of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is not
responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run, and/or overheating, which
may cause excessive fuel consumption or
engine damage. If any of the above symp-
toms are encountered, have your vehicle
checked at an authorized NISSAN dealer or
other competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is
no cause for concern, because you get
the greatest fuel benefit when there is
light spark knock for a short time under
heavy engine load.
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose engine oil with the
correct quality and viscosity to ensure sat-
isfactory engine life and performance. NIS-
SAN recommends the use of a low friction
oil (energy conserving oil) in order to im-
prove fuel economy and conserve energy.
Oils which do not have the specified quality
label should not be used as they could
cause engine damage.Only those engine oils with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) CERTIFICATION
MARK on the front of the container should
be used. This type of oil supersedes the
existing API SG, SH, or SJ and Energy
Conserving II categories.
If you cannot find engine oil with the API
CERTIFICATION MARK, use an API grade
SG/SH, Energy Conserving II or API grade
SJ, Energy Conserving oil. An oil with a
single designation SG or SH, or in combi-
nation with other categories (for example,
SG/CC or SG/CD) may also be used if one
ATI0507
10-4Technical and consumer information
ZX
with the API CERTIFICATION MARK can-
not be found. An ILSAC grade, GF-I and
GF-II oil can also be used.
Mineral based or synthetic type oils may be
used in your NISSAN vehicle. These oils
must, however, meet the API quality and
SAE viscosity ratings specified for your ve-
hicle. Do not mix mineral based and syn-
thetic type oils in the engine.
Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used
and maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness
changes with temperature. Because of this,
it is important to select the engine oil viscos-
ity based on the temperatures at which the
vehicle will be operated before the next oil
change. The chart ``Recommended SAE
viscosity number'' shows the recommended
oil viscosities for the expected ambient tem-
peratures. Choosing an oil viscosity otherthan that recommended could cause seri-
ous engine damage.
Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with
a high- quality genuine NISSAN oil filter.
When replacing, use a genuine NISSAN oil
filter or its equivalent for the reason de-
scribed in ``Change intervals''.
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other
than the specified quality, or oil and filter
change intervals longer than recommended
could reduce engine life. Damage to the
engine caused by improper maintenance or
use of incorrect oil and filter quality and/or
viscosity is not covered by the new NISSAN
vehicle warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality
engine oil when it was built. You do not have
to change the oil before the first recom-
mended change interval. Oil and filter
change intervals depend upon how you use
your vehicle. Operation under the following
conditions may require more frequent oil
and filter changes:Ð repeated short distance driving at cold
outside temperatures,
Ð driving in dusty conditions,
Ð extensive idling,
Ð towing a trailer.
Technical and consumer information
10-5
ZX
ENGINE
ModelVG33E
TypeGasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement6-cylinder, V slanted at 60É
Bore ý Stroke in (mm) 3.602 ý 3.274 (91.5 ý 83.0)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 199.84 (3,275)
Firing order1,2,3,4,5,6* (See illustration below)
Idle speed rpm
See the ``Important Vehicle Information'' label on the underside of the hood. Ignition timing degree (B.T.D.C.)
at idle speed degree/rpm
CO percentage at idle speed
[No air] %
Spark plug
HotPFR4G-11
StandardPFR5G-11
ColdPFR6G-11
Spark plug gap (Nominal):0.043 in. (1.1mm)
Camshaft operationTiming belt** (See note below)
**NOTE: Periodic maintenance is necessary. Refer to the appropriate periodic
maintenance schedule in Section 9.
The spark ignition system of this vehicle meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
SPECIFICATIONS
Technical and consumer information10-7
ZX
When planning to travel in another coun-
try,you should first find out if the fuel
available is suitable for your vehicle's en-
gine.
Using fuel with an octane/cetane rating that
is too low may cause engine damage. All
gasoline vehicles must be operated with
unleaded gasoline. Therefore, avoid taking
your vehicle to areas where appropriate fuel
is not available.
When transferring the registration of
your vehicle to another country, state,
province or district,it may be necessary to
modify the vehicle to meet local laws and
regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle
emission control and safety standards vary
according to the country, state, province or
district. Therefore, vehicle specifications
may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into
another country, state, province or dis-
trict and registered, its modifications,
transportation, and registration are the
responsibility of the user. NISSAN is not
responsible for any inconvenience that
may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (VIN) PLATE
The vehicle identification number plate is
attached to the upper portion of the dash-
board on the driver's side. This number is
the identification for your vehicle and is
used in the vehicle registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (Chassis number)
ATI0563ATI1021
WHEN TRAVELING OR
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE
IN ANOTHER COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
10-10Technical and consumer information
ZX
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The number is stamped on the engine as
shown.
F.M.V.S.S. CERTIFICATION
LABEL
The F.M.V.S.S. certification label is affixed
as shown. This label contains valuable ve-
hicle information, such as: Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR), month and year of manu-
facture, Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN), etc. Review it carefully.
EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION LABEL
The emission control information label is
attached as shown.
ATI0550ATI1022WTI0017
Technical and consumer information10-11
ZX
cDo not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts of
your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles.
This could result in loss of control
and cause personal injury.
cOverloading can shorten the life of
the vehicle. Failures caused by over-
loading are not covered by the vehi-
cle's warranty.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places ad-
ditional loads on your vehicle's engine, drive
train, steering, braking and other systems.
A NISSAN Trailer Towing Guide (U.S. only)
contains information on your vehicle's trailer
towing ability and the special equipment
required, and may be obtained from an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is a cargo
van model.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMTS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). The total trailer load
equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.
Towing loads greater than 3,500 lbs (1,588
kg) or using improper towing equipment
could adversely affect vehicle handling,
braking and performance.
cAll towing above 1,000 lbs (454 kg) re-
quires the use of trailer brakes.
cNISSAN recommends the use of a tan-
dem axle trailer whenever towing above
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg).
cA sway control device is recommended
for all towing above 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
Sway control devices are not offered by
NISSAN. See a professional trailer/hitch
outlet for a properly designed sway con-
trol device for your trailer.
The Gross Combined Weight should not
exceed 8,000 lbs (3,628 kg). The Gross
Combined Weight is the total weight of the
tow vehicle with all occupants, cargo and
fuel tanks, PLUS the total weight of the
trailer and all its cargo. This weight should
TI1011M
TOWING A TRAILER
10-14Technical and consumer information
ZX
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