5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.

A newbie with a ton of ?

Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:18 AM
  #1  
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A newbie with a ton of ?

Great to be a part of this Maxima Forum. Am a member of other car forums as well.

Newbie asking for guidance. I have read the FAQ’s and I think I am ready to enjoy my 1st Nissan car, 2000 Maxima GLE, Gray. Currently use a 98 Acura 3.2TL 88K as daily ride.

Purchased a 163K miles 2000 Maxima, and am itching to perform procedures to get it up to good running condition, making sure whatever the previous owner screwed up on, I can correct.

Thanks to this forum I have downloaded the owner’s manual and have done some research on the fluids-maintenance items required. These are the things I want to do and have listed quantities required and would really appreciate your help in correction-suggestion-tips:


Touch Up paint Where can I find the GRAY color ID? Or else, anybody used a near match on the Duplicolor touch up paint? KV3 Gray Lustre OK.

Oil Change 5W30 Syn 4.25 Quarts Done.

Tranny Drain-Fill Dexron III/Mercon ??? Quarts 4 QTS OK.

Power Steering Dexron III/Mercon Suck up and refill. To be done still

Coolant Change ??? 8 1/8 Quarts (Where is the engine drain bolt?) To be done still

Brake Fluid DOT 3 Bleed To be done still

Brake Rotor/Pads Fr Checked the pads, still OK, need to turn the rotors, I have pulsing. Change it next time. Done. Rotors turned, new pads.

Air Filter Done, Purolator….the old one was NASTY.

Wiper Blades Done. TRICO OEM fit replacements. Freeking previous owner scratched the glass with OLD wipers…how to remove scratches? Polishing?

Headlamp Polished with Brasso. Some of the haze is inside the lamp.

Fog Lamps Polished with Brasso and waxed it..


Being 163K, what are the things that I need to be checking on/doing to make sure the car will provide reliable service.


Yesterday spent hours just cleaning it up. It is now in decent condition. I like the spunk of the Maxima, now I feel my TL is like a slow middle aged person!


Thanks in advance and looking forward to be a contributing member!


mandyfig

Last edited by mandyfig; Oct 29, 2009 at 02:02 PM.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:33 AM
  #2  
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
Great to be a part of this Maxima Forum. Am a member of other car forums as well.

Newbie asking for guidance. I have read the FAQ’s and I think I am ready to enjoy my 1st Nissan car, 2000 Maxima GLE, Gray. Currently use a 98 Acura 3.2TL 88K as daily ride.

Purchased a 163K miles 2000 Maxima, and am itching to perform procedures to get it up to good running condition, making sure whatever the previous owner screwed up on, I can correct.

Thanks to this forum I have downloaded the owner’s manual and have done some research on the fluids-maintenance items required. These are the things I want to do and have listed quantities required and would really appreciate your help in correction-suggestion-tips:


Touch Up paint Where can I find the GRAY color ID? Or else, anybody used a near match on the Duplicolor touch up paint?

Oil Change 5W30 Syn 4.25 Quarts

Tranny Drain-Fill Dexron III/Mercon ??? Quarts

Power Steering Dexron III/Mercon Suck up and refill.

Coolant Change ??? 8 1/8 Quarts (Where is the engine drain bolt?)

Brake Fluid DOT 3 Bleed

Brake Rotor/Pads Fr Checked the pads, still OK, need to turn the rotors, I have pulsing. Change it next time.

Air Filter Done, Purolator….the old one was NASTY.

Wiper Blades Done. TRICO OEM fit replacements. Freeking previous owner scratched the glass with OLD wipers…how to remove scratches? Polishing?

Headlamp Polished with Brasso. Some of the haze is inside the lamp.

Fog Lamps Polished with Brasso and waxed it..


Being 163K, what are the things that I need to be checking on/doing to make sure the car will provide reliable service.


Yesterday spent hours just cleaning it up. It is now in decent condition. I like the spunk of the Maxima, now I feel my TL is like a slow middle aged person!


Thanks in advance and looking forward to be a contributing member!


mandyfig
That's better.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:44 AM
  #3  
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Change your font &
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:49 AM
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Originally Posted by rroderiques77
Change your font &


B
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 09:59 AM
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Sorry I use the default and not the dark version...
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 10:00 AM
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Ok, I will have to use the Maxima.org dark style...
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 10:01 AM
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Ok now, how's that? Need input guys...I am raring to go! The need to work on the MAX is so great...but will not do it without proper guidance. As they say, measure twice and cut once....!!
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 10:04 AM
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If there is one question I really need an answer on is: How many quarts is the drain and fill for the tranny (auto). That's it. 4 Qts?
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
Sorry I use the default and not the dark version...
You can use any version and it will make no difference for the rest of the users, as long as you don't change the font color.
You might want to download a copy of the Factory Sevice Manual (FSM) too. It comes very handy. Check the diagram below for the location of the color code (taken from the FSM):

Old Oct 21, 2009 | 10:10 AM
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search

B

Last edited by NissanMan97; Oct 21, 2009 at 10:17 AM.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 10:15 AM
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Toss us some pics !
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 11:35 AM
  #12  
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I will take some pics shortly.

Where can I download the FSM? Thanks.

And yes I will do search...
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 12:06 PM
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SEARCH is a true friend.

Found the link but for some reason page not found, I will try from home.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 12:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Nelsito65
You can use any version and it will make no difference for the rest of the users, as long as you don't change the font color.
You might want to download a copy of the Factory Sevice Manual (FSM) too. It comes very handy. Check the diagram below for the location of the color code (taken from the FSM):


Thanks will get a copy of the FSM. Where is this plate-note located?
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
Thanks will get a copy of the FSM. Where is this plate-note located?
open your hood

B
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 12:49 PM
  #16  
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Yes, I should do that. Thanks.

FSM links are down for the moment.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
Yes, I should do that. Thanks.

FSM links are down for the moment.
Try the link below. It has all the individual sections of the FSM and it looks like is it live:

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/2000/
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 01:58 PM
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Thanks a bunch! Downloading right now. Gotta get working on the Max!
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
If there is one question I really need an answer on is: How many quarts is the drain and fill for the tranny (auto). That's it. 4 Qts?

If you do just a drain and fill 5 qrts should do it. Just done mine. Drain and flush you better get 12 qrts.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 03:38 PM
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I thought the consensus on this forum is NOT to do a tranny flush. Just drain/fill is good enough.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by IHAVEA2KMAXIMA
I thought the consensus on this forum is NOT to do a tranny flush. Just drain/fill is good enough.
Depends on the condition of your trans. Additionally, if you regularly flush, then its okay. If it is long over due for a flush, then drail/fill is better.
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 03:49 PM
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here's a working link for the FSM
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 04:00 PM
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Flushing with a machine is definatly not recomended but you can flush the trans by detaching the line going into the radiator and using the trans pump to flush the fluid a few quarts at a time. Here is a link to Jime's how to do this procedure. 4qt to drain/refill and 10qt the flush.

http://jimesmaxima.com/AutoTransFluidChange.html
Old Oct 21, 2009 | 08:21 PM
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these should keep you busy for quite some time... hope you dont mind some reading..

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...n-how-diy.html

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...on-issues.html

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...fications.html
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by johnnyd2k2
Flushing with a machine is definatly not recomended but you can flush the trans by detaching the line going into the radiator and using the trans pump to flush the fluid a few quarts at a time. Here is a link to Jime's how to do this procedure. 4qt to drain/refill and 10qt the flush.

http://jimesmaxima.com/AutoTransFluidChange.html

Thank you very much!

I have downloaded the FSM finally, lots to read!

Thanks again.
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 05:56 AM
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Originally Posted by mist max2000

Thanks I have gone through every one of them. Need to read slowly and pick up key points. A ton of information...short period of time....
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 06:15 AM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
A ton of information...short period of time....
Why is that? You've already got a daily driver, so why are you in a rush? Take your time!
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 06:18 AM
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I am just a frustrated mechanic...always itching to repair, modify, improve things in the car....keeps me busy and adds to exercise. But costs money, too.

Patience is a virtue, I remind myself all the time. Thanks for your help.
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 09:51 AM
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Originally Posted by Ghost_54
here's a working link for the FSM
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/
This is great. However the 2000 Maxima files are for Nissan Europe. I downloaded them anyway.

Are Europe and US identical?
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 10:01 AM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by 2kmax865
If you do just a drain and fill 5 qrts should do it. Just done mine. Drain and flush you better get 12 qrts.
Someone said 4 Qts Drain-Fill and 10 Qts for flushing.

I intend to do the Drain-Fill only. I will start with 4 and check and add as required.

Thanks.
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
This is great. However the 2000 Maxima files are for Nissan Europe. I downloaded them anyway.

Are Europe and US identical?
I didn't realize that. How do you know?
Edit: Never mind I found the answer. Download from the folder that says 2000.5, not the 2000. That european Maxima QX looks more like an Infiniti I30 to me.

Last edited by Nelsito65; Oct 22, 2009 at 10:28 AM.
Old Oct 22, 2009 | 11:39 AM
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Thanks that's exactly what I did. Nice link.
Old Oct 26, 2009 | 05:22 AM
  #33  
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After a week of hard work, finally some photos:









Old Oct 26, 2009 | 05:26 AM
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Work pending:

Touch up paint

1 Radiator fan busted

1 CV joint

Windshield washer not working

Paint rims

Lots of works still...

Thanks for all your input and help.
Old Oct 26, 2009 | 12:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Professor
Toss us some pics !
Prof, pics posted!
Old Oct 28, 2009 | 06:19 PM
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Welcome aboard
Old Oct 29, 2009 | 07:52 AM
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Thanks, very glad to be here!
Old Oct 29, 2009 | 08:33 AM
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what color are you going to paint the rims? and why? whats wrong with them now?
Old Oct 29, 2009 | 01:57 PM
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Rims will be painted same color. Have 2 which are faded and dull. Might as well paint the 4 of them to even out the color. For now they look fine, but eventually I want to paint them all. Or else I am looking to get G35 rims....that's a better option!
Old Oct 29, 2009 | 01:58 PM
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Gotta put in the mesh in the air dam! Gotta!

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