checking oil NISSAN MAXIMA 2000 A33 / 5.G Owners Manual

Engine oil pressure warning light
or
Brake warning light
Cruise main switch indicator light
Charge warning light
or
Anti-lock brake warning light
(if so equipped)
Cruise set indicator light
Door open warning light
Low fuel warning light
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
Seat belt warning light
Overdrive off indicator light
Traction control system indicator light (if
so equipped)
Supplemental air bag warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator light
Slip indicator light (if so equipped)
Low washer fluid warning light (if so
equipped)
High beam indicator light (Blue)
CHECKING BULBSApply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,
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.
WARNING LIGHTS
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 ª8. Do-it-yourselfº section.
CAUTION
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
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
AND CHIMES
Instruments and controls
2-7
Z
00.1.17/A33-D/V5.0
X

8 Do-it-yourselfMaintenance precautions .......................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................... 8-4
Engine cooling system .............................................. 8-5
Checking engine coolant level .................................. 8-5
Changing engine coolant .......................................... 8-6
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-7
Checking engine oil level .......................................... 8-7
Changing engine oil .................................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil filter .......................................... 8-9
Automatic transmission fluid ................................... 8-10
Temperature conditions for checking ...................... 8-10
Power steering fluid ................................................ 8-11
Brake and clutch fluid ............................................. 8-12
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-12
Battery ..................................................................... 8-13
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-15
Spark plugs ............................................................. 8-15
Replacing spark plugs ............................................. 8-16
Air cleaner ............................................................... 8-17
Windshield wiper blades ......................................... 8-18Cleaning .................................................................. 8-18
Replacement ........................................................... 8-19
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................... 8-20
Checking parking brake .......................................... 8-20
Checking brake pedal ............................................. 8-20
Brake booster .......................................................... 8-21
Clutch pedal ............................................................ 8-21
Fuses....................................................................... 8-21
Engine compartment ............................................... 8-22
Passenger compartment ......................................... 8-23
Multi-remote controller battery replacement ........... 8-24
Lights ....................................................................... 8-25
Headlights ............................................................... 8-26
Exterior and interior lights ....................................... 8-27
Tires and wheels ..................................................... 8-32
Tire pressure ........................................................... 8-32
Types of tires .......................................................... 8-32
Tire chains............................................................... 8-33
Changing tires and wheels...................................... 8-34
Z
00.1.17/A33-D/V5.0
X

6. Start the engine, and warm it up until the
radiator fan operates. Then race the engine
two or three 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
MAX level.
8. Check the radiator drain plug and the drain
plug on the engine block for any sign of
leakage.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL1. 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 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into the
oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
SDI0973
SDI0115
ENGINE OIL
Do-it-yourself
8-7
Z
00.1.17/A33-D/V5.0
X

CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting surface
with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten additionally more than
2/3 turn.
Oil filter tightening torque:
10.85 to 15.19 ft-lb
(14.7 to 20.6 N×m)
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several min-
utes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
WARNING
IWhen engine is running, keep hands,
jewelry and clothing away from any
moving parts such as cooling fan and
drive belt.
IAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
FOR CHECKINGIThe fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range on the dipstick after the follow-
ing conditions have been met:
a) the engine should be warmed up to
operating temperature.
b) the vehicle should be driven at least 5
minutes.
c) the automatic transmission fluid should
be warmed to between 122 and 176ÉF
(50 and 80ÉC).
IThe fluid can be checked at fluid tempera-
tures of 86 to 122ÉF (30 to 50ÉC) using the
COLD range on the dipstick after the en-
gine is warmed up and before driving. How-
ever, the fluid should be re-checked using
the HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the selector
lever through each gear range. Move the
selector lever to P (Park) position after you
have moved it through all ranges.
SSD0161
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
8-10
Do-it-yourself
Z
00.1.17/A33-D/V5.0
X

Child safety rear door lock................................ 3-4
Chimes ............................................................ 2-11
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray....... 2-23
Circuit breaker, Fusible link ............................ 8-22
Cleaning exterior and interior .................... 7-2, 7-4
Clock ............................................................... 2-30
Clutch
Clutch pedal .............................................. 8-21
Fluid ........................................................... 8-12
Cold weather driving ....................................... 5-21
Compact Disc (CD) player (See audio
system) ........................................................... 4-23
Compact disc (CD) player operation .............. 4-12
Compact spare tire ......................................... 8-35
Console box .................................................... 2-26
Controls
Audio controls............................................ 4-12
Audio controls (rear).................................. 4-12
Audio controls (steering wheel)................. 4-12
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-3
Heater and semiautomatic air
conditioner ................................................... 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................ 8-6
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-5
Corrosion protection ......................................... 7-5
Cruise control.................................................. 5-14
Cup holder ...................................................... 2-24D
Daytime running light system ......................... 2-19
Defogger switch, Rear window and outside mirror
defogger switch............................................... 2-16
Dimensions and weights ................................. 10-9
Door open warning light ................................... 2-8
Drive belts ....................................................... 8-15
Driving
Cold weather driving ................................. 5-21
Driving with automatic transmission............ 5-8
Driving with manual transmission ............. 5-11
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
E
Economy, Fuel ................................................ 5-16
Emission control information label ................ 10-11
Emission control system warranty ................ 10-20
Engine
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-7
Block heater .............................................. 5-22
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2
Changing engine coolant ............................ 8-6
Changing engine oil .................................... 8-8
Changing engine oil filter ............................ 8-9
Checking engine coolant level .................... 8-5
Checking engine oil level ............................ 8-7
Coolant temperature gauge ........................ 2-5
Engine compartment check locations ......... 8-4
Engine cooling system ................................ 8-5Engine oil..................................................... 8-7
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation... 10-5
Engine oil viscosity .................................... 10-5
Engine serial number .............................. 10-11
Engine specifications................................. 10-7
If your engine overheats ........................... 6-10
Starting the engine ...................................... 5-7
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ...................... 5-2
F
F.M.V.S.S. certification label......................... 10-11
Filter, Air cleaner housing filter ....................... 8-17
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ............................................................. 2-20
Flat tire .............................................................. 6-2
Floor mat cleaning ............................................ 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........... 8-10
Brake and clutch fluid................................ 8-12
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2
Engine coolant............................................. 8-5
Engine oil..................................................... 8-7
Power steering fluid................................... 8-11
Window washer fluid ................................. 8-12
Fog light switch ............................................... 2-19
Front manual seat adjustment .......................... 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ............................ 1-4
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2
Filler cap .................................................... 3-10
Z
00.1.17/A33-D/V5.0
X
11-2

Replacement ............................................. 8-25
Trunk light.................................................. 2-33
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 2-32
Warning/indicator lights and chimes .... 2-7, 2-9
Lights, Exterior and interior light
replacement .................................................... 8-27
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................... 10-14
Lock
Door locks ................................................... 3-2
Glove box lock........................................... 2-25
Power door lock .......................................... 3-2
Trunk lid lock opener lever.......................... 3-9
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 2-9
Luggage net .................................................... 2-26
M
Maintenance
Battery ....................................................... 8-13
Explanation of maintenance items..... 9-3, 9-10
General maintenance........................... 9-2, 9-3
Inside the vehicle ................................. 9-2, 9-3
Maintenance precautions ............................ 8-2
Outside the vehicle .............................. 9-2, 9-3
Periodic maintenance schedules ................ 9-5
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 1-27
Under the hood and vehicle ........................ 9-4
Manual front seat adjustment ........................... 1-2
Meters and gauges ........................................... 2-3
Mirror
Inside mirror .............................................. 3-13
Outside mirror............................................ 3-13Outside mirror control................................ 3-13
Outside mirrors .......................................... 3-13
Multi-remote control system.............................. 3-4
N
Net, Luggage net ............................................ 2-26
New vehicle break-in ...................................... 5-15
Nissan vehicle Immobilizer System ................ 2-12
Engine start ................................................. 5-6
O
Odometer .......................................................... 2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................... 10-2
Changing engine oil .................................... 8-8
Changing engine oil filter ............................ 8-9
Checking engine oil level ............................ 8-7
Engine oil..................................................... 8-7
Engine oil viscosity .................................... 10-5
Outside mirror ................................................. 3-13
Outside mirror control ..................................... 3-13
Outside mirrors ............................................... 3-13
Overdrive switch ............................................. 5-10
Overheat, If your vehicle overheats................ 6-10P
Parking
Brake check............................................... 8-20
Parking brake check.................................. 5-13
Parking brake operation ............................ 5-13
Parking on hills .......................................... 5-13
Parking/parking on hills .................................. 5-17
Periodic maintenance schedules ...................... 9-5
Personal light .................................................. 2-31
Power
Front seat adjustment ................................. 1-4
Power door lock .......................................... 3-2
Power steering fluid................................... 8-11
Power steering system .............................. 5-18
Power windows ......................................... 2-27
Pre-tensioner seat belt system ....................... 1-17
Precautions
Braking precautions................................... 5-18
Cruise control precautions ........................ 5-13
Maintenance precautions ............................ 8-2
On child restraints ..................................... 1-28
On seat belt usage .................................... 1-20
On supplemental restraint system .............. 1-8
Precautions when starting and driving ........ 5-2
Push starting ..................................................... 6-9
R
Radio, car phone or CB radio......................... 4-25
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test
(USA only) .................................................... 10-21
Z
00.1.17/A33-D/V5.0
X
11-4