2009 NISSAN MAXIMA coolant temperature

The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant to provide year-round anti-
freeze and coolant protection. The anti-freeze
solution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors.
Additional engine cooling system additives are
not necessary.
WARNING
●Never remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. See precautions in “If your
vehicle overheats” found in the “In case
of emergency” section of this manual.
●The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent en-
gine damage, use only a genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be sure
to use only a Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green) or equivalent
with the proper mixture ratio of 50% anti-
freeze and 50% demineralized or distilled
water. The use of other types of coolant
solutions or coolant colors, such as or-
ange, may damage the engine cooling
system.
Outside temperature
down toGenuine
NISSAN
Long Life
Antifreeze/
Coolant or
equivalentDemineral-
ized or dis-
tilled water
°C °F
-34 -29.2 50% 50%
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine is cold.If the coolant level is below
the MIN level
B, add coolant to the MAX level
A. If the reservoir is empty, check the coolant
level in the radiatorwhen the engine is cold.If
there is insufficient coolant in the radiator, fill the
radiator with coolant up to the filler opening and
also add it to the reservoir up to the MAX level
A.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
LDI0554
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie


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
●To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
●Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
●Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
●Keep 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) marksB. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
A, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening.Do not overfill
C.
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.
WDI0663WDI0214
ENGINE OIL
8-8Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie


●Check 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.
●Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
●Determine 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.
●Always secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
●Lock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
●Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
●Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.●Always drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
●When backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
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.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill
side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly
release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Turn off the engine.To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are
clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
●While going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and use the manual shift mode (M5) . Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their effec-
tiveness and could cause overheating. Shift-
ing the manual shift mode to M5 (5th) pro-
vides “engine braking” and reduces the need
to brake as frequently.
●If the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.
●Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
9-22Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie


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 condition. Turn the ignition switch ON
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction Indi-
cator Light (MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds
and then blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test
condition is “not ready”. If the MIL does not blink
after 20 seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready”.
If the MIL indicates the vehicle is in a “not ready”
condition, 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.
8. Stop the vehicle. Place the shift selector in
the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position.9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps1-8atleast one more time.
If steps 1 through 7 are interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is accept-
able between steps. Do not stop the engine until
step 7 is completed.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
9-26Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie


C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-87
Cargonet....................2-40
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CDcareandcleaning .............4-83
CD changer (See audio system)....4-53,4-60
CD player (See audio system).........4-68
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-20
Child restraints..........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...........2-16
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock
(models with navigation system) . . .4-9, 4-23
Clockset..................4-9,4-23
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Cold weather driving..............5-25
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-68
CompactFlash (CF) player...........4-70
Console box...................2-39
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT)......................5-11
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid..................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Controlpanelbuttons .............4-14
Brightness/contrastbutton.....4-14,4-28
Enterbutton..............4-2,4-14Setting button.............4-7,4-22
Startup screen...............4-17
Without navigation system..........4-2
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-84
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-37,4-40
Rear audio controls.............4-86
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-42
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingenginecoolant ..........8-8
Checking engine coolant level........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Corrosionprotection...............7-6
Cruisecontrol..................5-18
Cupholders...................2-38
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-30
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-26
Dimensionsandweights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-31
Display controls
(seecontrolpanelbuttons)........4-2,4-14
Distance to empty.............4-5,4-19
Door locks....................3-4
Drive belt....................8-15
Drive positioner, Automatic...........3-28Driving
Cold weather driving............5-25
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-20
Emission control information label.......9-10
Emission control system warranty.......9-25
Engine
Before starting the engine.........5-10
Block heater.................5-27
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingenginecoolant ..........8-8
Changingengineoil.............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.....2-11
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine.............5-11
Enter button................4-2,4-14
Eventdatarecorders..............9-27
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
10-2
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
11/03/08—debbie


F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-32
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
Window washer fluid............8-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Foglightswitch.................2-31
Foldingrearseat.................1-5
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-42
Frontseats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-20
Fuelgauge..................2-6
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-21
Fuses ......................8-20
Fusible links...................8-21G
Garage door opener, HomeLinkUniversal
Transceiver ...................2-51
Gascap.....................3-21
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Fuelgauge..................2-6
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-4
Tachometer..................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-4
General maintenance..............8-2
Glovebox....................2-39
Gloveboxlock .................2-39
Groceryhooks .................2-40
H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth...............4-88,4-103
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-32
Head restraints..................1-7
Active Head Restraint............1-8
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-27
Headlight control switch............2-28
Headlights....................8-25
Heatedseats..................2-34
Heated steering wheel.............2-34
Heater
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-37,4-40
Heater operation...........4-37,4-40
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-42HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver.......2-51
Hood release..................3-18
Horn.......................2-32
I
Ignition Switch
Push-Button Ignition Switch.........5-7
Immobilizer system.........2-24,3-3,5-10
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-17
Increasing fuel economy............5-20
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders)....................2-10
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror.......3-25
Instrument brightness control.........2-31
Instrument panel..............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-31
Intelligent Key system
Key operating range.............3-9
Key operation................3-10
Mechanicalkey................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation......3-13
Troubleshooting guide...........3-16
Warning signals...............3-16
Interiorlight...................2-48
Interior trunk lid release.............3-20
iPodPlayer...................4-73
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-19
J
Jump starting...................6-8
10-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
11/03/08—debbie


SRSwarninglabel...............1-49
Starting
Before starting the engine.........5-10
Jump starting.................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting................6-10
Starting the engine.............5-11
Startupscreen .................4-17
Steering
Heated steering wheel...........2-34
Power steering fluid.............8-11
Power steering system...........5-22
Steering wheel audio control switch......4-84
Stoplight ....................8-26
Storage.....................2-36
Sun visors....................3-24
Sunglassescase................2-37
Sunroof (see Moonroof)............2-44
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-50, 2-13
Supplemental front impact air bag system . .1-42
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-49
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-35
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-35
Switch
Autolightswitch...............2-29
Automatic power window switch.....2-43
Foglightswitch...............2-31
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-27
Headlightcontrolswitch..........2-28
Power door lock switch...........3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-26Turnsignalswitch..............2-31
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch....................2-35
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-25
T
Tachometer....................2-5
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start.............2-24,3-3,5-10
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3,8-41
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-11
Tire chains..................8-38
Tireplacard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-30
Tirerotation.................8-38
Types of tires................8-37
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-24
Wheels and tires..............8-30
Wheel/tire size................9-8
Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light......2-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-20
Towing
Flattowing..................9-23
Towtrucktowing..............6-11
Towing load/specification.........9-19
Trailer towing................9-16Transceiver
HomeLinkUniversal Transceiver.....2-51
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Selectorleverlockrelease.........5-16
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country)......................9-9
Tripodometer...................2-4
Trunk access through the rear seat....1-5,1-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever...........3-19
Trunklight....................2-51
Turn signal switch................2-31
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-24
V
Vanity mirror...................3-25
Variable voltage control system........8-15
Vehicle dimensions and weights........9-8
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch. . .2-35
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system....5-24
Vehicle electronic system........4-11,4-25
Vehicle identification...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number).................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate....9-9
Vehicle loading information...........9-12
Vehicle recovery.................6-13
10-6
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
11/03/08—debbie