1996 NISSAN MAXIMA warning

2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key ............................................................................ 2-2
Door locks ................................................................. 2-2
Multi-remote control system ...................................... 2-5
Hood release ............................................................. 2-8
Glove box lock .......................................................... 2-8
Trunk lid lock ............................................................. 2-9
Fuel filler lid lock ..................................................... 2-10
Seats ....................................................................... 2-12
Supplemental restraint system
(Air bag system) ...................................................... 2-17
Caution and warning labels..................................... 2-21
Air bag warning light ............................................... 2-21
Seat belts ................................................................ 2-23
Child restraints for infants and small children......... 2-29
Tilting steering wheel .............................................. 2-35
Outside mirror remote control ................................. 2-36
Foldable outside mirrors.......................................... 2-36
Inside mirror ............................................................ 2-36
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

an extended period in an area where
temperatures exceed 140ÉF (60ÉC).
DOOR LOCK OPERATION
1. Remove the ignition key.
2. Close all doors.
3. Push the lock button on the remote control-
ler.
4. The hazard indicator flashes twice.
5. All doors will lock.
Although door locking with the remote control-
ler can be confirmed by looking at the hazard
indicator, always check to be sure that the
doors are properly locked before leaving your
vehicle.
DOOR UNLOCK OPERATION
1. Push the unlock button on the remote con-
troller.
2. Only the driver side door will unlock. Push
the unlock button on the remote controller
again within 5 seconds.
All doors will unlock.
3. The interior light will stay on for 30 seconds
when the interior light switch is in the center
ªqº position.The interior light can be turned off without
waiting for 30 seconds by inserting the key into
the ignition and turning it ªONº or by locking the
doors with the remote controller or by pushing
the interior light button.
OPENING THE DRIVER'S AND
FRONT PASSENGER'S WINDOW
1. Push the unlock button on the remote con-
troller for longer than 1.5 seconds after the
driver's door is unlocked.
2. The driver's and front passenger's window
will open.
The driver's and front passenger's window
will also open after all doors are unlocked
with the remote controller.
The driver's and front passenger's win-
dow cannot be closed by using the re-
mote controller.
TRUNK LID OPENER OPERATION
1. Push the trunk lid release button on the
remote controller for longer than 0.5 sec-
ond.
2. The trunk lid will open.
The trunk lid will not open when the trunk lid
cancel lever is in the ªCANCELº position.
It can be opened only with the key.
PANIC ALARM OPERATION
If you are near your vehicle and feel threat-
ened, you may activate the alarm to call atten-
tion as follows:
1. Push the panic alarm button on the remote
controller for longer than 1.5 seconds.
2. The theft warning alarm and headlight will
stay on for 30 seconds.
3. The alarm will stop when any of the key
functions on the remote controller are used.
The remote controller will not function.
IWhen the key is inserted into the key
switch.
IWhen the battery in the remote control-
ler is dead.
IThe distance between the remote con-
troller and vehicle is more than approx.
49 ft (15 m).
2-6
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Caution and warning labels about the air bag
system are placed in the vehicle.The air bag light, displaying ªAIR BAGº in the
instrument panel, monitors the circuits of the
air bag. The circuits monitored by the air bag
light are the diagnosis sensor unit, air bag
modules and all related wiring.
When the ignition key is in the ªONº or
ªSTARTº position, the air bag light will illumi-
nate for about 7 seconds and then turn off.
This means the system is operational.
SPA0104SPA0105
CAUTION AND WARNING
LABELSAIR BAG WARNING LIGHT
2-21
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
Your chances of being injured or killed in an
accident and/or the severity of injury may be
greatly reduced if you are wearing your seat
belt and it is properly adjusted. NISSAN
strongly encourages you and all of your pas-
sengers to buckle up every time you drive,
even if your seating position includes an air
bag.
Some states, provinces or territories re-
quire that seat belts be worn at all times
when a vehicle is being driven.
IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be in ap-
propriate child restraints.
IThe belt should be adjusted properly
and to a snug fit. Failure to do so will
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increase the
chance or severity of injury in an
accident.
IDo not wear the belt inside out ortwisted. Be sure the seat belt tongue
is securely fastened to the proper
buckle.
IDo not allow more than one person to
use the same belt.
IAll seat belt assemblies including re-
tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected by your NISSAN
dealer after any collision. NISSAN
recommends that all seat belt assem-
blies in use during a collision be
replaced unless the collision was mi-
nor and the belts show no damage
and continue to operate properly.
Seat belt assemblies not in use dur-
ing a collision should also be in-
spected and replaced if either dam-
age or improper operation is noted.
INever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.
If the seat belt warning lamp glows con-
tinuously while the ignition is turned
ªONº with all doors closed and all seat
belts fastened, it may indicate a mal-
function in the system. Have the system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.Be sure to observe the following cau-
tions when using seat belts. Failure to
do so could increase the chance and/or
severity of injury in an accident.
IAlways route the shoulder belt over
your shoulder and across your chest.
Never run the belt under your arm or
across your neck. The belt should be
away from your face and neck, but
not falling off your shoulder.
IPosition the lap belt as low as pos-
sible AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THE
WAIST.
ISerious injury or death can occur if
the seat belt is not worn properly.
CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect them.
All U.S. states and provinces of Canada re-
quire the use of approved child restraints for
infants and small children. (See ªChild re-
straints for infants and small childrenº later in
this section.)
In addition, there are many types of child
restraints available for larger children which
should be used for maximum protection.
SEAT BELTS
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

IMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
IMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, e.g., each time you
check engine oil.
ICheck that all windows and lights are clean.
IVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
ILock all doors.
IPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
IAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
IFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
ICheck the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ªON (3)º position.The automatic transmission in your vehicle (if
so equipped) is electronically controlled by a
microcomputer to produce maximum power
and smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this trans-
mission. Follow these procedures for maxi-
mum vehicle performance and driving
enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
IAfter starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal and push the shift lever
button before shifting the selector lever to
the ªRº, ªNº, ªDº, ª2º or ª1º position. Be sure
the vehicle is fully stopped before attempt-
ing to shift the selector lever.
This automatic transmission is designed
so that the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from ªPº to any
drive position while the ignition switch is
ªONº.
The shift lever cannot be moved out of ªPº
and into any of the other gear positions if
the key is turned to the ªLOCKº position or
if the key is removed from the switch.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the shift lever button to shift into a
driving gear.2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
When the battery charge is low, the shift
lever can be moved if the ignition switch is
in the ªACCº position.
ICold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward
or reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
IAvoid revving up the engine while the
vehicle is stopped. This could cause
unexpected vehicle movement.
Driving precautions
To help prevent transmission damage:
IDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from ªPº or ªNº to ªRº,
ªDº, ª2º or ª1º. Always depress the
brake pedal until shifting is completed.
INever shift to ªPº or ªRº while vehicle is
moving.
IWhen stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE
DRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Ð In the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal fully depressed while starting.
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, wait 10 seconds before crank-
ing again, otherwise the starter could be
damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.To apply:pull the lever up.
To release:pull the lever up slightly, push the
button and lower completely. Before driving,
be sure the parking brake warning light goes
out.SSD0018
PARKING BRAKE
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes
at each wheel so the wheels will not lock when
braking abruptly or when braking on slippery
surfaces. The system detects the rotation
speed at each wheel and varies the brake fluid
pressure to prevent each wheel from locking
and sliding. By preventing wheel lockup, the
system helps the driver maintain steering con-
trol and helps to minimize swerving and spin-
ning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.It is
not necessary to pump the brake pedal.
Doing so may result in increased stopping
distances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system will not operate at
speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h) to
completely stop the vehicle. (The speeds will
vary according to road conditions.) When the
anti-lock system senses that one or more
wheels are close to locking up, the actuator
(under the hood) rapidly applies and releases
hydraulic pressure (like pumping the brakes
very quickly). While the actuator is working,
you may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal
and hear a noise or vibration from the actuator
under the hood. This is normal and indicates
that the anti-lock system is working properly.However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is
required while driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of elec-
tronic sensors, electric pumps, and hydraulic
solenoids controlled by a computer. The com-
puter has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests
the system each time you start the engine and
move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the ªself-testº occurs, you may
hear a ªclunkº noise and/or feel a ªpulsationº in
the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of any malfunction. If the computer
senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-
lock brake system OFF and turns on the ªABSº
brake warning light in the dashboard. The
brake system will then behave normally, but
without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self check, or
while you are driving, you should take your
vehicle to your NISSAN dealer for repair at
your earliest convenience.
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but is cannot prevent
accidents resulting from careless or
dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces, but re-
member that the stopping distance on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on
normal surfaces, even with the anti-lock
system. Stopping distances may also be
longer on rough, gravel or snow covered
roads, or if you are using tire chains.
Always maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front of you. Ultimately,
the responsibility for safety of self and
others rests in the hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
IWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all 4 wheels.
IWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. For tire
placard location information, refer to
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
4-17
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road away
from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3. Park on a level surface and apply the
parking brake. Shift the manual transmis-
sion into reverse (automatic transmission in
ªPº).
4. Turn off the engine.
IMake sure that the parking brake is
securely applied and the manual
transmission is shifted into reverse
(automatic transmission in ªPº).
INever change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is dangerous.
INever change tires if oncoming traffic
is close to your vehicle. Wait for pro-
fessional road assistance.
IRaise the hood to warn other traffic,and to signal professional road assis-
tance personnel that you need assis-
tance.
IHave all passengers get out of the
vehicle and stand in a safe place,
away from traffic and clear of the
vehicle.
Getting the spare tire and tools
Remove jacking tools and spare tire from the
storage area located inside the trunk as illus-
trated.
SCE0036
FLAT TIRE
5-2
Z01.2.1/A32-DX