
7. Install the jack in its storage area and
tighten the jack screw clockwise.
8. Close the trunk.
WARNING
cAlways make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. Such items can
become dangerous projectiles in an
accident or sudden stop.
c
The spare tire is designed for emer-
gency use. See specific instructions
under the heading ``Wheels and tires''
in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section of this
manual.
To start your engine with a booster battery,
the instructions and precautions below must
be followed.
WARNING
cIf done incorrectly, jump starting can
lead to a battery explosion, resulting
in severe injury or death. It could
also damage your vehicle.
cExplosive hydrogen gas is always
present in the vicinity of the battery.
Keep all sparks and flames away
from the battery.
cDo not allow battery fluid to come
into contact with eyes, skin, clothing
or painted surfaces. Battery fluid is a
corrosive sulfuric acid solution
which can cause severe burns. If the
fluid should come into contact with
anything, immediately flush the con-
tacted area with water.
cKeep the battery out of the reach of
children.
cThe booster battery must be rated at
12 volts. Use of an improperly rated
battery can damage your vehicle.
WCE0008
JUMP STARTING
6-8In case of emergency
ZX

cAlways attach safety chains before
towing.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off theground or place the vehicle on a flat bed
truck as illustrated.
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 automatic transmis-
sion models with the front wheels on
towing dollies, or when towing
manual transmission models with
the front wheels on the ground:
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.
ACE0511
6-12In case of emergency
ZX

When towing automatic or manual
transmission models with the rear
wheels on the ground (if you do not
use towing dollies): Always release
the parking brake.VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a
stuck vehicle)
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structural 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 pull
the 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.
CE1052
In case of emergency6-13
ZX

7 Appearance and care
Cleaning exterior ....................................................7-2
Washing .............................................................7-2
Waxing ...............................................................7-2
Removing spots .................................................7-3
Underbody .........................................................7-3
Glass..................................................................7-3
Aluminum alloy wheels ......................................7-3
Chrome parts .....................................................7-3Cleaning interior .....................................................7-4
Seat belts ..........................................................7-5
Corrosion protection ...............................................7-5
Most common factors contributing to
vehicle corrosion................................................7-5
Environmental factors influence the rate
of corrosion ........................................................7-5
To protect your vehicle from corrosion .............7-5
ZX

In order to maintain the appearance of your
vehicle, it is important to take proper care of
it.
In the following cases, please wash your
vehicle as soon as possible to protect the
paint surface:
cafter a rainfall to prevent possible dam-
age from acid rain.
cafter driving on coastal roads.
cwhen contaminants such as soot, bird
droppings, tree sap, metal particles or
bugs get on the paint surface.cwhen dust or mud builds up on the paint
surface.
Whenever possible, store or park your ve-
hicle inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in
a shady area or protect the vehicle with a
body cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint sur-
face when putting on or removing the
body cover.
WASHING
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty
of water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly using
a mild soap, a special vehicle soap or
general purpose dishwashing liquid mixed
with clean, lukewarm (never hot) water.
CAUTION
cDo not wash the vehicle with strong
household soap, strong chemical
detergents, gasoline or solvents.
cDo not wash the vehicle in direct
sunlight or while the vehicle body is
hot, as the surface may become
water-spotted.cAvoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so that the paint surface is
not scratched or damaged.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of
clean water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the
doors, hatches and hood are particularly
vulnerable to the effects of road salt. There-
fore, these areas must be cleaned regularly.
Take care that the drain holes in the lower
edge of the door are open. Spray water
under the body and in the wheel wells to
loosen the dirt and wash away road salt.
A damp chamois can be used to dry the
vehicle to avoid water spots.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface
and helps retain new vehicle appearance.
After waxing, polishing is recommended to
remove built-up residue and to avoid a
``weathered'' appearance.
An authorized NISSAN dealer can assist
MAI0001
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care
ZX

you in choosing the proper product.
cWax your vehicle only after a thorough
washing. Follow the instructions supplied
with the wax.
cDo not use a wax containing any abra-
sives, cutting compounds or cleaners
that may damage the vehicle finish.
cIf the surface does not polish easily, use
a ªroad tarº remover and wax again.
Machine compounding or aggressive pol-
ishing on a base coat/clear coat paint finish
may dull the finish or leave swirl marks.
Only use black wax or black shoe polish on
black urethane or polypropylene bumpers.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,
insects, and tree sap as quickly as possible
from the surface of the paint to avoid lasting
damage or staining. Special cleaning prod-
ucts are available at an authorized NISSAN
dealer or any automotive accessory store.
UNDERBODY
In areas where road salt is used in winter,
the underbody must be cleaned regularly.
This prevents dirt and salt from building upand causing underbody and suspension
corrosion. Before winter and again in the
spring, the underseal must be checked and,
if necessary, re-treated.
GLASS
Use glass cleaner to remove smoke and
dust film from the glass surfaces. It is nor-
mal for glass to become coated with a film
after the vehicle is parked in the hot sun.
Glass cleaner and a soft cloth easily remove
this film.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inside of the win-
dows, do not use sharp-edged tools,
abrasive cleaners or chlorine based
disinfectant cleaners. They could dam-
age the electrical conductors, radio an-
tenna elements or rear window defog-
ger elements.
ALUMINUM ALLOY WHEELS
Wash the wheels regularly, especially dur-
ing winter months in areas where road salt
is used. If not removed, road salt could
discolor the wheels.
CHROME PARTS
Clean all chrome parts regularly with a
non-abrasive chrome polish to maintain the
finish.
Appearance and care
7-3
ZX

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-2
Engine compartment check locations -
QG engine .............................................................8-4
Engine compartment check locations -
SR engine ..............................................................8-5
Engine cooling system ...........................................8-6
Checking engine coolant level ..........................8-6
Changing engine coolant ..................................8-8
Engine oil ...............................................................8-9
Checking engine oil level ..................................8-9
Changing engine oil ........................................8-10
Changing engine oil filter.................................8-12
Automatic transmission fluid ................................8-13
Temperature conditions for checking ..............8-14
Power steering fluid..............................................8-15
Brake and clutch fluid...........................................8-15
Brake fluid........................................................8-15
Clutch fluid .......................................................8-16
Window washer fluid ............................................8-16
Battery ..................................................................8-17
Jump starting ...................................................8-18
Drive belts ............................................................8-19Spark plug ............................................................8-20
Replacing spark plugs .....................................8-20
Air cleaner ............................................................8-21
Windshield wiper blades ......................................8-22
Cleaning ..........................................................8-22
Replacing .........................................................8-22
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................8-23
Checking park brake .......................................8-23
Checking brake pedal .....................................8-23
Brake booster ..................................................8-24
Clutch pedal .........................................................8-25
Checking clutch pedal .....................................8-25
Fuses ....................................................................8-25
Engine compartment .......................................8-25
Passenger compartment .................................8-27
Multi-remote controller battery replacement ........8-28
Lights ....................................................................8-29
Headlights ........................................................8-29
Fog lights (if so equipped)...............................8-32
Exterior and interior lights ...............................8-33
Wheels and tires ..................................................8-36
Tire pressure ...................................................8-36
ZX

Types of tires ...................................................8-37
Tire chains .......................................................8-38Changing wheels and tires ..............................8-38
ZX