Additional information on the following
items with ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself operations'' section.
Emission control system
maintenance
Drive belts* ÐCheck drive belts for wear,
fraying or cracking and also for proper ten-
sion. Replace the drive belts if found dam-
aged.
Air cleaner filter ÐUnder normal driving
conditions, the air cleaner filter should be
replaced in accordance with the mainte-
nance schedule. However, driving the ve-
hicle in dusty areas may cause more rapid
clogging of the element. Consequently, the
element may have to be replaced more
frequently.
Vapor lines ÐCheck vapor lines and con-
nections for failure or looseness. If leaks are
found, replace them.
Fuel lines ÐCheck the fuel hoses, piping
and connections for leaks, looseness or
deterioration. Replace any parts if they are
damaged.
Fuel filter ÐIf the vehicle is operated
under extremely adverse weather condi-tions or in areas where ambient tempera-
tures are either extremely low or extremely
high, the filter might become clogged. In
such an event, replace the filter immedi-
ately.
Engine coolant* ÐChanging engine cool-
ant can be performed by your NISSAN
dealer or procedures can be found in the
Service Manual. Improper air relief after
changing coolant can result in reduced
heater performance and overheating.
Engine oil & oil filter* ÐUnder normal
driving conditions, the engine oil and oil filter
should be replaced in accordance with the
maintenance schedule. However, under se-
vere driving conditions, they may have to be
replaced more frequently.
Spark plugs* ÐReplace with new plugs
having the correct heat range.
Timing belt ÐReplace the timing belt for
driving the camshaft.
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cables ÐCheck the brake
lines and hoses (including brake booster
vacuum hoses, connections & check valve)
and parking brake cables for proper attach-ment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abrasion, de-
terioration, etc.
Brake pads, discs, drums & linings Ð
Check these and the other neighboring
brake components for wear, deterioration
and leaks. Under severe driving conditions,
they may have to be inspected more fre-
quently.
Automatic transmission fluid* ÐCheck
the fluid level and visually inspect for signs
of leakage.
Under severe driving conditions, the fluid
should be replaced at the specified interval.
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspen-
sion parts, and drive shaft boots Ð
Check for damage, looseness and leakage
of oil or grease. Under severe driving con-
ditions, more frequent inspection should be
performed.
Steering linkage ball joints & front sus-
pension ball joints ÐCheck the ball joints
for damage, looseness and grease leakage.
EXPLANATION OF
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
8-10
ZX
ModelVG30E
TypeGasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement6-cylinder, V slanted at 60É
Bore ý Stroke in (mm) 3.425 ý 3.268 (87.0 ý 83.0)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 180.62 (2,960)
Firing order1,2,3,4,5,6* (See illustration below)
Idle speed rpm
See the ``Important Vehicle Information'' label on the underside of the hood. Ignition timing degree (B.T.D.C.)
at idle speed degree/rpm
CO percentage at idle speed
[No air] %
Spark plug
StandardBKR5EY
ColdBKR6EY
Spark plug gap in (mm) 0.031 to 0.035 (0.8 to 0.9)
Camshaft operationTiming belt** (See note below)
Drive belts
[Width ý Length] in (mm)
Generator belt0.7008 ý 33.66 (17.80 ý 855)
Air conditioner compressor0.5606 ý 46.65 (14.24 ý 1,185)
Power steering pump0.5606 ý 40.74 (14.24 ý 1,035)
**NOTE: Periodic maintenance is necessary. Refer to the appropriate periodic
maintenance schedule in Chapter 8.
The spark ignition system of this vehicle meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
ENGINE
9-7
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
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
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-60
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............................ 1-9
Manual antenna ......................................... 3-20
Manual front seat adjustment .................... 2-26
Manual rear windows................................. 1-22
Map light (See spot light) .......................... 1-25
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 2-80
Outside mirror control ........................... 2-79
Outside mirrors ..................................... 2-80
Vanity mirror ......................................... 2-80
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
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Outside mirror control ................................ 2-79
Outside mirrors .......................................... 2-80
Overdrive switch .......................................... 4-7
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ...................... 5-10Owner's manual order form ....................... 9-21
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 7-16
Parking brake operation ......................... 4-9
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 4-13
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 8-5
Personal reading light ................................ 1-24
Power
Power antenna ..................................... 3-20
Power door lock...................................... 2-5
Power rear windows ............................. 1-22
Power steering fluid ........................ 7-9, 9-2
Power support front seat ...................... 2-28
Power windows..................................... 1-19
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-49
Precautions when starting and
driving ..................................................... 4-2
Push starting .............................................. 5-10
R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 3-14
CB radio or car phone .......................... 3-25
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ............................................................. 9-20Rear door ................................................... 2-11
Rear door lock ........................................... 2-11
Rear power point ....................................... 1-17
Rear seat heater and air conditioner......... 3-13
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-12
Rear window wiper and washer
switches ..................................................... 1-12
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-6
Registering your vehicle in another
country ......................................................... 9-9
Remote keyless entry system (See
multi-remote control system) ....................... 2-7
Removing and installing the second row bench
seat ............................................................ 2-32
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-19
S
Safety
Child safety sliding door lock ................. 2-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-19
Seat belt
2-point type without retractor................ 2-58
3-point type with retractor ........... 2-51, 2-53
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-49
Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-60
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-60
Seat belts.............................................. 2-49
Seat belt warning light ................................. 1-7
Seat positions ............................................ 2-21
Seating arrangements ............................... 2-15
10-4
ZX