Ok so the SES came on, autozone ran the code as a "large" EVAP leak. I'm sure the stickies have something about this but frankly I don't have time to sift through things to research the issue. Not too concerned as everything seems to be fine with the car.

What I DO need to know is if this is something I need to worry about taking to my local Nissan specialist (luckily, it's a Nissan/Infiniti specialist, not a stealership!!)

I talked to them today and they made it sound pretty complex. My max feels fine but I want the best for it. I think the code was something like 1445 and they said it could be as simple as not locking the gascap completely, which I don't think is the case. Mine is a 2002 with just shy of 50k. Is this a weird thing to experience this soon? It has had only premium gas and mobil 1 synthetic since it was new, and I just brought it back from its previous home in Colorado. Could this have something to do with altitude change? Any insight is appreciated, I hate staring at that SES light!!!!

 

On a side note, anyone in eastern Iowa should talk to All seasons automotive. They are a small shop in Iowa City that know way too much about maximas. I have had great luck there.

 

The same thing happened to me. I replaced the gas cap with a genuine nissan gas cap for under $12 and the problem disappeared . Even though your old cap may look good on the outside, it probably has internal failure and doesn't seal anymore.

 

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=374481

 

Could be the gas cap, but when it happened to mine I had to replace the EVAP purge valve and canister. It's located behind the driver's side rear wheel under the car. Looks like a big, black box and has some hoses attached. The valve is attached to it. If I remember right, it costs about $220 new.