2008 NISSAN MAXIMA warning

4,546 lb. (2062 kg) GVWR
– 4,446 lb. (2016 kg) GVW
= 100 lb. (45 kg) Available for tongue
weight
1,000 lb. (454 kg) Capacity available for
towing
100 lb. (45 kg) Available tongue weight
/ 1,000 lb. (454 kg) Available capacity
= 10 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less than
the maximum towing capacity due to the passen-
ger and cargo load in the vehicle.
Remember to keep trailer tongue weight be-
tween 10 - 15% of the trailer weight. If the tongue
load becomes excessive, rearrange the cargo to
obtain the proper tongue load. Do not exceed the
10 - 15% tongue weight specification even if the
calculated available tongue weight is greater
than 15%. If the calculated tongue weight is less
than 10% , reduce the total trailer weight to
match the available tongue weight.
Always verify that available capacities are within
the required ratings.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION
TOWING LOAD / SPECIFICATION
UNIT: lb (kg)
MAXIMUM TOWING
LOAD1,000 (454)
MAXIMUM TONGUE
LOAD100 (45)
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and trailer.
A genuine NISSAN trailer hitch is available from
your NISSAN dealer (Canada only) . Make sure
the trailer hitch is securely attached to the ve-
hicle, to help avoid personal injury or property
damage due to sway caused by crosswinds,
rough road surfaces or passing trucks.
WARNING
Trailer hitch components have specific
weight ratings. Your vehicle may be ca-
pable of towing a trailer heavier than the
weight rating of the hitch components.
Never exceed the weight rating of the
hitch components. Doing so can cause
serious personal injury or property
damage.
Hitch ball
Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and weight
rating for your trailer:
cThe required hitch ball size is stamped on
most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also
have the size printed on the top of the ball.
cChoose the proper class hitch ball based on
the trailer weight.
cThe diameter of the threaded shank of the
hitch ball must be matched to the ball mount
hole diameter. The hitch ball shank should
be no more than 1/16” smaller than the hole
in the ball mount.
cThe threaded shank of the hitch ball must be
long enough to be properly secured to the
ball mount. There should be at least 2
threads showing beyond the lock washer
and nut.
Technical and consumer information9-19
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Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while
using the vehicle tail light, stoplight and
turn signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more
that 15 milliamps from the stop and tail
lamp circuits. Using a module/converter
that exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem. See a reputable trailer dealer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cKeep the cargo load as low as possible in
the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity
low.
cLoad the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
cCheck your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.cBe certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
cDetermine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cLock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
cAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
Technical and consumer information9-21
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DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course. For example, a tire graded
150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times
as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
Temperature A, B and C
The temperature grades are A (the highest) , B, and
C, representing the tire’s resistance to the genera-
tion of heat, and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire to de-
generate and reduce tire life, and excessive tem-
perature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade
C corresponds to a level of performance which all
passenger car tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of performance on the labo-
ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause heat
build-up and possible tire failure.
Your NISSAN vehicle is covered by the following
emission warranties:
For USA
1. Emission Defects Warranty
2. Emissions Performance Warranty
Details of these warranties may be found with
other vehicle warranties in your Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet which comes with your NISSAN
vehicle. If you did not receive a Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet, or it is lost, you may obtain a re-
placement by writing to:
cNissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003
For Canada
Emission Control System Warranty
Details of these warranties may be found with
other vehicle warranties in your Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet which comes with your NISSAN
vehicle. If you did not receive a Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet, or it is lost, you may obtain a re-
placement by writing to:
cNissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario, L4W 4Z5
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM
WARRANTY
9-24Technical and consumer information
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If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
9not ready9. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is9ready.9If the
MIL indicates the vehicle is in a9not ready9con-
dition, drive the vehicle through the following
pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If
you cannot or do not want to perform the driving
pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic con-
ditions and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C. Al-
low the engine to idle until the gauge needle
points between the C and H (normal oper-
ating temperature) .
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h) , then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 10 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of
53 - 60 MPH (86 - 96 km/h) for at least 9
minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 at least 10 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 min-
utes.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (US
only)READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
Technical and consumer information9-25
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10 Index
A
Active Head Restraint..............1-8
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system).....................1-35
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact air
bag system).................1-43
Air bag warning light...........1-51, 2-14
Air cleaner housing filter............8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner service...........4-21
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and oil
recommendations..............9-6
Servicing air conditioner..........4-21
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-17
Anchor point locations.............1-21
Antenna.....................4-45
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-19
Armrests.....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-17
Audio system..................4-22
Compact Disc (CD) changer. . . .4-35, 4-41
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-31
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) changer.............4-33, 4-38
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player.................4-28Radio....................4-22
Audio System
Settings...................4-39
Audio system
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-44
Autolight switch.................2-23
Automatic
Automatic drive positioner.........3-28
Automatic power window switch.....2-38
AUX jack.................4-32, 4-43
Average speed..................4-4
B
Back button....................4-7
Battery......................8-13
Charge warning light............2-11
Before starting the engine............5-8
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-15
Block heater
Engine....................5-25
BluetoothThands-free phone system.....4-46
Booster seats..................1-31
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-19
Brake fluid..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light).........8-27
Brake system................5-18
Brake warning light.............2-11
Brake wear indicators........2-17, 8-20
Parking brake operation..........5-13Self-adjusting brakes............8-20
Brakes......................8-20
Break-in schedule................5-15
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-26
Brightness/contrast button...........4-17
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-10
Bulb replacement................8-27
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-45
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-43
CD changer (See audio system). . . .4-35, 4-41
CD player (See audio system).........4-31
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-20
Child restraints.......1-11, 1-12, 1-17, 1-19
Precautions on child
restraints............1-17, 1-25, 1-31
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-21
Child safety rear door lock............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-17
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock
(models with navigation system)......4-16
(models without navigation system).....4-5
Clock set..................4-5, 4-16
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
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Cold weather driving..............5-23
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-31
Compass display.................2-6
Console box...................2-34
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . . .5-9
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-9
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-12
Control panel buttons
Brightness/contrast button.........4-17
Back button..................4-7
Clock set...................4-5
Enter button..................4-6
Setting button.............4-5, 4-11
Startup screen................4-7
Trip button................4-3, 4-7
With navigation system...........4-6
Without navigation system..........4-2
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-44
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.................2-27
Corrosion protection...............7-6
Cruise control..................5-14
Cup holders...................2-33D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-25
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-21
Dimensions and weights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-26
Display controls
(see control panel buttons).........4-2, 4-6
Distance to empty..............4-3, 4-8
Door locks....................3-4
Door open warning................4-5
Door open warning light............2-11
Drive belt....................8-15
Drive positioner, Automatic...........3-28
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-23
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-9
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-16
Emission control information label.......9-10
Emission control system warranty.......9-24
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-8
Block heater.................5-25
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-8Changing 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. . . .8-6
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 pressure warning light.....2-12
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine..............5-8
English/metric setting..............4-15
Enter button....................4-6
Event data recorders..............9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
Eyeglass case..................2-32
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-27
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
Fluid
Brake fluid..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-11
Engine coolant................8-7
Engine oil...................8-8
Power steering fluid.............8-11
10-2
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Window washer fluid............8-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Fog light switch.................2-26
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-43
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-16
Fuel gauge..................2-6
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-20
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-20
Fuel economy setting............4-4, 4-8
Fuses......................8-21
Fusible links...................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver...................2-43
Gascap.....................3-20
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Fuel gauge..................2-6
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-4
Tachometer..................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-4
General maintenance..............8-2
Glove box....................2-34
Glove box lock.................2-34
Grocery hooks.................2-35H
Hands-free phone system, BluetoothT. . . .4-46
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-27
Head restraints..................1-7
Active Head Restraint............1-8
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-22
Headlight control switch............2-23
Headlights....................8-25
Heated seats..................2-28
Heated steering wheel.............2-29
Heater
Heater operation..............4-20
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver.......2-43
Hood release..................3-18
Horn.......................2-28
I
Ignition switch..................5-6
Immobilizer system..........2-19, 3-3, 5-7
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-16
Increasing fuel economy............5-16
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders)...............2-10
Instrument brightness control.........2-26
Instrument panel..............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-26
Intelligent Key system..............3-6
Key operating range.............3-8
Key operation.................3-9
Mechanical key................3-3Remote keyless entry operation......3-12
Troubleshooting guide...........3-17
Warning signals...............3-17
Interior light...................2-41
Interior trunk lid release.............3-19
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-19
J
Jump starting...................6-7
K
Keyfob battery replacement..........8-24
Keyless entry
With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system)........3-12
Keys, For Intelligent Key system.........3-2
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
C.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
Emission control information label.....9-10
Engine serial number............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-51
Language setting.............4-5, 4-15
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System......................1-19
10-3
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License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-11
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-51, 2-14
Brake light (See stop light).........8-27
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-10
Bulb replacement..............8-27
Charge warning light............2-11
Cornering light...............2-27
Fog light switch...............2-26
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-22
Headlight control switch..........2-23
Headlights..................8-25
Interior light.................2-41
Light bulbs..................8-25
Low tire pressure warning light......2-12
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-13
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-45
Personal lights...............2-41
Trunk light..................2-42
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-10
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Door locks..................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-20
Glove box lock...............2-34
Power door locks...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever.........3-19
Low fuel warning light.............2-12
Low tire pressure warning light........2-12
Low washer fluid warning light.........2-13
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12M
Maintenance
Changing the maintenance interval.....4-9
Displaying the maintenance notice
reminder....................4-9
General maintenance............8-2
Inside the vehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Resetting the maintenance interval.....4-9
Seat belt maintenance...........1-16
Setting....................4-8
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator light...........2-15
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Map pocket...................2-32
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-26
Mirror
Outside mirror control...........3-25
Outside mirrors...............3-25
Vanity mirror.................3-24
Moonroof....................2-39
N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system................2-19, 3-3, 5-7
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil.............8-9
Changing engine oil filter..........8-10
Checking engine oil level..........8-8
Engine oil...................8-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirror control.............3-25
Outside mirrors.................3-25
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats...........6-9
Owner’s manual order form..........9-27
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-27
P
Parking
Parking brake operation..........5-13
Parking/parking on hills...........5-17
Personal lights.................2-41
Phone, BluetoothThands-free system. . . .4-46
Power
Power door locks...............3-5
Power outlet.................2-31
Power rear windows............2-38
Power steering fluid.............8-11
Power steering system...........5-18
Power windows...............2-37
Rear power windows............2-38
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
10-4
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