2002 NISSAN QUEST ABS

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

The power assisted steering is designed to
use a hydraulic pump, driven by the engine,
to aid steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks,
you still have control of the vehicle. How-
ever, much greater steering effort is
needed, especially in sharp turns and at low
speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the steering will not work. Steering will
be much harder to operate.The brake system has two separate hydrau-
lic circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you
will still have braking at two wheels.
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brake
The brake booster aids braking by using
engine vacuum. If the engine stops, you can
stop the vehicle by depressing the brake
pedal. However, greater foot pressure on
the brake pedal is required to stop the
vehicle, and the stopping distance is longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal
while driving. This overheats the brakes,
wears out the brake linings and pads faster
and reduces fuel economy.
To help save the brakes and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down
a slope or long grade. Overheated brakes
may reduce braking performance and could
result in loss of vehicle control.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet. As aresult, your braking distance is longer and
the vehicle may pull to one side during
braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal
to heat up the brakes. Do this until the
brakes return to normal. Avoid driving the
vehicle at high speeds until the brakes
function correctly.
WARNING
cWhile driving on a slippery surface,
be careful when braking, accelerat-
ing or downshifting. Abrupt braking
or acceleration could cause the
wheels to skid and result in an acci-
dent.
cIf the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the power
assist for the brakes will not work.
Braking will be harder.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(ABS)
The anti-lock brake system controls the
brakes at each wheel so the wheels do not
lock when braking abruptly or when braking
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
5-14Starting and driving
ZX

on slippery surfaces. The system detects the
rotation speed at each wheel and varies the
brake fluid pressure to prevent each wheel
from locking and sliding. By preventing wheel
lockup, the system helps the driver maintain
steering control and helps to minimize swerv-
ing and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping dis-
tances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not operate
at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10 km/h).
(The speeds vary according to road condi-
tions.) When the anti-lock brake system
senses one or more wheels are close to
locking up, the actuator (under the hood)
rapidly applies and releases hydraulic pres-
sure (like pumping the brakes very quickly).
While the actuator is working, you may feel a
pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a noise
or vibration from the actuator under the hood.
This is normal and indicates the anti-lockbrake system is working properly. However,
the pulsation may indicate road conditions are
hazardous and extra care is required while
driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of elec-
tronic sensors, electric pumps, and hydraulic
solenoids controlled by a computer.
The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time
you start the engine and move the ve-
hicle at a low speed in forward or reverse.
When the self-test occurs, you may hear a
``clunk'' noise and/or feel a pulsation in the
brake pedal. This is normal and is not an
indication of any malfunction. If the com-
puter senses any malfunction, it switches
the anti-lock brake system OFF and turns
on the ABS brake warning light in the dash-
board. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance.
If the light comes on during the self-test, or
while driving, take the vehicle to an authorized
NISSAN dealer for repair.
WARNING
The anti-lock brake system is a
sophisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces, but re-
member that the stopping distance on
slippery surfaces will be longer than on
normal surfaces, even with the anti-
lock brake system. Stopping distances
may also be longer on rough, gravel or
snow covered roads, or if you are using
tire chains. Always maintain a safe dis-
tance from the vehicle in front of you.
Ultimately, the responsibility for safety
of self and others rests in the hands of
the driver.
Tire type and condition of tires may
also affect braking effectiveness.
cWhen replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
Starting and driving
5-15
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

10 Index
A
Accident
Inertia fuel shut-off switch .................... 6-11
After an accident........................................ 6-11
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ...................................................... 1-31
Air bag warning light .................................. 1-37
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-17
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner service .......................... 4-15
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations.................. 9-6
Heater and air conditioner (automatic)
(if so equipped)..................................... 4-11
Heater and air conditioner (manual)....... 4-3
Rear seat air conditioner ...................... 4-14
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-7
Alarm system (See vehicle security
system) ...................................................... 2-12
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-14
Anti-lock brake warning light ..................... 2-10
Armrests..................................................... 1-11
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-23Audio system
Compact disc (CD) player ........... 4-30, 4-32
FM-AM radio with cassette player ........ 4-20
FM-AM radio with cassette player and
compact disc (CD) player ..................... 4-26
Autolamp switch......................................... 2-18
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-31
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-12
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Transmission selector lever lock
release .................................................... 5-7
B
Battery........................................................ 8-14
Battery replacement (See remote keyless
entry system) ............................................... 3-8
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-5
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-14
Brake booster ....................................... 8-22
Brake fluid ..................................... 8-13, 9-2
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-27
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-21
Brake system ........................................ 5-14
Brake warning light ................................. 2-9
Brake wear indicators ........................... 2-12Parking brake check ............................. 8-21
Parking brake operation ......................... 5-9
Self-adjusting brakes ............................ 8-21
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-11
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-8
Bulb replacement ....................................... 8-27
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants...................................................... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio .............................. 4-46
Cargo net ................................................... 2-27
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) ... 9-13
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light) ................ 2-11
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-68
Child restraints ........................................... 1-54
Child safety sliding door lock....................... 3-5
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray .. 2-23Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clock................................................. 4-21, 4-27
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-16
Compact disc (CD) player ................ 4-30, 4-32
Controls
Audio controls (rear) ............................. 4-35
Audio controls (steering wheel) ............ 4-34
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