1997 NISSAN MAXIMA steering

Windshield wiper/washer switch (P.1-12)
Instrument brightness control switch (P.1-15)
Meters/gauges (P.1-3)
Theft warning light (P.1-10)
Cruise control main switch (P.4-13)
Headlight, fog light and turn signal
switch (P.1-14)
Hood release handle (P.2-8)
Outside mirror remote control (P.2-39)
Fuse box cover (P.7-22)
Tilting steering wheel lock lever (P.2-38)
Driver supplemental air bag (P.2-17)
Ignition switch/steering lock (P.4-4)
Cruise control set switch (P.4-13)
Cigarette lighter (accessory) (P.1-17)Hazard warning flasher switch (P.1-16)
Ventilator (P.3-2)
Heater/air conditioner control (P.3-3)
Clock (P.1-22)
Radio/cassette player (P.3-11)/CD player (P.3-26)
Rear window and outside mirror defogger switch (P.1-13)
Passenger supplemental air bag (P.2-17)
Glove box (P.2-8)
Ash tray
(P.1-17)
Heated seat switch (P.1-16)
SIC0692
See the page indicated in parentheses for operating details.
1-2
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key ............................................................................ 2-2
Door locks ................................................................. 2-2
Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ........... 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
(Supplemental air bag system) ............................... 2-17
Supplemental air bag warning labels ...................... 2-22
Supplemental air bag warning light......................... 2-22
Seat belts ................................................................ 2-24
Child restraints for infants and small children......... 2-31
Tilting steering wheel .............................................. 2-38
Outside mirror remote control ................................. 2-39
Foldable outside mirrors.......................................... 2-39
Inside mirror ............................................................ 2-40
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

This Supplemental Restraint System section
contains important information concerning the
driver and passenger supplemental air bags.
The Supplemental Restraint System Air Bag
can help reduce impact force to the driver and
to the front passenger in certain frontal colli-
sions. The supplemental air bags are designed
tosupplementthe crash protection provided
by the driver and passenger seat belts and are
not a substitutefor them. The seat belts
should always be correctly worn and the driver
and front passenger seated a suitable distance
away from the steering wheel and instrument
panel. (See ªSeat beltsº for instructions and
precautions on seat belt usage.)
After turning the ignition key to the ªONº
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
IThe supplemental air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or
lower severity frontal collision. Al-
ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury in
various kinds of accidents.
IThe seat belts and the supplemental
air bags are most effective when you
are sitting back and upright in the
seat. Supplemental air bags inflate
with great force. If you are unre-
strained, leaning forward, sitting
sideways or out of position in any
way, you are at greater risk of injury
or death in a crash and may also
receive serious or fatal injuries from
the supplemental air bag if you are up
SPA0504SPA0505
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SUPPLEMENTAL AIR
BAG SYSTEM)
2-17
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

against it when it inflates. Always sit
back against the seatback and as far
away as practical from the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Always
use the seat belts.
IKeep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when the
supplemental air bag inflates.
SPA0476SPA0477SPA0478
SPA0479
2-18
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Supplemental air bag system
The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel; the front
passenger supplemental air bag is mounted in
the dashboard above the glove box. The
supplemental air bag system is designed to
inflate in higher severity frontal collisions, al-
though it may inflate if the forces in another
type of collision are similar to those of a higher
severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or
lack of it) is not always an indication of proper
supplemental air bag operation.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, a fairlyloud noise may be heard, followed by release
of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and does
not indicate a fire, but care should be taken not
to intentionally inhale it, as it may cause irrita-
tion and choking. Those with a history of
breathing trouble should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the occupant. They can
help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating supplemental air bag
may cause facial abrasions or other injuries.
Supplemental air bags do not provide restraint
to the lower body.The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
dashboard. Since the supplemental air bag
inflates quickly in order to help protect the
occupant, the force of the supplemental air
bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to or is against the
supplemental air bag module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag will deflate quickly
after a collision.
After turning the ignition key to the ªONº
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
IDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel. Such
objects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and cause injury if the supple-
mental air bag inflates.
IRight after inflation, several supple-
SPA0103A
2-20
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

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.
2-21
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Be sure to follow the child restraint manufac-
turer's instructions for belt routing.
3. Pull on the shoulder belt until all of the belt
is fully extended and a click is heard. At this
time, the belt retractor is in the automatic
locking mode (child restraint mode). (It will
revert back to ªemergency lockingº when
the belt is fully retracted.)
4. Allow the belt to retract. A clicking sound
will be heard as the belt retracts. This
indicates that the retractor is in the auto-
matic locking mode. Pull up on the belt to
remove any slack in the belt.5. Before placing the child in the child re-
straint, use force to tilt the child restraint
from side to side, and tug it forward to make
sure that it is securely held in place.
6. Check that the retractor is in the automatic
locking mode by trying to pull more belt out
of the retractor. If you cannot pull any more
belt webbing out of the retractor, the belt is
in the automatic locking mode.
7. Check to make sure that the child restraint
is properly secured prior to each use. If the
lap belt is not locked, repeat steps 3
through 6.
After the child restraint is removed and the
seat belt is allowed to wind back into the
retractor, the automatic locking mode (child
restraint mode) is canceled; the seat belt may
be used as normal and will only lock during a
sudden stop or impact.Tilt operation
Push the lock lever and while holding down,
adjust the steering wheel up or down to the
desired position.
Push the lock lever back into place to lock the
steering wheel in place.
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
PD1336SPA0111
TILTING STEERING WHEEL
2-38
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