belt NISSAN MAXIMA 1997 A32 / 4.G Owners Manual

Foreword
Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the latest techniques
and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles of driving
pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information and Maintenance Log Booklet explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle and vehicle maintenance
schedules.
Your NISSAN dealer knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, he will be glad to assist you with the extensive
resources available to him.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these five important driving rules to help ensure a
safe and complete trip for you and your passengers!
INEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
IALWAYS observe posted speed limits and never drive too
fast for conditions.
IALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate child
restraint systems.
IALWAYS provide information about the proper use of
vehicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle.
IALWAYS review this Owner's Manual for important safety
information.
NOTES ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS
OWNER'S MANUAL
This owner's manual contains descriptions and operating instruc-
tions for all systems, features and optional equipment that might
appear in any model of this vehicle built for any destination in
North America, including the continental United States, Canada
and Hawaii. Therefore, you may very well find information in this
manual that does not apply to your vehicle.
MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
This vehicle should not be modified. Modification could affect its
performance, safety or durability, and may even violate govern-
mental regulations. In addition, damage or performance prob-
lems resulting from modification may not be covered under
NISSAN warranties.
All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are those
in effect at the time of printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change
specifications or design without notice and without obligation.
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Welcome To The World Of NISSAN
Your new Nissan is the result of our dedication to
produce the finest in safe, reliable and economi-
cal transportation. Your vehicle is the product of
a successful worldwide company that manufac-
tures cars and trucks in over 17 countries and
distributes them in 170 nations.
Nissan vehicles are designed and manufactured
by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was founded in
Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and Nissan affiliates world
wide, collectively growing to become the fifth
largest automaker in the world. In addition to cars
and trucks, Nissan also makes textile machinery,
fork-lift trucks, marine engines, boats and other
products.
Nissan has made a substantial and growing
investment in North America, starting with the
opening of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. in
1960 and continuing with the production of some
cars and trucks at one of the world's mostmodern manufacturing facilities, Nissan Motor
Manufacturing Corporation U.S.A. in Smyrna,
Tennessee, vehicle styling at Nissan Design
International in San Diego, California, and engi-
neering at Nissan Research and Development in
Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. and its dealers
indirectly employ about 60,000 Americans.
Nissan is also a substantial contributor to the
Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its sup-
pliers and over 170 dealers employ approxi-
mately 4,500 people. These include company
employees and the staffs of Nissan dealers all
across Canada. In addition, many Canadians
work for companies that supply Nissan and Nis-
san dealers with materials and services ranging
from operation of port facilities and transportation
services, to the supply of lubricants, parts and
accessories.Nissan pioneered the use of electronics and
computers in automobiles, and has led the indus-
try in improving both performance and fuel effi-
ciency through new engine designs and the use
of synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight.
The company has also developed ways to build
quality into its vehicles at each stage of the
production process, both through extensive use
of automation and Ð most importantly Ð
through an awareness thatpeopleare the cen-
tral element in quality control.
From the time the parts arrived from our suppli-
ers until you took delivery of your new Nissan,
dozens of checks were made to ensure that only
the best job was being done in producing and
delivering your vehicle. Nissan also takes great
care to ensure that when you take your Nissan to
your dealer for maintenance, the service techni-
cian will perform his work according to the quality
standards that have been established by the
factory.
Safety has also been built into your Nissan. As
you know, seat belts are an integral part of the
safety systems that will help protect you and your
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or an
accident. We urge you to use the belts every time
you drive the vehicle.
The Nissan story of growth and achievement
reflects our major goal: to provide you, our
customer, with a vehicle that is built with quality
and craftsmanship Ð a product that we can be
proud to build and you can be proud to own.
AFW0001
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

orwarning lightSeat belt warning lightEngine oil pressure warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightLow washer fluid warning lightCRUISE indicator light
High beam indicator light (blue)orAnti-lock brake warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
Door open warning lightorMalfunction indicator light
(MIL)
Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ªONº without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,or,,or
The following lights come on briefly and then
go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate a
burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the elec-
trical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop the
engineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN dealer
or other authorized repair shop.
The oil pressure warning light is not de-
signed to indicate a low oil level. Use the
dipstick to check the oil level.See ªEngine
oilº in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.Running the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on could cause serious
damage to the engine almost immedi-
ately. Turn off the engine as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate that there is something
wrong with the charging system. Turn the
engine off and check the alternator belt. If the
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHT
AND BUZZER
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

belt is loose, broken, missing or if the light
remains on, see your NISSAN dealer immedi-
ately.
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors are
not closed securely while the ignition key is
ªONº.
Seat belt warning light and
buzzer
The light and buzzer remind you to fasten seat
belts. The light illuminates whenever the igni-
tion key is turned to ªONº, and will remain
illuminated until the driver's seat belt is fas-
tened. At the same time, the buzzer will sound
for about six seconds unless the driver's seat
belt is securely fastened.
Refer to ªSeat beltsº in the ªPre-driving checks
and adjustmentsº section for precautions on
seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
When the ignition key is in the ªONº or
ªSTARTº position, the supplemental air bag
light will illuminate for about 7 seconds and
then turn off. This means the system is opera-
tional.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing and your
vehicle must be taken to your nearest autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
1. The supplemental air bag light goes off
within 7 seconds.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes in-
termittently or remains on (after 7 seconds).
3. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supplemen-
tal Restraint System may not function properly.
For additional details on the Supplemental Air
Bag System, see Section 2.
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemen-
tal air bag will not operate in anaccident.
Low washer fluid warning
light (If so equipped)
This light comes on when the washer tank fluid
is at a low level. Add washer fluid as neces-
sary. See the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº sec-
tion.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake
and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied.
Low brake fluid warning
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If the
light comes on while the engine is running with
the parking brake not applied, stop the vehicle
and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ªBrake and clutch fluidº
in the ªDo-it-yourself operationsº section.
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

The sunroof will only operate when the ignition
key is in the ªONº position.
Sliding the sunroof
To open the roof, keep pressing the switch to
the ªº side.
To close the roof, keep pressing the switch to
the ª
º side.
Tilting the sunroof
To tilt up, first close the sunroof, then keep
pushing the ªº side of the tilt switch. To tilt
down the sunroof, keep pushing the
ª
º side.
Sun shade
Open/close the sun shade by sliding it
backward/forward.
The shade will open automatically when the
sunroof is opened. However, it must be closed
manually.
IIn an accident you could be thrown
from the vehicle through an open
sunroof. Always use seat belts and
child restraints properly.
IDo not allow anyone to stand up or
extend any portion of their body out
of the opening while the vehicle is in
motion or while the roof is closing.
IRemove water drops, snow, ice or
sand from the sunroof before open-
ing.
IDo not place any heavy object on the
sunroof or surrounding area.
If the sunroof does not close
Have your NISSAN dealer check and repair
the sunroof.
IC1432
SUNROOF (If so equipped)
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2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key ............................................................................ 2-2
Door locks ................................................................. 2-2
Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ........... 2-5
Hood release ............................................................. 2-8
Glove box lock .......................................................... 2-8
Trunk lid lock ............................................................. 2-9
Fuel filler lid lock ..................................................... 2-10
Seats ....................................................................... 2-12
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system) ............................... 2-17
Supplemental air bag warning labels ...................... 2-22
Supplemental air bag warning light......................... 2-22
Seat belts ................................................................ 2-24
Child restraints for infants and small children......... 2-31
Tilting steering wheel .............................................. 2-38
Outside mirror remote control ................................. 2-39
Foldable outside mirrors.......................................... 2-39
Inside mirror ............................................................ 2-40
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

Locking the doors without key
To lock from the outside without a key, move
the inside lock knob to the ªLOCKº position.
Then close the door.
When locking the door this way, be certain not
to leave the key inside the vehicle.
The inside lock knob cannot be set to the
ªLOCKº position with the front doors open and
with the key in the ignition.
IAlways have the doors locked while
driving. Along with the use of seat
belts, this provides greater safety in
the event of an accident by helping to
prevent persons from being thrown
from the vehicle. This also helps keep
children and others from unintention-
ally opening the doors, and will help
keep out intruders.
IBefore opening any door, always look
for and avoid oncoming traffic.
IDo not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches or controls.
Unattended children could become
involved in serious accidents.
CHILD SAFETY REAR DOOR
LOCK
Child safety locking helps prevent doors from
being opened accidentally, especially when
small children are in the vehicle.
When the lever is in the lock position, the
rear door can be opened only from the
outside.
SPA0085SPA0086
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

IDo not ride in a moving vehicle when
the seatback is reclined. This can be
dangerous. The shoulder belt will not
be against your body. In an accident
you could be thrown into it and re-
ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal
injuries.
IFor most effective protection when
the vehicle is in motion, the seat
should be upright. Always sit well
back in the seat and adjust the seat
belt properly. See ªPrecautions on
seat belt usageº later in this chapter.
SEAT ADJUSTMENT
IDo not adjust the driver's seat while
driving. The seat may move suddenly
and could cause loss of control of the
vehicle.
IAfter adjustment, gently rock in the
seat to make sure it is securely
locked.
SPA0472SPA0473
SEATS
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX

This Supplemental Restraint System section
contains important information concerning the
driver and passenger supplemental air bags.
The Supplemental Restraint System Air Bag
can help reduce impact force to the driver and
to the front passenger in certain frontal colli-
sions. The supplemental air bags are designed
tosupplementthe crash protection provided
by the driver and passenger seat belts and are
not a substitutefor them. The seat belts
should always be correctly worn and the driver
and front passenger seated a suitable distance
away from the steering wheel and instrument
panel. (See ªSeat beltsº for instructions and
precautions on seat belt usage.)
After turning the ignition key to the ªONº
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
IThe supplemental air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or
lower severity frontal collision. Al-
ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury in
various kinds of accidents.
IThe seat belts and the supplemental
air bags are most effective when you
are sitting back and upright in the
seat. Supplemental air bags inflate
with great force. If you are unre-
strained, leaning forward, sitting
sideways or out of position in any
way, you are at greater risk of injury
or death in a crash and may also
receive serious or fatal injuries from
the supplemental air bag if you are up
SPA0504SPA0505
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SUPPLEMENTAL AIR
BAG SYSTEM)
2-17
Z01.2.1/A32-DX

against it when it inflates. Always sit
back against the seatback and as far
away as practical from the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Always
use the seat belts.
IKeep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when the
supplemental air bag inflates.
SPA0476SPA0477SPA0478
SPA0479
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Z01.2.1/A32-DX