Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsCharge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
(automatic transmission only)
Brake warning lightLow fuel warning lightMalfunction indicator lamp (MIL)
High beam indicator lightLow washer fluid warning lightAnti-lock brake warning light
Seat belt reminder light and chimeCRUISE main switch indicator lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Engine oil pressure warning lightCruise SET indicator lightDoor open warning light (if so
equipped)
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten seat belts, and turn the ignition
key to the ON position without starting the
engine. The following lights come on and
stay on until the engine is started:
,,,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off:
,,
If any light fails to come on, it may
indicate a burned-out bulb or an open
circuit in the electrical system. Have the
system repaired promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
the dipstick to check the oil level.See
``Engine oil'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section
of this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause seri-
ous damage to the engine almost im-
mediately. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Instruments and controls2-7
ZX
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the charging system
is not functioning properly. Turn the engine
off and check the generator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken, missing, or if the light re-
mains on, see an authorized NISSAN
dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors
are not closed securely while the ignition
key is ON.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. If the driver's seat belt is
NOT securely fastened when the ignition
key is turned to ON or START, the chime
sounds for approximately 6 seconds and
the light illuminates.Refer to ``Seat belts'' in the ``Seats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systems''
section of this manual for precautions on
seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off. This means the Air Bag Supple-
mental Restraint System is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag and pre-tensioner
seat belt systems need servicing and your
vehicle should be taken to an authorized
NISSAN dealer:
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 sec-
onds.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the air bag supple-
mental restraint system and/or pre-tensioner
seat belts may not function properly. Foradditional details, see ``Supplemental re-
straint system'' in the ``Seats, restraints and
supplemental air bag systems'' section of
this manual.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental air bag will not operate in
an accident.
Low washer fluid warning
light
This light comes on when the washer fluid is
at a low level. Add washer fluid as neces-
sary. See the ``Do-it-yourself'' section of this
manual.
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake
is applied, and also warns of a low brake
fluid level. If the light comes on while the
engine is running with the parking brake not
2-8Instruments and controls
ZX
To turn the interior lights on push the head-
light switch. The interior lights come on.
Push the headlight switch again to turn the
interior lights off.
Instrument brightness control
The instrument brightness control operates
when the light switch is in the
or
position, or when the autolamp system
is operating.
Pressing the
side of the switch bright-
ens the instrument panel lights; pressing the
side of the switch dims the instrument
panel lights.
Passing signal
Pulling the lever toward you turns the head-
light high beam on. Release it and theheadlight high beam goes off.
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a
reduced intensity when the engine is started
with the parking brake released. The day-
time running lights operate with the head-
light switch in the OFF position or in the
position. Turn the headlight switch to
theposition for full illumination when
driving at night.
If the parking brake is applied before the
engine is started, the daytime running lights
do not illuminate. The daytime running lights
illuminate once the parking brake is released.
The daytime running lights will remain on until
the ignition switch is turned OFF.
WARNING
When the daytime running light system
is active, tail lights on your vehicle will
not be on. It is necessary at dusk to
turn on your headlights. Failure to do
so could cause an accident injuring
yourself and others.
AIC1059
2-16Instruments and controls
ZX
5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .......................5-2
Three-way catalyst ............................................5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ...........................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ....................5-3
Ignition switch .........................................................5-4
Key positions .....................................................5-4
Before starting the engine ......................................5-5
Starting the engine .................................................5-5
Driving the vehicle ..................................................5-6
Parking brake .........................................................5-9
Cruise control .......................................................5-10
Precautions on cruise control ..........................5-10
Cruise control operations ................................5-10
Break-in schedule ................................................5-11Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-12
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-13
Power steering .....................................................5-14
Brake system........................................................5-14
Braking precautions .........................................5-14
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .........................5-14
Cold weather driving ............................................5-16
Freeing a frozen door lock ..............................5-16
Anti-freeze .......................................................5-16
Battery .............................................................5-16
Draining of coolant water ................................5-16
Tire equipment.................................................5-16
Special winter equipment ................................5-17
Driving on snow or ice.....................................5-17
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ..............5-18
ZX
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or
some other physical condition.
The ignition switch includes an anti-theft
steering lock device. The key can only be
removed when the ignition switch in the
LOCK position.
The ignition lock is designed so the key
cannot be turned to LOCK and removed
until the shift lever is moved to the P (Park)
position.
The shift lever is designed so it cannot be
moved out of P (Park) and into any of the
other gear positions if the ignition key is
turned to LOCK, or if the key is removed
from the switch.The shift lever can be moved out of P
(Park) only after the ignition switch is in
the ON position, and the foot brake pedal
is depressed.
To lock the steering wheel, turn the key
to the LOCK position. Remove the key.
To unlock the steering wheel, insert the
key and turn it gently while rotating the
steering wheel slightly right and left.
WARNING
Never remove or turn the key to the
LOCK position while driving. The steer-
ing wheel will lock. This may cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle and
could result in serious vehicle damage
or personal injury.
KEY POSITIONS
LOCK (Normal parking position)
OFF
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel, if the key is left in the
ignition.
WSD0002
IGNITION SWITCH
5-4Starting and driving
ZX
ACC (Accessories)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
ON (Normal operating position)
This position turns on the ignition system
and the electrical accessories.
START
This position activates the starter motor,
which starts the engine.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each
time you check engine oil).
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON position.
See ``Warning/Indicator lights and chimes''
in the ``Instrument and controls'' section.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) (P is recommended).
The shift selector lever cannot be
moved out of P and into any of the
other gear positions under the follow-
ing conditions:
cThe ignition key is turned to the
LOCK position.
cThe ignition key is turned to the ON
position without depressing the
foot brake pedal.
The starter will not operate if the shift
selector lever is in one of the driving
positions.
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.
Ð If the engine is very hard to start in
extremely cold or hot weather, de-
press the accelerator pedal to the
floor and hold it to help start the
engine.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINESTARTING THE ENGINE
Starting and driving5-5
ZX
The selector lever cannot be moved out
of P (Park) and into any of the other gear
positions if the ignition key is turned to
LOCK, or if the key is removed from the
switch.
The shift lever can be moved if the igni-
tion switch is in the ACC position. This
allows the vehicle to be moved if the
battery is discharged.
1. Keep the brake pedal depressed and
shift into a driving gear.
2. Release the parking brake and brake
pedal, then gradually start the vehicle in
motion.
Shifting
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle
is parked or when starting the engine. Al-
ways be sure the vehicle is at a complete
stop. For maximum safety, depress the
brake pedal, pull the lever toward you, and
move the lever to the P (Park) position.
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first, then shift
the lever into the P (Park) position.Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the shift lever still cannot be moved out of P
(Park), follow these instructions:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the ignition key and turn it clock-
wise to the first position (ACC).
4. Depress the brake pedal, move the gear-
shift lever to N (Neutral).
5. Start the engine.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be sure
the vehicle is completely stopped. Depress
the brake pedal, then pull the shift lever
toward you and move it to the R (Reverse)
position.
ASD0552
Starting and driving5-7
ZX
where engine braking is necessary,
push the overdrive switch once. The
O/D OFF indicator light illuminates at
this time.
When cruising at a low speed or climbing a
gentle slope, you may feel uncomfortable
shift shocks as the transmission shifts be-
tween 3rd gear and overdrive repeatedly. In
this case, press the overdrive switch.
When driving conditions change, press the
overdrive switch to turn the overdrive on.
The O/D OFF indicator light goes out.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the O/D OFF
light illuminated. This reduces the fuel
economy.WARNING
cBe sure the parking brake is fully
released before driving. Failure to do
so can cause brake failure and lead
to an accident.
cDo not release the parking brake
from outside the vehicle.
cDo not use the gear shift in place of
the parking brake. When parking, be
sure the parking brake is fully en-
gaged.
c
Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the park-
ing brake and cause an accident.
To engage:Firmly depress the parking
brake.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the brake pedal.
2. Move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position.
3. Press and release the parking brake
completely.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
ASD1017
PARKING BRAKE
Starting and driving5-9
ZX