1996 NISSAN QUEST maintenance

Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking
system, make sure it conforms to Federal
and/or local regulations and it is properly
installed.
CAUTION
Never connect a trailer brake system
directly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle
if it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-
down condition; check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either condi-
tion.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shifts while driving.
cBe certain your rear view mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for towing
before driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering,
stability, and braking performance are
somewhat different than under normal driv-
ing conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
c
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, first block the wheels
and apply the parking brake, and then
move the transmission gearshift lever
into the P (Park) position. If you move the
shift lever to the P (Park) position before
blocking the wheels and applying the
parking brake, transmission damage
could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lowergear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, downshift
the transmission to a lower gear and
reduce speed to reduce chances of en-
gine overloading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature when the air
conditioning system is on, turn the air
conditioner off. Coolant heat can be ad-
ditionally vented by opening the win-
dows, switching the fan control dial to
high and setting the temperature control
dial to the WARM position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for the first 500
miles (800 km) of the vehicle's life.
cHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn than
your vehicle wheels. To compensate for
this, make a larger than normal turning
radius during the turn.
cCrosswinds and rough roads adversely
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affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being
passed by larger vehicles, be prepared
for possible changes in crosswinds that
could affect vehicle handling. If swaying
does occur, firmly grip the steering
wheel, steer straight ahead, and immedi-
ately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination helps to stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance, do
not use overdrive.
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, change fluid in the
transmission more frequently.
See the Maintenance schedule.Department of Transportation (DOT) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test courses. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1-1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. However,
relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary signifi-
cantly from the norm, due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differ-
ences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction A, B and C
Traction grades are A (the highest), B and
C. They represent a tire's ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under con-
trolled conditions, on specified government
test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked with a C may have poor traction
performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your
vehicle tires is based on straight line
braking traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning) traction.
Temperature A, B and C
Temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. They represent a tire's resistance to
heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause tire material to degenerate, reducing
tire life. Excessive temperatures can lead to
sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds to
a performance level which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A
and B represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on laboratory test wheels than the
minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
9-18
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D
Daytime running light system (Canada
only) ........................................................... 1-13
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-12
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-8
Door locks .................................................... 2-2
Drive belts .................................................. 7-12
Driving
Cold weather driving cautions .............. 4-15
Driving with an automatic transmission .. 4-5
Precautions when driving ..................... 4-13
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 4-11
Emission control information label............. 9-10
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-19
Engine .......................................................... 9-7
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 7-5
Changing engine oil................................ 7-6
Changing engine oil filter........................ 7-7
Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-4
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-5
Engine compartment check locations .... 7-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-4
Engine cooling system ........................... 7-4Engine oil ................................................ 7-5Engine oil and oil filter recommendation... 9-4
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ............................. 9-9
Starting the engine ................................. 4-8
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 4-2
F
Five passenger seating ............................. 2-18
Five passenger seating with cargo room .. 2-18
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)
Flat tire ......................................................... 5-2
Flexible seating .......................................... 2-33
Floor mat positioning ................................. 2-17
Floor mat positioning pins ......................... 2-20
Fluid (checking)
Automatic transmission fluid ................... 7-8
Brake fluid............................................. 7-10
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Engine coolant ........................................ 7-4
Engine oil ................................................ 7-5
Power steering fluid ................................ 7-9
Window washer fluid ............................ 7-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-10
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 4-11
Fuel filler lid and cap ............................ 2-15
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-5Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-2
Fuses ......................................................... 7-17
Fusible links ............................................... 7-18
G
Gas station information............................ 10-10
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-4
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-5
Odometer ................................................ 1-4
Speedometer .......................................... 1-4
Tachometer............................................. 1-4
Trip odometer ......................................... 1-4
Gear selection (See shifting)
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-16
Head restraints .......................................... 2-29
Headlight control switch............................. 1-12
Headlights .................................................. 7-19
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ..... 3-11
Rear seat heater and air conditioner ... 3-14
Hood release ............................................. 2-10
I
If your vehicle overheats ............................. 5-9
10-2
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Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4
Increasing fuel economy............................ 4-11
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes)
Inertia fuel shut-off switch.......................... 5-10
Inside mirror ............................................... 2-76
Installing the license plate ......................... 9-11
Instrument brightness control .................... 1-16
Interior lights .............................................. 1-23
J
Jump starting ...................................... 5-7, 7-11
K
Key ............................................................... 2-2
Keyless entry (See multi-remote control system)
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-11
Emission control information label........ 9-10
Engine serial number ............................. 9-9
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................ 9-10
Vehicle identification number plate ........ 9-9
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 2-45
License plate
Installing the license plate .................... 9-11Light
Air bag warning light............................. 2-45
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 1-6
Bulb replacement.................................. 7-20
Cornering light ...................................... 1-16
Headlight control switch ....................... 1-12
Headlights ............................................. 7-19
Interior lights ......................................... 1-23
Light bulbs ............................................ 7-19
Luggage compartment lights ................ 1-23
Spotlights .............................................. 1-15
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 1-6
Lock
Child safety sliding door lock ................. 2-4
Door locks............................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid and cap ............................ 2-15
Power door lock...................................... 2-5
Rear door lock ...................................... 2-11
Luggage compartment lights ..................... 1-23
Luggage rack ............................................. 2-14
M
Maintenance
General maintenance ............................. 8-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Outside the vehicle ................................. 8-2
Periodic maintenance schedules ............ 8-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-57
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 8-4
Manual front seat adjustment .................... 2-26Manual rear windows................................. 1-21
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 2-76
Outside mirror control ........................... 2-75
Outside mirrors ..................................... 2-76
Vanity mirror ......................................... 2-76
Multi-remote control system ........................ 2-7
O
Odometer ..................................................... 1-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine oil................................ 7-6
Changing engine oil filter........................ 7-7
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-5
Engine oil ................................................ 7-5
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation... 9-4
Outside mirror control ................................ 2-75
Outside mirrors .......................................... 2-76
Overdrive switch .......................................... 4-7
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ........................ 5-9
Owner's manual order form ....................... 9-20
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 7-16
Parking brake operation ......................... 4-8
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 4-12
10-3
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Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 8-5
Personal reading light ................................ 1-23
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 3-21
Power door lock...................................... 2-5
Power rear windows ............................. 1-21
Power steering fluid ........................ 7-9, 9-2
Power support front seat ...................... 2-27
Power window ...................................... 1-19
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-47
Precautions when driving ..................... 4-13
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
Q
Quick reference (See gas station information)
R
Radio.......................................................... 3-15
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 3-15
CB radio or car phone .......................... 3-26
Rear door lock ........................................... 2-11
Rear power point ....................................... 1-18
Rear seat heater and air conditioner......... 3-14
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-12
Rear window wiper and washer switches . 1-11
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country. 9-9Remote keyless entry (See multi-remote control
system)
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-19
S
Safety
Child safety sliding door lock ................. 2-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-19
Seats
Five passenger seating ........................ 2-18
Five passenger seating with cargo
room...................................................... 2-18
Flexible seating..................................... 2-33
Integrated child safety seats ................ 2-68
Manual front seat adjustment ............... 2-26
Power support front seat ...................... 2-27
Seat positions ....................................... 2-21
Second row bench seat........................ 2-21
Second row bucket seats ..................... 2-24
Seven passenger seating ................... 2-17
Sliding three-passenger seat .............. 2-39
Three-passenger bench seat in fully
forward position ................................... 2-19
Three passenger bench seat in storage
position ................................................ 2-17
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-47
Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-57
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-57
Seat belts.............................................. 2-47
2-point type without retractor................ 2-563-point type with retractor..................... 2-49
Seat positions ............................................ 2-21
Seating arrangements ............................... 2-15
Seats/floor mats ......................................... 2-15
Self-adjusting brakes ................................. 7-16
Service manual order form ........................ 9-20
Seven passenger seating .......................... 2-17
Shifting ......................................................... 4-6
Sliding three-passenger seat ..................... 2-39
Spark plug replacement............................. 7-12
Speedometer ............................................... 1-4
Spotlights ................................................... 1-15
SRS warning label ..................................... 2-45
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Jump starting................................. 5-7, 7-11
Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2
Starting the engine ................................. 4-8
Steering
Power steering fluid ................................ 7-9
Tilting steering wheel............................ 2-74
Storage
Coin tray ............................................... 1-18
Compact disc storage........................... 1-19
Underseat storage tray ......................... 2-30
Sunroof ...................................................... 1-20
Sun shade.................................................. 1-21
Supplemental restraint system
(air bag) ..................................................... 2-42
Switch
Autolamp switch ................................... 1-13
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-16
10-4
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