2021 NISSAN MAXIMA power steering

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

3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys.............................................3-2NISSAN Intelligent Key® .......................3-2
NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
keys..........................................3-4
Doors ...........................................3-4
Locking with key .............................3-5
Locking with power door lock switch .........3-6
Automatic door locks ........................3-6
Child safety rear door lock ....................3-6
NISSAN Intelligent Key® .......................... 3-7
Operating range .............................3-8
Door locks/unlocks precaution ...............3-8
NISSAN Intelligent Key® Operation ............3-9
How to use the remote keyless entry
function ..................................... 3-13
Warning signals ............................. 3-15
Troubleshooting guide ......................3-16
Remote Engine Start ........................... 3-18
Remote Engine Start operating range .......3-18
Remote starting the vehicle .................3-18
Extending engine run time ..................3-19
Canceling a Remote Engine Start ...........3-19
Conditions the Remote Engine Start will
notwork .................................... 3-19Hood
........................................... 3-20
Trunk lid ........................................ 3-21
Opener operation ........................... 3-21
Interior trunk lid release .....................3-21
Interior trunk access ........................ 3-22
Fuel-filler door .................................. 3-22
Opening the fuel-filler door ..................3-22
Fuel-filler cap ................................ 3-23
Steering wheel ................................. 3-24
Manual operation (if so equipped) ...........3-25
Automatic operation (if so equipped) ........3-25
Sun visors ...................................... 3-26
Vanity mirrors ............................... 3-27
Mirrors ......................................... 3-27
Automatic anti-glare rearview mirror ........3-27
Outside mirrors ............................. 3-28
Memory seat (if so equipped) ...................3-30
Memory storage function (key-link) ..........
3-30
Memor

y storage function (switch) ...........3-31
Entry/exit function .......................... 3-32
System operation ........................... 3-32

System maintenance......................5-105
Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA) ...............5-106
Intelligent Driver Alertness system
operation .................................. 5-106
How to enable/disable the Intelligent
Driver Alertness (I-DA) system ..............5-107
Intelligent Driver Alertness (I-DA)
system limitations ......................... 5-107
Break-in schedule ............................. 5-109
Fuel efficient driving tips .......................5-109
Increasing fuel economy ......................5-110
Parking/parking on hills ........................5-111
Power steering ................................ 5-112
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system ........5-113
Brake force distribution ....................5-114
Integrated Dynamics-control Module ..........5-115
Intelligent Trace Control (I-TC) ..............5-115
Intelligent Engine Brake (I-EB) ...............5-115Active Ride Control (ARC)
...................5-116
Front and rear sonar system (if so equipped) . . 5-116 System operation ........................... 5-117
How to enable/disable the front and
rear sonar system .......................... 5-119
Cold weather driving .......................... 5-120
Freeing a frozen door lock ..................5-120
Antifreeze .................................. 5-120
Battery..................................... 5-120
Draining of coolant water ..................5-120
Tire equipment ............................. 5-120
Special winter equipment ..................5-120
Driving on snow or ice ......................5-120
Active noise cancellation/Active sound
control (if so equipped) ........................ 5-121
Active noise cancellation ...................5-121
Active sound control ....................... 5-121

•HEADED UPHILL WITH CURBOB:
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
OC:
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away
from the center of the road if it moves.
4. Place the ignition switch in the LOCK position.
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.
• When the power steering warning
light illuminates with the engine run-
ning, there will be no power assist for
the steering. You will still have control
of the vehicle but the steering will be
harder to operate. Have the power
steering system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
The power steering system is designed to
provide power assist while driving to oper-
ate the steering wheel with light force.
When the steering wheel is operated re-
peatedly or continuously while parking or
driving at a very low speed, the power as-
sist for the steering wheel will be reduced.
This is to prevent overheating of the power
steering system and protect it from getting
damaged. While the power assist is re-
duced, steering wheel operation will be-
come heavy. If the steering wheel opera-
tion is still performed, the power steering
may stop and the power steering warning
light will illuminate. In a safe location, stop the engine and push the ignition switch to
the OFF position. The temperature of the
power steering system will go down af ter a
period of time and the power assist level
will return to normal af ter starting the en-
gine. The power steering warning light will
go off. Avoid repeating such steering wheel
operations that could cause the power
steering system to overheat.
You may hear a noise from the front of the
vehicle when the steering wheel is oper-
ated. This is a normal operational noise
and is not a malfunction.
If the power steering warning light illumi-
nates while the engine is running, it may
indicate the power steering system is not
functioning properly and may need servic-
ing. Have the power steering system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
When the power steering warning light illu-
minates with the engine running, there will
be no power assist for the steering but you
will still have control of the vehicle. At this
time, greater steering effort is required to
operate the steering wheel, especially in
sharp turns and at low speeds.
POWER STEERING
5-112Starting and driving

The VDC system uses various sensors to
monitor driver inputs and vehicle motion.
Under certain driving conditions, the VDC
system helps to perform the following
functions:
• Controls brake pressure to reduce wheelslip on one slipping drive wheel so power
is transferred to a non-slipping drive
wheel on the same axle.
• Controls brake pressure and engine out- put to reduce drive wheel slip based on
vehicle speed (traction control function).
• Controls brake pressure at individual wheels and engine output to help the
driver maintain control of the vehicle in
the following conditions:– Understeer (vehicle tends to not follow the steered path despite increased
steering input)
– Oversteer (vehicle tends to spin due to certain road or driving conditions)
The VDC system can help the driver to
maintain control of the vehicle, but it can-
not prevent loss of vehicle control in all driv-
ing situations. When the VDC system operates, theindicator light in the instrument panel
flashes to note the following:
• The road may be slippery or the system
may determine some action is required
to help keep the vehicle on the steered
path.
• You may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise or vibration from
under the hood. This is normal and indi-
cates that the VDC system is working
properly.
• Adjust your speed and driving to the road conditions.
For additional information, see “Slip indica-
tor light” (P. 2-15) and “Vehicle Dynamic Con-
trol (VDC) OFF indicator light” (P. 2-15).
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the
indicator light comes on in the instru-
ment panel. The VDC system automatically
turns off when the indicator light is on.
The VDC OFF switch is used to turn off the
VDC system. The
, RAB, and AEB with
Pedestrian Detection indicator lights illumi-
nate to indicate the VDC, RAB, and AEB with
Pedestrian Detection systems are off. When the vehicle information display is
used to turn off the system, the VDC sys-
tem still operates to prevent one drive
wheel from slipping by transferring power
to a non-slipping drive wheel. The
indicator light flashes if this occurs. All
other VDC functions are off and the
indicator light will not flash.
The VDC system is automatically reset to
ON when the ignition switch is placed in the
OFF position then back to the ON position.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic fea-
ture that tests the system each time you
start the engine and move the vehicle for-
ward or in reverse at a slow speed. When
the self-test occurs, you may hear a clunk
noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and is not an indica-
tion of a malfunction.
VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
SYSTEM
Starting and driving5-113

6. Af ter the engine cools down, check thecoolant level in the engine coolant res-
ervoir tank with the engine running. Add
coolant to the engine coolant reservoir
tank if necessary. Have your vehicle re-
paired. It is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for this service. When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle.
Towing instructions are available from a
NISSAN dealer. Local service operators are
generally familiar with the applicable laws
and procedures for towing. To assure
proper towing and to prevent accidental
damage to your vehicle, NISSAN recom-
mends having a service operator tow your
vehicle. It is advisable to have the service
operator carefully read the following
precautions:
WARNING
• Never ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
• Never get under your vehicle af ter it
has been lif ted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
• When towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working condi-
tion. If any of these conditions apply,
dollies or a flatbed tow truck must be
used.
• Always attach safety chains before
towing.
For information about towing your vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle (RV), see “Flat
towing” (P. 10-18).
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends towing your vehicle
based upon the type of drivetrain. For addi-
tional information, refer to the diagrams in
this section to ensure that your vehicle is
properly towed.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-12In case of emergency

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

3.5L 6 cylinder (VQ35DE engine model)
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Drive belt location
3. Engine oil filler cap4. Brake fluid reservoir
5. Air cleaner
6. Fuse box
7. Fuse box/Fusible links8. Fusible links
9. Battery
10. Engine oil dipstick
11. Radiator cap
12. Power steering fluid reservoir
13. Windshield-washer fluid reservoir
LDI3419
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
Do-it-yourself8-3