2009 NISSAN MAXIMA check transmission fluid

Accelerator downshift
— in D (Drive) position and manual
shift mode
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into lower range, depending on the
vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperature with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer) , engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may be
limited.
Fail-safe
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction indicator light(MIL)” in the “Instrument and controls” sec-
tion. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this
case, place the ignition switch in the OFF
position and wait for 10 seconds. Then
push the switch back to the ON position.
The vehicle should return to its normal op-
erating condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually reduced.
The reduced speed may be lower than
other traffic, which could increase the
chance of a collision. Be especially care-
ful when driving. If necessary, pull to the
side of the road at a safe place and allow
the transmission to return to normal op-
eration, or have it repaired if necessary.
WARNING
●Be sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased before driving. Failure to do so
can cause brake failure and lead to an
accident.
●Do not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
●Do not use the gear shift in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
●Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake and cause an accident.
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-17
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Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie


8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions . . .........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-7
Checking engine coolant level...................8-7
Changing engine coolant........................8-8
Engine oil.........................................8-8
Checking engine oil level........................8-8
Changing engine oil............................8-9
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-10
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid......8-11
Power steering fluid...............................8-11
Brake fluid.......................................8-12
Brake fluid . . ..................................8-12
Window washer fluid.............................8-12
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-12
Battery..........................................8-13
Jump starting.................................8-14
Variable voltage control system.....................8-16
Drive belt........................................8-15Spark plugs......................................8-16
Replacing spark plugs . ........................8-16
Air cleaner.......................................8-17
In-cabin microfilter.............................8-17
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-18
Cleaning.....................................8-18
Replacing....................................8-18
Brakes..........................................8-19
Fuses...........................................8-20
Engine compartment...........................8-20
Passenger compartment . . .....................8-22
Battery replacement..............................8-23
NISSAN Intelligent Key™.......................8-24
Lights...........................................8-25
Headlights....................................8-25
Exterior and interior lights . . .
....................8-26
Wheels and tires.................................8-30
Tire pressure..................................8-30
Tire labeling...................................8-34
Types of tires..................................8-37
Tire chains....................................8-38
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-38
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CAUTION
●Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid
NS-2-V. Do not mix with other fluids.
●Using transmission fluid other than
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V will
damage the CVT, which is not covered
by the NISSAN new vehicle limited
warranty.
When checking or replacement of CVT Fluid is
required, we recommend your NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
The fluid level should be checked using the HOT
MAX range on the power steering fluid reservoir
at fluid temperatures of 122° - 176°F (50° -
80°C) or using the COLD MAX range on the
power steering fluid reservoir at fluid tempera-
tures of 32° - 86°F (0° - 30°C) .
If the fluid is at or below the MIN line, add Genu-
ine NISSAN PSF to HOT MAX or COLD MAX
depending on system fluid temperature. Remove
the cap and fill through the opening.
CAUTION
●DO NOT OVERFILL.
●Recommended fluid is Genuine
NISSAN PSF or equivalent.
LDI0557
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUIDPOWER STEERING FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-11
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●Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
●For the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
●Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
●When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
●Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to
allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the ve-
hicle.
– Do not correct trailer sway by steering or
applying the brakes.2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal-
anced as described earlier in this section.
●Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, the length of the trailer must
also pass the other vehicle before you can
safely change lanes.
●Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
●Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
●NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
●Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
●When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
●Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, transmission fluid
should be changed more frequently. For
additional information, see the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section earlier in
this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
Technical and consumer information9-23
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10/20/08—debbie


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)...............1-42
Airbagwarninglight...........1-50,2-13
Air cleaner housing filter............8-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner service...........4-43
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-37,4-40
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-42
Servicing air conditioner..........4-43
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-23
Anchorpointlocations.............1-21
Antenna.....................4-87
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-10
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-23
Armrests .....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-16
Audio system..................4-43
Compact Disc (CD) changer....4-53,4-60
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-68Audio System
CompactFlash (CF) player.........4-70
Audio system
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD)changer................4-51
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD)changer.............4-57,4-65
Audio System
iPodPlayer.................4-73
Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system....................4-74
Audio system
Radio ....................4-43
Rearaudiocontrols.............4-86
Audio System
Settings................4-57,4-65
Audio system
Steering wheel audio control switch....4-84
Autolight switch.................2-29
Automatic
Automatic drive positioner.........3-28
Automatic power window switch.....2-43
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-16
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.......3-25
Automatic door locks...............3-6
AUX jack.....................4-55B
Battery......................8-13
Charge warning light............2-11
Before starting the engine...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-15
Block heater
Engine....................5-27
Bluetoothhands-free phone
system..................4-88,4-103
Booster seats..................1-31
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-23
Brake fluid..................8-12
Brake light (See stop light).........8-26
Brake system................5-22
Brake warning light.............2-11
Brake wear indicators........2-16,8-19
Parking brake operation..........5-17
Self-adjusting brakes............8-19
Brakes
......................8-19
Break-in schedule................5-19
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-31
Brightness/contrast button.......4-14,4-28
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-10
Bulb replacement................8-26
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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