1997 NISSAN MAXIMA Do it yourself

ContentsInstruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Heater, air conditioner and audio system
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and interior care
Do-it-yourself operations
Maintenance schedule
Technical and consumer information
Index
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orwarning lightSeat belt warning lightEngine oil pressure warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightLow washer fluid warning lightCRUISE indicator light
High beam indicator light (blue)orAnti-lock brake warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
Door open warning lightorMalfunction indicator light
(MIL)
Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ªONº without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,or,,or
The following lights come on briefly and then
go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the elec-
trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop the
engineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer
or other authorized repair shop.
The oil pressure warning light is not de-
signed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level.See ªEngine
oilº in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.Running the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on could cause serious
damage to the engine almost immedi-
ately. Turn off the engine as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate that there is something
wrong with the charging system. Turn the
engine off and check the alternator belt. If the
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT
AND BUZZER
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belt is loose, broken, missing or if the light
remains on, see your NISSAN dealer immedi-
ately.
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors are
not closed securely while the ignition key is
ªONº.
Seat belt warning light and
buzzer
The light and buzzer remind you to fasten seat
belts. The light illuminates whenever the igni-
tion key is turned to ªONº, and will remain
illuminated until the driver's seat belt is fas-
tened. At the same time, the buzzer will sound
for about six seconds unless the driver's seat
belt is securely fastened.
Refer to ªSeat beltsº in the ªPre-driving checks
and adjustmentsº section for precautions on
seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
When the ignition key is in the ªONº or
ªSTARTº position, the supplemental air bag
light will illuminate for about 7 seconds and
then turn off. This means the system is opera-
tional.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing and your
vehicle must be taken to your nearest autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
1. The supplemental air bag light goes off
within 7 seconds.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes in-
termittently or remains on (after 7 seconds).
3. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supplemen-
tal Restraint System may not function properly.
For additional details on the Supplemental Air
Bag System, see Section 2.
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemen-
tal air bag will not operate in anaccident.
Low washer fluid warning
light (If so equipped)
This light comes on when the washer tank fluid
is at a low level. Add washer fluid as neces-
sary. See the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº sec-
tion.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ªBrake and clutch fluidº
in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
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mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system.
This is to prevent accidental inflation
of the supplemental air bag or dam-
age to the supplemental air bag sys-
tem.
IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental air bag
system.
ITampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and
the instrument panel assembly by
placing material over the steering
wheel pad and above the dashboard,
or by installing additional trim mate-
rial around the supplemental air bag
system.IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. The SRS wiring har-
nesses should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the
supplemental air bag system.
IThe SRS wiring harnesses are cov-
ered with yellow insulation either just
before the harness connectors or for
the complete harness, for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner's Manual.
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SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
ITo clean the seat belt webbings,apply a
mild soap solution or any solution recom-
mended for cleaning upholstery or carpets.
Then brush the webbing, wipe it with a cloth
and allow it to dry in the shade. Do not allow
the seat belts to retract until they are com-
pletely dry.
IIf dirt builds up in the shoulder belt guide of
the seat belt anchors, the seat belts may
retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder belt guide
with a clean, dry cloth.
IPeriodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal componentssuch as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible wires
and anchors work properly. If loose parts,
deterioration, cuts or other damage on the
webbing is found, the entire belt assembly
should be replaced.
IInfants and small children should al-
ways be placed in an appropriate
child restraint while riding in the ve-
hicle. Failure to use a child restraint
can result in serious injury or death.
IChildren and infants should never be
carried on your lap. It is not possible
for even the strongest adult to resist
the forces of a severe accident. The
child could be crushed between the
adult and parts of the vehicle. Also,
do not put the same seat belt around
both your child and yourself.
INissan recommends that the child
restraint be installed in the rear seat.
According to accident statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly re-
strained in the rear seat than in the
front seat.
IAn improperly installed child re-
straint could lead to serious injury or
death in an accident.
In general, child restraints are designed to beinstalled with a lap belt or the lap portion of a
three-point type seat belt.
Child restraints specially designed for infants
and small children are offered by several
manufacturers. When selecting any child re-
straint, keep the following points in mind:
1) Choose only a restraint with a label certify-
ing that it complies with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
2) Check that child restraint in your vehicle to
be sure it is compatible with the vehicle's
seat and seat belt system. Choose a child
restraint that meets the guidelines of the
Society of Automotive Engineers recom-
mended practice J1819 for child restraint
installation.
3) If the child restraint is compatible with your
vehicle, place your child in the child re-
straint and check the various adjustments
to be sure the child restraint is compatible
with your child. Always follow all recom-
mended procedures.
All U.S. states and provinces of Canada
require that infants and small children be
restrained in approved child restraints at
all times while the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
CHILD RESTRAINTS FOR
INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN
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Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood
stream reduces coordination, delays re-
action time and impairs judgment. Driv-
ing after drinking alcohol increases the
likelihood of being involved in an acci-
dent injuring yourself and others. Addi-
tionally, if you are injured in the accident
alcohol can increase the severity of
injury.
Nissan is committed to safe driving. But, you
must choose not to drive under the influence of
alcohol. Every year thousands of people are
injured or killed in alcohol related accidents.
Although the local laws vary on what is con-
sidered to be legally intoxicated, the fact is that
alcohol affects all people differently and most
people underestimate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don't mix!
And that's true for drugs too (over the counter,
prescription, and illegal drugs). Don't drive if
your ability to operate your vehicle is impaired
by alcohol, drugs, or some other physical
condition.The switch includes an anti-theft steering lock
device.
ªLOCKº Normal parking position (0)
The ignition key can only be removed when
the switch is in this position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the
ignition key to ªLOCKº from ªACCº or ªONº,
turn the key to ªOFFº and press in the key
release button, then turn the key to ªLOCKº.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/6 of a turn counter-
clockwise from the straight up position.
To lock the steering wheel, remove the key.To unlock the steering wheel, insert the key
and turn it gently while rotating the steer-
ing wheel slightly right and left.
Never remove the key while driving. If
the key is removed, the steering wheel
will lock. This may cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle and could
result in serious vehicle damage or per-
sonal injury.
SSD0021
DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVINGIGNITION SWITCH
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When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot
brakes should be used for this purpose.
Push the button to shift into ªPº, ªRº or from ªDº
to ª2º. All other positions can be selected
without pushing the button.
ªPº (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle is
parked or when starting the engine. Always be
sure the vehicle is at a complete stop. For
maximum safety, depress the brake pedal,
then push in the select lever button and move
the lever to the ªPº position. Apply the parking
brake. When parking on a hill, apply the park-
ing brake first, then shift the lever into the ªPº
position.
Shifting from ªPº (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ªONº position and
the foot brake pedal is depressed, but the
selector lever still cannot be moved out of ªPº
(Park), follow these instructions:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn it clock-
wise to the ªACCº position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the selector
lever to ªNº (Neutral) and start the engine.
5. Check stop light operation.
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the ªPº position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal depressed,
the stop lights may not work. Malfunc-
tioning stop lights could cause an acci-
dent injuring yourself and others.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
ªNº (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained. Never drive the vehicle if the
stop lights are not operating properly.
SD1003M
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The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-
cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. 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 toªTire placardº in the Owner's Manual
index.
Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key before
inserting it into the key hole.
Anti-freeze
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC), check
anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base) to assure
proper winter protection. For details, see ªEn-
gine Cooling Systemº in the ªDo-it-yourself
operationsº section.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during ex-
tremely cold weather conditions, the battery
fluid may freeze and damage the battery. To
maintain maximum efficiency, the battery
should be checked regularly. For details, see
ªBatteryº in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº sec-
tion.
Draining of coolant water
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by open-
ing the drain valves located under the radiator
and on the engine block. Refill before operat-
ing the vehicle. See ªChanging Engine Cool-
antº in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
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