
1. Pull the hood lock release handles1
located below the driver side instrument
panel. The hood will spring up slightly.
2. Push the lever to the left
s2at the front
of the hood with your fingertips and raise
the hood.
3. Insert the support rod
s3into the slot
marked with the arrow on the underside
of the hood.
4. When closing the hood, return the sup-
port rod to its original position, lower the
hood to approximately 12 inches above
the latch and release it. This allows
proper engagement of the hood latch.
WARNING
cMake sure the hood is completely
closed and latched before driving.
Failure to do so could cause the
hood to fly open and result in an
accident.
cIf you see steam or smoke coming
from the engine compartment, to
avoid injury do not open the hood.
WPD0030WPD0020
HOOD
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-9
ZX

INTERIOR TRUNK LID RELEASE
WARNING
Closely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously
injured. Keep the car locked, with the
trunk closed, when not in use, and
prevent children's access to car keys.
The interior trunk lid release mechanism
provides a means of escape for children
and adults in the event they become locked
inside the trunk.
To open the trunk from the inside, rotate the
illuminated lever until the lock releases and
push up on the trunk lid. The release lever is
made of a material that glows in the dark
after a brief exposure to ambient light.
The handle is located inside the trunk com-
partment on the trunk lock at the center of
the trunk lid.
WPD0051
3-12Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ZX

INSIDE MIRROR
The night position reduces glare from the
headlights of vehicles behind you at night.
WARNING
Use the night position only when nec-
essary, because it reduces rear view
clarity.
OUTSIDE MIRROR REMOTE
CONTROL
Electric control type (if so equipped)
The outside mirror control operates only
when the ignition switch is in the ACC or ON
position.
Select the right or left side mirror, then
adjust using the control lever.
WARNING
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear. Be careful when moving to the
right. Using only this mirror could cause
an accident. Use the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder to properly
judge distances to other objects.
Heated Mirrors (Canada only)
The electric control type outside mirrors (if
so equipped) can be heated to defrost,
defog, or de-ice for improved visibility.
Press the rear window defogger switch to
activate the heating function. Press the
switch again to deactivate, or the heating
function will automatically turn off after ap-
proximately 15 minutes.APD0612WPD0104
MIRRORS
3-16Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ZX

Air recirculation button
(if so equipped)
NOTE:
The air recirculation feature is available
only on those vehicles equipped with air
conditioning.
OFF position (indicator light off):
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment and distributed through the
selected outlets.
Use the OFF position for normal heater or
air conditioner operation.
ON position (indicator light on):
Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle.
Push the
button to the on position
when:
cdriving on a dusty road.
cto avoid traffic fumes.
cfor maximum cooling when using the air
conditioner.
Air conditioner button
(if so equipped)
Start the engine, turn the fan control dial to
the desired (one to four) position, and push
the
button to turn on the air condi-
tioner. The indicator light comes on when
the air conditioner is operating. To turn off
the air conditioner, push the
button
again.
The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode is used to direct hot air mainly
from the foot outlets. A small amount of air
also flows from the defrost outlets.
1. Push the
button (if so equipped) to
the off position for normal heating.
2. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control dial to thedesired position between the middle and
the hot position.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air from the side
and center vents.
1. Push the
button (if so equipped) to
the off position.
2. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode is used to defrost/defog the
windows.
1. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the hot position.
4-4Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

cTo quickly remove ice or fog from the
windows, turn on the fan control dial to 4
and the temperature control lever to the
full HOT position.
cWhen the
position is selected, the
air conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light will not illu-
minate). This dehumidifies the air which
helps defog the windshield.
Bi-level heating
This mode directs cooler air from the side
and center vents and warmer air from the
floor outlets. When the temperature control
dial is moved to the full hot or full cool
position, the air between the vents and the
floor outlets is the same temperature.
1. Push the
button (if so equipped) to
the off position.
2. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
the desired position.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the interior and defogs the
windshield.
1. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
cWhen the
position is selected the
function automatically cancels.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging
performance.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the hot position.
cWhen the
position is selected, the
air conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light will not illu-
minate). This dehumidifies the air which
helps defog the windshield.
Operating tips
Clear snow and ice from the wiper
blades and air inlet in front of the wind-
shield. This improves heater operation.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
(if so equipped)
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (one to four) position, and push
in the
button to activate the air condi-
tioner. When the air conditioner is on, cool-
ing and dehumidifying functions are added
to the heater operation.
The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify
the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
For quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, push the
button to
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-5
ZX

the on position. Be sure to return theto the off position for normal cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidify
the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows
and dehumidify the air.
1. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
cWhen the
position is selected thefunction automatically cancels.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging
performance.cWhen the
position is selected, the
air conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light will not illu-
minate). This dehumidifies the air which
helps defog the windshield.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Operating tips
cKeep windows and sunroof closed while
the air conditioner is in operation.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for two or
three minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger compart-
ment. Then, close the windows. This
allows the air conditioner to cool the
interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for approximately ten min-
utes at least once a month. This helps
prevent damage to the system due to
lack of lubrication.
cIf the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turnthe air conditioner off. See ``If your
vehicle overheats'' in the ``In case of
emergency'' section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and
dial positions forMAXIMUM AND QUICK
heating, cooling or defrosting.The air recir-
culation button should always be in the
OFF position for heating and defrosting.
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

RADIO
Turn the ignition key to ACC or ON and
press the power on switch to turn on the
radio. If you listen to the radio with the
engine not running, the key should be
turned to the ACC position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter,
buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-
ternal influences. Intermittent changes in
reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
Using a cellular phone in or near the
vehicle may influence radio reception
quality.
Radio reception
Your NISSAN radio system is equipped with
state-of-the-art electronic circuits to en-
hance radio reception. These circuits are
designed to extend reception range, and to
enhance the quality of that reception.
However there are some general character-
istics of both FM and AM radio signals that
can affect radio reception quality in a mov-
ing vehicle, even when the finest equipment
is used. These characteristics are com-pletely normal in a given reception area,
and do not indicate any malfunction in your
NISSAN radio system.
Reception conditions will constantly change
because of vehicle movement. Buildings,
terrain, signal distance and interference
from other vehicles can work against ideal
reception. Described below are some of the
factors that can affect your radio reception.
FM RADIO RECEPTION
Range: FM range is normally limited to 25 to
30 miles (40 to 48 km), with monaural
(single channel) FM having slightly more
range than stereo FM. External influences
may sometimes interfere with FM station
reception even if the FM station is within 25
miles (40 km). The strength of the FM signal
is directly related to the distance between
the transmitter and receiver. FM signals
follow a line-of-sight path, exhibiting many
of the same characteristics as light. For
example they will reflect off objects.
Fade and drift: As your vehicle moves away
from a station transmitter, the signals will
tend to fade and/or drift.
Static and flutter: During signal interference
from buildings, large hills or due to antennaposition, usually in conjunction with in-
creased distance from the station transmit-
ter, static or flutter can be heard. This can
be reduced by adjusting the treble control
counterclockwise to reduce treble re-
sponse.
Multipath reception: Because of the reflec-
tive characteristics of FM signals, direct and
reflected signals reach the receiver at the
same time. The signals may cancel each
other, resulting in momentary flutter or loss
of sound.
AM RADIO RECEPTION
AM signals, because of their low frequency,
can bend around objects and skip along the
ground. In addition, the signals can be
bounced off the ionosphere and bent back
to earth. Because of these characteristics.
AM signals are also subject to interference
as they travel from transmitter to receiver.
Fading: Occurs while the vehicle is passing
through freeway underpasses or in areas
with many tall buildings. It can also occur for
several seconds during ionospheric turbu-
AUDIO SYSTEM
4-10Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

lence even in areas where no obstacles
exist.
Static: Caused by thunderstorms, electrical
power lines, electric signs and even traffic
lights.
AUDIO OPERATION PRECAU-
TIONS
Compact Disc (CD) Player
cOnly use high quality 4.7 inches (12
cm) round discs that have the ``COM-
PACT disc DIGITAL AUDIO'' logo on
the disc or packaging.
cDuring cold weather or rainy days, the
player may malfunction due to thehumidity. If this occurs, remove the
CD and dehumidify or ventilate the
player completely.
cThe player may skip while driving on
rough roads.
cThe CD player sometimes cannot
function when the compartment tem-
perature is extremely high. Decrease
the temperature before use.
cDo not expose the CD to direct sun-
light.
cCDs that are of poor quality, dirty,
scratched, covered with fingerprints,
or that have pin holes may not work
properly.
c
Do not use the following CDs as they
may cause the CD player to malfunction:
c8 cm (3.1 in) discs with an adapter
cRecordable compact discs (CD-R)
cRewritable compact discs (CD-RW)
cCDs that are not round
cCDs with a paper label
cCDs that are warped, scratched, or
have abnormal edges
LHA0099
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-11
ZX