1996 NISSAN MAXIMA seats

The front seats are warmed by built-in heaters.
The switches located on the center console
can be operated independently of each other.
1. Start the engine.
The battery could run down if the seat
heater is operated while the engine is
not running.
2. Selecting heat range.IFor Low heat, press the top of the
switch.
IFor High heat, press the bottom of the
switch.
IFor No heat, the switch has a center
ªOFFº position between Low and High.
The indicator light in the switch will illumi-
nate when Low or High is selected.
The heater is controlled by a thermostat,
automatically turning the heater on and off.
The indicator light will remain on as long as
the switch is on.
3. When the vehicle's interior is warmed, or
before you leave the vehicle, be sure to turn
the switch off.
Do not use the seat heater for extended
periods, or when the seat is not occu-
pied.
IDo not put anything on the seat which
insulates heat, such as a blanket,
cushion, seat cover, etc. Otherwise,
the seat may become overheated.
IDo not place anything hard or heavyon the seat or pierce it with a pin or
similar object. This may result in
damage to the heater.
IAny liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with
a dry cloth.
IWhen cleaning the seat, never use
benzine, thinner, or any similar mate-
rials.
IIf any abnormalities are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn
the switch OFF and have the system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
SIC0179
HEATED SEAT
1-16
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

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

SEAT ADJUSTMENT
IDo not adjust the driver's seat while
driving. The seat may move suddenly
and could cause loss of control of the
vehicle.
IAfter adjustment, gently rock in the
seat to make sure it is securely
locked.
IThe seatback should not be reclinedany more than needed for comfort.
Seat belts are most effective when
the passenger sits well back and
straight up in the seat. If the seat is
reclined, the risk of sliding under the
lap belt and being injured is
increased.
Forward and backward
Pull the lever up while you slide the seat
forward or backward to the desired position.
Release the lever to lock the seat in position.
Reclining
Pull the lever up and lean back until the
desired angle is obtained. To bring the seat
back forward again, pull the lever and move
your body forward. The seat back will move
forward.
SPA0097
SEATS
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

3-point seat belts have a cinching mechanism
for child seat installation. It is referred to as the
automatic locking mode.
When the cinching mechanism is activated the
seat belt cannot be withdrawn again until the
seat belt tongue is detached from the buckle
and fully retracted. Refer to ªChild restraints for
infants and small childrenº later in this section
for more information.
IThe automatic locking mode should
be used only for child seat installa-
tion. During normal seat belt use by a
passenger, the locking mode should
not be activated. If it is activated it
may cause uncomfortable seat belt
tension.
Unfastening the belts
To unfasten the belt, press the button on the
buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract.
Checking seat belt operation
(3-point type with retractor)
Your seat belt retractors are designed to lock
belt movement using two separate methods:
1) When the belt is pulled quickly from the
retractor.
2) When the vehicle slows down rapidly.
You can check their operation as follows:
IGrasp the shoulder belt and pull quickly
forward. The retractor should lock and re-
strict further belt movement.
If the retractor does not lock during this check
or if you have any questions about belt opera-
tion, see your NISSAN dealer.
Shoulder belt height adjustment
(For front seats)
The shoulder belt anchor height should be
adjusted to the position best for you. (See
ªPrecautions on seat belt usageº.) To adjust,
push the release button, and then move it to
the desired position, so that the belt passes
over the center of the shoulder. The belt
should be away from your face and neck, but
not falling off of your shoulder.
PD1321
2-26
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Cleaning interior
Occasionally remove loose dust from the inte-
rior trim and seats using a vacuum cleaner or
soft brush. Wipe the vinyl and leather surfaces
with a clean, soft cloth dampened in mild soap
solution, then wipe clean with a dry soft cloth.
Before using any fabric protector, read the
manufacturer's recommendations. Some fab-
ric protectors contain chemicals that may stain
or bleach the seat material.
INever use benzine, thinner, or any
similar material.
IThe leather seats should be regularly
coated with a leather wax like saddle
soap. Never use car wax.
INever use fabric protectors unless
recommended by the manufacturer.
Floor mat positioning aid
(Driver side only)
This model includes a front floor mat bracket to
act as a floor mat positioning aid. NISSAN floor
mats have been specially designed for your
vehicle model. The driver's side floor mat has
a grommet hole incorporated in it. Simply
position the mat by placing the floor mat
bracket hook through the floor mat grommet
hole while centering the mat in the floorpan
contour.
Periodically check to make certain that the
mats are properly positioned.
Floor mats
The use of Genuine Nissan floor mats can
extend the life of your vehicle carpet and make
it easier to clean the interior. No matter what
mats are used, be sure they are fitted for your
vehicle and are properly positioned in the
footwell to prevent interference with pedal op-
eration. Mats should be maintained with regu-
lar cleaning and replaced if they become ex-
cessively worn.
Seat belts
The seat belts can be cleaned by wiping them
with a sponge dampened in a mild soap solu-
tion. Allow the belts to dry completely before
using them. Do not allow wet belts to roll up in
the retractor. NEVER use bleach, dye, or
chemical solvents since these may severely
weaken the seat belt webbing.
SAI0003
6-4
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

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
8-3
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

threads behind the finisher, apply only light
pressure to the drill.
2. Mount the license plate bracket.
3. Mount the license plate with the 0.24 in (6
mm) bolts. The bolts used to fasten the
license plate to the bracket are not included
in the attaching hardware that comes with
the bracket.
IIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously injured
or killed
IDo not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
IBe sure everyone in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a seat belt properly.
Terms
It is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:
ICurb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle)
- vehicle weight including: standard and
optional equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly. This weight
does notinclude passengers and cargo.
IGVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight
plus the combined weight of passengers
and cargo.IGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -
maximum total weight (load) limit specified
for the vehicle.
IGAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maxi-
mum weight (load) limit specified for the
front or rear axle.
Determining vehicle load capacity
The load capacity of this vehicle is determined
by weight, not by available cargo space. For
example, a luggage rack, bike carrier, cartop
carrier or similar equipment does not increase
load carrying capacity of your vehicle.
To determine vehicle load capacity:
Vehicle weight can be determined by using a
commercial-grade scale, found at places such
as a truck stop, gravel quarry, grain elevator,
or a scrap metal recycling facility.
1) Determine the curb weight of your vehicle.
2) Compare the curb weight amount to the
GVWR specified for your vehicle to deter-
mine how much more weight your vehicle
can carry.
3) After loading (cargo and passengers), re-
weigh your vehicle to determine if either
GVWR or GAWR for your vehicle is ex-
ceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, remove
cargo as necessary. If either the front or
VEHICLE LOADING
INFORMATION
9-12
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Power door lock .......................................... 2-4
Trunk lid lock ............................................... 2-9
M
Maintenance
Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-3
Periodic maintenance .................................. 8-5
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-29
Meters and gauges ........................................... 1-3
Mirror
Foldable outside mirrors............................ 2-36
Inside mirror .............................................. 2-36
Outside mirror remote control ................... 2-36
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 1-12
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-22
Multi-remote control system.............................. 2-5
O
Odometer .......................................................... 1-4
Oil
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-7
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-8
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-6
Engine oil..................................................... 7-6
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-4
Opener cancel lever for trunk lid .................... 2-10
Opening the driver's and front passenger's
window .............................................................. 2-6
Outside mirror remote control ......................... 2-36Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-8
P
Panic alarm operation ....................................... 2-6
Parking
Parking brake ................................... 4-11, 7-18
Parking/parking on hills ............................. 4-15
Periodic maintenance ....................................... 8-5
Pocket ............................................................. 1-17
Power
Power antenna .......................................... 3-22
Power door lock .......................................... 2-4
Power steering fluid................................... 7-10
Power window ........................................... 1-19
Precautions ....................................................... 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-23
Precautions when driving .......................... 4-16
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Push starting ..................................................... 5-8
R
Radio............................................................... 3-11
AM-FM radio with cassette player ............ 3-12
AM-FM radio with cassette player and compact
disc player (Bose audio system) ............... 3-16
CB radio or car phone............................... 3-23
Radio operation ......................................... 3-17
Rear seat ........................................................ 2-16
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch .............................................................. 1-12
Recommended SAE viscosity number ............. 9-5Refrigerant recommendation ............................ 9-6
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ............ 9-18
S
Safety
Child safety................................................ 2-23
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ....... 9-18
Seat belt
2-point type without ................................... 2-27
3-point type seat belt with retractor .......... 2-25
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-23
Seat belt extenders ................................... 2-28
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-29
Seat belts .................................................. 2-23
Seats ............................................................... 2-12
Spark plug replacement .................................. 7-14
Speedometer .................................................... 1-4
Starting
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-6
Jump starting ..................................... 5-6, 7-13
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Push starting ............................................... 5-8
Starting the engine .................................... 4-10
Steering
Power steering fluid................................... 7-10
Tilting steering wheel ................................ 2-35
Sunroof ........................................................... 1-20
Supplemental restraint system (Air bag
system) ........................................................... 2-17
Switch
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-15
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-15
10-3
Z01.2.1/A32-DX