1998 NISSAN QUEST warning

cKeep the battery surface clean and dry.
Any corrosion should be washed off with
a solution of baking soda and water.
cMake certain the terminal connections
are clean and securely tightened.
cIf the vehicle is not to be used for 30 days
or longer, disconnect the negative (þ)
battery terminal cable to prevent dis-
charging.
WARNING
cDo not expose the battery to flames
or electrical sparks. Hydrogen gas
generated by battery action is explo-
sive. Do not allow battery fluid to
contact your skin, eyes, fabrics, or
painted surfaces. After touching a
battery or battery cap, do not touch
or rub your eyes. Thoroughly wash
your hands. If the acid contacts your
eyes, skin or clothing, immediately
flush with water for at least 15 min-
utes and seek medical attention
cWhen working on or near a battery,
always wear suitable eye protection
and remove all jewelry.cKeep the battery out of the reach of
children.
Check the fluid level in each cell. It should
be between the MAX and MIN lines.
If it is necessary to add fluid, add only
distilled water to bring the level to the indi-
cator in each filler opening.Do not overfill.
1. Remove the cell plugs using a suitable
tool.
2. Add distilled water up to the MAX level.
3. Tighten cell plugs.
ADI0037
BATTERY
Do-it-yourself8-11
ZX

JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see the ``In
case of emergency'' section. If the engine
does not start by jump starting, the battery
may have to be replaced. Contact an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Be sure the ignition key is OFF. The
engine could rotate unexpectedly.
1. Visually inspect each belt for signs of
unusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness.
If the belt is loose or in poor condition,
have it replaced or adjusted by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
2. Have the belts checked regularly for con-
dition and tension in accordance with the
maintenance schedule found in the
``Maintenance'' section of this manual.WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch
are off and that the parking brake is
engaged securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to
remove the plugs. An incorrect socket
can cause damage.
ADI0060ADI0061
DRIVE BELTS SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT
8-12Do-it-yourself
ZX

WARNING
cOperating the engine with the air
cleaner off can cause you or others
to be burned. The air cleaner not
only cleans the air, it stops flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn't there
and the engine backfires, you could
be burned. Don't drive with it off, and
be careful working on the engine
with the air cleaner off.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body
or attempt to start the engine with
the air cleaner removed. Doing so
could result in serious injury.
8-14Do-it-yourself
ZX

With the engine running, check the distance
between the upper surface of the pedal and
the floor. If it is out of the range shown
above, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front disc-type brakes self-adjust every
time the brake pedal is applied. The rear
drum-type brakes also self-adjust every
time the brake pedal is applied. If the brake
pedal goes down farther than normal, see
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
See an authorized NISSAN dealer and
have it checked if the brake pedal
height does not return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires
replacement, it makes a high pitched scrap-
ing or screeching sound when the vehicle is
in motion whether or not the brake pedal is
depressed. Have the brakes checked as
soon as possible if the wear indicator sound
is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) do
not have audible wear indicators. If you ever
hear an unusually loud noise from the rear
drum brakes, have them inspected as soon
as possible by an authorized NISSAN
dealer.Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regard-
ing brake inspections, see the appropriate
maintenance schedule information in the
``Maintenance'' section of this manual.
ADI0027
BRAKE PEDAL
Do-it-yourself8-17
ZX

three or more hours, or driven less than 1
mile (1.6 km). COLD tire pressures are
shown on the tire placard affixed to the
glove box door.
WARNING
cImproperly inflated tires can fail sud-
denly and cause an accident.
cThe vehicle capacity weight is indi-
cated on the tire placard. Do not load
your vehicle beyond this capacity.
Overloading your vehicle may result
in reduced tire life, unsafe operating
conditions due to premature tire fail-
ure, or unfavorable handling charac-
teristics and could also lead to a
serious accident. Loading beyond
the specified capacity may also re-
sult in failure of other vehicle com-
ponents.
c
Before taking a long trip, or whenever
you have loaded your vehicle heavily,
use a tire pressure gauge to ensure
that the tire pressure is at the speci-
fied level.
cDo not drive your vehicle over 85
MPH (140 km/h) unless it is equipped
with high speed capability tires.
Driving faster than 85 MPH (140
km/h) may result in tire failure, loss
of control and possible injury.
Types of tires
WARNING
When changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same type
(i.e., Summer, All Season or Snow) and
construction. An authorized NISSAN
dealer may be able to help you with
information about tire type, size, speed
rating and availability. Replacement
tires may have a lower speed rating
than the factory equipped tires, and
may not match the potential maximum
vehicle speed. Never exceed the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tire.
All Season tires
NISSAN specifies All Season tires to pro-
vide good performance all year, including
snowy and icy road conditions. All SeasonTires are identified by ``ALL SEASON''
and/or ``M&S'' on the tire sidewall. Snow
tires have better snow traction than All
Season tires and may be more appropriate
in some areas.
Snow tires
If snow tires are needed, it is necessary to
select tires equivalent in size and load rating
to the original equipment tires. If you do not,
it can adversely affect the safety and han-
dling of your vehicle.
Generally, snow tires have lower speed
ratings than factory equipped tires and may
not match the potential maximum vehicle
speed. Never exceed the maximum speed
rating of the tire.
If you operate your vehicle in snowy or icy
conditions, NISSAN recommends the use of
snow or all season tires on all four wheels.
For additional traction on icy roads, studded
tires may be used. However, some U.S.
states and Canadian provinces prohibit their
use. Check local, state and provincial laws
before installing studded tires. Skid and
traction capabilities of studded snow tires
on wet or dry surfaces may be poorer than
that of non-studded snow tires.
Do-it-yourself
8-27
ZX

Tire chains
Use of tire chains may be prohibited accord-
ing to location. Check the local laws before
installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure they are of proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are installed
according to the chain manufacturer's sug-
gestions.Use only SAE Class ``S'' chains.
Other types may damage your vehicle. Use
chain tensioners when recommended by
the tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tight
fit. Loose end links of the tire chain must be
secured or removed to prevent the possibil-
ity of whipping action damage to the fenders
or undercarriage. If possible, avoid fully
loading your vehicle when using tire chains.
In addition, drive at a reduced speed. Do not
exceed maximum speed suggested by the
chain manufacturer. Otherwise, your ve-
hicle may be damaged and/or vehicle han-
dling and performance may be adversely
affected.
Never install tire chains on T-type and small
size spare tires. Do not use tire chains on
dry roads.
Tire rotation
NISSAN recommends rotating the tires
every 7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Tighten wheel nuts to 72 to 87 ft-lb (98 to
118 Nzm).
See ``Flat tire'' in the ``In case of emergency''
section for tire replacing procedures.
WARNING
cAfter rotating the tires, adjust the tire
pressure.
cRetighten the lug nuts after the
wheels have been run for the first
600 miles (1,000 km) (also in cases of
a flat tire, etc.).
cDo not include the T-type spare tire
or any other small size spare tire in
the tire rotation.
ADI0656
8-28Do-it-yourself
ZX

Tire wear and damage
WARNING
cTires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking, bulging,
or objects caught in the tread. If
excessive wear, cracks, bulging, or
deep cuts are found, the tire should
be replaced.
cThe original tires have a built-in
tread wear indicator. When the wear
indicator is visible, the tire should be
replaced.cImproper service for a T-type spare
tire may result in serious personal
injury. If it is necessary to repair the
T-type spare tire, contact an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
Changing tires and wheels
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
tread design, speed rating and load carrying
capacity as originally equipped. Recom-
mended types and sizes are shown in
``Wheels and tires'' in the ``Technical and
consumer information'' section of this manual.
WARNING
cThe use of tires other than those
recommended or the mixed use of
tires of different brands, construc-
tion (bias, bias-belted or radial), or
tread patterns can adversely affect
the ride, braking, handling, ground
clearance, body-to-tire clearance,
snow chain clearance, speedometer
calibration, headlight aim and
bumper height. Some of these ef-
fects may lead to accidents and
could result in serious personal in-
jury.cIf the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same offset dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different offset
could cause early tire wear, possibly
degraded vehicle handling charac-
teristics and/or interference with the
brake discs/drums. Such interfer-
ence can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake pad/
shoe wear.
cDo not install a deformed wheel or
tire even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without warn-
ing.
cThe use of retread tires is not recom-
mended.
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
Wheel balance service should be performed
with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balanc-
ing the front wheels on the vehicle could
lead to transmission damage.
DI1035M
Do-it-yourself8-29
ZX

Care of wheels
cWash the wheels when washing the ve-
hicle to maintain their appearance.
cClean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
cDo not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
cInspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
c
NISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (T-type spare tire)
Observe the following precautions if the
T-type spare tire must be used, otherwise
your vehicle could be damaged or involved
in an accident.
WARNING
cThe T-type spare tire should be used
only for emergency. It should be re-
placed by the standard tire at the
first opportunity.c
Drive carefully while the T-type spare
tire is installed. Avoid sharp turns
and abrupt braking while driving.
cPeriodically check tire inflation pres-
sure, and always keep it at 60 psi
(420 kP, 4.2 bar).
cDo not drive your vehicle at speeds
faster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).
c
When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the T-type spare tire
should be used on the rear wheel and
the original tire used on the front
wheels (drive wheels). Use tire chains
only on the front two original tires.
cTire tread of the T-type spare tire will
wear at a faster rate than the original
tire. Replace the T-type spare tire as
soon as the tread wear indicators
appear.
cDo not use the T-type spare tire on
other vehicles.
cDo not use more than one T-type
spare tire at the same time.
cDo not tow a trailer while the T-type
spare tire is installed.
CAUTION
cDo not use tire chains on a T-type
spare tire. Tire chains will not fit
properly on the T-type spare tire and
may cause damage to the vehicle.
cBecause the T-type spare tire is
smaller than the original tire, ground
clearance is reduced. To avoid dam-
age to the vehicle do not drive over
obstacles. Also do not drive the ve-
hicle through an automatic car wash
since it may get caught.
8-30Do-it-yourself
ZX