5-28Starting and driving
WARNING
.The electronic parking brake will
not be automatically applied
when the engine is stopped with-
out using the ignition switch (for
example, by engine stalling).
Without the vehicle stationary,
the electronic parking brake will
not be automatically applied
even if the engine is turned off
with the ignition switch.
. Before leaving the vehicle, move
the shift lever to the 1 (1st) or R
(Reverse) position and check that
the electronic parking brake
warning light is illuminated to
confirm that the electronic park-
ing brake is applied. The electro-
nic parking brake warning light
will remain on for a period of time
after the driver’s door is locked.
CAUTION
When parking in an area where the
outside temperature is below 32°F
(0°C), do not apply the parking brake
to prevent it from freezing. For safe parking, place the shift lever
in the 1 (1st) or R (Reverse) position
and securely block the wheels.
NOTE:
. To keep the electronic parking brake
released after the engine is turned
off, place the ignition switch in the
OFF position, depress the brake
pedal and push down the parking
brake switch before opening the
driver’s door.
. If a malfunction occurs in the electric
parking brake system (for example,
due to battery discharge), it is re-
commended to contact a NISSAN
dealer.
Manual operation
The electronic parking brake will not be
automatically applied if the engine is
stopped without using the ignition switch
(for example, by engine stalling). In such a
case, you have to apply the parking brake
manually.
To apply: Pull the switch up
. The
indicator lightwill illuminate.
To release: With the ignition switch in the
ON position, depress the brake pedal and
push the switch down
. The indicator
lightwill turn off. Before driving, check that the electronic
parking brake warning light
goes out.
For additional information, see “Warning
lights, indicator lights and audible remin-
ders” (P.2-10).
NOTE:
. A buzzer will sound if the vehicle is
driven without releasing the parking
brake. See “Audible reminders” (P.2-
17).
. While the electronic parking brake is
applied or released, an operating
sound is heard from the lower side
of the rear seat. This is normal and
does not indicate a malfunction.
. When the electronic parking brake is
frequently applied and released in a
short period of time, the parking
brake may not operate in order to
prevent the parking brake system
from overheating. If this occurs,
operate the electronic parking brake
switch again after waiting approxi-
mately 1 minute.
. If the electronic parking brake must
be applied while driving in an emer-
gency, pull up and hold the parking
brake switch. When you release the
parking brake switch, the parking
brake will be released.
. While pulling up the electronic park-
ing brake switch during driving, the
curb..HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:
Turn the wheels away from the
curb and move the vehicle back
until the curb side wheel gently
touches the curb.
.HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NOCURB:
Turn the wheels toward the side of
the road so the vehicle will move
away from the center of the road if
it moves.
4. Models with Intelligent Key system:
Place the ignition switch in the OFF
position.
Models without Intelligent Key sys-
tem:
Place the ignition switch in the LOCK
position and remove the key.
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 harder
to operate.
. When the electric power steering
warning light illuminates with the
engine running, the power assist
for the steering will cease opera-
tion. You will still have control of
the vehicle but the steering will
be harder to operate.
The electric power steering is designed to
provide power assist while driving to
operate the steering wheel with light
force.
When the steering wheel is operated
repeatedly or continuously while parking
or driving at a very low speed, the power
assist for the steering wheel will be
reduced. This is to prevent overheating
of the electric power steering and protect
it from getting damaged. While the power
assist is reduced, steering wheel opera-
tion will become heavy. When the tem-
perature of the electric power steering
goes down, the power assist level will
return to normal. Avoid repeating such steering wheel operations that could
cause the electric power steering to over-
heat.
You may hear a noise when the steering
wheel is operated quickly. However, this is
not a malfunction.
If the electric power steering warning
light
illuminates while the engine is
running, it may indicate the electric
power steering is not functioning prop-
erly and may need servicing. Have the
electric power steering checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. (See “Electric power
steering warning light” (P.2-12).)
When the electric power steering warning
light illuminates with the engine running,
the power assist for the steering will
cease operation. You will still have control
of the vehicle. However, greater steering
effort is needed, especially in sharp turns
and at low speeds.
The mode of the Power Steering can be
changed to:
. NORMAL
. SPORT
For more information, see “Vehicle infor-
mation display” (P.2-18).
Starting and driving5-105
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
5-106Starting and driving
BRAKING PRECAUTIONS
The brake system has two separate
hydraulic circuits. If one circuit malfunc-
tions, you will still have braking at two
wheels.
Vacuum assisted brakes
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 pres-
sure on the brake pedal will be required to
stop the vehicle and the stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. This will cause over-
heating of the brakes, wearing out the
brake pads faster and reduce gas mile-
age.
To help reduce brake wear 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.
WARNING
.While driving on a slippery sur-
face, be careful when braking,
accelerating or downshifting.
Abrupt braking or accelerating
could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
. If the engine is not running or is
turned off while driving, the
power assist for the brakes will
not work. Braking will be harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven
through water, the brakes may get wet.
As a result, your braking distance will be
longer and the vehicle may pull to one
side during braking.
To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly tapping 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.
Parking brake break-in
Break in the parking brake shoes when-
ever the stopping effect of the parking
brake is weakened or whenever the
parking brake shoes and/or drums/ro-
tors are replaced, in order to assure the
best braking performance.
This procedure is described in the vehicle
service manual. It is recommended you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
BRAKE SYSTEM
any other metal.
7. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and let it run for a few minutes.
8. Keep the engine speed of the booster vehicle
at about 2,000 rpm, and
start the engine of the vehiclebeing
jump started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor en-
gaged for more than 10 seconds. If
the engine does not start right away,
place the ignition switch in the OFF
position and wait 10 seconds before
trying again.
9. After starting your engine, carefully disconnect the negative cable and
then the positive cable (
???).
10. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped). Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to
cover the vent holes as it may be
contaminated with corrosive acid. Do not attempt to start the engine by
pushing.
CAUTION
.
Continuously Variable Transmis-
sion (CVT) models cannot be
push-started or tow-started. At-
tempting to do so may cause
transmission damage.
. Three-way catalyst equipped
models should not be started by
pushing since the three way cat-
alyst may be damaged.
. Never try to start the vehicle by
towing it; when the engine starts,
the forward surge could cause
the vehicle to collide with the
tow vehicle.
WARNING
.Never continue driving if your
vehicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
. Never open the hood if steam is
coming out.
. Never remove the radiator or
coolant reservoir cap while the
engine is hot. If the radiator or
coolant reservoir cap is removed
when the engine is hot, pressur-
ized hot water will spurt out and
possibly cause burning, scalding
or serious injury.
. If steam or coolant is coming
from the engine, stand clear of
the vehicle to prevent getting
burned.
. The engine cooling fan will start
at anytime when the coolant
temperature exceeds preset de-
grees.
. Be careful not to allow your
hands, hair, jewelry or clothing
to come into contact with, or to
get caught in the cooling fan or
drive belts.
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
In case of emergency6-11
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
8-6Do-it-yourself
recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine
coolant. The service procedure can be
found in the NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in re-
duced heater performance and engine
overheating.
WARNING
.To avoid being scalded, never
change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
. Never remove the radiator or
coolant reservoir cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could
be caused by high pressure fluid
escaping from the radiator.
. Avoid direct skin contact with
used coolant. If skin contact is
made, wash thoroughly with soap
or hand cleaner as soon as pos-
sible.
. Keep coolant out of the reach of
children and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of
properly. Check your local regulations.SDI1993
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches oper- ating 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.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the oil level. It should be within the
range
. If the oil level is below,
remove the oil filler cap and pour
recommended oil through the open- ing.
Do not overfill
.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the se-
verity of operating conditions.
CAUTION
Oil level should be checked regularly.
Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not
covered by the warranty.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL AND FILTER
WARNING
. Used oil must be disposed of
properly. Never pour or dump oil
into the ground, canals, rivers,
etc. It should be disposed of at
proper waste facilities. NISSAN
recommends having your oil
changed by a NISSAN dealer.
. Be careful not to burn yourself, as
the engine oil may be hot.
ENGINE OIL