2012 NISSAN MAXIMA ignition

The pretensioner is encased within the seat belt
retractor. These seat belts are used the same way
as conventional seat belts.
When a pretensioner activates, smoke is re-
leased and a loud noise may be heard. This
smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a fire.
Care should be taken not to inhale it, as it may
cause irritation and choking. Those with a history
of a breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
After pretensioner activation, load limiters allow
the seat belt to release webbing (if necessary) to
reduce forces against the chest.
The supplemental air bag warning light
is
used to indicate malfunctions in the pretensioner
system. (See SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT in this section for more de-
tails.) If the operation of the supplemental air bag
warning light indicates there is a malfunction,
have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the pretensioner system
and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections
in this Owner’s Manual.1. SRS Air Bag Warning Labels (located
on the sun visors)
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front-
impact air bag system are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displaying
in the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits for the air bag systems, preten-
sioners and all related wiring.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or
START position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off. This means the system is operational.
WRS0895LRS0100
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-51

If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag and preten-
sioner systems need servicing:● The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
● The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
● The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag, side air
bag, curtain air bag or pretensioner systems may
not operate properly. They must be checked and
repaired. Take your vehicle to the nearest
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag and/or preten-
sioner systems will not operate in an ac-
cident. To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
Repair and replacement procedure
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain air bags
and pretensioners are designed to inflate on a
one-time-only basis. As a reminder, unless it is
damaged, the supplemental air bag warning light
remains illuminated after inflation has occurred.
Repair and replacement of these supplemental
air bag systems should be done only by a
NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the ve-
hicle, the front air bags, side air bags, curtain air
bags, pretensioners and related parts should be
pointed out to the person performing the mainte-
nance. The ignition switch should always be
placed in the LOCK position when working under
the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
● Once a front air bag, side air bag, or
curtain air bag has inflated, the air bag
module will not function again and
must be replaced. Additionally, the ac-
tivated pretensioner must also be re-
placed. The air bag module and preten-
sioner should be replaced by a NISSAN
dealer. The air bag module and preten-
sioner cannot be repaired. ●
The front air bag, side air bag, curtain
air bag systems and the pretensioner
system should be inspected by a
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage to
the front end or side portion of the
vehicle.
● If you need to dispose of the supple-
mental air bag or pretensioner systems
or scrap the vehicle, contact a NISSAN
dealer. Incorrect disposal procedures
could cause personal injury.
1-52Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1. Side and center vents (P. 4-40)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turnsignal switch (P. 2-29)
3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
and Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone
System (P. 4-112, 4-115) 4. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)
5. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-37, P. 2-35)
6. Security indicator light (P. 2-25)
7. Cruise control main/set switches
(P. 5-18) 8. Shift paddles (if so equipped) (P. 5-15)
9. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-28)
10. Display screen/Navigation system*
(if so equipped) (P. 4-16)
11. Display screen/Navigation system*
controls (if so equipped) (P. 4-16)
12. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-51)
13. Glove box (P. 2-42)
14. Display screen (models without
Navigation system) (P. 4-4)
15. Climate controls (models without
Navigation system) (P. 4-41)
16. Audio system controls (models without
Navigation system) (P. 4-47)
17. Front passenger air bag status light
(P. 1-44)
18. Audio system controls (P. 4-47)
19. Climate controls (models with
Navigation system) (P. 4-44)
20. Shift selector (P. 5-11)
21. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-34)
22. Ignition switch (behind the steering
wheel) (P. 5-7)
23. Tilt/telescopic steering wheel controls
(if so equipped) (P. 3-23)
WIC1535
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls

SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates the vehicle speed.
Odometer/Twin trip odometer
The odometer/twin trip odometer is displayed
when the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position.
The odometer
1records the total distance the
vehicle has been driven.
The twin trip odometer
2records the distance
of individual trips.
Changing the display:
Press the change button
3to change the dis-
play as follows:
Trip
→ Trip→Trip
Resetting the trip odometer:
Press the change button
3for more than 1
second to reset the currently displayed trip
odometer to zero.
Elapsed time, driving distance and average
speed information is also available. Refer to
“Control panel buttons” in the “Monitor, climate,
audio, phone and voice recognition systems”
section in this manual.
LIC1382LIC1383
2-4Instruments and controls

FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel level
in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hills.
The gauge needle returns to E (Empty) after the
ignition is placed in the OFF position.
The low fuel warning light comes on when the
amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge regis-
ters E (Empty) . The
indicates that the fuel-filler door is
located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
CAUTION
● If the vehicle runs out of fuel,
the
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) may come on. Refuel as soon as
possible. After a few driving trips,
the
light should turn off. If the
light remains on after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.
● For additional information, see “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL)” later in
this section. This unit measures terrestrial magnetism and in-
dicates the heading direction of the vehicle.
With the ignition placed in the ON position, press
the
button as described in the charts be-
low to activate various features of the automatic
anti-glare rearview mirror.
Push and hold
the
button for about: Feature:
(Push button again for about 1 sec-
ond to change settings)
1 second Compass display toggles on/off
8 seconds Compass zone can be changed to
correct false compass readings
10 seconds Compass enters calibration mode
For information about the automatic anti-glare
feature, refer to “Automatic anti-glare rearview
mirror” in the “Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments” section.LIC1385
COMPASS DISPLAY (if so equipped)
2-6Instruments and controls

COMPASS DISPLAY
Push thebutton for about 1 second when
the ignition switch is placed in the ON position to
toggle the outside temperature and compass
direction display
1on or off. The display will
indicate the direction that the vehicle is heading.
N: North
E: East
S: South
W: West
If the display reads “C”, calibrate the compass by
driving the vehicle in three complete circles at
less than 5 MPH (8 km/h) . You can also calibrate the compass by driving
your vehicle on your everyday route. The com-
pass will be calibrated once it has tracked three
complete circles.
LIC1487
Instruments and controls2-7

orAnti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightSecurity indicator light
orBrake warning lightContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
indicator lightSide light and headlight indicator light (green)
Charge warning lightContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
position indicator lightSlip indicator light
Engine oil pressure warning lightCruise main switch indicator lightTurn signal/hazard indicator lights
Low tire pressure warning lightFront passenger air bag status lightVehicle Dynamic Control OFF indicator light
Master warning lightHigh beam indicator light (blue)
Seat belt warning light and chimeMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
,or,,,,
If equipped, the following lights come on briefly
and then go off:
or,,,,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
For additional information on warnings and indi-
cators, see “Vehicle information display” later in
this section.
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-10Instruments and controls

orAnti-lock BrakingSystem (ABS)
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning light illuminates and then turns off. This
indicates the ABS is operational.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, or while driving, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See
“Brake system” in the “Starting and driving” sec-
tion.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the parking
brake is applied. Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid level.
If the light comes on while the engine is running
with the parking brake not applied, stop the ve-
hicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid as necessary. See “Brake fluid” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
●Your brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
● Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel. ●
If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) warning
indicator
When the parking brake is released and the
brake fluid level is sufficient, if both the brake
warning light and the Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light illuminate, it may indicate the
ABS is not functioning properly. Have the brake
system checked, and if necessary, repaired by a
NISSAN dealer promptly. Avoid high-speed driv-
ing and abrupt braking. (See “Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warning light” in this section.)
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is running,
it may indicate the charging system is not func-
tioning properly. Turn the engine off and check
the generator belt. If the belt is loose, broken,
missing, or if the light remains on, see a NISSAN
dealer immediately.
Instruments and controls2-11