warning light NISSAN MAXIMA 1997 A32 / 4.G Owner's Manual

During the normal day-to-day operation of the
vehicle, general maintenance should be per-
formed regularly as prescribed in this section.
If you detect any unusual sounds, vibrations or
smell, be sure to check for the cause or have
your NISSAN dealer do it promptly. In addition,
you should notify your NISSAN dealer if you
think that repairs are required.
When performing any checks or maintenance
work, closely observe the precautions in the
ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
Additional information on the following
items with ª*º is found in the ªDo-it-
yourself operationsº section.
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should be
performed from time to time, unless otherwise
specified.
Tires*Check the pressure with a gauge peri-
odically when at a service station, including the
spare, and adjust to the specified pressure if
necessary. Check carefully for damage, cuts
or excessive wear.
Wheel nuts*When checking the tires, make
sure no nuts are missing, and check for any
loose nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*Tires should be rotated every7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the vehicle
pulls to either side while driving on a straight
and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for
wheel alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and engine hoodCheck that all doors
and the engine hood operate smoothly as well
as the trunk lid or back hatch. Also make sure
that all latches lock securely. Lubricate if nec-
essary. Make sure that the secondary latch
keeps the hood from opening when the pri-
mary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication fre-
quently.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Lights*Make sure that the headlights, stop
lights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and other
lights are all operating properly and installed
securely. Also check headlight aim.
Warning lights and buzzers/chimesMake
sure that all warning lights and buzzers/chimes
are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and
that the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in good quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Steering wheelCheck that it has the specified
play. Be sure to check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive play,
hard steering or strange noises.
SeatsCheck seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to make
sure they operate smoothly and that all latches
lock securely in every position. Check that the
GENERAL MAINTENANCE
8-3
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

10 Index
A
Air bag system (See ªSupplemental restraint
systemº) .......................................................... 2-17
Air bag warning light (See ªSupplemental air bag
warning lightº) ................................................. 2-22
Air cleaner filter ............................................... 7-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ............................. 3-5
Air conditioner specification label.............. 9-12
Automatic air conditioner (If so equipped) .. 3-9
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ............................................. 9-6
Air flow chart ..................................................... 3-6
Antenna........................................................... 3-28
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so equipped) .. 4-
18
Audio main operation ...................................... 3-23
Automatic
Automatic air conditioner (If so equipped) .. 3-9
Automatic transmission fluid ..................... 7-10
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Avoiding collision and rollover .......................... 4-3
B
Battery............................................................. 7-13
Battery replacement.......................................... 2-7
Before starting the engine ................................ 4-6Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so
equipped)................................................... 4-18
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-12
Brake booster ............................................ 7-21
Brake pedal ............................................... 7-20
Brake system............................................. 4-17
Brake wear indicators ........................ 1-9, 7-20
Parking brake ................................... 4-12, 7-19
Break-in schedule ........................................... 4-15
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants... 9-2
Cargo (See ªVehicle loading
information) ..................................................... 9-13
Cassette tape player operation....................... 3-25
CB radio or car phone .................................... 3-29
Changing
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-6
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine coolant level .......................... 7-5
Checking engine oil level .................................. 7-7
Child restraints for infants and small children .... 2-
31
Child safety rear door lock................................ 2-3
Cigarette lighter and ash trays ....................... 1-17
Cleaning exterior and interior ........................... 6-2
Clearing the programming information ........... 1-26Clock ............................................................... 1-22
Clutch pedal .................................................... 7-21
Cold weather driving ....................................... 4-19
Compact disc (CD) player operation .............. 3-26
Controls............................................................. 3-3
Coolant
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-6
Checking engine coolant level .................... 7-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Corrosion protection ......................................... 6-5
Cruise control.................................................. 4-13
Cup holder ...................................................... 1-19
D
Defogger switch
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 1-13
Dimensions and weights ................................... 9-9
Door lock operation .......................................... 2-6
Door locks ......................................................... 2-2
Door unlock operation ...................................... 2-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ................... 4-4
Drive belts ....................................................... 7-15
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 4-19
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .............. 4-4
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-10
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
E
Economy hints ................................................ 4-15
Emission control information label .................. 9-11
Emission control system warranty .................. 9-19
Engine ............................................................... 9-8
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-6
Changing engine coolant ............................ 7-6
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Checking engine coolant level .................... 7-5
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 7-5
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-4
Engine serial number ................................ 9-11
Starting the engine ...................................... 4-6
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 4-2
Explanation of maintenance items.................. 8-10
F
Flat tire .............................................................. 5-2
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid ..................... 7-10
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 7-12
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Window washer fluid ................................. 7-12
FM/AM radio with cassette player .................. 3-12
FM-AM radio with cassette player .................. 3-16FM-AM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player ........................................ 3-22
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........................... 9-11
Foldable outside mirrors ................................. 2-39
Front fog light switch (If so equipped) ............ 1-15
Front personal light ......................................... 1-23
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .............................................. 9-2
Fuel filler cap ............................................. 2-10
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Fuel recommendation.................................. 9-2
Fuses .............................................................. 7-21
Fusible links .................................................... 7-23
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 1-4
Fuel gauge .................................................. 1-5
Meters and gauges ..................................... 1-3
General maintenance ....................................... 8-3
Glove box lock .................................................. 2-8
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 1-16
Head restraint ................................................. 2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch..................... 1-14
Headlights ....................................................... 7-23
Heated seats (If so equipped) ........................ 1-16
Heater operation ............................................... 3-4Hood release .................................................... 2-8
I
If your vehicle is ever stolen ........................... 1-26
If your vehicle overheats .................................. 5-9
Ignition switch ................................................... 4-4
Injured persons ............................................... 2-26
Inside mirror .................................................... 2-40
Installing license plate .................................... 9-12
Instrument brightness control ......................... 1-15
Integrated HomeLink
transmitter
(If so equipped).......................................... 1-24
Interior light ..................................................... 1-22
J
Jump starting ........................................... 5-7, 7-14
K
Key .................................................................... 2-2
L
License plate
Installing license plate ............................... 9-12
Light
Front fog light switch (If so
equipped)................................................... 1-15
Front personal light ................................... 1-23
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-14
Headlights.................................................. 7-23
Interior light................................................ 1-22
10-2
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Light bulbs ................................................. 7-23
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-22
Trunk light.................................................. 1-23
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-23
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-6
Lock
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so
equipped)................................................... 4-18
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Door lock operation ..................................... 2-6
Door locks ................................................... 2-2
Door unlock operation ................................. 2-6
Fuel filler lid lock ....................................... 2-10
Glove box lock............................................. 2-8
Power door lock .......................................... 2-4
Trunk lid lock ............................................... 2-9
Luggage (ªSee Vehicle loading informationº) . 9-13
M
Maintenance
Explanation of maintenance items ............ 8-10
General maintenance .................................. 8-3
Maintenance precautions ............................ 7-2
Periodic maintenance .................................. 8-5
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (For U.S.A.) ........................................ 9-19
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-31
Meters and gauges ........................................... 1-3
Mirror
Foldable outside mirrors............................ 2-39
Inside mirror .............................................. 2-40
Outside mirror remote control ................... 2-39Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 1-13
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 1-23
Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ... 2-5
O
Odometer .......................................................... 1-4
Oil
Changing engine oil .................................... 7-8
Changing oil filter ........................................ 7-9
Checking engine oil level ............................ 7-7
Engine oil..................................................... 7-7
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation .......................................... 9-4
Opener cancel lever for trunk lid .................... 2-10
Opening the driver's and front passenger's
window .............................................................. 2-6
Operating the transmitter ................................ 1-25
Outside mirror remote control ......................... 2-39
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-9
P
Panic alarm operation ....................................... 2-6
Parking
Parking brake ................................... 4-12, 7-19
Parking/parking on hills ............................. 4-16
Periodic maintenance ....................................... 8-5
Pocket ............................................................. 1-18
Power
Power antenna .......................................... 3-29
Power door lock .......................................... 2-4Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power steering system .............................. 4-17
Power support seat (If so equipped)......... 2-14
Power window ........................................... 1-19
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ............................ 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-24
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Pregnant women............................................. 2-26
Programming problem diagnosis .................... 1-25
Programming the HomeLink
transmitter .................................................. 1-24Push starting ..................................................... 5-9
R
Radio............................................................... 3-11
CB radio or car phone............................... 3-29
FM/AM radio with cassette player............. 3-12
FM-AM radio with cassette
player ......................................................... 3-16
FM-AM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player .................................. 3-22
Radio operation ......................................... 3-23
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(For U.S.A.)..................................................... 9-19
Rear seat ........................................................ 2-16
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch .............................................................. 1-13
Recommended SAE viscosity number ............. 9-6
Refrigerant recommendation ............................ 9-6
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ............ 9-19
Rolling codes (If so equipped) ........................ 1-26
10-3
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-3
Reporting safety defects (For U.S.A.) ....... 9-19
Seat adjustment .............................................. 2-12
Seat belt
2-point type without retractor .................... 2-29
3-point type seat belt with ......................... 2-26
Precautions on seat belt usage ................ 2-24
Seat belt extenders ................................... 2-30
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 2-31
Seat belts .................................................. 2-24
Seats ............................................................... 2-12
Spark plug replacement .................................. 7-15
Speedometer .................................................... 1-4
Starting
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-6
Jump starting ..................................... 5-7, 7-14
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 4-2
Push starting ............................................... 5-9
Starting the engine ...................................... 4-6
Steering
Power steering fluid................................... 7-11
Power steering system .............................. 4-17
Tilting steering wheel ................................ 2-38
Sunroof (If so equipped) ................................. 1-21
Supplemental air bag warning light ................ 2-22
Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental air
bag system) .................................................... 2-17
Switch
Front fog light switch (If so equipped) ...... 1-15
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-16
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-14Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4
Rear window and outside mirror defogger
switch......................................................... 1-13
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-12
T
Tachometer ....................................................... 1-4
Theft warning (If so equipped)........................ 1-10
Three way catalyst ............................................ 4-2
Tilting steering wheel ...................................... 2-38
Timing chain ..................................................... 9-8
Tire
Flat tire ........................................................ 5-2
Tire chains ................................................. 7-31
Tire placard ............................................... 9-12
Tire pressure ............................................. 7-30
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-18
Wheels and tires ................................ 7-30, 9-9
Tow truck towing ............................................. 5-10
Towing
Tow truck towing ....................................... 5-10
Towing load/specification chart ................. 9-15
Trailer towing ............................................. 9-14
Trailer towing .................................................. 9-14
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid ..................... 7-10
Driving with automatic transmission............ 4-7
Driving with manual transmission ............. 4-10
Trip odometer ................................................... 1-4
Trunk lid lock .................................................... 2-9
Trunk lid opener operation ............................... 2-6
Trunk light ....................................................... 1-23U
Uniform tire quality grading............................. 9-18
V
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 1-23
Vehicle identification ....................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (Chassis
number) ..................................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification number plate ........... 9-10
Vehicle loading information............................. 9-13
Vehicle recovery (Freeing a stuck
vehicle)............................................................ 5-12
Ventilator ........................................................... 3-2
W
Warning
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-16
Supplemental air bag warning labels ........ 2-22
Supplemental air bag warning light........... 2-22
Theft warning (If so equipped) .................. 1-10
Warning/indicator light and buzzer.............. 1-6
Wheels and tires ..................................... 7-30, 9-9
Window washer fluid ....................................... 7-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch.............. 1-12
Wiper
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-12
Wiper blades ............................................. 7-18
10-4
Z01.2.1/A32-DX