Okay, I just got me a new 2003 Maxima SE. It's like driving a beamer since I've been driving my 91 Jeep Wrangler without AC for the last 12 years. I have a few questions i'm hoping some of you can answer. First off, does anyone know how to make the gay honking sound turn off when you set the alarm with the keyless entry remote? Secondly, mine has those Xenon headlights, anyone know how pricy they are to replace when one goes out? Thirdly, I wasn't paying attention at the dealer when he gave his once over on the car before I drove it off the lot. When I went to Ace hardware to get key copies made, they said they couldn't do it on a 2003. My girlfriend said that the guy mentioned their is a chip in the key that makes it impossible to steal the car without the key. Is this true, and if so does anyone know where I can get copies made cheaper than the dealer? And if not, how much does the dealer charge for copies? Lastly, what kind of easy modifications can I do to enhance performance, I'm not in to the cheesy wings or anything else, I think my factory spoiler looks fine, just something that I can do easily, like a K&N air filter or something of that nature.

Thanks

 

Well for the alarm honking thingy you asked, On my 2k, you hold down the lock + unlock and the lights should flash or there will be a honk.

 

the key has the immobilizer chip built in...gotta get it from the dealer....the HID bulbs themselves are pricey, but can be found for as little as $40 each and up depending upon color, brand, etc...

best first mod for performance is intake..frankencar, stillen hi-flo, injen, place racing, are a couple

 

1) read the owner's manual... there is a simple procedure to use your keyfob to change the mode so the alarm is 'silent' and the honking doesn't occur

2) the HID (Xenon) headlights are pricey... new they are $1500... on EBay they go for $800, either way... they are expensive... when one goes out, you replace the bulb... about $100 or so

3) you may very well have to have the key copied at the dealer... although the dealer won't "copy" it, they'll order an extra.

4) performance modifications are all up to opinion... so here's mine:

in order, you want to first get a RSB (don't confuse this with a RSTB, which is purely cosmetic), then a FSTB (the two combined will greatly alter your cornering performance... you'll notice a difference).

next, you want to get an intake of some kind. You can spend $$$ on one, or do a simple alteration called the "GAB"... this DOES help your car and you will notice a difference.

next, if you really want to, you can get springs to drop it a bit (this results in better performance and handling)...

the rest is up to you.

_R

 

I had a 94 wrangler before my MAX and I know what you are talking about. LUXURY!! Im kinda new too. I got my Max about 4 months ago.
There is a way to turn off the honking. You have to do some special sequence of holding buttons on the remote. I cant remember what it is but someone in here should. Yes there is a chip in the key to prevent theft. I think the only place to get them is the dealer. I paid about $100 for the key and $50 to program the key.
As far as performance, i agree with you. I got an intake from Stillen http://www.stillen.com $170 and very easy to install. Improves performance a little and better sound. It actually sounds powerful now. Nice deep growl (not ricey) above 3K rpm.

 

First, congrats on the purchase! You'll love the car. The owner's manual tells you how to disable the honking sound, but since you obviously didn't check there first I'll tell you...you hold both the lock and unlock buttons for a few seconds and it will go into silent mode. Then when you lock the car only the lights will blink. Do the same thing to go back into normal mode. The HID headlights are between $1,300 and $1,500 for a set depending on where you get them. And depending on where you live, it's not them burning out you should be worried about, it's having them stolen! I believe what the guy at Ace told you is true, you need to have a Nissan dealership copy the key. Not necessarily the one you bought from, any Nissan dealership. I could be wrong though, I'm sure someone else knows the answer to that. As far as performance, start reading. This place is a gold mine for information. 99% of what you want to know is already here, you just have to find it. The search is down right now, which makes it a little harder, but you'll find alot by just scrolling the 5th gen forum page by page. I put a K&N filter in my 2k3 right away. I have my doubts that it really increases the HP like K&N claims, but it's a superior filter with increased airflow. I paid $40 for the drop-in filter.

 

Good info from the others - also search (or scroll back a few pages) for a thread called "13 things you probably didn't know" or something like that. The dealer can change a lot of settings in your car, like auto headlight delay (both when they come on, and how long they stay on after switching car off), continued power after ignition off, auto locking, etc. etc. Pretty cool.

Also, a lot of us seem to have more performance after having a recent TSB done (should be in the sticky at the top of the forum). It's the "loss of power" TSB, and seems to have delivered a bit more performance at lower RPM - however, mine was combined with advancing the timing, so can't say for sure (advancing the timing is a great, cheap, no-warranty-impact mod).

And finally, how much does it take to replace the HID system or bulbs. Zero - for 36 months it's a warranty item. After that it'll be expensive, but hopefully by then prices will have fallen.

 

Ouch, you got ripped off bad. I wouldn't go near that dealer anymore. You can get the blank key for $30 or so from Courtesy Nissan, ~$45 is the normal price from most Nissan dealers. Cutting is around $5, and programming shouldn't be more than $35-45 or so... $70-80 for a spare key is - but $150 is just

 

well that sucks!! it was my own fault that i needed one cause i locked my keys in the trunk (dont ask). i called someone to unlock it and after trying for an hour in 10 degree weather we couldnt get it. so i bought a new key to get in. then i just programed it so i would have a second key