
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 with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
orABSAnti-lock brake
warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate something wrong
with the anti-lock portion of the brake sys-
tem. Have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function ceases, but the brakes
continue to operate normally.
If the light comes on while you are driv-
ing, contact your NISSAN dealer for re-
pair.
Overdrive off indicator light
This light comes on during driving when the
overdrive switch is pressed to prevent over-
drive operation.
The O/D OFF indicator light comes on for
two seconds each time the ignition key is
turned ON. This shows the light is function-
ing properly.
If the O/D OFF indicator light blinks for
approximately 8 seconds after coming on
for 2 seconds, have your NISSAN dealer
check the transmission and repair it if nec-
essary.
The automatic transmission is equipped
with an electronic Fail-Safe mode. This sys-
tem allows the vehicle to be driven even in
the event of damage to the electrical cir-
cuits. If this occurs, the gears automatically
engage and lock into 3rd gear.
NOTE: See the ``Fail-safe'' section in the
``Starting and driving'' section before visiting
your NISSAN dealer.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn
signal lever is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is
turned on.
High beam indicator light
This light comes on when the headlight high
beam is on and goes out when the low
beam is selected.
Cruise indicator light
The light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system. If
the CRUISE indicator blinks, have the sys-
tem checked by your NISSAN dealer.
Key reminder chime
The chime sounds if the driver side door is
opened while the key is left in the ignition
switch. Remove the key and take it with you
when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime sounds when the driver side door is
opened if the headlight control switch is
1-8
ZX 

4 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ................. 4-2
Avoiding collision and rollover.............................. 4-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ....................... 4-3
Ignition switch ....................................................... 4-4
Before starting the engine .................................... 4-4
Driving with an automatic transmission ............... 4-5
Starting the engine ............................................... 4-8
Parking brake operation ....................................... 4-8Cruise control ....................................................... 4-9
Break-in schedule............................................... 4-11
Increasing fuel economy .................................... 4-11
Parking/parking on hills ...................................... 4-12
Precautions when driving ................................... 4-13
Anti-lock brake system ....................................... 4-13
Cold weather driving cautions ............................ 4-15
ZX 

The cruise control allows driving at speeds
between 30 and 90 MPH (48 and 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn the cruise control on,push the
CRUISE CONT main switch. The indicator
light on the switch comes on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. The
CRUISE light in the instrument cluster
comes on. Take your foot off the accelerator
pedal. Your vehicle maintains the set
speed.cTo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previ-
ously set speed.
cThe vehicle may not maintain the set
speed when going up or down steep hills.
If this happens, drive without the cruise
control.
To cancel the preset speed,follow any of
these three methods:
a) Push the CANCEL button; the CRUISE
light goes out.b) Tap the brake pedal; the CRUISE light
goes out.
c)
Push the cruise control OFF switch. Both
the ON indicator and CRUISE lights go out.
cIf you depress the brake pedal while
pushing the RES/ACCEL switch, the
RES/ ACCEL function is cancelled.
In order for the RES/ACCEL switch to
operate, the COAST/SET must be used
to re-engage the system.
cThe cruise control automatically cancels
if the vehicle slows down more than 8
MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.
ASD0562
CRUISE CONTROL
4-9
ZX 

cMove the selector lever to N (Neutral).
The CRUISE light goes out.
To reset at a faster cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the COAST/SET switch.
b) Push and hold the RES/ACCEL switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
c) Push, then quickly release the
RES/ACCEL switch. Each time you do
this, the set speed increases by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To reset at a slower cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
the COAST/SET switch and release it.
b) Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.
Release the switch when the vehicle
slows down to the desired speed.
c) Push, then quickly release the
COAST/SET switch. Each time you dothis, the set speed decreases by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and
release the RES/ACCEL switch. The ve-
hicle resumes the last set cruising speed
when the vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48
km/h).
Precautions
cIf the cruise control system malfunctions,
it cancels automatically. The CRUISE
indicator in the instrument cluster then
blinks to warn the driver.
cWhen the cruise indicator blinks, turn the
cruise control switch (main switch) OFF
and have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
cThe cruise indicator may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned ON
while pushing either the RES/ACCEL,
COAST/SET, or the CANCEL switch (lo-
cated on the steering wheel). To properly
set the cruise control system perform the
steps above in the order indicated.
Avoid using the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions:cwhen it is not possible to keep the vehicle
at a set speed.
cin heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in
speed.
con winding or hilly roads.
con slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.).
cin very windy areas.
4-10
ZX 

10 Index
A
After an accident........................................ 5-10
Air bag (See supplemental restraint system)
Air bag warning light .................................. 2-45
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 7-13
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 3-5
Air conditioner service ............................ 3-6
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-11
Air conditioning system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations .................... 9-6
Air flow charts ......................................... 3-7
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)
(If so equipped) .................................... 3-11
Heater and air conditioner (manual)....... 3-3
Rear seat heater and air conditioner ... 3-14
Air conditioning system refrigerant and lubricant
recommendations ........................................ 9-6
Anchor point location ................................. 2-66
Antenna
Manual .................................................. 3-21
Power.................................................... 3-21
Anti-lock brake system .............................. 4-13
Armrests..................................................... 2-29
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and ashtray)
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 3-15Compact disc (CD) player .................... 3-22
Autolamp switch......................................... 1-13
Automatic
Automatic transmission fluid ................... 7-8
Driving with an automatic transmission .. 4-5
B
Battery........................................................ 7-11
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-5
Brake
Anti-lock brake system ......................... 4-13
Brake booster ....................................... 7-17
Brake fluid ..................................... 7-10, 9-2
Brake pedal .......................................... 7-16
Brake wear indicators ................... 1-9, 7-16
Parking brake check ............................. 7-16
Parking brake operation ......................... 4-8
Self-adjusting brakes ............................ 7-16
Break-in schedule ...................................... 4-11
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 1-6
Bulb replacement ....................................... 7-21
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants...................................................... 9-2
Cargo net ................................................... 2-13Cassette player (See audio system)
CB radio or car phone ............................... 3-26
Child restraints for infants and
small children ............................................. 2-58
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 2-62
Child safety sliding door lock....................... 2-4
Cigarette lighter and ashtray ..................... 1-17
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 6-2
Clock .......................................................... 1-22
Coin tray .................................................... 1-18
Cold weather driving cautions ................... 4-15
Compact disc (CD) player ......................... 3-22
Controls
Audio controls (rear) ............................. 3-25
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3
Rear seat heater and air conditioner
controls ................................................. 3-14
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 7-5
Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-4
Cornering light ........................................... 1-16
Corrosion protection .................................... 6-4
Cruise control............................................... 4-9
Cup holder ................................................. 2-31
ZX