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
●Park the vehicle on a level surface, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. Move the shift selector to
P (Park) .
●Be sure the ignition is in the OFF or
LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
●If 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.
●It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
●Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.●
Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come on
at any time without warning, even if the
ignition 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.
●If 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.
●Never 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.
●Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
●On gasoline engine models, 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
●Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.●Avoid 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.
●Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
●Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
●Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even if
the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position and the engine is not running.
To avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative battery cable before working
near the fan.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
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
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
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
K
Keyfob battery replacement..........8-23
Keyless entry
With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system)........3-13
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
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-49
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System......................1-19
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-11
Light
Airbagwarninglight.........1-50,2-13
Brake light (See stop light).........8-26
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-10
Bulb replacement..............8-26
Chargewarninglight............2-11
Foglightswitch...............2-31
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-27
Headlightcontrolswitch..........2-28
Headlights..................8-25
Interiorlight.................2-48Lightbulbs..................8-25
Low tire pressure warning light......2-12
Lowwasherfluidwarninglight.......2-22
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-44
Personallights ...............2-50
Security indicator light...........2-15
Trunklight..................2-51
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-10
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Door locks..................3-4
Gloveboxlock ...............2-39
Power door locks...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever.........3-19
Low fuel warning light.............2-22
Low tire pressure warning light........2-12
Lowwasherfluidwarninglight.........2-22
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance
Changing the maintenance
interval.................4-6,4-20
Displaying the maintenance notice
reminder................4-7,4-21
General maintenance............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Resetting the maintenance
interval.................4-6,4-20
Seat belt maintenance...........1-16
Setting.................4-6,4-20Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator light...........2-14
Mappocket...................2-36
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-31
Mirror
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.....3-25
Outside mirror control...........3-27
Outside mirrors...............3-27
Vanity mirror.................3-25
Moonroof ....................2-44
Music Box hard-disk drive audio system . . .4-74
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™.............3-7
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system................2-24,3-3,5-10
NISSAN voice recognition system......4-114
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4
Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingengineoil.............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
10-4
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
11/03/08—debbie
Vehicle security system.............2-23
Vehicle security system
(NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
enginestart.............2-24,3-3,5-10
Ventilators....................4-34
Visors ......................3-24
Voice recognition system...........4-114
W
Warning
Airbagwarninglight.........1-50,2-13
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-10
Battery charge warning light........2-11
Brake warning light.............2-11
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-11
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-32
Lowfuelwarninglight ...........2-22
Low tire pressure warning light......2-12
Lowwasherfluidwarninglight.......2-22
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-44
Seatbeltwarninglight...........2-13
Vehicle security system...........2-23
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-49
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders..................2-10
Warninglights..................2-10
Washer switch
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-25
Weights(Seedimensionsandweights) ....9-8
Wheels and tires................8-30
Wheel/tire size..................9-8
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country................9-9
Window washer fluid..............8-12Windows
Locking passengers’ windows.......2-42
Power rear windows............2-42
Power windows...............2-41
Rear power windows............2-42
Windshield wiper and washer switch.....2-25
Wiper
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-25
Wiperblades................8-18
10-7
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
11/03/08—debbie
RECOMMENDED FUEL:
Use unleaded premium gasoline with an octane
rating of at least 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 96) .
If unleaded premium gasoline is not available
unleaded regular gasoline with an octane rating
of 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number (Research
octane number 91) can be used, but only under
the following precautions:
●Have the fuel tank filled only partially with
unleaded regular gasoline, and fill up with
unleaded premium as soon as possible.
●Avoid full throttle driving, and abrupt accel-
eration.
However, for maximum vehicle perfor-
mance, the use of unleaded premium gaso-
line is recommended.
CAUTION
●Using a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
●Under no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.●Do not use E-85 fuel in your vehicle.
Your vehicle is not designed to run on
E-85 fuel. Using E-85 fuel can damage
the fuel system components and is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle lim-
ited warranty.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants in the “Technical
and consumer information” section.
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL:
●Engine oil with API Certification Mark
●Viscosity SAE 5W-30
See “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
COLD TIRE PRESSURE:
See Tire and Loading Information label.
The label is typically located on the driver side
center pillar or on the driver’s door. For additional
information, see “Wheels and tires” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section.
RECOMMENDED NEW VEHICLE
BREAK-IN PROCEDURE:
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of vehicle
use, follow the recommendations outlined in the
“BREAK-IN SCHEDULE” information found in
the “Starting and driving” section of this manual.
Follow these recommendations for the future re-
liability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure
to follow these recommendations may result in
vehicle damage or shortened engine life.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
11/03/08—debbie