new owner, eager to learn
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
new owner, eager to learn
alright well a couple weeks ago i got my first car, an automatic 97 maxima gle 
i got a good deal, and i'm really glad that i spent my money on this car as opposed to some random beater that would've been cheaper. i'm also glad that i got it right before summer, so i'll be able to get used to it/fix any issues before college starts
anyways, with this being my first car and all i have a few questions. there's some issues i want to fix right away and i need to know how to fix them. one issue is a squeaking coming from the front right, left, and sometimes both sides at once when i hit bumps. another is an occasionally shaky steering wheel accompanied by some metal rattling in the front
i've read that the squeaking is probably the brushings or the swaybar links, so i'll have to diagnose that with my dad later. however i still don't know what the other problem is caused by; if anyone has a hunch i'd be glad to hear it
aside from that...if anyone has tips for a first time car owner, and an owner of a 97 maxima, i'd be glad to hear them as well. i want to know how to propperly maintain my car; both aesthetically and under the hood.
btw if someone could let me know which buttons do what on my key fob that would be great. all the graphics on it are shaved off and i'm afraid of setting off the alarm or something. which happened yesterday -.-. oh and if someone could let me know the commands for the alarm system that would be great too lol (like...how to disarm it)
i got a good deal, and i'm really glad that i spent my money on this car as opposed to some random beater that would've been cheaper. i'm also glad that i got it right before summer, so i'll be able to get used to it/fix any issues before college startsanyways, with this being my first car and all i have a few questions. there's some issues i want to fix right away and i need to know how to fix them. one issue is a squeaking coming from the front right, left, and sometimes both sides at once when i hit bumps. another is an occasionally shaky steering wheel accompanied by some metal rattling in the front
i've read that the squeaking is probably the brushings or the swaybar links, so i'll have to diagnose that with my dad later. however i still don't know what the other problem is caused by; if anyone has a hunch i'd be glad to hear it
aside from that...if anyone has tips for a first time car owner, and an owner of a 97 maxima, i'd be glad to hear them as well. i want to know how to propperly maintain my car; both aesthetically and under the hood.
btw if someone could let me know which buttons do what on my key fob that would be great. all the graphics on it are shaved off and i'm afraid of setting off the alarm or something. which happened yesterday -.-. oh and if someone could let me know the commands for the alarm system that would be great too lol (like...how to disarm it)
for the key fob.
top-lock
middle left-unlock (if you press this twice, hold on second press. The front windows roll down)
middle right-pop trunk
bottom-alarm
Welcome to the ORG. Hope you enjoy your stay
If/when you change your plugs NGK or bust. Anything else is wasted money
top-lock
middle left-unlock (if you press this twice, hold on second press. The front windows roll down)
middle right-pop trunk
bottom-alarm
Welcome to the ORG. Hope you enjoy your stay
If/when you change your plugs NGK or bust. Anything else is wasted money
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 469
I use some red tape on my fob to remind me which is the panic button. The lock button is pretty clear, and the other two...I figure out as I go.
Any more details on your squeak? This can be pretty much anything, but it's most likely either your control arms (ie the bushings in the control arm, search "LCA" for more) or your strut mounts. These two bits are known to go squeaky. Try spraying some white lithium spray grease around your suspension bits, one at a time, to determine where the squeak ma be coming from; this will by no means be a permanent solution, but it can help you diagnose the problem.
Any more details on your squeak? This can be pretty much anything, but it's most likely either your control arms (ie the bushings in the control arm, search "LCA" for more) or your strut mounts. These two bits are known to go squeaky. Try spraying some white lithium spray grease around your suspension bits, one at a time, to determine where the squeak ma be coming from; this will by no means be a permanent solution, but it can help you diagnose the problem.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
i think i'll post pics later. mainly to address the paint transfers on the front that i want to ask about
as for the squeak; my dad says it's rubber for sure and i agree with him since it's a squeak as opposed to a screech. occurs on an uneven road, or while on the freeway. didn't notice it on the freeway till i rolled up my windows
as for the squeak; my dad says it's rubber for sure and i agree with him since it's a squeak as opposed to a screech. occurs on an uneven road, or while on the freeway. didn't notice it on the freeway till i rolled up my windows
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
thanks and thanks
sorry this is all really new to me. aside from the fact that it's my first car, it's also the first time i'm dealing with a key fob and even an alarm. all my family cars have been toyotas from the early 90s, and my dad's project camaros that he had back when i was in elementary school
sorry this is all really new to me. aside from the fact that it's my first car, it's also the first time i'm dealing with a key fob and even an alarm. all my family cars have been toyotas from the early 90s, and my dad's project camaros that he had back when i was in elementary school
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 69
From: CT
the alarm will go off if you have the hood popped but not open then arm it and open the hood the rest of the way as well ...
and +1 on the ngk plugs anything else would be a waste of time and money
another thing is these car often have knock sensor failures causing the car to lose about 20 hp this is a fairly easy fix that you will notice the differance in power from
As for you chossing a Maxima as your first car smart man congrats ... and the 3.0 is legandary they last for ever if treated even decent lol
and +1 on the ngk plugs anything else would be a waste of time and money
another thing is these car often have knock sensor failures causing the car to lose about 20 hp this is a fairly easy fix that you will notice the differance in power from
As for you chossing a Maxima as your first car smart man congrats ... and the 3.0 is legandary they last for ever if treated even decent lol
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
from the side, you can see the water spots and junk better now lol
here's one of the paint transfer areas
to add to my "firsts" this is also gonna be the first car in my family that will actually get cared for aesthetically. i don't know how to properlly wash and maintain this car. whenever i washed a car growing up i just washed it with powdered laundry detergent heavily diluted and after a rinse i let it air dry. i understand i can't do that with this car if i want to keep things nice so if someone could educate me on this that would be great
if someone could teach me how to deal with paint transfers and scratches that would be great too
lastly i'm unsure if i should buy a cover, or sacrifice the garage for my car...what should i do
I use meguiars ultimat wash and wax for car wash. Its about $8 at walmart. Used to use meguiars gold class but I cant find it local.
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17748
for wax I use meguias Next gen wax. About $14 a bottle
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12718
as for the paint transfer I recommend using a rubbing compound OR meguiars ultimate compound. Use either with a no scratch scotchbrite pad, and some elbow grease and it should come off. Ive used the combo a few times when ppl have hit my car.
If you have the spare garage space, garage it. If not, you dont HAVE TO have a car cover. I find them time consuming and annoying when it rains
car looks like its in good shape. Need to wash, polish, and wax. Should look much better
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17748
for wax I use meguias Next gen wax. About $14 a bottle
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12718
as for the paint transfer I recommend using a rubbing compound OR meguiars ultimate compound. Use either with a no scratch scotchbrite pad, and some elbow grease and it should come off. Ive used the combo a few times when ppl have hit my car.
If you have the spare garage space, garage it. If not, you dont HAVE TO have a car cover. I find them time consuming and annoying when it rains
car looks like its in good shape. Need to wash, polish, and wax. Should look much better
Last edited by tigersharkdude; May 24, 2011 at 02:11 PM.
best $15 you will spend. The pages are tattered on mine
Last edited by tigersharkdude; May 24, 2011 at 05:24 PM. Reason: left out a word
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
had a scotch brite non scratch sponge(a smaller pad+a sponge attached) laying around. i'll go buy the pad itself once this thing gets old though
before i buy anything, can i get other recommendations on what to buy/where to buy it?
before i buy anything, can i get other recommendations on what to buy/where to buy it?
new air filter, new pcv valve, clean MAF (mass air flow sensor), check 02 sensors, seafoam, chevron techron fuel injector cleaner, fuel filter.
Does your car leak oil at all?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
i just wanna get the necessary cleaning/maintenance supplies out of the way. my dad's been busy lately and exterior cleaning is the only thing i can handle on my own right now lol
and yes, it leaks a little oil
i just wanted a car that runs great and i already got it. now i just need to clean it up and take proper care of it. i probably won't do any upgrades unless they're cheap and give a really nice result
and yes, it leaks a little oil
i just wanted a car that runs great and i already got it. now i just need to clean it up and take proper care of it. i probably won't do any upgrades unless they're cheap and give a really nice result
Last edited by Perseus; May 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM.
I use meguiars ultimate wash and wax for car wash. Its about $8 at walmart. Used to use meguiars gold class but I cant find it local.
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17748
for wax I use meguias Next gen wax. About $14 a bottle
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12718
also will need some kind of wash mit. Something like thi
http://www.chemicalguys.com/CAR_WASH...p/mic_493.html
Last edited by tigersharkdude; May 25, 2011 at 03:20 PM.
Newbie - Just Registered
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1
From: Janesville, WI.
Getting a 96 Maxima GLE,, Got stereo questions
I am getting a 96 Max,,, it has the Bose system,, does anyone know if this sysytem has an aux outlet for ipods, or do i have to buy an adapter,, my ipod has my whole cd collecion and then some on it,, at last count,,, 265 cds
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 469
http://forums.maxima.org/audio-elect...tock-bose.html
It cost me <$15 to have aux in + a microphone in my dashboard for my cell. Totally worth the time and money.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 160
I posted this above. You can get the stuff at wal-mart/target or any parts store
I use meguiars ultimate wash and wax for car wash. Its about $8 at walmart. Used to use meguiars gold class but I cant find it local.
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17748
for wax I use meguias Next gen wax. About $14 a bottle
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12718
also will need some kind of wash mit. Something like thi
http://www.chemicalguys.com/CAR_WASH...p/mic_493.html
I use meguiars ultimate wash and wax for car wash. Its about $8 at walmart. Used to use meguiars gold class but I cant find it local.
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G17748
for wax I use meguias Next gen wax. About $14 a bottle
http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G12718
also will need some kind of wash mit. Something like thi
http://www.chemicalguys.com/CAR_WASH...p/mic_493.html