1997 NISSAN MAXIMA manual transmission

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

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
4-4
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

ªSTARTº (4)
This position activates the starter motor, start-
ing the engine.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.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to ªPº (Park) or ªNº
(Neutral). (ªPº preferred.)
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of ªPº and into any of the other gear
positions if the key is removed from the
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the selector lever is in one of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to ªNº (Neutral),
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to ªSTARTº. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails
to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, depress
the accelerator pedal and hold it to help
start the engine.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
4-6
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

feel uncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between 3rd and
overdrive repeatedly. In this case, set
the overdrive switch in the ªOFF
º
position. The indicator light will come
on at this time.
When driving conditions change, reset the
overdrive switch in the ªON
º position.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the overdrive
switch set in the ªOFF
º position. This
reduces the fuel economy.
Fail-safe
When the Fail-safe operation occurs, the next
time the key is turned to the ªONº position, the
O/D OFF light will blink for approximately 8
seconds after coming on for 2 seconds. While
the vehicle can be driven under these circum-
stances please note that the gears in the
automatic transmission will be locked in third
gear.If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the Fail-safe
system may be activated. This will occur
even if all electrical circuits are functioning
properly. In this case, turn the ignition key
ªOFFº and wait for 3 seconds. Then turn
the key back to the ªONº position. The
vehicle should return to its normal operat-
ing condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have your NIS-
SAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, then move the shift lever. After shifting,
release the clutch slowly.
On the 5-speed transmission model, you can-
not shift directly from 5th gear into Reverse.
First shift into Neutral, then into Reverse.
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into
Reverse or 1st, shift into Neutral, then release
the clutch pedal and shift into Reverse or 1st
again.
SSD0002
DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
4-10
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

To apply:pull the lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the ªNº (Neutral)
position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the ªPº (Park)
position.
3. While pulling up on the lever slightly, push
the button and lower completely.4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
IBe sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead to
an accident.
IDo not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
IDo not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
IDo not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
SSD0018
PARKING BRAKE
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

The cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 30 to 89 MPH (48 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the main
switch on. The indicator light on the switch will
come on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
SET/COAST switch and release it. (The
ªCRUISEº light will come on.) Take your foot
off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will
maintain the set speed.ITo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the previ-
ously set speed.
IThe vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,follow either of
these three methods:
a) Push the cancel switch; The ªCRUISEº light
will go out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; The ªCRUISEº light
will go out.c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ªONº
indicator and ªCRUISEº lights will go out.
IIf you depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the ªACCELº set switch and reset at the
cruising speed, turn the main switch off
once and then turn it on again.
IThe cruise control will automatically be can-
celled if the vehicle slows down below
approximately 8 MPH (13 km/h).
IDepress the clutch pedal (manual transmis-
sion), or move the selector lever to ªNº
(automatic transmission). The ªCRUISEº
light will go out.
To reset at a faster cruising speed,use one
of the following three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push and
release the ªSET/COASTº switch.
b) Push and hold the ªACCELº set switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
c) Push, then quickly release the ªACCELº set
switch. Each time you do this, the set speed
will increase by about 1 MPH (1.6 km/h).
SSD0019
CRUISE CONTROL
4-13
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

To reset at a slower cruising speed,use one
of the following three methods:
a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the ve-
hicle attains the desired speed, push the
ªSET/COASTº switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the ªSET/COASTº switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle slows
down to the desired speed.
c) Push, then quickly release the
ªSET/COASTº switch. Each time you do
this, the set speed will decrease by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the ªRESUMEº set switch. The vehicle
will resume the last set cruising speed when
the vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48 km/h).
Precautions
IIf the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The cruise indicator
light in the instrument panel then blinks to
warn the driver.
IIf the cruise indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
IThe cruise indicator light may blink when
the cruise control main switch is turned onwhile pushing the RES/ACCEL,
COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (located
on the steering wheel). To properly set the
cruise control system, perform the preced-
ing steps in the order indicated.
Do not use the cruise control when driv-
ing under the following conditions:
Iit is not possible to keep the vehicle
at a set speed.
Iin heavy traffic or in traffic that varies
in speed.
Ion winding or hilly roads.
Ion slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.).
Iin very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into neutral without depressing the
clutch pedal when the cruise control is
on. This could cause engine damage. If
this happens, depress the clutch pedal
and turn the main switch off
immediately.
4-14
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Do not park the vehicle over flammable
materials such as dry grass, waste pa-
per or rags. They may ignite and cause a
fire.
1. Firmly apply the parking brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift lever in the ªREVERSEº
position. When parking on an uphill grade,
place the shift lever in the ª1stº position.Automatic transmission models:
Move the selector lever to the ªPº (Park)
position.
Safe parking procedures require that
both the parking brake be set and the
transmission placed into the ªPº posi-
tion (automatic) or in appropriate gear
(manual). Failure to do so could cause
the vehicle to move unexpectedly or roll
away and result in an accident. Make
sure the shift lever has been pushed asfar forward as it can go and cannot be
moved.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling into
the street when parked on a sloping drive
way, it is a good practice to turn the wheels
as illustrated.
IHEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:
q1
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
IHEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
q2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
IHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
q3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the
center of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the ªLOCKº position
and remove the key.
MSD0002
PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS
4-16
Z01.2.1/A32-DX