2004 NISSAN MAXIMA belt

Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Automatic transmission fluid level*Check
the level after putting the selector lever in P with
the engine idling at operating temperature.
Battery*Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MIN and MAX lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.Engine oil level*Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust systemMake 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 have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. See the
carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaksCheck 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 imme-
diately.
Power steering fluid level* and linesCheck
the level when the fluid is cold, with the engine
off. Check the lines for proper attachment, leaks,
cracks, etc.
Radiator and hosesCheck 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, rot or loose
connections.UnderbodyThe underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield washer fluid*Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
X

When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
cPark the vehicle on a level surface, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. For manual transmission
models, move the shift lever to N (Neu-
tral) . For automatic transmission mod-
els, move the selector lever to P (Park) .
cBe sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
cNever leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
cNever connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
c
Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come on
at any time without warning, even if theignition key is in the OFF position and the
engine is not running. To avoid injury,
always disconnect the negative battery
cable before working near the fan.
cIf you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts.
cIt is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
cAlways wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.
cIf you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases to escape.
cNever get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
cKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
cOn gasoline engine models with the
multiport fuel injection (MFI) system,the fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer because
the fuel lines are under high pressure
even when the engine is off.CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
cAvoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine NISSAN service manual is also avail-
able. See “Owner’s Manual/Service Manual or-
der information” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage.If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
X

WARNING
cWhen the engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away from
any moving parts such as the cooling
fan and drive belts.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poison-
ous and should be stored carefully in
marked containers out of the reach of
children.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS FOR
CHECKING
cThe fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range on the dipstick after the following
conditions have been met:
– The engine should be warmed up to op-
erating temperature.
– The vehicle should be driven at least 5
minutes.
– The automatic transmission fluid should
be warmed to 122 - 176°F (50 - 80°C) .cThe fluid can be checked at fluid tempera-
tures of 86 - 122°F (30 - 50°C) using the
COLD range on the dipstick after the engine
is warmed up and before driving. However,
the fluid should be re-checked using the
HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the shift
selector lever through each gear range, end-
ing in P (Park) .
3. Check the fluid level with the engine idling.
LDI0321
4-SPEED AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
X

1. Power steering fluid pump
2. Crankshaft
3. Generator
4. Air conditioner
WARNING
Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or
LOCK position. The engine could rotate
unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of un-
usual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If the
belt is in poor condition or is loose, have it
replaced or adjusted by a NISSAN dealer.2. Have the belts checked regularly for condi-
tion and tension in accordance with the
maintenance schedule found in the
“NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide”.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Platinum-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace platinum-tipped
spark plugs as frequently as conventional type
spark plugs because they last much longer. Fol-
low the maintenance schedule, but do not reuse
the spark plugs by cleaning or regapping.
cAlways replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
WDI0226WDI0005
DRIVE BELTSSPARK PLUGS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-17
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/22/03Ðbetty
X

1. Wear indicator
2. Location mark
Tire wear and damage
WARNING
cTires should be periodically inspected
for wear, cracking, bulging or objects
caught in the tread. If excessive wear,
cracks, bulging or deep cuts are found,
the tire(s) should be replaced.cThe original tires have built-in tread
wear indicators. When the wear indica-
tors are visible, the tire(s) should be
replaced.
cImproper service of the spare tire may
result in serious personal injury. If it is
necessary to repair the spare tire, con-
tact a NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to “Important Tire Safety In-
formation” (US) or “Tire Safety Informa-
tion” (Canada) in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet.
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size, tread
design, speed rating and load carrying capacity
as originally equipped. Recommended types and
sizes are shown in “Wheels and tires” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.
WARNING
cThe use of tires other than those recom-
mended or the mixed use of tires of
different brands, construction (bias,
bias-belted or radial) , or tread patterns
can adversely affect the ride, braking,
handling, ground clearance, body-to-
tire clearance, tire chain clearance,
speedometer calibration, headlight aim
and bumper height. Some of these ef-
fects may lead to accidents and could
result in serious personal injury.
cIf the wheels are changed for any rea-
son, always replace with wheels which
have the same off-set dimension.
Wheels of a different off-set could
cause premature tire wear, degrade ve-
hicle handling characteristics and/or
interference with the brake
discs/drums. Such interference can
lead to decreased braking efficiency
and/or early brake pad/shoe wear. Re-
fer to “Wheels and tires” in the “Techni-
cal and consumer information” section
of this manual for wheel off-set
dimensions.
WDI0259
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-41
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
X

Use the following steps to mount the front license
plate:
Before mounting the license plate, confirm that
the following parts are enclosed in the plastic
bag:
cLicense plate bracket
cLicense plate bracket screws x 2
cLicense plate screws x 2
cScrew grommets x 2
1. Make a shallow hole in the bumper fascia at
the location marks (small dimples) using a
0.39 in (10 mm) drill. To avoid damaging the
area behind the fascia, apply only light pres-
sure to the drill.
2. Insert the grommets into the holes in the
bumper fascia.
3. Insert a small flat-bladed screwdriver into
the grommet hole to turn the threaded part of
the grommet 90°.
4. Mount the license plate bracket using the
two longer screws.
5. Use the two shorter hex head screws to
mount the license plate to the license plate
bracket.WARNING
cIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside a vehicle. In a colli-
sion, people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured or
killed.
cDo not allow people to ride in any area
of your vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and seat belts.
cBe sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the fol-
lowing terms before loading your vehicle:
cCurb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle)
- vehicle weight including: standard and op-
tional equipment, fluids, emergency tools,
and spare tire assembly. This weightdoes
notinclude passengers and cargo.
cGVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight
plus the combined weight of passengers
and cargo.
cGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -
maximum total weight (load) limit specified
for the vehicle.cGAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) - maxi-
mum weight (load) limit specified for the
front or rear axle.
DETERMINING VEHICLE LOAD
CAPACITY
The load capacity of this vehicle is determined by
weight, not by available cargo space. For ex-
ample, a luggage rack, bike carrier, cartop carrier
or similar equipment does not increase load car-
rying capacity of your vehicle.
To determine vehicle load capacity:
Vehicle weight can be determined by using a
commercial-grade scale, found at places such as
a truck stop, gravel quarry, grain elevator, or a
scrap metal recycling facility.
1. Determine the curb weight of your vehicle.
2. Compare the curb weight amount to the
GVWR specified for your vehicle to deter-
mine how much more weight your vehicle
can carry.
VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
9-12Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
X

10 Index
A
Active head restraint...............1-9
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system)......................1-9
Air bag warning light...........1-21, 2-11
Air cleaner housing filter............8-18
Air conditioner
Air conditioner service...........4-18
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations........9-6
Servicing air conditioner..........4-18
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-14
Anchor point locations.............1-40
Antenna.....................4-32
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-18
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-9
Armrests.....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-14
Audio system..................4-19
AM-FM radio with cassette player.....4-26
Cassette player...............4-26
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-29
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-27
FM-AM-SAT radio with cassette player
and compact disc (CD) changer......4-23
FM-AM-SAT radio with cassette player
and compact disc (CD) player.......4-23
Radio....................4-19Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-31
Autolight switch.................2-20
Automatic
Automatic drive positioner.........3-19
Automatic power window switch.....2-35
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-11
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-10
B
Battery......................8-15
Charge warning light............2-10
Battery replacement (See remote keyless
entry system)................3-9, 8-26
Before starting the engine............5-6
Belts (See drive belts).............8-17
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-18
Brake booster................8-23
Brake fluid..................8-13
Brake light (See stop light).........8-28
Brake pedal.................8-22
Brake system................5-18
Brake warning light.............2-10
Brake wear indicators........2-14, 8-23
Parking brake check............8-22
Parking brake operation..........5-12
Self-adjusting brakes............8-23
Break-in schedule................5-15Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-22
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-9
Bulb replacement................8-28
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-32
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
Cassette player (See audio system)......4-26
CD care and cleaning.............4-30
CD changer (See audio system)........4-29
CD player (See audio system).........4-27
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator lamp).......2-12
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-39
Child restraints.......1-25, 1-26, 1-31, 1-38
Precautions on child restraints.......1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-40
Child safety rear door lock............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-14
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock
(models with navigation system)......4-12
(models without navigation system).....4-4
Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-14
Cold weather driving..............5-22
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-27
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
X

Compass display.................2-6
Console box...................2-31
Control panel buttons
With navigation system...........4-7
Without navigation system..........4-2
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-31
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-8
Checking engine coolant level........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Cornering light.................2-23
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-13
Cup holders...................2-29
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-21
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-18
Dimensions and weights.............9-8
Door locks....................3-3
Door open warning light............2-10
Drive belts....................8-17
Drive positioner, Automatic...........3-19
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-22
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Driving with manual transmission.....5-11
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2E
Economy - fuel.................5-15
Emission control information label.......9-10
Emission control system warranty.......9-18
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-6
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-8
Changing engine oil.............8-9
Changing engine oil filter..........8-10
Checking engine coolant level........8-7
Checking engine oil level..........8-8
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Engine cooling system............8-7
Engine oil...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine..............5-6
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light.........2-10
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
Eyeglass case..................2-29
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-23
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-4Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-11
Brake fluid..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-14
Engine coolant................8-7
Engine oil...................8-8
Power steering fluid.............8-13
Window washer fluid............8-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Fog light switch.................2-23
Folding rear seat.................1-6
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-15
Fuel filler cap................3-13
Fuel filler lid.................3-13
Fuel filler lid and cap............3-13
Fuel gauge..................2-6
Fuel octane rating..............9-3
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuses......................8-23
Fusible links...................8-24
G
Garage door opener, HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver...................2-42
Gascap.....................3-13
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Fuel gauge..................2-6
10-2
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/20/03Ðarosenma
X