Page 197 of 260

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. Start the engine and let it idle until it
reaches operating temperature, then turn
it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
4. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
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 engine 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 can-
cer.
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
8-6Do-it-yourself
ZX
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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
through the oil filler opening then install
the oil filler cap securely. See the ``Tech-
nical 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. Place a large drain pan under the oil
filter.
4. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench. Then, remove the oil filter by
turning it by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
5. 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.
6. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
7. Screw the oil filter in until a slight resis-
tance is felt, then tighten additionally
more than 2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.
ADI0010
Do-it-yourself8-7
ZX
Page 199 of 260

WARNING
cWhen engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away
from any moving parts such as cool-
ing fan and drive belt.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
FOR CHECKING ATF
cCheck the fluid level using the HOT
range on the dipstick after the following
conditions have been met:
Ð The engine is warmed up to operating
temperature.
Ð The vehicle is driven at least 15 minutes.
Ð The automatic transmission fluid is
warmed to between 150ÉF and 170ÉF
(66ÉC and 77ÉC).
cThe fluid can be checked at fluid tem-peratures of 70ÉF to 95ÉF (21ÉC to 35ÉC)
using the COLD range on the dipstick
after the engine is warmed up and before
driving. However, the fluid should be
re-checked using the HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
2. Start the engine, then move the shift
selector lever through the range of gears,
ending in P (Park).
ADI0582ADI1024ADI0573
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID (ATF)
8-8Do-it-yourself
ZX
Page 200 of 260

3. Check the fluid level with the engine
idling.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean
with a lint-free cloth.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the charging
pipe as far as it goes.
6. Remove the dipstick and note the read-
ing. If the level is at the low side of either
range, add fluid through the charging
pipe.
CAUTION
DO NOT OVERFILL.
Use ONLY Nissan Matic `D' (Continen-
tal U.S. and Alaska) or Genuine Nissan
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Canada). Dexron
TMIII/MerconTMor
equivalent may also be used. Outside
the continental United States and
Alaska contact a Nissan dealership for
more information regarding suitable
fluids, including recommended
brand(s) of Dexron
TMIII/MerconTM.
NOTE:
If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic inhot weather, or if it is being used to pull
a trailer, the accurate fluid level cannot
be read. You should wait until the fluid
has cooled down (about 30 minutes).
Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
The fluid level should be checked by looking
at the MAX and MIN lines at fluid tempera-
tures of 32ÉF to 86ÉF (0ÉC to 30ÉC).
If the fluid is below the MIN line, add auto-
matic transmission fluid type F up to the
MAX line.CAUTION
cDo not overfill.
cThe recommended fluid is type F
automatic transmission fluid or
equivalent.
ADI0017
POWER STEERING FLUID
Do-it-yourself8-9
ZX
Page 201 of 260

Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN line or the brake
warning light comes on, addDOT 3fluid up
to the MAX line. If fluid must be added
frequently, the system should be thoroughly
checked by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
For further brake fluid specification informa-
tion, refer to the ``Technical and Consumer
Information'' section in this manual.
WARNING
Use only new fluid. Old, inferior, or
contaminated fluid may damage the
brake system. The use of improper flu-
ids can damage the brake system and
affect the vehicle's stopping ability.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If
fluid is spilled, wash with water.
Add fluid when the low washer fluid warning
light comes on. To check the fluid level, look
down the fill tube of the washer fluid reser-
voir in the engine compartment.
To add fluid, remove the reservoir cap and
refill the reservoir.
This reservoir serves both the front and rear
washer systems.
CAUTION
Do not substitute engine anti-freeze
coolant for window washer solution.
This may result in damage to the paint.
ADI0018ADI0019
BRAKE FLUID WINDOW WASHER FLUID
8-10Do-it-yourself
ZX
Page 203 of 260
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
Page 205 of 260
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
Page 206 of 260

CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if the wiper blade
chatters when running, wax or other mate-
rial may be on the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a
washer solution or a mild detergent. Your
windshield is clean if beads do not form
when rinsing with clear water.
Clean the blade by wiping it with a cloth
soaked in a washer solution or a mild deter-
gent. Then, rinse the blade with clear water.
If your windshield is still not clear aftercleaning the blades and using the wipers,
replace the blades.
REPLACEMENT
1. Lift the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield.
2. Push the tab, then move the wiper blade
down the wiper arm to remove.
3. Remove the wiper blade.
4. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper
arm until it clicks into place.CAUTION
cAfter wiper blade replacement, re-
turn the wiper arm to its original
position: Otherwise it may be dam-
aged when the engine hood is
opened.
cMake sure the wiper blade contacts
the glass, otherwise the arm may be
damaged from wind pressure.
ADI1022
WIPER BLADES
Do-it-yourself8-15
ZX