1998 NISSAN MAXIMA wheel

IAlways attach safety chains before
towing.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSANNISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground as illustrated.
IAlways release the parking brake
when towing with the rear wheels on
the ground.
IWhen towing manual transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground (If you do not use a towing
dolly):
Turn the ignition key to the OFF po-
sition, and secure the steering wheel
in a straight-ahead position with a
rope or similar device. Never place
the ignition key in the LOCK position.
This will result in damage to the
steering lock mechanism.
Move the gearshift lever to the N
(Neutral) position.
SCE0202
In case of emergency
6-11
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X

INever tow an automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground as this may cause seriousand expensive damage to the trans-
mission. If it is necessary to tow the
vehicle with the rear wheels raised,
always use a towing dollies under the
front wheels.
INever tow an automatic transmission
model from the rear (that is, back-
ward) with four wheels on the ground
as this may cause serious and expen-
sive damage to the transmission.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a
stuck vehicle)ITow chains or cables must be attached only
to the main structural members of the ve-
hicle.
IPulling devices should be routed so they do
not touch any part of the suspension, steer-
ing, brake or cooling systems.
IAlways pull the cable straight out from the
front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull on the
vehicle at an angle.
IPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
IStand clear of an stuck vehicle.
Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
SCE0199
6-12
In case of emergency
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X

In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
In the following cases, please wash your ve-
hicle as soon as possible to protect the paint
surface.
IAfter a rainfall to prevent possible damage
from acid rain
IAfter driving on coastal roads
IWhen contaminants such as soot, bird
droppings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs
get on the paint surface
IWhen dust or mud builds up on the surfaceWhenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.
WASHINGThoroughly rinse surface dirt off the vehicle
with a wet sponge and plenty of clean water.
Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild soap
such as Nissan Car Wash, or a general pur-
pose dishwashing liquid mixed with clean,
lukewarm (never hot) water.IDo not use strong household soap,
strong chemical detergents, gasoline
or solvents.
IDo not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight or while the vehicle body is
hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.
IAvoid using tight-napped or roughcloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so that the paint surface is
not scratched or damaged.
Rinse the vehicle again with plenty of clean
water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable
to the effects of road salt. Therefore, these
areas must be regularly cleaned. Make sure
that the drain holes in the lower edge of the
door are open. Spray water under the body
and in the wheel wells to loosen the dirt and
wash away road salt.
Avoid leaving water spots on the paint surface
by using a damp chamois to dry the vehicle.WAXINGRegular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. After
waxing, polishing is recommended to remove
built-up residue and to avoid a weathered
appearance.
If you wish to wax your vehicle, only use a wax
specified for use over clear coats, such as
Nissan Liquid or Spray Wax. Your Nissan
MAI0001
CLEANING EXTERIOR7-2
Appearance and care
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X

and a soft cloth will easily remove this film.When cleaning the inside of the window,
do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive
cleaners or chlorine based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the rear
window defogger.ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELSWash regularly, especially during winter
months in areas where road salt is used. Salt
could discolor the wheel if not removed.CHROME PARTSClean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.Occasionally remove loose dust from the inte-
rior trim, plastic parts and seats using a
vacuum cleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl
and leather surfaces with a clean, soft cloth
dampened in mild soap solution, then wipe
clean with a dry soft cloth. Before using any
fabric protector, read the manufacturer's rec-
ommendations. Some fabric protectors con-
tain chemicals that may stain or bleach the
seat material.
INever use benzine, thinner, or any
similar material.
IThe leather seats should be regularly
coated with a leather wax like saddle
soap. Never use car wax.
INever use fabric protectors unless
recommended by the manufacturer.Floor matsThe use of Genuine Nissan floor mats can
extend the life of your vehicle carpet and make
it easier to clean the interior.No matter what
mats are used, be sure they are fitted for
your vehicle and are properly positioned in
the footwell to prevent interference withpedal operation.Mats should be maintained
with regular cleaning and replaced if they
become excessively worn.CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4
Appearance and care
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X

8 Do-it-yourselfMaintenance precautions .......................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................... 8-4
Engine cooling system .............................................. 8-5
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-8
Automatic transaxle fluid ......................................... 8-10
Power steering fluid ................................................ 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid ............................................. 8-12
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-13
Battery ..................................................................... 8-14
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-15
Spark plugs ............................................................. 8-16
Air cleaner ............................................................... 8-18
Windshield wiper blades ......................................... 8-18
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................... 8-20
Clutch pedal ............................................................ 8-21
Fuses....................................................................... 8-21
Lights ....................................................................... 8-24
Tires and wheels ..................................................... 8-31
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take care
to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself
or damage to the vehicle. The following are
general precautions which should be closely
observed.IPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For a manual
transmission, move the shift lever to
N (Neutral) position. For an automatic
transmission, move the selector lever
to P (Park) position.
IBe sure the ignition key is OFF or
LOCK when performing any parts re-
placement or repairs.
IYour vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warning,
even if the ignition key is in the OFF
position and the engine is not run-
ning. To avoid injury, always discon-
nect the negative battery cable before
working near the fan.IIf you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
IIt is advisable to remove necktie and
any jewelry, such as rings, watches,
etc. before working on your vehicle.
IAlways wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
IIf you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases.
INever get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
IKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the bat-
tery.
IOn gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) System,
the fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer becausethe fuel lines are under high pressure
even when the engine is off.
IDo not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn off the engine and
wait until it cools down.
INever connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized com-
ponent connector while the ignition
key is on.
INever leave the engine or the auto-
matic transmission related compo-
nent harness connector discon-
nected while the ignition key is on.
IAvoid direct contact with used engine
oil. Improperly disposed motor oil
and/or other vehicle fluids can hurt
the environment. Always conform to
local regulations for disposal of ve-
hicle fluid.This ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS8-2
Do-it-yourself
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X

If you have a flat tire, see ªFlat tireº in the
ª6. In case of emergencyº section.TIRE PRESSURE
Maximum inflation pressureDo not exceed the maximum inflation pres-
sures shown on the side wall of the tire.Tire inflation pressurePeriodically check the tire pressure (including
spare). Incorrect tire pressure may adversely
affect tire life and vehicle handling. Tire pres-
sure should be checked when tires are COLD.
Tires are considered COLD after the vehicle
has been parked for 3 or more hours, or driven
SDI0756
SDI0333A
DI1033M
TIRES AND WHEELS
Do-it-yourself
8-31
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X

less than 1 mile (1.6 km). COLD tire pressures
are shown on the tire placard affixed to the
center console lid.IImproperly inflated tires can fail sud-
denly and cause an accident.
IThe vehicle capacity weight is indi-
cated on the tire placard. Do not load
your vehicle beyond this capacity.
Overloading your vehicle may result
in reduced tire life, unsafe operating
conditions due to premature tire fail-
ure, or unfavorable handling charac-
teristics and could also lead to a
serious accident. Loading beyond the
specified capacity may also result in
failure of other vehicle components.
IBefore taking a long trip, or whenever
you have loaded your vehicle heavily,
use a tire pressure gauge to ensure
that the tire pressure is at the speci-
fied level.
IDo not drive your vehicle over 85
MPH (140 km/h) unless it is equipped
with high speed capability tires. Driv-ing faster than 85 MPH (140 km/h)
may result in tire failure, loss of con-
trol and possible injury.
TYPES OF TIRESWhen changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same type
(i.e., summer, all season or snow) and
construction. Your NISSAN dealer may
be able to help you with information
about tire type, size, speed rating and
availability. Replacement tires may have
a lower speed rating than the factory
equipped tires, and may not match the
potential maximum vehicle speed. Never
exceed the maximum speed rating of the
tire.All season tiresNISSAN specifies all season tires on some
models to provide good performance for use
all year around, including snowy and icy road
conditions. All season tires are identified by
ALL SEASON and/or M&S on the tire sidewall.Snow tires have better snow traction than all
season tires and may be more appropriate in
some areas.
Summer tiresNISSAN specifies summer tires on some mod-
els to provide superior performance on dry
roads. Summer tire performance in snow and
ice will be substantially reduced. Summer tires
do not have the tire traction rating M&S on the
tire sidewall.
If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.Snow tiresIf snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating to
the original equipment tires. If you do not, it
can adversely affect the safety and handling of
your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires will have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may
not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
8-32
Do-it-yourself
Z
01.1.31/A32-D
X