
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................5-2
Three-way catalyst .................................................5-2
On-pavement and off-road driving precautions .....5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover................................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving .........................5-4
Ignition switch .........................................................5-4
Manual transmission ..............................................5-4
Automatic transmission ..........................................5-5
Before starting the engine ......................................5-6
Driving with automatic transmission (if so
equipped) ...............................................................5-6
Driving with manual transmission ..........................5-8
Starting the engine ...............................................5-10
Parking brake operation .......................................5-11Cruise control (if so equipped) .............................5-12
Break-in schedule ................................................5-14
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-14
Transfer case shifting procedures for 4-wheel
drive vehicles........................................................5-15
Auto-lock free-running hubs .................................5-16
Manual-lock free-running hubs.............................5-19
Driving your four-wheel drive safely.....................5-21
Tires of four-wheel drive ......................................5-22
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-23
Power steering system .........................................5-24
Brake system........................................................5-25
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) ..............................5-25
Cold weather driving ............................................5-26
ZX

The brake system has two separate hydrau-
lic circuits. If one circuit develops a problem,
you will still have braking at two wheels.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on
the brake pedal will be required to stop the
vehicle and stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As a
result, your braking distance will be longer
and the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal
to heat the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function cor-
rectly.Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake linings and pads faster,
and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear, and to prevent
the brakes from overheating, reduce speed
and downshift to a lower gear before going
down a slope or long grade.
WARNING
cWhile driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
actions or sudden acceleration
could cause the wheels to skid and
result in an accident.
cIf the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
Normal Operation
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10
km/h). (The speeds vary according to road
conditions.)
When driving, the anti-lock brake system
controls the wheels so they will not lock
when braking abruptly or when braking on a
slippery road. Thus, difficult steering and
swerving of the vehicle due to locked
wheels is minimized. The system detects
the wheel rotation rate and electronically
controls the pressure applied to each brake.
Slight vibration on the brake pedal accom-
panied by noise usually occurs while the
ABS system is operating. Such vibration
and noise encountered during abrupt brak-
ing is not a problem, but indicates that the
system is functioning.
Even with the rear anti-lock brake sys-
tem, your front wheels can still lock. If
this happens, release the brake pedal
slightly and then reapply pressure.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of elec-
tronic sensors and hydraulic solenoids con-
trolled by a computer. The computer has a
BRAKE SYSTEM ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS)
Starting and driving5-25
ZX

built-in diagnostic feature that tests the sys-
tem each time you start the engine and
move the vehicle at a low speed in forward
or reverse. When the self-test occurs, you
may hear a ``clunk'' noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal
and is not an indication of any malfunction. If
the computer senses any malfunction, it
switches the anti-lock brake system off and
turns on the ABS brake warning light in the
dashboard. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally. The
ABS brake warning light will then come on.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an authorized NISSAN dealer for
repair.
Using the System
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophis-
ticated device. But it cannot prevent
accidents resulting from careless or
dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control under
some conditions, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel, or snow covered roads, or if you
are using tire chains. Always maintain
a safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you. Ultimately, the responsibility for
safety of self and others rests in the
hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
cWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
cWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. See
``Tire placard'' in the ``Technical and
consumer information'' section.Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it in the key hole.
Anti-freeze
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base) to
assure proper winter protection. For details,
see ``Engine cooling system'' in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Do-it-yourself''
section of this manual.
Draining of coolant water
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by
opening the drain valves located under the
radiator and on the engine block. Refill
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-26Starting and driving
ZX

If you wax the surface of the hood, be
careful not to let wax get into the washer
nozzle. This may cause clogging or im-
proper windshield washer operation. If
wax gets into the nozzle, remove it with a
needle or small pin.Pull the parking brake lever up. If the num-
ber of clicks is out of the range listed above,
see an authorized NISSAN dealer.With the engine running, check distance A
between the upper surface of the pedal and
the metal floor.
Distance A:
Manual
TransmissionAutomatic
Transmission
2WD Rear
Wheel ABS4 1/8 in.
(105mm)4 1/2 in.
(115mm)
4WD Four
Wheel ABS4 in. (100mm)
If it is out of the range shown above, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
MDI0005
ADI1035DI0453
PARKING BRAKE CHECK BRAKE PEDAL
Do-it-yourself8-19
ZX

11 Index
A
Air bag
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-12
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ...................................................... 1-10
Air bag warning light .................................. 1-15
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-16
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner service ............................ 4-9
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-14
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations ................ 10-8
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-6
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............. 2-12
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-34
Antenna
Manual .................................................. 4-21
Power.................................................... 4-21
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-25
Anti-lock brake system, rear (R-ABS) ....... 5-25
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-17
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10Auto-lock free-running hubs ...................... 5-16
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-21
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 8-9
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
B
Battery........................................................ 8-13
Battery Replacement (See multi-remote control
system) ........................................................ 3-7
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-6
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 8-14
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-25
Anti-lock brake system, rear (R-ABS) .. 5-25
Brake booster ....................................... 8-20
Brake fluid ................................... 10-3, 8-11
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-24
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-19
Brake system ........................................ 5-25
Brake warning light ................................. 2-7
Brake wear indicators ................. 2-10, 8-20
Parking brake check ............................. 8-19
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-11
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-14
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-7
Bulb replacement ....................................... 8-24C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants.................................................... 10-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . 10-15
Cassette player (See audio system) ......... 4-10
CB radio or car phone ............................... 4-22
Check engine indicator light (See malfunction
indicator light) ............................................ 2-10
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-33
Child restraints ........................................... 1-25
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray . 2-17
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clutch
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-11
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-21
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-26
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-4
Cruise control............................................. 5-12
Cup holder ................................................. 2-18
ZX