
3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .............................................3-2
NISSAN Intelligent Key™........................3-2
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System keys.........3-3
Doors............................................3-4
Locking with key................................3-4
Locking with inside lock knob . ...................3-5
Locking with power door lock switch.............3-5
Child safety rear door lock.......................3-6
Automatic door locks . . .........................3-6
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ . . .........................3-7
Operating range................................3-9
Door locks/unlocks precaution...................3-9
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ Operation..............3-10
How to use the remote keyless entry
function......................................3-13
Warning signals...............................3-16
Troubleshooting guide.........................3-16
Hood...........................................3-18
Trunk lid.........................................3-18Opener operation..............................3-19
Secondary trunk lid release (if so equipped)......3-20
Interior trunk lid release........................3-20
Fuel-filler door...................................3-21
Opening the fuel-filler door.....................3-21
Fuel-filler cap.................................3-21
Tilt/telescopic steering............................3-22
Automatic operation (if so equipped).............3-23
Manual operation (if so equipped)...............3-23
Sun visors.......................................3-24
Vanity mirrors.................................3-25
Mirrors..........................................3-25
Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror.............3-25
Outside mirrors...............................3-27
Automatic drive positioner (if so equipped)..........3-28
Memory storage function . . .....................3-29
Entry/exit function.............................3-30
System operation..............................3-31
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie

Mechanical key
The Intelligent Key contains the mechanical key,
which can be used in case of a discharged bat-
tery.
To remove the mechanical key, release the lock
knob on the back of the Intelligent Key.
To install the mechanical key, firmly insert it into
the Intelligent Key until the lock knob returns to
the lock position.
The mechanical key can be used for operation in
the same way as an ordinary key.
CAUTION
Always carry the mechanical key installed
in the Intelligent Key slot.
Valet hand-off
When you have to leave a key with a valet, give
them the Intelligent Key itself and keep the me-
chanical key with you to protect your belongings.
To prevent the glove box and the trunk from being
opened during valet hand-off, follow the proce-
dures below.
1. Push the trunk cancel switch to the OFF
position.
2. Remove the mechanical key from the Intelli-
gent Key.
3. Lock the glove box and the trunk pass-
through with the mechanical key.
4. Hand the Intelligent Key to the valet and
keep the mechanical key with you.
See “Trunk lid” later in this section, “Storage” in
the “Instruments and controls” section and
“Seats” in the “Safety — seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section.
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM KEYS
You can only drive your vehicle using the master
keys which are registered to the NISSAN Vehicle
Immobilizer System components in your vehicle.
These keys have a transponder chip in the key
head.
The master key can be used for all the locks.
To protect belongings when you leave a key with
someone, give them the Intelligent Key only, not
the mechanical key.
Never leave these keys in the vehicle.
Additional or replacement keys:
If you still have a key, the key number is not
necessary when you need extra NISSAN Vehicle
Immobilizer System keys. Your dealer can dupli-
cate your existing key. As many as four NISSAN
Vehicle Immobilizer System keys can be used
with one vehicle. You should bring all NISSAN
Vehicle Immobilizer System keys that you have to
your NISSAN dealer for registration. This is be-
cause the registration process will erase the
memory of all key codes previously registered
into the NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System.
After the registration process, these components
will only recognize keys coded into the NISSAN
Vehicle Immobilizer System during registration.
SPA1951
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie

Any key that is not given to your dealer at the time
of registration will no longer be able to start your
vehicle.
Do not allow the immobilizer system key, which
contains an electrical transponder, to come into
contact with salt water. This could affect system
function.WARNING
●Always have the doors locked while
driving. Along with the use of seat belts,
this provides greater safety in the event
of an accident by helping to prevent
persons from being thrown from the
vehicle. This also helps keep children
and others from unintentionally open-
ing the doors, and will help keep out
intruders.
●Before opening any door, always look
for and avoid oncoming traffic.
●Do not leave children unattended inside
the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac-
tivate switches or controls. Unattended
children could become involved in seri-
ous accidents.
LOCKING WITH KEY
The power door lock system allows you to lock or
unlock all doors at the same time.
Turning the key toward the front
1of the vehicle
locks all doors.
Turning the key one time toward the rear
2of the
vehicle unlocks that door. From that position,
returning the key to neutral
3(where the key can
only be removed and inserted) and turning it
toward the rear again within 60 seconds unlocks
all doors
4.
Driver’s side
LPD0461
DOORS
3-4Pre-driving checks and adjustments
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie

Lockout protection
When the power door lock switch (driver’s or
front passenger’s side) is moved to the lock
position with the Intelligent Key in the port and
any door open, all doors will lock and unlock
automatically. With the Intelligent Key left in the
vehicle (not in the Intelligent Key port) and any
door open, all doors will unlock automatically and
a chime will sound after the door is closed.
CHILD SAFETY REAR DOOR LOCK
Child safety locks help prevent the rear doors
from being opened accidentally, especially when
small children are in the vehicle.
The child safety lock levers are located on the
edge of the rear doors.
When the lever is in the lock position, the
door can be opened only from the outside.
AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS
●All doors lock automatically when the vehicle
speed reaches 15 MPH (24 km/h) .
●All doors unlock automatically when the ig-
nition is placed in the OFF position.
The automatic lock and unlock functions
can be deactivated or activated indepen-
dently of each other.To deactivate or activate
the automatic door lock or unlock system, per-
form the following procedure:
1. Close all doors.
2. Place the ignition switch in the ON position.
3. Do one of the following within 20 seconds of
performing Step #2:
●To change AUTO UNLOCK settings:
push and hold the power door lock switch
to the
position (UNLOCK) for more
than 5 seconds.
●To change AUTO LOCK settings: push
and hold the power door lock switch to
the
position (LOCK) for more
than 5 seconds.
APD1010
3-6Pre-driving checks and adjustments
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie

OPENING THE FUEL-FILLER DOOR
The fuel-filler door automatically unlocks when all
doors are unlocked.
1. Unlock the fuel-filler door using one of the
following operations.
●Unlock all doors with the keyfob.
●Unlock all doors with the key.
●Press the power door lock switch to the
unlock position.
2. To open the fuel filler door, push the right
side of the fuel filler door to release.
To lock, close the fuel-filler door securely and
lock the doors.
FUEL-FILLER CAP
The fuel-filler cap is a ratcheting type. Turn the
cap counterclockwise to remove. To tighten, turn
the cap clockwise until ratcheting clicks are
heard.
Put the fuel-filler cap on the cap holder
1while
refueling.
WARNING
●Gasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain condi-
tions. You could be burned or seriously
injured if it is misused or mishandled.
Always stop the engine and do not
smoke or allow open flames or sparks
near the vehicle when refueling.
●Do not attempt to top off the fuel tank
after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off
automatically. Continued refueling may
cause fuel overflow, resulting in fuel
spray and possibly a fire.
●Use only an original equipment type
fuel-filler cap as a replacement. It has a
built-in safety valve needed for proper
operation of the fuel system and emis-
sion control system. An incorrect cap
can result in a serious malfunction and
possible injury. It could also cause the
malfunction indicator light to come on.
●Never pour fuel into the throttle body to
attempt to start your vehicle.
WPD0454WIC1402
FUEL-FILLER DOOR
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-21
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie

This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS)
WARNING
●The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a
sophisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces. Remem-
ber that stopping distances on slippery
surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if you
are using tire chains. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you. Ultimately, the driver is respon-
sible for safety.
●Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.– When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Tire and
Loading Information label” in the
“Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
– For detailed information, see
“Wheels and tires” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip-
pery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6MPH(5
- 10 km/h) . The speed varies according to road
conditions.
Starting and driving5-23
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie

Jacking up vehicle and removing the
damaged tire
WARNING
●Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by the jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle, sup-
port it with safety stands.
●Use only the jack provided with your
vehicle to lift the vehicle. Do not use the
jack provided with your vehicle on other
vehicles. The jack is designed for lifting
only your vehicle during a tire change.●Use the correct jack-up points. Never
use any other part of the vehicle for jack
support.
●Never jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
●Never use blocks on or under the jack.
●Do not start or run the engine while
vehicle is on the jack. It may cause the
vehicle to move. This is especially true
for vehicles with limited slip
differentials.
●Do not allow passengers to stay in the
vehicle while it is on the jack.
●Never run the engine with a wheel(s) off
the ground. It may cause the vehicle to
move.
CE1089
In case of emergency6-5
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie

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 (lug 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.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter componentsReplace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
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 wheelalignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
●For 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.Brake pedalCheck the pedal for smooth opera-
tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down fur-
ther than normal, the pedal feels spongy or the
vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.
BrakesCheck that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) position mechanism:On a fairly
steep hill check that the vehicle is held securely
with the shift selector in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brakeCheck the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment,
see a NISSAN dealer.
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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie