How to Program the Remote Control for a Nissan Maxima

If you have a blank remote that you need to program your Maxima's computer to recognize, you can get by with one set of programming instructions for model years 1995 to 2006 (and possibly earlier). However, there is no manual way to program Maxima remotes for model years 2007 and later. For those model years, you must take the remote to the dealership to get it programmed, which can cost on the order of $100 per remote.

  • Close all doors. Power-lock all doors from the driver's door console.

  • Insert the ignition key and remove it completely without turning it. Do this six times in 10 seconds. Your hazard lamps will flash to confirm that you did it fast enough. Do it too fast and it won't work either.

  • Insert the ignition key and turn it to the ACC position.

  • Push the LOCK key on the remote you are programming within five seconds of Step 3. Older models allow you to press any key, but you might as well just press the LOCK key to keep the instructions simple. Again, your hazard lamps will flash to confirm that you did it fast enough.

  • Program all remaining remotes by first unlocking and locking all the doors from the driver's door console again, and then pressing the LOCK button on the remote being programmed within five seconds. Again, the hazard lamps flash if you did it fast enough.

  • Remove the ignition key and open the driver door to exit the programming mode.