Foreword
Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the latest
techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles of
driving pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information and Maintenance Log Booklet explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle and
vehicle maintenance schedules. Additionally, a separate Customer Care/Lemon Law Booklet will explain how to resolve any
concerns you may have with your vehicle, as well as clarify your rights under your state's lemon law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, they will be glad to assist you with
the extensive resources available to them.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to help ensure a safe and
complete trip for you and your passengers:
cNEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
cALWAYS observe posted speed limits and never drive too
fast for conditions.
cALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate child restraint
systems. Pre-teen children should be seated in the rear seat.cALWAYS provide information about the proper use of
vehicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle.
cALWAYS review this Owner's Manual for important safety
information.
1997 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
TORRANCE, CALIFORNIA
All rights reserved. No part of this Owner's Manual may be reproduced
or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior written permission of Nissan North America, Inc.
NOTES ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN
THIS OWNER'S MANUAL
This Owner's Manual contains descriptions and operating in-
structions for all systems, features and optional equipment that
might appear in any model of this vehicle built for any destina-
tion in North America, including the continental United States,
Canada and Hawaii. Therefore, you may find information in this
manual that does not apply to your vehicle.
MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
This vehicle should not be modified. Modification could
affect its performance, safety or durability, and may even
violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or
performance problems resulting from modifications may
not be covered under NISSAN warranties.
All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are those
in effect at the time of printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change
specifications or design without notice and without obligation.
The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.
Replace the two batteries as follows:
1. Remove the screw and open the lid.
2. Replace the batteries with new ones.
Insert the batteries as illustrated above.
Recommended batteries: Sanyo CR2016
or equivalent.
3. Close the lid securely and install the
screw.
4. Press the
button, then thebutton
two or three times to check the multi-
remote controller operation.If the batteries are removed for any rea-
son other than replacement, perform
step 4.
c
An improperly disposed battery can
hurt the environment. Always conform
to local regulations for battery disposal.
cThe multi-remote controller is water-
resistant; however, if it does get wet,
immediately wipe completely dry.
cThe operational range of the multi-
remote controller extends to approxi-
mately 49 ft (15 m) from the vehicle.
This range may vary with conditions.
FCC Notice:
Changes or modifications not expressly
approved by the manufacturer for com-
pliance could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
This device complies with part 15 of the
FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry
Canada.
Operation is subject to the following two
conditions: (1) This device may not
cause harmful interference, and (2) this
device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
APD1031
BATTERY REPLACEMENT
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-9
ZX
AUTOMATIC OPERATION
Push the AUTOMATIC button and select the
desired temperature. The selected tempera-
ture and AUTO show in the display window.
The EATC heats or cools to achieve the set
temperature.
When in AUTOMATIC and weather conditions
require heat, air is sent to the floor. However,
a feature is included in the EATC to prevent
blowing cold air to the floor if the engine
coolant is not warm enough to allow heating.
In three or four minutes the fan speed gradu-
ally increases and airflow changes to the floor.
If unique conditions exist, such as window
fogging, the five override buttons allow spe-
cific airflow selection. The thumbwheel al-
lows you to adjust the fan speed to suit your
needs.
Temperature selection
TheTEMPbutton on the left side of
the control panel is for temperature selec-
tion. The
side lowers the set tempera-
ture, and theside raises the set tem-
perature. Press and hold either side of the
button to rapidly change the temperature
setting in one degree increments to either
65ÉF (18ÉC) or 85ÉF (29ÉC). If you wantcontinuous maximum cooling, push the
side of the TEMP button until 60ÉF
(16ÉC) shows in the display window. The
EATC cools at maximum and disregards the
60ÉF (16ÉC) setting until a warmer tempera-
ture is selected. If you want continuous
maximum heating, push the
side of the
TEMP button until 90ÉF (32ÉC) shows in the
display window. The EATC provides maxi-
mum heat regardless of the 90ÉF (32ÉC)
setting until a cooler temperature is se-
lected.
Fan speed and thumbwheel
Your EATC automatically adjusts the fan
speed to the existing conditions. To control
the fan speed yourself, use the thumbwheel
located at the extreme right side of the
EATC control panel. Using the thumbwheel
cancels the automatic fan speed control,
and causes a
to appear in the display
window. Rotate the thumbwheel up for HI
speeds and down for LO speeds.
To return to auto fan control, press the
AUTOMATIC button.
AIR CONTROL BUTTONS
Your EATC has five buttons which allow you
to make special selections. The buttons aregrouped in the middle of the EATC panel
and allow you to determine airflow location.
Pressing any of the air control buttons
changes airflow location only, and does not
affect the ability of the system to control
temperature or fan speed. Return to fully
automatic operation by pushing the AUTO-
MATIC button.
Push this button for airflow to the floor and
windshield at the same time. The
in-
dicator light comes on, and the display
window shows the set temperature.
Press this button to obtain maximum airflow
to the windshield. Adjust the temperature
setting as required for defrosting. The
indicator light comes on, and the
display window shows the set temperature.
When the outside temperature is about
50ÉF (10ÉC) or above, the air is dehumidi-
fied to prevent window fogging.
Push this button to select airflow through
the instrument panel registers. The
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-11
ZX
SEEK tuning
This feature on your radio allows you to
automatically select strong frequency sta-
tions up or down the frequency band. Press
SEEK
to select the next strong sta-
tion up the frequency band. Press SEEK
to select the next strong station down
the frequency band. To change frequencies
quickly, press and hold either side of the
SEEK button.
SCAN tuning
Push SCAN to enter the scan tuning mode.
The radio searches up the frequency band,
stopping and playing each strong frequency
station for five seconds. This continues until
the SCAN button is pushed a second time
or a different tuning function is selected.
The AM or FM1 or FM2 symbol in the
display window flashes while each station is
being played.
AM/FM
Press the AM/FM button to select the de-
sired band: AM, FM1, or FM2. The stereo
indicator shows in the display window dur-
ing FM stereo reception. When the stereo
broadcast signal is weak, the radio auto-matically changes from stereo to monaural
reception.
Station memory operations
Your radio comes equipped with six
memory buttons, which are used to preset
up to six AM stations and 12 FM stations.
NOTE: If the vehicle's battery is discon-
nected, the memory buttons need to be
reset.
To set the memory buttons:
1. Select the desired band (AM, FM1, or
FM2) by pressing the AM/FM button.
2. Tune to the desired frequency.
3. Press one of the memory buttons and
hold the button in. The sound mutes out
for about two seconds, then returns. That
station is now held in memory on that
button.
Repeat the three steps above for each
memory button you want to set.
The memory buttons also control the rear
audio controls. Push memory buttons three
and five simultaneously to turn the rear
audio controls on. Push them again to turn
the rear audio controls off. A headphonesymbol appears in the display window when
the rear controls are activated.
ADJUSTING TONE QUALITY
BASS
Bass control allows you to adjust the lower,
bass frequencies to your preference.
Push the BASS button either
or; BASS and the setting indicator bar
appear in the display window. Pressing the
BASS button either
orin-
creases or decreases the level of bass, as
indicated by the number of bar segments
showing in the display window.
Following bass adjustment, the display win-
dow shows the current setting for three
seconds, then returns to the display prior to
adjustment.
TREB
Treble control allows you to adjust the
higher, treble frequencies to your prefer-
ence.
Push the TREB button either
or; TREB and the setting indicator bar
appear in the display window. Pressing the
TREB button either
orin-
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-17
ZX
COMPACT DISC (CD) PLAYER
(if so equipped)
NOTE: Audio control features include com-
mand buttons for CD players which can be
installed as optional equipment to upgrade
the audio system. A CD player is not in-
cluded with this system, but can be pur-
chased as an option at any time. Consult
with an authorized NISSAN dealer for fea-
ture availability.
The compact disc player consists of two
main components; the 6 CD magazine and
the CD changer. Both components are lo-cated on the center instrument panel con-
sole, below the ashtray.How to load the CD magazine
To load the magazine with CDs, first push
the
button on the CD changer to eject
the magazine, then remove the magazine
from the changer. The inside of the CD
magazine contains six shelves, one for
each CD to be loaded. Carefully slide a CD
(label side up) onto one of the shelves and
push it in. Repeat as desired, loading up to
six CDs.
CD magazine insert
Once the desired number of CDs are loaded
into the magazine, insert the magazine back
into the CD changer.
With the ignition switch OFF, the CD maga-
zine loads into the CD changer. Once the
ignition switch is turned to ACC or ON, the
audio system returns to its previous mode.
With the ignition switch in the ACC or ON
position, the CD magazine loads into the
CD changer and begins play with disc one,
track one.
CD
Push this button to switch from radio or tape
mode to CD mode. CD play begins auto-
matically if at least one disc is loaded in the
magazine. The display window shows the
CD number for three seconds, then the track
number for three seconds, then displays
both together for the remainder of the track.
Push this button when a CD is already
playing to stop the CD.
If the CD button is pushed while in the radio
or tape mode, and there are no CDs loaded
in the magazine, the display window flashes
a NO DISC message for 4 seconds.
AHA0597
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-21
ZX
SEEK
PushSEEK to select the previous
track number, or push SEEK
to se-
lect the next track number. After the last
track on a disc, pushing SEEK
se-
lects the first track of the same disc.
TUNE DISCS
PushTUNE DISCS to select the pre-
vious CD in the magazine. Push TUNE
DISCS
to select the next CD in the
magazine.
SCAN
Push this button to audition the first 10
seconds of each track on a disc. At the end
of the disc, the SCAN function continues
with the first track on the same disc. The
display window flashes the track number
being auditioned during the SCAN function.
REW
Press this button to reverse the CD mecha-
nism and move back to a previous point on
the disc. If held for less than three seconds,
this button causes the CD to reverse at
three times the normal play speed. If held
for more than three seconds, the CD re-verses at 10 times the normal play speed.
The mechanism reverses to the beginning
of track 1 and begins play if the button is
held continuously. The volume decreases
and the display window shows the elapsed
time during the entire fast reverse period.
FF
Press this button to advance the CD mecha-
nism and move ahead on the disc. If held for
less than three seconds, this button causes
the CD to advance at three times the normal
play speed. If held for more than three
seconds, the CD advances at 10 times the
normal play speed.
The volume decreases and the display win-
dow shows the elapsed time during the
entire fast forward period.
COMP
Press this button to activate the compres-
sion function. This function reduces the
dynamic range of the CD program material,
which provides the listener with a more
consistent level of volume. The display win-
dow shows a C when the compression
function is activated.
SHUFFLE
Press this button to randomly select the play
order of the tracks on a CD. When all tracks
of one CD have been played, the system
changes to the next CD in the magazine
and proceeds to play the tracks in a ran-
domly selected order. The shuffle feature
remains in effect until turned off by pressing
the SHUFFLE button again.
When the shuffle function is activated, the
display window shows the letters SHF for two
seconds, then shows the disc number and
track selected for the remainder of that selec-
tion. When a new track is selected, the letters
SHF reappear for two seconds, followed by
the new disc and track number, and so on, as
long as the shuffle function is active.
4-22Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX
WARNING
Do not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
They could accidently injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a closed
vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly
fatal injuries to people or animals.
EXHAUST GAS
(Carbon Monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they
contain colorless and odorless carbon
monoxide. Carbon monoxide is dan-
gerous. It can cause unconsciousness
or death.
cIf you suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering the vehicle, drive with
all windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
cDo not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage for any
longer than is absolutely necessary.c
Do not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.
cKeep the rear door and flip-up rear
window closed while driving, other-
wise exhaust gases could be drawn
into the passenger compartment. If
you must drive in this manner for
some reason, take the following
steps.
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the air recirculate switch to off
and the fan control dial at four
(high) to circulate the air.
cIf electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass to a trailer
through a seal on the body, follow
the manufacturer's recommendation
to prevent carbon monoxide entry
into the vehicle.
cThe exhaust system and body
should be inspected by a qualified
mechanic whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust system.
d.
You have had an accident involv-
ing damage to the exhaust system,
underbody, or rear of the vehicle.
THREE WAY CATALYST
The three way catalyst is an emission con-
trol device installed in the exhaust system.
Exhaust gases in the three way catalyst are
burned at high temperatures to help reduce
pollutants.
WARNING
cThe exhaust gas and the exhaust
system are very hot. Keep people or
flammable materials away from the
exhaust pipe.
cDo not stop or park the vehicle over
flammable materials such as dry
grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN
STARTING AND DRIVING
5-2Starting and driving
ZX
once. The O/D OFF indicator light
illuminates at this time. When cruis-
ing at a low speed or climbing a
gentle slope, you may feel uncom-
fortable shift shocks as the transmis-
sion shifts between 3rd gear and
overdrive repeatedly. In this case,
press the overdrive switch.
When driving conditions change, press the
overdrive switch to turn the overdrive on.
The O/D OFF indicator light goes out.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the O/D OFF
light illuminated. This reduces the fuel
economy.1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) (P is recommended).
The shift selector lever cannot be
moved out of P and into any of the
other gear positions under the follow-
ing conditions:
cThe ignition key is turned to the
OFF position.
cThe ignition key is turned to the ON
position without depressing the
foot brake pedal.
The starter will not operate if the shift
selector lever is in one of the driving
positions.
3. Crank the enginewith your foot off the
accelerator pedalby turning the ignition
key to START. Release the key when the
engine starts. If the engine starts, but
fails to run, repeat the above procedure.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, de-
press the accelerator pedal and hold it
to help start the engine.Ð In the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal slightly depressed while start-
ing.
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter for more than
15 seconds at a time. If the engine does
not start, turn the key off and wait 10
seconds before cranking again, other-
wise the starter could be damaged.
4. Warm-up
Allow the engine to idle for at least 30
seconds after starting. Drive at moderate
speeds for a short distance first, espe-
cially in cold weather.
STARTING THE ENGINE
5-8Starting and driving
ZX