engine overheat NISSAN MAXIMA 1996 A32 / 4.G Owners Manual

If the gauge indicates over the normal
range, stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible. If the engine is overheated,
continued operation of the vehicle may
seriously damage the engine. See ªIn
case of emergencyº section for immedi-
ate action required.
FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates the APPROXIMATE fuel
level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hill.
The gauge needle is designed to remain in
approximately the same position, even when
the ignition key is turned ªOFFº.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge regis-
ters Empty.The indicator light comes on when the fuel
tank is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is
convenient, preferably before the gauge
reaches ªEº. There should be a small re-
serve of fuel in the tank when the fuel
gauge needle reaches ªEº.
SIC0174
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The front seats are warmed by built-in heaters.
The switches located on the center console
can be operated independently of each other.
1. Start the engine.
The battery could run down if the seat
heater is operated while the engine is
not running.
2. Selecting heat range.IFor Low heat, press the top of the
switch.
IFor High heat, press the bottom of the
switch.
IFor No heat, the switch has a center
ªOFFº position between Low and High.
The indicator light in the switch will illumi-
nate when Low or High is selected.
The heater is controlled by a thermostat,
automatically turning the heater on and off.
The indicator light will remain on as long as
the switch is on.
3. When the vehicle's interior is warmed, or
before you leave the vehicle, be sure to turn
the switch off.
Do not use the seat heater for extended
periods, or when the seat is not occu-
pied.
IDo not put anything on the seat which
insulates heat, such as a blanket,
cushion, seat cover, etc. Otherwise,
the seat may become overheated.
IDo not place anything hard or heavyon the seat or pierce it with a pin or
similar object. This may result in
damage to the heater.
IAny liquid spilled on the heated seat
should be removed immediately with
a dry cloth.
IWhen cleaning the seat, never use
benzine, thinner, or any similar mate-
rials.
IIf any abnormalities are found or the
heated seat does not operate, turn
the switch OFF and have the system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
SIC0179
HEATED SEAT
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IThe exhaust gas and the exhaust sys-
tem are very hot. While the engine is
running, keep people or flammable
materials away from the exhaust
pipe.
IDo not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags, as they
may burn easily.
To help prevent damage
IDo not use leaded gasoline.
Deposits from leaded gasoline will seri-
ously reduce the three way catalyst's
ability to help reduce exhaust pollut-
ants.
IKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the converter, causing it to
overheat. Do not keep driving if the en-
gine misfires, or if noticeable loss of
performance or other unusual operating
conditions are detected. Have the ve-hicle inspected promptly by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
IAvoid driving with an extremely low fuel
level. Running out of fuel could cause
the engine to misfire, damaging the
three way catalyst.
IDo not race the engine while warming it
up.
IDo not push or tow your vehicle to start
the engine.Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner may result in loss of control or
an accident. Be alert and drive defensively at
all times. Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid
excessive speed, high speed cornering, or
sudden steering maneuvers, because these
driving practices could cause you to lose con-
trol of your vehicle.As with any vehicle, a
loss of control could result in a collision
with other vehicles or objects, or cause the
vehicle to rollover, particularly if the loss of
control causes the vehicle to slide side-
ways.Be attentive at all times, and avoid
driving when tired. Never drive when under the
influence of alcohol or drugs (including pre-
scription or over-the-counter drugs which may
cause drowsiness). Always wear your seat belt
as outlined in the ªSeat Beltsº section of this
manual, and also instruct your passengers to
do so.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVER
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the vehicle.IDriving with vacuum assisted brake:
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you
can stop the vehicle by depressing the
brake pedal. However, greater foot pres-
sure on the brake pedal will be required to
stop the vehicle and the stopping distance
will be longer.
IDriving with the power assisted steer-
ing:
The power assisted steering is designed to
use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine,
to assist steering.
If the engine stops or drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. How-
ever, much greater steering effort is
needed, especially in sharp turns or at low
speeds.
IWet brakes:
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As
a result, your braking distance will be longer
and the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal
to heat-up the brakes. Do this until thebrakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
IAvoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake linings and pads faster
and reduce gas mileage.
ITo help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going
down a slope or long grade. Overheated
brakes may reduce braking performance
and could result in loss of vehicle control.
IWhile driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or down-
shifting. Abrupt braking actions or sudden
acceleration could cause the wheels to
skid.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN DRIVING
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IAutomatic transmission models can-
not be push started. This may cause
transmission damage.
IThree-way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing
since the three-way catalyst may be
damaged.
INever try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it; when the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading), or
if you feel a lack of engine power, detect
abnormal noise, etc., take the following steps:
To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is still hot. When the radiator cap
is removed, pressurized hot water will
spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply
the parking brake and move the gearshift
lever to neutral (automatic transmission to
ªPº).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner switch. Open all
the windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to ªmaximum
hotº and fan control to ªhigh speedº.
3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. Wait until no
steam or coolant can be seen before pro-
ceeding.4. Open the engine hood.
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. If engine overheating is caused by climbing
a long hill on a hot day, run the engine at a
fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm) until the
temperature gauge indication returns to
normal.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water.
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair
or clothing to come into contact with, or
to get caught in, the running fan, belts,
or motor fan.
The fan motor can start at any time when
the coolant temperature is high.
If coolant is leaking, the cooling fan belt
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
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The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze solu-
tion contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional cooling system additives
are not necessary.
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol anti-
freeze with the proper mixture ratio of
50% anti-freeze 50% softwater.
Outside temperature
down toAnti-
freezeSoft water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
The use of other types of coolant solutions
may damage your cooling system.
The radiator is equipped with a pressure
cap. Use a NISSAN genuine cap or its
equivalent when replacement is required.
Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. See precautions in ªIf Your Vehicle
Overheatsº found in the ªIn case of emer-
gencyº section.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
With coolant reservoir
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level is
below ªMINº, add coolant up to the ªMAXº
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check the
coolant level in the radiatorwhen the engine
is cold.If there is insufficient coolant in the
radiator, fill the radiator with coolant up to the
filler opening and also add it to the reservoir
tank up to the ªMAXº level.
If the cooling system frequently requires
SDI0113
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
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coolant, have it checked by your NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
IMajor cooling system repairs should be
performed by your NISSAN dealer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.IImproper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
ITo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
INever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
1. Open the radiator cap and drain plug.
2. Open the drain plug on the engine block.
3. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
4. Close the radiator drain plug and the drain
plug on the engine block securely.
5. See the ªTechnical informationº section for
cooling system capacity. Fill the radiator
slowly with the proper mixture of coolant
and water. Fill the reservoir tank up to the
ªMAXº level. Then install the radiator cap.
SDI0114
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6. Start the engine, and warm it up until the
radiator fan operates. Then race the engine
2 or 3 times under no load. Watch the
coolant temperature gauge for signs of
overheating.
7. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler
opening. Fill the reservoir tank up to the
ªMAXº level.
8. Check the radiator drain plug and the drain
plug on the engine block for any sign of
leakage.CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 5
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
SDI0138SDI0115
ENGINE OIL
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Nissan supports efforts towards cleaner air
and suggests that you use reformulated gaso-
line when available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and
methanol with or without advertising their pres-
ence.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usage of
such fuels may cause vehicle performance
problems and/or fuel system damage.
IThe fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that rec-
ommended for unleaded gasoline.
IIf an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should con-
tain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
IIf a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol (me-
thyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It should
also contain a suitable amount of appro-
priate cosolvents and corrosion inhibi-
tors. If not properly formulated with ap-
propriate cosolvents and corrosion
inhibitors, such methanol blends maycause fuel system damage and/or ve-
hicle performance problems. At this
time, sufficient data is not available to
ensure that all methanol blends are suit-
able for use in Nissan vehicles.
If any undesirable driveability problems such
as engine stalling and hard hot starting are
experienced after using oxygenate-blend fu-
els, immediately change to a non-oxygenate
fuel or a fuel with a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during refu-
eling. Gasoline containing oxygenates can
cause paint damage.
Aftermarket fuel additives
Nissan does not recommend the use of any
fuel additives (i.e. fuel injector cleaner, octane
booster, intake valve deposit removers, etc.)
which are sold commercially. Many of these
additives intended for gum, varnish or deposit
removal may contain active solvent or similar
ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
In most parts of North America, you should use
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at
least 87 or 91 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) number.
However, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI (Anti-KnockIndex) number in these high altitude areas
[over 4,000 ft (1,219 m)] such as: Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, north-
eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western
South Dakota, western Nebraska, and that
part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ªspark knockº. (ªSpark
knockº is a metallic rapping noise.) If se-
vere, this can lead to engine damage. If you
detect a persistent heavy spark knock even
when using gasoline of the stated octane
rating, or if you hear steady spark knock
while holding a steady speed on level
roads, have your dealer correct the condi-
tion. Failure to correct the condition is
misuse of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is
not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing will result in knocking,
after-run or overheating. This in turn may
cause excessive fuel consumption or damage
to the engine. If any of the above symptoms
are encountered, have your vehicle checked at
a NISSAN dealer or other competent service
facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
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the transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
IIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioning
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the ªHOTº position.
ITrailer towing requires more fuel than nor-
mal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles
(800 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule.
IWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
ICrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being passed
by larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect
vehicle handling. If swaying does occur,firmly grip the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually) re-
duce vehicle speed. This combination will
help stabilize the vehicle. Never increase
speed.
IBe 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.
ITo maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
fifth gear (manual transmission) or over-
drive (automatic transmission).
IAvoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, change oil in the
transmission more frequently.
See the Maintenance schedule.
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