2012 NISSAN MAXIMA automatic transmission

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
9-16Technical and consumer information

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.
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
Airbagwarninglight...........1-51,2-14
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) .........2-25
Anchor point locations .............1-23
Antenna....................4-114
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 ..................4-47
Bluetooth audio.............4-108
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 . . .4-112
USB interface ............4-86,4-87
Autolight switch .................2-31
Automatic Automatic drive positioner .........3-29
Automatic power window switch .....2-45
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
AUXjack ....................4-67
B
Battery ......................8-14
Chargewarninglight............2-11
Before starting the engine ...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Block heater Engine ....................5-27 Bluetooth
audio...............4-108
Bluetooth hands-free phone
system .................4- 115, 4-129
Boosterseats..................1-33
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-23
Brakefluid..................8-13
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-27
Brake system ................5-22
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-inschedule ...............5-19
Brightness/contrast button .......4-15,4-31
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-33
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-10
Bulbreplacement................8-27
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargonet....................2-43
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CarphoneorCBradio............4-114
CDcareandcleaning.............4-111
CD changer (See audio system) .......4-65
CD player (See audio system) .....4-71,4-79
Check tire pressure ...............2-25

Child restraints.......1-17,1-18,1-19,1-21
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-19,1-25,1-29,1-33
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-23
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-16
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock (models with navigation system) . . .4-11, 4-26
Clockset .................4-11,4-26
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-26
Compact disc (CD) player ........4-71,4-79
Console box ...................2-42
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
Controlpanelbuttons..............4-16 Brightness/contrast button ......4-15,4-31
Enterbutton...............4-4,4-16
Setting button .............4-9,4-24
Without navigation system ..........4-4
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel)......4-112
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
Corrosionprotection ...............7-6 Cruisecontrol..................5-18
Cupholders................2-40,2-41
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-32
Defroster switch Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-29
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-83
Dimensionsandweights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-33
Display controls
(seecontrolpanelbuttons) ........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 ............5-26
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-11
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-20
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-24
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-10
Block heater .................5-27
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2 Changingenginecoolant...........8-9
Changingengineoil.............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
Enterbutton.................4-4,4-16
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-25
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-24
Eyeglass case ..................2-40
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch) ......2-34
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
10-2

Phone, Bluetoothhands-free
system.................4- 115, 4-129
Power Power door locks ...............3-5
Power outlet .................2-38
Power rear windows .............2-45
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-22
Power windows ...............2-44
Rear power windows ............2-45
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-19,1-25,1-29,1-33
Precautionsonseatbeltusage.......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 ..........4-114
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 . . .4-112
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-25
Rear power windows ..............2-45 Rearseat......................1-5
Rearsunshade .................2-50
RearViewMonitor................4-34
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch
.......................2-29
Recorders Eventdata..................9-25
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-24
Resetting the fuel economy ........4-7,4-21
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Child seat belts .....1-19,1-25,1-29,1-33
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-24
Seat adjustment Front power seat adjustment .........1-3
Seatback pockets ................2-39
Seat belt Childsafety..................1-17
Infants and small children ..........1-18
Injured Person ................1-14
Largerchildren................1-18
Precautions on seat belt usage .......1-11
Pregnant women ...............1-14
Seatbeltextenders .............1-17
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-17
Seatbelts...................1-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-16
Three-point type with retractor .......1-14
Seat belt warning light ..............2-13 Seats
Adjustment ...................1-2
Automatic drive positioner ..........3-29
Frontseats...................1-2
Heated seats .............2-35,2-37
Rearseat....................1-5
Security indicator light ..............2-15
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start ........2-26,3-3,5-10
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-20
Service manual order form ...........9-26
Servicing air conditioner .............4-47
Setting button ...............
4-9,4-24
Shifting Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT).....................5-13
Shiftlockrelease.................5-16
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-16
Spark plug replacement .............8-17
Speedometer ...................2-4
Spotlights(Seemaplight) ...........2-53
SRSwarninglabel................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 ...........2-37
Power steering fluid .............8-12
Power steering system ...........5-22
Steering wheel audio control switch .....4-112
Stoplight.....................8-27
Storage......................2-39
Sunglasses case .................2-40
10-5

Sunglassesholder................2-40
Sunroof (see Moonroof).............2-46
Sun visors ....................3-25
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-51, 2-14
Supplemental front impact air bag system . . .1-44
Supplemental restraint system Information and warning labels .......1-51
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-37
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) .........1-37
Switch Autolightswitch...............2-31
Automatic power window switch ......2-45
Foglightswitch ...............2-34
Hazard warning flasher switch .......2-34
Headlight and turn signal switch ......2-29
Headlightcontrolswitch ..........2-30
Power door lock switch ............3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-29
Turnsignalswitch..............2-33
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off
switch.....................2-38
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-28
T
Tachometer ....................2-5
Temperature gauge Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-5
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start .............2-26,3-3,5-10
Three-way catalyst ................5-2 Tire
Flat tire .....................6-2
Spare tire ................6-4,8-42
Tire and Loading Information label .....9-11
Tirechains..................8-39
Tireplacard..................9-11
Tire pressure .................8-31
Tire rotation..................8-39
Types of tires .................8-38
Uniform tire quality grading .........9-23
Wheels and tires ...............8-31
Wheel/tire size .................9-8
Tire pressure Low tire pressure warning light .......2-12
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) ....5-3
Towing Flattowing..................9-22
Towing load/specification ..........9-18
Towtrucktowing...............6-10
Trailer towing .................9-15
Transceiver HomeLink Universal Transceiver ......2-54
Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-12
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-11
Shiftselectorlockrelease..........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
Trunklight ....................2-53
Turn signal switch ................2-33 U
Uniform tire quality grading ...........9-23
USB interface Audio file operation ..........4-86,4-88
Video file operation .............4-89
V
Vanity mirror ...................3-25
Variable voltage control system .........8-17
Vehicledimensionsandweights.........9-8
Vehicle dynamic control (VDC) off switch . . .2-38
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
V

ehicleloadinginformation...........9-12
Vehicle recovery .................6-12
Vehicle security system .............2-25
Vehicle security system (NISSAN vehicle immobi-
lizer system) , engine start ......2-26,3-3,5-10
Ventilators ....................4-40
Visors.......................3-25
Voice recognition system ...........4-140
W
Warning Airbagwarninglight.........1-51, 2-14
Anti-lock brake warning light .....2-10,2-11
Battery charge warning light ........2-11
Brake warning light .............2-11
10-6