from a station transmitter, the signals will tend
to fade and/or drift.
Static and flutter: During signal interference
from buildings, large hills or due to antenna
position, usually in conjunction with increased
distance from the station transmitter, static or
flutter can be heard. This can be reduced by
adjusting the treble control counterclockwise
to reduce treble response.
Multipath reception: Because of the reflective
characteristics of FM signals, direct and re-
flected signals reach the receiver at the same
time. The signals may cancel each other,
resulting in momentary flutter or loss of sound.AM RADIO RECEPTIONAM signals, because of their low frequency,
can bend around objects and skip along the
ground. In addition, the signals can be
bounced off the ionosphere and bent back to
earth. Because of these characteristics. AM
signals are also subject to interference as they
travel from transmitter to receiver.
Fading: Occurs while the vehicle is passing
through freeway underpasses or in areas with
many tall buildings. It can also occur for sev-
eral seconds during ionospheric turbulence
even in areas where no obstacles exist.
Static: Caused by thunderstorms, electricalpower lines, electric signs and even traffic
lights.
AUDIO OPERATION
PRECAUTIONS
Cassette playerITo maintain good quality sound,
NISSAN recommends using cassette
tapes of 60 minutes or shorter in length.
ICassette tapes should be removed from
the player when not in use. Store cas-
settes in their protective cases and away
from direct sunlight, heat, dust, mois-
ture and magnetic sources.
IDirect sunlight can cause the cassette to
become deformed. The use of deformed
cassettes may cause the cassette to jam
in the player.
IDo not use cassettes with labels which
are peeling and loose. If used, the label
could jam in the player.
IIf a cassette has loose tape, insert a
pencil through one of the cassette hubs
and rewind the tape firmly around the
hubs. Loose tape may cause tape jam-
ming and wavering sound quality.
IOver a period of time, the playbackhead, capstan and pinch roller may col-
lect a tape coating residue as the tape is
played. This residue accumulation can
cause weak or wavering sound, and
should be removed periodically with a
head cleaning tape. If the residue is not
removed periodically, the player may
need to be disassembled for cleaning.
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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IMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
IMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, e.g., each time you
check engine oil.
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.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.Automatic transmission:
Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral). (P preferred.)
The selector lever cannot be moved out of
P (Park) position and into any of the other
gear positions if the key is removed from
the switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if the
selector lever is in one of the driving posi-
tions.
Manual transmission:
Move the shift lever to N (Neutral) position,
and depress the clutch pedal to the floor
while cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate un-
less the clutch pedal is fully depressed.
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.
IIf 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.IIn the summer, when restarting the
engine within 30 minutes after it has
been stopped, keep the accelerator
pedal fully depressed while starting.
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
speed for a short distance first, especially in
cold weather.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving
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Shift lock releaseIf the battery charge is low, the select lever
may not move from the P position even with
the brake pedal depressed and the select lever
button pushed.To move the select lever, push the shift lock
release button and select lever button. The
select lever can be moved to N (Neutral).
To push the shift lock release button using a
screwdriver or other tool, follow the procedure
as illustrated.
If the lever cannot be moved out of P (Park)
have your NISSAN dealer check the automatic
transmission system as soon as possible.
WARNING
If the selector lever cannot be moved
from the P position while the engine is
running and the brake pedal is de-
pressed, the stop lights may not work.
Malfunctioning stop lights could cause
an accident injuring yourself and others.Accelerator downshift
Ð In D position ÐFor rapid passing or hill climbing, fully depress
the accelerator pedal to the floor. This shifts
the transmission down into second gear or first
gear, depending on the vehicle speed.
Overdrive switchEach time your vehicle is started, the transmis-
sion is automatically reset to overdrive ON.
ON: For normal driving the overdrive switch
is engaged. The transmission is up-
shifted into overdrive as the vehicle
speed increases.
The overdrive does not engage until the
engine has warmed up.
OFF: Changed for driving up and down long
slopes where engine braking would be
advantageous, push the overdrive
switch. The O/D OFF light illuminates.
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engine damage.PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROLIIf the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator
light on the meter panel then blinks to warn
the driver.
IIf the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by your NISSAN dealer.
IThe SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned on
while pushing the RES/ACCEL, COAST/
SET, or CANCEL switch (located on the
steering wheel). To properly set the cruise
control system, perform the preceding
steps in the order indicated.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONSThe cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 25 to 89 MPH (40 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the main
switch on. The CRUISE indicator light on the
meter panel will come on.
To set at cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. (The SET
indicator light will come on.) Take your foot off
the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle will main-
tain the set speed.ITo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle will return to the previ-
ously set speed.
IThe vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,follow either of
these three methods:
a) Push the cancel switch; The SET indicator
light will go out.
b) Tap the brake pedal; The SET indicator
light will go out.
c) Turn the main switch off. Both the CRUISE
indicator and SET indicator lights will go
out.
IIf you depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the RES/ACCEL set switch and reset at
the cruising speed, turn the main switch off
once and then turn it on again.
IThe cruise control will automatically be can-
celled if the vehicle slows down below
approximately 8 MPH (13 km/h).
IDepress the clutch pedal (manual transmis-
sion), or move the selector lever to N (Neu-
tral) position (automatic transmission). The
SET indicator light will go out.
SSD0193
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cidents resulting from careless or dan-
gerous driving techniques. It can help
maintain vehicle control during braking
on slippery surfaces, but remember that
the stopping distance on slippery sur-
faces will be longer than on normal
surfaces, even with the anti-lock sys-
tem. 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 responsibility for safety of self and
others rests in the hands of the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may also
affect braking effectiveness.
IWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
IWhen installing a spare tire, make
sure it is the proper size and type as
specified on the tire placard. See ªVe-
hicle identificationº in the ª10. Tech-
nical and consumer informationº sec-
tion for tire placard location.On slippery surfaces such as wet asphalt
roads, vehicle wheels may spin when the
vehicle is accelerated. This wheel spin re-
duces acceleration, or causes the vehicle to
swerve, thus decreasing vehicle stability.
The traction control system helps limit wheel
spin on slippery roads. The system operates
only if it senses one or both of the front wheels
spinning or beginning to lose traction. When
this happens, the system reduces engine
power and may also upshift the transmission
to help limit wheel spin.
IIndicator light
If a malfunction occurs in the traction con-
trol system, the SLIP and
indicator
lights come on in the meter panel.
As long as these warning lights are on, the
traction control function is canceled. The
vehicle will behaves like a model without
the traction control system.
CAUTION
IThe traction control system is most
effective when the transmission gear
selector is in the D position.
IIf you drive in gear 1 or 2 with the TCSon, this could cause the three way
catalyst to overheat and be damaged.
To avoid this, the TCS will automati-
cally turn off. Shifting the gear selec-
tor to D will reactivate the TCS.
WARNING
This system is designed to prevent the
wheels from spinning. However, it does
not prevent vehicle slipping or spinning
due to abrupt steering operation at high
speeds or by careless or dangerous
driving techniques. Be especially care-
ful when driving on slippery surfaces
and always drive safely.
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (if
so equipped)
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8 Do-it-yourselfMaintenance precautions .......................................... 8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................... 8-4
Engine cooling system .............................................. 8-5
Checking engine coolant level ............................. 8-5
Changing engine coolant ..................................... 8-6
Engine oil .................................................................. 8-7
Checking engine oil level ..................................... 8-7
Changing engine oil ............................................. 8-8
Changing engine oil filter ..................................... 8-9
Automatic transmission fluid ................................... 8-10
Temperature conditions for checking ................. 8-10
Power steering fluid ................................................ 8-11
Brake and clutch fluid ............................................. 8-12
Window washer fluid ............................................... 8-12
Battery ..................................................................... 8-13
Drive belts ............................................................... 8-15
Spark plugs ............................................................. 8-15
Replacing spark plugs ........................................ 8-16
Air cleaner ............................................................... 8-16
Windshield wiper blades ......................................... 8-17Cleaning ............................................................. 8-17
Replacement ...................................................... 8-17
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................... 8-18
Checking parking brake ..................................... 8-18
Checking brake pedal ........................................ 8-18
Brake booster ..................................................... 8-19
Clutch pedal ............................................................ 8-19
Fuses....................................................................... 8-20
Engine compartment .......................................... 8-20
Passenger compartment .................................... 8-21
Multi-remote controller battery replacement ........... 8-22
Lights ....................................................................... 8-23
Headlights........................................................... 8-24
Exterior and interior lights .................................. 8-25
Tires and wheels ..................................................... 8-30
Tire pressure ...................................................... 8-30
Types of tires...................................................... 8-30
Tire chains .......................................................... 8-31
Changing tires and wheels ................................. 8-32
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SDI0976
LIGHTS
Do-it-yourself
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HEADLIGHTSThe headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halogen)
bulb. A bulb can be replaced from inside the
engine compartment without removing the
headlight assembly.
CAUTION
High pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb may
break if the glass envelope is scratched
or the bulb is dropped.
When handling the bulb, do not touch
the glass envelope.
Replacing the headlight bulb1. Disconnect the battery negative cable.
2. Disconnect the electrical connector from
the rear end of the bulb.
3. Pull off the rubber cap.
4. Push and turn the retaining pin to loosen it.
5. Remove the headlight bulb. Do not shake
or rotate the bulb when removing it.
6. Install the new bulb in the reverse order of
removal.
Aiming is not necessary after replacing the
bulb. When aiming adjustment is neces-
sary, contact your NISSAN dealer.
SDI0967
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