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
10-18Technical and consumer information
ZX
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 immedi-
ately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination helps to stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance, do
not use overdrive.
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, change fluid in the
transmission more frequently. For addi-
tional information see the ``Mainte-
nance'' section earlier in this manual.Department of Transportation (DOT) Qual-
ity Grades: All passenger car tires must
conform to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test courses. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1-1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. However,
relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary signifi-
cantly, due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire's ability to stop on wet pave-ment as measured under controlled condi-
tions, on specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A, B and C
Temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. They represent a tire's resistance to
heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause tire material to degenerate, reducing
tire life. Excessive temperatures can lead to
sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds to
a performance level which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A
and B represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on laboratory test wheels than the
minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
Technical and consumer information10-19
ZX
Controls
Audio controls (rear) ............................. 4-33
Audio controls (steering wheel) ............ 4-32
Heater and air conditioner controls
(automatic) ............................................ 4-11
Heater and air conditioner controls
(manual).................................................. 4-3
Rear seat air conditioner ...................... 4-14
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 ........................................... 2-17
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-5
Cruise control............................................... 5-9
Cup holders ............................................... 2-21
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 2-15
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-14
Dimensions and weights............................ 10-9
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Door open warning light .............................. 2-7
Drive belts .................................................. 8-12
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-16Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-12
Emission control information label........... 10-11
Emission control system warranty ........... 10-20
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 ......................... 10-11
Starting the engine ................................. 5-5
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2F
Five passenger seating ............................. 1-28
Five passenger seating with cargo room .. 1-29
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-17
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Flexible seating .......................................... 1-12
Floor mat positioning ........................ 1-27, 1-30
Floor mat positioning aid ........................... 1-30
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ........ 8-8
Brake fluid ..................................... 10-2, 8-9
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 ................... 10-11
Front Seat Convenience Net ..................... 2-23
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-12
Fuel filler lid and cap ............................ 3-11
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-11
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-5
Fuel octane rating................................. 10-3
Fuel recommendation ........................... 10-2
Interia fuel shut-off switch .................... 6-11
Fuses ......................................................... 8-20
11-2
ZX
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-53
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-54
Seat belts.............................................. 1-39
Three-point type with retractor .... 1-42, 1-45
Two-point type without retractor ........... 1-51
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-7
Seat positions ............................................ 1-20
Seating arrangements ............................... 1-19
Seats
Five passenger seating ........................ 1-28
Five passenger seating with cargo
room...................................................... 1-29
Flexible seating..................................... 1-12
Integrated child safety seats ................ 1-72
Manual front seat adjustment ................. 1-3
Power support front seat ........................ 1-4
Seat positions ....................................... 1-20
Second row bench seat........................ 1-20
Second row bucket seats ..................... 1-24
Seven passenger seating ..................... 1-27
Sliding three-passenger seat.................. 1-7
Three-passenger bench seat in fully
forward position .................................... 1-29
Three-passenger bench seat in storage
position ................................................. 1-27
Seats/floor mats ......................................... 1-19
Self-adjusting brakes ................................. 8-19
Seven passenger seating .......................... 1-27
Shift lock release ......................................... 5-6
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 5-7
Sliding three-passenger seat ....................... 1-7Spark plug replacement............................. 8-12
Speedometer ............................................... 2-4
Spotlights (See map light) ......................... 2-32
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-36
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-5
Jump starting................................. 6-8, 8-11
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting......................................... 6-10
Starting the engine ................................. 5-5
Steering
Power steering fluid ...................... 10-2, 8-9
Tilting steering wheel............................ 3-12
Stop light .................................................... 8-24
Storage
Overhead storage compartment........... 2-20
Under seat storage tray........................ 1-11
Storage compartment for garage door
transmitter .................................................. 2-36
Sun shade.................................................. 2-30
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-30
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels ............ 1-36
Switch
Autolamp switch ................................... 2-15
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-28
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-17
Headlight control switch ....................... 2-14
Ignition switch ......................................... 5-4
Overdrive switch ..................................... 5-8
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-14Rear window wiper and washer
switches ................................................ 2-13
Turn signal switch................................. 2-16
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-12
T
Tabletop seats ........................................... 1-18
Tachometer .................................................. 2-4
Theft warning ............................................. 2-10
Three-passenger bench seat..................... 1-50
Three-passenger bench seat in fully
forward position ......................................... 1-29
Three-passenger bench seat in storage
position....................................................... 1-27
Three-way catalyst....................................... 5-2
Tilting steering wheel ................................. 3-12
Timing belt ................................................. 10-7
Tire
Flat tire.................................................... 6-2
Spare tire .............................................. 8-32
Tire chains ............................................ 8-30
Tire placard......................................... 10-12
Tire pressure ................................. 5-6, 8-28
Tire rotation .......................................... 8-30
Tool kit .................................................... 6-3
Types of tires ........................................ 8-29
Uniform tire quality grading ................ 10-19
Wheels and tires ......................... 10-9, 8-28
Wheel/tire size ...................................... 10-9
Towing
Tow truck towing .................................. 6-12
11-5
ZX