2011 NISSAN MAXIMA engine overheat

TACHOMETER
The tachometer indicates engine speed in revo-
lutions per minute (rpm) . Do not rev the engine
into the red zone
1.
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the red
zone, shift to a higher gear or reduce en-
gine speed. Operating the engine in the
red zone may cause serious engine
damage.
ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE
GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant tempera-
ture. The engine coolant temperature is within the
normal range
1when the gauge needle points
within the zone shown in the illustration.
The engine coolant temperature varies with the
outside air temperature and driving conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates coolant tempera-
ture near the hot (H) end of the normal
range, reduce vehicle speed to decrease
temperature. If the gauge is over the nor-
mal range, stop the vehicle as soon as
safely possible. If the engine is over-
heated, continued operation of the ve-
hicle may seriously damage the engine.
See “If your vehicle overheats” in the “In
case of emergency” section for immediate
action required.
LIC1384LIC1386
Instruments and controls2-5

The front seats are warmed by built-in heaters.
The switch is located on the center console.1. Start the engine.
2. Push the LO or HI position of the switch, as desired. The indicator light in the switch will
illuminate.
The heater is controlled by a thermostat,
automatically turning the heater on and off.
The indicator light will remain on as long as
the switch is on.
3. When the seat is warmed or before you leave the vehicle, be sure to turn the switch
off.
CAUTION
●Do not use the seat heater for extended
periods or when no one is using the
seat.
● Do not put anything on the seat which
insulates heat, such as a blanket, cush-
ion, seat cover, etc. Otherwise, the seat
may become overheated.
● Do not place anything hard or heavy on
the seat or pierce it with a pin or similar
object. This may result in damage to the
heater.
● Any liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with a
dry cloth.
● When cleaning the seat, never use
gasoline, benzine, thinner, or any simi-
lar materials.
● If any abnormalities are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn the
switch off and have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.
● The battery could run down if the seat
heater is operated while the engine is
not running. The heated steering wheel system is designed to
operate only when the surface temperature of the
steering wheel is below 68°F (20°C) .
Push the heated steering wheel switch to warm
the steering wheel after the engine starts. The
indicator light will come on.
If the surface temperature of the steering wheel is
below 68°F (20°C) , the system will heat the
steering wheel and cycle off and on to maintain a
temperature above 68°F (20°C) . The indicator
light will remain on as long as the system is on.
Push the switch again to turn the heated steering
wheel system off manually. The indicator light will
go off.
LIC1543LIC0421
HEATED SEATS (if so equipped)
HEATED STEERING WHEEL (if so
equipped)
2-34Instruments and controls

NOTE:
If the surface temperature of the steering
wheel is above 68°F (20°C) when the switch
is turned on, the system will not heat the
steering wheel. This is not a malfunction.The climate controlled seat warms up or cools
down the front seat by blowing warm or cool air
from the surface of the seat. The climate control
switch is located on the center console.
The climate controlled seat can be operated as
follows:1. Start the engine.
2. Turn the control knob to the H (Heat) side or to the C (Cool) side, as desired. The indica-
tor light on the control knob will illuminate.
3. Adjust the desired amount of air using the control knob. The climate controlled seat
blower remains on low speed for approxi- mately 60 seconds after turning the switch
on or selecting the desired temperature.
4. When the vehicle’s interior is warmed or cooled, or before you leave the vehicle, be
sure to turn the control knob to the Off
(center) position
To check the air filter for the climate controlled
seat, contact a NISSAN dealer.
CAUTION
● The battery could run down if the cli-
mate control seat is operated while the
engine is not running.
● Do not use the climate control seat for
extended periods or when no one is
using the seat.
● Do not put anything on the seat which
insulates heat, such as a blanket, cush-
ion, seat cover, etc. Otherwise, the seat
may become overheated.
● Do not place anything hard or heavy on
the seat or pierce it with a pin or similar
objects. This may result in damage to
the climate controlled seat.
● Any liquid spilled on the seat should be
removed immediately with a dry cloth
LIC1410
CLIMATE CONTROL SEAT SWITCH (if
so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-35

CAUTION
●The outlet and plug may be hot during
or immediately after use.
● The power outlets are not designed for
use with a cigarette lighter.
● Do not use with accessories that ex-
ceed a 12 volt, 120W (10A) power draw.
Do not use double adapters or more
than one electrical accessory.
● Use power outlets with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
● Avoid using power outlets when the air
conditioner, headlights or rear window
defroster is on.
● Before inserting or disconnecting a
plug, be sure the electrical accessory
being used is turned OFF.
● Push the plug in as far as it will go. If
good contact is not made, the plug may
overheat or the internal temperature
fuse may open.
● When not in use, be sure to close the
cap. Do not allow water or any other
liquids to contact the outlet.
MAP POCKETS SEATBACK POCKETS
The seatback pockets are located on the back of
the driver’s and passenger’s seats. The pockets
can be used to store maps.
LIC1393LIC0016
STORAGE
Instruments and controls2-37

CAUTION
●Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline will seriously re-
duce the three-way catalyst’s ability to
help reduce exhaust pollutants.
● Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the three-way catalyst,
causing it to overheat. Do not keep driv-
ing if the engine misfires, or if notice-
able loss of performance or other un-
usual operating conditions are
detected. Have the vehicle inspected
promptly by a NISSAN dealer.
● Avoid driving with an extremely low fuel
level. Running out of fuel could cause
the engine to misfire, damaging the
three-way catalyst.
● Do not race the engine while warming it
up.
● Do not push or tow your vehicle to start
the engine.
TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING
SYSTEM (TPMS)
Each tire, including the spare (if provided) ,
should be checked monthly when cold and in-
flated to the inflation pressure recommended by
the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle placard
or tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire inflation
pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale
when one or more of your tires is significantly
under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should stop and
check all 4 tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a signifi-
cantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and
may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under-inflation has not reached the level to
trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure
telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS mal-
function indicator is combined with the low tire
pressure telltale. When the system detects a
malfunction, the telltale will flash for approxi-
mately one minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue upon
subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to detect
or signal low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of reasons,
including the installation of replacement or alter-
nate tires or wheels on the vehicle that prevent
the TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after replac-
ing one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle to
ensure that the replacement or alternate tires and
wheels allow the TPMS to continue to function
properly.
Starting and driving5-3

●HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:A
Turn the wheels into the curb and move the
vehicle forward until the curb side wheel
gently touches the curb.
● HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
B
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
● HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
C
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the cen-
ter of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch to the LOCK posi- tion. The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned off
while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
harder to operate.
The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at 2 wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
POWER STEERING
BRAKE SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-21

6 In case of emergency
Emergency engine shut off.........................6-2
Flat tire ...........................................6-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ..........6-2
Changing a flat tire .............................6-3
Jump starting .....................................6-7 Push starting
......................................6-9
If your vehicle overheats ............................6-9
Towing your vehicle ............................... 6-10
Towing recommended by NISSAN ..............6-11
Vehicle recovery (freeing a stuck vehicle) .........6-12

●Make sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine com-
partment and that the cable clamps do
not contact any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster ve- hicle at about 2,000 rpm and start the en-
gine of the vehicle being jump started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged for
more than 10 seconds. If the engine does
not start right away, place the ignition
switch in the OFF position and wait 3 to 4
seconds before trying again.
7. After starting the engine, carefully discon- nect the negative cable and then the positive
cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped) . Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to cover
the vent holes as it may be contaminated
with corrosive acid.
CAUTION
●CVT models cannot be push-started or
tow-started. Attempting to do so may
cause transmission damage.
● Do not push start this vehicle. The
three-way catalyst may be damaged. If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading) or if
you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal
noise, etc., take the following steps.
WARNING
●
Do not continue to drive if your vehicle
overheats. Doing so could cause engine
damage or a vehicle fire.
● To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is still hot. When the radiator
cap is removed, pressurized hot water
will spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
● Do not open the hood if steam is com-
ing out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply the parking brake and move the shift selector
to P (Park) .
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the windows, move the heater or air conditioner
temperature control to maximum hot and fan
control to high speed.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-9