Car Maintainance

[oscar2k23]

My parents bought me a used 1995 nissan maxima for college. Basically this is my first semester at college. They were really happy that I decided to go to college that they bought me a maxima. Don't know much about cars but I wanted to do some maintainance on the car. Maybe a tune up or something. What do you guys suggest I replace or inspect? I have the 3.0L automatic engine. It has around 138K miles. Some stuff I have noticed myself is that the front passenger side strut squeaks occasionally. Also there is a humming sound coming from under the hood, but a someone in a parking lot told me I need to replace the power steering pump.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Welcome to the Maxima family!

Squealing or humming from under the hood can be the power steering pump. You may just need to add power steering fluid. If the noise gets louder when you steer with the car stopped, it's definitely the power steering.

As for a tuneup, you can replace the spark plugs if needed. Make sure to use the NGKs recommended in the manual. You might also consider running some Techron or BG44K fuel additive through with your next fillup.

Make sure all the fluids are good. Change the oil if it wasn't done right before the sale. Make sure the transmission fluid looks good. Make sure your coolant is up to winter demands (you can buy antifreeze testers at walmart and the like that will tell you what temperature your antifreeze is good for).

[oscar2k23]

i moved the steering wheel while the car was parked, but the noise level coming from under the hood was constantly the same. Didn't get louder or quieter. Do you still think it can be the pump?

[NutriaforBreakfast]

You might read up on how to do these items;1) Motor and Transmission Oil and filter change2) Brakes3) Spark plug change4) Valve cover gasket replacement5) Idle Air control valve and throttle body cleaning6) CV Axle replacement7) Antenna replacement8) Anti-freeze changes

These will take you a long way but require some good tools.The floor shop manual is available here too.

[oscar2k23]

just tested it today, and I noticed that the sound gets louder when I accelarate instead of when moving the steering wheel.

[NutriaforBreakfast]

You might check the ps fluid level and see if it is low. Refill if so.

If it is low, see if you can see it leaking. You might put someclean paper under the car overnight and see if any kind ofoil is leaking.