
TO SHIFT
TRANSFER CASE:SHIFT PROCEDURE FOR AUTO-LOCK FREE-RUNNING HUBS
From 2H to 4HMove the transfer lever to 4H at speeds below 25 MPH (40 km/h). It is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Perform
this operation when driving straight.
From 4H to 2HMove the transfer lever to 2H. This can be done at any speed, and it is not necessary to depress the clutch pedal. Perform
this operation when driving straight.
NOTE:
AUTO-LOCK hubs will not disengage until the vehicle is moved about 3 feet (1 m) in the opposite direction of
travel:
OWhen driving forward, stop and move the vehicle 3 feet (1 m) in reverse.
OWhen backing up, stop and move 3 feet (1 m) forward, then move the vehicle about 3 feet (1 m) in reverse.
Disengaging the AUTO LOCK hubs will allow for better fuel economy, quieter ride and less component wear.
From 4H to 4L or 4L to
4H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to the 4L or 4H position. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 2H to 4L1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 4L. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
From 4L to 2H1. Stop the vehicle.
2. Depress the clutch pedal, or place the selector lever in the N (Neutral) position.
3. Depress the transfer lever and move it to 2H. Change gears quickly and smoothly.
NOTE:
Follow the NOTE shown in shifting from 4H to 2H.
Starting and driving5-21
ZX

verse) position. When parking on an up-
hill grade, place the gearshift lever in the
1st position.
Automatic transmission models:
Move the gearshift lever to the P (Park)
position.
3. To help prevent the vehicle from rolling
into the street when parked on an incline,
it is a good practice to turn the wheels as
illustrated.
O
HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:s1
Turn the wheels into the curb and move
the vehicle forward until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
OHEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
s2
Turn the wheels away from the curb and
move the vehicle back until the curb side
wheel gently touches the curb.
OHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
s3
Turn the wheels toward the side of the
road so the vehicle will move away from
the center of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK posi-
tion and remove the key.The power assisted steering is designed to
use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine,
to assist steering.
If the engine stops or drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. How-
ever, much greater steering effort is needed,
especially in sharp turns and at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be much harder to operate.The brake system has two separate hydrau-
lic circuits. If one circuit develops a problem,
you will still have braking at two wheels.
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on
the brake pedal will be required to stop the
vehicle and stopping distance will be longer.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As a
result, your braking distance will be longer
and the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal
to heat the brakes. Do this until the brakes
return to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at
high speeds until the brakes function cor-
rectly.
POWER STEERING SYSTEM BRAKE SYSTEM
5-24Starting and driving
ZX

Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This will overheat the brakes,
wear out the brake linings and pads faster,
and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear, and to prevent
the brakes from overheating, reduce speed
and downshift to a lower gear before going
down a slope or long grade.
WARNING
OWhile driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or accelerating could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.
OIf the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
Normal Operation
The anti-lock brake system does not oper-
ate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10
km/h). (The speeds vary according to road
conditions.)
When driving, the anti-lock brake system
controls the wheels so they will not lock
when braking abruptly or when braking on a
slippery road. Thus, difficult steering and
swerving of the vehicle due to locked
wheels is minimized. The system detects
the wheel rotation rate and electronically
controls the pressure applied to each brake.
Slight vibration on the brake pedal accom-
panied by noise usually occurs while the
ABS system is operating. Such vibration
and noise encountered during abrupt brak-
ing is not a problem, but indicates that the
system is functioning.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of elec-
tronic sensors and hydraulic solenoids con-
trolled by a computer. The computer has a
built-in diagnostic feature that tests the sys-
tem each time you start the engine and
move the vehicle at a low speed in forward
or reverse. When the self-test occurs, youmay hear a ``clunk'' noise and/or feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal. This is normal
and is not an indication of any malfunction. If
the computer senses any malfunction, it
switches the anti-lock brake system off and
turns on the ABS brake warning light in the
dashboard. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function will cease but the ordinary
brakes will continue to operate normally. The
ABS brake warning light will then come on.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an authorized NISSAN dealer for
repair.
Using the System
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS)
Starting and driving5-25
ZX

WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a sophisti-
cated device, but it cannot prevent acci-
dents resulting from careless or danger-
ous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control under braking on
slippery surfaces, but remember that the
stopping distance on slippery surfaces
will be longer than on normal surfaces
even with the anti-lock brake system.
Stopping distances may also be longer
on rough, gravel, or snow covered roads,
or if you are using tire chains. Always
maintain a safe distance from the vehicle
in front of you. Ultimately, the responsi-
bility for safety of self and others rests in
the hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
OWhen replacing tires, install the speci-
fied tire size on all four wheels.
OWhen installing a spare tire, make sure
it is the proper size and type as speci-
fied on the tire placard. For tire placard
location information refer to ``Tire plac-
ard'' in the ``Technical and consumer
information'' section of this manual.
Freeing a frozen door lock
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it in the key hole.
Anti-freeze
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base) to
assure proper winter protection. For details,
see ``Engine cooling system'' in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
Battery
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Do-it-yourself''
section of this manual.
Draining of coolant water
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system by open-
ing the drain valves located under the radiator
and on the engine block. Refill before operat-ing the vehicle. For details, see ``Changing
engine coolant'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section
of this manual.
Tire equipment
1. SUMMER tires have a tread designed to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced
in snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-
ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,
NISSAN recommends the use on all four
wheels of MUD & SNOW or ALL SEA-
SON tires. Please consult your NISSAN
dealer for the tire type, size, speed rating
and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, some
U.S. states and Canadian provinces pro-
hibit their use. Check local, state and pro-
vincial laws before installing studded tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.
3. Tire chains may be used. Use of tire
chains may be prohibited according to
location. Check the local laws before
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
5-26Starting and driving
ZX

installing tire chains. When installing tire
chains, make sure they are of proper size
for the tires on your vehicle and are
installed according to the chain manufac-
turer's suggestions.Use only SAE
Class ``S'' chains.Other types may
damage your vehicle. Use chain tension-
ers when recommended by the tire chain
manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose
end links of the tire chain must be se-
cured or removed to prevent the possi-
bility of whipping action damage to the
fenders or undercarriage. If possible,
avoid fully loading your vehicle when
using tire chains. In addition, drive at a
reduced speed, otherwise, your vehicle
may be damaged and/or vehicle handling
and performance may be adversely af-
fected. Never install tire chains on a
TEMPORARY USE ONLY spare tire. Do
not use tire chains on dry roads.
Special winter equipment
It is recommended that the following items
be carried in the vehicle during winter:
1. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-
move ice and snow from the windows
and wiper blades.2. A sturdy, flat board to be placed under
the jack to give it firm support.
3. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-
drifts.
4. Extra window washer fluid to refill the
reservoir tank.
Driving on snow or ice
WARNING
OWet ice (32ÉF, 0ÉC and freezing rain),
very cold snow, or ice can be slick
and very hard to drive on. The ve-
hicle will have much less traction or
``grip'' under these conditions. Try to
avoid driving on wet ice until the
road is salted or sanded.
OWhatever the condition, drive with
caution. Accelerate and slow down
with care. If accelerating or down-
shifting too fast, the drive wheels
will lose even more traction.
O
Allow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
OAllow greater following distances on
slippery roads.OWatch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch
of ice is seen ahead, brake before
reaching it. Try not to brake while on
the ice, and avoid any sudden steer-
ing maneuvers.
ODo not use the cruise control on
slippery roads.
OSnow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep
snow clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around your vehicle.
Engine block heater (if so equipped)
An engine block heater to assist extreme
cold temperature starting is available
through an authorized NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Do not use your heater with an un-
grounded electrical system or two-
pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be
injured by an electrical shock if you use
an ungrounded connection.
Starting and driving
5-27
ZX

5. Raise the hood to warn other traffic and
to signal professional road assistance
personnel that you require assistance.
6. Have all passengers get out of the ve-
hicle and stand in a safe place away from
traffic and clear of the vehicle.
WARNING
OMake sure the parking brake is se-
curely applied and the manual trans-
mission is shifted into R (Reverse),
or the automatic transmission into P
(Park).
ONever change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is hazardous.
ONever change tires if oncoming traf-
fic is close to your vehicle. Wait for
professional road assistance.
Blocking wheels
Place suitable blocks at both the front and
back of the wheel diagonally opposite the
flat tire to prevent the vehicle from rolling
when it is jacked up.
WARNING
Be sure to block the wheel as the ve-
hicle may move and result in personal
injury.
Getting the spare tire and tools
1. Open the back door.
2. Roll back the cargo area carpet.
3.
Remove the wheel nut wrench and jack rod.
4. Unscrew the tool tray hold down and
remove the tool tray.
5. Use the tool tray to store lug nuts during
a tire change.
WARNING
Never use the tool tray as a jacking
surface.
MCE0001ACE1051
In case of emergency6-3
ZX

6. Unscrew the jack hold down and re-
move the jack.7. Find the oval shaped opening above the
middle of the license plate. Pass the
T-shaped end of the jack rod through
the opening and direct it towards the
spare tire winch, located directly above
the spare tire.
CAUTION
Do not insert the jack rod straight as it
is designed to be inserted at an angle
as shown.8. Fit the square end of the jack rod into
the square hole of the wheel nut wrench
to form a handle.
9. Seat the T-shaped end of the jack rod
into the T-shaped opening of the tire
winch, and turn the jack rod counter
clockwise to lower the spare tire.
10. Once the spare tire is completely low-
ered, reach under the vehicle, remove
the retainer chain, and carefully slide
the tire from under the rear of the ve-
hicle.
ACE1033ACE1034ACE1035
6-4In case of emergency
ZX

ONever jack up the vehicle more than
necessary.
ONever use blocks on or under the
jack.
ONever use the tool tray as a jacking
surface.
ODo not allow passengers to stay in
the vehicle while it is on the jack.
ODo not start or run engine while
vehicle is on the jack. It may cause
the vehicle to move. This is espe-
cially true for vehicles with limited
slip differential carriers.
WARNING
OIncorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.
ODo not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the
nuts to become loose.
Installing the spare tire
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on and tighten
the wheel nuts finger tight.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten the
wheel nuts alternately and evenly until
they are tight.
4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-
curely in the sequence as illustrated.
Lower the vehicle completely.
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel
nuts to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
87 to 108 ft-lb (118 to 147 Nzm)
The wheel nuts must be kept tightened to
specification at all times. It is recom-
mended that wheel nuts be tightened to
specification at each lubrication interval.
Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pres-
sure.
CE0116
In case of emergency6-7
ZX