2010 NISSAN MAXIMA check oil

1. Power steering fluid reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Air cleaner
5. Fuse block
6. Battery
7. Fuse/Fusible link box
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Radiator cap
10. Drive belt location
11. Engine coolant reservoir*
12. Window washer fluid reservoir*
NOTE:
Side covers removed for clarity.
WDI0662
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself

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
cTo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
cNever remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
cAvoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
cKeep 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) markssB. This is the normal oper-
ating oil level range. If the oil level is below
the L (Low) mark
sA, remove the oil filler cap
and pour recommended oil through the
opening.Do not overfill
sC.
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

CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly. Op-
erating the engine with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the engine, and
such damage is not covered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
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 the engine off andwait more than 10
minutes.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain plug
sA(under the body) .
5. Remove the oil filler cap
sB(inside the en-
gine compartment) by turning it counter-
clockwise.
6. Remove the drain plug
sAwith a wrench by
turning it counterclockwise and completely
drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove and
replace it at this time. See “Changing engine
oil filter” later in this section.
cWaste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly.
cCheck your local regulations.
WARNING
cProlonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin cancer.
cTry to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
cKeep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
LDI0641
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9

CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
7. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a new
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug with
a wrench. Do not use excessive force.
Drain plug tightening torque:
22 - 29 ft-lb (29 - 39 N·m)
8. Refill engine with recommended oil through
the oil filler opening, then install the oil filler
cap securely.
See “Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and con-
sumer information” section of this manual for
drain and refill capacity.
The drain and refill capacity depends on the
oil temperature and drain time. Use these
specifications for reference only. Always use
the dipstick to determine when the proper
amount of oil is in the engine.
9. Start the engine. Check for leakage around
the drain plug and oil filter. Correct as re-
quired.
10. Turn the engine off andwait more than 10
minutes.Check the oil level with the dip-
stick. Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
sA.
4. Loosen the oil filter
sAwith an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then
remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with
a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean
engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
LDI0642
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself

10 Index
A
Air bag
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-39
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system)...............1-46
Air bag warning light...........1-53, 2-14
Air cleaner housing filter............8-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner service...........4-48
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-41, 4-44
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-47
Servicing air conditioner..........4-48
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-24
Anchor point locations.............1-25
Antenna....................4-116
Anti-lock brake warning light......2-10, 2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-23
Armrests.....................1-7
Audible reminders...............2-16
Audio system..................4-48
BluetoothTaudio.............4-109
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-66
Compact disc (CD) player.....4-72, 4-79
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-64FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-75
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player.................4-69
Audio System
iPodTPlayer.............4-92, 4-93
Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system...............4-96, 4-102
Audio system
Radio....................4-48
Rear audio controls............4-115
Audio System
Settings...............4-70, 4-76
Audio system
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-113
USB interface............4-87, 4-88
Autolight switch.................2-30
Automatic
Automatic drive positioner.........3-29
Automatic power window switch.....2-43
Automatic transmission position indicator
light.....................2-14
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-16
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror.......3-25
Automatic door locks..............3-6
AUX jack....................4-68
B
Battery......................8-13
Charge warning light............2-11
Before starting the engine...........5-10Belt (See drive belt)..............8-15
Block heater
Engine....................5-27
BluetoothTaudio...............4-109
BluetoothThands-free phone
system.................4-117, 4-132
Booster seats..................1-36
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..............2-32
Brightness/contrast button.......4-15, 4-31
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-10
Bulb replacement................8-26
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio............4-117
Cargo net....................2-41
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-112

CD changer (See audio system)........4-66
CD player (See audio system)......4-72, 4-79
Child restraint with top tether strap.......1-25
Child restraints.......1-20, 1-20, 1-21, 1-23
Precautions on child
restraints.........1-21, 1-28, 1-32, 1-36
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-25
Child safety rear door lock............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-16
Cleaning exterior and interior...........7-2
Clock
(models with navigation system) . . .4-12, 4-26
Clock set.................4-12, 4-26
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Cold weather driving..............5-25
Compact disc (CD) player........4-72, 4-79
Console box...................2-40
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-11
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid......................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Transmission selector lever lock release . .5-16
Control panel buttons..............4-16
Brightness/contrast button......4-15, 4-31
Enter button...............4-4, 4-16
Setting button.............4-9, 4-24
Without navigation system..........4-4
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-113
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-41, 4-44
Rear audio controls............4-115
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-47Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level........8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Corrosion protection...............7-6
Cruise control..................5-18
Cup holders...................2-38
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-31
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-27
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player.......4-84
Dimensions and weights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-32
Display controls
(see control panel buttons)........4-4, 4-16
Distance to empty.............4-7, 4-21
Door locks.....................3-4
Drive belt.....................8-15
Drive positioner, Automatic...........3-29
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-25
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Precautions when starting and driving. . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel..................5-20Emission 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
Changing engine coolant...........8-8
Changing engine oil..............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......2-12
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine.............5-10
Enter button.................4-4, 4-16
Event data recorders..............9-27
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide).........5-2
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-33
Flat tire.......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
Fluid
Brake fluid..................8-12
10-2

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)..........1-53
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System......................1-23
License plate
Installing the license plate..........9-11
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-53, 2-14
Brake light (See stop light).........8-26
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-10
Bulb replacement..............8-26
Charge warning light............2-11
Fog light switch...............2-32
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-28
Headlight control switch..........2-29
Headlights..................8-25
Interior light..................2-49
Light bulbs..................8-25
Low tire pressure warning light.......2-12
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-23
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-48
Personal lights................2-50
Security indicator light............2-16
Trunk light..................2-52
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-10Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Door locks...................3-4
Glove box lock................2-39
Power door locks...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever..........3-19
Low fuel warning light..........2-13, 2-23
Low tire pressure warning light.........2-12
Low washer fluid warning light.........2-23
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance
Changing the maintenance interval . .4-8, 4-22
Displaying the maintenance notice
reminder.................4-9, 4-23
General maintenance.............8-2
Inside the vehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions...........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Resetting the maintenance interval . .4-8, 4-22
Seat belt maintenance............1-19
Setting.................4-8, 4-22
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator light............2-15
Map pocket....................2-37
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control........2-32
Mirror
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror......3-25
Outside mirror control............3-27
Outside mirrors...............3-27
Vanity mirror.................3-25
Moonroof.....................2-44Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system..................4-96, 4-102
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™.............3-7
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system.................2-25, 3-3, 5-9
NISSAN voice recognition system......4-144
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating)......9-4
Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil..............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
Outside mirror control..............3-27
Outside mirrors.................3-27
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats...........6-10
Owner’s manual order form...........9-27
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-27
10-4