
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
orBrake warning light4-wheel drive indicator light
High beam indicator light``CRUISE'' indicator light
Seat belt reminder light and chimeOverdrive off indicator light
Engine oil pressure warning lightDoor open warning light
Charge warning lightMalfunction indicator light
Low fuel warning lightorRear anti-lock brake
warning light
Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights come on:
,,,or,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb or an open circuit in the
electrical system. Have the system repaired
promptly.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
These lights flash when the turn signal
switch or hazard switch is turned on.
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
1-6
ZX

orBrake warning
light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
The light comes on when the parking brake
is applied.
Low brake fluid warning
The light warns of a low brake fluid level. If
the light comes on while the engine is
running with the parking prake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1.
Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See ``Brake and clutch fluid''
in the ``Do-it-yourself operations'' section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, check
the warning system.
WARNING
cIf you judge it to be safe, drive care-
fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise have your ve-
hicle towed because driving it could
be dangerous.cPressing the brake pedal when the
engine stops and/or has a low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
High beam indicator light
This blue light comes on when the headlight
high beam is on and goes out when the low
beams are selected.
Seat belt reminder light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. If the driver's seat belt is
NOT securely fastened when the ignition
key is turned to ON or START, the chime
sounds five times and the light illuminates.
Supplemental air bag warn-
ing light
When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag light illu-
minates for about 7 seconds and then turns
off. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, thesupplemental air bag needs servicing and
your vehicle must be taken to your nearest
authorized NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on and remain on for 7 seconds
and then go off as described above.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes
intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-
mental Restraint System (Supplemental air
bag system) may not function properly. For
additional details on the Supplemental Re-
straint System (Supplemental air bag sys-
tem), see the ``Pre-driving checks and ad-
justments'' section.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN
dealer or other authorized repair shop.
The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
1-7
ZX

Lighting
Turn the switch to theposition.
The side marker, tail, license plate and
instrument lights come on.
Turn the switch to the
position.
Headlights come on and all the other lights
remain on.
To select the high beam, push the lever
forward. Pull it back to select the low beam.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT
SYSTEM (Canada only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a
reduced intensity when the engine is started
with the parking brake released. The day-
time running lights operate with the head-
light switch in the ``OFF'' position or in the
position. Turn the headlight switch to
theposition for full illumination when
driving at night. If the parking brake is
applied before the engine is started, the
daytime running lights do not illuminate. The
daytime running lights illuminate once the
parking brake is released. The daytime run-ning lights will remain on until the ignition
switch is turned off.
WARNING
When the daytime running light system
is active, tail lights on your vehicle will
not be on. It is necessary at dusk to
turn on your headlights. Failure to do
so could cause an accident injuring
yourself and others.
Passing signal
Pulling the lever toward you turns on the
headlight high beam.
Turn signal
Move the lever up or down to signal the
turning direction. When the turn is com-
pleted, the turn signal cancels automati-
cally.
Lane change signal
To indicate a lane change, move the lever
up or down to the point where the indicator
light begins to flash, but the lever does not
latch.
AIC0739
HEADLIGHT AND TURN
SIGNAL SWITCH
1-10
ZX

4 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ............... 4-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions . 4-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ..................... 4-4
Ignition switch ..................................................... 4-4
Before starting the engine .................................. 4-5
Driving with automatic transmission ................... 4-6
Driving with manual transmission ...................... 4-9
Starting the engine ........................................... 4-10
Parking brake operation ................................... 4-11
Cruise control ................................................... 4-11
Break-in schedule ............................................. 4-13
Increasing fuel economy ................................. 4-13
Transfer case shifting procedures for
4-wheel drive vehicles ...................................... 4-14
Auto-lock free-running hubs ............... 4-15
Manual-lock free-running hubs .......... 4-19
Driving your 4-wheel drive safely ....... 4-22
Tires of 4-wheel drive ........................ 4-23
Parking/parking on hills .................................... 4-24
Precautions when driving ................................. 4-25
Rear anti-lock brake system ............................ 4-26
Cold weather driving cautions .......................... 4-27
ZX

2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ON
direction.
3) Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
The shift lever is designed so it cannot be
moved out of P and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is turned to
OFF or if the key is removed from the
switch.The shift lever can be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ACC position.
The shift lever can also be moved if the
ignition switch is in the ON position and
the foot brake pedal is depressed.
WARNING
cTo lock the steering wheel, remove
the key. To unlock the steering
wheel, insert the key and turn it gen-
tly while rotating the steering wheel
slightly right and left.
cNever remove the key while driving.
If the key is removed, the steering
wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle
and could result in serious vehicle
damage or personal injury.
Key positions
LOCK Normal parking position (0)
OFF (Manual transmission model) (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel. When removing the key
from the key cylinder, push the key release
button at this position and turn the key to
LOCK.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
ON (Normal operating position) (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position starts the engine. As soon as
the engine has started, release the key. It
automatically returns to the ON position.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cCheck fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake and clutch fluid, and win-
dow washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible, at least whenever you refuel.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
4-5
ZX

The automatic transmission in your vehicle
(if so equipped) is electronically controlled
by a microcomputer to produce maximum
power and smooth operation.
Shown on the following pages are the rec-
ommended operating procedures for your
automatic transmission. Follow these pro-
cedures for maximum vehicle performance
and driving enjoyment.
Starting the vehicle
cAfter starting the engine, fully depress
the foot brake pedal and push the shift
lever button before shifting the selector
lever to the D, R, 2 or 1 position. Be sure
the vehicle is fully stopped before at-
tempting to shift the selector lever.
This automatic transmission is designed
so the foot brake pedal MUST be de-
pressed before shifting from P to any
drive position while the ignition switch is
ON.
Normally, the shift lever cannot be
moved out of P and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is
turned to OFF or if the key is removed
from the switch.When the battery charge is low, the shift
lever can be moved if the ignition switch
is in the ACC position.
1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
push the shift lever button to shift into a
driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and foot
brake, then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.WARNING
cCold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
cAvoid revving up the engine while
the vehicle is stopped. This could
cause unexpected vehicle move-
ment.
Driving precautions
To help prevent transmission damage:
cDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P or N to R, D, 2 or
1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed.cNever shift to P or R while vehicle is
moving.
cWhen stopping the vehicle on an up-
hill grade, do not hold the vehicle by
depressing the accelerator pedal. The
foot brake should be used for this
purpose.
DRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION
4-6
ZX

Shifting with automatic transmission
Push the button to shift into P, R or from D
to 2. All other positions can be selected
without pushing the button.
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle
is parked or when starting the engine. Al-
ways be sure the vehicle is at a complete
stop. For maximum safety, depress the
brake pedal, then push in the selector lever
button and move the lever to the P position.
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first, then shiftthe lever into the P position.
Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the shift lever still cannot be moved out of P
(Park) use the following procedure:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the key and turn it clockwise to
the ACC position.
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the shift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Shift into this
position only after the vehicle has com-
pletely stopped.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to N and restart a
stalled engine while the vehicle is moving.
D (Drive):
Use this position for all normal forward
driving.
2 (Second gear):
Use for hill climbing, effective engine brak-
ing on downhill grades or starting on slip-
pery roads.
Do not downshift into the 2 position at speeds
over 62 MPH (100 km/h), and do not exceed
62 MPH (100 km/h) in the 2 position.
ASD0701
4-7
ZX

2nd 22 (35)
3rd 30 (48)
4th & 5th þ (þ)þ (þ)1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) (P preferred).
The shift lever cannot be moved out of
P and into any of the other gear posi-
tions if the ignition key is turned to
OFF or if the key is removed from the
switch.
The starter is designed not to operate
if the selector lever is in one of the
driving positions.
Manual transmission:
Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral),
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while starting the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is depressed.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but
fails to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, de-press the accelerator pedal fully and
hold it to help start the engine.
Ð In the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal fully depressed while starting.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4.Warm-up
Always allow the engine to idle for at
least 30 seconds after starting. Drive at
moderate speed for a short distance first,
especially in cold weather.
STARTING THE ENGINE
4-10
ZX