
and the engine hood operate smoothly as well
as the trunk lid or back hatch. Also make sure
that all latches lock securely. Lubricate if nec-
essary. Make sure that the secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the pri-
mary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-
quently.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights*Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.
Warning lights and buzzers/chimesMake
sure that all warning lights and buzzers/chimes
are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in good quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Steering wheelCheck that it has the specified
play. Be sure to check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive play,
hard steering or strange noises.
SeatsCheck seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to make
sure they operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
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9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ............................................................ 9-2
Engine ....................................................................... 9-7
Wheels and tires ....................................................... 9-8
Dimensions and weights ........................................... 9-8
When traveling or registering your
vehicle in another country ......................................... 9-9
Vehicle identification ................................................. 9-9
Installing license plate ............................................. 9-11
Vehicle loading information ..................................... 9-12
Trailer towing ........................................................... 9-13
Uniform tire quality grading ..................................... 9-17
Emission control system warranty .......................... 9-18
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ..................... 9-18
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Road wheelSteel 15 x 6JJ
Offset in (mm) 1.57 (40)
Aluminum 15 x 6.5JJ
Offset in (mm) 1.77 (45)
Tire sizeConventionalP205/65R15 92S
P205/65R15 92H
P215/60R15 93H
SpareConventional*1
T125/70D16*2
T125/90D16*2, *3
*1: For CANADA
*2: For U.S.A.
*3: For models with Viscous LSD
Sedan
Overall length in (mm) 187.7 (4,768)
Overall width in (mm) 69.7 (1,770)
Overall height in (mm) 55.7 (1,415)
Front tread in (mm)60.2 (1,530)*1
59.8 (1,520)*2
Rear tread in (mm)59.4 (1,510)*1
59.1 (1,500)*2
Wheelbase in (mm) 106.3 (2,700)
Gross vehicle weight rating lb (kg)
See the ªF.M.V.S.S. certifica-
tion labelº on the driver's
side lock pillar. Gross axle weight rating
Front lb (kg)
Rear lb (kg)
*1: For models with steel wheels
*2: For models with aluminum wheels
WHEELS AND TIRES DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
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IRegularly check that all hitch mounting
bolts are securely mounted.
Tire pressures
IWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle
tires to the recommended cold tire pressure
indicated on the tire placard (located on the
inside of the center console lid.)
ITrailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in ac-
cordance with the trailer and tire manufac-
turers' specifications.
Safety chain
Always use a suitable chain between your
vehicle and the trailer. The chain should be
crossed and should be attached to the hitch,
not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to
leave enough slack in the chain to permit
turning corners.
Trailer lights
Trailer lights should comply with Federal
and/or local regulations. When wiring the ve-
hicle for towing, connect the stop and tail light
pickup into the vehicle electrical circuit at a
point between the sensor and stop light or light
switch.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking sys-
tem, make sure it conforms to Federal and/or
local regulations and that it is properly in-
stalled.
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
IBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if
it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other pos-
sible causes of either condition.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.
IBe certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing be-
fore driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle's behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability, and
braking performance will be somewhat differ-
ent than under normal driving conditions.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
IAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
IAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
IAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
IAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so, and if your vehicle is equipped
with automatic transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, and
then move the transmission shift lever into
the ªPº position. If you move the shift lever
to the ªPº position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
IWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
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DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform
to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to
these grades.
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified government
test courses. For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and a half (1-1/2) times as well
on the government course as a tire graded
100. However, relative tire performance de-
pends on actual driving conditions, and may
vary significantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction A, B and C
Traction grades are A (the highest), B and C.
They represent a tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled con-
ditions, on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked with a C
may have poor traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight line brak-
ing traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B and C
Temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. They represent a tire's resistance to
heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sus-
tained high temperature can cause tire mate-
rial to degenerate, reducing tire life. Excessive
temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a performance level
which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109. Grades A and B represent higher levels of
performance on laboratory test wheels than
the minimum required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and pos-
sible tire failure problems.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-13
Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 1-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-11
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 1-4
Theft warning .................................................... 1-9
Three way catalyst ............................................ 4-2
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 2-35
Timing chain ..................................................... 9-7
Tire
Flat tire ........................................................ 5-2
Tire chains ................................................. 7-30
Tire placard ............................................... 9-11
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-15
Wheels and tires ................................ 7-29, 9-8
Tow truck towing ............................................... 5-9
Towing
Tow truck towing ......................................... 5-9
Towing load/specification chart ................. 9-14
Trailer towing ............................................. 9-13
Trailer towing .................................................. 9-13
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid ....................... 7-9
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ............... 4-9
Trip odometer ................................................... 1-4
Trunk lid lock .................................................... 2-9
Trunk lid opener operation ............................... 2-6
Trunk light ....................................................... 1-23U
Uniform tire quality grading............................. 9-17
V
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 1-22
Vehicle identification ......................................... 9-9
Vehicle identification number (Chassis
number) ....................................................... 9-9
Vehicle identification number plate ............. 9-9
Vehicle loading information............................. 9-12
Vehicle recovery (Freeing a stuck
vehicle)............................................................ 5-10
Ventilator ........................................................... 3-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light ................................. 2-21
Caution and warning labels....................... 2-21
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-15
Theft warning............................................... 1-9
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-6
Wheels and tires ..................................... 7-29, 9-8
Window washer fluid ....................................... 7-11
Windshield wiper and washer switch.............. 1-11
Wiper
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-11
Wiper blades ............................................. 7-17
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX