Platinum-tipped spark plugs
It is not necessary to replace platinum-
tipped spark plugs as frequently as conven-
tional type spark plugs because they last
much longer. Follow the maintenance
schedule, but do not reuse the spark plugs
by cleaning or regapping.
cAlways replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
1. Disconnect the spark plug cables from
the spark plugs.
When disconnecting, always hold the boots,
not the cables.2. Remove the spark plugs with a spark
plug socket. The plug socket has a rub-
ber seal that holds the spark plug so it
does not fall when it is pulled out. Make
sure each spark plug is snugly fitted into
the plug socket.
3. Fit the new plugs, one at a time, into the
spark plug socket and install them.Use
only the specified spark plugs.Turn
each plug several full turns by hand, then
tighten with the spark plug socket to the
correct torque. Do not overtighten.
Spark plug tightening torque:
14 to 22 ft-lb (20 to 29 Nzm)
4. Holding the boot, re-connect each high
tension cable to its proper spark plug by
pushing it on until you feel a snap.The filter should not be cleaned and reused.
Replace it according to the maintenance
intervals shown in the ``NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide.'' When replacing
the filter, unclip the four clamps and remove
the filter. Wipe the inside of the air cleaner
housing and the cover with a damp cloth
when replacing filter.
ADI1100ADI0579
AIR CLEANER
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-17
ZX
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regard-
ing brake inspections, see the appropriate
maintenance schedule information in the
``NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide.''
BRAKE BOOSTER
Check the brake booster function as fol-
lows:
1. With the engine off, press and release
the brake pedal several times. When
brake pedal movement (distance of
travel) remains the same from one pedal
application to the next, continue on to the
next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start
the engine. The pedal height should drop
a little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, turn the
engine off. Keep the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds; the pedal height
should not change.
4. Run the engine for one minute without
depressing the brake pedal, then turn it
off. Depress the brake pedal several
times. The pedal travel distance will de-crease gradually with each depression
as the vacuum is released from the
booster.
If the brakes do not operate properly, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher amperage
rating than that specified on the fuse
box cover. This could damage the elec-
trical system or cause a fire.
If a headlight does not come on, check for
an open fuse:
The left headlight (driver's side) and right
headlight (passenger side) fuses are lo-
cated in the left-hand fuse box, near the
radiator cap.
ADI1090
FUSES
8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX
WARNING
cAfter rotating the tires, check and
adjust the tire pressure.
cRetighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been driven for 600 miles
(1,000 km) (also in cases of a flat tire,
etc.).
cDo not include the spare tire in the
tire rotation.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
booklet (Canada).
Tire wear and damage
WARNING
cTires should be periodically in-
spected for wear, cracking, bulging,
or objects caught in the tread. If
excessive wear, cracks, bulging, or
deep cuts are found, the tire(s)
should be replaced.
cThe original tires have a built-in
tread wear indicator. When the wear
indicator is visible, the tire(s) should
be replaced.cImproper service of the spare tire
may result in serious personal in-
jury. If it is necessary to repair the
spare tire, contact an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
booklet (Canada).
Replacing wheels and tires
When replacing a tire, use the same size,
tread design, speed rating and load carrying
capacity as originally equipped. Recom-
mended types and sizes are shown in
``Wheels and tires'' in the ``Technical and
consumer information'' section of this manual.
WARNING
cThe use of tires other than those
recommended, or the mixed use of
tires of different brands, construc-
tion (bias, bias-belted or radial), or
tread patterns can adversely affect
the ride, braking, handling, ground
DI1035M
8-34Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX
clearance, body-to-tire clearance,
snow chain clearance, speedometer
calibration, headlight aim and
bumper height. Some of these ef-
fects may lead to accidents and
could result in serious personal in-
jury.
cIf the wheels are changed for any
reason, always replace with wheels
which have the same off-set dimen-
sion. Wheels of a different offset
could cause premature tire wear, de-
grading vehicle handling character-
istics and/or interference with the
brake discs/drums. Such interfer-
ence can lead to decreased braking
efficiency and/or early brake pad/
shoe wear. Refer to ªWheel/tire sizeº
in the ªTechnical and consumer in-
formationº section of this manual for
wheel off-set dimensions.
cDo not install a deformed wheel or
tire even if it has been repaired. Such
wheels or tires could have structural
damage and could fail without warn-
ing.cThe use of retread tires is not recom-
mended.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
booklet (Canada).
Wheel balance
Unbalanced wheels may affect vehicle han-
dling and tire life. Even with regular use,
wheels can get out of balance. Therefore,
they should be balanced as required.
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.
cFor additional information regarding tires,
refer to ``Important Tire Safety Informa-
tion'' in the Warranty Information Booklet
(US) or ``Tire Safety Information'' in the
Warranty and Roadside Assistance Infor-
mation booklet (Canada).
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.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
8-35
ZX
9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ........9-2
Fuel recommendation ........................................9-2
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ...........9-4
Recommended SAE viscosity number ..............9-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ...............................9-6
Specifications .........................................................9-7
Engine ...............................................................9-7
Wheels and tires................................................9-9
Dimensions and weights ...................................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ....................................................9-10
Vehicle identification ............................................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................................9-10
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) .............................................9-10
Engine serial number ......................................9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........................9-11
Emission control information label ..................9-11Tire placard......................................................9-12
Air conditioner specification label ....................9-12
Installing front license plate..................................9-12
Vehicle loading information ..................................9-13
Terms...............................................................9-13
Determining vehicle load capacity...................9-13
Loading tips .....................................................9-13
Towing a trailer.....................................................9-14
Maximum load limts.........................................9-14
Towing safety ..................................................9-15
Uniform tire quality grading ..................................9-19
Emission control system warranty .......................9-20
Reporting safety defects (US only) ......................9-20
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) .......................................................9-21
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ............................................................9-22
In the event of a collision ................................9-23
ZX
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and
methanol with or without advertising their
presence. NISSAN does not recommend
the use of fuels of which the oxygenate
content and the fuel compatibility for your
vehicle cannot be readily determined. If in
doubt, ask your service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usage
of such fuels may cause vehicle perfor-
mance problems and/or fuel system dam-
age.
cThe fuel should be unleaded and have
an octane rating no lower than that
recommended for unleaded gasoline.
cIf an oxygenate-blend, excepting a
methanol blend, is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
cIf a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable amount
of appropriate cosolvents and corro-sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-
lated with appropriate cosolvents and
corrosion inhibitors, such methanol
blends may cause fuel system dam-
age and/or vehicle performance prob-
lems. At this time, sufficient data is
not available to ensure that all metha-
nol blends are suitable for use in
NISSAN vehicles.
If any undesirable driveability problems
such as engine stalling and difficult hot-
starting are experienced after using
oxygenate-blend fuels, immediately change
to a non-oxygenate fuel or a fuel with a low
blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygen-
ates can cause paint damage.
Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of
any fuel additives (i.e.: fuel injector cleaner,
octane booster, intake valve deposit remov-
ers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain
active solvents or similar ingredients thatcan be harmful to the fuel system and
engine.
Octane rating tips
In most parts of North America, you should
use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber. However, you may use unleaded gaso-
line with an octane rating as low as 85 AKI
(Anti-Knock Index) in high altitude areas
(over 4,000 ft [1,219 m]) such as: Colorado,
Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming,
northeastern Nevada, southern Idaho,
western South Dakota, western Nebraska,
and the part of Texas which is directly south
of New Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ``spark knock.'' (``Spark
knock'' is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady
speed on level roads, have an authorized
NISSAN dealer correct the condition.
Failure to correct the condition is misuse
Technical and consumer information9-3
ZX
of the vehicle, for which NISSAN is not
responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run, and/or overheating, which
may cause excessive fuel consumption or
engine damage. If any of the above symp-
toms are encountered, have your vehicle
checked at an authorized NISSAN dealer or
other competent service facility.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is
no cause for concern, because you get
the greatest fuel benefit when there is
light spark knock for a short time under
heavy engine load.
ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose engine oil with the
correct quality and viscosity to ensure sat-
isfactory engine life and performance.
NISSAN recommends the use of a low
friction oil (energy conserving oil) in order to
improve fuel economy and conserve en-
ergy. Oils which do not have the specified
quality label should not be used as they
could cause engine damage.Only those engine oils with the American
Petroleum Institute (API) CERTIFICATION
MARK on the front of the container should
be used. This type of oil supersedes the
existing API SG, SH, or SJ and Energy
Conserving II categories.
If you cannot find engine oil with the API
CERTIFICATION MARK, use an API grade
SG/SH, Energy Conserving II or API grade
SJ, Energy Conserving oil. An oil with a
single designation SG or SH, or in combi-
nation with other categories (for example,
SG/CC or SG/CD) may also be used if one
ATI0507
9-4Technical and consumer information
ZX
RECOMMENDED SAE
VISCOSITY NUMBER
cSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred
for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or
10W-40 viscosity oil may be used ifthe ambient temperature is above 0ÉF
(-18ÉC).
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioning system in this
NISSAN vehicle must be charged with
the refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) and
the lubricant, NISSAN type ``PAG F'' or
the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
Use of any other refrigerant or lubricant
will cause severe damage to the air
conditioning system and will require
the replacement of all air conditioner
system components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth's
ozone layer. Although this refrigerant does
not affect the earth's atmosphere, certain
government regulations require the recov-
ery and recycling of any refrigerant during
automative air conditioning system service.
An authorized NISSAN dealer has the
trained technicians and equipment neededto recover and recycle your air conditioning
system refrigerant.
Contact an authorized NISSAN dealer when
servicing your air conditioning system.
TI1028
9-6Technical and consumer information
ZX