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
Technical and consumer information
10-17
ZX
Rear seat heater and air conditioner
controls ................................................. 4-13
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-4
Cornering light ........................................... 2-15
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-4
Cruise control............................................... 5-9
Cup holder ................................................. 2-19
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 2-13
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-13
Dimensions and weights............................ 10-8
Door ajar warning light ................................ 2-7
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Drive belts .................................................. 8-12
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-16
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-5
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-12Emission control information label........... 10-10
Emission control system warranty ........... 10-19
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-5
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-5
Changing engine oil................................ 8-6
Changing engine oil filter........................ 8-7
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-4
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-5
Engine compartment check locations .... 8-3
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-4
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-4
Engine oil ................................................ 8-5
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-4
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-6
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-5
Engine serial number ........................... 10-9
Starting the engine ................................. 5-8
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
F
Five passenger seating ............................. 1-66
Five passenger seating with cargo room .. 1-66
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-16
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Flexible seating ............................................ 1-8
Floor mat positioning ........................ 1-65, 1-68Floor mat positioning aid ........................... 1-68
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 8-8
Brake fluid ................................... 10-2, 8-10
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-4
Engine oil ................................................ 8-5
Power steering fluid ...................... 10-2, 8-9
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................... 10-10
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-12
Fuel filler lid and cap ............................ 3-16
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-16
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-5
Fuel octane rating................................. 10-3
Fuel recommendation ........................... 10-2
Fuses ......................................................... 8-18
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-4
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-5
Odometer ................................................ 2-4
Speedometer .......................................... 2-4
Tachometer............................................. 2-4
Trip odometer ......................................... 2-4
General maintenance .................................. 9-2
11-2
ZX
