2006 NISSAN MAXIMA light

cIf brake related parts such as brake
pads, rotors and calipers are not stan-
dard equipment or are extremely dete-
riorated, the vehicle dynamic control
system may not operate properly and
the vehicle dynamic control off indica-
tor light may come on.
cDo not modify the vehicle’s suspension.
If suspension parts such as shock ab-
sorbers, struts, springs, stabilizer bars
and bushings are not NISSAN approved
for your vehicle or are extremely dete-
riorated the vehicle dynamic control
system may not operate properly. This
could adversely affect vehicle handling
performance, and the VDC OFF indica-
tor light may come on.
cWhen driving on extremely inclined sur-
faces such as higher banked corners,
the vehicle dynamic control system may
not operate properly and the VDC OFF
indicator light may come on. Do not
drive on these types of roads.
cWhen driving on an unstable surface
such as a turntable, ferry, elevator or
ramp, the vehicle dynamic control off
indicator light may illuminate. This is
not a malfunction. Restart the engine
after driving onto a stable surfacecIf wheels or tires other than the recom-
mended ones are used, the vehicle dy-
namic control system may not operate
properly and the vehicle dynamic con-
trol off indicator light may come on.
cThe vehicle dynamic control system is
not a substitute for winter tires or tire
chains on a snow covered road.FREEING A FROZEN DOOR LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply de-
icer through the key hole. If the lock becomes
frozen, heat the key before inserting it into the key
hole or use the remote keyless entry keyfob (if so
equipped) .
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the tem-
perature will drop below 32°F (0°C) , check the
anti-freeze to assure proper winter protection.
For details, see ‘‘Engine cooling system’’ in the
‘‘Maintenance and do-it-yourself’’ section of this
manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during extremely
cold weather conditions, the battery fluid may
freeze and damage the battery. To maintain maxi-
mum efficiency, the battery should be checked
regularly. For details, see ‘‘Battery’’ in the ‘‘Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself’’ section of this
manual.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
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cWhenever working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protectors (for
example, goggles or industrial safety
spectacles) and remove rings, metal
bands, or any other jewelry. Do not lean
over the battery when jump starting.
cDo not attempt to jump start a frozen
battery. It could explode and cause se-
rious injury.
cYour vehicle has an automatic engine
cooling fan. It could come on at any
time. Keep hands and other objects
away from it.
WARNING
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage to
the charging system and cause personal
injury.
1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their bat-
teries near each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.2. Apply the parking brake. Move the shift lever
to N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P
(Park) (automatic transmission) . Switch off
all unnecessary electrical systems (lights,
heater, air conditioner, etc.) .
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped) . Cover the battery with an old
cloth to reduce explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence il-
lustrated (
sA,sB,sC,sD).
WCE0054
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In order to maintain the appearance of your ve-
hicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
To protect the paint surfaces, please wash your
vehicle as soon as you can:
cafter a rainfall to prevent possible damage
from acid rain.
cafter driving on coastal roads.
cwhen contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get
on the paint surface.
cwhen dust or mud builds up on the surface.
Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.
WASHING
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty of
water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild
soap, a special vehicle soap or general purpose
dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm
(never hot) water.
CAUTION
cDo not wash the vehicle with strong
household soap, strong chemical deter-
gents, gasoline or solvents.
cDo not wash the vehicle in direct sun-
light or while the vehicle body is hot, as
the surface may become water-spotted.
cAvoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be cleaned regularly. Take care that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
A damp chamois can be used to dry the vehicle to
avoid water spots.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. Polishing is
recommended to remove built-up wax residue
and to avoid a weathered appearance before
re-applying wax.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the
proper product.
cWax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-
ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the
wax.
cDo not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may
damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing
on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory
store.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care
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UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, it is
necessary to clean the underbody regularly in
order to prevent dirt and salt from building up and
causing the acceleration of corrosion on the un-
derbody and suspension. Before the winter pe-
riod and again in the spring, the underseal must
be checked and, if necessary, retreated.
GLASS
When cleaning the rear window, it may be easier
to clean if the high-mounted stop light is removed
first.
Be careful when removing the high-mounted
stop light to reduce the risk of damaging the
high-mounted stop light wires.
To remove the high-mounted stop light:
s1Push toward rear of vehicle.
s2Lift to remove.
The high-mounted stop light must be properly
reinstalled before driving your vehicle.Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and dust film
from the glass surfaces. It is normal for glass to
become coated with a film after the vehicle is
parked in the hot sun. Glass cleaner and a soft
cloth will easily remove this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the windows,
do not use sharp-edged tools, abrasive
cleaners or chlorine-based disinfectant
cleaners. They could damage the electri-
cal conductors, radio antenna elements or
rear window defroster elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly, especially during win-
ter months in areas where road salt is used. If not
removed, road salt can discolor the wheels.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a non-
abrasive chrome polish to maintain the finish.
TIRE DRESSINGS
NISSAN does not recommend the use of tire
dressings. Tire manufacturers apply a coating to
the tires to help reduce discoloration of the rub-
ber. If a tire dressing is applied to the tires, it may
LAI0008
Appearance and care7-3
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react with the coating and form a compound. This
compound may come off the tire while driving and
stain the vehicle paint.
If you choose to use a tire dressing, take the
following precautions:
cUse a water-based tire dressing. The coat-
ing on the tire dissolves more easily with an
oil-based tire dressing.
cApply a light coat of tire dressing to help
prevent it from entering the tire
tread/grooves (where it would be difficult to
remove) .
cWipe off excess tire dressing using a dry
towel. Make sure the tire dressing is com-
pletely removed from the tire tread/grooves.
cAllow the tire dressing to dry as recom-
mended by tire dressing manufacturer.Occasionally remove loose dust from the interior
trim, plastic parts and seats using a vacuum
cleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl and leather
surfaces with a clean, soft cloth dampened in
mild soap solution, then wipe clean with a dry,
soft cloth. Before using any fabric protector, read
the manufacturer’s recommendations. Some fab-
ric protectors contain chemicals that may stain or
bleach the seat material.
Use a cloth dampened only with water to clean
the meter and gauge lens.
CAUTION
cNever use benzine, thinner or any simi-
lar material.
cSmall dirt particles can be abrasive and
damaging to leather surfaces and
should be removed promptly. Do not
use saddle soap, polishes, oils, clean-
ing fluids, solvents, detergents or
ammonia-based cleaners as they may
damage the leather’s natural finish.
cNever use fabric protectors unless rec-
ommended by the manufacturer.
cDo not use glass or plastic cleaner on
meter or gauge lens covers. It may dam-
age the lens cover.
FLOOR MATS
The use of genuine NISSAN floor mats can ex-
tend the life of your vehicle carpet and make it
easier to clean the interior.No matter what
mats are used, be sure they are fitted for
your vehicle and are properly positioned in
the footwell to prevent interference with
pedal operation.Mats should be maintained
with regular cleaning and replaced if they be-
come excessively worn.
CLEANING INTERIOR
7-4Appearance and care
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8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-7
Checking engine coolant level...................8-7
Changing engine coolant........................8-8
Engine oil.........................................8-8
Checking engine oil level........................8-8
Changing engine oil............................8-9
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-10
5-speed automatic transmission fluid...............8-11
Power steering fluid...............................8-11
Brake and clutch fluid.............................8-12
Brake fluid....................................8-12
Clutch fluid...................................8-12
Window washer fluid.............................8-13
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-13
Battery..........................................8-13
Jump starting.................................8-15
Drive belts.......................................8-15
Spark plugs......................................8-16Replacing spark plugs.........................8-16
Air cleaner.......................................8-16
In-cabin microfilter.............................8-17
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-20
Cleaning.....................................8-20
Replacing....................................8-20
Parking brake and brake pedal.....................8-21
Checking parking brake........................8-21
Checking brake pedal..........................8-21
Brake booster.................................8-22
Fuses...........................................8-22
Engine compartment...........................8-23
Passenger compartment.......................8-24
Keyfob battery replacement........................8-26
Lights...........................................8-27
Headlights....................................8-27
Exterior and interior lights.......................8-28
Wheels and tires.................................8-33
Tire pressure..................................8-33
Tire labeling...................................8-37
Types of tires..................................8-40
Tire chains....................................8-41
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-41
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When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts*When checking the tires,
make sure no wheel nuts are missing, and check
for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
Tires*Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel
alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
cFor additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet .WindshieldClean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with an “*” is found later in this sec-
tion.
Accelerator pedalCheck the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) position
mechanismOn a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in
the P (Park) position without applying any brakes.
Brake pedal and booster*Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure it has the proper
distance under it when depressed fully. Checkthe brake booster function. Be certain to keep the
floor mat away from the pedal.
BrakesCheck that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Clutch pedal*Make sure the pedal operates
smoothly and check that it has the proper free
travel.
Parking brake*Check that the lever has the
proper travel and confirm that your vehicle is held
securely on a fairly steep hill with only the parking
brake applied.
SeatsCheck seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints
move up and down smoothly and the locks (if so
equipped) hold securely in all latched positions.
Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimesMake sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
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7. Refill engine with recommended oil through
the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual for
drain and refill capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around
the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level with the dipstick.
Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
sA.
4. Loosen the oil filter
sAwith an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then
remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean
engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
WDI0495
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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