1997 NISSAN MAXIMA brake fluid

Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
is below the Min. line or the brake warning light
comes on, addDOT 3fluid up to the Max. line.
If fluid must be added frequently, the system
should be thoroughly checked by your NIS-
SAN dealer.
Use only new fluid. Old, inferior, or con-
taminated fluid may damage the brake
and clutch systems. The use of im-
proper fluids can damage the brake sys-
tem and affect the vehicle's stoppingability.
Do not spill the fluid on painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, wash with water.
Type A
Add fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. Add a washer solvent to the
water for better cleaning. In the winter season,
add a windshield washer anti-freeze. Follow
the manufacturer's instructions for the mixture
ratio.
SDI0119SDI0189
BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID WINDOW WASHER FLUID
7-12
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

head restraints move up and down smoothly
and that the locks (if equipped) hold securely
in all latched positions.
Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (e.g. buckles, anchors, adjusters and
retractors) operate properly and smoothly, and
are installed securely. Check the belt webbing
for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Accelerator pedalCheck the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal
does not catch or require uneven effort. Keep
the floor mats away from the pedal.
Clutch pedal*Make sure the pedal operates
smoothly and check that it has the proper free
play.
BrakesCheck that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Brake pedal and booster*Check the pedal
for smooth operation and make sure it has the
proper distance under it when depressed fully.
Check the brake booster function. Be sure to
keep floor mats away from the pedal.
Parking brake*Check that the lever has the
proper travel and make sure that the vehicle is
held securely on a fairly steep hill when only
the parking brake is applied.
Automatic transaxle ªParkº mechanismCheck that the brake pedal must be depressed
for the selector lever to be moved from the ªPº
position. On a fairly steep hill check that the
vehicle is held securely with the selector lever
in the ªPº position without applying any brakes.
UNDER THE HOOD AND VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (e.g. each time you check
the engine oil or refuel).
Windshield washer fluid*Check that there is
adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hosesCheck the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, dete-
rioration or loose connections.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid levels are between
the ªMAXº and ªMINº lines on the reservoir.
Battery*Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the ªMAXº and ªMINº lines.
Engine drive belts*Make sure that no belt is
frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*Check the level on thedipstick after parking the vehicle on a level
spot and turning off the engine. Be sure to wait
a few minutes to allow the oil to drain back into
the sump.
Power steering fluid level* and linesCheck
the level in the reservoir tank with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment,
leaks, cracks, etc.
Automatic transaxle fluid level*Check the
level on the dipstick after putting the selector
lever in ªPº with the engine idling.
Exhaust systemMake sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of
the exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell
of exhaust fumes, immediately locate the
trouble and correct it. (See the carbon monox-
ide warning in the ªStarting and drivingº sec-
tion)
UnderbodyThe underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being careful
to clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. See the ªAppearance and interior
careº section for additional information.
8-4
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little
different. When refilling, follow the procedure instructed in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº
section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended
specifications US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 18-1/2 gal 15-3/8 gal 70Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 91 AKI (RON 96)
Engine oil (Refill)
With oil filter 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt 4.0IAPI SG or SH and Energy Conserving
II*1, *2
IAPI Certification Mark*1, *2 Without oil filter 3-7/8 qt 3-1/4 qt 3.7
Cooling system
With reservoir 9 qt 7-1/2 qt 8.5
Anti-freeze coolant
(Ethylene glycol base)
Reservoir 7/8 qt 3/4 qt 0.8
Manual transmission gear oilÐ Ð Ð API GL-4*2
Automatic transmission fluid
Refill to the proper oil level according
to the instructions in the ªDo-it-
yourself operationsº section.Nissan Matic ªDº (Continental U.S. and
Alaska) or Genuine Nissan Automatic
Transmission Fluid (Canada).*3
Power steering fluidType DEXRON
TMIIE, DEXRONTMIII or
equivalent
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine Nissan Brake Fluid or equiva-
lent*4
DOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose greaseÐ Ð Ð NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerantÐ Ð Ð HFC-134a (R-134a)
Air conditioning system lubricants Ð Ð ÐNissan A/C System Oil
Type S or exact equivalent
*1: For further details, see ªEngine oil and oil filter recommendationº.
*2: For further details, see ªRecommended SAE viscosity numberº.
*3: Dexron
TMIII/MerconTMor equivalent may also be used. Outside the continental United States and Alaska contact a NISSAN dealer for
more information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of DexronTMIII/MerconTMor DexronTMIIE/MerconTMAutomatic Transmission Fluid.
*4: For more information regarding suitable fluids, contact a NISSAN dealer.
FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Unleaded premium gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 96)
If unleaded premium gasoline is not avail-
able, unleaded regular gasoline with an
octane rating of at least 87 AKI (Research
octane number 91) can be used.
However, for maximum vehicle perfor-
mance, the use of unleaded premium gaso-
line is recommended.
Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission con-
trol devices and systems, and could
also affect the warranty coverage.
Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, since this will
damage the three-way catalyst.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing refor-
mulated gasolines. These gasolines are spe-
cially designed to reduce vehicle emissions.
CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

10 Index
A
Air bag system (See ªSupplemental restraint
systemº) .......................................................... 2-17
Air bag warning light (See ªSupplemental air bag
warning lightº) ................................................. 2-22
Air cleaner filter ............................................... 7-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ............................. 3-5
Air conditioner specification label.............. 9-12
Automatic air conditioner (If so equipped) .. 3-9
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ............................................. 9-6
Air flow chart ..................................................... 3-6
Antenna........................................................... 3-28
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so equipped) .. 4-
18
Audio main operation ...................................... 3-23
Automatic
Automatic air conditioner (If so equipped) .. 3-9
Automatic transmission fluid ..................... 7-10
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Avoiding collision and rollover .......................... 4-3
B
Battery............................................................. 7-13
Battery replacement.......................................... 2-7
Before starting the engine ................................ 4-6Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so
equipped)................................................... 4-18
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-12
Brake booster ............................................ 7-21
Brake pedal ............................................... 7-20
Brake system............................................. 4-17
Brake wear indicators ........................ 1-9, 7-20
Parking brake ................................... 4-12, 7-19
Break-in schedule ........................................... 4-15
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants... 9-2
Cargo (See ªVehicle loading
information) ..................................................... 9-13
Cassette tape player operation....................... 3-25
CB radio or car phone .................................... 3-29
Changing
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-6
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine coolant level .......................... 7-5
Checking engine oil level .................................. 7-7
Child restraints for infants and small children .... 2-
31
Child safety rear door lock................................ 2-3
Cigarette lighter and ash trays ....................... 1-17
Cleaning exterior and interior ........................... 6-2
Clearing the programming information ........... 1-26Clock ............................................................... 1-22
Clutch pedal .................................................... 7-21
Cold weather driving ....................................... 4-19
Compact disc (CD) player operation .............. 3-26
Controls............................................................. 3-3
Coolant
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-6
Checking engine coolant level .................... 7-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Corrosion protection ......................................... 6-5
Cruise control.................................................. 4-13
Cup holder ...................................................... 1-19
D
Defogger switch
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 1-13
Dimensions and weights ................................... 9-9
Door lock operation .......................................... 2-6
Door locks ......................................................... 2-2
Door unlock operation ...................................... 2-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................... 4-4
Drive belts ....................................................... 7-15
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 4-19
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .............. 4-4
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-10
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
E
Economy hints ................................................ 4-15
Emission control information label .................. 9-11
Emission control system warranty .................. 9-19
Engine ............................................................... 9-8
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-6
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-6
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Checking engine coolant level .................... 7-5
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 7-5
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-4
Engine serial number ................................ 9-11
Starting the engine ...................................... 4-6
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 4-2
Explanation of maintenance items.................. 8-10
F
Flat tire .............................................................. 5-2
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid ..................... 7-10
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-12
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ................................. 7-12
FM/AM radio with cassette player .................. 3-12
FM-AM radio with cassette player .................. 3-16FM-AM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player ........................................ 3-22
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-11
Foldable outside mirrors ................................. 2-39
Front fog light switch (If so equipped) ............ 1-15
Front personal light ......................................... 1-23
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .............................................. 9-2
Fuel filler cap ............................................. 2-10
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-2
Fuses .............................................................. 7-21
Fusible links .................................................... 7-23
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Meters and gauges ..................................... 1-3
General maintenance ....................................... 8-3
Glove box lock .................................................. 2-8
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 1-16
Head restraint ................................................. 2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch..................... 1-14
Headlights ....................................................... 7-23
Heated seats (If so equipped) ........................ 1-16
Heater operation ............................................... 3-4Hood release .................................................... 2-8
I
If your vehicle is ever stolen ........................... 1-26
If your vehicle overheats .................................. 5-9
Ignition switch ................................................... 4-4
Injured persons ............................................... 2-26
Inside mirror .................................................... 2-40
Installing license plate .................................... 9-12
Instrument brightness control ......................... 1-15
Integrated HomeLink
transmitter
(If so equipped).......................................... 1-24
Interior light ..................................................... 1-22
J
Jump starting ........................................... 5-7, 7-14
K
Key .................................................................... 2-2
L
License plate
Installing license plate ............................... 9-12
Light
Front fog light switch (If so
equipped)................................................... 1-15
Front personal light ................................... 1-23
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-14
Headlights.................................................. 7-23
Interior light................................................ 1-22
10-2
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Light bulbs ................................................. 7-23
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-22
Trunk light.................................................. 1-23
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-23
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-6
Lock
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so
equipped)................................................... 4-18
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Door lock operation ..................................... 2-6
Door locks ................................................... 2-2
Door unlock operation ................................. 2-6
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Glove box lock............................................. 2-8
Power door lock .......................................... 2-4
Trunk lid lock ............................................... 2-9
Luggage (ªSee Vehicle loading informationº) . 9-13
M
Maintenance
Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-3
Maintenance precautions ............................ 7-2
Periodic maintenance .................................. 8-5
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (For U.S.A.) ........................................ 9-19
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-31
Meters and gauges ........................................... 1-3
Mirror
Foldable outside mirrors............................ 2-39
Inside mirror .............................................. 2-40
Outside mirror remote control ................... 2-39Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 1-13
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-23
Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ... 2-5
O
Odometer .......................................................... 1-4
Oil
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
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
Operating the transmitter ................................ 1-25
Outside mirror remote control ......................... 2-39
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-9
P
Panic alarm operation ....................................... 2-6
Parking
Parking brake ................................... 4-12, 7-19
Parking/parking on hills ............................. 4-16
Periodic maintenance ....................................... 8-5
Pocket ............................................................. 1-18
Power
Power antenna .......................................... 3-29
Power door lock .......................................... 2-4Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power steering system .............................. 4-17
Power support seat (If so equipped)......... 2-14
Power window ........................................... 1-19
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ............................ 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-24
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Pregnant women............................................. 2-26
Programming problem diagnosis .................... 1-25
Programming the HomeLink
transmitter .................................................. 1-24Push starting ..................................................... 5-9
R
Radio............................................................... 3-11
CB radio or car phone............................... 3-29
FM/AM radio with cassette player............. 3-12
FM-AM radio with cassette
player ......................................................... 3-16
FM-AM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player .................................. 3-22
Radio operation ......................................... 3-23
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(For U.S.A.)..................................................... 9-19
Rear seat ........................................................ 2-16
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch .............................................................. 1-13
Recommended SAE viscosity number ............. 9-6
Refrigerant recommendation ............................ 9-6
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ............ 9-19
Rolling codes (If so equipped) ........................ 1-26
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX