2011 NISSAN MAXIMA steering

●When 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. ● While 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.
● If 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.
● Trailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
● 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.
9-22Technical and consumer information

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

Windshield-washer fluid...........8-14
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) ......1-44
Front seats .....................1-2
Fuel Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Fuel economy ................5-19
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Fuel octane rating ...............9-4
Fuel recommendation .............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap ...........3-21
Loose fuel cap warning ........2-24, 3-21
Fuses .......................8-21
Fusible links ...................8-22
G
Garage door opener, HomeLink Universal
Transceiver ....................2-52
Gascap .....................3-21
Gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Fuel gauge ...................2-6
Odometer ...................2-4
Speedometer .................2-4
Tachometer ..................2-5
Trip odometer .................2-4
General maintenance ...............8-2
Glove box .....................2-40
Glove box lock ..................2-40
Grocery hooks ..................2-41 H
Hands-free phone system,
Bluetooth ...............4-115, 4-130
Hazard warning flasher switch .........2-33
Headlight and turn signal switch ........2-28
Headlight control switch ............2-29
Headlights ....................8-26
Heated seats..............

.2-34, 2-36
Heated steering wheel .............2-34
Heater Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-42, 4-45
Heater operation ...........4-43, 4-46
HomeLink Universal Transceiver ........2-52
Hood release ...................3-18
Horn .......................2-33
I
Ignition Switch Push-Button Ignition Switch .........5-7
Image viewer ...................4-32
Immobilizer system .........2-25, 3-3, 5-10
Important vehicle information label .......9-10
In-cabin microfilter ................8-18
Increasing fuel economy .............5-19
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) ....................2-10
Inside automatic anti-glare mirror ........3-26
Instrument brightness control ..........2-32
Instrument panel ...............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch ........2-32Intelligent 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
iPod Player................4-91, 4-93
ISOFIX child restraints .............1-21
J
Jump starting ...................6-7
K
Keyfob battery replacement ...........8-24
K eyless

entry
With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system) .........3-13
Keys, For Intelligent Key system .........3-2
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
10-3

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