
WARNING
cIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside the vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these ar-
eas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
cDo not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
c
Be sure everyone in the vehicle is in a
seat with their seat belt properly fas-
tened.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:
c
Curb Weight (actual weight of your ve-
hicle) - vehicle weight including: standard
and optional equipment, fluids, emergency
tools, and spare tire assembly. This weight
does notinclude passengers and cargo.
cGVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight of pas-
sengers and cargo.
cGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -maximum total weight (load) limit speci-
fied for the vehicle.
cGAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
maximum weight (load) limit specified for
the front or rear axle.
cGross combined weight - GVW plus the
total weight of the trailer and all its cargo.
DETERMINING VEHICLE LOAD
CAPACITY
The load capacity of this vehicle is deter-
mined by weight, not by available cargo
space. For example, a luggage rack, bike
carrier, cartop carrier or similar equipment
does not increase load carrying capacity of
your vehicle.
To determine vehicle load capacity:
Vehicle weight can be determined by using
a commercial-grade scale, found at places
such as a truck stop, gravel quarry, grain
elevator, or a scrap metal recycling facility.
1)
Determine the curb weight of your vehicle.
2) Compare the curb weight amount to the
GVWR specified for your vehicle to de-
termine how much more weight your
vehicle can carry.3) After loading (cargo & passengers), re-
weigh your vehicle to determine if either
GVWR or GAWR for your vehicle is
exceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, re-
move cargo as necessary. If either the
front or rear GAWR is exceeded, shift
the load or remove cargo as necessary.
LOADING TIPS
cThe GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR specified on the F.M.V.S.S. Cer-
tification Label.
cDo not load the front and rear axle to the
GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
c
Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
VEHICLE LOADING
INFORMATION
Technical and consumer information9-13
ZX

cDo not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts of
your vehicle can break, tire damage
could occur, or it can change the way
your vehicle handles. This could re-
sult in loss of control and cause per-
sonal injury.
cOverloading can shorten the life of
the vehicle. Failures caused by over-
loading are not covered by the vehi-
cle's warranty.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places ad-
ditional loads on your vehicle's engine, drive
train, steering, braking and other systems.
A NISSAN Trailer Towing Guide (U.S. only)
contains information on your vehicle's trailer
towing ability and the special equipment
required, and may be obtained from an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
Do not tow a trailer if your vehicle is a cargo
van model.
MAXIMUM LOAD LIMTS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
3,500 lbs (1,588 kg). The total trailer load
equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.
Towing loads greater than 3,500 lbs (1,588
kg) or using improper towing equipment
could adversely affect vehicle handling,
braking and performance.
cAll towing above 1,000 lbs (454 kg) re-
quires the use of trailer brakes.
cNISSAN recommends the use of a tan-
dem axle trailer whenever towing above
3,000 lbs (1,361 kg).
cA sway control device is recommended
for all towing above 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
Sway control devices are not offered by
NISSAN. See a professional trailer/hitch
outlet for a properly designed sway con-
trol device for your trailer.
The Gross Combined Weight should not
exceed 8,000 lbs (3,628 kg). The Gross
Combined Weight is the total weight of the
tow vehicle with all occupants, cargo and
fuel tanks, PLUS the total weight of the
trailer and all its cargo. This weight should
TI1011M
TOWING A TRAILER
9-14Technical and consumer information
ZX

be properly distributed. For more informa-
tion regarding vehicle and trailer loading,
refer to The NISSAN Towing Guide, avail-
able from an authorized NISSAN dealer.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer
loads, but also the places you plan to tow.
Tow weights appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced on very
steep grades or in low traction situations (for
example, on slippery boat ramps).
WARNING
Vehicle damage and/or personal injury
resulting from improper towing proce-
dures are not covered by NISSAN war-
ranties. A NISSAN Trailer Towing Guide
(U.S. only) containing information on
trailer towing ability and the special
equipment may be obtained from an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
Tongue load:
Keep the tongue load between 9 and 11%
of the total trailer load. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to al-
low for proper tongue load.
Maximum gross vehicle weight/
maximum gross axle weight
The gross vehicle weight of the towing
vehicle must not exceed the gross vehicle
weight rating (GVWR) shown on the
F.M.V.S.S. certification label. The gross ve-
hicle weight equals the combined weight of
the unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,
hitch, trailer tongue load and any other
optional equipment. In addition, front or rear
gross axle weight must not exceed the
gross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown on
the F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
TOWING LOAD/SPECIFICATION CHART
UNIT: lb (kg)
MAXIMUM
TOWING LOAD3,500 (1,588)
MAXIMUM
TONGUE LOAD350 (159)
TOWING SAFETY
Trailer hitch
Choose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer. A genuine NISSAN trailer hitch is
available from your NISSAN dealer (USA
only). Make sure the trailer hitch is securely
attached to the vehicle to help avoid per-
sonal injury or property damage due to
sway caused by crosswinds, rough road
surfaces or passing trucks.
CAUTION
cDo not use axle-mounted hitches.
cThe hitch should not be attached to
or affect the operation of the impact-
absorbing bumper.
TI1012M
Technical and consumer information9-15
ZX

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 ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-9
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-6
Cornering light ........................................... 2-19
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-4
Cruise control............................................. 5-10
Cup holders ............................................... 2-25
D
Daytime running light system (Canada
only) ........................................................... 2-17
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-16
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-9
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Door open warning light .............................. 2-9
Drive belts .................................................. 8-16
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-16
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-12
Emission control information label............. 9-11
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-20
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-5
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-9
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-10
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-11
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-8
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-9
Engine compartment check locations .... 8-7
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-6
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-8
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-4
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-8
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
Starting the engine ................................. 5-5
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
F
Family entertainment system..................... 4-37
Five passenger seating ............................. 1-28
Five passenger seating with cargo room .. 1-29Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-19
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) ...... 8-12
Brake fluid ..................................... 8-13, 9-2
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-8
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Power steering fluid ...................... 8-13, 9-2
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-11
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-12
Fuel filler lid and cap ............................ 3-10
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-10
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-6
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-2
Inertia fuel shut-off switch .................... 6-11
Fuses ......................................................... 8-22
10-2
ZX

Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Selector lever lock release ..................... 5-7
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country)......................................... 9-10
Turn signal switch ...................................... 2-19
U
Under seat storage tray ............................. 1-11
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-19
V
Vanity mirror .............................................. 3-12
Vehicle dimensions and weights ................. 9-9
Vehicle identification .................................. 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) ........... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(chassis number) ....................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate .. 9-10
Vehicle loading information ....................... 9-13
Vehicle recovery ........................................ 6-14
Vehicle security system ............................. 2-12
Ventilators .................................................... 4-2W
Warning
Air bag warning light............................. 1-37
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-19
Vehicle security system ........................ 2-12
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-37
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ................................................ 2-8
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ...... 9-9
Wheels and tires ................................ 8-31, 9-9
Wheel/tire size ............................................. 9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle
in another country ...................................... 9-10
Window washer fluid.................................. 8-14
Windows
Locking passengers' windows .............. 2-31
Manual vent windows ........................... 2-32
Power vent windows............................. 2-32
Power windows..................................... 2-30
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 2-15
Wiper
Rear window wiper and washer
switches ................................................ 2-16
Windshield wiper and washer switch ... 2-15
Wiper blades......................................... 8-19
10-6
ZX