check transmission fluid NISSAN MAXIMA 2014 A35 / 7.G Owners Manual

Master warning light
When the ignition is in the ON position, the
master warning light illuminates if any of the fol-
lowing are displayed on the vehicle information
display.● No key warning
● Low fuel warning
● Low windshield-washer fluid warning
● Parking brake release warning
● Door/trunk open warning
● Loose fuel cap
● Check tire pressure warning
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten your
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever the
ignition switch is placed in the ON or START
position and remains illuminated until the driver’s
seat belt is fastened. At the same time, the chime
sounds for about 6 seconds unless the driver’s
seat belt is securely fastened. The seat belt warning light may also illuminate if
the front passenger’s seat belt is not fastened
when the front passenger’s seat is occupied. For
7 seconds after the ignition switch is placed in
the ON position, the system does not activate the
warning light for the front passenger.
Refer to “Seat belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat
belts and supplemental restraint system” section
for precautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or
START position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off if the SRS air bag systems are opera-
tional. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the air
bags and/or pretensioner systems need servic-
ing and your vehicle must be taken to a NISSAN
dealer:
● The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
● The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
● The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all. Unless checked and repaired, the supplemental
restraint systems (air bag systems) and/or the
pretensioners may not function properly. For ad-
ditional details see “Supplemental restraint sys-
tem” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of this
manual.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag systems
and/or pretensioner systems will not op-
erate in an accident. To help avoid injury to
yourself or others, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) indicator
light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on for 2 seconds.
2-14Instruments and controls

●CVT operation is limited to automatic drive
mode when CVT fluid temperature is ex-
tremely low even if manual shift mode is
selected. This is not a malfunction. When
CVT fluid warms up, manual mode can be
selected.
● When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.
Shift lock release
If the battery charge is low or discharged, the
shift lever may not be moved from the P (Park)
position even with the brake pedal depressed
and the shift lever button pressed.
It will be necessary to jump start or have your
battery charged, see “Jump starting” in the “In
case of emergency” section. Contact your
NISSAN dealer or a professional towing service.
To move the shift lever, complete the following
procedure:
1. Press the ignition switch to the LOCK posi- tion. 2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Using a protective cloth on the tip ofa3mm
screwdriver, remove the shift lock release
cover.
● If available, a plastic trim tool can also be
used.
4. Insert the small screwdriver in the shift lock release slot and push down.
5. Move the shift lever to the N (Neutral) posi- tion while holding down the shift lock re-
lease.
6. Push the ignition switch to the ON position to unlock the steering wheel. Now the ve-
hicle may be moved to the desired location.
If the shift lever cannot be moved out of P (Park) ,
have a NISSAN dealer check the transmission as
soon as possible.
WARNING
If the shift lever cannot be moved from the
P (Park) position while the engine is run-
ning and the brake pedal is depressed, the
stop lights may not work. Malfunctioning
stop lights could cause an accident injur-
ing yourself and others.
WSD0236
Starting and driving5-17

Accelerator downshift
— in D (Drive) position and manual
shift mode
For passing or hill climbing, depress the accel-
erator pedal to the floor. This shifts the transmis-
sion down into lower range, depending on the
vehicle speed.
High fluid temperature protection
mode
This transmission has a high fluid temperature
protection mode. If the fluid temperature be-
comes too high (for example, when climbing
steep grades in high temperatures with heavy
loads, such as when towing a trailer) , engine
power and, under some conditions, vehicle
speed will be decreased automatically to reduce
the chance of transmission damage. Vehicle
speed can be controlled with the accelerator
pedal, but the engine and vehicle speed may be
limited.
Fail-safe
If the vehicle is driven under extreme con-
ditions, such as excessive wheel spinning
and subsequent hard braking, the fail-safe
system may be activated. The MIL may
come on to indicate the fail-safe mode is
activated, see “Malfunction Indicator Light(MIL)” in the “Instrument and controls” sec-
tion. This will occur even if all electrical
circuits are functioning properly. In this
case, place the ignition switch in the OFF
position and wait for 10 seconds. Then
push the switch back to the ON position.
The vehicle should return to its normal op-
erating condition. If it does not return to its
normal operating condition, have a
NISSAN dealer check the transmission and
repair if necessary.
WARNING
When the high fluid temperature protec-
tion mode or fail-safe operation occurs,
vehicle speed may be gradually reduced.
The reduced speed may be lower than
other traffic, which could increase the
chance of a collision. Be especially careful
when driving. If necessary, pull to the side
of the road at a safe place and allow the
transmission to return to normal opera-
tion, or have it repaired if necessary.
WARNING
●
Be sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased before driving. Failure to do so
can cause brake failure and lead to an
accident.
● Do not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
● Do not use the shift lever in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
● Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake and cause an accident.
PARKING BRAKE
5-18Starting and driving

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance ..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items .........8-2
Maintenance precautions ...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations ................8-6
Engine cooling system .............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level ...................8-9
Changing engine coolant ........................8-9
Engine oil ........................................ 8-10
Checking engine oil level .......................8-10
Changing engine oil ........................... 8-11
Changing engine oil filter .......................8-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid ......8-12
Power steering fluid ............................... 8-13
Brake fluid ....................................... 8-13
Brake fluid .................................... 8-14
Windshield-washer fluid ........................... 8-14
Windshield-washer fluid reservoir ...............8-14
Battery .......................................... 8-15
Jump starting ................................. 8-16
Variable voltage control system .....................8-17
Drive belt ........................................ 8-17
Spark plugs ...................................... 8-18Replacing spark plugs
......................... 8-18
Air cleaner ....................................... 8-19
In-cabin microfilter ............................. 8-19
Windshield wiper blades .......................... 8-20
Cleaning ..................................... 8-20
Replacing .................................... 8-20
Brakes .......................................... 8-21
Fuses ........................................... 8-22
Engine compartment ........................... 8-22
Passenger compartment .......................8-24
Battery replacement .............................. 8-26
NISSAN Intelligent Key® .......................8-26
Lights ........................................... 8-27
Headlights .................................... 8-27
Front

park/turn/sidemarker light .................8-28
Fog lights (if so equipped) ......................8-28
Exterior and interior lights .......................8-28
Wheels and tires ................................. 8-32
Tire pressure . . . ............................... 8-32
Tire labeling ................................... 8-36
Types of tires .................................. 8-39
Tire chains .................................... 8-40
Changing wheels and tires .....................8-40

CAUTION
●Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
● Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.
● Never leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component har-
nesses disconnected while the ignition
switch is in the ON position.
● Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage. If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
WDI0662
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself

CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and applythe parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the oil filter
A.
4. Loosen the oil filter
Awith an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise. Then
remove the oil filter by turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot. 5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with
a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
CAUTION
●Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid
NS-2. Do not mix with other fluids.
● Using transmission fluid other than
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2 will
damage the CVT, which is not covered
by the warranty.
When checking or replacement of CVT fluid is
required, we recommend your NISSAN dealer for
servicing.
LDI0642
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUID
8-12Maintenance and do-it-yourself

2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply thebrakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal- anced as described earlier in this section.
● Be 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.
● Downshift the transmission to a lower gear
for engine braking when driving down steep
or long hills. This will help slow the vehicle
without applying the brakes.
● Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
● Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
● NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer. ●
Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
● Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after
50 miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
● When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
● Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, transmission fluid
should be changed more frequently. For
additional information, see the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section earlier in
this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
● Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
● Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
● DO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing) . Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
● For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Continuously Variable Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle
dolly MUST be placed under the towed vehicle’s
drive wheels. Alwaysfollow the dolly manufac-
turer’s recommendations when using their prod-
uct.
Technical and consumer information9-23

10 Index
A
Active Head Restraint ...........1-8,1-15
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-43
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-50
Airbagwarninglight...........1-57,2-14
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-19
Air conditioner Air conditioner service ...........4-36
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-30,4-34
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-36
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-26
Anchor point locations .............1-29
Antenna.....................4-91
Anti-lock brake warning light ......2-10,2-11
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-25
Armrests .....................1-7
Audible reminders ...............2-16
Audio system ..................4-36
Bluetooth®audio..............4-85
Compact Disc (CD) changer .......4-54
Compact disc (CD) player .....4-60,4-67
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) changer ................4-51 FM/AM/SAT radio with CD/DVD player . .4-64
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-57
Audio System iPod®Player.............4-79,4-82
Audio system Radio ....................4-36
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-89
USB interface ............4-74,4-76
Autolight switch .................2-32
Automatic Automatic drive positioner .........3-30
Automatic power window switch .....2-46
Automatic transmission position indicator
light .....................2-14
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-17
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-26
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUXjack ....................4-56
B
Battery ......................8-15
Charge warning light ............2-11
Before starting the engine ...........5-11
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-17
Block heater Engine ....................5-29
Bluetooth®audio................4-85
Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system .................4-92,4-106
Boosterseats..................1-40 Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-25
Brakefluid..................8-13
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-28
Brake system ................5-24
Brake warning light .............2-11
Brake wear indicators ........2-16,8-21
Parking brake operation ..........5-18
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-21
Brakes ......................8-21
Break-inschedule ...............5-20
Brightness/contrast button .......4-10,4-19
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-34
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-10
Bulbreplacement................8-28
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargonet....................2-43
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
Car phone or CB radio .............4-91
CD care and cleaning .............4-88
CD changer (See audio system) ........
4-54
CD player (See audio system) .....4-60,4-67
Check tire pressure ...............2-25
Child restraints .......1-23,1-24,1-25,1-27
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-25,1-31,1-36,1-40
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-29

Child safety rear door lock............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-16
Cleaning exterior and interior ...........7-2
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ...............5-28
Compact disc (CD) player ........4-60,4-67
Consolebox...................2-42
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . . .5-12 Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-12
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-12
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-17
Control panel buttons ..............4-11
Brightness/contrast button ......4-10,4-19
Enterbutton...............4-4,4-11
Without navigation system ..........4-4
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-89
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-30,4-34
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-9
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosionprotection ...............7-6
Cruisecontrol..................5-19
Cupholders................2-41,2-42
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-33 Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch.....................2-29
Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player .......4-71
Dimensionsandweights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-34
Display controls
(seecontrolpanelbuttons) ........4-4,4-11
Door locks .....................3-4
Drive belt .....................8-17
Drive positioner, Automatic ...........3-30
Driving Cold weather driving .............5-28
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-12
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-22
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-24
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-11
Block heater .................5-29
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changingenginecoolant...........8-9
Changingengineoil.............8-11
Changing engine oil filter ..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level ........8-9
Checking engine oil level ..........8-10
Engine compartment check locations ....8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Engine cooling system ............8-7 Engine oil
...................8-10
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-12
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-6
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine .............5-11
Enterbutton.................4-4,4-11
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-26
Exhaustgas(Carbonmonoxide).........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-25
Eyeglass case ..................2-40
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-2
Flat
tire.......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-12
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-10
Power steering fluid .............8-13
Windshield-washer fluid ...........8-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Foglightswitch .................2-34
Foldingrearseat..................1-6
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system) ......1-50
Front seats .....................1-2
10-2