
3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key .........................................................................3-2
Door locks ..............................................................3-2
Power door locks (if so equipped) .........................3-3
Child safety rear door lock ................................... 3-4
Multi-remote control system (if so equipped).........3-4
Battery replacement ...............................................3-7
Hood release ..........................................................3-8
Glove box ...............................................................3-9
Roof rack (if so equipped)......................................3-9
Step rail (if so equipped) ...................................... 3-11Fuel filler cap ........................................................ 3-11
Tailgate latch ........................................................3-13
Tie down hooks ....................................................3-14
Tilting steering wheel (if so equipped) .................3-15
Outside mirror remote control (if so equipped) ....3-15
Outside mirrors .....................................................3-16
Inside mirror .........................................................3-16
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)...............................3-17
ZX

Tilt operation
Pull the lock lever down and adjust the
steering wheel up or down to the desired
position.
Push the lock lever up firmly to lock the
steering wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.Push the right or left side of the switch to
adjust the right or left side mirror, then
control the lever.
The ignition switch must be in the ON or
ACC position for the power mirrors to oper-
ate.
WARNING
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear. Be careful when moving to the
right. Using only this mirror could cause
an accident. Use the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder to properly
judge distances to other objects.
PD1238MAPD1039
TILTING STEERING WHEEL
(if so equipped)OUTSIDE MIRROR REMOTE
CONTROL (if so equipped)
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-15
ZX

Folding outside mirror
Push the mirror backward to fold it.The night position reduces glare from the
headlights of vehicles behind the vehicle.WARNING
Use the night position only when nec-
essary because it reduces rear view
clarity.
APD1090APD1096AIC0703
OUTSIDE MIRRORS INSIDE MIRROR
3-16Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ZX

A vanity mirror is located on the rear side of
the passenger sunvisor.
APD1097AIC0710
VANITY MIRROR
(if so equipped)
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-17
ZX

START (4)
This position starts the engine. As soon as
the engine has started, release the key. It
automatically returns to the ON position.IMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
ICheck fluid levels such as engine oil,
coolant, brake and clutch fluid, and win-
dow washer fluid as frequently as pos-
sible, at least whenever you refuel.
ICheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
IVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
ILock all doors.
IPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
IAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
IFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
ICheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
See²Warning/Indicator lights and
chimes²in the²Instruments and con-
trols²section.WARNING
IDo not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N
(Neutral) to R (Reverse), D (Drive), 2
or 1. Always depress the brake pedal
until shifting is completed. Failure to
do so could cause you to lose con-
trol and have an accident.
ICold engine idle speed is high, so
use caution when shifting into a for-
ward or reverse gear before the en-
gine has warmed up.
INever shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This
could cause an accident.
CAUTION
IWhen stopping the vehicle on an
uphill grade, do not hold the vehicle
by depressing the accelerator pedal.
The foot brake should be used for
this purpose.
IOn slippery roads, do not downshift.
This may cause a loss of control.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINEDRIVING WITH AUTOMATIC
TRANSMISSION (if so
equipped)
5-8Starting and driving
ZX

tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes of either con-
dition.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
IBe certain your outside mirrors conform
to all federal, state or local regulations. If
not, install any mirrors required for tow-
ing 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 will be
somewhat different than under normal driv-
ing conditions.
IAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
I
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or
stops.
IAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
IAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
IAlways block the wheels on both vehicleand trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, and if your vehicle is
equipped with automatic transmission,
first block the wheels and apply the
parking brake, and then move the trans-
mission shift selector lever into the P
(Park) position. If you move the shift
lever to the P (Park) position before
blocking the wheels and applying the
parking brake, transmission damage
could occur.
IWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, down-
shift the transmission to a lower gear
and reduce speed to reduce chances of
engine overloading and/or overheating.
However, for long steep grades, do not
stay in 1st or 2nd gear when driving
above 35 MPH (56 km/h).
IIf the engine coolant rises to an ex-
tremely high temperature when the air
conditioning system is on, turn off the air
conditioner. Coolant heat can be addi-
tionally vented by opening the windows,
switching the fan control to high and
setting the temperature control to the
HOT position.ITrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
IAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle's
first 500 miles (805 km).
IHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
IWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compen-
sate for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.
ICrosswinds and rough roads adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being
passed by larger vehicles, be prepared
for possible changes in crosswinds that
could affect vehicle handling. If swaying
does occur, firmly grip the steering
wheel, steer straight ahead, and imme-
diately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination helps to stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
IBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
Technical and consumer information
10-25
ZX

Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Heater operation ..................................... 4-4
Hood release ............................................... 3-8
Hubs
Auto-lock free-running hubs ................. 5-22
Manual-lock free-running hubs ............. 5-24
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-6
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 2-8
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-16
Instrument brightness control .................... 2-18
Interior light and cargo light ....................... 2-22
J
Jack
Pantograph type ..................................... 6-5
Jump seat .................................................... 1-9
Jump starting ............................................... 6-8
K
Key ............................................................... 3-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote control
system) ........................................................ 3-4L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-14
Emission control information label...... 10-14
Engine serial number ......................... 10-13
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ............... 10-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................... 10-12
Warning labels (for SRS)...................... 1-18
Light
Air bag warning light............................. 1-18
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-30
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-8
Bulb replacement.................................. 8-30
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-16
Headlights ............................................. 8-29
Interior light and cargo light .................. 2-22
Light bulbs ............................................ 8-29
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light ..................................... 1-15
Spotlights (See map light) .................... 2-23
Warning/indicator lights and chimes....... 2-8
Lock
Door locks............................................... 3-2
Power door locks .................................... 3-3
Luggage (See vehicle loading
information) .............................................. 10-15
Luggage rack (See roof rack)...................... 3-9M
Maintenance
General maintenance ............................. 9-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 9-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Outside the vehicle ................................. 9-2
Periodic maintenance schedules ............ 9-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-29
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator lamp ......................... 2-12
Manual windows ........................................ 2-23
Manual-lock free-running hubs .................. 5-24
Map light .................................................... 2-23
Meters and gauges ...................................... 2-2
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 3-16
Outside mirror control ........................... 3-15
Outside mirrors ..................................... 3-16
Vanity mirror.......................................... 3-17
Multi-remote control system ........................ 3-4
Multi-remote controller battery
replacement ............................................... 8-27
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ...... 10-5
Odometer ..................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
11-3
ZX

Changing engine oil.............................. 8-10
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-9
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-6
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-7
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-15
Outside mirrors .......................................... 3-16
Overdrive switch ........................................ 5-13
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-10
Owner's manual order form ..................... 10-29
P
Pantograph type jack ................................... 6-5
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-23
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-16
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-27
Passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light .......................................... 1-15
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 9-5
Power
Power door locks .................................... 3-3
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-14
Power steering system ......................... 5-28
Power windows..................................... 2-24
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
On-pavement and off-road drivingprecautions ............................................. 5-3
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-20
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting ................................................ 6-9
R
Radio
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10
FM-AM radio with compact disc
player ................................................... 4-15
AM-FM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player.............................. 4-21
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ........................................................... 10-28
Rear sliding window................................... 2-25
Registering your vehicle in another
country ..................................................... 10-12
Remote keyless entry system (See
multi-remote control system) ....................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............... 10-27
Roof rack ..................................................... 3-9
S
Safety
Reporting safety defects (USA) .......... 10-27
Seat
Jump seat ............................................... 1-9
Seat belt
2-point type without retractor................ 1-26
3-point type with retractor..................... 1-24Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-20
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-29
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-30
Seat belts.............................................. 1-20
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-9
Seats
Adjustment .............................................. 1-2
Bench seat.............................................. 1-7
Separate seats ....................................... 1-2
Service manual order form ...................... 10-29
Shifting
Automatic transmission ................. 5-9, 5-11
Manual transmission............................. 5-15
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-19
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
Spotlights (See map light) ......................... 2-23
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-18
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-8
Jump starting .......................................... 6-8
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting........................................... 6-9
Starting the engine ............................... 5-16
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-14
Power steering system ......................... 5-28
Tilting steering wheel ............................ 3-15
Step rail (if so equipped) ........................... 3-11
Stop light .................................................... 8-30
Sun shade.................................................. 2-26
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-26
11-4
ZX