2010 NISSAN MAXIMA coolant temperature

The engine cooling system is filled at the factory
with Genuine NISSAN Engine Coolant to provide
year-round anti-freeze and coolant protection.
The anti-freeze solution contains rust and corro-
sion inhibitors. Additional engine cooling system
additives are not necessary.
WARNING
cNever remove the radiator or coolant
reservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. See precautions in “If your
vehicle overheats” found in the “In case
of emergency” section of this manual.
cThe radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent en-
gine damage, use only a genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be sure
to use only a Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent with the
proper mixture ratio of 50% anti-freeze
and 50% demineralized or distilled water.
The use of other types of coolant solu-
tions other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent,
may damage the engine cooling system.
Outside temperature
down toGenuine
NISSAN
Long Life
Antifreeze/
Coolant or
equivalentDemineral-
ized or dis-
tilled water
°C °F
-34 -29.2 50% 50%
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir when
the engine is cold.If the coolant level is below
the MIN level
sB, add coolant to the MAX level
sA. If the reservoir is empty, check the coolant
level in the radiatorwhen the engine is cold.If
there is insufficient coolant in the radiator, fill the
radiator with coolant up to the filler opening and
also add it to the reservoir up to the MAX level
sA.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
LDI0554
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7

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

cWhen backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill
side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly
release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Turn off the engine.To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
5. Drive slowly until the vehicle and trailer are
clear from the blocks.
6. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
7. Have someone retrieve and store the blocks.
cWhile going downhill, the weight of the
trailer pushing on the tow vehicle may de-
crease overall stability. Therefore, to main-
tain adequate control, reduce your speed
and use the manual shift mode (M5) . Avoid
long or repeated use of the brakes when
descending a hill, as this reduces their effec-
tiveness and could cause overheating. Shift-
ing the manual shift mode to M5 (5th) pro-
vides “engine braking” and reduces the need
to brake as frequently.
cIf the engine coolant temperature rises to a
high temperature, refer to “If your vehicle
overheats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this owner’s manual.cTrailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
cFor the first 500 miles (805 km) that you do
tow, do not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
cHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
cWhen 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.
cCrosswinds 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.
9-22Technical and consumer information

Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
“not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready”. If the
MIL indicates the vehicle is in a “not ready” con-
dition, drive the vehicle through the following
pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If
you cannot or do not want to perform the driving
pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic con-
ditions and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C. Al-
low the engine to idle until the gauge needle
points between the C and H (normal oper-
ating temperature) .
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h) , then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 10 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of
53 - 60 MPH (86 - 96 km/h) for at least 9
minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 at least 10 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 min-
utes.8. Stop the vehicle. Place the shift selector in
the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position.
9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps1-8atleast one more time.
If steps 1 through 7 are interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is accept-
able between steps. Do not stop the engine until
step 7 is completed.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
9-26Technical and consumer information

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

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
Fog light switch.................2-32
Folding rear seat..................1-5
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system)......1-46
Front seats.....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-20
Fuel gauge...................2-6
Fuel octane rating...............9-4
Fuel recommendation.............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-21
Fuses.......................8-20
Fusible links...................8-21
G
Garage door opener, HomeLinkTUniversal
Transceiver....................2-52
Gascap .....................3-21
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Fuel gauge...................2-6
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-4Tachometer..................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-4
General maintenance...............8-2
Glove box.....................2-39
Glove box lock..................2-39
Grocery hooks..................2-40
H
Hands-free phone system,
BluetoothT...............4-117, 4-132
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-28
Headlight control switch............2-29
Headlights....................8-25
Heated seats...................2-35
Heated steering wheel.............2-35
Heater
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-41, 4-44
Heater operation...........4-42, 4-45
Rear seat air conditioner..........4-47
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver........2-52
Hood release...................3-18
Horn.......................2-33
I
Ignition Switch
Push-Button Ignition Switch.........5-7
Image viewer...................4-31
Immobilizer system..........2-25, 3-3, 5-9
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter................8-17Increasing 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..........2-32
Instrument panel...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-32
Intelligent Key system
Key operating range..............3-9
Key operation................3-10
Mechanical key................3-3
Remote keyless entry operation.......3-13
Troubleshooting guide............3-16
Warning signals...............3-16
Interior light....................2-49
Interior trunk lid release.............3-20
iPodTPlayer................4-92, 4-93
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-23
J
Jump starting...................6-8
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
10-3

Steering
Heated steering wheel...........2-35
Power steering fluid.............8-11
Power steering system...........5-22
Steering wheel audio control switch.....4-113
Stop light.....................8-26
Storage......................2-37
Sun visors....................3-24
Sunglasses case.................2-38
Sunroof (see Moonroof).............2-44
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-53, 2-14
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-46
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-53
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-39
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-39
Switch
Autolight switch...............2-30
Automatic power window switch......2-43
Fog light switch...............2-32
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-28
Headlight control switch..........2-29
Power door lock switch............3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-27
Turn signal switch..............2-32
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch.....................2-36
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-26T
Tachometer....................2-5
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-5
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start..............2-25, 3-3, 5-9
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tire
Flat tire.....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-41
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-11
Tire chains..................8-38
Tire placard..................9-11
Tire pressure.................8-30
Tire rotation..................8-38
Types of tires.................8-37
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-24
Wheels and tires...............8-30
Wheel/tire size.................9-8
Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light.......2-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-25
Towing
Flat towing..................9-23
Tow truck towing...............6-11
Towing load/specification..........9-19
Trailer towing.................9-16
Transceiver
HomeLinkTUniversal Transceiver......2-52
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid..................8-11Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Selector lever lock release.........5-16
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country)......................9-9
Trip odometer...................2-4
Trunk access through the rear seat.....1-5, 1-6
Trunk lid lock opener lever............3-19
Trunk light....................2-52
Turn signal switch................2-32
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-24
USB interface
Audio file operation..........4-87, 4-88
Video file operation.............4-90
V
Vanity mirror...................3-25
Variable voltage control system.........8-15
Vehicle dimensions and weights.........9-8
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-36
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) system.....5-24
Vehicle identification...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number).................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. . . .9-9
Vehicle loading information...........9-12
Vehicle recovery.................6-13
Vehicle security system.............2-24
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle immobi-
lizer system) , engine start......2-25, 3-3, 5-9
10-6