cMake sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine
compartment and that the clamps do
not contact any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the other vehicle and
let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the other ve-
hicle at about 2,000 RPM, and start the
engine of the vehicle being jump started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged
for more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before
trying again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully dis-
connect the negative cable and then the
positive cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped).
Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to
cover the vent holes as it may be con-
taminated with corrosive acid.
CAUTION
Automatic transmission models cannot
be push or tow started. This may cause
transmission or other vehicle damage.If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge read-
ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-
ing steps:
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never remove the radiator
cap while the engine is still hot.
When the radiator cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
gearshift lever to the P (Park) position.
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner switch. Open
all the windows, move the temperature
control dial to warm and fan control dial
to four.
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
6-10In case of emergency
ZX
following steps to correctly reset the switch:
1. Turn the key in the ignition to OFF.
2. Check under the vehicle for leaking fuel.
3. If you do not see or smell fuel, push down
the red reset button on the inertia fuel
shut-off switch.
4. Turn the ignition key ON for a few sec-
onds, then turn it OFF.
5. Check under the vehicle again for leaking
fuel. If you see or smell fuel, do not start
your vehicle again. If no fuel is detected,
try to start your vehicle again.
WARNING
If you see or smell fuel, do not reset the
switch or try to start your vehicle. You
could injure yourself or others. Have all
the passengers get out of the vehicle
and call the local fire department or a
towing service.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle.
Towing instructions are available from an
authorized NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators are generally familiar with the
applicable laws and procedures for towing.
To assure proper towing and to prevent
accidental damage to your vehicle, NISSAN
recommends having a service operator tow
your vehicle. It is advisable to have the
service operator carefully read the following
precautions.WARNING
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
cAlways attach safety chains before
towing.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
6-12In case of emergency
ZX
CAUTION
cNever tow automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward), as this may
cause serious and expensive dam-
age to the transmission. If it is nec-
essary to tow the vehicle with the
rear wheels raised always use tow-
ing dollies under the front wheels.
cWhen towing with the front wheels
on towing dollies:
cTurn the ignition key to the OFF
position, and secure the steer-
ing wheel in a straight ahead
position with a rope or similar
device. Never secure the steer-
ing wheel by turning the igni-
tion key to the LOCK position.
This may damage the steering
lock mechanism.
cMove the shift lever to the N
(Neutral) position.cWhen towing with the rear wheels on
the ground (if you do not use towing
dollies): Always release the parking
brake.
cNever use a tow bar that attaches to
the bumper when you tow your ve-
hicle. It may damage the bumper and
cause damage to the transmission.
cDo not tow with a sling type truck,
either from the front or rear. It may
cause body damage.
cNever utilize the rear tie down brack-
ets or slots to tow another vehicle as
this may cause body damage.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a
stuck vehicle)
cTow chains or cables must only be at-
tached to the main structual members of
the vehicle.
cPulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pullthe vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.
WARNING
Do not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
6-14In case of emergency
ZX
8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-2
Engine compartment check locations ....................8-3
Engine cooling system ...........................................8-4
Checking engine coolant level ..........................8-4
Changing engine coolant ..................................8-5
Engine oil ...............................................................8-5
Checking engine oil level ..................................8-5
Changing engine oil ..........................................8-6
Changing engine oil filter...................................8-7
Automatic transmission fluid ..................................8-8
Temperature conditions for checking ................8-8
Power steering fluid................................................8-9
Brake fluid ..............................................................8-9
Window washer fluid ............................................8-10
Battery ..................................................................8-10
Jump starting ...................................................8-11
Drive belts ............................................................8-12
Spark plugs ..........................................................8-12
Replacing spark plugs .....................................8-12
Air cleaner ............................................................8-13
Cabin air filter ..................................................8-14Windshield wiper blades ......................................8-17
Cleaning ..........................................................8-17
Replacing .........................................................8-17
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................8-19
Checking parking brake...................................8-19
Checking brake pedal .....................................8-19
Brake booster ..................................................8-20
Fuses ....................................................................8-20
Engine compartment .......................................8-20
Passenger compartment .................................8-21
Multi-remote controller battery replacement ........8-22
Lights ....................................................................8-23
Headlights ........................................................8-23
Fog lights .........................................................8-24
Exterior and interior lights ...............................8-25
Wheels and tires ..................................................8-29
Tire pressure ...................................................8-29
Types of tires ...................................................8-30
Tire chains .......................................................8-31
Changing tires and wheels ..............................8-31
ZX
WARNING
cWhen the engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away
from any moving parts such as the
cooling fan and drive belts.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
FOR CHECKING
cCheck the fluid level using the HOT
range on the dipstick after the following
conditions have been met:
Ð The engine is warmed up to operating
temperature.
Ð The vehicle is driven at least 15 minutes.
Ð The automatic transmission fluid is
warmed to between 150ÉF and 170ÉF
(66ÉC and 77ÉC).
cThe fluid can be checked at fluid tem-
peratures of 70ÉF to 95ÉF (21ÉC to 35ÉC)
using the COLD range on the dipstick
after the engine is warmed up and before
driving. However, the fluid should be
re-checked using the HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
2. Start the engine, then move the shift
selector lever through the range of gears,
ending in P (Park).3. Check the fluid level with the engine
idling.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean
with a lint-free cloth.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the dipstick
tube as far as it goes.
6. Remove the dipstick and note the read-
ing. If the level is at the low side of either
range, add fluid through the dipstick tube.
WDI0004ADI1085
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
8-8Do-it-yourself
ZX
CAUTION
DO NOT OVERFILL. Use ONLY Nissan
Matic `D' (Continental U.S. and Alaska)
or Canada NISSAN Automatic Trans-
mission Fluid. Dexron
TMIII/MerconTM
or equivalent may also be used. Out-
side the continental United States and
Alaska contact a Nissan dealership for
more information regarding suitable
fluids, including recommended
brand(s) of Dexron
TMIII/MerconTM.
NOTE:
If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic in
hot weather, or if it is being used to pull
a trailer, the accurate fluid level cannot
be read. You should wait until the fluid
has cooled down (about 30 minutes).Check the fluid level in the reservoir.
The fluid level should be checked by looking
at the MAX and MIN lines at fluid tempera-
tures of 32ÉF to 86ÉF (0ÉC to 30ÉC).
If the fluid is below the MIN line, add auto-
matic transmission fluid type F up to the
MAX line.
CAUTION
cDO NOT OVERFILL.
cThe recommended fluid is type F
automatic transmission fluid or
equivalent.Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
fluid is below the MIN line or the brake
warning light comes on, addDOT 3fluid up
to the MAX line. If fluid must be added
frequently, the system should be thoroughly
checked by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
For further brake fluid specification informa-
tion, refer to the ``Technical and Consumer
Information'' section in this manual.
ADI1086ADI1087
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE FLUID
Do-it-yourself8-9
ZX
Wheel balance service should be performed
with the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balanc-
ing the front wheels on the vehicle could
lead to transmission damage.
Care of wheels
cWash the wheels when washing the ve-
hicle to maintain their appearance.
cClean the inner side of the wheels when
the wheel is changed or the underside of
the vehicle is washed.
cDo not use abrasive cleaners when
washing the wheels.
cInspect wheel rims regularly for dents or
corrosion. Such damage may cause loss
of pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.
c
NISSAN recommends waxing the road
wheels to protect against road salt in areas
where it is used during winter.
Spare tire (TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire)
US only. Canadian vehicles are equipped
with a full size spare tire. Observe the
following precautions if the TEMPORARY
USE ONLY spare tire must be used, other-
wise your vehicle could be damaged or
involved in an accident.
WARNING
cThe spare tire should be used only
for emergency use only. It should be
replaced by the standard tire at the
first opportunity to avoid possible
tire or diffential damage.
c
Drive carefully while the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire is in-
stalled. Avoid sharp turns and abrupt
braking while driving.
cPeriodically check spare tire infla-
tion pressure. Always keep the pres-
sure of the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire at 60 psi (420 kP, 4.2 bar).
Always keep the pressure of the full
size spare tire (if so equipped) at the
recommended pressure for standard
tires, as indicated on the tire placard.
For tire placard location, see ``Tire
placard'' in the index of this manual.
cWith the TEMPORARY USE ONLY
spare tire installed do not drive the
vehicle at speeds faster than 50 mph
(80 km/h).c
When driving on roads covered with
snow or ice, the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire should be used on
the rear wheel and the original tire
used on the front wheels (drive
wheels). Use tire chains only on the
front (original) tires.
cTire tread of the when the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire will wear
at a faster rate than the standard tire.
Replace the spare tire as soon as the
tread wear indicators appear.
cDo not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
cDo not use more than one spare tire
at the same time.
cDo not tow a trailer when the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire is
installed.
Do-it-yourself
8-33
ZX
has the proper distance under it when de-
pressed fully. Check the brake booster func-
tion. Be certain to keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.
Parking brake*Ð Check that the pedal is
adjusted to specification and confirm that
your vehicle is held securely on a fairly
steep hill with only the parking brake ap-
plied.
Automatic transmission P mechanismÐ
On a fairly steep hill check that your vehicle
is held securely with the selector lever in the
P (Park) position without applying any
brakes.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically, for example, each
time you check the engine oil or refuel.
Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself section'' of this manual.
Windshield washer fluid* ÐCheck that
there is adequate fluid in the reservoir.
Engine oil level*Ð Check the level after
parking the vehicle on a level surface with
the engine off. Wait a few minutes for the oilto drain back into the oil pan.
Brake fluid level*Ð Make sure the brake
fluid level is between the MIN and MAX
lines on the reservoir.
Power steering fluid level* and linesÐ
Check the level when the fluid is cold with
the engine off. Check the lines for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Automatic transmission fluid level*Ð
Check the level after putting the selector
lever in P (Park) with the engine idling at
operating temperature.
Engine coolant level*Ð Check the cool-
ant level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hosesÐ Check the front of
the radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-
formation, rot, or loose connections.
Engine drive belts*Ð Make sure the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Battery*Ð Check the fluid level in each
cell. It should be between the MAX and MIN
lines.
Exhaust systemÐ Make sure there are nocracks, holes, loose joints or supports. If the
sound of the exhaust seems unusual or
there is a smell of exhaust fumes, immedi-
ately have the exhaust system inspected by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. See the car-
bon monoxide warning in the ``Starting and
driving'' section of this manual.
UnderbodyÐ The underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances from the underbody, otherwise rust
may form on the floor pan, frame, fuel lines
and exhaust system. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, in those areas where mud
and dirt may have accumulated. See the
``Appearance and care'' section of this
manual.
Fluid leaksÐ Check under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use is
normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
9-4Maintenance
ZX