Nissan Maxima Owners Manual: Do-it-yourself
- Maintenance precautions
- Engine compartment check locations
- Engine cooling system
- Engine oil
- Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid
- Power steering fluid
- Brake fluid
- Windshield-washer fluid
- Battery
- Variable voltage control system
- Drive belt
- Spark plugs
- Air cleaner
- Windshield wiper blades
- Brakes
- Fuses
- Battery replacement
- Lights
- Wheels and tires
When performing any inspection or maintenance work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to the vehicle. The following are general precautions which should be closely observed. WARNING Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the parking brake securely and block the wheels to prevent the vehicle from moving. Move the shift lever to P (Park). Be sure the ignition key is in the OFF or LOCK position when performing any parts replacement or repairs. If you must work with the engine running, keep your hands, clothing, hair and tools away from moving fans, belts and any other moving parts.
VQ35DE engine 1. Engine coolant reservoir 2. Drive belt location 3. Engine oil filler cap 4. Brake fluid reservoir 5. Air cleaner 6. Fuse block 7. Fuse block/Fusible links 8. Fusible links 9. Battery 10. Engine oil dipstick 11. Radiator cap 12. Power steering fluid reservoir 13.
The engine cooling system is filled at the factory with a pre-diluted mixture of 50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) and 50% water to provide year-round antifreeze and coolant protection. The antifreeze solution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional engine cooling system additives are not necessary. WARNING Never remove the radiator or coolant reservoir cap when the engine is hot. Wait until the engine and radiator cool down. Serious burns could be caused by high pressure fluid escaping from the radiator. For additional information on precautions, refer to "If your vehicle overheats" in the "In case of emergency" section of this manual.
CAUTION NISSAN recommends using Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 (or equivalent) ONLY in NISSAN CVTs. Do not mix with other fluids. Do not use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or Manual transmission fluid in a NISSAN CVT, as it may damage the CVT. Damage caused by the use of fluids other than as recommended is not covered under NISSAN's New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Using fluids that are not equivalent to Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 may also damage the CVT. Damage caused by the use of fluids other than as recommended is not covered under NISSAN's New Vehicle Limited Warranty. When checking or replacement of CVT fluid is required, we recommend a NISSAN dealer for servicing.
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. The fluid level should be checked when the fluid is cold at fluid temperatures of 32 to 86ºF (0 to 30ºC). The fluid level can be checked with the level gauge which is attached to the cap. To check the fluid level, remove the cap. The fluid level should be between the MAX A and MIN B lines. If the fluid is below the MIN B line, add Genuine NISSAN E-PSF or equivalent. Remove the cap and fill through the opening. WARNING Power steering fluid is poisonous and should be stored carefully in marked containers out of the reach of children. CAUTION DO NOT OVERFILL.
For additional information on brake fluid specification, refer to "Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities" in the "Technical and consumer information" section of this manual. WARNING Use only new fluid from a sealed container. Old, inferior or contaminated fluid may damage the brake system. The use of improper fluids can damage the brake system and affect the vehicle's stopping ability. Clean the filler cap before removing. Brake fluid is poisonous and should be stored carefully in marked containers out of reach of children. CAUTION Do not spill the fluid on any painted surfaces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is spilled, immediately wash the surface with water.
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir Fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir periodically. Add windshield-washer fluid when the low windshield-washer fluid warning light comes on. To fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir, lift the cap off the reservoir and pour the windshieldwasher fluid into the reservoir opening. Add a washer solvent to the washer for better cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshieldwasher antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the mixture ratio. Refill the reservoir more frequently when driving conditions require an increased amount of windshield-washer fluid.
Keep the battery surface clean and dry. Clean the battery with a solution of baking soda and water. Make certain the terminal connections are clean and securely tightened. If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days or longer, disconnect the negative (-) battery terminal cable to prevent discharge. NOTE: Care should be taken to avoid situations that can lead to potential battery discharge and potential no-start conditions such as: 1. Installation or extended use of electronic accessories that consume battery power when the engine is not running (Phone chargers, GPS, DVD players, etc.) 2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances.
CAUTION Do not ground accessories directly to the battery terminal. Doing so will bypass the variable voltage control system and the vehicle battery may not charge completely. Use electrical accessories with the engine running to avoid discharging the vehicle battery. Your vehicle is equipped with a variable voltage control system. This system measures the amount of electrical discharge from the battery and controls voltage generated by the generator. The current sensor A is located near the battery along the negative battery cable. If you add electrical accessories to your vehicle, be sure to ground them to a suitable body ground such as the frame or engine block area.
VQ35DE engine 1. Crankshaft pulley 2. Drive belt automatic tensioner pulley 3. Generator pulley 4. Air conditioner compressor pulley WARNING Be sure the ignition switch is placed in the OFF or LOCK position before servicing drive belt. The engine could rotate unexpectedly. 1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness. If the belt is in poor condition or is loose, have it replaced or adjusted. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. 2. Have the belt checked regularly for condition and tension in accordance with the maintenance schedule found in the "Maintenance and schedules" section of this manual.
Replacing spark plugs Iridium-tipped spark plugs It is not necessary to replace iridium-tipped A spark plugs as frequently as conventional type spark plugs because they last much longer. Follow the maintenance log shown in the "Maintenance and schedules" section of this manual. Do not service iridium-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or regapping. Always replace spark plugs with recommended or equivalent ones. WARNING Be sure the engine and ignition switch are off and that the parking brake is engaged securely. CAUTION Be sure to use the correct socket to remove the spark plugs. An incorrect socket can damage the spark plugs.
The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned and reused. Replace it according to the maintenance log shown in the "Maintenance and schedules" section of this manual. When replacing the filter, wipe the inside of the air cleaner filter housing and the cover with a damp cloth. To remove the air cleaner filter: Unlatch the clips A and move the air cleaner cover upward. Remove the air cleaner filter. Wipe the inside of the air cleaner filter housing and cover with a damp cloth. WARNING Operating the engine with the air cleaner removed can cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops the flame if the engine backfires.
If the brakes do not operate properly, have the brakes checked. it is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. Self-adjusting brakes Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting brakes. The front and rear disc-type brakes self-adjust every time the brake pedal is applied. WARNING Have your brake system checked if the brake pedal height does not return to normal. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. Brake pad wear indicators The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible wear indicators. When a brake pad requires replacement, a high pitched scraping or screeching sound will be heard when the vehicle is in motion.
If any electrical equipment does not operate, check for an open fuse. Fuses are used in the passenger and engine compartment. Spare fuses are provided and can be found in the passenger compartment fuse box. When installing a fuse make sure the fuse is installed in the fuse box securely.
CAUTION Be careful not to allow children to swallow the battery or removed parts. NISSAN Intelligent Key Replace the battery in the Intelligent Key as follows: 1. Remove the mechanical key from the Intelligent Key. 2. Insert a small flathead screwdriver A into the slit B of the corner and twist it to separate the upper part from the lower part. Place a cloth over the screwdriver to protect the casing. 3. Replace the battery with a new one. Recommended battery: CR2032 or equivalent. Do not touch the internal circuit and electric terminals as doing so could cause a malfunction. Hold the battery by the edges.
