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
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not cause
harmful interference, and (2) this device
must accept any interference received, in-
cluding interference that may cause undes-
ired operation of the device.HEADLIGHTS
Replacing the xenon headlight bulb (if
so equipped)
WARNING
HIGH VOLTAGE
When xenon headlights are on, they pro-
duce a high voltage. To prevent an electric
shock, never attempt to modify or disas-
semble. Always have your xenon head-
lights replaced at a NISSAN dealer. For
additional information, see “Headlight
and turn signal switch” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section.
Replacing the halogen headlight bulb
(if so equipped)
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type which
uses a replaceable headlight (halogen) bulb. Be-
cause the headlight assembly must be removed
from the vehicle for bulb replacement, see your
NISSAN dealer.
CAUTION
●Aiming is not necessary after replacing
the bulb. When aiming adjustment is
necessary, contact a NISSAN dealer.
●Do not leave the headlight assembly
open without a bulb installed for a long
period of time. Dust, moisture, smoke,
etc. entering the headlight body may
affect bulb performance. Remove the
bulb from the headlight assembly just
before a replacement bulb is installed.
●Only touch the base when handling the
bulb. Never touch the glass envelope.
Touching the glass could significantly
affect bulb life and/or headlight
performance.
●High pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb may
break if the glass envelope is scratched
or the bulb is dropped.
Fog may temporarily form inside the lens of the
exterior lights in the rain or in a car wash. A
temperature difference between the inside and
the outside of the lens causes the fog. This is not
a malfunction. If large drops of water collect
inside the lens, contact a NISSAN dealer.
LIGHTS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-25
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—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
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