WARNING
cThe air conditioner cooling function
operates only when the engine is
running.
cDo not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
On hot sunny days, temperatures in
a closed vehicle could quickly be-
come high enough to cause severe
or possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals.
cDo not use the recirculation mode
for long periods as it may cause theinterior air to become stale and the
windows to fog up.
cPositioning of the heating or air con-
ditioning controls should not be
done while driving, so that full atten-
tion may be given to the driving
operation.
CONTROLS
Fan control lever
This lever turns the fan on and off, and
controls fan speed.
Air control dial
This dial allows you to select the air flow
outlets.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators and foot outlets.
Ð Air flows mainly from foot outlets.
Ð Air flows from defrost outlets and
foot outlets.
ÐAir flows mainly from defrost outlets.
Temperature control dial
This dial allows you to adjust the tempera-
ture of the outlet air.
Air intake lever (if so equipped)
This lever is provided only for vehicles with
an air conditioner.
Ð Outside air is drawn into the pas-
senger compartment and distributed
through the selected outlet.
Use this position for normal heater or air
conditioner operation.
AHA1035
HEATER AND AIR
CONDITIONER
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-3
ZX
Ð Interior air is recirculated inside the
vehicle.
Move the air intake lever to the
position:
cwhen driving on a dusty road.
cto prevent traffic fumes from entering the
passenger compartment.
cfor maximum cooling when using the air
conditioner.
Air conditioner switch
(if so equipped)
This button is provided only for vehicles with
an air conditioner.
Start the engine, push the switch and move
the fan control lever to the desired speed.
The indicator light comes on when the air
conditioner is on.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode directs hot air to the foot outlets.
A small amount of air is also directed to the
defrost outlets.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position for normal heating.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the HOT position.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air to the side and
center ventilators.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode defrosts/defogs the windows.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the HOT position.
cIf it is difficult to defog the windshield,
turn the air conditioner switch on (if so
equipped).
Bi-level heating
This mode directs cooler air from the side
and center ventilators and warmer air from
the foot outlets.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
4-4Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX
Heating and defrosting
This mode heats the interior and defogs the
windshield.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
speed.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the HOT position.
Operating tips
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blade
and air inlet in front of the windshield. This
improves heater and defroster operation.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
(if so equipped)
Start the engine, move the fan control lever
to the desired (one to four) position, and
push in the air conditioner switch to activate
the air conditioner. When the air conditioner
is on, cooling and dehumidifying functions
are added to the heater operation.The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode cools and dehumidifies.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
position.
4. Push in the air conditioner switch. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
cFor quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, move the air intake lever
to the
position. Be sure to return
the air intake lever to theposition
for normal cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode heats and dehumidifies.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position.3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
position.
4. Push in the air conditioner switch. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Dehumidified defrosting
This mode defrosts/defogs the windows and
dehumidifies.
1. Move the air intake lever to the
position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
position
3. Move the fan control lever to the desired
position.
4. Push in the air conditioner switch. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Operating tips
cKeep windows and sunroof closed while
operating the air conditioner.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for two or
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-5
ZX
three minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger compart-
ment. Then, close the windows. This
allows the air conditioner to cool the
interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for about ten minutes at least
once a month, especially in winter. This
helps prevent damage to the system due
to lack of lubrication.
cIf the coolant temperature gauge ex-
ceeds the (hot) position, turn the air
conditioner off. Have your vehicle in-
spected by a NISSAN dealer. See ``If
your vehicle overheats'' in the ``In case of
emergency'' section for additional infor-
mation.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the switch and
lever positions forMAXIMUM and QUICK
heating, cooling or defrosting.
The air intake lever should always be in
the
position for heating and de-
frosting.
AHA1038
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge read-
ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power, or
detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-
ing steps:
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never remove the radiator
cap while the engine is still hot.
When the radiator cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
gearshift lever to N (Neutral), or the au-
tomatic transmission into P (Park).
Do not stop the engine.
2.
Turn off the air conditioner (if so
equipped). Open all of the windows,
move the heater or air conditioner tem-perature control to maximum hot and fan
control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 r/min)
until the temperature gauge indicator re-
turns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. Wait until
no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
5. Open the hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking, or the water pump belt is missing
or loose, or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
cBe careful not to allow your hands,
hair, jewelry or clothing to come into
contact with, or to get caught in, the
running fan or belts.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
In case of emergency6-9
ZX
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
cMajor cooling system repairs should be
performed by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. The service procedures can be
found in the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual.cImproper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine over-
heating.
WARNING
cTo avoid the 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.
1. Open the radiator drain valve. Open the
drain plug on the engine block.
2.
Open the radiator cap to drain the coolant.
3. Flush the cooling system by running
fresh water through the radiator.
4. Close the radiator drain valve and drain
plug on the engine block securely.
5. See ``Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants'' in the ``Technical and
consumer information'' section for cool-
ing system capacity. Fill the radiator
slowly with the proper mixture of coolant
and water. Fill the reservoir tank slowly
up to the MAX level.
ADI1027
Do-it-yourself8-5
ZX
Octane rating tips
In most parts of North America, you should
use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index). How-
ever, you may use unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating as low as 85 AKI in high
altitude areas (over 4,000 ft [1,219 m]) such
as: Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah,
Wyoming, northeastern Nevada, southern
Idaho, western South Dakota, western Ne-
braska, and the part of Texas which is
directly south of New Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ``spark knock.'' (``Spark
knock'' is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady speed
on level roads, have an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer correct the condition. Failure
to correct the condition is misuse of the
vehicle, for which NISSAN is not respon-
sible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, whichmay cause excessive fuel consumption or
engine damage. If any of the above symp-
toms are encountered, have your vehicle
checked at an authorized NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is
no cause for concern, because you get
the greatest fuel benefit when there is
light spark knock for a short time under
heavy engine load.
Technical and consumer information
10-5
ZX