2001 NISSAN MAXIMA traction control

2 Instruments and controlsInstrument panel ....................................................... 2-2
Meters and gauges ................................................... 2-3
Speedometer and odometer ................................ 2-4
Tachometer .......................................................... 2-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ...................... 2-5
Fuel gauge ........................................................... 2-5
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders ........ 2-7
Checking bulbs ..................................................... 2-7
Warning lights....................................................... 2-7
Indicator lights ...................................................... 2-9
Audible reminders .............................................. 2-11
Brake pad wear warning .................................... 2-12
Security systems ..................................................... 2-12
Vehivle security system ...................................... 2-12
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System .................. 2-13
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...................... 2-14
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defogger switch ....................................................... 2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch ............................. 2-16
Headlight switch ................................................. 2-16
Turn signal switch .............................................. 2-18
Fog light switch (if so equipped) ............................. 2-18
Hazard warning flasher switch ................................ 2-19
Horn......................................................................... 2-19Heated seats (if so equipped) ................................. 2-20
Traction control system (TCS) cancel switch
(if so equipped) ....................................................... 2-21
Power outlet ............................................................ 2-21
Cigarette lighter and ashtray (accessory) ............... 2-22
Storage .................................................................... 2-22
Trays................................................................... 2-22
Glasses case ...................................................... 2-23
Cup holder .......................................................... 2-23
Glove box ........................................................... 2-24
Console box ....................................................... 2-25
Cargo net (if so equipped) ................................. 2-25
Windows .................................................................. 2-26
Power windows .................................................. 2-26
Sunroof (if so equipped) ......................................... 2-28
Automatic sunroof .............................................. 2-28
Clock ....................................................................... 2-29
Adjusting the time............................................... 2-29
Interior light ............................................................. 2-29
Ceiling................................................................. 2-29
Personal light .......................................................... 2-30
Vanity mirror light (if so equipped) .......................... 2-31
Trunk light ............................................................... 2-32
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Windshield wiper/washer switch (P.2-14)
Instrument brightness control switch (P.2-17)Meters/gauges (P.2-3)
Security indicator light (P.2-12)
Headlight, fog light (if so equipped)
and turn signal switch (P.2-16)
Outside mirror remote control (P.3-15)Fuse box cover (P.8-21)
Tilting steering wheel lock lever (P.3-13)Driver supplemental air bag (P.1-9)
Ignition switch/steering lock (P.5-4) Cruise control main/set switch (P.5-14)
Power outlet (P.2-21) or cigarette lighter (accessory) (P.2-22)Hazard warning flasher switch (P.2-19) Ventilator (P.4-2)
Heater/air conditioner control (P.4-3)
Clock (P.2-29)
Radio/cassette player (P.4-14)/CD player (P.4-19) Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped) defogger switch (P.2-15)
Passenger supplemental air bag (P.1-9)
Glove box (P.2-24)
Tray (P.2-22) or ashtray (accessory) (P.2-22)
SIC1566
See the page indicated in parentheses for operating details.
Traction control system (TCS) cancel switch (if so equipped) (P.2-21)
Steering switch for audio control (if so equipped) (P.4-24)
INSTRUMENT PANEL2-2
Instruments and controls
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Engine oil pressure warning light
Low washer fluid warning light (if so
equipped)
High beam indicator light (Blue)
Charge warning light
or
Brake warning light
Cruise main switch indicator light
Door open warning light
or
Anti-lock brake warning light
(if so equipped)
Cruise set indicator light
Seat belt warning light
Low fuel warning light
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
Supplemental air bag warning light
Overdrive off indicator light
Traction control system indicator light (if
so equipped)
Trunk lid open warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator light
Slip indicator light (if so equipped)
CHECKING BULBSApply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,
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.
WARNING LIGHTS
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 ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section.
CAUTION
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 the charging sys-
tem is not functioning properly. Turn the en-
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Instruments and controls
2-7
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checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Traction control system
indicator light (if so equipped)
The traction control system indicator light
should come on when you turn the ignition key
to ON. The light will go off as you start the
engine. If the indicator light does not come on
or go off, have the TCS checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
If the light stays on or comes on when you are
driving, there may be a problem with your
traction control system and it may not operate
properly. Have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
The traction control system indicator light may
come on for the following reasons.
a) If the system is turned off by pressing
the button on the instrument panel, the
indicator light will come on and stay on.
To turn the system back on, press the
button again. The indicator light will go
off.b) If engine speed is above 4,000 rpm in a
selected gear. Use D range on low fric-
tion road surfaces.
If the traction control system indicator light
comes on and stays on for an extended period
of time when the system is turned on, have
your vehicle checked by your NISSAN dealer.
Slip indicator light (if so
equipped)
This light will blink on when your traction
control system is limiting wheel spin. Slippery
road conditions may exist if the slip indicator
light blinks on. If this happens, adjust your
driving accordingly.
You may feel or hear the system working, but
this is normal.
The light will blink on for a few seconds after
the traction control system stops limiting wheel
spin.
The slip indicator light also comes on when
you turn the ignition key to ON. The light will go
off as you start the engine. If the light does not
come on or go off, have the TCS checked by
your NISSAN dealer. The traction control sys-
tem operates in all transmission shift lever
positions. But the system can upshift the trans-mission only as high as the indicated shift lever
position.
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
Key reminder chimeThe chime will sound if the driver side door is
opened while the key is left in the ignition
switch (ignition switch is turned off). Remove
the key and take it with you when leaving the
vehicle.Light reminder chimeThe headlights will turn off when the front door
is opened with the light switch on unless the
ignition key is in the ON position.
When you turn the headlight switch ON again
after the lights automatically turn off and when
you open the driver's door, the lights will not
turn off automatically and a chime will sound
instead. See the battery saver system under
ªHeadlight switchº in this section for details.
Make sure to turn the light switch off when you
leave the vehicle.Seat belt warning chimeThe chime will sound for about 6 seconds
unless the drivers seat belt is securely fas-
tened.
Instruments and controls
2-11
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To cancel the Traction Control System (TCS),
push the TCS cancel switch. The indicator
will come on. Push it again to turn the
system back on.
See ªTraction control systemº in the ª5. Start-
ing and drivingº section.The power outlet is for powering electrical
accessories such as cellular telephones.
CAUTION
IUse caution as the socket and plug
may be hot during or immediately
after use.
IThis power outlet is not designed for
use with a cigarette lighter unit.
IDo not use with accessories that ex-
ceed a 12 volt, 120W (10A) powerdraw. Do not use double adapters or
more than one electrical accessory.
IUse this power outlet with the engine
running. (If the engine is stopped,
this could result in a discharged bat-
tery.)
IAvoid using when the air conditioner,
headlights or rear window defogger
is on.
IBefore inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure to turn off the power
switch of electrical accessory being
used or the ACC power of the vehicle.
IPush the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug
may overheat or the internal tempera-
ture fuse may blow.
IWhen not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water to contact the
socket.
SIC1065
SIC1533
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
(TCS) CANCEL SWITCH (if so
equipped)POWER OUTLET
Instruments and controls
2-21
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5 Starting and drivingPrecautions when starting and driving ...................... 5-2
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).......................... 5-2
Three way catalyst ............................................... 5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover .............................. 5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ....................... 5-4
Ignition switch............................................................ 5-4
Automatic transmission ........................................ 5-4
Manual transmission ............................................ 5-5
Key positions ........................................................ 5-6
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System .................... 5-6
Before starting the engine ......................................... 5-7
Starting the engine .................................................... 5-7
Driving the vehicle ..................................................... 5-8
Automatic transmission ........................................ 5-8
Manual transmission .......................................... 5-11
Parking brake .......................................................... 5-13
Cruise control .......................................................... 5-13
Precautions on cruise control ............................. 5-14Cruise control operations ................................... 5-14
Break-in schedule ................................................... 5-15
Increasing fuel economy ......................................... 5-16
Parking/parking on hills ........................................... 5-17
Power steering ........................................................ 5-18
Brake system .......................................................... 5-18
Braking precautions............................................ 5-18
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ........................... 5-19
Traction control system (if so equipped)................. 5-20
Cold weather driving ............................................... 5-21
Freeing a frozen door lock ................................. 5-21
Anti-freeze .......................................................... 5-21
Battery ................................................................ 5-21
Draining of coolant water ................................... 5-21
Tire equipment ................................................... 5-21
Special winter equipment ................................... 5-21
Driving on snow or ice ....................................... 5-22
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ................. 5-22
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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 of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.
IWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
IWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. See ªVe-
hicle identificationº in the ª10. Tech-
nical and consumer informationº sec-
tion for tire placard location.On slippery surfaces such as wet asphalt
roads, vehicle wheels may spin when the
vehicle is accelerated. This wheel spin re-
duces acceleration, or causes the vehicle to
swerve, thus decreasing vehicle stability.
The traction control system helps limit wheel
spin on slippery roads. The system operates
only if it senses one or both of the front wheels
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, the system reduces engine
power and may also upshift the transmission
to help limit wheel spin.
IIndicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the traction con-
trol system, the SLIP and
indicator
lights come on in the meter panel.
As long as these warning lights are on, the
traction control function is canceled. The
vehicle will behaves like a model without
the traction control system.
CAUTION
IThe traction control system is most
effective when the transmission gear
selector is in the D position.
IIf you drive in gear 1 or 2 with the TCSon, this could cause the three way
catalyst to overheat and be damaged.
To avoid this, the TCS will automati-
cally turn off. Shifting the gear selec-
tor to D will reactivate the TCS.
WARNING
This system is designed to prevent the
wheels from spinning. However, it does
not prevent vehicle slipping or spinning
due to abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Be especially care-
ful when driving on slippery surfaces
and always drive safely.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
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Starting and driving
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Ia shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
Iextra window washer fluid to refill the res-
ervoir tank.DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
IWet ice (32ÉF, 0ÉC and freezing rain),
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have a lot less traction or grip under
these conditions. Try to avoid driving
on wet ice until the road is salted or
sanded.
IWhatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels will
lose even more traction.
IAllow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
IAllow greater following distances on
slippery roads.IWatch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while
actually on the ice, and avoid any
sudden steering maneuvers.
IDo not use cruise control on slippery
roads.
ISnow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)An engine block heater to assist extreme cold
temperature starting is available through your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Do not use your heater with an un-
grounded electrical system or two-pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be
injured by an electrical shock if you use
an ungrounded connection.
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Starting and driving
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