
Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself operations'' section of this
manual.
Emission control system
maintenance
Drive belts* ÐCheck drive belts for wear,
fraying or cracking and also for proper ten-
sion. Replace any damaged drive belts.
Air cleaner filter ÐUnder normal driving
conditions, the air cleaner filter should be
replaced in accordance with the maintenance
schedule. However, driving the vehicle in
dusty areas may cause rapid clogging of the
element. Consequently, the element may
have to be replaced more frequently.
EVAP vapor lines ÐCheck vapor lines
and connections for leaks, looseness or
deterioration. If leaks are found, replace
them.
Fuel lines ÐCheck the fuel hoses, piping
and connections for leaks, looseness or
deterioration. Replace any damaged parts.
Fuel filter ÐIf the vehicle is operated under
extremely adverse weather conditions or in
areas where ambient temperatures are ei-ther extremely low or extremely high, the
filter might become clogged. In such an
event, replace the filter immediately.
Engine coolant* ÐChanging engine cool-
ant can be performed by your NISSAN
dealer or procedures can be found in the
Service Manual. Improper air relief after
changing coolant can result in reduced
heater performance and overheating.
Engine oil & oil filter* ÐUnder normal
driving conditions, the engine oil and oil filter
should be replaced in accordance with the
maintenance schedule. However, under se-
vere driving conditions, they may have to be
replaced more frequently.
Spark plugs* ÐReplace with new plugs
having the correct heat range.
Timing belt ÐReplace the timing belt for
driving the camshaft.
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cables ÐCheck the brake
lines and hoses (including brake booster
vacuum hoses, connections & check valve)
and parking brake cables for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abrasion, de-
terioration, etc.Brake pads, rotors, drums & linings Ð
Check these and the other brake compo-
nents for wear, deterioration and leaks. Un-
der severe driving conditions, they may
have to be inspected more frequently.
Automatic transmission fluid* ÐCheck
the fluid level and visually inspect for signs
of leakage.
Under severe driving conditions, the fluid
should be replaced at the specified interval.
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspen-
sion parts, and drive axle shaft boots Ð
Check for damage, looseness and leakage of
oil or grease. Under severe driving condi-
tions, they may have to be inspected more
frequently.
Exhaust system ÐVisually check the ex-
haust pipes, muffler, and hangers for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abra-
sion, deterioration, etc. Under severe driv-
ing conditions, inspection should be per-
formed more frequently.
Supplemental air bag system ÐCheck
the supplemental air bag system compo-
nents for proper attachment, damage, de-
formities, cracks, rust, etc. Work around and
EXPLANATION OF
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
9-10Maintenance
ZX

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little
different. When refilling, follow the procedure instructed in the ``Do-it-yourself''
section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended Fluids & Lubricants
US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 20 gal16-5/8
gal75.7Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
at least 87 AKI (RON 91)(1)
Engine oil (7)
Drain and refill
With oil filter change 4 qt 3-3/8 qt 3.8
cAPI Certification Mark (2) (3)
cAPI grade SG/SH, Energy ConservingI&IIor
API grade SJ, Energy Conserving (2) (3)
cILSAC grade GF-I & GF-II (2) (3)
Without oil filter change 3-7/8 qt 3-1/8 qt 3.6
Cooling system
With reservoir tank 11-1/4 qt 9-3/8 qt 10.650% Genuine NISSAN Anti-freeze Coolant
or equivalent
50% Demineralized water or Distilled water Reservoir 1-1/8 qt 1 qt 1.1
Automatic transaxle fluid 10 qt 8-1/4 qt 9.4NISSAN matic `D' (Continental U.S. and
Alaska) or Canada NISSAN Automatic
Transmission Fluid.(4)
Power steering fluid
Refill to the proper oil level
according to the instructions
in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section.Type F automatic transmission fluid or
equivalent
Brake fluid
Genuine NISSAN Brake Fluid(5) or equivalent
DOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease Ð Ð Ð NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrig-
erantÐ Ð Ð HFC-134a (R-134a)(6)
(1): For further details, see ``Fuel recommendation''.
(2): For further detail, see ``Engine oil and oil filter recomendations.''
(3): For further details, see ``Recommended SAE engine oil viscosity''.
(4): DexronTIII/MerconTor equivalent may also be used. Outside the Continental United States and Alaska contact
a NISSAN dealership for more information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of
DexronTIII/MerconTAutomatic Transmission Fluid.
(5): Available in mainland U.S.A. through an authorized NISSAN dealer.
(6): For further details, see ``Air conditioner specification label''.
(7): For further details, see ``Changing engine oil.''
FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
number (Research octane number 91).
CAUTION
cUsing a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect
warranty coverage.
cUnder no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used since this
will damage the three way catalyst.
Reformulated gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing re-
formulated gasolines. These gasolines are
specially designed to reduce vehicle emis-
sions. NISSAN supports efforts towards
cleaner air and suggests that you use refor-
mulated gasoline when available.
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
10-2Technical 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

Compact disc (CD) player ................ 4-30, 4-32
Controls
Audio controls (rear) ............................. 4-35
Audio controls (steering wheel) ............ 4-34
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 ........ 2-5
Cornering light ........................................... 2-18
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-4
Cruise control............................................. 5-10
Cup holders ............................................... 2-24
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 2-16
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-15
Dimensions and weights............................ 10-9
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Door open warning light .............................. 2-8
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 ........ 2-5
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-4
Engine oil ................................................ 8-5
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-4
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-7
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-5
Engine serial number ......................... 10-11
Starting the engine ................................. 5-5
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2F
Family entertainment system..................... 4-37
Five passenger seating ............................. 1-28
Five passenger seating with cargo room .. 1-29
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-18
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
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-12
Fuel filler lid and cap ............................ 3-10
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-10
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