2006 NISSAN MAXIMA brake fluid

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 COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/22/05Ðtbrooks
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 the
ignition key is in the OFF position and theengine 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.
c
Keep 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 beserviced 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 COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/23/05Ðtbrooks
X

1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model)
5. Air cleaner
6. Battery
7. Fuse/Fusible link box
8. Transmission dipstick (A/T models)
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Radiator cap
11. Drive belt location
12. Fuse block
13. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
14. Engine coolant reservoir
NOTE:
Engine cover removed for clarity.
WDI0490
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/23/05Ðtbrooks
X

CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine coolant.
The service procedure can be found in the
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
cTo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
cNever remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
cAvoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
cKeep coolant out of the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re-
insert it all the way.5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil
level. It should be between the H (High) and
L (Low) markssB. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
sA, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening.Do not overfill
sC.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the severity
of operating conditions.
LDI0329WDI0175
ENGINE OIL
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/23/05Ðtbrooks
X

For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated fluid
may damage the brake and clutch sys-
tems. The use of improper fluids can dam-
age the brake system and affect the vehi-
cle’s stopping ability.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water.BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid level is below the MIN line or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine NISSAN
Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT
3fluid up to the MAX line. If fluid must be added
frequently, the system should be checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
CLUTCH FLUID
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmissions only) . If the fluid level is
below the MIN line, add Genuine NISSAN Super
Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalentDOT 3fluid
up to the MAX line. If fluid must be added fre-
quently, the system should be checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
LDI0079LDI0080
BRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
8-12Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/23/05Ðtbrooks
X

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate) Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 20 gal 16-5/8 gal 75.6 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil *7
Drain and Refill
With oil filter change 4-1/2 qt 3-3/4 qt 4.2 • API Certification Mark *2 *3
•API grade SL, Energy Conserving *2 *3
• ILSAC grade GF-III*2 *3 Without oil filter change 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt 4.0
Cooling system
With reservoir 2-1/4 gal 1-7/8 gal 8.5 50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
Manual transmission gear oil 2-3/8 qt 2 qt 2.2 Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or API
GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85
Automatic transmission fluid Refill to the proper level according to the instructions in
the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section.Genuine NISSAN Matic K ATF *4
Power steering fluid (PSF)Genuine NISSAN PSF or equivalent.*8
Brake and clutch fluidGenuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid*5 or equivalent DOT 3
Multi-purpose grease — — — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — — HFC-134a (R-134a)*6
Air conditioning system oil — — — NISSAN A/C System Oil Type S (DH-PS) or equivalent*6
Windshield washer fluid — — — Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze fluid
or equivalent
*1: For further details, see “Fuel recommendation.”
*2: For further details, see “Engine oil and oil filter recommendations.”
*3: For further details, see “Recommended SAE viscosity number.”
*4: Using automatic transmission fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic K ATF will cause deterioration in driveability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the auto-
matic transmission, which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty.
*5: Available in mainland USA through your NISSAN dealer.
*6: For further details, see “Air conditioner specification label.”
*7: For further details, see “Changing engine oil.”
*8: For Canada, NISSAN Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) , DEXRON™ III/MERCON™, or equivalent ATF may also be used.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/23/05Ðtbrooks
X

transmission shift selector lever into the P
(Park) position. If you move the shift selector
lever to the P (Park) position before blocking
the wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioner
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
cFor the first 500 miles that you do tow, do
not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
cHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
cCrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help sta-
bilize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
5th gear (manual transmission) or overdrive
(automatic transmission) .
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.cIncrease your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
cDo not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.
cCheck your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
cWhen stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
When towing a trailer, transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
cFailure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
Technical and consumer information9-19
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/23/05Ðtbrooks
X

10 Index
A
Active head restraint...............1-9
Air bag
(See supplemental restraint
system).....................1-35
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system)...............1-42
Air bag warning light...........1-50, 2-12
Air cleaner housing filter............8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner service...........4-20
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations..............9-6
Servicing air conditioner..........4-20
Alarm system (See vehicle security system). .2-15
Anchor point locations.............1-27
Antenna.....................4-33
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-18
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-10
Armrests.....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-15
Audio system..................4-20
AM-FM radio with cassette player.....4-28
Cassette player...............4-28
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-30
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-29
FM-AM-SAT radio with cassette player
and compact disc (CD) changer......4-24FM-AM-SAT radio with cassette player
and compact disc (CD) player.......4-24
Radio....................4-20
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-33
Autolight switch.................2-22
Automatic
Automatic drive positioner.........3-19
Automatic power window switch.....2-38
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-10
B
Battery......................8-13
Charge warning light............2-11
Before starting the engine............5-6
Belts (See drive belts).............8-15
BluetoothThands-free phone system.....4-35
Booster seats..................1-31
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-18
Brake booster................8-22
Brake fluid..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light).........8-28
Brake pedal.................8-21
Brake system................5-17
Brake warning light.............2-11
Brake wear indicators........2-15, 8-22
Parking brake check............8-21
Parking brake operation..........5-12Self-adjusting brakes............8-22
Break-in schedule................5-14
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-24
Brightness/Contrast button........4-6, 4-16
Control panel buttons.........4-6, 4-16
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-10
Bulb replacement................8-28
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-34
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
Cassette player (See audio system)......4-28
CD care and cleaning.............4-32
CD changer (See audio system)........4-30
CD player (See audio system).........4-29
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-26
Child restraints.......1-12, 1-13, 1-18, 1-25
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-18, 1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-27
Child safety rear door lock............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-15
Cigarette lighter.................2-30
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock
(models with navigation system)......4-14
(models without navigation system).....4-4
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Maxima(max)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
06/23/05Ðtbrooks
X