I found a nice feature on the Bose that is not mentioned in the manual. You can turn on the system by pressing the either the FM, CD, or Tape button without having to press the on button on the volumen ****. This saves a step. For example, to listen to a cd instead of first pressing the on switch and then pressing the CD button, you can just press the CD button if there is a CD inside the system already. The same thing is true of the tape player. So if you had been listening to a CD then switch to the radio and later turned off the system. If you later wanted to listen to the CD again, according to the manual you have to first push the volumen **** and then select CD. By pushing the CD button first you save a step and have one less distraction while speeding.
A separate issue: when I first started to drive this car I used to get the radio and temperature controls mixed up (automatic climate control)because the ***** look the same. I later noticed that they actually feel different. One **** surface is convex and the other is concave. I thought that was a subtle design feature.

 

I, too, noticed the ***** being different. I wondered if that was done so that people could just feel it and know which one it was. However, I don't see myself training my brain to remember how each one feels. It is easier to remember how high to raise your arm to make a stereo adjustment.

 

That reminds me of another design feature I've always liked:
The two buttons on the driver's door for opening the fuel door and trunk are designed to push one but to pull the other. This could prevent an accidental opening of the wrong one. Let's award a point to Nissan on this one.

 

And i think its a good idea that you pull the trunk and push the fuel door. it would be easier to accidently push a button than to pull it and i think it would be less dangerous if the fuel door opened accidently rather than the trunk.

 

I agree that the different trunk and fuel button mechanics is a smart and thoughtful design. In my wife's 2000 Altima I often get the two mixed up and I still screw it up. The same lever is used for both the trunk and fuel door. I noticed the difference in the new Maxima as soon as I got in the car. It is idiot proof.

 

nothing can ever be completely idiot proof but it's close enough for me

 

Make something idiot proof and the world will build a better idiot!

 

Damn! Now I know why it costs me 75 gallons of gas every time I fill up.

 

Yeah somehow I still manage to pop the trunk quite often when attempting to fill up my gas. :P

 

aren't most newer stereo's like this? the stock GXE is the same way...well, minus the cd player. i also bet it turns on by just inserting a cd or tape.

 

My premium system does it too.

 

I didn't see it in the 2000 manual. That's why I posted it. But then again, maybe I was being an idiot. Won't be the first or last time. It does save a step for those of us without steering wheel mounted audio controls to turn on the system without pressng the on button. Do you turn off your stereo before you turn off your car? I play it as loud as I can. If I forget to turn it off it blast the speakers when I turn the car on later. I thought that was bad for the system over time.
I thought Bert's comment about buying 75 gallons of gas was funny.

 

Now there would be a feature, after powering down the stereo goes to 20% (or whatever) power. I know I forget the radio @90-100% some times, sometimes I remember to go back to accessory and drop the volume but other times I have Lynyrd Skynyrd at 110% with a hangover.

Fortunately to get over then hangover I keep the engine above 4000RPM and all is well!

Thanks pat on the back, y sleep. Though the line about building a better idiot is more true.

 

This is one of those threads that make me glad that I bought a Max...to see people that love their Maxes for the smallest of details. Keep it up.

 

The mode button will turn on the stereo as well. I don't remember this being in the manual, but it works.

 

Speaking of idiots. The 2000 manual says we have two antennaes: a rod and one in the rear windshield. This is true of the 4th gen but there is no rod antennae in our version, is there?
That's cool that the steering wheel controls also let you use the mode buttons to power up the system.
A feature that automatically lowers the volumen when you turn the system off would be classy. Sometimes I am amazed at how loud I had the stereo when I first turn it on. I routinely scare my kids when they first get in and ride with me in the morning.
The car has many nice features, which again demonstrates that the car is the best bang for the buck in a 4 door sedan. I've had the car almost a year and still look for any excuse to drive it.
y

 

on my 3rd gen the gas and trunk are on the same "handle" pull for trunk, push for gas