1997 NISSAN MAXIMA engine

Air recirculation button
OFF position
Outside air is drawn into the passenger com-
partment.
Use the off position for normal heater, or air
conditioner operation.
ON position (Indicator light ON)
Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle.
Push the air recirculation button to the ªONº
position when driving on a dusty road or to
avoid traffic fumes and for maximum cooling
when using the air conditioner.
Air conditioning button
This button is provided only for vehicles with
air conditioner.
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (1 to 4) position and push the air
conditioning button to turn on the air condi-
tioner. The indicator light will come on when
the air conditioner is on. To stop the air con-
ditioner, push the switch again to return it to
the original position.
The air conditioner cooling function oper-
ates only when the engine is running.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode is used to direct hot air from the
floor outlets. Some air will also come from the
defrost vents.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
ªOFFº position for normal heating.
2. Push the ª
º button in.
3. Turn on the fan control dial.
4. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position between the middle and
the ªHOTº position.
IFor quick heating, move the air recirculation
button to the ªONº position. Be sure to
return the air recirculation button to the
ªOFFº position for normal heating.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air from the side and
center vents.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
ªOFFº position.
2. Push the ª
º button in.
3. Turn on the fan control dial.4. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode is used to defrost/defog the win-
dows.
1. Push the ª
º button in.
2. Turn on the fan control dial.
3. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position between the middle and
the ªHOTº position.
ITo quickly remove ice or fog from the
windows, turn on the fan control dial to ª4º
and the temperature control lever to the full
ªHOTº position.
IWhen the ª
º switch is pushed, the air
conditioner will automatically be turned on
to defog the windshield, and the air recircu-
late mode will automatically be turned off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging per-
formance.
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Bi-level heating
This mode directs outside air from the side and
center vents and hot air from the floor outlets.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
ªOFFº position.
2. Push the ª
º button in.
3. Turn on the fan control dial.
4. Normally move the temperature control le-
ver to the midpoint between ªHOTº and
ªCOLDº.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the interior and defogs the
windshield.
1. Push the ª
º button in.
2. Turn on the fan control dial.
3. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position between the middle and
the ªHOTº position.
Operating tips
IClear snow and ice from the wiper
blades and air inlet in front of the wind-
shield. This will improve heater opera-
tion.
IWhen the ª
º switch is pushed, the air
recirculate mode will automatically be
turned off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging per-
formance.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (1 to 4) position and push in the air
conditioning button to activate the air condi-
tioner. When the air conditioner is on, cooling
and dehumidifying functions will be added to
the heater operation.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
ªOFFº position.
2. Push the ª
º button in.
3. Turn on the fan control dial.
4. Push on the air conditioning button. The
indicator light will come on.
5. Move the temperature control lever to the
desired position.
IFor quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, move the air recirculation
button to the ªONº position. Be sure to
return the air recirculation button to the
ªOFFº position for normal cooling.
3-5
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

IThe air conditioner cooling function
operates only when the engine is run-
ning.
IDo not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
On hot, sunny days, temperatures in
a closed vehicle could quickly be-
come high enough to cause severe or
possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals.
IDo not use the recirculation mode for
long periods as it may cause the
interior air to become stale and the
windows to fog up.
IPositioning of the heating or air con-
ditioning controls should not be
done while driving, in order that full
attention may be given to the driving
operation.
Start the engine and operate the controls to
activate the air conditioner.
Cooling and/or dehumidified heating
(Auto mode)
This mode may be normally used all year
round as the system automatically works to
keep a constant temperature. Air flow distribu-
tion and fan speed are also controlled auto-
matically.
1. Push the AUTO button on. (ªAUTOº will be
displayed.)
2. Push the temperature set button
ª
ºªº to set the desired tempera-
ture.
IAdjust the temperature set button to about
75ÉF (24ÉC) for normal operation.
IThe temperature of the passenger compart-
ment will be maintained automatically. Air
flow distribution and fan speed are also
controlled automatically.
Heating (ECON mode)
The air conditioner does not activate. When
you need to heat only, use this mode.
1. Push the ECON (ECONOMY) button on.
(ªECONº will be displayed.)
SAA0043B
AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER
(if so equipped)
3-9
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

2. Push the temperature set button
ªºªº to set the desired tempera-
ture.
IThe temperature of the passenger compart-
ment will be maintained automatically. Air
flow distribution and fan speed are also
controlled automatically.
IDo not set the temperature lower than the
outside air temperature. Otherwise the sys-
tem may not work properly.
INot recommended if windows fog up.
Dehumidified defogging
1. Push the DEF ªº button on. (The
indicator light on the button will come on.)
2. Push the temperature set button
ª
ºªº to set the desired tempera-
ture.
ITo quickly remove ice or fog from the
outside of the windows, push the manual
fan control button ª
º and set to the
maximum position ªº.
IAs soon as possible after the windshield is
clean, push the AUTO button to return to
the auto mode.
IWhen the DEF ª
º button is pushed,
the air conditioner will automatically beturned on at outside temperatures above
35ÉF (2ÉC) to defog the windshield, and the
air recirculate mode will automatically be
turned off.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging per-
formance.
Manual fan speed control
Push the fan control button ªº to manu-
ally control the fan speed.
IPush the AUTO button to return to auto-
matic control of the fan speed.
Air recirculation button
Push the air recirculation button ªºto
recirculate interior air inside the vehicle. The
indicator light on the switch will come on.
Push it again to draw outside air into the
passenger compartment. The indicator will go
out.
IThe air recirculation button will not be acti-
vated when the air conditioner is in DEF
mode.
Manual air flow control button
ªMODEº
Pushing the manual air flow control buttonselects the air outlet to:
: Air flows from center and side ventila-
tors.
: Air flows from center and side ventila-
tors and foot outlets.
: Air flows mainly from foot outlets.
To turn system off
Push the OFF button.
Operating tips
IWhen the engine coolant temperature and
outside air temperature are low, the air flow
from the foot outlets may not operate for a
maximum of 150 seconds. However, this is
not a malfunction. After the coolant tem-
perature warms up, the air flow from the
foot outlets will operate normally.
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

The sensor on the instrument panel helps
maintain a constant temperature; do not put
anything on or around this sensor.
Servicing air conditioner
The air conditioning system in your NISSAN
vehicle is charged with a refrigerant designed
with the environment in mind.This refrigerant
will not harm the earth's ozone layer.How-
ever, special charging equipment and lubricant
are required when servicing your NISSAN air
conditioner. Using improper refrigerants or lu-
bricants will cause severe damage to your air
conditioning system. See AIR CONDITION-
ING SYSTEM REFRIGERANT AND LUBRI-
CANT RECOMMENDATIONS in the TECHNI-
CAL AND CONSUMER INFORMATION
section of this manual.
Your NISSAN dealer will be able to service
your environmentally ªfriendlyº air conditioning
system.To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
ªACCº or ªONº. If you listen to the radio with
the engine not running, turn the key to the
ªACCº position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter, build-
ings, bridges, mountains and other external
influences. Intermittent changes in reception
quality normally are caused by these external
influences.
HA1011
RADIO
3-11
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

When installing a CB, ham radio or a car
phone in your NISSAN, be sure to observe the
following cautions, otherwise the new equip-
ment may adversely affect the MFI (Multiport
Fuel Injection) system and other electronic
parts.
IKeep the antenna as far as possible
away from the Engine Control Mod-
ule.
IAlso keep the antenna wire more than
8 in (20 cm) away from the MFI har-
ness. Do not route the antenna wire
next to any harness.
IAdjust the antenna standing-wave ra-
tio as recommended by the manufac-
turer.
IConnect the ground wire from the CB
radio chassis to the body.
IFor details, consult a NISSAN dealer.
CB RADIO OR CAR PHONE
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

4 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................... 4-2
Avoiding collision and rollover................................... 4-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ............................ 4-4
Ignition switch............................................................ 4-4
Before starting the engine ......................................... 4-6
Starting the engine .................................................... 4-6
Driving with automatic transmission.......................... 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ........................... 4-10
Parking brake .......................................................... 4-12
Cruise control .......................................................... 4-13
Break-in schedule ................................................... 4-15
Economy hints......................................................... 4-15
Parking/Parking on hills........................................... 4-16
Power steering system ............................................ 4-17
Brake system .......................................................... 4-17
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so equipped)....... 4-18
Cold weather driving ............................................... 4-19
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Do not leave children, unreliable adults,
or pets alone in your vehicle. They could
accidentally injure themselves or others
through inadvertent operation of the ve-
hicle. Also, on hot, sunny days, tem-
peratures in a closed vehicle could
quickly become high enough to cause
severe or possibly fatal injuries to
people or animals.
EXHAUST GAS (Carbon Monoxide)
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they con-
tain colorless and odorless carbon mon-
oxide. Carbon monoxide is dangerous. It
can cause unconsciousness or death.
IIf you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
IDo not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.IDo not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.
IKeep the trunk lid, or back door
closed while driving, otherwise ex-
haust gases could be drawn into the
passenger compartment. If you must
drive in this manner for some reason,
take the following steps.
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the air recirculate switch
ªOFFº and the fan control at
ªhighº to circulate the air.
3. Be sure the rear seat armrest and
tray are closed.
IIf electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the trunk lid or
the body, follow the manufacturer's
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
IIf a special body or other equipment
is added for recreational or other us-
age, follow the manufacturer's rec-
ommendation to prevent carbonmonoxide entry into the vehicle.
(Some recreational vehicle appli-
ances such as stoves, refrigerator,
heaters, etc. may also generate car-
bon monoxide.)
IThe exhaust system and body should
be inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust system.
d. You have had an accident involv-
ing damage to the exhaust system,
underbody, or rear of the vehicle.
THREE WAY CATALYST
The three way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Ex-
haust gases in the converter are burned at
high temperatures to help reduce pollutants.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX