2011 NISSAN MAXIMA automatic transmission fluid

lected using the shift paddles (if so equipped) on
the steering wheel
BandC. In the manual shift
mode, the shift range is displayed on the position
indicator in the meter. When shifting the shift
selector to the manual shift gate, the position
indicator displays 1 (first) up to 6 (sixth) depend-
ing on vehicle speed.
Shift ranges up or down one by one as follows:
1⇔ 2⇔ 3⇔ 4⇔ 5⇔ 6
M6 (6th):
Use this position for all normal forward driving at
highway speeds. M5 (5th):
Use this position when driving up long slopes, or
for engine braking when driving down long
slopes.
M4 (4th) , M3 (3rd) and M2 (2nd):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on downhill
grades.
M1 (First):
Use this position when climbing steep hills slowly
or driving slowly through deep snow, sand or
mud, or for maximum engine braking on steep
downhill grades.
● Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time in lower than 6
range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shifting up:
Move the shift selector to the + (up) side. (Shifts
to higher range.)
When shifting down:
Move the shift selector to the (down) side.
(Shifts to lower range.)
● Moving the shift selector rapidly to the same
side twice will shift the ranges in succession. When canceling the manual shift mode:
Return the shift selector to the D (Drive) position
to return the transmission to the normal driving
mode.
● In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving perfor-
mance and reduces the chance of ve-
hicle damage or loss of control.
● In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may shift up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the en-
gine speed is too high. When the ve-
hicle speed decreases, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down and
shifts to 1st gear before the vehicle
comes to a stop.
● CVT operation is limited to automatic drive
mode when CVT fluid temperature is ex-
tremely low even if manual shift mode is
selected. This is not a malfunction. When
CVT fluid warms up, manual mode can be
selected.
● When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.
LSD0193
Starting and driving5-15

Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
shift selector may not be moved from the P (Park)
position even with the brake pedal depressed
and the shift selector button pressed.
It will be necessary to jump start or have your
battery charged, see “Jump starting” in the “In
case of emergency” section. Contact your
NISSAN dealer or a professional towing service.
To move the shift selector, complete the following
procedure:1. Press the ignition switch to the LOCK posi- tion. 2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a protective cloth on the tip ofa3mm
screwdriver, remove the shift lock release
cover.
● If available, a plastic trim tool can also be
used.
4. Insert the small screwdriver in the shift lock release slot and push down.
5. Move the shift selector to the N (Neutral) position while holding down the shift lock
release.
6. Push the ignition switch to the ON position to unlock the steering wheel. Now the ve-
hicle may be moved to the desired location.
If the shift selector cannot be moved out of P
(Park) , have a NISSAN dealer check the trans-
mission as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the shift selector cannot be moved from
the P (Park) position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is depressed,
the stop lights may not work. Malfunction-
ing stop lights could cause an accident
injuring yourself and others.
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
WSD0236
5-16Starting and driving

When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
●Park the vehicle on a level surface, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. Move the shift selector to
P (Park) .
● Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
● If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts.
● It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
● Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle. ●
Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even if
the ignition switch is in the OFF posi-
tion and the engine is not running. To
avoid injury, always disconnect the
negative battery cable before working
near the fan.
● If you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases to escape.
● Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
● Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
● On gasoline engine models, the fuel
filter or fuel lines should be serviced by
a NISSAN dealer because the fuel lines
are under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
CAUTION
●Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
● Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
● Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
● Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage. If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5

Temperature conditions also can affect towing.
For example, towing a heavy trailer in high outside
temperatures on graded roads can affect engine
performance and cause overheating. The trans-
mission high fluid temperature protection mode,
which helps reduce the chance of transmission
damage, could activate and automatically de-
crease engine power. Under some conditions,
engine and vehicle speed could be reduced. Plan
your trip carefully to account for trailer and vehicle
load, weather, and road conditions.
WARNING
Overheating can result in reduced engine
power and lower vehicle speed. Also,
when the high temperature mode oper-
ates, engine and vehicle speed may be
gradually reduced. On highways, the re-
duced speed may be lower than other traf-
fic which could increase the chance of a
collision. Be especially careful when driv-
ing. If the vehicle cannot maintain a safe
driving speed, pull to the side of the road
in a safe area and allow the engine to cool
or the transmission to return to normal
operation. See “If your vehicle overheats”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
CAUTION
Vehicle damage resulting from improper
towing procedures is not covered by
NISSAN warranties.
Tongue load
Keep the tongue load between 10 - 15 percent of
the total trailer load or use the trailer tongue load
specified by the trailer manufacturer. The tongue
load must be within the maximum tongue load
limits shown in the following “Towing
Load/Specification” chart. If the tongue load be-
comes excessive, rearrange cargo to allow for
proper tongue load.
WTI0160
Technical and consumer information9-17

2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply thebrakes 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.
CAUTION
● Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
● DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing) . Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Continuously Variable Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct.
Technical and consumer information9-23

10 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-37
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-44
Air bag warning light ...........1-52, 2-13
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-18
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ...........4-47
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-42, 4-45
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-47
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-24
Anchor point locations .............1-23
Antenna ....................4-114
Anti-lock brake warning light ......2-10, 2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-22
Armrests .....................1-7
Audible reminders ...............2-16
Audio system ..................4-47
Bluetooth audio.............4-109
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-65
Compact disc (CD) player .....4-71, 4-79
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-63
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-75 FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player
.................4-68
Audio System iPod Player .............4-91, 4-93
Music Box hard-disk drive audio
system ...............4-96, 4-101
Audio system Radio ....................4-47
Audio System Settings ...............4-69, 4-75
Audio system Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-113
USB interface ............4-86, 4-87
Autolight switch .................2-30
Automatic Automatic drive

positioner.........3-29
Automatic power window switch .....2-44
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-14
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-16
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-26
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUX jack ....................4-67
B
Battery ......................8-14
Charge warning light ............2-11
Before starting the engine ...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Block heater Engine ....................5-26 Bluetooth
audio...............4-109
Bluetooth hands-free phone
system .................4-115, 4-130
Booster seats ..................1-34
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-22
Brake fluid ..................8-13
Brake light (See stop light) .........8-27
Brake system ................5-21
Brake warning light .............2-11
Brake wear indicators ........2-16, 8-20
Parking brake operation ..........5-17
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-20
Brakes ......................8-20
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 ................8-27
C
Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants ..........9-2
Car phone or CB radio ............4-115
Cargo net...................

.2-41
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning .............4-112
CD changer (See audio system) .......4-65
CD player (See audio system) .....4-71, 4-79
Check tire pressure ...............2-24

Child restraints.......1-18, 1-18, 1-19, 1-21
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-19, 1-25, 1-30, 1-34
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-23
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 ........4-71, 4-79
Console box ...................2-40
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-11 Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-12
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-11
Transmission shift selector 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 ................4-42, 4-45
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Corrosion protection ...............7-6 Cruise control
..................5-18
Cup holders ................2-38, 2-39
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 .......4-83
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 .....................8-17
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 ..................5-19
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-24
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-10
Block heater .................5-26
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2 Changing engine coolant
...........8-9
Changing engine oil .............8-10
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-11
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Checking engine oil level ...........8-9
Engine compartment check locations . . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Engine cooling system ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
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 .............5-11
Enter button .................4-4, 4-16
Event data recorders ..............9-26
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Eyeglass case ..................2-38
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-33
Flat tire......................

.6-2
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-12
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Power steering fluid .............8-12
10-2

Phone, Bluetoothhands-free
system .................4-115, 4-130
Power Power door locks ...............3-5
Power outlet .................2-36
Power rear windows .............2-43
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-21
Power windows ...............2-42
Rear power windows ............2-43
Precautions Maintenance precautions ...........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-19, 1-25, 1-30, 1-34
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-11
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-37
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Programmable features ..........4-9, 4-24
Push starting ....................6-9
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ..........4-115
Compact Disc (CD) changer ........4-65
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
changer ....................4-63
FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-75
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-68
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-113
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-26
Rear power windows ..............2-43 Rear seat
......................1-5
Rear sun shade .................2-49
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch .......................2-27
RearView Monitor ................4-34
Recorders Event data ..................9-26
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-25
Resetting the fuel economy ........4-7, 4-21
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Child seat belts .....1-19,
1-25,
1-30, 1-34
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-25
Seat adjustment Front power seat adjustment .........1-3
Seat belt Child safety ..................1-18
Infants and small children ..........1-18
Injured Person ................1-14
Larger children ................1-19
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-11
Pregnant women ...............1-14
Seat belt extenders .............1-17
Seat belt maintenance ............1-17
Seat belts ...................1-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-16
Three-point type with retractor .......1-14
Seat belt warning light ..............2-13
Seatback pockets ................2-37
Seats Adjustment
...................1-2
Automatic drive positioner ..........3-29
Front seats ...................1-2
Heated seats .............2-34, 2-36
Rear seat ....................1-5
Security indicator light ..............2-15
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-25, 3-3, 5-10
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-20
Service manual order form ...........9-27
Servicing air conditioner .............4-47
Setting button ...............4-9, 4-24
Shift lock release .................5-16
Shifting Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) .....................5-13
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-16
Spark plug replacement .............8-17
Speedometer ...................2-4
Spotlights (See map light) ...........2-51
SRS warning

label................1-51
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-10
Jump starting .................6-7
Precautions when starting and driving . . . .5-2
Push starting ..................6-9
Starting the engine .............5-11
Steering Heated steering wheel ...........2-34
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-21
Steering wheel audio control switch .....4-113
Stop light .....................8-27
Storage ......................2-37
Sun visors ....................3-25
Sunglasses case .................2-38
10-5