Page 177 of 247
Page 178 of 247

7Do-it-yourself operations
Maintenance precautions .......................................7-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................7-3
Engine cooling system ...........................................7-4
Checking engine coolant level ...............................7-4
Changing engine coolant .......................................7-5
Engine oil ...............................................................7-5
Checking engine oil level .......................................7-5
Changing engine oil ...............................................7-6
Changing engine oil filter .......................................7-7
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........................7-8
Temperature conditions for checking ATF .............7-8
Power steering fluid................................................7-9
Brake fluid ............................................................7-10
Window washer fluid ............................................7-10
Battery ..................................................................7-11
Jump starting ........................................................7-12Drive belts ............................................................7-12
Spark plug replacement .......................................7-12
Air cleaner housing filter ......................................7-13
Wiper blades ........................................................7-14
Parking brake check.............................................7-16
Brake pedal ..........................................................7-16
Brake booster .......................................................7-17
Fuses ....................................................................7-17
Fusible links..........................................................7-18
Light bulbs ............................................................7-19
Headlights ............................................................7-19
Bulb replacement .................................................7-21
Wheels and tires ..................................................7-25
Types of tires........................................................7-26
Tire chains ............................................................7-26
ZX
Page 179 of 247

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
cPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. Move the gear-
shift lever to N (neutral).
cBe sure the ignition key is OFF when
performing any replacement or
repair.
cBe sure to turn the ignition key to the
OFF or LOCK position. When the
ignition key is in the ON or ACC
position, the cooling fan may start to
operate suddenly even when the en-
gine is not running. To avoid injury
always disconnect the negative bat-
tery cable before working near the
fan.cIf you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
cIt is advisable to remove ties and any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
cIf you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases.
cNever get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
cKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and the
battery.
cOn gasoline engine models with the
multiport fuel injection (MFI) system,
the fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by a NISSAN dealer be-
cause the fuel lines are under high
pressure even when the engine is
off.
CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.
cNever connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized
component connector while the igni-
tion is ON.
cAvoid contact with used engine oil.
Improperly disposed motor oil and/
or other vehicle fluids can hurt the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of ve-
hicle fluid.
This ``Do-it-yourself operations'' section
gives instructions regarding only those
items which are relatively easy for an owner
to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage.If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done
by your NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
7-2
ZX
Page 180 of 247
ADI0570
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CHECK LOCATIONS
7-3
ZX
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The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze so-
lution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,
therefore additional cooling system addi-
tives are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ratio
of 50% anti-freeze and 50% distilled
water.
The use of other types of coolant
solutions may damage your cooling sys-
tem.
Outside tempera-
ture down toAnti-
freezeDistilled
water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
WARNING
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Wait until the en-
gine and radiator cool down. Serious
burns could be caused by high pres-
sure fluid escaping from the
radiator.
cThe radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure cap. Use an appropriate
NISSAN genuine cap or its equiva-
lent when replacement is required.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
With coolant reservoir
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below MIN, add coolant up to the MAX
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check
the coolant level in the radiatorwhen the
engine is cold.If there is insufficient cool-
ant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
ADI0571
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
7-4
ZX
Page 182 of 247

If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by your NISSAN
dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
Your NISSAN dealer can change the engine
coolant. The service procedure is found in
NISSAN's service manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine
overheating.
WARNING
cTo avoid danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.
3. Turn the engine off.Wait a few minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the H and
L marks. If the oil level is below the L
mark, remove the oil filler cap and pour
recommended oil through the opening.
Do not overfill.
6. Recheck the oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the sever-
ity of operating conditions.
ADI0008ADI0009
ENGINE OIL
7-5
ZX
Page 183 of 247

CAUTION
cOil level should be checked regu-
larly. Operating with an insufficient
amount of oil can damage the en-
gine, and such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature, then turn it off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
4. Remove the oil filler cap.
5. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.If the oil filter is to be changed, remove
and replace it at this time. See ``Chang-
ing the oil filter'' later in this section.
WARNING
cBe careful not to burn yourself, as
the engine oil is hot.
cProlonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
cTry to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
cKeep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
6. Clean and re-install the drain plug with a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench.
ADI0057
7-6
ZX
Page 184 of 247

Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 Nzm)
Do not use excessive force.
7. Refill the engine with a recommended oil
and install the cap securely. See the
``Technical and consumer information''
section for refill capacity.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage
around the drain plug. Correct as re-
quired.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench. Remove the oil filter by turning it
by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag. Be sure to remove
any old rubber gasket remaining on the
mounting surface of the engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
6. Screw the oil filter in until a slight resis-
tance is felt, then tighten additionally
more than 2/3 turn.
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
8. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
ADI0010
7-7
ZX