
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake and turn the ignition key to the ON
position without starting the engine. The
following lights come on:
,or,,,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off:
or,,,
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, stopthe engineimmediatelyand call an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The engine 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 ``Maintenance and
do-it-yourself'' section.
orBrake warning lightLow washer fluid warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsorAnti-lock brake warning lightLow fuel warning light
High beam indicator lightMalfunction indicator lamp
(emission system)Trunk open warning light
Charge warning lightEngine oil pressure warning lightTraction control off indicator light
Door open warning lightCRUISE main switch indicator light
(if so equipped)Slip indicator light
Seat belt warning light and chimeCruise SET switch indicator light
(if so equipped)
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND AUDIBLE
REMINDERS
2-8Instruments and controls
ZX 

CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If this 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 remains
on, see an authorized NISSAN dealer immedi-
ately.
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.
Trunk open warning light
This light comes on when the trunk lid is not
securely closed while the ignition key is ON.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
your seat belts. The light illuminates when-
ever the ignition key is turned to ON, and
remains illuminated until the driver's seat
belt is fastened. At the same time, the chime
sounds for about seven seconds unless the
driver's seat belt is securely fastened.
Refer to ``Seat belts'' in the ``Seats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systems''
section 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 system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, supplemental side
air bag (if so equipped) and pre-tensioner seatbelt systems need servicing and your vehicle
must be taken to an authorized NISSAN
dealer:
cThe supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
and/or the pre-tensioner seat belts may not
function properly. For additional details, see
``Supplemental restraint system'' in the
``Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag
systems'' section.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental air bag or supplemental
side air bag system (if so equipped) or
pre-tensioner seat belt system will not
operate in an accident.
Instruments and controls
2-9
ZX 

Installing the spare tire
The spare tire is designed for emergency
use. See specific instructions under the
heading ``Wheels and tires'' in the ``Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself'' section.
1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surface
between the wheel and hub.
2. Carefully put the spare tire on. Install and
tighten the wheel nuts by hand.
3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheel
nuts alternately and evenly until they are
tight.4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tire
touches the ground. Then, with the wheel
nut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-
curely in the sequence illustrated. Lower
the vehicle completely.
WARNING
cIncorrect wheel nuts or improperly
tightened wheel nuts can cause the
wheel to become loose or come off.
This could cause an accident.
cDo not use oil or grease on the wheel
studs or nuts. This could cause the
nuts to become loose.
cRetighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
As soon as possible, tighten the wheel
nuts to the specified torque with a torque
wrench.
Wheel nut tightening torque:
80 ft-lb
(108 Nzm)Adjust tire pressure to the COLD pres-
sure.
COLD pressure: After vehicle has been
parked for three hours or more or driven
less than 1 mile (1.6 km).COLD tire pressures are shown on the tire
placard affixed to the driver's door, center
pillar.
5. With the spare tire installed on the ve-
hicle, place the damaged tire in the spare
tire storage area. Put the jack rod and
wheel nut wrench in the tool bag and
place the tool bag in the spare tire stor-
age area.
6. Place the spare tire cover and the trunk
floor carpeting over the damaged tire.
7. Install the jack in its storage area.
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.
WCE0024
In case of emergency6-5
ZX 

dealer because the fuel lines are
under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn off the engine
and wait until it cools down.
cNever connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition is in the ON
position.
cNever leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the
ignition is in the ON position.
c
Avoid contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed
engine oil, engine coolant, and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of ve-
hicle fluid.
This ``Maintenance and do-it-yourself'' sec-
tion gives instructions regarding only those
items which are relatively easy for an owner
to perform.
A genuine NISSAN service manual is also
available. See ``Owner's manual/service
manual order information'' in the ``Technical
and consumer information'' section.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage.If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done
by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX 

CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
An authorized NISSAN dealer can change
the engine coolant. The service procedure
is found in NISSAN's Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine over-
heating.
WARNING
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never change the coolant
when the engine is hot.
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
cAvoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
cKeep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it
reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
WDI0145WDI0146
ENGINE OIL
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX 

D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 2-20
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-17
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-9
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Door open warning light .............................. 2-9
Drive belts .................................................. 8-19
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-21
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-4
Driving with manual transmission ........... 5-5
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-16
Emission control information label............. 9-12
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-19
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant...................... 8-10
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-11
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-13
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-9
Checking engine oil level ..................... 8-10Engine compartment check
locations .......................................... 8-7, 8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-6
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-9
Engine oil .............................................. 8-10
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light .. 2-12, 2-8
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
Engine specifications .............................. 9-8
Starting the engine ................................. 5-7
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
Eyeglass case............................................ 2-26
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-23
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-5
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-14
Brake fluid............................................. 8-16
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-16
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-9
Engine oil .............................................. 8-10
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-15
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-17
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-11Front fog light switch ................................. 2-21
Front seats ................................................... 1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-16
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 3-12
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-12
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-4
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-3
Fuses ......................................................... 8-27
Fusible links ............................................... 8-27
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-6
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Odometer ................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer............................................. 2-6
Trip odometer ......................................... 2-3
General maintenance .................................. 8-3
Glove box................................................... 2-28
Glove box lock ........................................... 2-28
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-23
Head restraints ............................................ 1-7
10-2
ZX 

Recommended fuel:
For 2.5L engine
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an oc-
tane rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock
Index) number (Research octane number
91).
For 3.5L engine
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an oc-
tane rating of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock
Index) number (Research octane number
91).
For improved vehicle performance, NISSAN
recommends the use of unleaded premium
gasoline with an octane rating of at least 91
AKI number (Research octane number 96).
Recommended engine oil:
cAPI Certification Mark
cAPI grade SG/SH Energy Conserving I &
II or API grade SJ Energy Conserving
cILSAC grade GF-1 & GF-II
c5W-30 Viscosity preferred
See ``Engine oil and oil filter recommenda-
tion'' in the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section.
Tire cold pressure:
See the tire placard located under the cen-
ter console lid.
Recommended new vehicle
break-in procedure:
During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
vehicle use, follow the recommendations
outlined in the ªBREAK-IN SCHEDULE In-
formation found in the ªStarting and Drivingº
section of this Owner's Manual. Follow
these recommendations for the future reli-
ability and economy of your new vehicle.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
ZX