2003 NISSAN MAXIMA warning lights

draw. 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.The cigarette lighter element is an accessory.
A genuine NISSAN cigarette lighter unit can be
purchased from your local NISSAN dealer.
The cigarette lighter operates when the igni-
tion switch is in the ACC or ON position.
Push the lighter in all the way. When the lighter
is heated, it will spring out.
Return the lighter to its original position after
use.
WARNING
The cigarette lighter should not be used
while driving so full attention may be
given to vehicle operation.
CAUTION
The cigarette lighter socket is a power
source for the cigarette lighter element
only. The use of the cigarette lighter
socket as a power source for any other
accessory is not recommended.
SIC1233A
CIGARETTE LIGHTER AND
ASHTRAY (accessory)
Instruments and controls
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NOTE:
If a low temperature warning and low range
warning occur simultaneously, other dis-
play modes switch automatically to the
outside temperature display.
When the mode switch is pushed, the dis-
play switches to the mode chosen before
the warning display, and the ICY indicator
will blink.
CEILINGThe ceiling light has a three-position switch.
When the switch is in the centerqposition, the
light will illuminate when a door is opened.
The light will stay on for about 30 seconds
when:
IThe doors are unlocked by the keyfob, a
key or the lock-unlock switch while all doors
are closed.
IThe driver's door is opened and then closed
while the key is removed from the ignition
switch.IThe key is removed from the ignition switch
while all doors are closed.
The ceiling light will turn off while the 30
second timer is activated, when:
IThe driver's door is locked either with the
keyfob, a key, or the lock-unlock switch.
IThe ignition switch is turned ON.
When the interior light switch or personal
light switch is in the ON position, the inte-
rior, personal, and vanity mirror lights will
automatically turn off 30 minutes after the
ignition switch has been turned to the OFF
position. To turn on the light again, insert
the key into the ignition switch and move it
to the ON position.
After the above procedure, the interior, per-
sonal, and vanity mirror lights will automati-
cally turn off 30 minutes after the latest opera-
tion of the following with the ignition switch in
the ACC or OFF position:
IOpening or closing any door
ILocking or unlocking with the keyfob, a key
or the lock-unlock switch.
IInserting or removing a key from the ignition
switch
These lights will turn on again when any of the
IC1226
INTERIOR LIGHT
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Instruments and controls
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To stop lowering the windows, release the
UNLOCK button.
To start lowering the windows, press the UN-
LOCK button again for 3 more seconds.
This function will operate after the ignition
switch is off and 45 seconds passed or either
the front door is opened.Releasing the trunk lid1. Push the TRUNK button on the keyfob for
longer than 0.5 seconds with the key re-
moved from the ignition key cylinder.
2. The trunk lid opens.
The trunk lid will not open when the trunk lid
cancel lever is in the CANCEL position.
It can be opened only with the key.
See ªTrunk lidº later in this section for cancel
lever.Using the panic alarmIf you are near your vehicle and feel threat-
ened, you may activate the alarm to call atten-
tion as follows:
1. Push the PANIC button on the keyfob for
longer than 0.5 secondswith the key
removed from the ignition key cylinder.
2. The theft warning alarm and headlights willstay on for 30 seconds.
3. The panic alarm stops when:
IIt has run for 30 seconds, or
IThe LOCK or the UNLOCK button is
pressed, or
IThe panic button or the trunk lid release
button is pushed on the keyfob for longer
than 0.5 seconds.
BATTERY REPLACEMENTReplace the battery as follows:
1. Open the lid using a suitable tool.
2. Replace the battery with a new one.
SPA1374
3-8
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
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CAUTION
Store the main sun visor after storing
the extension sun visor.
AUTOMATIC ANTI-GLARE INSIDE
MIRROR
WARNING
Use the AUTO position only when nec-
essary, because it reduces rear view
clarity.
The inside mirror is designed so that it auto-
matically changes reflection according to the
intensity of the headlight of the following ve-
hicle.When the mirror switch is in the ON position,
AUTO indicator light remains on and exces-
sive glare from the headlights of the vehicle
behind you will be reduced automatically.
When the switch is in the OFF position, the
inside mirror will operate normally.
SPA0991
SPA1109A
SPA1490
SUN VISORS MIRRORS
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
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IMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
IMaintenance items should be checked pe-
riodically, e.g., each time you check engine
oil.
ICheck that all windows and lights are clean.
IVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also, check tires for proper
inflation.
ILock all doors.
IPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
IAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
IFasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
ICheck the operation of warning lights when
key is turned to the ON (3) position.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). (P preferred.)
The starter is designed not to operate if the
selector lever is in one of the driving posi-
tions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) position,
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate un-
less the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but fails
to run, repeat the above procedure.
IWhen the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold weather or when restarting,
depress the accelerator pedal a little (ap-
proximately 1/5 to the floor) and hold it then
crank the engine. Release the key and the
accelerator pedal when the engine starts.
IWhen the engine is very hard to start
because it is flooded, depress the accelera-tor pedal all the way to the floor and hold it.
Crank the engine for 5 to 6 seconds. After
cranking the engine, release the accelera-
tor pedal. Crank the enginewith your foot
off the accelerator pedalby turning the
ignition key to START. Release the key
when the engine starts. If the engine starts,
but fails to run, repeat the above procedure.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Drive at moderate
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving
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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Gate type shiftThe automatic transmission in your vehicle is
electronically controlled by a transmission con-
trol module to produce maximum power and
smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the recom-
mended operating procedures for this trans-
mission. Follow these procedures for maxi-
mum vehicle performance and driving
enjoyment.Starting the vehicleAfter starting the engine, fully depress the foot
brake pedal before shifting the selector lever to
the R (Reverse), N (Neutral), D (Drive), 3, 2 or
1 position. Be sure the vehicle is fully stopped
before attempting to shift the selector lever.
This automatic transmission model is de-
signed so that the foot brake pedal must be
depressed before shifting from P (Park) to
any drive position while the ignition switch
is ON.
The selector lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) position and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is turned
to the LOCK, OFF or ACC position or if the
key is removed from the switch.1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
shift into a driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot brake,
then gradually start the vehicle in motion.
WARNING
IDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P or N to R, D or
manual shift mode. Always depress
the brake pedal until shifting is com-
pleted. Failure to do so could cause
you to lose control and have an acci-
dent.
ICold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward
or reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
IOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.
INever shift to P or R while vehicle is
moving. This could cause an acci-
dent.
IIf the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P position while the engineis running and the brake pedal is
depressed, the stoplights may not
work. Malfunctioning stoplights
could cause an accident injuring
yourself and others.
CAUTION
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. The foot
brakes should be used for this purpose.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE5-8
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3 (Third gear):
For driving up or down long slopes where
engine braking would be advantageous.
2 (Second gear):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on
downhill grades.
Do not exceed 68 MPH (110 km/h) in the 2
(Second gear) position.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine braking
on steep downhill grades.
Do not exceed 37 MPH (60 km/h) in the 1 (Low
gear) position.
Shift lock releaseIf the battery charge is low or discharged, the
select lever may not be moved from the P
(Park) position even with the brake pedal
depressed.
To move the select lever, depress the brake
pedal, and push the shift lock release button.
The select lever can be moved to N (Neutral).
This allows the vehicle to be moved if the
battery is discharged.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park),
have your NISSAN dealer check the automatic
transmission system as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is de-
pressed, the stop lights may not work.
Malfunctioning stop lights could cause
an accident injuring yourself and others.Accelerator downshift
Ð In D position ÐFor rapid passing or hill climbing, fully depress
the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts
the transmission down into second gear or first
gear, depending on the vehicle speed.Fail-safeWhen the fail-safe operation occurs, the next
time the key is turned to the ON position, the
light will blink for approximately 8 sec-
onds after coming on for 2 seconds. While the
vehicle can be driven under these circum-
stances please note that the automatic trans-
mission will be locked in third gear.
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
SSD0232
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conditions are hazardous and extra care is
required while driving.Self-test featureThe anti-lock brake system consists of elec-
tronic sensors, electric pumps, and hydraulic
solenoids controlled by a computer. The com-
puter has a built-in diagnostic feature that tests
the system each time you start the engine and
move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may
hear a clunk noise and/or feel a pulsation in
the brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of any malfunction. If the computer
senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-
lock brake system OFF and turns on the ABS
warning light in the dashboard. The brake
system will then behave normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self check, or
while you are driving, you should take your
vehicle to your NISSAN dealer for repair at
your earliest convenience.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device, but it cannot prevent ac-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 ª9. Techni-
cal 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 TCSTRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
Starting and driving
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