Page 8 of 419
1. Engine hood (P. 3-18)
2. Windshield wiper and washer switch
(P. 2-25)
3. Windshield (P. 8-18)
4. Moonroof (if so equipped) (P. 2-44)
5. Power windows (P. 2-41)
6. Door locks, Nissan Intelligent Key™,
keys, request button
(P. 3-4, 3-2, 3-2, 3-2)
7. Mirrors (P. 3-25)
8. Tire pressure (P. 8-30)
9. Flat tire (P. 6-2)
10. Tire chains (P. 8-38)
11. Headlight and turn signal switch
(P. 2-27)
12. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-28)
13. Fog lights (P. 8-25)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
WII0155
EXTERIOR FRONT
Illustrated table of contents0-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie
Page 9 of 419
1. Rear window defroster switch (P. 2-26)
2. Interior trunk lid release (P. 3-20)
3. Trunk lid (P. 3-18)
4. Vehicle loading (P. 9-12)
5. Exterior trunk lid release/request button
(P. 3-13)
6. Replacing bulbs (P. 8-28)
7. Fuel-filler cap, fuel recommendation
(P. 3-21, P. 9-3)
8. Fuel-filler door (P. 3-21)
9. Child safety locks (P. 3-6)
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
WII0156
EXTERIOR REAR
0-4Illustrated table of contents
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie
Page 13 of 419
1. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-11)
2. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-8)
3. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-12)
4. Air cleaner (P. 8-17)
5. Fuse block (P. 8-20)
6. Battery (P. 8-13)
7. Fuse/fusible link box (P. 8-20)
8. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-8)
9. Radiator cap (P. 8-7)
10. Drive belt location (P.8-15)
11. Engine coolant reservoir * (P. 8-7)
12. Windshield washer fluid reservoir *
(P. 8-12)
NOTE:
* Cover removed for clarity.
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
WDI0662
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie
Page 14 of 419

Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light2-10
or
Brake warning light 2-11
Charge warning
light2-11
Engine oil pressure
warning light2-11
Low tire pressure
warning light2-12
NISSAN Intelligent
Key™ warning light2-13
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-13
Warning
lightName Page
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-13
Indicator
lightName Page
Continuously Vari-
able Transmission
(CVT) indicator light2-14
Continuously Vari-
able Transmission
(CVT) position indi-
cator light2-10
CRUISE main
switch indicator light2-14
Front fog light indi-
cator light (if so
equipped)2-14
Front passenger air
bag status light2-14
Indicator
lightName Page
High beam indicator
light (blue)2-14
Malfunction indica-
tor light (MIL)2-14
Security indicator
light2-15
Slip indicator light 2-15
Turn signal/hazard
indicator lights2-15
Vehicle Dynamic
Control OFF indica-
tor light2-15
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
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REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
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Page 17 of 419

WARNING
●Do not ride in a moving vehicle when
the seatback is reclined. This can be
dangerous. The shoulder belt will not
be against your body. In an accident,
you could be thrown into it and receive
neck or other serious injuries. You
could also slide under the lap belt and
receive serious internal injuries.●For the most effective protection when
the vehicle is in motion, the seat should
be upright. Always sit well back in the
seat with both feet on the floor and
adjust the seat properly. See “Precau-
tions on seat belt usage” later in this
section.
●After adjustment, gently rock in the seat
to make sure it is securely locked.
●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.●The seatback should not be reclined
any more than needed for comfort. Seat
belts are most effective when the pas-
senger sits well back and straight up in
the seat. If the seatback is reclined, the
risk of sliding under the lap belt and
being injured is increased.
CAUTION
When adjusting the seat positions, be
sure not to contact any moving parts to
avoid possible injuries and/or damage.
ARS1152
SEATS
1-2Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie
Page 21 of 419

●When returning the seatbacks to the
upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched posi-
tion. If they are not completely secured,
passengers may be injured in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.
●Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
To fold down the driver side of the rear seat, reach
through the opening and pull on the strap
1
located behind the seat.
The rear seats can be locked using the mechani-
cal key to prevent unauthorized access.
Secondary trunk lid release (if so
equipped)
For models with a rear center console, the trunk
can be accessed through the access panel be-
tween the rear seats, as shown.
●Fold down the center arm rest.
●Insert the mechanical key into the trunk com-
partment access lid lock. Fold down the
trunk compartment access lid. For more in-
formation on the mechanical key, see
“Nissan Intelligent Key™” in the Pre-driving
checks and adjustments chapter.
●Pull the rear seat trunk release handle
1.
WRS0867LPD0459
1-6Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/21/08—tbrooks
Page 22 of 419
Center armrest
Pull the armrest down until it is horizontal.HEAD RESTRAINT ADJUSTMENT
To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To lower,
push and hold the lock knob and push the head
restraint down.
WARNING
Head restraints should be adjusted prop-
erly as they may provide significant pro-
tection against injury in an accident. Do
not remove them. Check the adjustment
after someone else uses the seat.
WRS0868
Type A — Front
WRS0133
Type B — Rear
LRS0240
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-7
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Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/21/08—tbrooks
Page 29 of 419

Fastening the seat belts
1Adjust the seat. See “Seats” earlier in this
section.
2Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor
and insert the tongue into the buckle until
you hear and feel the latch engage.
●The retractor is designed to lock during
a sudden stop or on impact. A slow
pulling motion permits the seat belt to
move, and allows you some freedom of
movement in the seat.
●If the seat belt cannot be pulled from
its fully retracted position, firmly pull
the belt and release it. Then smoothly
pull the belt out of the retractor.3Position the lap belt portionlow and snug
on the hipsas shown.
4Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack. Be sure the
shoulder belt is routed over your shoulder
and across your chest.
The front passenger seat and the rear seating
positions three-point seat belts have two modes
of operation:
●Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
●Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
Front seat shown
WRS0864WRS0137WRS0138
1-14Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
REVIEW COPY—2009 Maxima(max)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/20/08—debbie