2003 NISSAN MAXIMA power steering

keep floor mats away from the pedal.
Parking brake*:Check that the lever has the
proper travel and make sure that the vehicle is
held securely on a fairly steep hill when only
the parking brake is applied.
Automatic transaxle P (Park) position
mechanism:On a fairly steep hill check that
the vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in the P (Park) position without applying
any brakes.Under the hood and the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time
you check the engine oil or refuel).
Windshield washer fluid*:Check that there
is adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine coolant level*:Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hoses:Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure
the hoses have no cracks, deformation, dete-
rioration or loose connections.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*:Make sure
that the brake and clutch fluid levels are be-
tween the MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.Battery*:Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or
under severe conditions require frequent
checks of the battery fluid level.
Engine drive belts*:Make sure that no belt is
frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*:Check the level on the
dipstick after parking the vehicle on a level
spot and turning off the engine.
Power steering fluid level* and lines:Check
the level in the reservoir tank with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment,
leaks, cracks, etc.
Automatic transaxle fluid level*:Check the
level on the dipstick after putting the selector
lever in P (Park) position with the engine idling.
Exhaust system:Make sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of
the exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell
of exhaust fumes, immediately locate the
trouble and correct it. (See ªPrecautions when
starting and drivingº in the ª5. Starting and
drivingº section for exhaust gas (carbon mon-
oxide).)
Underbody:The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is veryimportant to remove these substances, other-
wise rust will form on the floor pan, frame, fuel
lines and around the exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, being careful
to clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. For additional information, see
ªCleaning exteriorº in the ª7. Appearance and
careº section.
Fluid leaks:Check under the vehicle for fuel,
oil, water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle
has been parked for a while. Water dripping
from the air conditioner after use is normal. If
you should notice any leaks or if gasoline
fumes are evident, check for the cause and
have it corrected immediately.8-4
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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Check the fluid level in the reservoir tank.
The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range at fluid temperatures of 122 to
176ÉF (50 to 80ÉC) or using the COLD range at
fluid temperatures of 32 to 86ÉF (0 to 30ÉC).
CAUTION
IDo not overfill.
IUse Genuine Nissan PSFII or equiva-
lent.Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the fluid
is below the MIN line or the brake warning light
comes on, addDOT 3fluid up to the MAX line.
If fluid must be added frequently, the system
should be thoroughly checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Use only new fluid. Old, inferior, or con-
taminated fluid may damage the brake
and clutch systems. The use of im-
proper fluids can damage the brake sys-tem and affect the vehicle's stopping
ability.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, wash with water.
SDI1076
SDI0119
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID8-14
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended
specifications US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 18-1/2 gal 15-3/8 gal 70 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI (RON 96)*1
Engine oil*6
Drain and refill
With oil filter change 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt 4.0IAPI Certification Mark*2, *3
IAPI grade SG/SH, Energy ConservingI&IIorAPIgrade SJ or SL, En-
ergy Conserving*2, *3
IILSAC grade GF-I, GF-II & GF-III*2, *3 Without oil filter change 3-7/8 qt 3-1/4 qt 3.7
Cooling system
With reservoir 8-1/8 qt 6-3/4 qt 7.7
Genuine NISSAN anti-freeze coolant or equivalent
Reservoir 7/8 qt 3/5 qt 0.8
Manual transmission gear oil Ð Ð Ð API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-90 or 75W-85
Automatic transmission fluid
Refill to the proper oil level according to the instructions
in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section.Nissan Matic ªDº (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or Canada NISSAN Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid*4
Power steering fluidGenuine Nissan PSFII or equivalent*8
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine Nissan Brake Fluid*5 or equivalent DOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease Ð Ð Ð NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant Ð Ð Ð HFC-134a (R-134a)*7
Air conditioning system lubricants Ð Ð ÐNissan A/C System Oil
Type S or exact equivalent
*1: For additional information, see later in this paragraph for fuel recommendation.
*2: For additional information, see later in this paragraph for engine oil and oil filter recommendation.
*3: For additional information, see later in this paragraph for recommended SAE viscosity number.
*4: Dexron
TMIII/Mercon
TM
or equivalent may also be used. Outside the continental United States and Alaska contact a NISSAN dealer for more information regarding
suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of Dexron
TMIII/Mercon
TM
automatic transmission fluid.
*5: Available in mainland US through your NISSAN dealer.
*6: For additional information, see ªEngine oilº in the ª8. Maintenance and do-it-yourselfº section for changing engine oil.
*7: For additional information, see ªVehicle identificationº in this section for air conditioner specification label.
*8: Genuine Nissan PSFII, Canada Nissan Automatic Transmission fluid, Dexron
TMIII/Mercon
TM
or equivalent ATF may also be used.
CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS9-2
Technical and consumer information
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Cleaning exterior and interior .................... 7-2, 7-4
Clock ............................................................... 2-32
Clutch
Fluid ........................................................... 8-14
Cold weather driving ....................................... 5-20
Compact spare tire ......................................... 8-37
Compass display .............................................. 2-6
Console box .................................................... 2-28
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-3
Heater and semiautomatic air
conditioner ................................................... 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant ............................ 8-9
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ......................................... 7-5
Cruise control.................................................. 5-13
Cup holder ...................................................... 2-27
D
Daytime running light system ......................... 2-21
Defogger switch, Rear window and outside mirror
defogger switch............................................... 2-17
Dimensions and weights ................................... 9-9
Door open warning light ................................. 2-10
Drive belts ....................................................... 8-17
Drive positioner, Automatic ............................. 3-16
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 5-20
Driving with automatic transmission .... 5-4, 5-8
Driving with manual transmission ...... 5-5, 5-11Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
E
Economy, Fuel ................................................ 5-15
Emission control information label .................. 9-11
Emission control system warranty .................. 9-20
Engine
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-7
Block heater .............................................. 5-21
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Changing engine coolant ............................ 8-9
Changing engine oil .................................. 8-11
Changing engine oil filter .......................... 8-12
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-8
Checking engine oil level .......................... 8-10
Coolant temperature gauge ........................ 2-5
Engine compartment check locations ......... 8-7
Engine cooling system ................................ 8-8
Engine oil................................................... 8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation..... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ...................................... 9-5
Engine serial number ................................ 9-11
Engine specifications................................... 9-7
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 6-9
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-7
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-11
Filter, Air cleaner housing filter ....................... 8-18Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ............................................................. 2-22
Flat tire .............................................................. 6-2
Floor mat cleaning ............................................ 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-12
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 8-14
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Engine coolant............................................. 8-8
Engine oil................................................... 8-10
Power steering fluid................................... 8-14
Window washer fluid ................................. 8-15
Fog light switch ............................................... 2-21
Folding rear seat............................................... 1-5
Front air bag system (See supplemental restraint
system) ........................................................... 1-13
Front manual seat adjustment .......................... 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ............................ 1-3
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
filler cap ..................................................... 3-12
filler lid ....................................................... 3-12
Fuel economy ............................................ 5-15
Fuel octane rating ....................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-3
Gauge .......................................................... 2-5
Fuses .............................................................. 8-22
Fusible links .................................................... 8-23
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink
Universal ... 2-37
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Gas cap .......................................................... 3-12
Gauge ............................................................... 2-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 2-5
Fuel gauge .................................................. 2-5
Odometer..................................................... 2-4
Speedometer ............................................... 2-4
Tachometer ................................................. 2-4
General maintenance ....................................... 8-2
Glove box........................................................ 2-27
Glove box lock ................................................ 2-27
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 2-22
Head restraints ................................................. 1-6
Headlights
Bulb replacement ...................................... 8-27
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-19
Xenon headlights....................................... 2-19
Heated seats................................................... 2-23
Heated steering wheel (if so equipped).......... 2-24
Heater
Engine coolant heater ............................... 5-21
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-3
Heater operation.......................................... 4-3
Heater operation, Semiautomatic air
conditioner ........................................................ 4-4
HomeLink
Universal Transceiver .................. 2-37
Hood, release ................................................. 3-10
Horn ................................................................ 2-22
How to stop alarm, Vehicle security ............... 2-15I
Ignition switch ................................................... 5-4
Automatic transmission models ........... 5-4, 5-8
Key positions ............................................... 5-6
Manual transmission models ............. 5-5, 5-11
Immobilizer system ......................................... 2-15
Indicator lights................................................. 2-12
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test................... 9-21
Instrument panel ............................................... 2-2
Interior light ..................................................... 2-34
Interior light replacement ................................ 8-28
Interior trunk lid release .................................. 3-12
ISOFIX child restraint ..................................... 1-34
J
Jump starting .................................................... 6-6
K
Keyless entry .................................................... 3-4
Keys .................................................................. 3-2
L
Label, Air conditioner specification label ........ 9-12
Label, Emission control information label ....... 9-11
Label, F.M.V.S.S. certification label................ 9-11
Labels
Air bag warning labels............................... 1-18
Engine serial number ................................ 9-11Vehicle identification number (VIN)........... 9-10
LATCH system................................................ 1-34
License plate, Installing front license plate..... 9-13
Light
Air bag warning light ................................. 1-18
Bulb replacement ...................................... 8-26
Fog light switch ......................................... 2-21
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-19
Headlights Bulb replacement .................... 8-27
Interior light................................................ 2-34
Personal light............................................. 2-35
Replacement ............................................. 8-26
Trunk light.................................................. 2-36
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 2-36
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ........................................... 2-9, 2-12
Xenon headlights....................................... 2-19
Lights, Exterior and interior light
replacement .................................................... 8-28
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ..................................................... 9-14
Lock
Door locks ................................................... 3-2
Glove box lock........................................... 2-27
Power door lock .......................................... 3-2
Trunk lid lock opener lever........................ 3-10
Low fuel warning light ..................................... 2-11
M
Maintenance
Battery ....................................................... 8-15
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Inside the vehicle ........................................ 8-3
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10-3

Maintenance precautions ............................ 8-5
Outside the vehicle...................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 1-26
Manual front seat adjustment ........................... 1-2
Meters and gauges ........................................... 2-3
Mirror
Outside mirror control................................ 3-15
Outside mirrors .......................................... 3-16
N
Net, Cargo net ................................................ 2-28
New vehicle break-in ...................................... 5-15
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System ............... 2-15
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System, Engine
start ................................................................... 5-6
O
Odometer .......................................................... 2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ..................................................... 9-2
Changing engine oil .................................. 8-11
Changing engine oil filter .......................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level .......................... 8-10
Engine oil................................................... 8-10
Engine oil viscosity ...................................... 9-5
Outside mirror control ..................................... 3-15
Outside mirrors ............................................... 3-16
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats.................. 6-9P
Parking
Brake check............................................... 8-21
Parking brake check.................................. 5-12
Parking brake operation ............................ 5-12
Parking on hills .......................................... 5-12
Parking/parking on hills .................................. 5-16
Personal light .................................................. 2-35
Phone, Car phone or CB radio ....................... 4-30
Power
Front seat adjustment ................................. 1-3
Power door lock .......................................... 3-2
Power outlet .............................................. 2-24
Power steering fluid................................... 8-14
Power steering system .............................. 5-17
Power windows ......................................... 2-29
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-16
Precautions
Audio operation precautions ..................... 4-13
Braking precautions................................... 5-18
Cruise control precautions ........................ 5-13
Maintenance precautions ............................ 8-5
On child restraints ..................................... 1-27
On seat belt usage .................................... 1-20
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ......................................................... 1-8
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
Push starting ..................................................... 6-8
R
Radio, Car phone or CB radio ........................ 4-30Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(US only) ......................................................... 9-21
Rear door lock, Child safety rear door lock...... 3-4
Rear power point ............................................ 2-24
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch .............................................................. 2-17
Registering your vehicle in another country ... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system........................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (US only)................. 9-20
Rollover ............................................................. 5-3
S
Safety
Child seat belts.......................................... 1-22
Reporting safety defects (US only) ........... 9-20
Towing safety ............................................ 9-17
Seat
Belt warning light ....................................... 1-20
Belt warning light and chime ..................... 2-11
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment .................... 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ...................... 1-3
Seat belt(s)
Child safety................................................ 1-22
Infants and small children ......................... 1-22
Injured persons.......................................... 1-23
Larger children .......................................... 1-23
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ................. 1-16
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 1-20
Pregnant women ....................................... 1-23
Seat belt cleaning........................................ 7-5
Seat belt extenders ................................... 1-26
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 1-26
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Seat belts .................................................. 1-20
Three-point type with retractor .................. 1-23
Seat(s)
Heated seats ............................................. 2-23
Seats ........................................................... 1-2
Security system, vehicle security system ....... 2-14
Security systems (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer
System), Engine start ..................................... 2-15
Security systems (See vehicle security
system) ........................................................... 2-14
Servicing air conditioner .......................... 4-3, 4-12
Shift lock release ............................................ 5-10
Shifting
Automatic transmission ........................ 5-4, 5-8
Manual transmission .......................... 5-5, 5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment, For front
seats ............................................................... 1-26
Side air bag system (See supplemental side air
bag system) .................................................... 1-15
Spark plugs ..................................................... 8-17
Speedometer .................................................... 2-4
Starting
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-7
Jump starting ............................................... 6-6
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
Push starting ............................................... 6-8
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-7
Steering
Power steering fluid................................... 8-14
Power steering system .............................. 5-17
Tilting steering wheel ................................ 3-14
Storage ........................................................... 2-26
Sunglasses holder .......................................... 2-26
Sun shade....................................................... 2-31Sun visors ....................................................... 3-15
Sunroof ........................................................... 2-31
Supplemental air bag warning labels ............. 1-18
Supplemental air bag warning light ....... 1-18, 2-11
Supplemental front air bag system ................. 1-13
Supplemental restraint system ......................... 1-8
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ......................................................... 1-8
Supplemental side air bag system ................. 1-15
Switch
Fog light switch ......................................... 2-21
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-22
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-19
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Ignition switch automatic transmission
models.................................................. 5-4, 5-8
Ignition switch manual transmission
models................................................ 5-5, 5-11
Power door lock switch ............................... 3-4
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 2-17
Traction control system cancel switch ...... 2-24
Turn signal switch ..................................... 2-21
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 2-4
Temperature gauge, Engine coolant temperature
gauge ................................................................ 2-5
Theft (Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System),
Engine start..................................................... 2-15
Three way catalyst ............................................ 5-3
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 3-14Tire
Flat tire ........................................................ 6-2
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-19
Tires
Spare tire ................................................... 8-37
Tire chains ................................................. 8-34
Tire placard ............................................... 9-12
Tire pressure ............................................. 8-33
Tire rotation ............................................... 8-35
Types of tires............................................. 8-33
wheel/tire size.............................................. 9-9
Wheels and tires ....................................... 8-33
Top tether strap child restraints ...................... 1-35
Towing
Tow truck towing ....................................... 6-10
Towing a trailer.......................................... 9-15
Towing load/specification chart ................. 9-15
Towing safety ............................................ 9-17
Traction control system .................................. 5-19
Traction control system (TCS) cancel
switch .............................................................. 2-24
Trailer towing .................................................. 9-15
Transceiver, HomeLink
Universal
Transceiver ..................................................... 2-37
Transmitter ........................................................ 3-4
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission .... 5-4, 5-8
Driving with manual transmission ...... 5-5, 5-11
Transmission selector lever lock
release ....................................................... 5-10
Traveling or registering your vehicle in another
country ............................................................ 9-10
Trip computer.................................................. 2-32
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