2021 NISSAN MAXIMA check oil

3.5L 6 cylinder (VQ35DE engine model)
1. Engine coolant reservoir (P. 8-4)
2. Drive belt location (P. 8-15)
3. Engine oil filler cap (P. 8-6)4. Brake fluid reservoir (P. 8-11)
5. Air cleaner (P. 8-16)
6. Fuse box (P. 8-19)
7. Fuse box/Fusible links (P. 8-19)8. Fusible links (P. 8-19)
9. Battery (P. 8-13)
10. Engine oil dipstick (P. 8-6)
11. Radiator cap (P. 8-4)
12. Power steering fluid reservoir (P. 8-11)
13. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
(P. 8-12)
Refer to the page number indicated in
parentheses for operating details.
LDI3419
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
0-8Illustrated table of contents

Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the charging sys-
tem is not functioning properly. Turn the
engine off and check the generator belt. If
the belt is loose, broken, or missing, or if the
light remains on, have the system checked.
It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the generator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Engine oil pressure
warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during nor-
mal driving, pull off the road in a safe area,
stop the engine immediatelyand call a
NISSAN dealer or other authorized repair
shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. For
additional information, see “Engine oil”
(P. 8-6).
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited
Warranty. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Master warning light
The master warning light illuminates
whenever there is an active warning that
can be reviewed in the “warnings review”
content page in the meter, or if there is a
red-level warning being displayed (which
cannot be dismissed). The master warning
light will illuminate red if a red-level warning
is being displayed, or yellow otherwise.
• Door Open (with vehicle moving)
• Parking Brake ON
• LED Headlight Failure (if no other red warnings are active)
• Shif t into Park warning
For additional information, see “Vehicle in-
formation display” (P. 2-17).
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
the driver and front passenger seat belts.
For additional information, see “Seat belts”
(P. 1-11).
Security indicator light
This light blinks when the ignition switch is
placed in the OFF, LOCK or ACC position.
The blinking security indicator light indi-
cates that the security systems equipped
on the vehicle are operational.
For additional information, see “Security
systems” (P. 2-39).
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
2-10Instruments and controls

NISSAN Intelligent Key® door
chime
The Intelligent Key door chime sounds if
any one of the following improper opera-
tions is found.
• The Intelligent Key is lef t inside the vehiclewhen locking the doors.
• The Intelligent Key is taken outside the vehicle when operating the vehicle.
When the chime sounds, be sure to check
both the vehicle and the Intelligent Key Sys-
tem. For additional information, see
“NISSAN Intelligent Key®” (P. 3-2).
The vehicle information display is located
to the lef t of the speedometer. It displays
such items as:
• Home
• Audio Information
• Navigation Information (if so equipped)
• Drive Computer Information
• Fuel Economy Information
• Driving Aids Information
• Speed Limit Sign (if so equipped)
• Tire Pressure Information
• Sport Information (Oil pressure, Trans-mission Gear Oil Temperature, Digital
Speedometer, Horsepower) • Indicators and Warnings
• Vehicle and Meter Display Settings
• Cruise Control Status
• Odometer/twin trip odometer
• Gear Position Indicator (P, R, N, D)
• Distance To Empty and Fuel Indicator
• Time
• Outside Air Temperature
LIC3224
VEHICLE INFORMATION DISPLAY
Instruments and controls2-17

Menu itemExplanation
OFF Doors will have to be manually unlocked.
Ignition OFF Doors will unlock when the ignition is turned off.
Shif t into Park Doors will unlock when the vehicle is shif ted into Park.
Wipers Displays the various wipers settings. For additional information, see “Wiper and washer switch” (P. 2-42).
Speed Dependent Allows user to turn the speed dependent feature on or off.
Rain Sensor Allows user to turn the rain sensor feature on or off.
Driving Position Displays the various driving position settings.
Exit Seat Slide Allows user to turn the exit seat slide on or off. For additional information, see “Memory seat” (P. 3-30).
Exit Steering Up Allows user to turn the exit steering up on or off. For additional information, see “Memory seat” (P. 3-30).
Remote Engine Start Allows user to turn the Remote Engine Start feature on or off. When turned on, the engine can be restarted
remotely. For additional information, see “Remote Engine Start” (P. 3-18).
Maintenance
The maintenance menu allows the user to set reminders for various vehicle maintenance items.
WARNING
The tire replacement indicator is not a substitute for regular tire checks, including tire pressure checks. For additional informa-
tion, see “Changing wheels and tires” (P. 8-34). Many factors including tire inflation, alignment, driving habits and road conditions
affect tire wear and when tires should be replaced. Setting the tire replacement indicator for a certain driving distance does not
mean your tires will last that long. Use the tire replacement indicator as a guide only and always perform regular tire checks.
Failure to perform regular tire checks, including tire pressure checks could result in tire failure. Serious vehicle damage could
occur and may lead to a collision, which could result in serious personal injury or death.
Menu item Explanation
Maintenance Displays various maintenance reminder options.
Oil and Filter Allows user to set a reminder at a specific interval or reset the current one.
Tire Allows user to set a reminder at a specific interval or reset the current one.
Other Allows user to set a reminder at a specific interval or reset the current one.
Instruments and controls2-23

Oil and Filter
This indicator appears when the customer
set distance comes for changing the en-
gine oil and filter. You can set or reset the
distance for checking or replacing these
items. For scheduled maintenance items
and intervals, see “Maintenance and
schedules” (P. 9-2).
Other
This indicator appears when the customer
set distance is reached for checking or re-
placing maintenance items other than the
engine oil, oil filter and tires. Other mainte-
nance items can include such things as air
filter or tire rotation. The distance for
checking or replacing the items can be set
or reset.
Outside Temperature
Display
The outside temperature display appears
in the center region of the vehicle informa-
tion display.
Power turned off to save the battery
This message appears af ter the ignition
switch is automatically turned off. For addi-
tional information, see “Push-button igni-
tion switch positions” (P. 5-10).
Power will turn off to save the battery
This message appears in the vehicle infor-
mation display af ter a period of time if the
ignition switch is in the ACC or the ON po-
sition and if the vehicle is in P (Park). For
additional information, see “Push-button
ignition switch positions” (P. 5-10).
Push brake and start
switch to drive
This indicator appears when the shif t lever
is in the P (Park) position.
This indicator also appears when the ve-
hicle has been started using the Remote
Engine Start function.
This indicator means that the engine will
start by pushing the ignition switch with
the brake pedal depressed. You can start
the engine from any position of the ignition
switch.
Push ignition to OFF
Af ter the Push ignition to OFF warning ap-
pears, the warning will appear if the ignition
switch is placed in the ACC position when
the shif t lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
To turn off the Push warning, place the ig-
nition switch in the ON position and then in
the LOCK position.
Release Parking Brake
This warning appears when the parking
brake is set and the vehicle is driven.
Reminder: Turn OFF
Headlights
This warning appears when the headlights
are lef t in the ON position when exiting the
vehicle. Place the headlight switch in the
OFF (if so equipped) or AUTO position. For
additional information, see “Headlight and
turn signal switch” (P. 2-45).
Rotate the steering and
push the start switch
This warning appears when the steering
lock cannot be unlocked or is malfunction-
ing. This warning may appear if the steer-
ing wheel is not aligned with the locking
2-28Instruments and controls

NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
will not allow the engine to start without
the use of the registered key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered
key (for example, when interference is
caused by another registered key, an auto-
mated toll road device or automatic pay-
ment device on the key ring), restart the
engine using the following procedure:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON posi-tion for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Place the ignition switch in the OFF or LOCK position, and wait approximately
10 seconds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the de- vice (which may have caused the inter-
ference) separate from the registered
key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, NISSAN
recommends placing the registered key on
a separate key ring to avoid interference
from other devices. • Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
• Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool- ant, brake fluid, and window washer fluid
as frequently as possible, or at least
whenever you refuel.
• Check that all windows and lights are clean.
• Visually inspect tires for their appearance and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
• Lock all doors.
• Position seat and adjust head restraints/headrests.
• Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
• Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to do likewise.
• Check the operation of warning lights when the ignition switch is pushed to the
ON position. For additional information,
see “Warning lights, indicator lights and
audible reminders” (P. 2-8). 1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the shif t lever to P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral). P (Park) is recommended.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the shif t lever is in any of the driving
positions.
3. Push the ignition switch to the ON posi- tion. Depress the brake pedal and push
the ignition switch to start the engine.
To start the engine immediately, push
and release the ignition switch while de-
pressing the brake pedal with the igni-
tion switch in any position.
• If the engine is very hard to start in extremely cold weather or when re-
starting, depress the accelerator
pedal a little (approximately 1/3 to the
floor) and while holding, crank the en-
gine. Release the accelerator pedal
when the engine starts.
• If the engine is very hard to start be- cause it is flooded, depress the accel-
erator pedal all the way to the floor
and hold it. Push the ignition switch to
the ON position to start cranking the
engine. Af ter 5 or 6 seconds, stop
cranking by pushing the ignition
switch to the LOCK position. Af ter
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-14Starting and driving

WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface
and helps retain new vehicle appearance.
Polishing is recommended to remove
built-up wax residue and to avoid a weath-
ered appearance before re-applying wax.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing
the proper product.
• Wax your vehicle only af ter a thoroughwashing. Follow the instructions supplied
with the wax.
• Do not use a wax containing any abra- sives, cutting compounds or cleaners
that may damage the vehicle finish.
Machine compounding or aggressive pol-
ishing on a base coat/clear coat paint fin-
ish may dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the surface of the paint to avoid last-
ing damage or staining. Special cleaning
products are available at a NISSAN dealer
or any automotive accessory store. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for these products.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter, it
is necessary to clean the underbody regu-
larly in order to prevent dirt and salt from
building up and causing the acceleration of
corrosion on the underbody and suspen-
sion. Before the winter period and again in
the spring, the underseal must be checked
and, if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
When cleaning the rear window, it may be
easier to clean if the high-mounted stop
light (if so equipped) is removed first.
Be careful when removing the high-
mounted stop light (if so equipped) to re-
duce the risk of damaging the high-
mounted stop light wires.
To remove the high-mounted stop light (if
so equipped):
1. Push downward on the plastic shelf around the stop light
O1,liftupwardson
the stop light, releasing it from the shelf
O2.
LAI2116
Appearance and care7-3

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions.......................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ...........8-3
Engine cooling system ..........................8-4
Checking engine coolant level ................8-5
Changing engine coolant ....................8-5
Engine oil .......................................8-6
Checking engine oil level .....................8-6
Changing engine oil and oil filter ..............8-6
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid ............................................ 8-10
Power Steering Fluid (PSF) .......................8-11
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-11
Windshield-washer fluid ........................8-12
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...........8-12
Battery......................................... 8-13
Jump starting ............................... 8-15
Drive belt ....................................... 8-15
Spark plugs .................................... 8-16
Replacing spark plugs .......................8-16
Air cleaner ..................................... 8-16
In-cabin microfilter .......................... 8-17Windshield wiper blades
........................8-17
Cleaning .................................... 8-17
Replacing ................................... 8-17
Brakes ......................................... 8-18
Fuses .......................................... 8-19
Engine compartment ....................... 8-19
Passenger compartment ...................8-20
Battery replacement ........................... 8-21
NISSAN Intelligent Key® ......................8-22
Lights .......................................... 8-23
Headlights .................................. 8-23
Front park/turn signal/side marker
light ......................................... 8-23
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-23
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-24
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-26
Tire pressure ................................ 8-26
Tire labeling .................................
8-30
T

ypes of tires ................................ 8-33
Tire chains .................................. 8-34
Changing wheels and tires ..................8-34