stop start NISSAN MAXIMA 2002 A33 / 5.G Owner's Guide

REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
Platinum-tipped spark plugsIt is not necessary to replace the platinum-
tipped spark plugs as frequently as the con-
ventional type spark plugs since they will last
much longer. Follow the maintenance sched-
ule but, do not reuse them by cleaning or
regapping.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer for servicing.
Always replace with recommended
platinum-tipped spark plugs.The filter element should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the mainte-
nance intervals. See the separate Service and
Maintenance Guide. When replacing the filter,
wipe the inside of the air cleaner housing and
the cover with a damp cloth.
WARNING
IOperating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or
others to be burned. The air cleanernot only cleans the air, it stops flame
if the engine backfires. If it is not
there, and the engine backfires, you
could be burned. Do not drive with
the air cleaner removed and be care-
ful when working on the engine with
the air cleaner removed.
INever pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with the
air cleaner removed. Doing so could
result in serious injury.
SDI0145
SDI0963
AIR CLEANER
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BRAKE BOOSTERCheck the brake booster function as follows:
1. With the engine off, press and release the
brake pedal several times. When brake
pedal movement (distance of travel) re-
mains the same from one pedal application
to the next, continue on to the next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start the
engine. The pedal height should drop a
little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keeping the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds, the pedal height should
not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without
depressing the brake pedal, then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times. The
pedal travel distance will decrease gradu-
ally with each depression as the vacuum is
released from the booster.
If the brakes do not operate properly, see your
NISSAN dealer.Press the pedal by hand and be sure the free
travel is within the limits shown above. If free
travel is too little or too much, see your
NISSAN dealer.
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
DI1021MC
CLUTCH PEDAL FUSES
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trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if
it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other pos-
sible causes of either condition.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shifts while driving.
IBe certain your rear view mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing be-
fore driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tipsIn order to gain skill and an understanding of
the vehicle's behavior, you should practice
turning, stopping and backing up in an area
which is free from traffic. Steering stability, and
braking performance will be somewhat differ-
ent than under normal driving conditions.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
IAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
IAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
IAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
IAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on aslope is not recommended; however, if you
must do so, and if your vehicle is equipped
with automatic transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, and
then move the transmission selector lever
into the P (Park) position. If you move the
selector lever to the P (Park) position be-
fore blocking the wheels and applying the
parking brake, transmission damage could
occur.
IWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
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 HOT 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 thanat 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).9-18
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Due to legal requirements in some states/
areas, your vehicle may be required to be in
what is called the ready condition for an
Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emis-
sion control system.
The vehicle is set to the ready condition when
it is driven through certain driving patterns.
Usually, the ready condition can be obtained
by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired
or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may
be reset to a not ready condition. Before taking
the I/M test, drive the vehicle through the
following pattern to set the vehicle to the ready
condition. If you cannot or do not want to
perform the driving pattern, an NISSAN dealer
can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic con-
ditions, and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C. Al-
low the engine to idle until the gauge needlepoints between the C and H (normal oper-
ating temperature).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h), then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 6 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed
of 53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h) for at least
5 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 at least 3 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 min-
utes.
8. Stop the vehicle (shift lever in the ªPº or ªNº
position).
9. Rev the engine up between 2,500 and
3,500 rpm and hold it for 3 consecutive
minutes, then release the accelerator pedal
completely.
10.Wait 5 second at idle.
11.Rev the engine up between 2,000 and3,000 rpm and maintain it for 5 consecutive
minutes.
12.Turn the engine off.
13.Repeat steps 1 through 8 at least one more
time.
If step 1 through 7 is interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is ac-
ceptable between steps. Do not stop the en-
gine until step 7 is completed.READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST (US
only)
Technical and consumer information
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Engine coolant temperature gauge ............. 2-5
Fuel gauge .................................................. 2-5
Odometer..................................................... 2-4
Speedometer ............................................... 2-4
Tachometer ................................................. 2-4
General maintenance ....................................... 8-2
Glasses case .................................................. 2-24
Glove box........................................................ 2-25
Glove box lock ................................................ 2-25
H
Hazard warning flasher switch........................ 2-19
Head restraints ................................................. 1-6
Headlights
Bulb replacement ...................................... 8-27
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-17
Xenon headlights....................................... 2-16
Heated seats................................................... 2-20
Heated steering wheel (if so equipped).......... 2-21
Heater
Engine coolant heater ............................... 5-21
Heater and air conditioner controls ............. 4-3
Heater operation.......................................... 4-3
Heater operation, Semiautomatic air
conditioner ........................................................ 4-4
Hood, release ................................................. 3-10
Horn ................................................................ 2-20
How to stop alarm, Vehicle security ............... 2-13
I
Ignition switch ................................................... 5-4Automatic transmission models ........... 5-4, 5-8
Key positions ............................................... 5-6
Manual transmission models ............. 5-5, 5-11
Immobilizer system ......................................... 2-13
Indicator lights................................................. 2-10
Inspection/maintenance (I/M) test................... 9-21
Instrument panel ............................................... 2-2
Interior light ..................................................... 2-32
Interior light replacement ................................ 8-28
Interior trunk lid release .................................. 3-12
ISOFIX child restraint ..................................... 1-34
J
Jump starting .................................................... 6-6
K
Keys .................................................................. 3-2
L
Label, Air conditioner specification label ........ 9-12
Label, Emission control information label ....... 9-11
Label, F.M.V.S.S. certification label................ 9-11
Labels
Air bag warning labels............................... 1-18
Engine serial number ................................ 9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)........... 9-10
LATCH system................................................ 1-34
License plate, Installing front license plate..... 9-13
Light
Air bag warning light ................................. 1-18Bulb replacement ...................................... 8-26
Fog light switch ......................................... 2-19
Headlight switch ........................................ 2-17
Headlights Bulb replacement .................... 8-27
Interior light................................................ 2-32
Personal light............................................. 2-33
Replacement ............................................. 8-26
Trunk light.................................................. 2-34
Vanity mirror light ...................................... 2-34
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ........................................... 2-7, 2-10
Xenon headlights....................................... 2-16
Lights, Exterior and interior light
replacement .................................................... 8-28
Loading information (See vehicle loading
information) ..................................................... 9-14
Lock
Door locks ................................................... 3-2
Glove box lock........................................... 2-25
Power door lock .......................................... 3-2
Trunk lid lock opener lever........................ 3-10
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 2-9
M
Maintenance
Battery ....................................................... 8-15
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Inside the vehicle ........................................ 8-3
Maintenance precautions ............................ 8-5
Outside the vehicle...................................... 8-2
Seat belt maintenance .............................. 1-26
Meters and gauges ........................................... 2-3
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