2000 NISSAN MAXIMA ECU

trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if
it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other pos-
sible causes of either condition.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.
IBe certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing be-
fore driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle's behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability, and
braking performance will be somewhat differ-
ent than under normal driving conditions.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
IAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
IAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
IAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
IAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on aslope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so, and if your vehicle is equipped
with automatic transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, and
then move the transmission selector lever
into the P (Park) position. If you move the
selector lever to the P (Park) position be-
fore blocking the wheels and applying the
parking brake, transmission damage could
occur.
IWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
IIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
ITrailer towing requires more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often thanat intervals specified in the recommended
maintenance schedule.
IWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
ICrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being passed
by larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect
vehicle handling. If swaying does occur,
firmly grip the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually) re-
duce vehicle speed. This combination will
help stabilize the vehicle. Never increase
speed.
IBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember the length of the trailer
must also pass the other vehicle before you
can safely change lanes.
ITo maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
fifth gear (manual transmission) or over-
drive (automatic transmission).10-18
Technical and consumer information
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Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in
what is called the ready condition for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion control system.
The vehicle is set to the ready condition when
it is driven through certain driving patterns.
Usually, the ready condition can be obtained
by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired
or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may
be reset to a not ready condition. Before taking
the I/M test, drive the vehicle through the
following pattern to set the vehicle to the ready
condition. If you cannot or do not want to
perform the driving pattern, an NISSAN dealer
can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic con-
ditions, and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C. Al-
low the engine to idle until the gauge needlepoints between the C and H (normal oper-
ating temperature).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h), then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 6 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed
of 53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h) for at least
5 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least 3 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 min-
utes.
8. Stop the vehicle (shift lever in the ªPº or ªNº
position).
9. Rev the engine up between 2,500 and
3,500 rpm and hold it for 3 consecutive
minutes, then release the accelerator pedal
completely.
10.Wait 5 second at idle.
11.Rev the engine up between 2,000 and3,000 rpm and maintain it for 5 consecutive
minutes.
12.Turn the engine off.
13.Repeat steps 1 through 8 at least one more
time.
If step 1 through 7 is interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is ac-
ceptable between steps. Do not stop the en-
gine until step 7 is completed.READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US
only)
Technical and consumer information
10-21
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Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock...... 3-4
Rear seat adjustment ....................................... 1-6
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch .............................................................. 2-16
Registering your vehicle in another
country .......................................................... 10-10
Remote keyless entry, (See multi-remote control
system) ............................................................. 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA only) ............ 10-20
Rollover ............................................................. 5-3
S
Safety
Child seat belts.......................................... 1-22
Reporting safety defects (USA only)....... 10-20
Towing safety .......................................... 10-17
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment .................... 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ...................... 1-4
Rear seat adjustment .................................. 1-6
Seat belt extenders......................................... 1-27
Seat belt maintenance .................................... 1-27
Seat belt warning light .................................... 1-20
Seat belt warning light and chime .................... 2-8
Seat belt(s)
Child safety................................................ 1-22
Infants and small children ......................... 1-23
Injured persons.......................................... 1-24
Larger children .......................................... 1-23
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ................. 1-17
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 1-20
Pregnant women ....................................... 1-23Seat belt cleaning........................................ 7-5
Seat belts .................................................. 1-20
Three-point type with retractor .................. 1-24
Seat(s), Seats ................................................... 1-2
Seats, Heated seats ....................................... 2-21
Security system (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ..................................... 2-13
Security systems (See theft warning) ............. 2-12
Servicing air conditioner .......................... 4-3, 4-11
Shift lock release ............................................ 5-10
Shifting
Automatic transmission ............................... 5-8
Manual transmission ................................. 5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats ............................................................... 1-27
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag system) .................................................... 1-16
Spark plugs ..................................................... 8-15
Speedometer .................................................... 2-4
Starting
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-7
Jump starting ............................................... 6-7
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
Push starting ............................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-7
Steering
Power steering fluid................................... 8-11
Power steering system .............................. 5-18
Tilting steering wheel ................................ 3-12
Storage ........................................................... 2-23
Sun shade....................................................... 2-29
Sun visors ....................................................... 3-12
Sunroof, Automatic sunroof ............................ 2-29
Supplemental air bag system ......................... 1-14Supplemental air bag warning labels ............. 1-18
Supplemental air bag warning light ......... 1-19, 2-8
Supplemental restraint system ......................... 1-8
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ......................................................... 1-8
Supplemental side air bag system ................. 1-16
Switch
Fog light switch ......................................... 2-19
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-20
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-17
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models ......................................................... 5-4
Ignition switch manual transmission
models ......................................................... 5-5
Overdrive switch ........................................ 5-10
Power door lock switch ............................... 3-3
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 2-16
Traction control system cancel switch ...... 2-22
Turn signal switch ..................................... 2-19
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 2-4
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge ................................................................ 2-5
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start..................................................... 2-13
Theft warning .................................................. 2-12
Three way catalyst ............................................ 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 3-12
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