HOW CAN TELL IF YOU HAVE ELECTRONIC SUSPENSION?

 

If you have the button to make it soft or sporty aboove your shifter

 

Most manufacturers of struts don't make them for maxima's with electronic suspension, so what should I do? My car is in desperate need of suspension components.

 

You must have a 2nd gen SE, right? I had a black '87 with the electronic suspension. At the time replacement shocks were only available as a Nissan OEM replacement part. I doubt it's gotten any better over time. Rosta Ruck!

 

No, I have a 1991 maxima SE. Any recommendations on what I should do?

 

Never knew any 3rd gens have electronic suspension. My '94 doesn't. I have the switch in front of the shifter that says "Comfort" and "Power" for the tranny. I think your only options are getting oem shocks from the dealer or putting regular ones on and loose the adjustability feature.

 

I'm fairly sure that since you have a 3rd Gen SE, you do NOT have electronic suspension. Don't confuse this "soft/sporty" button (don't know what it really says or where it's located) JDwyer mentioned, with the "power/auto/comfort" switch that controls your transmission.

If you call up a Nissan dealership and give them your VIN, they should be able to tell you exactly what it's equipped with.

If you just have a normal SE, then you just use regular suspension pieces. Even if you do have electronic suspension I think there are ways to disable it and use regular shocks (which are the only difference).

 

for US (Canada, UK, AU, etc have different options/features) 3rd gen maximas, I was under the impression that only the early (89-91) GXES had this option
it was in a package along with the digital dash (speedo, tach, HUD, auto climate control)

the switch is directly beneath the cigarette lighter and most people have a coin holder in it's place

 

This is a new one on me.

 

yeah my friends 89 SE has Electronic susupension as did my dads 1st gen, but anyways, I've heard you can either "disengage" the unit and use regular shocks or I think KYB and Tokico make special shock applictaion for Max's with adjustable susupension....

 

Is this the "Sonar Suspension" (SS-II) you are referring to? If so, I believe you can only replace with genuine shocks unless you want to disable the system entirely. Don't replace part of the suspension system with standard shocks. Either replace all 4 corners with standard shocks or replace with the genuine Nissan electronic shocks. Not cheap either!

The Sonar Suspension also adjusts the amount of feedback from your steering. In sport mode you have a more direct response, in comfort mode a power assisted response. Dunno what you would get if you disabled the Sonar Suspension altogether.

Brent.

 

Ok, I do have the buttons mentioned underneath the cigarette lighter. What I wanted to do was add the Eibach pro spring kit and the KYB AGX springs. So, it looks like i'll have to disengage the electronic suspension. I don't see any benefit from it anyway.

 

MAXMIZD27 -- i think it is time for some new rims, 18-19's i suppose.

 

 

Actually they are in very good shape for being 5 years old. Hardly a scratch on them. Just an old, classic design. I hate the tires I have right now, so if I don't sell the car by next spring I'll probably be going to 17's. It's a year-round daily driver so I don't want 18's. Too old for that crap. Lucky I don't need a chiropractor so as it is.
Ironically enough, I have been asking around about wheels lately. Will probably get BBS RK's and Potenza RE730 tires.

 

FYI, KYB doesn't make AGX's for the 3rd gen. They have the GR-2(I think that's what they are called) but they are more of a stock replacement strut.

 

THEY TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO DISENGAGE THE ELECTONIC SUSPENSION AND THEN I COULD ADD THE AGX STUTS. THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR YOUR IMPUT.