1997 NISSAN QUEST warning

be properly distributed. For more informa-
tion regarding vehicle and trailer loading,
refer to The NISSAN Towing Guide, avail-
able from an authorized Nissan dealer.
WARNING
Vehicle damage and/or personal injury
resulting from improper towing proce-
dures is not covered by NISSAN war-
ranties. Information on trailer towing
and required towing equipment should
be obtained from dealers who special-
ize in providing trailers or other towing
equipment.
Tongue load:
Keep the tongue load between 9 and 11%
of the total trailer load. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to al-
low for proper tongue load.Maximum gross vehicle weight/maximum
gross axle weight
The gross vehicle weight of the towing
vehicle must not exceed the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S. certification label. The gross ve-
hicle weight equals the combined weight of
the unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any other
optional equipment. In addition, front or rear
gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on
the F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
UNIT: lb (kg)
MAXIMUM
TOWING LOAD3,500 (1,588)
(See below)
MAXIMUM
TONGUE LOAD350 (159)
Trailer hitch
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. Make sure the trailer hitch is securely
attached to the vehicle to help avoid per-
sonal injury or property damage due to
sway caused by crosswinds, rough road
surfaces or passing trucks.
CAUTION
cDo not use axle-mounted hitches.
cThe hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, etc. when the
hitch is installed.
TI1012M
9-14
ZX

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.
WARNING
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 shift 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 shift selector le-
ver into the P (Park) position. If you move
the shift selector 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
9-17
ZX

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. For addi-
tional information see the ``Mainte-
nance'' section earlier in this manual.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, due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire's ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled condi-
tions, on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked with
C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your
vehicle tire's is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests, and does
not include acceleration, cornering, hy-
droplaning, or peak traction character-
istics.
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
ZX

WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is
established for a tire that is properly
inflated and not overloaded. Excessive
speed, under inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat build-up and
possible tire failure.Your NISSAN is covered by the following
emission warranties:
For USA
1) Emission Defects Warranty
2) Emission Performance Warranty
For Canada
Emission Control System Warranty
Details of these warranties may be found
with other vehicle warranties in your War-
ranty Information and Maintenance Log
Booklet that comes with your NISSAN. If
you did not receive a Warranty Information
and Maintenance Log Booklet, or it has
become lost, you may obtain a replacement
by writing to:
cNissan Motor Corporation USA
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 191
Gardena, CA 90248-0191
cNissan Canada Inc.
P.O. Box 1709
Station ``B''
Mississauga, Ontario,
L4Y 4H6If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
(NHTSA)in addition to no-
tifying NISSAN.
If
NHTSAreceives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However,
NHTSAcannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact
NHTSA, you may either call the
Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1- 800-424-
9393 (or 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C.
area) or write to:
NHTSA, U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation, Washington, D.C.
20590. You can also obtain other informa-
tion about motor vehicle safety from the
Hotline.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.
In Hawaii, call (808) 836-0888.
EMISSION CONTROL
SYSTEM WARRANTYREPORTING SAFETY
DEFECTS (USA)
9-19
ZX

Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in the ready condition for
an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the ready condition
when it is driven through certain driving
patterns. Usually, the ready condition can
be obtained by ordinary usage of the ve-
hicle.
If a powertrain system component is re-
paired or the battery is disconnected, the
vehicle may be reset to a not ready condi-
tion. Before taking the I/M test, drive the
vehicle through the following pattern to set
the vehicle to the ready condition. If you
cannot or do not want to perform the driving
pattern, an authorized NISSAN dealer can
conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe man-
ner according to traffic conditions and
obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C.
Allow the engine to idle until the gaugeneedle points between the C and H (nor-
mal operating temperature).
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h), then quickly release the accelera-
tor pedal completely and keep it released
for at least 6 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for
a moment, then drive the vehicle at a
speed of 53 to 60 MPH (86 to 96 km/h)
for at least 5 minutes.
4.Stop the vehicle.
5.Accelerate the vehicle to 35 mph (55
km/h) and keep the speed for 20 seconds.
6.Repeat steps 4 through 5 at least 3 times.
7.Accelerate the vehicle to 55 mph (88
km/h) and keep the speed for at least 3
minutes.
8. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off.
9. Repeat steps 1 through 8 at least one
more time.
If step 1 through 7 are interrupted, repeat
the preceding step. Any safe driving mode
is acceptable between steps. Do not stop
the engine until step 7 is completed.
READINESS FOR
INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE
(I/M) TEST
9-20
ZX

10 Index
A
After an accident........................................ 5-11
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ...................................................... 2-42
Air bag warning light .................................. 2-47
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 7-13
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ............... 3-20, 3-5
Air conditioner service .......................... 3-14
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations.................. 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)
(if so equipped)..................................... 3-10
Heater and air conditioner (manual)....... 3-3
Rear seat heater and air
conditioner ............................................ 3-13
Air flow charts .............................................. 3-7
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............. 1-10
Anchor point locations ............................... 2-69
Antenna
Manual .................................................. 3-20
Power.................................................... 3-20
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 4-15
Anti-lock brake warning light ....................... 1-8
Armrests..................................................... 2-30Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 1-16
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 3-14
Compact disc (CD) player .................... 3-21
Autolamp switch......................................... 1-13
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 1-20
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 7-8
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 4-5
B
Battery........................................................ 7-11
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-5
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 4-15
Brake booster ....................................... 7-17
Brake fluid ..................................... 7-10, 9-2
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 7-21
Brake pedal .......................................... 7-16
Brake system ........................................ 4-14
Brake warning light ................................. 1-7
Brake wear indicators ............................. 1-9
Parking brake check ............................. 7-16
Parking brake operation ......................... 4-9
Self-adjusting brakes ............................ 7-16
Break-in schedule ...................................... 4-12Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 1-6
Bulb replacement ....................................... 7-21
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants...................................................... 9-2
Cargo net ................................................... 2-13
Cargo (See vehicle loading
information) ................................................ 9-12
Cassette player (See audio system) ......... 3-14
CB radio or car phone ............................... 3-25
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light) .................. 1-9
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 2-65
Child restraints for infants and small
children ...................................................... 2-60
Child safety sliding door lock....................... 2-4
Cigarette lighter (accessory)
and ashtray ................................................ 1-16
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 6-2
Clock .......................................................... 1-23
Coin tray .................................................... 1-17
Cold weather driving .................................. 4-16
Compact disc (CD) player ......................... 3-21
Controls
Audio controls ....................................... 3-14
Audio controls (rear) ............................. 3-24
ZX

Audio controls (steering wheel) ............ 3-23
Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic) ............................................ 3-10
Heater and air conditioner controls
(manual).................................................. 3-3
Rear seat heater and air conditioner
controls ................................................. 3-13
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 ........................................... 1-15
Corrosion protection .................................... 6-4
Cruise control............................................. 4-10
Cup holder ................................................. 1-18
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 1-13
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-12
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-8
Door ajar warning light ................................ 1-7
Door locks .................................................... 2-2
Drive belts .................................................. 7-12
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 4-16
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 4-5Precautions when starting and
driving ..................................................... 4-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 4-12
Emission control information label............. 9-10
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-19
Engine
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 ........................... 7-4
Engine oil ................................................ 7-5
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-4
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 1-6
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ............................. 9-9
Starting the engine ................................. 4-8
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 4-2F
Five passenger seating ............................. 2-18
Five passenger seating with cargo
room ........................................................... 2-18
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 1-15
Flat tire ......................................................... 5-2
Flexible seating .......................................... 2-32
Floor mat positioning ........................ 2-17, 2-20
Floor mat positioning aid ........................... 2-20
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 7-8
Brake fluid ..................................... 7-10, 9-2
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Engine coolant ........................................ 7-4
Engine oil ................................................ 7-5
Power steering fluid ........................ 7-9, 9-2
Window washer fluid ............................ 7-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-10
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 4-12
Fuel filler lid and cap ............................ 2-15
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 2-15
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-5
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-2
Fuses ......................................................... 7-17
Fusible links ............................................... 7-18
10-2
ZX

G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-4
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-5
Odometer ................................................ 1-4
Speedometer .......................................... 1-4
Tachometer............................................. 1-4
Trip odometer ......................................... 1-4
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-15
Head restraints .......................................... 2-30
Headlight control switch............................. 1-13
Headlights .................................................. 7-19
Heater
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)
(if so equipped)..................................... 3-10
Heater and air conditioner (manual)....... 3-3
Rear seat heater and air
conditioner ............................................ 3-13
Hood release ............................................. 2-10
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4
Important vehicle information label............ 9-10
Increasing fuel economy............................ 4-12
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 1-6
Inertial fuel shut off switch ......................... 5-11
Inside mirror ............................................... 2-80
Instrument brightness control .................... 1-15
Integrated child safety seats...................... 2-71
Interior lights .............................................. 1-24
J
Jump starting ...................................... 5-8, 7-12
K
Key ............................................................... 2-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote
control system) ............................................ 2-7
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 ................. 9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate ........................................................ 9-9
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 2-47
License plate
Installing the license plate .................... 9-11Light
Air bag warning light............................. 2-47
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 7-21
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 1-6
Bulb replacement.................................. 7-21
Cornering light ...................................... 1-15
Headlight control switch ....................... 1-13
Headlights ............................................. 7-19
Interior lights ......................................... 1-24
Light bulbs ............................................ 7-19
Luggage compartment lights ................ 1-24
Spotlights .............................................. 1-25
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 1-6
Lock
Child safety sliding door lock ................. 2-4
Door locks............................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 2-15
Power door lock...................................... 2-5
Rear door lock ...................................... 2-11
Luggage compartment lights ..................... 1-24
Luggage rack ............................................. 2-14
Luggage (See vehicle loading
information ................................................. 9-12
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
10-3
ZX