1997 NISSAN ALTIMA light

selections. The compact disc goes back the
number of selections the button is pushed.
PROG (program) button
When this button is pushed while listening
to the compact disc, the play pattern
changes as follows:
ALL: All selections are played repeatedly in
sequence.
1: Only one selection (the one playing when
the PROG button is pushed) is repeated.
RANDOM: Selections are played at ran-
dom, not following the sequence on the
compact disc. The same program may be
repeated twice.
h(no mark): All selections are played in
sequence, and the compact disc stops
when the last selection is finished.
When the compact disc is ejected, the
play pattern automatically changes to
ALL.
CD EJECT button
When the CD EJECT button is pushed with
a compact disc loaded, the compact disc
ejects.When this button is pushed while the com-
pact disc is playing, the compact disc ejects
and the system turns off.
If the compact disc ejects and is not
removed within 10 seconds, it is pulled
back into the slot.
CD (DISC) indicator light
This light comes on when a compact disc is
loaded into the player.
CAUTION
cDuring cold weather or rainy days,
the player may malfunction due to
the humidity. If this occurs, remove
the CD and dehumidify or ventilate
the player completely.
cThe player may skip while driving on
rough roads.
cThe CD player sometimes cannot
function when the compartment tem-
perature is extremely high. Decrease
the temperature before use.
cDo not expose the CD to direct sun-
light.
Power antenna (If so equipped)
The power antenna automatically extends
when the radio is turned on, and retracts
when the radio is turned off. If the radio is
left on, the antenna retracts and extends
with the ignition key OFF-ON operation.
CAUTION
cBefore turning the radio on, make
sure that there is no one near the
antenna outlet and there is enough
space for it to extend.
cTo prevent damage, be sure that an-
tenna is fully retracted before the
vehicle enters an automated car
wash.
cDirt and other foreign matter on the
power antenna rod may interrupt its
operation. Clean the rod periodically
with a damp cloth. This type of
cleaning is especially important dur-
ing the winter seasons in areas
where road salt and other chemicals
may be spread on road surfaces and
splashed onto the antenna rod.
ANTENNA
3-22
ZX

MANUAL TRANSMISSION
The ignition switch includes an anti-theft
steering lock device.
The key can only be removed when the
ignition switch is in the LOCK position.
On manual transmission models, to turn the
ignition key to LOCK from ACC or ON, turn
the key to OFF and press in the key release
button, then turn the key to LOCK.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked,
it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn coun-
terclockwise from the straight up position.To lock the steering wheel, remove the
key. To unlock the steering wheel, insert
the key and turn it gently while rotating
the steering wheel slightly right and left.
WARNING
Never 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.
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
On automatic transmission models the igni-
tion lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to LOCK and removed until the shift
lever is moved to the P (Park) position.
When removing the key from the ignition,
make sure the shift lever is in the P (Park)
position.
When the key cannot be turned to the LOCK
position, proceed as follows to remove the
key:
1) Move the shift lever into the P (Park)
position.
ASD0022ASD0023
IGNITION SWITCH
4-4
ZX

2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ON
direction.
3) Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
If the key is removed from the ignition
switch, the shift lever cannot be moved from
P (Park).The shift lever can be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ACC posi-
tion. The shift lever can also be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed.
There is an OFF position in between LOCK
and ACC, although it does not show on the
key cylinder. When the ignition is in OFF the
steering wheel is not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked, it
must be turned about 1/8 of a turn counter-
clockwise from the straight up position, and
the key must be removed from the ignition.
To lock the steering wheel, remove the
key. To unlock the steering wheel, insert
the key and turn it gently while rotating
the steering wheel slightly right and left.
WARNING
Never 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 (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
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 the electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position activates the starter motor,
which starts the engine.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, for example, each
time you check engine oil.
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

1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 1 position at speeds
over 41 MPH (66 km/h). Do not exceed 41
MPH (66 km/h) in the 1 position.
Accelerator downshift
Ð In D position Ð
For rapid passing or hill climbing, fully de-
press the accelerator pedal to the floor. This
shifts the transmission down into second
gear or first gear, depending on the vehicle
speed.
OVERDRIVE SWITCH
ON: For normal driving, push the over-
drive switch ON with the selector
lever in the D position. The transmis-
sion is upshifted into OVERDRIVE
as the vehicle speed increases.
The overdrive does not engage until the
engine has warmed up.OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking would be ad-
vantageous, push the switch OFF.
When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feel
uncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between 3rd and
overdrive repeatedly. In this case,
set the overdrive switch in the OFF
position. The O/D OFF indicator light
on the instrument panel comes on at
this time.
When driving conditions change, reset the
overdrive switch to the ON position.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the overdrive
switch set in the OFF position. This reduces
fuel economy.
ASD0511
4-8
ZX

Shifting with manual transmission
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, and then move the gearshift lever.
After shifting, release the clutch pedal slowly.
You cannot shift directly from 5th gear into
Reverse (R). First shift into Neutral (N), then
into Reverse (R).
If it is difficult to move the shift lever into R or
1st, shift into N, then release and depress
the clutch pedal again and shift into R or 1st.
WARNING
cDo not downshift abruptly on slip-
pery roads. This may cause a loss of
control.
cDo not over-rev the engine when
shifting to a lower gear. This may
cause a loss of control or engine
damage.
CAUTION
cDo not rest your foot on the clutch
pedal while driving. This may cause
clutch damage.
cStop your vehicle completely before
shifting into R.
cWhen the vehicle is stopped for a
duration, for example at a stop light,
shift to N and release the clutch
pedal with the foot brake applied.
Suggested shift-up speeds
Shown below are suggested vehicle speeds
for shifting into a higher gear. These sug-
gestions relate to fuel economy and vehicle
performance. Actual shift-up speeds willvary according to road conditions, the
weather and individual driving habits.
For normal acceleration in low altitude ar-
eas (less than 4,000 ft [1,219 m]):
Gear changeACCEL
shift point
MPH (km/h)CRUISE
shift point
MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24) 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40) 18 (29)
3rd to 4th 36 (58) 30 (48)
4th to 5th 40 (64) 39 (63)
For quick acceleration in low altitude areas
and high altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1,219
m]):
Gear change MPH (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
Suggested maximum speed in each
gear
Downshift to a lower gear if the engine is not
running smoothly, or if you need to accelerate.
SD1022
DRIVING WITH MANUAL
TRANSMISSION
4-9
ZX

To engage:pull the lever up.
To release:
1. Firmly apply foot brake.
2. Manual transmission models:
Place the gearshift in the N (neutral)
position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the gearshift lever to the P (park)
position.
3. While pulling up on the parking brake
lever slightly, push the button and lower
completely.4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
WARNING
cBe sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.
cDo not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.
cDo not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully
engaged.
c
Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
ASD0502
PARKING BRAKE
OPERATION
4-11
ZX

The cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 30 to 90 MPH (48 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the
main switch. The indicator light on the
switch comes on.
To set cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. The
CRUISE indicator light 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.
c
The 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,use one of
the following three methods:
a) Push the CANCEL button; the CRUISE
light goes out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; the CRUISE light
goes out.c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ON
indicator and CRUISE lights go out.
The cruise control is automatically can-
celled and the CRUISE light goes out if:
cYou depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the ACCEL set switch.
cThe vehicle slows down more than 8
MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.
cYou depress the clutch pedal (manual
transmission), or move the shift lever to
N (automatic transmission).
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 ACCEL set switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
c) Push and quickly release the ACCEL set
switch. Each time you do this, the set
speed increases by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).
ASD0512
CRUISE CONTROL
4-12
ZX

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 to the desired speed.
c) Push and quickly release the
COAST/SET switch. Each time you do
this, the set speed decreases by about 1
MPH (1.6 km/h).
To resume the preset speed,push and re-
lease the RESUME switch. The vehicle returns
to 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 indi-
cator light in the instrument panel then
blinks to warn the driver.
cIf the cruise indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have
the system checked by your NISSAN
dealer.cThe cruise indicator light may blink when
the cruise control main switch is turned
ON while pushing the RES/ACCEL,
COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (lo-
cated on the steering wheel). To properly
set the cruise control system, perform the
preceding steps in the order indicated.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when
driving under the following conditions:
cit is not possible to keep the vehicle
at a set speed.
cin heavy traffic or in traffic that var-
ies in speed.
con winding or hilly roads.
con slippery roads (rain, snow, ice,
etc.).
cin very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do
not shift into neutral without depress-
ing the clutch pedal when the cruise
control is on. Should this occur, de-
press the clutch pedal and turn the
main switch off immediately. Failure to
do so may cause engine damage.
4-13
ZX