1996 Nissan Sentra

ForewordWelcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the latesttechniques and strict quality control.

This manual was prepared to help you understand the operation and maintenance of your vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles ofdriving pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle.

A separate ‘‘Warranty Information Booklet’’ explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle.

Your NISSAN dealer knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, he will be glad to assist you with theextensive resources available to him.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATIONREMINDERS FOR SAFETY!Follow these five important driving rules to help ensure a safe andcomplete trip for you and your passengers!

● NEVER drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.● ALWAYS observe posted speed limits and never drive too

fast for conditions.● ALWAYS use your seat belts and appropriate child restraint

systems.● ALWAYS provide information about the proper use of ve-

hicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle.● ALWAYS review this Owner’s Manual for important safety

information.© 1996 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

TORRANCE, CALIFORNIAAll rights reserved. No part of this Owner’s Manual may be reproducedor stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by anymeans, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,without the prior written permission of Nissan North America, Inc.

NOTES ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED INTHIS OWNER’S MANUALThis owner’s manual contains descriptions and operatinginstructions for all systems, features and optional equipmentthat might appear in any model of this vehicle built for anydestination in North America, including the continental UnitedStates, Canada and Hawaii. Therefore, you may very well findinformation in this manual that does not apply to your vehicle.

MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLEThis vehicle should not be modified. Modification could affect itsperformance, safety or durability, and may even violate govern-mental regulations. In addition, damage or performance prob-lems resulting from modifications may not be covered underNISSAN warranties.

All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual arethose in effect at the time of printing. NISSAN reserves the right tochange specifications or design without notice and without obligation.

The inside pages of this manual containa minimum of 50% recycled fibers,including 10% post-consumer fibers.

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Welcome To The World Of NISSAN

Your new Nissan is the result of our dedication toproduce the finest in safe, reliable and economi-cal transportation. Your vehicle is the product ofa successful worldwide company that manufac-tures cars and trucks in over 20 countries anddistributes them in 150 nations.

Nissan vehicles are designed and manufacturedby Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was founded inTokyo, Japan in 1933, and Nissan affiliates worldwide, collectively growing to become the fourthlargest automaker in the world. In addition to carsand trucks, Nissan also makes textile machinery,forklift trucks, marine engines, boats and otherproducts.

Nissan has made a substantial and growinginvestment in North America, starting with theopening of Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. in

1960 and continuing with the production of somecars and trucks at one of the world’s mostmodern manufacturing facilities in Smyrna, Ten-nessee, vehicle styling at Nissan Design Interna-tional in San Diego, California, and engineeringat Nissan Research and Development in Farm-ington Hills, Michigan.

Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. and its deal-ers employ about 50,000 Americans.

Nissan is also a substantial contributor to theCanadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc. and its200 dealers and suppliers employ approximately4,000 people. These include company employ-ees and the staffs of Nissan dealers all acrossCanada. In addition, many Canadians work forcompanies that supply Nissan and Nissan deal-ers with materials and services ranging from

operation of port facilities and transportation ser-vices, to the supply of lubricants, parts andaccessories.

Nissan pioneered the use of electronics andcomputers in automobiles, and has led the indus-try in improving both performance and fuel effi-ciency through new engine designs and the useof synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight.The company has also developed ways to buildquality into its vehicles at each stage of theproduction process, both through extensive useof automation and — most importantly —through an awareness that people are the cen-tral element in quality control.

From the time the parts arrived from our suppli-ers until you took delivery of your new Nissan,dozens of checks were made to ensure that onlythe best job was being done in producing anddelivering your vehicle. Nissan also takes greatcare to ensure that when you take your Nissan toyour dealer for maintenance, the service techni-cian will perform his work according to the qualitystandards that have been established by thefactory.

Safety has also been built into your Nissan. Asyou know, seat belts are an integral part of thesafety systems that will help protect you and yourpassengers in the event of a sudden stop or anaccident. We urge you to use the belts every timeyou drive the vehicle.

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The inside pages of this manual containa minimum of 50% recycled fibers,including 10% post-consumer fibers.

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The Nissan story of growth and achievementreflects our major goal: to provide you, ourcustomer, with a vehicle that is built with qualityand craftsmanship — a product that we can beproud to build and you can be proud to own.

NOTE:

For Canada, some vehicles are notequipped with a Supplemental Air BagSystem.

Your vehicle may not have a Driver andPassenger-side Supplemental Air Bag.

For additional information see the ‘‘Pre-driving checks and adjustments’’ sec-tion of this manual.

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NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAMNISSAN CARES ...

Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction withyour vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assistyou with all your automobile sales and service needs.

However, if there is something that your NISSANdealer cannot assist you with or you would like toprovide NISSAN directly with comments or questions,please contact our (NISSAN’s) Consumer Affairs De-partment using our toll-free number:

For U.S. mainland customers1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261)

For Hawaii customers(808) 531-0231 (Oahu Number)

For Canada customers1-800-387-0122

The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the following infor-mation:— Your name, address, and telephone number— Vehicle identification number (on dashboard)— Date of purchase— Current odometer reading— Your NISSAN dealer’s name— Your comments or questions

OR

You can write to NISSAN with the information on the left at:

For U.S. mainland and Alaska customersNissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A.Consumer Affairs DepartmentP.O. Box 191Gardena, California 90247

For Hawaii customersNissan Motor Corporation in Hawaii2880 Kilihau St.Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

For Canada customersNissan Canada Inc.P.O. Box 1709, Station ‘‘B’’Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4H6

We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle.

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Contents Instruments and controls

Pre-driving checks and adjustments

Heater, air conditioner and audio system

Starting and driving

In case of emergency

Appearance and interior care

Do-it-yourself operations

Maintenance schedule

Technical and consumer information

Index

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2

3

4

5

6

7

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1 Instruments and controls

Meters and gauges .............................................. 1-2Speedometer and odometer ................................ 1-3Tachometer (If so equipped)................................ 1-3Engine coolant temperature gauge...................... 1-3Fuel gauge ........................................................... 1-4Warning/indicator lights and chimes .................... 1-5Theft warning (If so equipped) ............................. 1-8Windshield wiper and washer switch ................... 1-9Rear window defogger switch ............................ 1-10Headlight and turn signal switch ........................ 1-11Instrument brightness control............................. 1-12Front fog light switch (If so equipped) ............... 1-12

Hazard warning flasher switch ........................... 1-13Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray .......... 1-13Cup holder.......................................................... 1-14Power windows (If so equipped)........................ 1-15Sun roof (If so equipped) ................................... 1-16Interior light......................................................... 1-17Trunk light (If so equipped) ................................ 1-17

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METERS AND GAUGES

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SpeedometerThe speedometer indicates vehicle speed.

OdometerThe odometer records the total distance thevehicle has been driven.

Trip OdometerThe trip odometer records the distance ofindividual trips. Before each trip, set the tripodometer to zero by pushing the resetbutton.

TachometerThe tachometer indicates engine speed inrevolutions per minute (rpm).

CAUTIONWhen engine speed approaches thered zone, shift to a higher gear. Enginespeed in the red zone may cause seri-ous engine damage.

Engine Coolant TemperatureGaugeThe gauge indicates the engine coolanttemperature.

The engine coolant temperature varies withthe outside air temperature and drivingconditions.

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SPEEDOMETER ANDODOMETER

TACHOMETER (If so equipped) ENGINE COOLANTTEMPERATURE GAUGE

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CAUTIONIf the gauge indicates engine coolanttemperature over the normal range,stop the vehicle as soon as safely pos-sible. If the engine is overheated, con-tinued operation of the vehicle mayseriously damage the engine. See the‘‘In case of emergency’’ section for theimmediate action required.

Fuel Gauge

The gauge indicates the approximate fuellevel in the tank.

The gauge may move slightly during brak-ing, turning, acceleration, or going up ordown hills.

The gauge needle remains in approximatelythe same position, even after the ignitionkey is turned to OFF.

Refill the fuel tank before the gaugeregisters Empty (E).

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FUEL GAUGE

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or Brake warning lightLow washer fluid warning light(For Canada)

Cruise indicator light(if so equipped)

Turn signal/hazard indicator lights or Anti-lock brake warninglight (if so equipped)

Air bag warning light(if so equipped)

High beam indicator light (Blue) O/D OFF Overdrive off indicator light Seat belt warning light

Charge warning light Malfunction indicator lightLow fuel warning light(if so equipped)Door ajar warning light

(if so equipped)Engine oil pressure warning light

Checking bulbs

Apply the parking brake and turn the ignitionkey to ON without starting the engine. Thefollowing lights will come on:

, or , , or , ,

If equipped, the following lights come onbriefly and then go off:

, O/D OFF, or

If any light fails to come on, it mayindicate a burned-out bulb or an open

circuit in the electrical system. Have thesystem repaired promptly.

Engine oil pressure warninglight

This light warns of low engine oil pressure. Ifthe light flickers or comes on during normaldriving, pull off the road in a safe area, stopthe engine immediately and call a NISSANdealer or other authorized repair shop.

The oil pressure warning light is notdesigned to indicate a low oil level. Usethe dipstick to check the oil level. See

‘‘Engine oil’’ in the ‘‘Do-it-yourself opera-tions’’ section.

CAUTIONRunning the engine with the oil pres-sure warning light on could cause seri-ous damage to the engine.

Charge warning lightIf the light comes on while the engine isrunning, it may indicate a problem with thecharging system. Turn the engine off andcheck the generator belt. If the belt is loose,

WARNING/INDICATORLIGHTS AND CHIMES

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broken, or missing, or if the light remains on,see your NISSAN dealer immediately.

CAUTIONDo not continue driving if the generatorbelt is loose, broken or missing.

Low fuel warning light(If so equipped)

This light comes on when the fuel in the tankis getting low. Refuel as soon as it is con-venient, preferably before the fuel gaugereaches E.

There should be a small reserve of fuelremaining in the tank when the fuel gaugereaches E.

Door ajar warning light(If so equipped)

This light comes on when any of the doorsand/or back door are not closed securelywhile the ignition key is ON.

Seat belt warning light andchime

The light and chime remind you to fastenseat belts. The light illuminates whenever

the ignition key is turned to ON, and re-mains illuminated until the driver’s seat beltis fastened. At the same time, the chimesounds for about seven seconds unless thedriver’s seat belt is securely fastened.

Refer to “Seat belts” in the “Pre-drivingchecks and adjustments” section for pre-cautions on seat belt usage.

Air bag warning light(If so equipped)

When the ignition key is in the ON or STARTposition, the air bag light illuminates forabout 7 seconds and then turns off. Thismeans the system is operational.

If any of the following conditions occur, theair bag needs servicing and your vehiclemust be taken to your nearest authorizedNISSAN dealer:

1. The air bag light does not come on andremain on for 7 seconds and then go offas described above.

2. The air bag light flashes intermittently orremains on.

3. The air bag light does not come on at all.

Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-

mental Restraint System (Air bag system)may not function properly. For additionaldetails on the Supplemental Restraint Sys-tem (Air bag system), see the ‘‘Pre-drivingchecks and adjustments’’ section.

Low washer fluid warninglight (For Canada)

This light comes on when the washer fluid isat a low level. Add washer fluid as necessary.See the ‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’ section.

or Brake warning lightThis light functions for both the parkingbrake and the foot brake systems.

The light comes on when the parking brake isapplied, and also warns of a low brake fluidlevel. If the light comes on while the engine isrunning with the parking brake not applied,stop the vehicle and perform the following:

1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brakefluid as necessary. See ‘‘Brake andclutch fluid’’ in the ‘‘Do-it-yourself opera-tions’’ section.

2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have thewarning system checked by yourNISSAN dealer.

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WARNING

● If you judge it to be safe, drive care-fully to the nearest service station forrepairs. Otherwise, have your vehicletowed because driving it could bedangerous.

● Pressing the brake pedal with theengine stopped and/or low brakefluid level may increase your stop-ping distance and braking will requiregreater pedal effort as well as pedaltravel.

or Anti-lock brakewarning light(If so equipped)

If the light comes on while the engine isrunning, it may indicate something wrongwith the anti-lock portion of the brake sys-tem. Have the system checked by yourNissan dealer.

Turn off the engine, and start it again byslowly turning the ignition key (quicklydoing so may cause the ABS light to stayon when there is nothing wrong). If thelight stays on, have the system checked

by your NISSAN dealer.

If an abnormality occurs in the system, theanti-lock function ceases, but the regularbraking system continues to operate.

If the light comes on while you are driv-ing, contact your NISSAN dealer for re-pair.

O/D OFF Overdrive off indicator light(Automatic transmissionmodels only)

This light comes on when the overdriveswitch is pushed to the OFF position.

Turn signal/hazard indicatorlights

The appropriate light flashes when the turnsignal lever switch is activated.

Both lights flash when the hazard switch isturned on.

High beam indicator light

This blue light comes on when the headlighthigh beam is on and goes out when the lowbeam is selected.

Cruise indicator light(If so equipped)

The light comes on while the vehicle speedis controlled by the cruise control system.

Key reminder chime

A chime sounds if the driver side door isopened while the key is left in the ignitionswitch. Remove the key and take it with youwhen leaving the vehicle.

Light reminder chime

A chime sounds when the driver side door isopened if the headlights or parking lightsare on (ignition switch is turned off).

Turn the headlight control switch off beforeyou leave the vehicle.

Brake pad wear warning

The disc brake pads have audible wearwarnings. When a brake pad requires re-placement, it makes a high pitched scrapingsound when the vehicle is in motion,whether or not the brake pedal is de-pressed. Have the brakes checked as soonas possible if the warning sound is heard.

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Malfunction indicator lightIf the MIL comes on or blinks while theengine is running, it may indicate a potentialemission control problem.

CAUTION● Continued operation without having

the emission control systemchecked and repaired as necessarycould lead to poor driveability, re-duced fuel economy, and possibledamage to the emission control sys-tem which may affect your warrantycoverage.

● Although the vehicle is still drive-able, see your nearest NISSANdealer as soon as possible. To avoidsystem damage, do not drive atspeeds above 45 MPH (72 km/h). Ifpossible, avoid hard acceleration ordeceleration.

The theft warning system provides visualand audio alarm signals if parts of thevehicle are disturbed.

How to activate the theft warningsystem

1. Close all windows.

2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.

3. Close all doors, hood and trunk lid. Lockall doors by pressing the button on themulti-remote controller. At this time,the turn signal lights blink twice, indicat-ing all doors are locked.

The system can be activated even if thewindows are open.

4. Confirm that the SECURITY indicatorlight in the instrument cluster illuminates.

● The SECURITY light stays on for about30 seconds and then begins to flashonce every three seconds. The system isnow activated.

The theft warning system is NOT activated ifone of the following occurs:

● The door is unlocked or the ignition key isturned to the ACC or ON position duringthe 30 seconds in which the SECURITYlight stays on.

● The SECURITY light blinks at a steady1/2 second on - 1/2 second off ratebecause a door, the trunk, or the hood isopen and the key is not in the ACC or ONposition. When the ignition key is turnedto the ACC or ON position, the SECU-RITY light turns off.

Theft warning system operationThe theft warning system emits the follow-ing alarm:

● The headlights blink and the horn sounds

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THEFT WARNING(If so equipped)

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intermittently. In addition, the starter mo-tor does not operate.

● The alarm automatically turns off after 2to 3 minutes. However, the alarm reacti-vates if the vehicle is tampered withagain. The alarm can be shut off byunlocking a door or trunk lid with the keyor by pressing the button on themulti-remote controller.

The alarm is activated by:

● opening the door or trunk lid withoutusing the key (even if the door is un-locked by releasing the door inside lockswitch) or opening the trunk lid by oper-ating the opener lever.

● opening the hood.

How to stop the alarmThe alarm stops only by unlocking a door orthe trunk lid with the key or by pressingthe button on the multi-remote control-ler. The alarm does not stop if the ignitionswitch is turned to ACC or ON position.

If the system does not operate as de-scribed above, have it checked by yourNISSAN dealer.

Push the lever down to operate the wiper.Pull the lever toward you to operate thewasher. The ignition switch must be in theON position for the wipers or washer to beactivated. Operating the washer automati-cally cycles the wipers several times.

CAUTION

● Do not operate the washer continu-ously for more than 30 seconds.

● Do not operate the washer if the res-ervoir tank is empty.

WARNINGIn freezing temperatures the washersolution may freeze on the windshieldand obscure your vision. Warm thewindshield with the defroster beforeyou wash the windshield.

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WINDSHIELD WIPER ANDWASHER SWITCH

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To defog the rear window glass, start theengine and push the rear window defoggerswitch on. (The indicator light comes on.)Push the switch again to turn the defoggeroff.

The rear window defogger switch automati-cally turns off in approximately 15 minutes.

CAUTION

When cleaning the inner side of therear window, be careful not to scratchor damage the electrical conductors.

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REAR WINDOW DEFOGGERSWITCH

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Lighting

Turn the switch to the position:

The front clearance, tail, license plate andinstrument panel lights come on.

Turn the switch to the position:

The headlights come on and all the otherlights remain on.

To select the high beam function, push thelever forward. The high beam lights comeon and the indicator light illuminates. Pull itback to select the low beam.

Passing signalPulling and releasing the lever flashes theheadlights’ high beams on and off.

Daytime running light system(For Canada)The headlight high beams illuminate afterstarting the engine, even if the headlightcontrol switch is in the OFF position. Theheadlights are not as bright as they are withthe headlight switch in the position.

If the parking brake is applied before theengine is started, the daytime running lightsdo not illuminate. The daytime running lights

illuminate once the parking brake is re-leased. Thereafter, the daytime runninglights do not turn off when using the parkingbrake at a stop signal, etc.

WARNING

When the daytime running light systemis active, tail lights on your vehicle arenot on. It is necessary at dusk to turnon your headlights. Failure to do socould cause an accident injuring your-self and others.

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HEADLIGHT AND TURNSIGNAL SWITCH

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Turn signalMove the lever up or down to signal theturning direction. When the turn is com-pleted, the turn signals cancel automati-cally.

Lane change signalTo signal a lane change, move the lever upor down to the point where the indicator lightbegins to flash, but the lever does not latch.

The instrument brightness control operateswhen the headlight switch is in the

or position.

Turn the control to adjust the brightness ofinstrument panel lights.

To turn the front fog lights on, rotate theswitch to the position.

To turn them off, turn the switch toward theback of the vehicle to the OFF position.

The low-beam headlight function must beon for the fog lights to operate. The foglights automatically turn off whenever thehigh-beam headlight function is selected.

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INSTRUMENT BRIGHTNESSCONTROL

FRONT FOG LIGHT SWITCH(If so equipped)

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Push the switch on to warn other drivers whenyou must stop or park under emergency condi-tions. All turn signal lights flash.

WARNING● When stalled or stopped on the road-

way under emergency conditions,move the vehicle well off the road.

● Do not use the hazard warning flash-ers while moving on the highway un-less unusual circumstances force youto drive so slowly that your vehiclemight become a hazard to other traffic.

● Some state laws may prohibit the useof the hazard warning flasher switchwhile driving.

● Turn signals do not work when thehazard warning flasher lights are on.

The flashers can be actuated with the igni-tion switch in either the OFF or ON position.

The cigarette lighter element is an acces-sory. A genuine NISSAN cigarette lighter orequivalent can be purchased from your lo-cal NISSAN dealer.

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HAZARD WARNING FLASHERSWITCH

CIGARETTE LIGHTER(ACCESSORY) AND ASHTRAY

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The cigarette lighter operates when theignition switch is in the ACC or ON position.Push the lighter in all the way. When thelighter is heated, it springs out.Return the lighter to its original position afteruse.

CAUTIONThe cigarette lighter socket is a powersource for the cigarette lighter elementonly. The use of the cigarette lightersocket as a power source for any otheraccessory is not recommended.

WARNINGThe cigarette lighter should not beused while driving in order that fullattention may be given to the drivingoperation.

To open, pull the cup holder.

To close, push the cup holder in fully.

The cup holder and the ashtray cannot beused at the same time. Close the ashtraybefore using the cup holder.

WARNING● The driver should not pull out the cup

holder or remove or insert cups intothe cup holder while driving in orderthat full attention may be given to thedriving operation.

● Avoid abrupt starting and brakingwhen the cup holder is being used toprevent spilling the drink. If the liquidis hot, it can scald you or your pas-senger.

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CUP HOLDER

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MANUAL WINDOW OPERATION(If so equipped)The side windows can be opened or closedby turning the hand crank on each door. Toopen the window, turn the crank counter-clockwise. To close the window, turn thecrank clockwise.

The power windows operate only when theignition key is in the ON position.

To open the window, lightly tap the driverside button until the desired position isreached. To close the window, lift the switchupward. The driver side control panel isequipped with switches to open or close allthe windows.

Locking passengers’ windows

When the window lock button is depressed,only the driver side window can be openedor closed. Push it again to cancel the win-dow lock function.

The passenger side switch opens or closesonly the corresponding window. To openthe window, push the switch downward. Toclose the window, lift the switch upward.

WARNING

● Make sure that all passengers havetheir hands, etc. inside the vehiclebefore closing the windows.

● Do not leave children unattended in-side the vehicle. They could unknow-ingly activate switches.

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POWER WINDOWS(If so equipped)

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Rear power windows (If so equipped)The rear power window switches open orclose only the corresponding window. Toopen the window, push the switch down-ward. To close the window, lift the switchupward.

Automatic power window switchTo fully open the driver side window, pressthe automatic power window switch downand release it; it need not be held. Thewindow automatically opens all the way.

The sun roof only operates when the igni-tion key is in the ON position.

Sliding the sun roof

To open the roof, push the switch towardDOWN/OPEN.

To close the roof, push the switch towardUP/CLOSE.

Tilting the sun roof

Close the sun roof by pushing the switchtoward UP/CLOSE. Continuing to push theUP/CLOSE button tilts the sun roof up.

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SUN ROOF(If so equipped)

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To tilt the sun roof down, push the switchtoward DOWN/OPEN. Continuing to pushthe DOWN/OPEN switch opens the sunroof.

Sun shadeOpen and close the sun shade by sliding itforward or backward.

WARNING● Be extremely careful not to have any

part of your body in the sun roofopening while it is closing.

● Do not stand up or extend any por-tion of your body out of the openingwhile driving.

● Remove water drops, snow, ice orsand from the sun roof beforeopening.

● Do not place any heavy object on thesun roof or surrounding area.

The interior light has a three-position switch.

The interior light operates regardless ofignition key position.

● When the switch is in the OFF position,the interior light does not illuminate, re-gardless of door position.

● When the switch is in the center jposition, the interior light illuminateswhen a door is opened.

● When the switch is in the ON position,the interior light illuminates, regardless ofdoor position.

NOTE: Leaving the interior light switch inthe ON position for extended periods of timeresults in a discharged battery.

TRUNK LIGHT (If so equipped)The light illuminates when the trunk lid isopened. When the trunk lid is closed, thelight goes off. For bulb replacement proce-dures, refer to “Bulb replacement” in the‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’ section.

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INTERIOR LIGHT

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MEMO

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2 Pre-driving checks and adjustments

Key ....................................................................... 2-2Door locks ............................................................ 2-2Multi-remote control system (If so equipped) ...... 2-4Child safety rear door lock ................................... 2-7Hood release........................................................ 2-8Glove box ............................................................. 2-9Trunk lid lock operation........................................ 2-9Fuel filler lid lock operation ................................ 2-11Front Seats......................................................... 2-13Supplemental restraint system(Air bag system) (If so equipped) ...................... 2-15Warning labels (If so equipped) ......................... 2-20Air bag warning light (If so equipped)................ 2-20Seat belts ........................................................... 2-22Child restraints for infants and small children.... 2-28Tilting steering wheel ......................................... 2-34Outside mirror control......................................... 2-34Inside mirror ....................................................... 2-35Vanity mirror (If so equipped) ............................ 2-35

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A key number plate is supplied with yourkey. Record the key number that is on thekey number plate and keep it in a safe place(such as your wallet), NOT IN THE CAR. Ifyou lose your keys, see your NISSANdealer for duplicates by using the key num-ber. NISSAN does not record key numbersso it is very important to keep track of yourkey number plate.

A key number is only necessary when youhave lost all keys and do not have one toduplicate from. If you still have a key, thiskey can be duplicated by your NISSANdealer or a locksmith shop.

Locking front door with keyTo lock the door, turn the key towards thefront of the vehicle.

To unlock, turn it towards the rear.

Locking the door without keyTo lock the door from the outside without akey, move the inside lock knob to the Lockposition, then close the door.

When locking the door this way, be certainnot to leave the key inside the vehicle.

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PD1160M

KEY DOOR LOCKS

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WARNING● Always have the doors locked while

driving. Along with the use of seatbelts, this provides greater safety inthe event of an accident by helping toprevent persons from being thrownfrom the vehicle. This also helps keepchildren and others from unintention-ally opening the doors, and will helpkeep out intruders.

● Before opening any door, alwayslook for and avoid oncoming traffic.

POWER DOOR LOCK(If so equipped)Moving the door lock/unlock button towardthe rear of the vehicle on the driver’s doorarmrest locks all doors. Moving the doorlock/unlock button toward the front of thevehicle unlocks all doors.

WARNING● Before opening the door, always look

for and avoid oncoming traffic.

● Do not leave children unattended in alocked vehicle. They may inadvert-ently activate switches.

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MULTI-REMOTE CONTROLSYSTEM(If so equipped)It is possible to lock/unlock all doors, turnthe interior light on or off, and activate thepanic alarm by using the remote controllerfrom outside the car.

Be sure to remove the key from thevehicle before locking the doors andleaving it.

The remote controller can operate at adistance of approximately 49 ft (15 m) fromthe vehicle. (The effective distance dependsupon the conditions around the vehicle.)

As many as four remote controllers can beused with one vehicle. For information con-cerning the purchase and use of additionalremote controllers, contact your NISSANdealer.

CAUTION:Listed below are conditions or occur-rences which will damage the remotecontroller:

● Do not allow the remote controller tobecome wet.

● Do not drop the remote controller.

● Do not strike the remote controllersharply against another object.

● Do not place the remote controller foran extended period in an area wheretemperatures exceed 140°F (60°C).

Locking doors1. Close all the doors.

2. Push the button on the multi-remotecontroller.

3. All the doors lock.

4. The hazard indicators flash twice.

● When the button is pushed with alldoors locked, the hazard indicators flashtwice as a reminder that the doors arealready locked.

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Unlocking doors

1. Push the button on the multi-remotecontroller. Only the driver side door un-locks.

2. Push the button on the multi-remote

controller again within 5 seconds. Thepassenger doors unlock.

3. The interior light stays on for 30 seconds.

The interior light can be turned off withoutwaiting for 30 seconds by inserting the key

into the ignition or by locking the doors withthe multi-remote controller.

Using the panic alarmIf you are near your vehicle and feel threat-ened, you may activate the alarm to callattention as follows:

1. Push the button on the remote con-troller for longer than 1.5 seconds.

2. The theft warning alarm and headlightsstay on for 30 seconds.

3. The alarm stops when any of the keyfunctions are used. For example, whenthe or the button is pushed, or the

button is pushed for longer than 1.5seconds on the multi-remote controller,the panic alarm function is cancelled.

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Replace the two batteries as follows:

1. Remove the screw and open the lid.

2. Replace the batteries with new ones.Insert the batteries as illustrated above.

Recommended batteries: Sanyo CR2016or equivalent.

3. Close the lid securely and install thescrew.

4. Press the button, then the button

two or three times to check the multi-remote controller operation.

If the batteries are removed for any rea-son other than replacement, performstep 4 above.

● An improperly disposed battery canhurt the environment. Always confirmlocal regulations for battery disposal.

● The multi-remote controller is water-resistant; however, if it does get wet,immediately wipe completely dry.

● The operational range of the multi-remote controller extends to approxi-mately 49 ft (15 m) from the vehicle.This range may vary with conditions.

FCC Notice:

This device complies with FCC rules part15. Operation is subject to the followingtwo conditions: (1) This device may notcause harmful interference and (2) Thisdevice must accept any interference thatmay be received, including interferencethat may cause undesired operation.

The transmitter has been tested andcomplies with FCC and DOC/MDC rules.Changes or modifications not expressly

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BATTERY REPLACEMENT

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approved by the party responsible forcompliance could void the user’s author-ity to operate the device.

CHILD SAFETY REAR DOORLOCK (4-door only)Child safety locks help prevent doors frombeing opened accidentally, especially whensmall children are in the vehicle.

The child safety lock levers are located onthe edge of the rear doors. When the lever isin the lock position, the rear door can beopened only from the outside.

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1. Pull the hood lock release handle s1located below the instrument panel. Thehood springs up slightly.

2. Pull up on the lever s2 at the front of thehood with your fingertips and raise thehood.

3. Insert the support rod into the slotmarked with the arrow on the undersideof the hood.

4. When closing the hood, reset the supportrod to its original position, lower the hoodto approximately 12 inches above thelatch and release it. This allows properengagement of the hood latch.

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HOOD RELEASE

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Open the glove box by pulling the handle.

WARNINGKeep glove box lid closed while drivingto prevent injury in an accident or asudden stop.

Opener lever operation(If so equipped)The trunk lid opener lever is located on theoutside of the driver’s seat. To open thetrunk lid, pull up the opener lever. To close,push the trunk lid securely.

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GLOVE BOX TRUNK LID LOCKOPERATION

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Key operationTo open the trunk lid from outside thevehicle, turn the key clockwise. To close,lower and push the trunk lid down securely.

WARNINGDo not drive with the trunk lid open.This could allow dangerous exhaustgases to be drawn into the vehicle.

OPENER CANCEL LEVER FORTRUNK LID

When the lever is in the CANCEL (down)position, the trunk lid cannot be opened withthe trunk lid opener lever. It can be openedonly with the key.

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Opener lever (If so equipped)To open the fuel filler lid, push the openerlever down. To lock, close the fuel filler lidsecurely.

Manual Fuel Filler LidOpen the fuel filler lid by lifting the raisedportion of the fuel filler lid.

FUEL FILLER CAPThe fuel filler cap is a screw-on ratchetingtype. Tighten the cap clockwise until ratch-eting clicks are heard.

WARNING● Gasoline is extremely flammable and

highly explosive under certain condi-tions. Always stop the engine and donot smoke or allow open flames orsparks near the vehicle whenrefueling.

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FUEL FILLER LID LOCKOPERATION

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● Fuel may be under pressure. Turn thecap one-half turn and wait for any‘‘hissing’’ sound to stop to preventfuel from spraying out and possiblycausing personal injury. Then re-move the cap.

● Use only a genuine NISSAN fuel fillercap as a replacement. It has a built-insafety valve needed for proper opera-tion of the fuel system and emissioncontrol system. An incorrect cap canresult in a serious malfunction andpossible injury.

Put the fuel filler cap on the cap holder whilerefueling.

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SEAT ADJUSTMENT

WARNING

● Do not adjust the driver’s seat whiledriving. The seat may move suddenlyand could cause loss of control of thevehicle.

● After adjustment, gently rock in theseat to make sure it is securelylocked.

s1 Forward and backwardPull the lever up while you slide the seatforward or backward to the desired position.Release the lever to lock the seat in posi-tion.

s2 RecliningPull the lever up and lean back until thedesired angle is obtained. To bring the backof the seat forward again, pull the lever andmove your body forward. The seatbackmoves forward.

WARNINGDo not recline the seatback any morethan is needed for comfort when thevehicle is moving. Seat belts are mosteffective when the occupant sits wellback and upright in the seat. If the seatis reclined, the risk of sliding under thelap belt and being injured is increased.

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FRONT SEATS

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TILTING FRONT SEAT (2-doormodel)

The front passenger’s seat can be tilted tomake it easier for the rear seat passengersto get in and out.

To tilt the front seatback forward, pull thereclining lever up or depress the tilt lever.The seat back tilts and the seat movesforward automatically. Some models re-quire the seat to be pushed forward.

To return the seat to its original position,push the seatback up and move the wholeseat backward until it locks.

CAUTIONWhen returning the seat to its originalposition, check that the seat and seat-back are properly locked.

HEAD RESTRAINTS

Adjust the head restraints so the top is levelwith the top of your ears.

To raise the head restraint, simply pull it up.To lower, push the lock knob and push thehead restraint down.

WARNING

Head restraints should be adjustedproperly as they may provide signifi-cant protection against whiplash in-jury. Do not remove them.

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REAR SEAT

Interior trunk access(If so equipped)The trunk can be readily accessible from therear seat for loading and unloading, asshown.

● When returning the seatbacks to theupright position, be certain they arecompletely secured in the latchedposition.

WARNINGNever allow anyone to ride in the lug-gage area or on the rear seat when it isin the fold-down position. Use of theseareas by passengers without properrestraint can be extremely dangerousin an accident or sudden stop.

This Supplemental Restraint System sec-tion contains important information concern-ing the driver and passenger air bags. TheSupplemental Restraint System Air Bag canhelp reduce impact force to the driver and tothe front passenger in certain frontal colli-sions. The air bags are designed to supple-ment the crash protection provided by thedriver and front passenger seat belts andare not a substitute for them. The seatbelts should always be correctly worn andthe driver and front passenger seated asuitable distance from the steering wheeland instrument panel. (See ‘‘Seat belts’’ forinstructions and precautions on seat beltusage.)

NOTE:

For Canada, some vehicles are not equippedwith a Supplemental Air Bag System.

Your vehicle may not have a Driver andPassenger-side Supplemental Air Bag.

If your vehicle is not equipped with aSupplemental Air Bag System, it will nothave the following equipment:

● Supplemental Air Bag Warning Light(see ‘‘Supplemental Air Bag WarningLight’’ later in this section).

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SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTSYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM)

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● Driver Supplemental Air Bag (see‘‘Meters and Gauges’’ in the ‘‘Instru-ments and controls’’ section).

● Passenger-side Supplemental Air Bag(see ‘‘Meters and Gauges’’ in the ‘‘Instru-ments and controls’’ section).

● Supplemental Restraint System WarningLabels (see ‘‘Warning Labels’’ later inthis section).

Every person who drives or rides in thisvehicle should use a seat belt at all times.Children should be in appropriate child re-straints (see ‘‘Seat belts’’ and ‘‘Child Re-straints for Infants and Small Children’’ laterin this section).

The supplemental air bags operate onlywhen the ignition switch is in the ON orSTART position.

WARNINGThe supplemental air bags ordinarilywill not inflate in the event of a sideimpact, rear impact, roll over, or lowerseverity frontal collision; so alwayswear your seat belts to help reduce therisk or severity of injury in variouskinds of accidents.

WARNING

The seat belts and the air bags are mosteffective when you are sitting back andupright in the seat. Air bags inflate withgreat force. If you are unrestrained,leaning forward, sitting sideways or outof position in any way, you are atgreater risk of injury or death in a crashand may also receive serious or fatalinjuries from the air bag if you areupagainst it when it inflates. Always sitback against the seatback and use theseatbelts.

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WARNINGNever let children ride unrestrained asshown in the previous illustrations.

Children may be severely injured orkilled when the air bag inflates if theyare not properly restrained.

Also, never install a rear-facing childrestraint in the front seat. See ‘‘Childrestraints for infants and small chil-dren’’ for details.

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Air bag system(If so equipped)The driver air bag is located in the center ofthe steering wheel; the front passenger airbag is mounted in the dashboard above theglove box. The supplemental air bag systemis designed to inflate in higher severity fron-tal collisions, although it may inflate if theforces in another type of collision are similarto those of a higher severity frontal impact. Itmay not inflate in certain frontal collisions.Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not alwaysan indication of proper air bag operation.

When the supplemental air bag inflates, a

fairly loud noise may be heard, followed bythe release of smoke. This smoke is notharmful and does not indicate a fire, butcare should be taken to not intentionallyinhale it, as it may cause irritation andchoking. Those with a history of breathingtrouble should get fresh air promptly.

The supplemental air bags, along with theuse of the seat belts, help to cushion theimpact force on the face and chest of theoccupant. They can help save lives andreduce serious injuries. However, an inflat-ing air bag may cause facial abrasions orother injuries. Air bags do not provide re-

straint to the lower body.

The seat belts should be correctly worn andthe driver and passenger be seated uprightas far as practical away from the steeringwheel or dashboard. Since the air bag in-flates quickly in order to help protect theoccupant, the force of the air bag inflatingcan increase the risk of injury if the occu-pant is too close to or is against the air bagmodule during inflation.

The supplemental air bag deflates quicklyafter a collision.

The supplemental air bags operate onlywhen the ignition switch is in the ON orSTART position.

WARNING● Right after inflation, several supple-

mental air bag system componentswill be hot. Do not touch them; youmay severely burn yourself.

● No unauthorized changes should bemade to any components or wiring ofthe supplemental air bag system. Thisis to prevent accidental inflation ofthe supplemental air bag or damageto the supplemental air bag system.

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● Tampering with the supplemental airbag system may result in seriouspersonal injury. Tampering includeschanges to the steering wheel andthe instrument panel assembly byplacing material over the steeringwheel pad and above the instrumentpanel, or by installing additional trimmaterial around the supplemental airbag system.

● Do not attach any objects to thesteering wheel pad and to the instru-ment panel. Also, do not place anyobjects between any occupant andthe steering wheel or instrumentpanel. Such objects may becomedangerous projectiles and cause in-jury if the air bag inflates.

● Work around and on the supplemen-tal air bag system should be done byan authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-lation of electrical equipment shouldalso be done by an authorized NIS-SAN dealer. The yellow SRS wiringshould not be modified or discon-nected. Unauthorized electrical testequipment and probing devicesshould not be used on the supple-mental air bag system.

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Warning labels about the supplemental airbag system are placed in the vehicle asshown in the illustration.

The supplemental air bag light, displayingAIR BAG in the instrument panel, monitorsthe circuits of the air bag. The circuitsmonitored by the air bag light are the diag-nosis sensor unit, air bag modules and allrelated wiring.

APD0609

APD0610

WARNING LABELS(If so equipped)

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT(If so equipped)

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When the ignition key is in the ON or STARTposition, the supplemental air bag warninglight illuminates for about 7 seconds andthen turns off. This means the system isoperational.

If any of the following conditions occur, thesupplemental air bag needs servicing:

1. The supplemental air bag light does notcome on and remain on for 7 secondsand then go off as described above.

2. The supplemental air bag light flashesintermittently or remains on.

3. The supplemental air bag light does notcome on at all.

Under these conditions, the SupplementalRestraint System Air Bag does not operateproperly. It must be checked and repaired.Take your vehicle to the nearest authorizedNISSAN dealer.

Repair and replacement procedureThe supplemental air bag system is de-signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.As a reminder, unless it is damaged, thesupplemental air bag light remains illumi-nated after inflation has occurred. Repairand replacement of the supplemental air

bag system should be done only by anauthorized NISSAN dealer.

To ensure long-term functioning, thesystem must be inspected 10 years afterthe date of manufacture as noted on thecertification label located on the driverside front pillar.

When maintenance work is required on thevehicle, the supplemental air bag systemand related parts should be pointed out tothe person conducting the maintenance.The ignition key must always be in theLOCK position when working under thehood or inside the vehicle.

WARNING● Once the supplemental air bag in-

flates, the supplemental air bag mod-ule will not function again and mustbe replaced. The supplemental airbag module cannot be repaired.

● After a supplemental air bag inflates,the front instrument panel assemblyshould be replaced by your NISSANdealer if damaged.

● The supplemental air bag systemshould be inspected by an authorizedNISSAN dealer if there is any damageto the front end portion of the vehicleor if the air bag has inflated.

● When selling your vehicle, we re-quest that you inform the buyer aboutthe supplemental air bag system andguide the buyer to the appropriatesections in this Owner’s Manual.

● If you need to dispose of the supple-mental air bag or scrap the vehicle,contact an authorized NISSAN dealer.Correct supplemental air bag dis-posal procedures are set forth in theappropriate NISSAN Service Manual.Incorrect disposal procedures couldcause personal injury.

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PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELTUSAGEYour chances of being injured or killed in anaccident and/or the severity of injury may begreatly reduced if you are wearing your seatbelt and it is properly adjusted. NISSANstrongly encourages you and all of yourpassengers to buckle up every time youdrive, even if your seating position includesan air bag.

Some states, provinces or territories re-quire that seat belts be worn at all timeswhen a vehicle is being driven.

WARNING● Every person who drives or rides in

this vehicle should use a seat belt atall times. Children should be in ap-propriate child restraints.

● The belt should be properly adjustedto a snug fit. Failure to do so willreduce the effectiveness of the entirerestraint system and increases thechances or severity of injury in anaccident.

● Do not wear the belt inside out ortwisted. Be sure the seat belt tongueis securely fastened to the properbuckle.

● Do not allow more than one person touse the same belt.

● All seat belt assemblies including re-tractors and attaching hardwareshould be inspected after any colli-sion at your NISSAN dealer. NISSANrecommends that all seat belt assem-blies in use during a collision bereplaced unless the collision was mi-nor and the belts show no damageand continue to operate properly.Seat belt assemblies not in use dur-ing a collision should also be in-spected and replaced if either dam-age or improper operation is noted.

● Never carry more people in the ve-hicle than there are seat belts.

● If the seat belt warning lamp glows con-tinuously while the ignition is turned ONwith all doors closed and all seat beltsfastened, it may indicate a malfunctionin the system. Have the system checkedby your NISSAN dealer.

● Be sure to observe the following pre-cautions when using seat belts. Failureto do so could increase the chanceand/or severity of injury in an accident.

● Always route the shoulder belt overyour shoulder and across your chest.Never run the belt under your arm oracross your neck. The belt should beaway from your face and neck, butnot falling off your shoulder.

● Position the lap belt as low as pos-sible AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THEWAIST.

● Serious injury or death can occur ifseat belt is not worn properly.

CHILD SAFETYChildren need adults to help protectthem.

All U.S. states and provinces of Canadarequire the use of approved child restraintsfor infants and small children. (See ‘‘ChildRestraints for Infants and Small Children’’later in this section.)

In addition, there are many types of childrestraints available for larger children which

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should be used for maximum protection.

Infant or small child

NISSAN recommends that infants or smallchildren be placed in child restraint systemsthat comply with Federal Motor VehicleSafety Standards or Canadian Motor Ve-hicle Safety Standards. You should choosea child restraint system which fits your ve-hicle and always follow the manufacturer’sinstructions for installation and use.

ChildrenChildren who are too large for child restraintsystems should be seated and restrained bythe seat belts which are provided.

NISSAN recommends that children sit in therear seat if possible. According to accidentstatistics, children are safer when properlyrestrained in the rear seat than in the frontseat.

If the child’s seating position has a shoulderbelt that fits close to the face or neck, the useof a booster seat (commercially available)may help overcome this. The booster seatshould raise the child so that the shoulderbelt is properly positioned across the top,middle portion of the shoulder and the lap

belt is low on the hips. The booster seatshould fit the vehicle seat and have a labelcertifying that it complies with Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Mo-tor Vehicle Safety Standards. Once the childhas grown enough so the shoulder belt is nolonger on or near the face and neck, use theshoulder belt without the booster seat.

Never let a child stand or kneel on anyseat and do not allow a child in the cargoareas while the vehicle is moving.

Pregnant womenNISSAN recommends that pregnant womenuse seat belts. Contact your doctor for spe-cific recommendations. The lap belt shouldbe worn snug and positioned as low aspossible around the hips, not the waist.

Injured personsNISSAN recommends that injured personsuse seat belts. Check with your doctor forspecific recommendations.

3-POINT TYPE WITH RETRACTOR

WARNINGEvery person who drives or rides inthis vehicle should wear a seat belt atall times.

Fastening the belts1. Adjust the seat.

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WARNINGThe seatback should not be reclinedany more than needed for comfort. Seatbelts are most effective when the pas-senger sits well back and straight up inthe seat. If the seat is reclined, the riskof sliding under the lap belt and beinginjured is increased.

2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retrac-tor and insert the tongue into the buckleuntil it snaps.

The retractor is designed to lock duringa sudden stop or on impact. A slowpulling motion permits the belt to move,and allows you some freedom of move-ment in the seat.

3. Position the lap belt portion low on thehips as shown.

4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward theretractor to take up extra slack.

The front seat passenger side seat belt andrear 3-point seat belts have a cinchingmechanism for child seat installation. It isreferred to as the automatic locking mode.

When the cinching mechanism is activatedthe seat belt cannot be withdrawn againuntil the seat belt tongue is detached fromthe buckle and fully retracted. Refer to‘‘Child Restraints for Infants and SmallChildren’’ later in this section for more infor-mation.

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WARNINGThe automatic locking mode should beused only for child seat installation.During normal seat belt use by a pas-senger, the locking mode should not beactivated. If it is activated it may causeuncomfortable seat belt tension.

Unfastening the beltsTo unfasten the belt, press the button on thebuckle. The seat belt automatically retracts.

Shoulder belt height adjustment(For front seats) (If so equipped)The shoulder belt anchor height should beadjusted to the position best for you. (See‘‘Precautions on Seat Belt Usage’’.) To ad-just, press both release buttons and move itto the desired position so the belt passesover the center of the shoulder. The beltshould be away from your face and neck,but not falling off of your shoulder.

CAUTIONAfter adjustment, release the buttonand check that it does not move up anddown to make sure the shoulder beltanchor is securely fixed in position.

Checking seat belt operation(3-point type with retractor)Your seat belt retractors are designed tolock belt movement by two separate meth-ods:

1) When the belt is pulled quickly from theretractor.

2) When the vehicle slows down rapidly.

To increase your confidence in the belts,check the operation as follows:

● Grasp the shoulder belt and pull forwardquickly. The retractor should lock andrestrict further belt movement.

If the retractor does not lock during thischeck or if you have any question about beltoperation, see your NISSAN dealer.

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2-POINT TYPE WITHOUTRETRACTOR (rear center lapbelt)

Fastening the belts1. Insert the tongue into the buckle until it

snaps. Both the tongue and the buckleare marked CENTER.

2. To lengthen, hold the tongue at a rightangle to the belt and pull on the belt. Toshorten, pull the end of the belt attachedto the belt clip away from the tongue,then pull the belt clip to take up the slack.

3. Position the lap belt low on the hips asillustrated.

Unfastening the beltsTo unfasten the belt, press the button on thebuckle.

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Selecting correct set of beltsThe center seat belt buckle and tongue areidentified by the CENTER label. The centerseat belt tongue can be fastened only intothe center seat belt buckle.

SEAT BELT EXTENDERS

If, because of body size or driving position,it is not possible to properly fit the lap-shoulder belt and fasten it, an extender isavailable which is compatible with the in-stalled seat belts. The extender adds ap-proximately 8 inches (200 mm) of lengthand may be used for either the driver or frontpassenger seating position. See your NIS-SAN dealer for assistance if the extender isrequired.

WARNING

● Only NISSAN belt extenders, made bythe same company which made theoriginal equipment belts, should beused with NISSAN belts.

● Persons who can use the standardseat belt should not use an extender.Such unnecessary use could result inserious personal injury in the eventof an accident.

SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE● To clean the belt webbings, apply a

mild soap solution or any solution recom-mended for cleaning upholstery or car-pets. Then brush the webbing, wipe itwith a cloth and allow it to dry in theshade. Do not allow the belts to retractuntil they are completely dry.

● Periodically check to see that the beltand metal components, such as buck-les, tongues, retractors, flexible wiresand anchors, work properly. If looseparts, deterioration, cuts or other dam-age on the webbing is found, the entirebelt assembly should be replaced.

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WARNING

Infants and small children should always beplaced in an appropriate child restraint whileriding in the vehicle. Failure to use a childrestraint can result in serious injury or death.

Children and infants should never becarried on your lap. It is not possible foreven the strongest adult to resist theforces of a severe accident. The childcould be crushed between the adultand parts of the vehicle. Also, do notput the same seat belt around bothyour child and yourself.

In general, child restraints are designedto be installed with a lap belt or the lapportion of a three-point type seat belt.

Nissan recommends that the child re-straint system be installed in the rearseat. According to accident statistics,children are safer when properly re-strained in the rear seat than in thefront seat.

An improperly installed child restraintcould lead to serious injury or death inan accident.

Child restraints specially designed for in-fants and small children are offered byseveral manufacturers. When selecting anychild restraint, keep the following points inmind:

1) Choose only a restraint with a label cer-tifying that it complies with Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standard 213 or Cana-dian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

2) Check the child restraint in your vehicleto be sure it is compatible with the vehi-cle’s seat belt system.

3) If the child restraint is compatible withyour vehicle, place your child in the childrestraint and check the various adjust-ments to be sure the child restraint iscompatible with your child. Always followall recommended procedures.

WARNING

● Never install a rear-facing child re-straint in the front seat. A rear-facingchild restraint must only be used inthe rear seat. See “Installation onfront passenger seat” for details.

● Follow all of the child restraint manu-facturer’s instructions for installationand use. When purchasing a childrestraint, be sure to select one whichwill fit your child and vehicle. It maynot be possible to properly installsome types of child restraints in yourvehicle.

● Improper use of a child restraint canresult in increased injuries for boththe infant or child and other occu-pants in the vehicle.

● When your child restraint is not inuse, keep it secured with a seat belt toprevent it from being thrown forwardin case of a sudden stop or accident.

● Remember that a child restraint left ina closed vehicle can become veryhot. Check the seating surface andbuckles before placing your child inthe child restraint.

● All U.S. states and provinces ofCanada require that infants and smallchildren be restrained in approvedchild restraints at all times while thevehicle is being operated.

CHILD RESTRAINTS FORINFANTS AND SMALLCHILDREN

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● After attaching the child restraint, testit before you place the child in it. Tilt itfrom side to side. Try to tug it forwardand check to see if the belt holds therestraint in place. If the restraint is notsecure, tighten the belt as necessary,or put the restraint in another seat andtest it again.

● If the child restraint is not anchoredproperly, the risk of a child beinginjured in a collision or a sudden stopgreatly increases.

● Adjustable seatbacks should be po-sitioned to fit the child restraint, butas upright as possible.

● For a front facing child restraint, if theseat position where it is installed hasa 3-point type lap/shoulder belt,check to make sure the shoulder beltdoes not go in front of the child’s faceor neck. If it does, put the shoulderbelt behind the child restraint.

Installation on rear seatCenter lap belt

Secure the child restraint with the lap belt asillustrated. Remove all slack in the lap beltfor a very tight fit by pulling forcefully on thelap belt adjustment.

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Installation on rear outboard seatingpositions

WARNING

● The 3-point belt in your vehicle isequipped with a locking mode retrac-tor which must be used when install-ing a child restraint.

● Failure to do so will result in the childrestraint not being properly secured.It could tip over or otherwise be un-secured and cause injury to the childin a sudden stop or collision.

When you install a child restraint in a rearoutboard seat, follow these steps:

1. Position the child restraint on the seat. Itcan be placed in a forward facing or rearfacing direction, depending on the size ofthe child. Always follow the restraintmanufacturer’s instructions.

2. Route the seat belt tongue through thechild restraint and insert it into the buckleuntil you hear and feel the latch engage.

Be sure to follow the child restraint manu-facturer’s instructions for belt routing.

3. Pull on the shoulder belt until all of thebelt is fully extended and a click is heard.At this time, the belt retractor is in theautomatic locking mode (child restraintmode). (It reverts back to ‘‘emergencylocking’’ when the belt is fully retracted.)

4. Allow the belt to retract. A clicking soundwill be heard as the belt retracts. Thisindicates that the retractor is in the auto-matic locking mode. Pull down on the beltto remove any slack in the belt.

5. Before placing the child in the child re-straint, use force to tilt the child restraintfrom side to side, and tug it forward tomake sure that it is securely held inplace.

6. Check that the retractor is in the auto-matic locking mode by trying to pull morebelt out of the retractor. If you cannot pullany more belt webbing out of the retrac-tor, the belt is in the automatic lockingmode.

7. Check to make sure that the child re-straint is properly secured prior to each

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use. If the belt is not locked, repeat steps3 through 6.

After the child restraint is removed and theseat belt is allowed to wind back into theretractor, the automatic locking mode (childrestraint mode) is canceled; the seat beltmay be used as normal and only locksduring a sudden stop or impact.

TOP STRAP CHILD RESTRAINT

If your child restraint has a top strap, it mustbe secured to the provided anchor point.Anchor bracket hardware must be installed.The top strap anchor bracket hardware isavailable through your NISSAN dealer.

Part #88894-89900

Secure the child restraint with the center lapbelt or the lap portion of the outboard3-point belt and latch the top strap hookonto the anchor bracket. To install the an-chor bracket, a metric bolt of the dimensionslisted below must be used.

Bolt diameter: 8.0 mmBolt length: more than 1.18 in (30 mm)Thread pitch: 1.25 mm

The top strap should be secured to theattaching bolt which provides the straightestinstallation of the top strap.

Child restraint anchor points are de-signed to withstand only those loadsimposed by correctly fitted child re-straints. Under no circumstances arethey to be used for adult seat belts orharnesses.

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Anchor point locations

Anchor points are located under the rearparcel shelf finisher.

To use attaching hardware for child re-straints with top straps, follow these instruc-tions carefully:

1. Open the trunk and find the anchor pointnuts on the under side of the rear parcelshelf. Thread a bolt (8.0 mm diameter,1.25 pitch) up through the nut behind theseating position where the child restraintwill be installed and use it to break throughthe rear parcel shelf support material.

There are pre-cut circles at each anchorpoint location that should break away fromthe shelf support material when pressureis applied to them. Remove the bolt afteryou feel the pre-cut circle separate fromthe shelf support material.

2. Cut a small slit through the parcel shelffabric at the anchor point location. Reachthrough the fabric with a tool such as apair of needle-nose pliers and removethe pre-cut circle in the parcel shelf sup-port material.

3. Install the bolt through the top strap hookand into the anchor point nut.

4. Be sure to follow all of the instructionsthat accompany the top strap attachinghardware.

Installation on front passenger seat(Vehicles with passenger-side air bag)

WARNINGNever install a rear-facing child re-straint in the front passenger seat. Airbags inflate with great force. A rear-facing child restraint could be struckby the air bag in a crash and couldseriously injure or kill your child.

If you install a forward-facing child re-straint in the front passenger seat,place the passenger seat as far back aspossible.

APD0635 APD0503

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A child restraint with a top strap should notbe used in the front passenger seat.

WARNING● The 3-point belt in your vehicle is

equipped with a locking mode retrac-tor which must be used when install-ing a child restraint.

● Failure to use the retractor’s lockingmode will result in the child restraintnot being properly secured. The re-straint could tip over or otherwise beunsecured and cause injury to thechild in a sudden stop or collision.

When you install a child restraint in the frontseat, follow these steps:

1. Position the child restraint on the frontpassenger seat. It should be placed ina forward-facing direction only. Movethe seat as far back from the instrumentpanel as possible. Always follow the re-straint manufacturer’s instructions. Childrestraints for infants must be used inthe rear-facing direction and thereforemust not be used in the front seat.

2. Route the seat belt tongue through thechild restraint and insert it into the buckleuntil you hear and feel the latch engage.

Be sure to follow the child restraint manu-facturer’s instructions for belt routing.

3. Pull on the shoulder belt until all of thebelt is fully extended and a click is heard.At this time, the belt retractor is in theautomatic locking mode (child restraintmode). (It reverts back to ‘‘emergencylocking’’ when the belt is fully retracted.)

4. Allow the belt to retract. A clicking soundis heard as the belt retracts. This indi-cates that the retractor is in the automaticlocking mode. Pull down on the belt toremove any slack in the belt.

5. Before placing the child in the child re-

straint, use force to tilt the child restraintfrom side to side, and tug it forward tomake sure it is securely held in place.

6. Check that the retractor is in the automaticlocking mode by trying to pull more beltout of the retractor. If you cannot pull anymore belt webbing out of the retractor, thebelt is in the automatic locking mode.

7. Check to make sure the child restraint isproperly secured prior to each use. If thelap belt is not locked, repeat steps 3through 6.

After the child restraint is removed and theseat belt is allowed to wind back into theretractor, the automatic locking mode (childrestraint mode) is canceled; the seat beltmay be used as normal and will only lockduring a sudden stop or impact.

NOTE:

For Canada, some vehicles are notequipped with a Supplemental Air BagSystem and do not have a passenger-sidesupplemental air bag. If your vehicle doesnot have a passenger-side air bag, a rearfacing child restraint may be used in thefront passenger seat. Follow the instruc-tions in ‘‘Installation on rear outboardseating positions’’ earlier in this section.

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Tilt operationPush the lock lever down and adjust thesteering wheel up or down to the desiredposition. Pull the lock lever up firmly to lockthe steering wheel in place.

WARNINGDo not adjust the steering wheel whiledriving.

Electric control type (If so equipped)The outside mirror control operates onlywhen the ignition switch is in the ACC or ONposition.

Push the right or left end of the switch toselect the right or left side mirror, then adjustusing the control lever.

Objects viewed in the outside mirror onthe passenger side are closer than theyappear.

Manual control typeThe outside mirror can be moved in anydirection for a better rear view.

Objects viewed in the outside mirror onthe passenger side are closer than theyappear.

PD1238M APD0611 PD1183M

TILTING STEERING WHEEL OUTSIDE MIRROR CONTROL

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The night position reduces glare from theheadlights of vehicles behind you at night.

CAUTIONUse the night position only when nec-essary, because it reduces rear viewclarity.

Your vehicle may be equipped with a pas-senger side vanity mirror. To access, pullthe sun visor down.

APD0612 APD0613

INSIDE MIRROR VANITY MIRROR (If soequipped)

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MEMO

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3 Heater, air conditioner and audio system

Ventilators............................................................. 3-2Heater and air conditioner.................................... 3-3Air flow charts....................................................... 3-6Radio .................................................................. 3-10Clock................................................................... 3-13Manual antenna.................................................. 3-17CB radio or car phone........................................ 3-18

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Side ventilatorsYou can open or close the side ventilatorsby using the dial located at the side of theventilators. Adjust the air flow direction ofventilators by using the slide in the center.

Center ventilatorsAdjust the air flow direction of ventilators bymoving the ventilator slide.

AHA0607 AHA0608

VENTILATORS

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CONTROLS

Fan control dial

This dial turns the fan on and off, andcontrols fan speed.

Air flow control dial

This dial allows you to select the air flowoutlets.

— Air flows from center and sideventilators.

— Air flows from center and sideventilators and foot outlets.

— Air flows mainly from foot outlets.

— Air flows from defroster outletsand foot outlets.

— Air flows mainly from defrosteroutlets.

Temperature control dialThis dial allows you to adjust the tempera-ture of the outlet air.

Air recirculation button(If so equipped)

NOTE:

The air recirculation feature is availableonly on those vehicles equipped with airconditioning.

OFF position (Indicator light OFF):

Outside air is drawn into the passengercompartment and distributed through theselected outlets.

Use this position for normal heater or airconditioner operation.

ON position (Indicator light ON):

Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle.

Depress the air recirculation button to acti-vate the recirculation function when drivingon a dusty road or to avoid traffic fumes.

The air recirculation function is also used toimprove A/C performance during extremelyhot or humid conditions.

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HEATER AND AIRCONDITIONER

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WARNING

Do not use the recirculation mode (if soequipped) for long periods of time. Itmay cause the interior air to becomestale and the windows to fog up.

Air conditioner button

This button is provided only on those ve-hicles equipped with air conditioning.

Start the engine, move the fan control dial tothe desired (1 to 4) position, and push theair conditioner button to turn on the airconditioner. The indicator light comes onwhen the air conditioner is on. To turn off theair conditioner, push the button again.

The air conditioner cooling function op-erates only when the engine is running.

WARNING

Positioning of the heating or air condi-tioning controls should not be donewhile driving, in order that full attentionmay be given to the driving operation.

HEATER OPERATION

Heating

This mode is used to direct hot air mainlyfrom the floor outlets. A small amount of airalso flows from the defrost vents.

1. Push the air recirculation button (if soequipped) to the OFF position for normalheating.

2. Move the air control dial to the po-sition.

3. Move the fan control dial to the desiredposition.

4. Move the temperature control dial to thedesired position between the middle andthe hot position.

Ventilation

This mode directs outside air from the sideand center vents.

1. Push the air recirculation button (if soequipped) to the OFF position.



4. Move the temperature control dial to thedesired position.

Defrosting or defoggingThis mode is used to defrost/defog thewindows.





● If it is difficult to defog the windshieldglass, turn the air conditioner on (if soequipped). This helps dehumidify the air.

Outside air is drawn into the passengercompartment to improve the defogging per-formance.

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Bi-level heating

This mode directs cooler air from the sideand center vents and warmer air from thefloor outlets. When the temperature controldial is moved to the full hot or full coolposition, the air between the vents and thefloor outlets is the same temperature.




4. Move the temperature control dial to thethe desired position.

Heating and defoggingThis mode heats the interior and defogs thewindshield.





Operating tips

● Clear snow and ice from the wiperblades and air inlet in front of thewindshield. This improves heater op-eration.

AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION(If so equipped)

Start the engine, move the fan control dial tothe desired (1 to 4) position, and push in theair conditioner button to activate the airconditioner. When the air conditioner is on,cooling and dehumidifying functions areadded to the heater operation.

The air conditioner cooling function op-erates only when the engine is running.

CoolingThis mode is used to cool and dehumidify.

1. Push the air recirculation button to theOFF position.

2. Move the air control dial to posi-tion.


4. Push on the air conditioner button. Theindicator light comes on.


● For quick cooling when the outside tem-perature is high, push the air recirculationbutton (if so equipped) to the ON posi-tion. Be sure to return the air recirculationbutton to the OFF position for normalcooling.

Dehumidified heating

This mode is used to heat and dehumidifythe air.





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Dehumidified defogging

This mode is used to defog the windowsand dehumidify.






Operating tips● Keep windows and sun roof closed while

the air conditioner is in operation.

● After parking in the sun, drive for two orthree minutes with the windows open tovent hot air from the passenger compart-ment. Then, close the windows. Thisallows the air conditioner to cool theinterior more quickly.

● The air conditioning system should beoperated for about ten minutes atleast once a month. This helps pre-vent damage to the system due to lackof lubrication.

● If the engine coolant temperaturegauge indicates engine coolant tem-perature over the normal range, turnthe air conditioner off. See ‘‘If yourvehicle overheats’’ in the ‘‘In case ofemergency’’ section for additional in-formation.

AIR FLOW CHARTSThe following charts show the button anddial positions for MAXIMUM AND QUICKheating, cooling or defrosting. The air recir-culation switch should always be in theOFF position for heating and defrosting.

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AHA0620 AHA0621

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AHA0622 AHA0623

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Servicing air conditioningThe air conditioning system in your NISSANis charged with a new refrigerant designedwith the environment in mind.

This new refrigerant does not harm theearth’s ozone layer.

Special charging equipment and lubricant isrequired when servicing your NISSAN airconditioner. Using improper refrigerants orlubricants causes severe damage to yourair conditioning system. See ‘‘Air condition-ing system refrigerant and lubricant recom-mendations’’ in the ‘‘Technical and con-sumer information’’ section of this manual.

Your NISSAN dealer is able to service yourenvironmentally ‘‘friendly’’ air conditioningsystem.

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To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key toACC or ON. If you listen to the radio with theengine not running, turn the key to the ACCposition.

Radio reception is affected by station signalstrength, distance from radio transmitter,buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-ternal influences. Intermittent changes inreception quality normally are caused bythese external influences.

CLOCK-RADIO (If so equipped)On vehicles equipped with an AM-FM radioand cassette player, a clock is integratedinto the audio system. For further details,refer to Clock Operation later in this section.

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RADIO

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AM-FM RADIO

Push the ON/VOL knob to turn the radio on.Push the ON/VOL knob once more to turnthe radio off.

Turn the knob to adjust the volume.

Selecting the desired band

Push the band select button (FM/AM) tochange from AM to FM reception.

The stereo indicator glows during FM stereoreception. When the stereo broadcast signal isweak, the radio automatically changes fromstereo to monaural reception.

Tuning

WARNING

The radio should not be tuned whiledriving in order that full attention maybe given to the driving operation.

Manual tuning

Push down either manual tuning buttonor .

SCAN tuning

Push the SCAN tuning button . SCANtuning begins at low and moves throughhigh frequencies stopping at each broad-casting station for five seconds. Pushing thebutton again during this five second periodstops SCAN tuning and the radio remainstuned to that station.

Station memory operations

Six stations can be set for each band.

1. Tune to the desired station.

2. Push and hold the desired select button

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for more than 2 seconds. For example, inthe diagram ch2 is to be memorized. Theradio mutes when the select button ispushed.

3. The indicator, ch2, then comes on in thedisplay and the sound resumes. Memo-rizing is now complete.

4. Other buttons can be set in the samemanner.

If the battery cable is disconnected, or if thefuse blows, the radio memory is cancelled.In that case, reset the desired stations.

Adjusting tone quality and soundbalance

To adjust BASS, TREB (treble), FADER,and BAL (balance) the control knobs mustbe released from their stowed positions.Pushing the knobs once moves them to thereleased position.

In the released position, the knobs controltone quality. Turn the control knobs to ad-just BASS and TREB to the most pleasinglevel.

From the released position, the knobs mustbe pulled out in order to control FADER andBAL. FADER adjusts the sound level be-tween the front and rear speakers, and BALadjusts the sound level between the rightand left speakers.

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AM-FM RADIO WITH CASSETTEPLAYERRadio operation

Push the ON-OFF/VOL knob to turn theradio on. Push the ON-OFF/VOL knob oncemore to turn the radio off.

Turn the knob to adjust the volume.

Inserting a cassette tape into the cassetteplayer while the radio is on turns the radiooff and turns the cassette player on.

Pushing the ON-OFF/VOL knob while thecassette tape is playing turns the cassetteplayer off.

Clock Operation

By pressing the CLOCK button, you canalternate the clock and the radio/cassettetape options in the display.

Clock Set (Adjustment)

Depressing the CLOCK and the but-tons together sets hours. Depressing theCLOCK and buttons together sets min-utes.

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Clock Priority ModeIn this mode the clock is shown in thedisplay. If any radio or cassette tape func-tions are activated, the radio (or cassettetape) display illuminates for ten secondsthen returns to the clock mode.

NOTE:

After clock adjustment, the radio is in theclock priority mode.

Radio/Cassette Tape Priority ModeIn this mode, the radio station illuminates inthe display during radio operation. Duringcassette tape operation, TAPE illuminatesin the display.

Selecting the desired bandPush the band select button (FM/AM) tochange from AM to FM reception.

The stereo indicator illuminates during FMstereo reception. When the stereo broad-cast signal is weak, the radio automaticallychanges from stereo to monaural reception.

Tuning

WARNING

The radio should not be tuned whiledriving in order that full attention maybe given to the driving operation.

Manual tuning

Push either manual tuning button or.

SEEK tuning

Push the SEEK/SCAN tuning buttonfor less than 1.5 seconds. SEEK tun-

ing begins from low to high frequencies andstops at the next broadcasting station. Pushthe button again for less than 1.5 seconds,and the next highest broadcasting station istuned. Once the highest broadcasting sta-tion is reached, the radio continues in theSEEK mode at the lowest broadcast station.

SCAN tuning

Push the SEEK/SCAN tuning buttonfor more than 1.5 seconds. SCAN

illuminates in the display window. SCANtuning begins from low to high frequenciesand stops at each broadcasting station for

five seconds. Pushing the button again dur-ing this five second period stops SCANtuning and the radio remains tuned to thatstation.

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Station memory operations

Six stations can be set for each band.

1. Tune to the desired station.

2. Push the desired select button for more

than 2 seconds. For example, in thediagram ch2 is to be memorized. Theradio mutes when the select button ispushed.

3. The indicator, ch2, then comes on in thedisplay and the sound resumes. Memo-rizing is now complete.

4. Other buttons can be set in the samemanner.

If the battery cable is disconnected, or if thefuse blows, the radio memory is cancelled.In that case, reset the desired stations.

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Adjusting tone quality and soundbalance

To adjust BASS, TREB (treble), FADER,and BAL (balance) the control knobs mustbe released from their stowed positions.Pushing the knobs once moves them to thereleased position.

In the released position, the knobs controltone quality. Turn the control knobs to ad-just BASS and TREB to the most pleasinglevel.

From the released position, the knobs mustbe pulled out in order to control FADER and

BAL. FADER adjusts the sound level be-tween the front and rear speakers, and BALadjusts the sound level between the rightand left speakers.

Cassette tape operation

Turn the ignition key to ACC or ON, thenlightly insert the cassette tape into the tapedoor.

The cassette tape automatically pulls intothe player. The word TAPE and an arrowindicating tape side illuminates in the dis-play window.

Do not force the cassette tape into thetape door.

Pressing strongly could cause playerdamage.

The cassette tape automatically changesdirections to play the other side when thefirst side is complete. At this time, the arrowin the display window changes direction.

● To maintain good quality sound, NIS-SAN recommends using cassettetapes of 60 minutes or shorter inlength.

● Cassette tapes should be removedfrom the player when not in use. Storecassettes in their protective casesand away from direct sunlight, heat,moisture and magnetic sources.

● Direct sunlight can cause the cassetteto become deformed. The use of de-formed cassettes may cause the cas-sette to jam in the player.

● Do not use cassettes with labelswhich are peeling and loose. If used,the label could jam in the player.

● If a cassette has loose tape, insert apencil through one of the cassettehubs and rewind the tape firmly

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around the hubs. Loose tape maycause tape jamming and waveringsound quality.

● Over a period of time, the playbackhead, capstan and pinch roller maycollect a tape coating residue as thetape passes over the head. This resi-due accumulation can cause weak orwavering sound, and should be re-moved periodically with a head clean-ing tape. If the residue is not removedperiodically, the player may need tobe disassembled for cleaning.

Fast forwarding or rewinding thetape

Push either the FF (fast forward) or REW(rewind) button for the desired direction.

The or symbol illuminates in thedisplay. To stop the FF or REW function,press the PLAY/STOP button.

Automatic Program Search (APS)fast forwarding or APS rewindingthe tapePush either the APS FF or APS REW buttonwhile the tape is playing. The tape runs

quickly, stops, then plays the next selection.The indicator flashes on and off whilesearching for the selection. The or

symbol illuminates in the display.

This system searches at the blank intervalsbetween selections. If there is a blank inter-val within one selection or there is no inter-val between selections, the system may notsearch correctly.

Changing the direction of tape play

Push the PROG (program) select button.The or symbol illuminates inthe display to indicate side of program play.

Dolby NR (noise reduction)

Push the DOLBY NR button forDolby NR encoded tapes to reduce highfrequency tape noise. The indicator lightcomes on.

Dolby NR is manufactured under licensefrom Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corpora-tion. DOLBY NR and the double-D symbolare trademarks of Dolby Laboratories Li-censing Corporation.

If in the clock priority mode when thebutton is pressed, and TAPE

illuminate in the display window for aboutten seconds. The clock mode then returnsto the display window.

Metal or chrome tape usageThe cassette player is automatically set tohigh performance play when playing a metalor chrome cassette tape. The indicatorMETAL comes on when playing a metal orchrome cassette tape.

Stopping and ejecting the cassettetapePush the EJECT button.

The cassette tape automatically comes out.

Manual antennaThe antenna cannot be shortened but it canbe removed. When you need to remove theantenna, turn its base counterclockwise.

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When installing a CB ham radio or a carphone in your NISSAN, be sure to observethe following cautions, otherwise the newequipment may adversely affect the Multi-port Fuel Injection (MFI) system and otherelectronic parts.

CAUTION

● Keep the antenna as far as possibleaway from the Engine Control Module(ECM).

● Also keep the antenna wire more than8 inches (20 cm) away from the en-gine control harness. Do not routethe antenna wire next to any harness.

● Adjust the antenna standing-wave ra-tio as recommended by themanufacturer.

● Connect the ground wire from the CBradio chassis to the body.

● For details, consult a NISSAN dealer.

CB RADIO OR CAR PHONE

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4 Starting and driving

Precautions when starting and driving................. 4-2Ignition switch....................................................... 4-4Before starting the engine.................................... 4-5Driving with automatic transmission..................... 4-6Driving with manual transmission ........................ 4-9Starting the engine............................................. 4-11Parking brake operation ..................................... 4-11Cruise control (If so equipped)........................... 4-12Break-in schedule............................................... 4-13Increasing fuel economy .................................... 4-14Parking/parking on hills ...................................... 4-15Precautions when driving ................................... 4-16Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If so equipped).. 4-16Cold weather driving cautions............................ 4-18

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WARNINGDo not leave children, unreliableadults, or pets alone in your vehicle.They could accidentally injure them-selves or others through inadvertentoperation of the vehicle. Also, on hot,sunny days, temperatures in a closedvehicle could quickly become highenough to cause severe or possiblyfatal injuries to people or animals.

EXHAUST GAS (Carbon monoxide)

WARNINGDo not breathe exhaust gases; theycontain colorless and odorless carbonmonoxide. Carbon monoxide is dan-gerous. It can cause unconsciousnessor death.

● If you suspect that exhaust fumes areentering the vehicle, drive with allwindows fully open, and have thevehicle inspected immediately.

● Do not run the engine in closedspaces such as a garage for anylonger than is absolutely necessary.

● Do not park the vehicle with the en-gine running for any extended lengthof time.

● Keep the trunk lid closed while driv-ing, otherwise exhaust gases couldbe drawn into the passenger com-partment. If you must drive in thismanner for some reason, take thefollowing steps:

1. Open all the windows.

2. Set the air recirculate button (if soequipped) ‘‘OFF’’ and the fan con-trol dial to 4 (high) to circulate theair.

● If electrical wiring or other cable con-nections must pass to a trailerthrough the seal on the trunk lid orthe body, follow the manufacturer’srecommendation to prevent carbonmonoxide entry into the vehicle.

● The exhaust system and body shouldbe inspected by a qualified mechanicwhenever:

a. The vehicle is raised for service.

b. You suspect that exhaust fume-sare entering into the passengercompartment.

c. You notice a change in the soundof the exhaust system.

d. You have had an accident involv-ing damage to the exhaust system,underbody, or rear of the vehicle.

THREE WAY CATALYST

The three way catalyst is an emission controldevice installed in the exhaust system. Ex-haust gases in the converter are burned athigh temperatures to help reduce pollutants.

WARNING

● The exhaust gas and the exhaustsystem are very hot. While the engineis running, keep people or flammablematerials away from the exhaustpipe.

● Do not stop or park the vehicle overflammable materials such as drygrass, waste paper or rags, as theymay burn easily.

PRECAUTIONS WHENSTARTING AND DRIVING

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To help prevent damage● Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits

from leaded gasoline seriously reducethe three way catalyst’s ability to helpreduce exhaust pollutants.

● Keep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-tions in the ignition, fuel injection, orelectrical systems can cause overrichfuel flow into the converter, causing itto overheat. Do not keep driving if theengine misfires, or if noticeable lossof performance or other unusual op-erating conditions are detected. Havethe vehicle inspected promptly by anauthorized NISSAN dealer.

● Avoid driving with an extremely lowfuel level. Running out of fuel couldcause the engine to misfire, damagingthe three way catalyst.

● Do not race the engine while warmingit up.

● Do not push or tow your vehicle tostart the engine.

Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe andprudent manner may result in loss of controlor an accident. Be alert and drive defen-sively at all times. Obey all traffic regula-tions. Avoid excessive speed, high speedcornering, or sudden steering maneuvers,because these driving practices couldcause you to lose control of your vehicle. Aswith any vehicle, a loss of control couldresult in a collision with other vehicles orobjects, or cause the vehicle to rollover,particularly if the loss of control causesthe vehicle to slide sideways. Be attentiveat all times, and avoid driving when tired.Never drive when under the influence ofalcohol or drugs (including prescription orover-the-counter drugs which may causedrowsiness). Always wear your seat belt asoutlined in the ‘‘Seat Belts’’ section of thismanual, and also instruct your passengersto do so.

WARNINGAlcohol in the blood stream reducescoordination, delays reaction time andimpairs judgment. Driving after drink-ing alcohol increases the likelihood ofbeing involved in an accident injuringyourself and others. Additionally, if youare injured in the accident alcohol canincrease the severity of injury.

Nissan is committed to safe driving. How-ever, you must choose not to drive underthe influence of alcohol. Every year thou-sands of people are injured or killed inalcohol related accidents. Although the locallaws vary on what is considered to belegally intoxicated, the fact is that alcoholaffects all people differently and mostpeople underestimate the effects of alcohol.

Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix!

And that’s true for drugs, too (over thecounter, prescription, and illegal drugs).Don’t drive if your ability to operate yourvehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, orsome other physical condition.

AVOIDING COLLISION ANDROLLOVER

DRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGSAND DRIVING

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Manual transmission

The switch includes an anti-theft steeringlock device.

LOCK Normal parking position (0)

The ignition key can only be removed at thisposition.

On manual transmission models, to turnthe ignition key to LOCK from ACC or ON,turn the key to OFF and press in the keyrelease button, then turn the key to LOCK.

In order for the steering wheel to be lockedit must be straight up (logo on wheel will be

up). If the wheel is left upside down, it is notlocked.

Automatic transmissionOn automatic transmission models the igni-tion lock is designed so the key cannot beturned to LOCK and removed until the shiftlever is moved to the P (Park) position.

When removing the key from the ignition,make sure the shift lever is in the P (Park)position.

When the key cannot be turned to the LOCKposition, proceed as follows to remove thekey:

ASD0610 ASD0023

IGNITION SWITCH

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1) Move the shift lever into the P position.

2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ONdirection.

3) Turn the key toward the LOCK position.

4) Remove the key.

If the key is removed from the ignitionswitch, the shift lever cannot be moved fromP (Park). The shift lever can be moved ifthe ignition switch is in the ACC posi-tion. The shift lever can also be moved ifthe ignition switch is in the ON positionand the foot brake pedal is depressed.

There is an OFF position in between LOCKand ACC, although it does not show on thelock cylinder. When the ignition is in OFFthe steering wheel is not locked.

In order for the steering wheel to be locked,it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn coun-terclockwise from the straight up position,and the key must be removed from theignition.

WARNINGTo lock the steering wheel, remove thekey. To unlock the steering wheel, in-sert the key and turn it gently whilerotating the steering wheel slightlyright and left.

Never remove the key while driving. Ifthe key is removed, the steering wheelwill lock. This may cause the driver tolose control of the vehicle and couldresult in serious vehicle damage orpersonal injury.

OFF (Manual transmission model) (1)

The engine can be turned off without lockingthe steering wheel.

ACC (Accessories) (2)

This position activates electrical accesso-ries such as the radio when the engine isnot running.

ON Normal operating position (3)

This position turns on the ignition systemand the electrical accessories.

START (4)

This position activates the starter motor,which starts the engine.

● Make sure the area around the vehicle isclear.

● Maintenance items listed here should bechecked periodically, e.g., each time youcheck engine oil.

● Check that all windows and lights areclean.

● Visually inspect tires for their appearanceand condition. Also check tires for properinflation.

● Lock all doors.

● Position seat and adjust head restraints.

● Adjust inside and outside mirrors.

● Fasten seat belts and ask all passengersto do likewise.

● Check the operation of warning lightswhen key is turned to the ON (3) position.

BEFORE STARTING THEENGINE

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The automatic transmission in your vehicle(if so equipped) is electronically controlledby a microcomputer to produce maximumpower and smooth operation.

Shown on the following pages are the rec-ommended operating procedures for thistransmission. Follow these procedures formaximum vehicle performance and drivingenjoyment.

Starting the vehicle

● After starting the engine, fully depressthe foot brake pedal before shifting theshift lever to the D, R, 2 or 1 position. Besure the vehicle is fully stopped beforeattempting to shift the shift lever.

This automatic transmission is designedso the foot brake pedal MUST be de-pressed before shifting from P to anydrive position while the ignition switch isON.

Normally, the shift lever cannot bemoved out of P and into any of the othergear positions if the ignition key isturned to LOCK or if the key is removedfrom the switch.

When the battery charge is low, the shift

lever can be moved if the ignition switchis in the ACC position.

1. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed andshift into a driving gear.

2. Release the parking brake and footbrake, then gradually start the vehicle inmotion.

● Cold engine idle speed is high, so usecaution when shifting into a forwardor reverse gear before the engine haswarmed up.

● Avoid revving up the engine while thevehicle is stopped. This could causeunexpected vehicle movement.

Driving precautionsTo help prevent transmission damage:

● Do not depress the accelerator pedalwhile shifting from P or N to R, D, 2 or1. Always depress the brake pedaluntil shifting is completed.

● Never shift to P or R while the vehicleis moving.

● When stopping the vehicle on an up-hill grade, do not hold the vehicle bydepressing the accelerator pedal. The

foot brake should be used for thispurpose.

DRIVING WITH AUTOMATICTRANSMISSION

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Push the button to shift into P, R or from Dto 2. All other positions can be selectedwithout pushing the button.

P (Park):

Use this selector position when the vehicleis parked or when starting the engine. Al-ways be sure the vehicle is at a completestop. For maximum safety, depress thebrake pedal, then push in the shift leverbutton and move the lever to the P position.Apply the parking brake. When parking on ahill, apply the parking brake first, then shiftthe lever into the P position.

Shifting from P (Park)If the ignition switch is in the ON positionand the foot brake pedal is depressed, butthe shift lever still cannot be moved out of P(Park) use the following procedure:

1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.

2. Apply the parking brake.

3. Reinsert the key and turn it clockwise tothe ACC position.

4. Depress the brake pedal, move the shiftlever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.

5. Check stoplights operation.

WARNING

If the shift lever cannot be moved fromthe P position while the engine is run-ning and the brake pedal is depressed,the stoplights may not work. Malfunc-tioning stoplights could cause an acci-dent injuring yourself and others.

These instructions for starting the vehicle inN (Neutral) should only be used until servicecan be obtained. Never drive the vehicle ifthe stoplights are not operating properly.

R (Reverse):

Use this position to back up. Always be surethe vehicle is completely stopped. With thebrake pedal depressed, push in the shiftlever button and move the lever to the Rposition.

N (Neutral):

Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-gaged. The engine can be started in thisposition. You may shift to N and restart astalled engine while the vehicle is moving.

ASD0611

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D (Drive):

Use this position for all normal forwarddriving.

2 (Second gear):

Use for hill climbing or engine braking ondownhill grades.

Do not downshift into the 2 position atspeeds over 68 MPH (110 km/h). Do notexceed 68 MPH (110 km/h) in the 2position.

1 (Low gear):

Use this position when climbing steep hillsslowly or driving slowly through deep snow,sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-ing on steep downhill grades.

Do not shift into the 1 position at speedsover 34 MPH (55 km/h).

Do not exceed 34 MPH (55 km/h) in the 1position.

Accelerator downshift— In D position —For rapid passing or hill climbing, fully de-press the accelerator pedal to the floor. Thisshifts the transmission down into third gear,

second gear or first gear, depending on thevehicle speed.

Overdrive switch

ON: For normal driving, push the over-drive switch ON with the selectorswitch in the D position. The trans-mission is upshifted into OVER-DRIVE as the vehicle speedincreases.

The overdrive does not engage until theengine has warmed up.

OFF: For driving up and down long slopeswhere engine braking would be ad-vantageous, push the switch OFF

. When cruising at a low speed

ASD0602

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or climbing a gentle slope, you mayfeel uncomfortable shift shocks asthe transmission shifts between 3rdand overdrive repeatedly. In thiscase, set the overdrive switch in theOFF position. The indicatorlight in the instrument panel comeson at this time.

When driving conditions change, reset theoverdrive switch in the ON position.

Remember not to drive at high speeds forextended periods of time with the overdriveswitch set in the OFF position. Thisreduces the fuel economy.

To change gears, fully depress the clutchpedal, then move the gearshift lever. Aftershifting, release the clutch slowly.

On the 5-speed transmission model, youcannot shift directly from 5th gear into Re-verse. First shift into Neutral, then into Re-verse.

If it is difficult to move the gearshift lever intoReverse or 1st, shift into Neutral, then re-lease the clutch pedal. Depress the pedaland shift into Reverse or 1st again.

Driving precautions● Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal

while driving. This may cause clutchdamage.

● Stop your vehicle completely before shift-ing into Reverse.

Suggested shift-up speedsShown below are suggested vehicle speedsfor shifting into a higher gear. These sug-gestions relate to fuel economy and vehicleperformance. Actual shift-up speeds willvary according to road conditions, theweather and individual driving habits.

For quick acceleration in low altitude areas(less than 4,000 ft [1,219 m]) and normalacceleration in high altitude areas (over4,000 ft [1,219 m]):

Gear change MPH (km/h)

1st to 2nd 15 (25)

2nd to 3rd 25 (40)

3rd to 4th 40 (65)

4th to 5th 45 (75)

SD1022

DRIVING WITH MANUALTRANSMISSION

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For quick acceleration in high altitude areas(over 4,000 ft [1,219 m]):

For GA16DE engine models:

Gear change MPH (km/h)

1st to 2nd 15 (25)

2nd to 3rd 35 (55)

3rd to 4th 45 (75)

4th to 5th 50 (80)

For SR20DE engine models:

1st to 2nd 15 (25)

2nd to 3rd 25 (40)

3rd to 4th 40 (65)

4th to 5th 45 (75)

Suggested maximum speed in eachgearDownshift to a lower gear if the engine is notrunning smoothly, or if you need to acceler-ate.

Do not exceed the maximum suggestedspeed (shown below) in any gear. For levelroad driving, use the highest gear sug-gested for that speed. Always observeposted speed limits, and drive according tothe road conditions, which will ensure safeoperation. Do not over-rev the engine whenshifting to a lower gear as it may causeengine damage or loss of vehicle control.

GA16DE engine models:

Gear MPH (km/h)

1st 30 (50)

2nd 55 (90)

3rd 85 (135)

4th & 5th —

SR20DE engine models:

Gear MPH (km/h)

1st 35 (55)

2nd 60 (95)

3rd 85 (135)

4th & 5th —

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1. Apply the parking brake.

2. Automatic transmission:

Move the selector lever to P (Park) or N(Neutral). (P preferred.)

The shift lever cannot be moved out ofP and into any of the other gear posi-tions if the ignition key is turned toOFF or if the key is removed from theswitch.The starter is designed not to operateif the shift lever is in one of the drivingpositions.

Manual transmission:Move the gearshift lever to N (Neutral),and depress the clutch pedal to the floorwhile cranking the engine.

The starter is designed not to operateunless the clutch pedal is depressed.

3. Crank the engine with your foot off theaccelerator pedal by turning the ignitionkey to START. Release the key when theengine starts. If the engine starts, butfails to run, repeat the above procedure.

— If the engine is very hard to start inextremely cold or hot weather, de-press the accelerator pedal fully and

hold it to help start the engine.

— In the summer, when restarting theengine within 30 minutes after it hasbeen stopped, keep the acceleratorpedal fully depressed while starting.

CAUTIONDo not operate the starter for more than15 seconds at a time. If the engine doesnot start, wait 10 seconds before crank-ing again, otherwise the starter couldbe damaged.

4. Warm-up

Allow the engine to idle for at least 30seconds after starting. Drive at moderatespeed for a short distance first, especiallyin cold weather.

To engage: pull the lever up.

To release: pull the lever up slightly, pushthe button and lower completely. Beforedriving, be sure the parking brake warninglight goes out.

ASD0603

STARTING THE ENGINE PARKING BRAKEOPERATION

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The cruise control allows driving at a speedbetween 30 to 90 MPH (48 to 144 km/h)without keeping your foot on the acceleratorpedal.

To turn on the cruise control, push themain switch. The indicator light on theswitch comes on.

To set cruising speed, accelerate yourvehicle to the desired speed, push theCOAST/SET switch and release it. TheCRUISE indicator light comes on. Take yourfoot off the accelerator pedal. Your vehiclemaintains the set speed.

● To pass another vehicle, depress theaccelerator pedal. When you release thepedal, the vehicle returns to the previ-ously set speed.

● The vehicle may not maintain the setspeed when going up or down steep hills.If this happens, drive without the cruisecontrol.

To cancel the preset speed, use one ofthe following three methods:

a) Push the CANCEL button; the CRUISElight goes out.

b) Tap the brake pedal; the CRUISE lightgoes out.

c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ONindicator and CRUISE lights go out.

The cruise control is automatically can-celled and the CRUISE light goes out if:

● You depress the brake pedal while push-ing the ‘‘ACCEL’’ set switch.

● The vehicle slows down more than 8MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.

● You depress the clutch pedal (manualtransmission), or move the shift lever tothe N position (automatic transmission).

To reset at a faster cruising speed, useone of the following three methods:

a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When thevehicle attains the desired speed, pushand release the COAST/SET switch.

b) Push and hold the ACCEL set switch.When the vehicle attains the speed youdesire, release the switch.

c) Push, then quickly release the ACCELset switch. Each time you do this, the setspeed increases by about 1 MPH (1.6km/h).

ASD0604

CRUISE CONTROL(If so equipped)

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To reset at a slower cruising speed, useone of the following three methods:

a) Lightly tap the brake pedal. When thevehicle attains the desired speed, pushthe COAST/SET switch and release it.

b) Push and hold the COAST/SET switch.Release the switch when the vehicleslows down to the desired speed.

c) Push, then quickly release theCOAST/SET switch. Each time you dothis, the set speed decreases by about 1MPH (1.6 km/h).

To resume the preset speed, push andrelease the RESUME switch. The vehiclereturns to the last set cruising speed whenthe vehicle speed is over 30 MPH (48 km/h).

Precautions

● If the cruise control system malfunctions,it cancels automatically. The cruise indi-cator light in the instrument panel thenblinks to warn the driver.

● When the cruise indicator light blinks,turn the cruise control main switch offand have the system checked by yourNISSAN dealer.

● The cruise indicator light may blink whenthe cruise control main switch is turnedON while pushing the RES/ACCEL,COAST/SET, or CANCEL switch (lo-cated on the steering wheel). To properlyset the cruise control system perform thesteps above in the order indicated.

Avoid using the cruise control whendriving under the following conditions:

● when it is not possible to keep the vehicleat a set speed.

● in heavy traffic or in traffic that varies inspeed.

● on winding roads, or hilly roads.

● on slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.).

● in very windy areas.

CAUTIONOn manual transmission models, donot shift into neutral without depress-ing the clutch pedal when the cruisecontrol is on. Should this occur, de-press the clutch pedal and turn themain switch off immediately. Failure todo so may cause engine damage.

During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km),follow these recommendations for the futurereliability and economy of your new vehicle.Failure to follow these recommendationsmay result in vehicle damage or shortenedengine life.

● Do not drive over 55 MPH (90 km/h) anddo not run the engine over 4,000 rpm.Avoid driving for long periods at constantspeed, either fast or slow.

● Do not accelerate at full throttle in anygear.

● Avoid quick starts.

● Avoid hard braking as much as possible.

● Do not tow a trailer for the first 500 miles(800 km).

BREAK-IN SCHEDULE

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● Accelerate slowly and smoothly. Main-tain cruising speeds with a constant ac-celerator position.

● Drive at moderate speeds on the high-way. Driving at high speed lowers fueleconomy.

● Avoid unnecessary stopping and brak-ing. Maintain a safe distance behindother vehicles.

● Use a proper gear range which suits roadconditions. On level roads, shift into highgear as soon as possible.

● Avoid unnecessary engine idling.

● Keep your engine tuned up.

● Follow the recommended periodic main-tenance schedule.

● Keep the tires inflated at the correctpressure. Low pressure increases tirewear and waste fuel.

● Keep the front wheels in correct align-ment. Improper alignment causes notonly tire wear but also lower fueleconomy.

● Air conditioner operation lowers fueleconomy. Use the air conditioner onlywhen necessary.

● When cruising at highway speeds, it ismore economical to use the air condi-tioner and leave the windows closed toreduce drag.

SD1001M

INCREASING FUELECONOMY

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CAUTION

Do not park the vehicle over flammablematerials such as dry grass, waste pa-per or rags, as they may burn easily.

1. Firmly apply the parking brake.

2. Manual transmission models:

Place the gearshift lever in the R (Re-verse) position. When parking on an up-hill grade, place the gearshift lever in the1st position.

Automatic transmission models:

Move the gearshift lever to the P (Park)position.

CAUTION

Safe parking procedures require thatboth the parking brake be set and thetransmission placed into P (Park) posi-tion. Make sure the shift lever has beenpushed as far forward as it can go andcannot be moved without depressingthe button at the end of the lever.

3. To help prevent the vehicle from rollinginto the street when parked on a sloping

driveway, it is a good practice to turn thewheels as illustrated.

● HEADED DOWNHILL WITH CURB:s1

Turn the wheels into the curb and movethe vehicle forward until the curb sidewheel gently touches the curb.

● HEADED UPHILL WITH CURB:s2

Turn the wheels away from the curb andmove the vehicle back until the curb sidewheel gently touches the curb.

● HEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NOCURB:s3

Turn the wheels toward the side of theroad so the vehicle will move away fromthe center of the road if it moves.

4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK posi-tion and remove the key.

CAUTION● Never leave the engine running while

the vehicle is unattended.

● Never leave children unattended inthe vehicle.

MSD0002

PARKING/PARKING ON HILLS

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● Driving with vacuum assisted brakes:

The brake booster aids braking by usingengine vacuum. If the engine stops, youcan stop the vehicle by depressing thebrake pedal. However, greater foot pres-sure on the brake pedal will be requiredto stop the vehicle and the stoppingdistance will be longer.

● Driving with the power assisted steer-ing:

The power assisted steering is designedto use a hydraulic pump, driven by theengine, to assist steering.

If the engine stops or the drive beltbreaks, you will still have control of thevehicle. However, much greater steeringeffort is needed, especially in sharp turnsor at low speeds.

● Wet brakes:

When the vehicle is washed or driventhrough water, the brakes may get wet.As a result, your braking distance will belonger and the vehicle may pull to oneside during braking.

To dry brakes, drive the vehicle at a safespeed while lightly pressing the brake

pedal to heat-up the brakes. Do this untilthe brakes return to normal. Avoid drivingthe vehicle at high speeds until thebrakes function correctly.

● Avoid resting your foot on the brakepedal while driving. This will overheat thebrakes, wear out the brake linings andpads faster and reduce gas mileage.

● To help save the brakes and to preventthe brakes from overheating, reducespeed and downshift to a lower gearbefore going down a slope or long grade.Overheated brakes may reduce brakingperformance and could result in loss ofvehicle control.

● While driving on a slippery surface, becareful when braking, accelerating ordownshifting. Abrupt braking actions orsudden acceleration could cause thewheels to skid.

The anti-lock brake system controls thebrakes at each wheel so the wheels do notlock when braking abruptly or when brakingon slippery surfaces. The system detectsthe rotation speed at each wheel and variesthe brake fluid pressure to prevent eachwheel from locking and sliding. By prevent-ing wheel lockup, the system helps thedriver maintain steering control and helps tominimize swerving and spinning on slipperysurfaces.

Using the systemDepress the brake pedal and hold it down.

It is not necessary to pump the brakepedal.

Doing so may result in increased stoppingdistances.

Normal operationThe anti-lock brake system does not oper-ate at speeds below 3 to 6 MPH (5 to 10km/h) to completely stop the vehicle. (Thespeeds vary according to road conditions.)When the anti-lock system senses that oneor more wheels are close to locking up, theactuator (under the hood) rapidly appliesand releases hydraulic pressure (like pump-ing the brakes very quickly). While the ac-

PRECAUTIONS WHENDRIVING

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM(ABS) (If so equipped)

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tuator is working, you may feel a pulsation inthe brake pedal and hear a noise or vibra-tion from the actuator under the hood. Thisis normal and indicates that the anti-locksystem is working properly. However, thepulsation may indicate that road conditionsare hazardous and extra care is requiredwhile driving.

Self-test featureThe anti-lock brake system consists of elec-tronic sensors, electric pumps, and hydrau-lic solenoids controlled by a computer. Thecomputer has a built-in diagnostic featurethat tests the system each time you start theengine and move the vehicle at a low speedin forward or reverse. When the ‘‘self-test’’occurs, you may hear a ‘‘clunk’’ noise and/or feel a ‘‘pulsation’’ in the brake pedal. Thisis normal and is not an indication of anymalfunction. If the computer senses anymalfunction, it switches the anti-lock brakesystem OFF and turns on the ABS brakewarning light in the dashboard. The brakesystem then operates normally, but withoutanti-lock assistance.

If the light comes on during the self check,or while driving, take your vehicle to yourNISSAN dealer for repair at your earliestconvenience.

WARNINGThe anti-lock brake system is a sophis-ticated device, but it cannot preventaccidents resulting from careless ordangerous driving techniques. It canhelp maintain vehicle control duringbraking on slippery surfaces, but re-member that the stopping distance onslippery surfaces will be longer than onnormal surfaces, even with the anti-lock system. Stopping distances mayalso be longer on rough, gravel orsnow covered roads, or if you are usingtire chains. Always maintain a safe dis-tance from the vehicle in front of you.Ultimately, the responsibility for safetyof self and others rests in the hands ofthe driver.

Tire type and condition may also affectbraking effectiveness.

● When replacing tires, install thespecified size of tires on all 4 wheels.

● When installing a spare tire, make sureit is the proper size and type as speci-fied on the tire placard. For tire placardlocation information, refer to ‘‘Tireplacard’’ in the Owner’s Manual index.

Refer to ‘‘Wheels and tires’’ in the ‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’ section of thismanual.

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Freeing a frozen door lock

To prevent a door lock from freezing, applyde-icer or glycerin to it through the key hole.If the lock becomes frozen, heat the keybefore inserting it into the key hole.

Anti-freeze

In the winter when it is anticipated that thetemperature will drop below 32°F (0°C),check the anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base)to assure proper winter protection. For de-tails, see ‘‘Engine cooling system’’ in the‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’ section.

BatteryIf the battery is not fully charged duringextremely cold weather conditions, the bat-tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, thebattery should be checked regularly. Fordetails, see ‘‘Battery’’ in the ‘‘Do-it-yourselfoperations’’ section.

Draining of coolant waterIf the vehicle is to be left outside withoutanti-freeze, drain the cooling system byopening the drain valves located under theradiator and on the engine block. Refill

before operating the vehicle. See ‘‘Chang-ing Engine Coolant’’ in the ‘‘Do-it-yourselfoperations’’ section.

Tire equipment1. The SUMMER tires are of a tread design

to provide superior performance on drypavement. However, the performance ofthese tires will be substantially reducedin snowy and icy conditions. If you oper-ate your vehicle on snowy or icy roads,NISSAN recommends the use of MUD &SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on allfour wheels. Please consult your NIS-SAN dealer for the tire type, size, speedrating and availability information.

2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud-ded tires may be used. However, someprovinces and states prohibit their use.Check local, state and provincial lawsbefore installing studded tires.

Skid and traction capabilities of studdedsnow tires on wet or dry surfaces may bepoorer than that of non-studded snowtires.

3. Snow chains may be used if desired.Make sure they are of proper size for thetires on your vehicle and are installed

according to the chain manufacturer’ssuggestions.

Use of tire chains may be prohibitedaccording to location. Check the locallaws before installing tire chains. Wheninstalling tire chains, make sure they areof proper size for the tires on your vehicleand are installed according to the chainmanufacturer’s suggestions. Use onlySAE Class “S” chains. Use chain ten-sioners when recommended by the tirechain manufacturer to ensure a tight fit.Loose end links of the tire chain must besecured or removed to prevent the pos-sibility of whipping action damage to thefenders or underbody. If possible, avoidfully loading your vehicle when using tirechains. In addition, drive at a reducedspeed, otherwise, your vehicle may bedamaged and/or vehicle handling andperformance may be adversely affected.

Never install tire chains on T-type andsmall size spare tires. Do not use thechains on dry roads.

Special winter equipmentIt is recommended that the following itemsbe carried in the vehicle during winter:

COLD WEATHER DRIVINGCAUTIONS

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1. A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to re-move ice and snow from the windowsand wiper blades.

2. A sturdy, flat board to be placed underthe jack to give it firm support.

3. A shovel to dig the vehicle out of snow-drifts.

4. Extra window washer fluid to refill thereservoir tank.

Driving on snow or ice

● Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain),very cold snow or ice can be slick andvery hard to drive on. The vehicle willhave a lot less traction or ‘‘grip’’ underthese conditions. Try to avoid drivingon wet ice until the road is salted orsanded.

● Whatever the condition, drive withcaution and accelerate gently. If accel-erated too fast, the drive wheels willspin and will lose even more traction.

● Allow more stopping distance underthese conditions. Braking should bestarted sooner than on dry pavement.

● Allow greater following distances onslippery roads.

● Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).These may appear on an otherwiseclear road in shaded areas. If a patchof ice is seen ahead, brake beforereaching it. Try not to brake whileactually on the ice, and avoid anysudden steering maneuvers.

Engine block heater

WARNING

Do not use your heater (if so equipped)with an ungrounded electrical systemor two-pronged (cheater) adapters. Youcan be injured by an electrical shock ifyou use an ungrounded connection.

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MEMO

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5 In case of emergency

Flat tire ................................................................. 5-2Jump starting........................................................ 5-7Push starting ........................................................ 5-8If your vehicle overheats ...................................... 5-9Tow truck towing ................................................ 5-10

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If you have a flat tire, follow the instructionsbelow.

Stopping the vehicle1. Safely move the vehicle off the road

away from traffic.

2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

3. Park on a level surface and apply the park-ing brake. Shift the manual transmission intoreverse (automatic transmission in P).

4. Turn off the engine.

WARNING● Make sure that the parking brake is

securely applied and the manualtransmission is shifted into reverse(automatic transmission in P).

● Never change tires when the vehicleis on a slope, ice or slippery areas.This is dangerous.

● Never change tires if oncoming trafficis close to your vehicle. Wait for pro-fessional road assistance.

● Raise the hood to warn other traffic,and to signal professional road assis-tance personnel that you needassistance.

● Have all passengers get out of thevehicle and stand in a safe place, awayfrom traffic and clear of the vehicle.

CE1050MA

ACE0601

FLAT TIRE

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Getting the spare tire and tools

1. Open the trunk. Lift the trunk floor carpet-ing and spare tire cover. Remove the toolbag and the spare tire. Use either end ofthe jack rod (found in the tool bag) toloosen the spare tire hold-down bolt.

Push the two release clips on the jackaccess door.

2. Pull the jack access door open. To re-move the jack, turn the jack screw coun-terclockwise. Use either end of the jackrod (found in the tool bag) to loosen thejack from its storage position.

3. Close the jack access door.

4. When the spare tire is installed on thevehicle, place the damaged tire in thestorage area. Put the jack rod in the toolbag and place the tool bag in the storagearea.

5. Place the spare tire cover and the trunkfloor carpeting over the damaged tire.

6. Install the jack in its storage area andtighten the jack screw.

7. Close the jack access door. Close thetrunk.

Blocking wheelsPlace suitable blocks at both the front andback of the wheel diagonally opposite theflat tire to prevent the vehicle from rollingwhen it is jacked up.

WARNINGBe sure to block the wheel as the ve-hicle may move and could cause per-sonal injury.

Removing wheel coverWARNING

Do not use your hands to pry off wheelcovers. Doing so could result in per-sonal injury.

Use caution not to scratch the wheel cover.

MCE0001

CE1053M

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Jacking up the vehicle and remov-ing the wheelTo help avoid personal injury, carefullyread the caution label attached to thejack body and follow these instructions.

1. Place the jack directly under the jack-uppoint as illustrated above so that the topof the jack contacts the vehicle at thejack-up point. Align the center of both thejack head and the notch at the jack-uppoint as shown. Also fit the notchedportion of the vehicle in the groove of thejack head as shown.

The jack should be used on level firmground.

CE1069M

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2. Loosen each wheel nut one or two turnsby turning counterclockwise with thewheel nut wrench. Do not remove thewheel nuts until the tire is off theground.

3. Carefully raise the vehicle until the tireclears the ground. Remove the wheelnuts, and then remove the wheel.

CAUTION● Never get under the vehicle while it is

supported only by the jack.

● Use the jack provided with your ve-hicle. Do not use the jack providedwith your vehicle on other vehicles.The jack is designed only for liftingyour vehicle during a tire change.

● To lift the vehicle, securely hold thejack lever and rod with both hands asshown above.

● Use the correct jack-up points; neveruse any other part of the vehicle forjack support.

● Never jack up the vehicle more thannecessary.

● Never use blocks on or under thejack.

● Do not start or run engine while ve-hicle is on the jack as it may causethe vehicle to move.

● Do not allow passengers to stay inthe vehicle while it is on the jack.

● Do not raise the vehicle using abumper jack.

● Never run the engine with a wheel offthe ground. It may cause the vehicleto move.

This is especially true for modelsequipped with limited slip differen-tial carrier.

SCE0002

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Installing wheelThe T-type spare tire is designed foremergency use. See specific instruc-tions under the heading ‘‘Wheels andtires’’ in the ‘‘Do-it- yourself operations’’section.

1. Clean any mud or dirt from the surfacebetween the wheel and hub.

2. Carefully put the wheel on and tightenthe wheel nuts finger tight.

3. With the wheel nut wrench, tighten wheelnuts alternately and evenly until they aretight.

4. Lower the vehicle slowly until the tiretouches the ground. Then, with the wheelnut wrench, tighten the wheel nuts se-curely in the sequence as illustrated.

CAUTION● As soon as possible tighten the

wheel nuts to the specified torquewith a torque wrench.

Wheel nut tightening torque:72 to 87 ft-lb (98 to 118 N •m)

● Adjust tire pressure to the COLDpressure.

COLD pressure:

After vehicle has been parked for threehours or more or driven less than 1 mile(1.6 km).

COLD tire pressures are shown on the

CE1005M

SCE0005

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tire placard affixed to the driver sidecenter pillar.

● Retighten the wheel nuts when thevehicle has been run for 600 miles(1,000 km).

5. Securely store the spare tire and jackingequipment in the vehicle.

WARNING● Always make sure that the spare tire

and jacking equipment are properlysecured after use. The jack rod maybe used to securely tighten the hold-down bolts. Such items can becomedangerous projectiles in an accidentor sudden stop.

● The T-type spare tire and small sizespare tire are designed for emer-gency use. See specific instructionsunder the heading ‘‘Wheels andtires’’ in the ‘‘Do-it-yourself opera-tions’’ section.

To start your engine with a booster battery,the instructions and precautions below mustbe followed.

CAUTION● If done incorrectly, jump starting can

be hazardous.

● Explosive hydrogen gas is alwayspresent in the vicinity of the battery.Keep all sparks and flames awayfrom the battery.

● Do not allow battery fluid to come intocontact with eyes, skin, cloth or paintedsurfaces. Battery fluid is a corrosivesulfuric acid solution which can causesevere burns. If the fluid should comeinto contact with anything, immediatelyflush the contacted area with water.

● A battery rated at above 12 voltsshould not be used for a booster.

● Whenever working on or near a bat-tery, always wear suitable eye protec-tors (e.g., goggles or industrial safetyspectacles) and remove rings, metalbands, or any other metal jewelry.

● Keep battery out of the reach of chil-dren.

Always follow the instructions below.Failure to do so could result in damageto the charging system and cause per-sonal injury.

1. If the booster battery is in another vehicle,position the two vehicles to bring theirbatteries into close proximity to each other.

Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.

2. Apply the parking brake. Move the shiftlever to Neutral (On automatic transmis-sion models, move the lever to P). Switchoff all unnecessary electrical systems(lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).

3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if soequipped). Cover the battery with an oldcloth to reduce explosion hazard.

4. Connect jumper cables in the sequenceas illustrated.

CAUTION● Always connect positive (+) to posi-

tive (+) and negative (−) to bodyground (e.g., strut mounting bolt, etc.— not to the battery).

JUMP STARTING

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● Make sure that cables do not touchmoving parts in the engine compart-ment and that clamps do not contactany other metal.

5. Start the engine of the booster vehicleand let it run for a few minutes.

6. Keep the engine speed of the boostervehicle at about 2,000 rpm, and startyour engine in the normal manner.

CAUTIONDo not keep the starter motor engagedfor more than 10 seconds. If the enginedoes not start right away, turn the keyoff and wait 3 to 4 seconds beforetrying again.

7. After starting your engine, carefully dis-connect the negative cable and then thepositive cable.

8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped).Be sure to dispose of the cloth used tocover the vent holes as it may be con-taminated with corrosive acid.

CAUTION● Automatic transmission models can-

not be push started. This may causetransmission damage.

● Three-way catalytic converterequipped models should not bestarted by pushing since the threeway catalyst may be damaged.

● Never try to start the vehicle by tow-ing it; when the engine starts, theforward surge could cause the ve-hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.

ACE0602

PUSH STARTING

5-8

Z X

If your vehicle is overheating (indicated byan extremely high temperature gauge read-ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power,detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-ing steps:

WARNINGTo avoid the danger of being scalded,never remove the radiator cap while theengine is still hot. When the radiatorcap is removed, pressurized hot waterwill spurt out, possibly causing seriousinjury.

1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,apply the parking brake and move thegearshift lever to Neutral (automatictransmission to P).

Do not stop the engine.

2. Turn off the air conditioning. Open all thewindows, move the heater or air condi-tioner temperature control to maximumhot and fan control to high speed.

3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen forsteam or coolant escaping from the ra-diator before opening the hood. Wait untilno steam or coolant can be seen beforeproceeding.

4. Open the engine hood.

WARNING

If steam or water is coming from theengine, stand clear to prevent gettingburned.

5. If engine overheating is caused by climb-ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engineat a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)until the temperature gauge indicationreturns to normal.

6. Visually check drive belts for damage orlooseness. Also check if the cooling fanis running. The radiator hoses and radia-tor should not leak water.

WARNING● Be careful not to allow your hands,

hair or clothing to come into contactwith, or to get caught in, the runningfan, belts, or fan motor. The fan motorcan start at any time when the cool-ant temperature is high.

● If coolant is leaking, the water pumpbelt is missing or loose, or the cool-ing fan does not run, stop the engine.

7. After the engine cools down, check thecoolant level in the reservoir tank with theengine running. Add coolant to the res-ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-hicle repaired at the nearest NISSANdealer.

IF YOUR VEHICLEOVERHEATS

5-9

Z X

When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-cial in Canada) and local regulations fortowing must be followed. Incorrect towingequipment could damage your vehicle.Towing instructions are available from yourNISSAN dealer. Local service operators aregenerally familiar with the applicable lawsand procedures for towing. To assureproper towing and to prevent accidentaldamage to your vehicle, NISSAN recom-mends having a service operator tow yourvehicle. It is advisable to have the serviceoperator carefully read the following precau-tions.

CAUTION● When towing, make sure that the

transmission, axles, steering systemand powertrain are in working condi-tion. If any unit is damaged, a dollymust be used.

● When towing with the front wheels onthe ground:Turn the ignition key to the ‘‘OFF’’position and secure the steeringwheel in a straight ahead positionwith a rope or similar device. Neverplace the ignition key in the ‘‘LOCK’’

position. This will result in damageto the steering lock mechanism.Move the gearshift lever to the Neu-tral (‘‘N’’) position.On automatic transmission models,to move the shift lever to the Neutral(‘‘N’’) position turn the ignition keyto the ‘‘ACC’’ position.After moving the shift lever to theNeutral (‘‘N’’) position, be sure toturn the ignition key to the ‘‘OFF’’position.

● When towing with the rear wheels onthe ground, release the parkingbrake.On automatic transmission models,to move the shift lever to the Neutral(‘‘N’’) position, turn the ignition keyto the ‘‘ACC’’ position. After movingthe shift lever to the Neutral position,be sure to turn the ignition key to the‘‘OFF’’ position.

● Attach safety chains for all towing.

NISSAN recommends that your vehicle betowed with the driving (front) wheels off theground as illustrated.

● Speed: Below 70MPH (115 km/h)

● Distance: Less than 500 miles (800km)

CE1051

TOW TRUCK TOWING

5-10

Z X

Towing an automatic transmissionmodel with rear wheels raised (withfront wheels on the ground)

CAUTIONNever tow an automatic transmissionmodel with the rear wheels raised (withthe front wheels on the ground) as thismay cause serious and expensive dam-age to the transmission. If it is neces-sary to tow the vehicle with the rearwheels raised, always use a towingdolly under the front wheels.

If you have to tow an automatictransmission model with fourwheels on groundObserve the following restricted towingspeeds and distances.

● Speed: Below 30 MPH (50 km/h)

● Distance: Less than 40 miles (65 km)

CAUTIONNever tow an automatic transmissionmodel from the rear (i.e., backward)with four wheels on the ground as thismay cause serious and expensive dam-age to the transmission.

VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing astuck vehicle)● Tow chains or cables must be attached

only to the main structual members of thevehicle.

● Pulling devices should be routed so theydo not touch any part of the suspension,steering, brake or cooling systems.

● Always pull the cable straight out fromthe front or rear of the vehicle. Never pull

on the vehicle at a sideways angle.

● Pulling devices such as ropes or canvasstraps are not recommended for use invehicle towing or recovery.

CE1052

5-11

Z X

MEMO

5-12

Z X

6 Appearance and interior care

Cleaning exterior and interior............................... 6-2Corrosion protection ............................................. 6-5

Z X

In order to maintain the appearance of yourvehicle, it is important to take proper care ofit.

In the following cases, please wash yourvehicle as soon as possible to protect thepaint surface.

● After a rainfall

● After driving on coastal roads

● When things such as soot, bird drop-pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugsget on the paint surface

● When dust or mud builds up on thesurface

Whenever possible, store or park your ve-hicle inside a garage or in a covered area.

When it is necessary to park outside, park ina shady area or protect the vehicle with abody cover.

Be careful not to scratch the paint sur-face when putting on or removing thebody cover.

Washing

Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plentyof water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly usinga mild soap or detergent (a special vehiclesoap or general purpose dish-washing liq-uid) mixed with clean, lukewarm (never hot)water.

CAUTION

Do not use strong household soap,strong chemical detergents, gasolineor solvents.

Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty ofclean water.

Inside flanges, seams and folds on thedoors, hatches and hood are particularlyvulnerable to the effects of road salt. There-fore, these areas must be regularly cleaned.Take care that the drain holes in the loweredge of the door are open. Spray waterunder the body and in the wheel wells toloosen the dirt and wash away road salt.

A damp chamois can be used to dry thevehicle to avoid water spots.

WaxingRegular waxing protects the paint surfaceand helps retain new vehicle appearance.After waxing, polishing is recommended toremove built-up residue and to avoid a‘‘weathered’’ appearance.

Your NISSAN dealer can assist you inchoosing the proper product.

● Wax your vehicle only after a thoroughwashing. Follow the instructions suppliedwith the wax.

● Do not use a wax containing any abra-sives, cutting compounds or cleanersthat may damage the vehicle finish.

● If the surface does not polish easily, usea “road tar” remover and wax again.

MAI0001

CLEANING EXTERIOR ANDINTERIOR

6-2

Z X

Machine compounding or aggressive pol-ishing on a base coat/clear coat paint finishmay dull the finish or leave swirl marks.

Only use black wax or black shoe polish onblack urethane or polypropylene bumpers.

Removing spotsRemove tar and oil spots, industrial dust,insects, and tree sap as quickly as possiblefrom the surface of the paint to avoid lastingdamage or staining. Special cleaning prod-ucts are available at your NISSAN dealer orany automotive accessory store.

UnderbodyIn areas where road salt is used in winter,the underbody must be cleaned regularly.This prevents dirt and salt from building upand causing underbody and suspensioncorrosion. Before winter and again in thespring, the underseal must be checked and,if necessary, re-treated.

Cleaning glassWhen cleaning the rear window, it may beeasier to clean if the high-mounted stop lightis removed first.

Be careful when removing the high-mounted stop light to reduce the risk ofdamaging the high-mounted stop lightwires.

The high-mounted stop light must be prop-erly reinstalled before driving your vehicle.

Use glass cleaner to remove smoke anddust film from the glass surfaces. It is nor-mal for glass to become coated with a film

after the vehicle is parked in the hot sun.Glass cleaner and a soft cloth easily removethis film.

CAUTION

When cleaning the inside of the win-dow, do not use sharp-edged tools,abrasive cleaners or chlorine baseddisinfectant cleaners. They could dam-age electrical conductors or rear win-dow defogger elements.

Cleaning alloy wheels

Wash the wheels regularly, especially dur-ing winter months in areas where road saltis used. If not removed, road salt coulddiscolor the wheels.

Chrome partsClean all chrome parts regularly with anon-abrasive chrome polish to maintain thefinish.

Plastic partsPlastic parts can be cleaned with a mildsoap solution. If the dirt cannot be easilyremoved, use a plastic cleaner. Do not usesolvents.

AAI0601

6-3

Z X

Cleaning interiorOccasionally remove loose dust from theinterior trim and seats using a vacuumcleaner or soft brush. Wipe the vinyl andleather surfaces with a clean, soft clothdampened in mild soap solution, then wipeclean with a dry soft cloth. Before using anyfabric protector, read the manufacturer’srecommendations. Some fabric protectorscontain chemicals that may stain or bleachthe seat material.

CAUTION● Never use benzine, thinner, or any

similar material.

● The leather seats should be regularlycoated with a leather wax like saddlesoap. Never use car wax.

● Never use fabric protectors unlessrecommended by the manufacturer.

Floor mat positioning aid(Driver side only)

All models include a front floor mat bracketto act as a floor mat positioning aid. NIS-SAN floor mats have been specially de-signed for your vehicle model. The driver’sside floor mat has a grommet hole incorpo-rated in it. Simply position the mat by plac-ing the floor mat bracket hook through thefloor mat grommet hole while centering themat in the floor pan contour.

Periodically check to make certain the matsare properly positioned.

Floor matsThe use of genuine NISSAN floor mats canextend the life of your vehicle carpet andmake it easier to clean the interior. Nomatter what mats are used, be sure they arefitted for your vehicle and are properly posi-tioned in the footwell to prevent interferencewith pedal operation. Mats should be main-tained with regular cleaning and replaced ifthey become excessively worn.

Seat beltsThe seat belts can be cleaned by wipingthem with a sponge dampened in a mildsoap solution. Allow the belts to dry com-pletely before using them. Do not allow wetbelts to roll up in the retractor. NEVER usebleach, dye, or chemical solvents sincethese may severely weaken the seat beltwebbing.

AAI0500

6-4

Z X

Most common factors contributingto vehicle corrosion:

1. The accumulation of moisture-retainingdirt and debris in body panel sections,cavities, and other areas.

2. Damage to paint and other protectivecoatings caused by gravel and stonechips or minor traffic accidents.

Environmental factors influence therate of corrosion:

Moisture

Accumulation of sand, dirt and water on thevehicle body underside can accelerate cor-rosion. Wet floor coverings will not dry com-pletely inside the vehicle, and should beremoved for drying to avoid floor panelcorrosion.

Relative humidity

Corrosion will be accelerated:

● In areas of high relative humidity

● especially in those areas where the tem-peratures stay above freezing

● where atmospheric pollution exists

● where road salt is used

Temperature

A temperature increase accelerates the rateof corrosion to those parts which are notwell ventilated.

Air pollution

Industrial pollution, the presence of salt inthe air in coastal areas, or heavy road saltuse accelerates the corrosion process.Road salt also accelerates the disintegra-tion of paint surfaces.

To protect your vehicle fromcorrosion:● Wash and wax your vehicle often to keep

the vehicle clean.

● Always check for minor damage to thepaint and repair it as soon as possible.

● Keep drain holes at the bottom of thedoors open to avoid water accumulation.

● Check the underbody for accumulation ofsand, dirt or salt. If present, wash withwater as soon as possible.

● NEVER remove dirt, sand or otherdebris from the passenger compart-

ment by washing it out with a hose.Remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner orbroom.

● Never allow water or other liquids tocome in contact with electronic com-ponents inside the vehicle.

CORROSION PROTECTION

6-5

Z X

MEMO

6-6

Z X

7 Do-it-yourself operations

Maintenance precautions ..................................... 7-2Engine compartment check locations .................. 7-3Engine cooling system ......................................... 7-5Engine oil ............................................................ 7-8Automatic transmission fluid .............................. 7-11Power steering fluid............................................ 7-13Brake fluid .......................................................... 7-13Window washer fluid .......................................... 7-14Battery ................................................................ 7-15Drive belts .......................................................... 7-17Spark plug replacement ..................................... 7-18Air cleaner housing filter .................................... 7-19

Wiper blades ...................................................... 7-20Parking brake check........................................... 7-21Brake pedal ........................................................ 7-21Brake booster ..................................................... 7-22Clutch pedal ....................................................... 7-23Fuses.................................................................. 7-23Light bulbs .......................................................... 7-25Headlight aiming adjustment.............................. 7-26Bulb replacement ............................................... 7-26Wheels and tires ................................................ 7-32

Z X

When performing any inspection or mainte-nance work on your vehicle, always takecare to prevent serious accidental injury toyourself or damage to the vehicle. Thefollowing are general precautions whichshould be closely observed.

● Park the vehicle on a level surface,apply the parking brake securely andblock the wheels to prevent the ve-hicle from moving. Move the gearshiftcontrol lever to Neutral (N).

● Be sure the ignition key is OFF whenperforming any parts replacement orrepairs.

● Do not work under the hood while theengine is hot. Turn the engine off andwait until it cools down.

● Be sure to turn the ignition key to theOFF or LOCK position.When the ignition key is in the ON orACC position, the cooling fan maystart to operate suddenly even whenthe engine is not running.

● If you must work with the engine run-ning, keep your hands, clothing, hairand tools away from moving fans,belts and any other moving parts.

● It is advisable to remove ties and anyjewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.,before working on your vehicle.

● If you must run the engine in an en-closed space such as a garage, besure there is proper ventilation forexhaust gases.

● Never get under the vehicle while it issupported only by a jack. If it is nec-essary to work under the vehicle, sup-port it with safety stands.

● Keep smoking materials, flame andsparks away from fuel and battery.

● Never connect or disconnect eitherthe battery or any transistorized com-ponent connector while the ignition ison.

● On gasoline engine models with theMultiport Fuel Injection (MFI) system,the fuel filter or fuel lines should beserviced by a NISSAN dealer becausethe fuel lines are under high pressureeven when the engine is off.

● Failure to follow these or other com-mon sense guidelines may lead toserious injury or vehicle damage.

● Improperly disposed motor oil and/orother vehicle fluids can hurt the envi-ronment. Always conform to localregulations for disposal of vehiclefluid. Avoid contact with used motoroil.

This ‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’ sectiongives instructions regarding only thoseitems which are relatively easy for an ownerto perform.

You should be aware that incomplete orimproper servicing may result in operatingdifficulties or excessive emissions, andcould affect your warranty coverage. If indoubt about any servicing, have it doneby your NISSAN dealer.

MAINTENANCEPRECAUTIONS

7-2

Z X

ADI0620

ENGINE COMPARTMENTCHECK LOCATIONS

7-3

Z X

ADI0621

7-4

Z X

The engine cooling system is filled at thefactory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze so-lution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors,therefore additional cooling system addi-tives are not necessary.

CAUTION

When adding or replacing coolant, besure to use only an ethylene glycolanti-freeze with the proper mixture ra-tio. Examples are shown below:

Outside tempera-ture down to Anti-

freezeSoft wa-ter

°C °F

−35 −30 50% 50%

The use of other types of coolant solu-tions may damage your cooling system.

The radiator is equipped with a pressurecap. Use a genuine NISSAN cap or itsequivalent when replacement is re-quired.

Never remove the radiator cap when theengine is hot. Serious burns could be

caused by high pressure fluid escapingfrom the radiator.

Wait until the engine and radiator cooldown. See precautions in ‘‘If your ve-hicle overheats’’ found in the ‘‘In Case OfEmergency’’ section.

CHECKING ENGINE COOLANTLEVEL

With coolant reservoirCheck the coolant level in the reservoir tankwhen the engine is cold. If the coolant levelis below MIN, add coolant up to the MAXlevel. If the reservoir tank is empty, checkthe coolant level in the radiator when theengine is cold. If there is insufficient cool-ant in the radiator, fill the radiator withcoolant up to the filler opening and also addit to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.

DI1210M

ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM

7-5

Z X

If the cooling system frequently requirescoolant, have the cooling systemchecked by your NISSAN dealer.

CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT

● Major cooling system repairs should beperformed by your NISSAN dealer. Theservice procedures can be found in theappropriate NISSAN Service Manual.

● Improper servicing can result in reducedheater performance and engine over-heating.

WARNING● To avoid the danger of being scalded,

never change the coolant when theengine is hot.

● Never remove the radiator cap whenthe engine is hot. Serious burnscould be caused by high pressurefluid escaping from the radiator.

DI1211M

7-6

Z X

1. Move the heater or air conditioner tem-perature control dial to the maximum hotposition.

2. Open the radiator drain plug. Open thedrain plug on the engine block.

3. Open the radiator cap to drain the cool-ant.

4. Flush the cooling system by runningfresh water through the radiator.

5. Close the drain plugs on the radiator andthe engine block securely.

6. See the ‘‘Technical and consumer infor-mation’’ section for cooling system ca-pacity. Fill the radiator slowly with theproper mixture of coolant and water. Fillthe reservoir tank up to the MAX level.

7. Open and close the air release plug(s) torelease air. Then fill the radiator againand install the radiator cap.

8. Start the engine, and warm it up until itreaches normal operating temperature.Then race the engine 2 or 3 times underno load. Watch the coolant temperaturegauge for signs of overheating.

ADI0632

ADI0615

7-7

Z X

9. Stop the engine. After it completelycools down, refill the radiator up to thefiller opening. Fill the reservoir tank upto the MAX level.

10. Open and close the air release plug(s)to release air. Then fill the radiator againand install the radiator cap.

11. Check the drain plugs on the radiatorand the engine block for any sign ofleakage. Also check the air release plugfor any sign of leakage.

CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

apply the parking brake.

2. Run the engine until it reaches operatingtemperature.

3. Turn off the engine. Wait a few minutesfor the oil to drain back into the oilpan.

4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.Reinsert it all the way.

5. Remove the dipstick again and check theoil level. It should be between the H andL marks. If the oil level is below the Lmark, remove the oil filler cap and pourrecommended oil through the opening.Do not overfill.

DI1249M DI1217M DI1251M

ENGINE OIL

7-8

Z X

6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.

CAUTION● Oil level should be checked regularly.

Operating with insufficient amount ofoil can damage the engine, and suchdamage is not covered by warranty.

● It is normal to add some oil betweenoil maintenance intervals or duringthe break-in period, depending on theseverity of operating conditions.

CHANGING ENGINE OIL1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

apply the parking brake.

2. Run the engine until it reaches operatingtemperature, and then turn it off.

3. Place a large drain pan under the drainplug.

4. Remove the oil filler cap.

5. Remove the drain plug with a wrench andcompletely drain the oil.

If the oil filter is to be changed, removeand replace it at this time. See ‘‘Chang-ing engine oil filter’’ in this section.

WARNING● Prolonged and repeated contact with

used engine oil may cause skincancer.

● Try to avoid direct skin contact withused oil. If skin contact is made,wash thoroughly with soap or handcleaner as soon as possible.

● Keep used engine oil out of reach ofchildren.

DI1252M DI1221M

7-9

Z X

WARNINGBe careful not to burn yourself, as theengine oil is hot.

CAUTION● Waste oil must be disposed of prop-

erly. Check your local regulations.

● Avoid direct contact with used en-gine oil.

6. Clean and re-install the drain plug andwasher. Securely tighten the drain plugwith a wrench.

Drain plug tightening torque:22 to 29 ft-lb(29 to 39 N•m)

Do not overtighten.

7. Refill engine with recommended oil andinstall the cap securely.See the ‘‘Technical and consumer infor-mation’’ section for refill capacity.

8. Start the engine.Check for leakage around the drain plugand oil filter. Correct as required.

9. Turn the engine off and wait severalminutes. Check the oil level with thedipstick. Add engine oil if necessary. CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.

2. Turn the engine off.3. Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.

(Depending on the engine model, a specialcap type wrench may be required. Seeyour NISSAN dealer if in doubt.) Removethe oil filter by turning it by hand.

WARNINGBe careful not to burn yourself, as theengine oil may be hot.

DI1151 DI1222M

7-10

Z X

4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-face with a clean rag.Be sure to remove any old rubber gasketremaining on the mounting surface of theengine.

5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filterwith clean engine oil.

6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resis-tance is felt, then tighten an additional2/3 turn.

7. Start the engine and check for leakagearound the oil filter. Correct as required.

8. Turn the engine off and wait severalminutes. Check the oil level. Add engineoil if necessary.

WARNING● When engine is running, keep hands

and clothing away from any movingparts such as cooling fan and drivebelts.

● Automatic transmission fluid is poi-sonous and should be stored care-fully in marked containers out of thereach of children.

DI1154 ADI0614

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONFLUID

7-11

Z X

Temperature conditions for check-ing

● The fluid level should be checked usingthe HOT range on the dipstick after thefollowing conditions have been met:

— The engine should be warmed up tooperating temperature.

— The vehicle should be driven at least 5minutes.

— The automatic transmission fluid shouldbe warmed to between 122 and 176°F(50 and 80°C).

● The fluid can be checked at fluid tem-peratures of 86 to 122°F (30 to 50°C)using the COLD range on the dipstickafter the engine is warmed up and beforedriving. However, the fluid should bere-checked using the HOT range.

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andset the parking brake.

2. Start the engine and then move the shiftlever through each gear range, ending inP.

3. Check the fluid level with the engineidling.

4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it cleanwith lint-free paper.

5. Reinsert the dipstick into the chargingpipe as far as it will go.

6. Remove the dipstick and note the read-ing. If the level is at the low side of eitherrange, add fluid to the charging pipe.

DO NOT OVERFILL.Use ONLY Nissan Matic ‘D’ (Continen-tal U.S. and Alaska) or Genuine Nis-san Automatic Transmission Fluid(Canada). Dexron® III/Mercon® orequivalent may also be used. Outside

the continental United States andAlaska contact a Nissan dealershipfor more information regarding suit-able fluids, including recommendedbrand(s) of Dexron® III/Mercon® orDexron® IIE/Mercon® AutomaticTransmission Fluid.

NOTE:

If the vehicle has been driven for a longtime at high speeds, or in city traffic inhot weather, or if it is being used to pulla trailer, the accurate fluid level cannotbe read. You should wait until the fluidhas cooled down (about 30 minutes) be-fore checking fluid level.

ADI0626

7-12

Z X

Check the power steering fluid level.

The fluid level should be checked using theHOT range on the side of the fluid reservoirat fluid temperatures of 122 to 176°F (50 to80°C) or using the COLD range on the sideof the fluid reservoir at fluid temperatures of32 to 86°F (0 to 30°C).

CAUTION● Do not overfill.

● The recommended fluid is typeDEXRONTMII or equivalent.

Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.If the fluid is below the minimum (MIN) lineor the brake warning light comes on, addDOT 3 fluid up to the maximum (MAX) line.If fluid must be added frequently, the systemshould be thoroughly checked by your NIS-SAN dealer.

CAUTION● Use only new fluid from a sealed

container. Old, inferior, or contami-nated fluid may damage the brakesystem. The use of improper fluidscan damage the brake system andaffect the vehicle’s stopping ability.

ADI0611 DI1226M

POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE FLUID

7-13

Z X

● Do not spill the fluid on painted sur-faces. This will damage the paint. Iffluid is spilled, wash with water.

For USA

Fill the window washer fluid reservoir peri-odically. Perform the refilling operationmore often under driving conditions thatrequire an increased amount of windowwasher fluid.

To fill the window washer fluid reservoir, liftthe cap off the reservoir tank and pour thewindow washer fluid into the tank opening.

Add a washer solvent to the water for bettercleaning. In the winter season, add a wind-shield washer anti-freeze. Follow the manu-facturer’s instructions for the mixture ratio.

Canada OnlyAdd fluid when the low washer fluid warninglight comes on. Add a washer solvent to thewater for better cleaning. In the winter sea-son, add a windshield washer anti-freeze.Follow the manufacturer’s instructions forthe mixture ratio.

CAUTIONDo not substitute engine anti-freezecoolant for windshield washer solution.This may result in damage to the paint.

ADI0618

WINDOW WASHER FLUID

7-14

Z X

● Keep the battery surface clean and dry.Any corrosion should be washed off witha solution of baking soda and water.

● Make certain the terminal connectionsare clean and securely tightened.

● If the vehicle is not to be used for 30 daysor longer, disconnect the negative (−)battery terminal cable to prevent dis-charge.

WARNINGDo not expose the battery to flames orelectrical sparks. Hydrogen gas gener-ated by battery action is explosive. Donot allow battery fluid to contact yourskin, eyes, fabrics, or painted surfaces.After touching a battery or battery cap,do not touch or rub your eyes. Thor-oughly wash your hands. If the acidcontacts your eyes, skin or clothing,immediately flush with water for atleast 15 minutes and seek medicalattention.

Type 11. To remove the cap, gently pry between

the battery cap and cover as illustrated.

Use a cloth to protect the battery case.

2. Check the fluid level in each cell.

If it is necessary to add fluid, add onlydistilled water to bring the level up to theOK level indicator in each filler opening.Do not overfill.

ADI0616 ADI0617

BATTERY

7-15

Z X

Type 21. To remove the caps, use a screwdriver.

2. Check the fluid level in each cell.

If it is necessary to add fluid, add onlydistilled water to bring the level up to theOK indicator in each filler opening. Donot overfill.

JUMP STARTINGIf jump starting is necessary, see the ‘‘Incase of emergency’’ section. If the enginedoes not start by jump starting, the batterymay have to be replaced. Contact yourNISSAN dealer.

ADI0641

7-16

Z X

WARNINGBe sure the ignition key is ‘‘OFF’’.

1. Visually inspect each belt for signs ofunusual wear, cuts, fraying or looseness.If the belt is in poor condition or loose,have it replaced or adjusted by yourNISSAN dealer.

2. Have the belts checked regularly for con-dition and tension in accordance with themaintenance schedule in this manual.

ADI0627

DRIVE BELTS

7-17

Z X

WARNING

Be sure the engine and ignition switchare off and that the parking brake isengaged securely.

CAUTION

Be sure to use the correct socket toremove the plugs. An incorrect socketcan cause damage.

GA16DE Engine1. Remove brackets as necessary to give

access to the high tension cables andspark plugs.

2. Disconnect the spark plug cables fromthe spark plugs.

When disconnecting, always hold the boots,not the cables. Mark all cables to identifytheir original locations.

3. Remove the spark plugs with a sparkplug socket.

The spark plug socket has a rubber sealthat holds the spark plug so it does notfall when it is pulled out. Make sure eachspark plug is snugly fitted into the plugsocket.

4. On conventional spark plugs, check thegap on each new spark plug with afeeler gauge. (The spark plug gap isshown in the ‘‘Technical and consumerinformation’’ section.) Adjust the gap asrequired.

DI1229M DI1017M

SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT

7-18

Z X

5. Fit the new plugs, one at a time, into thespark plug socket and install them. Turneach plug in several full turns by hand,then tighten with a spark plug socket tothe correct torque. Do not overtighten.

Spark plug tightening torque:14 to 22 ft-lb (20 to 29 N •m)

6. Holding the boot, re-connect each hightension cable to its proper spark plug bypushing it on until you feel a snap.

7. Re-install all brackets as necessary.

SR20DE Engine

Platinum-tipped spark plugIt is not necessary to replace the platinum-tipped spark plugs as frequently as theconventional type spark plugs since theylast much longer. Follow the maintenanceschedule, but do not reuse the spark plugsby cleaning or regapping. Blue rings on theceramic portion indicate that the plugs areplatinum-tipped.

● Always replace spark plugs with rec-ommended or equivalent ones.

The air cleaner filter should not be cleanedand reused. Replace it according to themaintenance intervals shown in the ‘‘Main-tenance schedule’’ section. When replacingthe filter, wipe the inside of the air cleanerhousing and the cover with a damp cloth.

WARNINGOperating the engine with the air cleaner off cancause you or others to be burned. The air cleanernot only cleans the air, it stops flame if the enginebackfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine back-fires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with it off,and be careful working on the engine with the aircleaner off.

DI0205 ADI0631

AIR CLEANER HOUSINGFILTER

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1) CLEANINGIf your windshield is not clear after usingthe windshield washer or if the wiperblade chatters when running, wax orother material may be on the blade orwindshield.Clean the outside of the windshield with awasher solution or a mild detergent. Yourwindshield is clean if beads do not formwhen rinsing with clear water.Clean the blade by wiping it with a clothsoaked in a washer solution or a milddetergent. Then rinse the blade withclear water. If your windshield is still notclear after cleaning the blades and using

the wiper, replace the blades.

2) REPLACEMENT

1. Pull the wiper arm.

2. Lift the tab, then remove the wiper blade.

3. Insert the new wiper blade to the wiperarm until a click sounds.

CAUTIONAfter wiper blade replacement, returnthe wiper arm to its original position.Otherwise it may be damaged when theengine hood is opened.

Make sure the wiper blade contacts theglass, otherwise the arm may be dam-aged from wind pressure.

ADI0650

WIPER BLADES

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If you wax the surface of the hood, becareful not to let wax get into the washernozzle. This may cause clogging or im-proper windshield washer operation. If waxgets into the nozzle, remove it with a needleor small pin.

From the released position, pull the parkingbrake lever up slowly and firmly. If thenumber of clicks is out of the range listedabove, see your NISSAN dealer.

With the engine running, check the distancebetween the upper surface of the pedal andthe metal floor. If it is out of the range shownabove, see your NISSAN dealer.

Self-adjusting brakesYour vehicle is equipped with self-adjustingbrakes.

The front (and rear, if equipped) disc-typebrakes self-adjust every time the brakepedal is applied. The rear drum-type brakesalso self-adjust every time the brake pedalis applied.

If the brake pedal goes down farther than

ADI0629 DI1020M

PARKING BRAKE CHECK BRAKE PEDAL

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normal, it may be due to a lack of adjust-ment of the rear drum brakes. Apply theparking brake several times.

WARNING

See your NISSAN dealer and have itchecked if the brake pedal height doesnot return to normal.

Brake pad wear indicatorsThe disc brake pads on your vehicle haveaudible wear indicators. When a brake padrequires replacement, it makes a highpitched scraping or screeching sound whenthe vehicle is in motion whether or not thebrake pedal is depressed. Have the brakeschecked as soon as possible if the wearindicator sound is heard.

Under some driving or climate conditions,occasional brake squeak, squeal or othernoise may be heard. Occasional brakenoise during light to moderate stops is nor-mal and does not affect the function orperformance of the brake system.

The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) donot have audible wear indicators. Shouldyou ever hear an unusually loud noise from

the rear drum brakes, have them inspectedas soon as possible by your NISSANdealer.

Proper brake inspection intervals shouldbe followed. For more information regard-ing brake inspections, see the appropriatemaintenance schedule information in the‘‘Maintenance Schedule’’ section of thismanual.

Check the brake booster function as fol-lows:

1. With the engine off, press and releasethe brake pedal several times. Whenbrake pedal movement (distance oftravel) remains the same from one pedalapplication to the next, continue on to thenext step.

2. While depressing the brake pedal, startthe engine. The pedal height should dropa little.

3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop theengine. Keeping the pedal depressed forabout 30 seconds, the pedal heightshould not change.

4. Run the engine for one minute withoutdepressing the brake pedal, then turn itoff. Depress the brake pedal severaltimes. The pedal travel distance will de-crease gradually with each depressionas the vacuum is released from thebooster.

If the brakes do not operate properly, seeyour NISSAN dealer.

BRAKE BOOSTER

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Press the pedal by hand and be sure thefree travel is within the limits shown above.If free travel is out of the range shownabove, see your NISSAN dealer.

Engine compartment (Headlightfuses)If a headlight does not come on, check foran open fuse.

1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlightswitch are OFF.

2. Open the engine hood.

3. Remove the fuse box cover.

4. Remove the fuse with the fuse pullerprovided (inside the passenger compart-ment fuse panel cover).

5. If the fuse is open, replace it with a newfuse.

Never use a fuse of higher amperagerating than that specified on the fuse boxcover.

6. If a new fuse opens again, have theelectrical system checked and repairedby your NISSAN dealer.

If the electrical equipment does not operateand fuses are in good condition, check thefusible links. If any of these fusible links aremelted, replace only with genuine NISSANparts.

ADI0630 ADI0628

CLUTCH PEDAL FUSES

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Passenger compartmentIf the electrical equipment does not operate,check for an open fuse.

1. Be sure the ignition key and the headlightswitch are OFF.

2. Open the fuse box lid.

3. Remove the fuse with the fuse pullerprovided.

4. If the fuse is open, replace it with a newfuse.

Never use a fuse of higher amperagerating than that specified on the fuse boxcover.

5. If a new fuse opens again, have theelectrical system checked and repairedby your NISSAN dealer.

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HEADLIGHTS

The headlight is a semi-sealed beam typewhich uses a replaceable headlight (halo-gen) bulb. A bulb can be replaced frominside the engine compartment without re-moving the headlight assembly.

CAUTION

High pressure halogen gas is sealedinside the halogen bulb. The bulb maybreak if the glass envelope is scratchedor the bulb is dropped.

Hold the plastic base when handlingthe bulb. Never touch the glass enve-lope.

Removing the headlight bulb

1. Open the hood.

2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.

3. If removing the right-hand (passengerside) headlight bulb, it is necessary tofirst reposition the engine coolant reser-voir.

4. Disconnect the electrical connector fromthe rear end of the bulb.

5. Push down spring retainer.

6. Pull out the headlight bulb and socket asan assembly. Do not shake or rotate thebulb when removing it. Do not handle theglass envelope.

Replacing the headlight bulb1. Insert the bulb and socket assembly into

the headlight.

2. Install the spring retainer.

3. Push the electrical connector into thebulb plastic base until it snaps and stops.

4. If installing the right-hand (passengerside) headlight bulb, be sure to repositionthe engine coolant reservoir.

5. Connect the battery cable.

6. Close the hood.

CAUTIONDO NOT TOUCH THE BULB.

● Use the same number and wattage asoriginally installed:Type A:Wattage 65/45Bulb no. 9004ADI0607

LIGHT BULBS

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● Aiming is not necessary after replac-ing the bulb. When aiming adjust-ment is necessary, contact your NIS-SAN dealer.

● Do not leave the bulb out of the head-light reflector for a long period oftime as dust, moisture, and smokemay enter the headlight body andaffect the performance of the head-light.

Before adjusting the headlights, make sureall of the tires are properly inflated, thevehicle is on level ground and there is noexcess weight in the vehicle that wouldaffect the level of the vehicle.

First, open the hood.

The vertical adjustment bolt is behind theheadlight. Turn the adjustment bolt clock-wise to raise the headlight beam. Turn theadjustment bolt counterclockwise to lowerthe headlight beam.

The horizontal adjustment bolt is also be-hind the headlight.

To adjust the horizontal level of the headlight,turn the adjustment bolt clockwise to turn theheadlight beam left, and turn it counterclock-wise to turn the headlight beam right.

BULB REPLACEMENT

ItemWattage

(W)Bulb No.

Front combination light 27/8 1157NA

Rear combination light

Turn signal 27 1156

Stop/Tail 27/8 1157

Back-up (Sentra) 13 912

Back-up (200SX) 1156

License plate light 5 168

High-mounted stoplight

13 912

Trunk lid-mountedstop light

13 912

Front fog lamp 35H3

(Special)

Interior light 8

Trunk light 3.4 158

ADI0619

HEADLIGHT AIMINGADJUSTMENT

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ADI0623

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Replacement proceduresAll other lights are either type A, B, C or D.When replacing a bulb, first remove the lensand/or cover.

MDI0006

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ADI0624

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ADI0625

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FRONT FOG LIGHT BULBREPLACEMENT (If so equipped)1. Use a Phillip’s head screwdriver to re-

move the trim plate and the anchoringscrews on the fog lamp assembly.

2. Move the fog lamp assembly towards thecenter of the vehicle and pull out toexpose the rear of the assembly.

3. Remove the retaining ring from the foglamp assembly.

4. Remove the bulb cover.

5. Lift the spring retainer.

6. Remove the fog lamp bulb.

ADI0651

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If you have a flat tire, see the ‘‘In case ofemergency’’ section.

Maximum inflation pressure

Do not exceed the maximum inflation pres-sures shown on the side wall of the tire.

Tire inflation pressure

Periodically check the tire pressure (includingspare). Incorrect tire pressure may adverselyaffect tire life and vehicle handling. Tire pres-sure should be checked when tires areCOLD. Tires are considered COLD after thevehicle has been parked for three or more

hours, or driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km).COLD tire pressures are shown on the tireplacard affixed to the driver side center pillar.

CAUTION

The vehicle weight capacity is indi-cated on the tire placard. Do not loadyour vehicle beyond this capacity.Overloading your vehicle may result inreduced tire life, unsafe operating con-ditions due to premature tire failure, orunfavorable handling characteristicsand could also lead to a serious acci-dent. Loading beyond the specified ca-pacity may also result in failure of othervehicle components.

Before taking a long trip, or wheneveryou have loaded your vehicle heavily,use a tire pressure gauge to ensurethat the tire pressure is at the specifiedlevel.

Do not drive your vehicle over 85 MPH(140 km/h) unless it is equipped withhigh speed capability tires. Drivingfaster than 85 MPH (140 km/h) mayresult in tire failure, loss of control andpossible injury.

Types of tires

CAUTION

When changing or replacing tires, besure all four tires are of the same type(i.e., Summer, All Season or Snow) andconstruction. Your NISSAN dealer maybe able to help you with informationabout tire type, size, speed rating andavailability. Replacement tires mayhave a lower speed rating than thefactory equipped tires, and may notmatch the potential maximum vehiclespeed. Never exceed the maximumspeed rating of the tire.

All season tires

NISSAN specifies All Season tires on somemodels to provide good performance allyear round, including snowy and icy roadconditions. All Season Tires are identifiedby ‘‘ALL SEASON’’ and/or ‘‘M&S’’ on the tiresidewall. Snow tires have better snow trac-tion than All Season tires and may be moreappropriate in some areas.

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WHEELS AND TIRES

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Summer tires

NISSAN specifies summer tires on somemodels to provide superior performance ondry roads. Summer tire performance insnow and ice is substantially reduced. Sum-mer tires do not have the tire traction rating‘‘M&S’’ on the tire sidewall.

If you plan to operate your vehicle in snowyor icy conditions, NISSAN recommends theuse of ‘‘SNOW’’ or ‘‘ALL SEASON’’ tires onall four wheels.

Snow tiresIf snow tires are needed, it is necessary toselect tires equivalent in size and load ratingto the original equipment tires. If you do not,it can adversely affect the safety and han-dling of your vehicle.

Generally, snow tires have lower speedratings than factory equipped tires and maynot match the potential maximum vehiclespeed. Never exceed the maximum speedrating of the tire.

For additional traction on icy roads, studdedtires may be used. However, some prov-inces and states prohibit their use. Checklocal, state and provincial laws before in-

stalling studded tires. Skid and traction ca-pabilities of studded snow tires on wet or drysurfaces may be poorer than that of non-studded snow tires.

Tire chainsUse of tire chains may be prohibited accord-ing to location. Check the local laws beforeinstalling tire chains. When installing tirechains, make sure they are of proper sizefor the tires on your vehicle and are installedaccording to the chain manufacturer’s sug-gestions. Use only SAE class “S” chains.Other types may damage your vehicle. Usechain tensioners when recommended bythe tire chain manufacturer to ensure a tightfit. Loose end links of the tire chain must besecured or removed to prevent the possibil-ity of whipping action damage to the fendersor underbody. If possible, avoid fully loadingyour vehicle when using tire chains. In ad-dition, drive at a reduced speed. Otherwise,your vehicle may be damaged and/or ve-hicle handling and performance may beadversely affected.

Never install tire chains on a T-type sparetire. Do not use chains on dry roads.

Tire rotationNISSAN recommends rotating the tiresevery 7,500 miles (12,000 km).

See ‘‘Flat tire’’ in the ‘‘In case of emergency’’section for tire replacing procedures.

DI1127M

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CAUTION● After rotating the tires, adjust the tire

pressure.

● Retighten the wheel nuts after thewheels have been run for the first 600miles (1,000 km) (also in cases of aflat tire, etc.).

● Do not include the T-type spare tire orany other small size spare tire in thetire rotation.

Tire wear and damage

CAUTIONTires should be periodically inspectedfor wear, cracking, bulging, or objectscaught in the tread. If excessive wear,cracks, bulging, or deep cuts arefound, the tire should be replaced.

The original tires have a built-in treadwear indicator. When the wear indicatoris visible, the tire should be replaced.

Improper service for a T-type spare tiremay result in serious personal injury. If

it is necessary to repair the T-typespare tire, contact your NISSAN dealer.

Changing tires and wheelsWhen replacing a tire, use the same size,speed rating and load carrying capacity asoriginally equipped. Recommended typesand sizes are shown in ‘‘Wheels and tires’’in the ‘‘Technical information’’ section. Theuse of tires other than those recommended,or the mixed use of tires of different brands,construction (bias, bias-belted or radial), ortread patterns can adversely affect the ride,braking, handling, ground clearance, body-to-tire clearance, snow chain clearance,speedometer calibration, headlight aim andbumper height. Some of these effects maylead to accidents and could result inserious personal injury.

If the wheels are changed for any reason,always replace with wheels which have thesame offset dimension. Wheels of a differentoffset could cause early tire wear, poorvehicle handling characteristics and/or inter-ference with the brake discs/drums. Suchinterference can lead to decreased brakingefficiency and/or early brake pad/shoe wear.

MDI0004

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CAUTIONDo not install a deformed wheel or tireeven if it has been repaired. Suchwheels or tires could have structuraldamage and could fail without warning.

Wheel balanceUnbalanced 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 performedwith the wheels off the vehicle. Spin balanc-ing the front wheels on the vehicle couldlead to transmission damage.

Care of wheels● Wash the wheels when washing the ve-

hicle to maintain their appearance.

● Clean the inner side of the wheels whenthe wheel is changed or the underside ofthe vehicle is washed.

● Do not use abrasive cleaners whenwashing the wheels.

● Inspect wheel rims regularly for dents orcorrosion. Such damage may cause lossof pressure or poor seal at the tire bead.

● NISSAN recommends waxing the roadwheels to protect against road salt inareas where it is used during winter.

Spare tire (T-type spare tire)

Observe the following precautions if the T-typespare tire must be used, otherwise your vehiclecould be damaged or involved in an accident.

CAUTION

● The T-type spare tire should be usedonly for emergency. It should be re-placed by the standard tire at the firstopportunity.

● Drive carefully while the T-type sparetire is installed.Avoid sharp turns and abrupt brakingwhile driving.

● Periodically check tire inflation pres-sure, and always keep it at 60 psi (420kPa, 4.2 bar).

● Do not drive your vehicle at speedsfaster than 50 MPH (80 km/h).

● Do not use tire chains on a T-typespare tire. Tire chains will not fitproperly on the T-type spare tire andmay cause damage to the vehicle.

● When driving on roads covered withsnow or ice, the T-type spare tireshould be used on the rear wheel andthe original tire used on the frontwheels (drive wheels). Use tire chainsonly on the front two original tires.

● Tire tread of the T-type spare tire willwear at a faster rate than the originaltire. Replace the T-type spare tire assoon as the tread wear indicatorsappear.

● Because the T-type spare tire issmaller than the original tire, groundclearance is reduced. To avoid dam-age to the vehicle do not drive overobstacles. Also do not drive the ve-hicle through an automatic car washsince the smaller tire may get caughtin the track.

● Do not use the T-type spare tire onother vehicles.

● Do not use more than one T-typespare tire at the same time.

● Do not tow a trailer while the T-typespare tire is installed.

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MEMO

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8 Maintenance schedule

General maintenance........................................... 8-2Periodic maintenance schedules ......................... 8-5

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Your new NISSAN has been designed tohave minimum maintenance requirementswith longer service intervals to save youboth time and money. However, some day-to-day and regular maintenance is essentialto maintain your NISSAN’s good mechani-cal condition, as well as its emission andengine performance.

It is the owner’s responsibility to make surethe specified periodic maintenance, as wellas general maintenance, is performed.

As the vehicle owner, you are the only onewho can ensure that your vehicle receivesthe proper maintenance care. You are avital link in the maintenance chain.

General maintenance

General maintenance includes those itemswhich should be checked during normalday-to-day operation of the vehicle. Theyare essential if your vehicle is to continue tooperate properly. It is your responsibility toperform these procedures regularly asprescribed.

These checks or inspections can be doneby yourself, a qualified technician or, if youprefer, your NISSAN dealer.

Periodic maintenanceThe maintenance items listed in this part arerequired to be serviced at regular intervals.

However, under severe driving conditions,additional or more frequent maintenance isrequired.

Where to go for serviceIf maintenance service is required or yourvehicle appears to malfunction, have thesystems checked and tuned by an autho-rized NISSAN dealer.

NISSAN technicians are well-trained spe-cialists and are kept up to date with thelatest service information through technicalbulletins, service tips, and in-dealershiptraining programs. They are completelyqualified to work on NISSAN’s vehicles be-fore they work on your vehicle, rather thanafter they have worked on it.

You can be confident that your NISSANdealer’s service department performs thebest job to meet the maintenance require-ments on your vehicle — in a reliable andeconomical way.

During the normal day-to-day operation of thevehicle, general maintenance should be per-formed regularly as prescribed in this section.If you detect any unusual sounds, vibrationsor smells, be sure to check for the cause orhave your NISSAN dealer do it promptly. Inaddition, you should notify your NISSANdealer if you think repairs are required.

When performing any checks or maintenancework, closely observe the precautions in the‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’ section.

OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE

The maintenance items listed here shouldbe performed from time to time, unlessotherwise specified.

Additional information on the followingitems with ‘‘*’’ is found in the ‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’ section.

Tires* Check the pressure with a gaugeperiodically when at a service station, in-cluding the spare, and adjust to the speci-fied pressure if necessary. Check carefullyfor damage, cuts or excessive wear.

Wheel nuts* When checking the tires,make sure no nuts are missing, and checkfor any loose nuts. Tighten if necessary.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

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Tire rotation* Tires should be rotated every7,500 miles (12,000 km).

Wheel alignment and balance If the ve-hicle should pull to either side while drivingon a straight and level road, or if you detectuneven or abnormal tire wear, there may bea need for wheel alignment.

If the steering wheel or seat vibrates atnormal highway speeds, wheel balancingmay be needed.

Windshield wiper blades* Check forcracks or wear if they do not wipe properly.

Doors and engine hood Check that alldoors and the engine hood operate prop-erly. Also ensure that all latches lock se-curely. Lubricate hinges, latches, rollers andlinks if necessary. Make sure the secondarylatch keeps the hood from opening whenthe primary latch is released.

When driving in areas using road salt orother corrosive materials, check lubricationfrequently.

Lights* Make sure the headlights, stoplights, tail lights, turn signal lights, and otherlights are all operating properly and installedsecurely. Also check headlight aim.

INSIDE THE VEHICLE

The maintenance items listed here shouldbe checked on a regular basis, such aswhen performing periodic maintenance,cleaning the vehicle, etc.


Warning lights and chimes Make sure allwarning lights and chimes are operatingproperly.

Windshield wiper and washer* Check thatthe wipers and washer operate properly andthat the wipers do not streak.

Windshield defroster Check that the aircomes out of the defroster outlets properlyand in sufficient quantity when operating theheater or air conditioner.

Steering wheel Check for changes in thesteering conditions, such as excessive free-play, hard steering or strange noises.

Seats Check seat position controls such asseat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. toensure they operate smoothly and alllatches lock securely in every position.Check that the head restraints move up and

down smoothly and the locks (if soequipped) hold securely in all latched posi-tions.

Seat belts Check that all parts of the seatbelt system (e.g. buckles, anchors, adjust-ers and retractors) operate properly andsmoothly, and are installed securely. Checkthe belt webbing for cuts, fraying, wear ordamage.

Accelerator pedal Check the pedal forsmooth operation and make sure the pedaldoes not catch or require uneven effort.Keep the floor mats away from the pedal.

Clutch pedal* Make sure the pedal oper-ates smoothly and check that it has theproper free travel.

Brakes Check that the brakes do not pullthe vehicle to one side when applied.

Brake pedal* Check the pedal for smoothoperation and make sure it has the properdistance under it when depressed fully.Check the brake booster function. Be cer-tain to keep floor mats away from the pedal.

Parking brake* Check that the lever hasthe proper travel and confirm that yourvehicle is held securely on a fairly steep hill

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with only the parking brake applied.

Automatic transmission ‘‘Park’’ mecha-nism On a fairly steep hill check that yourvehicle is held securely with the selectorlever in the P position without applying anybrakes.

UNDER THE HOOD ANDVEHICLE

The maintenance items listed here shouldbe checked periodically (e.g. each time youcheck the engine oil or refuel).


Windshield washer fluid* Check for ad-equate fluid in the tank.

Engine coolant level* Check the coolantlevel when the engine is cold.

Radiator and hoses Check the front of theradiator and clean off any dirt, insects,leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-formation, rot or loose connections.

Brake fluid level* Make sure the brake andclutch fluid level is between the ‘‘MAX’’ and

‘‘MIN’’ lines on the reservoir.

Battery* Check the fluid level in each cell.

Engine drive belts* Make sure no belt isfrayed, worn, cracked or oily.

Engine oil level* Check the level afterparking the vehicle on a level spot andturning off the engine.

Power steering fluid level* and linesCheck the level when the fluid is cold andthe engine is turned off. Check the lines forproper attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.

Automatic transmission fluid level*Check the level after putting the selectorlever in P with the engine idling.

Exhaust system Make sure there are noloose supports, cracks or holes. If the soundof the exhaust seems unusual or there is asmell of exhaust fumes, immediately locatethe trouble and correct it. (See the carbonmonoxide warning in the ‘‘Starting and driv-ing’’ section.)

Underbody The underbody is frequentlyexposed to corrosive substances such asthose used on icy roads or to control dust. Itis very important to remove these sub-stances, otherwise rust forms on the floor

pan, frame, fuel lines and around the ex-haust system. At the end of winter, theunderbody should be thoroughly flushedwith plain water, being careful to cleanthose areas where mud and dirt may accu-mulate. See the ‘‘Appearance and interiorcare’’ section for additional information.

Fluid leaks Check under the vehicle forfuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after thevehicle has been parked for a while. Waterdripping from the air conditioner after use isnormal. If you should notice any leaks or ifgasoline fumes are evident, check for thecause and have it corrected immediately.

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To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe andeconomical driving, NISSAN provides twodifferent maintenance schedules that maybe used, depending upon the conditions inwhich you usually drive. These schedulescontain both distance and time intervals, upto 60,000 miles (96,000 km)/48 months. Formost people, the odometer reading indi-cates when service is needed. However, ifyou drive very little, your vehicle should beserviced at the regular time intervals shownin the schedule. After 60,000 miles (96,000km) or 48 months, continue periodicmaintenance at the same mileage/timeintervals.

SCHEDULE 1

Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 1 ifyour driving habits frequently include one ormore of the following driving conditions:

● Repeated short trips of less than 5miles (8 km).

● Repeated short trips of less than 10miles (16 km) with outside tempera-tures remaining below freezing.

● Operating in hot weather in stop-and-go ‘‘rush hour’’ traffic.

● Extensive idling and/or low speeddriving for long distances, such aspolice, taxi or door-to-door deliveryuse.

● Driving in dusty conditions.

● Driving on rough, muddy, or saltspread roads.

● Towing a trailer, using a camper or acar-top carrier.

SCHEDULE 2

Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule 2 ifnone of the driving conditions shown inSchedule 1 apply to your driving habits.

PERIODIC MAINTENANCESCHEDULES

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SCHEDULE 1Abbreviations: R = Replace I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary. [ ]: At the mileage intervals only

MAINTENANCE OPERATION MAINTENANCE INTERVALPerform at number of miles,kilometers or months,whichever comes first.

Miles × 1,000 3.75 7.5 11.25 15 18.75 22.5 26.25 30 33.75 37.5 41.25 45 48.75 52.5 56.25 60(km × 1,000) (6) (12) (18) (24) (30) (36) (42) (48) (54) (60) (66) (72) (78) (84) (90) (96)Months 3 6 9 12 15 18 21 24 27 30 33 36 39 42 45 48

Emission control system maintenance

Drive belts See NOTE (1). I*Air cleaner filter See NOTE (2). [R] [R]Idle rpm (GA16DE engine) I* I*Vapor lines I* I*Fuel lines I* I*Fuel filter See NOTE (3)*.Engine coolant See NOTE (4)*. R*Engine oil R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R REngine oil filter (Use Nissan PREMIUM type or equivalent) R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R RSpark plugs (GA16DE engine) [R] [R]

(SR20DE engine) (PLATINUM-TIPPED type) See NOTE (5)*. [R]Intake & exhaust valve clearance (GA16DE engine) See NOTE (6)*.

NOTE: (1) After 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months, inspect every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.(2) If operating mainly in dusty conditions, more frequent maintenance may be required.(3) If vehicle is operated under extremely adverse weather conditions or in areas where ambient temperatures are either extremely low or extremely

high, the filters might become clogged. In such an event, replace them immediately.(4) After 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months, replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months.(5) Original equipment platinum-tipped plugs should be replaced at 60,000 miles (96,000 km). Conventional spark plugs can be used but should be

replaced at 30,000 miles (48,000 km) intervals. (See ‘‘Technical and consumer Information’’ section for details.)(6) If valve noise increases, inspect valve clearance.* Maintenance items and intervals with ‘‘*’’ are recommended by NISSAN for reliable vehicle operation. The owner need not perform such

maintenance in order to maintain the emission warranty or manufacturer recall liability. Other maintenance items and intervals are required.

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Abbreviations: I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary.

MAINTENANCE OPERATION MAINTENANCE INTERVAL

Perform at number of miles,kilometers or months, whichevercomes first.

Miles × 1,000 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60

(km × 1,000) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96)

Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48

Chassis and body maintenance

Brake lines & cables I I I I

Brake pads, discs, drums & linings I I I I I I I I

Manual & automatic transmission oil See NOTE (1). I I I I

Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspension parts I I I I I I I I

Steering linkage ball joints & front suspension ball joints I I I I I I I I

Exhaust system I I I I I I I I

Front drive shaft boots I I I I I I I I

Air bag system (If so equipped) See NOTE (2)*.

NOTE: (1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect) oil at every 30,000miles (48,000 km) or 24 months.

*(2) Inspect the supplemental air bag system (If so equipped) 10 years after the date of manufacture as noted on the F.M.V.S.S. certificationlabel located on the driver side door pillar.

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SCHEDULE 2Abbreviations: R = Replace I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary. [ ]: At the mileage intervals only

MAINTENANCE OPERATION MAINTENANCE INTERVALPerform at number of miles,kilometers or months, whichever comes first.

Miles × 1,000 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60(km × 1,000) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96)Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48

Emission control system maintenance

Drive belts See NOTE (1). I*Air cleaner filter [R] [R]Idle rpm (GA16DE engine) I* I*Vapor lines I* I*Fuel lines I* I*Fuel filter See NOTE (2)*.Engine coolant See NOTE (3)*. R*Engine oil R R R R R R R REngine oil filter (Use Nissan PREMIUM type or equivalent) R R R R R R R RSpark plugs (GA16DE engine) [R] [R]

(SR20DE engine) (PLATINUM-TIPPED type) See NOTE (4)*. [R]Intake & exhaust valve clearance (GA16DE engine) See NOTE (5)*.

NOTE: (1) After 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months, inspect every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.(2) If vehicle is operated under extremely adverse weather conditions or in areas where outside temperatures are either extremely low or extremely hi gh, the

filters might become clogged. In such an event, replace them immediately.(3) After 60,000 miles (96,000 km) or 48 months, replace every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months.(4) Original equipment platinum-tipped plugs should be replaced at 60,000 miles (96,000 km). Conventional spark plugs can be used but should be repla ced

at 30,000 miles (48,000 km) intervals. (See ‘‘Technical and consumer information’’ section for details.)(5) If valve noise increases, inspect valve clearance.* Maintenance items and intervals with ‘‘*’’ are recommended by NISSAN for reliable vehicle operation. The owner need not perform such maintenance in

order to maintain the emission warranty or manufacturer recall liability. Other maintenance items and intervals are required.

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Abbreviations: I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary.

MAINTENANCE OPERATION MAINTENANCE INTERVAL

Perform at number of miles, kilome-ters or months, whichever comesfirst.

Miles × 1,000(km × 1,000)Months

7.5(12)

6

15(24)12

22.5(36)18

30(48)24

37.5(60)30

45(72)36

52.5(84)42

60(96)48

Chassis and body maintenance

Brake lines & cables I I I I

Brake pads, discs, drums & linings I I I I

Manual & automatic transmission oil I I I I

Steering gear linkage, axle & suspension parts I I

Exhaust system I I

Front drive shaft boots I I I I

Air bag system (If so equipped) See NOTE (1)*.

NOTE: *(1) Inspect the supplemental air bag system (If so equipped) 10 years after the date of manufacture noted on the F.M.V.S.S. certificationlabel located on the driver side front pillar.

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EXPLANATION OF MAINTE-NANCE ITEMS


Emission control systemmaintenance

Drive belts* Check drive belts for wear,fraying or cracking and also for proper ten-sion. Replace the drive belts if found dam-aged.

Air cleaner filter Under normal driving con-ditions, the air cleaner filter should be re-placed in accordance with the maintenanceschedule. However, driving the vehicle industy areas may cause more rapid cloggingof the element. Consequently, the elementmay have to be replaced more frequently.

Idle rpm Inspection and adjustment shouldbe made with a tachometer to ensureaccuracy.

Vapor lines Check vapor lines and connec-tions for failure or looseness. If leaks arefound, replace them.

Fuel lines Check the fuel hoses, piping

and connections for leaks, looseness ordeterioration. Replace any parts if they aredamaged.

Fuel filter If the vehicle is operated underextremely adverse weather conditions or inareas where ambient temperatures are ei-ther extremely low or extremely high, thefilter might become clogged. In such anevent, replace the filter immediately.

Engine coolant* Drain and flush the cool-ing system.

Engine oil & oil filter* Under normal drivingconditions, the engine oil and oil filter shouldbe replaced in accordance with the mainte-nance schedule. However, under severedriving conditions, they may have to bereplaced more frequently.

Spark plugs* Replace with new plugs hav-ing the correct heat range.

Intake & exhaust valve clearance Checkand adjust the valve clearance.

Chassis and body maintenanceBrake lines & cables Check the brake linesand hoses (including brake booster vacuumhoses, connections & check valve) andparking brake cables for proper attachment,

leaks, cracks, chafing, abrasion, deteriora-tion, etc.

Brake pads, discs, drums & liningsCheck these and the other neighboringbrake components for wear, deteriorationand leaks. Under severe driving conditions,they may have to be inspected more fre-quently.

Manual & automatic transmission gearoil* Check the oil level and visually inspectfor signs of leakage.

Under severe driving conditions, the oilshould be replaced at the specified interval.

Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspen-sion parts, and drive shaft boots Checkfor damage, looseness and leakage of oil orgrease. Under severe driving conditions,more frequent inspection should be per-formed.

Steering linkage ball joints & front sus-pension ball joints Check the ball joints fordamage, looseness and grease leakage.

Exhaust system Visually check the ex-haust pipes, muffler, and hangers for properattachment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abra-sion, deterioration, etc. Under severe

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driving conditions, inspection should be per-formed more frequently.

Air bag system (If so equipped) Checkthe air bag system components for properattachment, damage, deformities, cracks,rust, etc. Work around and on the air bagsystem should be done by an authorizedNISSAN dealer.

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MEMO

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9 Technical and consumer information

Capacities and recommendedfuel/lubricants ....................................................... 9-2Engine .................................................................. 9-9Wheel/tire size.................................................... 9-10Dimensions and weights .................................... 9-10Registering your vehiclein another country .............................................. 9-11Vehicle identification........................................... 9-11Installing license plate ........................................ 9-14Trailer towing...................................................... 9-15Uniform tire quality grading ................................ 9-18Emission control system warranty ..................... 9-19Reporting safety defects (USA) ......................... 9-19

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The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a littledifferent. When refilling, follow the procedure instructed in the ‘‘Do-it-yourselfoperations’’ section to determine the proper refill capacity.

Capacity (Approximate)Recommended specificationsUS

measureImp

measure Liter

Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal 50 Unleaded gasoline with an octane ratingof at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1

Engine oil (Refill)

With oil filter GA16DE 3-3/8 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.2API SG or SH and Energy ConservingII*2API Certification Mark *2

SR20DE 3-5/8 qt 3 qt 3.4

Without oil filter GA16DE 3 qt 2-1/2 qt 2.8

SR20DE 3-3/8 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.2

Cooling system

With reservoir GA16DE 5-1/2 qt,6 qt*6

4-5/8 qt,5 qt*6 5.2, 5.7*6

Anti-freeze coolant(Ethylene glycol base)SR20DE 6-1/2 qt,

6-1/2 qt*65-1/2 qt,

5-1/2 qt*6 6.2, 6.2*6

Reservoir 3/4 qt 5/8 qt 0.7

Manual transmission gear oil 4 3-3/8 3.8 API GL-4*3

Automatic transmission fluidRefill to the proper oil levelaccording to the instructions in the‘‘Do-it-yourself operations’’section.

Nissan Matic ‘D’ (Continental U.S. andAlaska) or Genuine Nissan AutomaticTransmission Fluid (Canada).*4

Power steering fluid Type DEXRONTMII or equivalent

Brake fluidGenuine Nissan Brake Fluid*5 orequivalentDOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)

Multi-purpose grease — — — NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Complex)

Air conditioning system refrigerant — — — HFC-134a (R-134a)*7

Air conditioning system lubricants Nissan A/C System LubricantType R or equivalent*7

*1: For further details, see ‘‘Fuel recommenda-tion’’.*2: For further details, see ‘‘Engine oil and oil filterrecommendation’’.*3: For further details, see ‘‘Recommended SAEviscosity number’’.*4: Dexron® III/Mercon® or equivalent may alsobe used. Outside the Continental United Statesand Alaska contact a Nissan dealership for moreinformation regarding suitable fluids, includingrecommended brand(s) of Dexron® III/Mercon®or Dexron® IIE/Mercon® Automatic Transmis-sion Fluid.*5: Available in mainland USA through yourNISSAN dealer.*6: Automatic transmission models.*7: For further details, see “Air conditioner speci-

fication label”.

CAPACITIES ANDRECOMMENDED FUEL/LUBRICANTS

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FUEL RECOMMENDATIONAll models are designed to operate onunleaded gasoline with an octane ratingof at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)(Research octane number 91).

CAUTIONUsing a fuel other than that specifiedcould adversely affect the emissioncontrol devices and systems, and couldalso affect the warranty coverage.

Under no circumstances should aleaded gasoline be used, since this willdamage the three way catalyst.

Reformulated GasolineSome fuel suppliers are now producing re-formulated gasolines. These gasolines arespecially designed to reduce vehicle emis-sions. NISSAN supports efforts towardscleaner air and suggests that you use refor-mulated gasoline when available.

Gasoline containing oxygenatesSome fuel suppliers sell gasoline containingoxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE andmethanol with or without advertising their

presence. Nissan does not recommend theuse of fuels of which the oxygenate contentand the fuel compatibility for your NISSANcannot be readily determined. If in doubt,ask your service station manager.

If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, pleasetake the following precautions as the usageof such fuels may cause vehicle performanceproblems and/or fuel system damage.

● The fuel should be unleaded and havean octane rating no lower than thatrecommended for unleaded gasoline.

● If an oxygenate-blend, excepting amethanol blend, is used, it shouldcontain no more than 10% oxygenate.(MTBE may, however, be added up to15%.)

● If a methanol blend is used, it shouldcontain no more than 5% methanol(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). Itshould also contain a suitable amountof appropriate cosolvents and corro-sion inhibitors. If not properly formu-lated with appropriate cosolvents andcorrosion inhibitors, such methanolblends may cause fuel system dam-age and/or vehicle performance prob-

lems. At this time, sufficient data isnot available to ensure that all metha-nol blends are suitable for use in Nis-san vehicles.

If any driveability problems such as enginestalling and hard hot starting are experi-enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels,immediately change to a non-oxygenatefuel or a fuel with a low blend of MTBE.

Take care not to spill gasoline duringrefueling. Gasoline containing oxygen-ates can cause paint damage.

After Market Fuel AdditivesNISSAN does not recommend the use ofany fuel additives (i.e., fuel injector cleaner,octane booster, intake valve deposit remov-ers, etc.) which are sold commercially. Manyof these additives intended for gum, varnishor deposit removal may contain active sol-vents or similar ingredients that can beharmful to the fuel system and engine.

Octane rating tipsIn most parts of North America, you shoulduse unleaded gasoline with an octane ratingof at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index). How-ever, you may use unleaded gasoline with

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an octane rating as low as 85 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) in high altitude areas (over4,000 ft [1,219 m]) such as: Colorado, Mon-tana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, north-eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, westernSouth Dakota, western Nebraska, and thatpart of Texas which is directly south of NewMexico.

Using unleaded gasoline with an octanerating lower than stated above can causepersistent, heavy ‘‘spark knock.’’ (‘‘Sparkknock’’ is a metallic rapping noise.) Ifsevere, this can lead to engine damage. Ifyou detect a persistent heavy sparkknock even when using gasoline of thestated octane rating, or if you hear steadyspark knock while holding a steadyspeed on level roads, have your dealercorrect the condition. Failure to correctthe condition is misuse of the vehicle, forwhich NISSAN is not responsible.

Incorrect ignition timing results in knocking,after-run and/or overheating. This in turnmay cause excessive fuel consumption ordamage to the engine. If any of the abovesymptoms are encountered, have your ve-hicle checked at a NISSAN dealer or othercompetent service facility.

However, now and then you may noticelight spark knock for a short time whileaccelerating or driving up hills. This isno cause for concern, because you getthe greatest fuel benefit when there islight spark knock for a short time underheavy engine load.

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ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTERRECOMMENDATION

Selecting the correct oilIt is essential to choose the correct qualityand viscosity oil to ensure satisfactory en-gine life and performance. Nissan recom-mends the use of a low friction oil (energyconserving oil) in order to improve fueleconomy and conserve energy. Oils whichdo not have the specified quality labelshould not be used as they could causeengine damage.

Only those engine oils with the American

Petroleum Institute (API) CERTIFICATIONMARK on the front of the container shouldbe used. This type of oil supersedes theexisting API SG or SH and Energy Conserv-ing II categories.

If you cannot find engine oil with the CER-TIFICATION MARK, an API SG or SH andEnergy Conserving II oil with API ServiceSymbol may be used. An oil with a singledesignation SG or SH, or in combinationwith other categories (for example, SG/CCor SG/CD) may also be used if one with theAPI CERTIFICATION MARK cannot befound.

Mineral based or synthetic type oils may beused in your NISSAN vehicle. These oilsmust however, meet the API quality andSAE viscosity ratings specified for your ve-hicle. Do not mix mineral based and syn-thetic type oils in the engine at the sametime.

Oil additives

NISSAN does not recommend the use of oiladditives. The use of an oil additive is notnecessary when the proper oil type is usedand maintenance intervals are followed.

Oil which may contain foreign matter or hasbeen previously used should not be used.

Oil viscosity

The engine oil viscosity or thicknesschanges with temperature. Because of this,it is important to select the engine oil viscos-ity based on the temperatures at which thevehicle will be operated before the next oilchange. The chart ‘‘Recommended SAEviscosity number’’ shows the recommendedoil viscosities for the expected ambient tem-peratures. Choosing an oil viscosity otherthan that recommended could cause seri-ous engine damage.

ATI0645

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Selecting the correct oil filterYour new vehicle is equipped with a high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. Whenreplacing, use the genuine oil filter or itsequivalent for the reason described in‘‘Change intervals’’.

Change intervalsThe oil and oil filter change intervals for yourengine are based on the use of the specifiedquality oils and filters. Oil and filter otherthan the specified quality, or oil and filterchange intervals longer than recommendedcould reduce engine life. Damage to en-gines caused by improper maintenance oruse of incorrect oil and filter quality and/orviscosity is not covered by the new NISSANvehicle warranties.

Your engine was filled with a high qualityengine oil when it was built. You do not haveto change the oil before the first recom-mended change interval. Oil and filterchange intervals depend upon how you useyour vehicle. Operation under the followingconditions may require more frequent oiland filter changes:

— repeated short distance driving at coldoutside temperatures,

— driving in dusty conditions,

— extensive idling,

— towing a trailer.

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RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOS-ITY NUMBER

● SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferredfor all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 vis-

cosity oil may be used if the ambienttemperature is above 0°F (-18°C).

● 80W-90 is preferable for outside tem-peratures below 104°F (40°C).

ATI0646

ATI0647

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AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMREFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANTRECOMMENDATIONSThe air conditioning in your NISSAN ve-hicle must be charged with the refriger-ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the lubricant,Nissan A/C system lubricant Type R orthe exact equivalents.

CAUTIONUse of any other refrigerant or lubricantwill cause severe damage and you willneed to replace your vehicle’s entire airconditioning system.

The new refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) inyour NISSAN vehicle does not harm theearth’s ozone layer. Although this refriger-ant does not affect the earth’s atmosphere,certain governmental regulations requirethe recovery and recycling of any refrigerantduring automotive air conditioning systemservice. Your NISSAN dealer has thetrained technicians and equipment neededto recover and recycle your air conditioningsystem refrigerant.

Contact your NISSAN dealer when servic-ing your air conditioning system.

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Model GA16DE SR20DE

Type Gasoline, 4-cycle Gasoline, 4-cycle

Cylinder arrangement 4-cylinder in-line 4-cylinder in-line

Bore × Stroke in (mm) 2.992 × 3.465 (76.0 × 88.0) 3.386 × 3.386 (86.0 × 86.0)

Displacement cu in (cm3) 97.39 (1,596) 121.92 (1,998)

Firing order 1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2

Idle speed rpm

See the ‘‘Emission Control label’’ on the underside of the hood.Ignition timing (B.T.D.C.)

degree/rpm

CO percentage at idle speed[No air] %

Platinum-tipped type(Standard for SR20DE) Conventional type

Spark plug Hot BKR4E-11 BKR5E

Standard BKR5E-11 PFR5B-11 BKR6E

Cold BKR6E-11 PFR6B-11, PFR7B-11 BKR7E

Camshaft operation Timing chain Timing chain

Spark plug gap in (mm) 0.039 to 0.043 (1.0 to 1.1) — 0.031 to 0.035 (0.8 to 0.9)

Generator belt sizeWidth × Length in (mm)

0.843 x 32.28(21.4 x 820)

0.843 x 44.09(21.4 x 1,120)*2

0.559 x 32.68(14.2 x 830)

0.843 x 40.75(21.4 x 1,035)*2

*1: With power steering *2: With air conditioner

The spark ignition system of this vehicle meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.

ENGINE

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200SX SENTRA WheelDimension

Road wheel

139 steel w/centercap

— E* 13 × 5J

139 steel w/full cover S XE, GXE 13 × 5J

149 aluminum alloy SE GLE 14 x 5.5JJ

159 aluminum alloy SE-R — 15 × 6JJ

Offset in (mm) 1.57 (40)

Conventional tiresize

P155/80R13 E* 13 x 5JP175/70R13 S XE, GXE 13 x 5JP175/65R14 SE GLE 14 x 5.5JJP195/55R15 SE-R 15 x 6JJ

Spare tire sizeT115/70D14 S, SE E*, XE, GXE,

GLE14 × 4T

T135/70D15 SE-R 15 x 4T

*: base model in Canada

200SX SENTRA

Overall length in (mm) 169.8 (4,313) 170.1 (4,321)

Overall width in (mm) 66.6 (1,692) 66.6 (1,692)

Overall height in (mm) 54.2 (1,377) 54.5 (1,384)

Front tread13-inch in (mm) 58.3 (1,481) 58.3 (1,481)14/15-inch in (mm) 57.9 (1,471) 57.9 (1,471)

Rear tread13-inch in (mm) 56.9 (1,445) 56.9 (1,445)14/15-inch in (mm) 56.5 (1,435) 56.5 (1,435)

Wheelbase in (mm) 99.8 (2,535) 99.8 (2,535)

Gross vehicle weightrating lb (kg)

See the ‘‘F.M.V.S.S. certificationlabel’’ on the driver’s side doorpillar.

Gross axle weight rating

Front lb (kg)

Rear lb (kg)

WHEEL/TIRE SIZE DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS

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When planning to travel in another coun-try, you should first find out if the fuelavailable is suitable for your vehicle’s en-gine.

Using fuel with too low an octane/cetanerating may cause engine damage. All gaso-line vehicles must be operated with un-leaded engine gasoline. Therefore, avoidtaking your vehicle to areas where appropri-ate fuel is not available.

When transferring the registration ofyour vehicle to another country, state,province or district, it may be necessary tomodify the vehicle to meet local laws andregulations.

The laws and regulations for motor vehicleemission control and safety standards varyaccording to the country, state, province ordistrict; therefore, vehicle specificationsmay differ.

When any vehicle is to be taken intoanother country, state, province or dis-trict and registered, its modifications,transportation, and registration are theresponsibility of the user. NISSAN is notresponsible for any inconvenience thatmay result.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUM-BER PLATEThe vehicle identification number plate isattached to the top of the instrument panelon the driver’s side. This number is theidentification for your vehicle and is used inthe vehicle registration.

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATIONNUMBER (Chassis number)The chassis number is stamped as shown.

TI1050M ATI0605

REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLEIN ANOTHER COUNTRY

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION

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ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERThe engine serial number is stamped on theengine as shown.

F.M.V.S.S. CERTIFICATIONLABELThe Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard(F.M.V.S.S.) certification label is affixed asshown. This label contains valuable vehicleinformation, such as: Gross Vehicle WeightRatings (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating(GAWR), month and year of manufacture,Vehicle Identification Number, (VIN), etc.Review it carefully.

ATI0608 TI1032-A ATI0606

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EMISSION CONTROL INFORMA-TION LABELThe emission control information label isattached as shown.

TIRE PLACARDThe cold tire pressure is shown on the tireplacard affixed to the driver side centerpillar.

AIR CONDITIONER SPECIFICA-TION LABELThe air conditioner specification label isaffixed as shown.

ATI0648 STI0010 ATI0607

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Use the following steps to mount the licenseplate:

1. Make a hole in each plastic finisher at thelocation mark (small dimple) using a 0.31in (8 mm) drill. To avoid damaging thethreads behind the finisher, apply onlylight pressure to the drill.

2. Mount the license plate using twoM6-14mm bolts.License plate bolt tightening torque:3.8 to 4.7 ft-lb (5.10 to 6.37 N zm)

VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION

WARNING

● It is extremely dangerous to ride in acargo area inside of a vehicle. In acollision, people riding in these ar-eas are more likely to be seriouslyinjured or killed.

● Do not allow people to ride in anyarea of your vehicle that is notequipped with seats and seat belts.

● Be sure everyone in your vehicle is ina seat and using a seat belt properly.

Terms

It is important to familiarize yourself with thefollowing terms before loading your vehicle:

● Curb Weight (actual weight of your ve-hicle) - vehicle weight including: standardand optional equipment, fluids, emer-gency tools, and spare tire assembly.This weight does not include passen-gers and cargo.

● GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curbweight plus the combined weight of pas-sengers and cargo.

● GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -maximum total weight (load) limit speci-fied for the vehicle.

● GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -maximum weight (load) limit specified forthe front or rear axle.

Determining Vehicle Load Capacity

The load capacity of this vehicle is deter-mined by weight, not by available cargospace. For example, a luggage rack, bikecarrier, cartop carrier or similar equipmentdoes not increase load carrying capacity ofyour vehicle.

To determine vehicle load capacity:

Vehicle weight can be determined by usinga commercial-grade scale, found at placessuch as a truck stop, gravel quarry, grainelevator, or a scrap metal recycling facility.

1) Determine the curb weight of your ve-hicle.

2) Compare the curb weight amount to theGVWR specified for your vehicle to de-termine how much more weight yourvehicle can carry.

3) After loading (cargo and passengers),

TI1077MA

INSTALLING LICENSE PLATE

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re-weigh your vehicle to determine ifeither GVWR or GAWR for your vehicleis exceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, re-move cargo as necessary. If either thefront or rear GAWR is exceeded, shift theload or remove cargo as necessary.

Loading Tips● The GVW must not exceed GVWR or

GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S.Certification Label.

● Do not load the front and rear axle to theGAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.

CAUTION● Properly secure all cargo to help

prevent it from sliding or shifting. Ina sudden stop or collision, unse-cured cargo could cause personalinjury.

● Do not load your vehicle any heavierthan the GVWR or the maximumfront and rear GAWRs. If you do,parts on your vehicle can break, or itcan change the way your vehiclehandles. This could result in loss ofcontrol and cause personal injury.

● Overloading can shorten the life ofyour vehicle. Failures caused byoverloading are not covered by yourwarranty.

Your new vehicle was designed to be usedprimarily to carry passengers and cargo.Remember that towing a trailer places ad-ditional loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain, steering, braking and other systems.

A Nissan Trailer Towing Guide is avail-able from your NISSAN dealer. This guideincludes information on trailer towing abilityand the special equipment required forproper towing.

TI1011M

TRAILER TOWING

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Maximum load limitsMaximum trailer loads

Never allow the total trailer load to exceed1,000 lb (454 kg). The total trailer loadequals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.Towing loads greater than 1,000 lb (454 kg)or using improper towing equipment couldadversely affect vehicle handling, brakingand performance.

WARNINGVehicle damage and/or personal injuryresulting from improper towing proce-dures is not covered by NISSAN war-ranties. Information on trailer towingand required towing equipment shouldbe obtained from dealers who special-ize in providing trailers or other towingequipment.

Tongue load

Keep the tongue load between 9 and 11%of the total trailer load. If the tongue loadbecomes excessive, rearrange cargo to al-low for proper tongue load.

Maximum gross vehicle weight/maximumgross axle weight

The gross vehicle weight of the towingvehicle must not exceed the gross vehicleweight rating (GVWR) shown on theF.M.V.S.S. certification label. The gross ve-hicle weight equals the combined weight ofthe unloaded vehicle, passengers, luggage,hitch, trailer tongue load and any otheroptional equipment. In addition, front or reargross axle weight must not exceed thegross axle weight rating (GAWR) shown onthe F.M.V.S.S. certification label.

TOWING LOAD / SPECIFICATION CHART

UNIT: lb (kg)

MAXIMUMTOWING LOAD

1,000 (454)

MAXIMUMTONGUE LOAD

110 (49)

Trailer hitchChoose a proper hitch for your vehicle andtrailer. Make sure the trailer hitch is securelyattached to the vehicle to help avoid per-sonal injury or property damage due tosway caused by crosswinds, rough roadsurfaces or passing trucks.

● Axle-mounted hitches should not beused.

● The hitch should not be attached to oraffect the operation of the impact-absorbing bumper.

● Do not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-tem, brake system, etc. when the hitch isinstalled.

● To reduce the possibility of additionaldamage if your vehicle is struck from therear, remove the hitch when not in use.

TI1012M

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After the hitch is removed, seal the boltholes to prevent exhaust fumes, wateror dust from entering the passengercompartment.

● Regularly check that all hitch mountingbolts are securely mounted.

Tire pressures● When towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle

tires to the recommended cold tire pres-sure indicated on the tire placard (lo-cated on the driver side center pillar.)

● Trailer tire condition, size, load ratingand proper inflation pressure should bein accordance with the trailer and tiremanufacturers’ specifications.

Safety chainAlways use a suitable chain between yourvehicle and the trailer. The chain should becrossed and should be attached to the hitch,not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure toleave enough slack in the chain to permitturning corners.

Trailer lightsTrailer lights should comply with federaland/ or local regulations. When wiring the

vehicle for towing, connect the stop and taillight pickup into the vehicle electrical circuit.

Trailer brakes

If your trailer is equipped with a brakingsystem, make sure it conforms to federaland/or local regulations and that it is prop-erly installed.

CAUTIONNever connect a trailer brake systemdirectly to the vehicle brake system.

Pre-towing tips● Be certain your vehicle maintains a level

position when a loaded and/or unloadedtrailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle ifit has an abnormal nose-up or nose- downcondition; check for improper tongue load,overload, worn suspension or other pos-sible causes of either condition.

● Always secure items in the trailer toprevent load shifts while driving.

● Be certain your rear view mirrors con-form to all federal, state or local regula-tions. If not, install any mirrors requiredfor towing before driving the vehicle.

Trailer towing tips

In order to gain skill and an understandingof the vehicle’s behavior, you should prac-tice turning, stopping and backing up in anarea which is free from traffic. Steering,stability, and braking performance aresomewhat different than under normal driv-ing conditions.

● Always secure items in the trailer toprevent load shift while driving.

● Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.

● Avoid sharp turns or lane changes.

● Always drive your vehicle at a moderatespeed.

● Always block the wheels on both vehicleand trailer when parking. Parking on aslope is not recommended; however, ifyou must do so, and if your vehicle isequipped with automatic transmission,first block the wheels and apply the park-ing brake, and then move the transmis-sion shift lever into the P position. If youmove the shift lever to the P positionbefore blocking the wheels and applyingthe parking brake, transmission damagecould occur.

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● When going down a hill, shift into a lowergear and use the engine braking effect.When ascending a long grade, down-shift the transmission to a lower gearand reduce speed to reduce chances ofengine overloading and/or overheating.

● If the engine temperature coolant rises toan extremely high temperature when theair conditioning system is on, turn off theair conditioner. Coolant heat can be addi-tionally vented by opening the windows,switching the fan control to high and set-ting the temperature control to the HOTposition.

● Trailer towing requires more fuel thannormal circumstances.

● Avoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’sfirst 500 miles (800 km).

● Have your vehicle serviced more oftenthan at intervals specified in the recom-mended Maintenance Schedule.

● When making a turn, your trailer wheelswill be closer to the inside of the turnthan your vehicle wheels. To compen-sate for this, make a larger than normalturning radius during the turn.

● Crosswinds and rough roads adverselyaffect vehicle/trailer handling, possiblycausing vehicle sway. When beingpassed by larger vehicles, be preparedfor possible changes in crosswinds thatcould affect vehicle handling. If swayingdoes occur, firmly grip the steeringwheel, steer straight ahead, and imme-diately (but gradually) reduce vehiclespeed. This combination helps to stabi-lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.

● Be careful when passing other vehicles.Passing while towing a trailer requiresconsiderably more distance than normalpassing. Remember the length of thetrailer must also pass the other vehiclebefore you can safely change lanes.

● To maintain engine braking efficiencyand electrical charging performance, donot use fifth gear (manual transmission)or overdrive (automatic transmission).

● Avoid holding the brake pedal down toolong or too frequently. This could causethe brakes to overheat, resulting in re-duced braking efficiency.

When towing a trailer, change the oil inthe transmission more frequently.

See the Maintenance Schedule.

DOT Quality Grades: All passenger car tiresmust conform to Federal Safety Require-ments in addition to these grades.

Treadwear

Treadwear grade is a comparative ratingbased on tire wear rate when tested undercontrolled conditions on specified govern-ment test courses. For example, a tiregraded 150 would wear one and a half(1-1/2) times as well on the governmentcourse as a tire graded 100. However,relative tire performance depends on actualdriving conditions, and may vary signifi-cantly from the norm due to variations indriving habits, service practices and differ-ences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction A, B and CTraction grades are A (the highest), B and C.They represent a tire’s ability to stop on wetpavement as measured under controlled con-ditions, on specified government test sur-faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire markedwith a C may have poor traction performance.

WARNINGThe traction grade assigned to yourvehicle tires is based on straight line

UNIFORM TIRE QUALITYGRADING

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braking traction tests and does notinclude cornering (turning) traction.

Temperature A, B and CTemperature grades are A (the highest), B,and C. They represent a tire’s resistance toheat build-up, and its ability to dissipateheat when tested under controlled condi-tions on a specified indoor laboratory testwheel. Sustained high temperature cancause tire material to degenerate, reducingtire life. Excessive temperatures can lead tosudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds toa performance level which all passenger cartires must meet under the Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades Aand B represent higher levels of perfor-mance on laboratory test wheels than theminimum required by law.

WARNINGThe temperature grade for this tire isestablished for a tire that is properlyinflated and not overloaded. Excessivespeed, under inflation, or excessiveloading, either separately or in combi-nation, can cause heat build-up andpossible tire failure problems.

Your NISSAN is covered by the followingemission warranties.

For USA1) Emission Defects Warranty

2) Emissions Performance Warranty

For CanadaEmission Control System Warranty

Details of these warranties may be foundwith other vehicle warranties in your war-ranty information booklet that comes withyour NISSAN. If you did not receive awarranty booklet, or it has become lost, youmay obtain a replacement by writing to:

● Nissan Motor Corporation, in USAConsumer Affairs DepartmentP.O. Box 191Gardena, CA. 90247

● Nissan Canada Inc.P.O. Box 1709Station ‘‘B’’Mississauga, Ontario,L4Y 4H6

If you believe that your vehicle has a defectwhich could cause a crash or could causeinjury or death, you should immediatelyinform the National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration (NHTSA) in addition to noti-fying NISSAN.

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, itmay open an investigation, and if it findsthat a safety defect exists in a group ofvehicles, it may order a recall and remedycampaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-come involved in individual problems be-tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call theAuto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1- 800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C.area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Departmentof Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590.You can also obtain other information aboutmotor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

You may notify NISSAN by contacting ourConsumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at1-800-NISSAN-1.

In Hawaii call (808) 531-0231.

EMISSION CONTROLSYSTEM WARRANTY

REPORTING SAFETYDEFECTS ( USA)

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A Genuine Nissan Service Manual is the bestsource of service and repair information foryour vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illus-trations and step-by-step diagnostic and ad-justment procedures, this manual is the sameone used by the factory trained techniciansworking at your Nissan dealership. Also avail-able are Genuine NISSAN Owner’s Manuals.For current pricing and availability of a Genu-ine NISSAN Service Manual or Genuine NIS-SAN Owner’s Manual, contact:

In the USA:See your NISSAN dealer or contact:

Dyment Distribution Services20770 Westwood Dr.Strongsville OH 44136

In a hurry? Call 1-800-247-5321 and chargeyour purchase to Visa/Master Card.

In Canada:To purchase a copy of a Genuine NISSANService Manual or Owner’s Manual pleasecontact your nearest NISSAN Dealer. For thephone number and location of a NISSANDealer in your area call the Nissan SatisfactionCenter at 1-800-387-0122 and a bilingual NIS-SAN representative will assist you.Also available are Genuine NISSAN Serviceand Owner’s Manuals for older Nissan models.

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10 Index

A

Air bag (See supplemental restraint system)Air bag warning light (If so equipped) ....... 2-20Air cleaner housing filter............................ 7-19Air conditioner

Air conditioner operation ........................ 3-5Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-13Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3Servicing air conditioning ....................... 3-9

Air conditioning system refrigerant andlubricant recommendations.......................... 9-8Air flow charts .............................................. 3-6Anchor point locations ............................... 2-32Antenna (manual) ...................................... 3-17Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .................. 4-16Audio system

AM-FM radio ........................................ 3-11AM-FM radio with cassette player........ 3-13

AutomaticAutomatic power window switch ......... 1-16Automatic transmission fluid................. 7-11Driving with an automatictransmission............................................ 4-6

B

Battery........................................................ 7-15Belts (See drive belts)Brake

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 4-16Brake fluid............................................. 7-13Brake booster ....................................... 7-22Brake wear indicators ................... 1-7, 7-22Brake pedal .......................................... 7-21Parking brake check............................. 7-21Parking brake operation ....................... 4-11

Break-in schedule ...................................... 4-13Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 1-5Bulb replacement....................................... 7-26

C

Capacities and recommendedfuel/lubricants............................................... 9-2Cassette player (See audio system)CB radio or car phone ............................... 3-18Child restraints for infants andsmall children............................................. 2-28Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-7Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray . 1-13Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 6-2Clock-radio................................................. 3-13

Clutch pedal............................................... 7-23Cold weather driving cautions ................... 4-18Controls

Audio controls ............................. 3-10, 3-13Heater and air conditioner...................... 3-3

CoolantCapacities and recommendedfuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2Changing engine coolant........................ 7-6Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-5Engine coolant temperature gauge ....... 1-3

Corrosion protection .................................... 6-5Cruise control............................................. 4-12Cup holder ................................................. 1-14

D

Daytime running light system(Canada only) ............................................ 1-11Defogger switch

Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-10Dimensions and weights............................ 9-10Door locks.................................................... 2-2

Freeing a frozen door lock ................... 4-18Drive belts.................................................. 7-17Driving

Cold weather driving cautions .............. 4-18

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Driving with automatictransmission............................................ 4-6Driving with manual transmission........... 4-9Precautions when driving ..................... 4-16Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2

E

Economy-fuel ............................................. 4-14Emission control information label............. 9-13Emission control system warranty............. 9-19Engine

Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5Capacities and recommendedfuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2Changing engine coolant........................ 7-6Changing engine oil................................ 7-9Changing engine oil filter...................... 7-10Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-5Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-8Engine compartment checklocations ......................................... 7-3, 7-4Engine coolant temperature gauge ....... 1-3Engine cooling system ........................... 7-5Engine oil ................................................ 7-8Engine oil and oil filterrecommendation ..................................... 9-5Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5Engine serial number ........................... 9-12Engine specifications.............................. 9-9Starting the engine ............................... 4-11

Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)................. 4-2

F

Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)Flat tire......................................................... 5-2Fluid (Checking)

Automatic transmission fluid................. 7-11Brake fluid............................................. 7-13Engine coolant........................................ 7-5Engine oil ................................................ 7-8Power steering fluid.............................. 7-13Window washer fluid ............................ 7-14

F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-12Front fog light switch ................................. 1-12Front seats................................................. 2-13Fuel

Capacities and recommendedfuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2Fuel economy ....................................... 4-14Fuel filler cap ........................................ 2-11Fuel filler lid lock operation .................. 2-11Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-4Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3Fuel recommendation............................. 9-3

Fuses ......................................................... 7-23

G

Gas station information............................ 10-10Gauge

Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-3Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-4

Odometer................................................ 1-3Speedometer .......................................... 1-3Tachometer............................................. 1-3Trip odometer ......................................... 1-3

Gear selection (See shifting)General maintenance .................................. 8-2Glove box..................................................... 2-9

H

Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-13Head restraints .......................................... 2-14Headlight aiming adjustment ..................... 7-26Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-11Headlights .................................................. 7-25Heater and air conditioner

Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3Heater operation..................................... 3-4

Hood release ............................................... 2-8

I

Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4Increasing fuel economy .......................... 4-14Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/indicator lights and chimes)Inside mirror............................................... 2-35Instrument brightness control .................... 1-12Interior light ................................................ 1-17

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J

Jump starting ............................................... 5-7

K

Key............................................................... 2-2Keyless entry system (See multi-remotecontrol system)

L

LabelsAir conditioner specification label ......... 9-13Emission control information label........ 9-13Engine serial number ........................... 9-12F.M.V.S.S. Certification label ............... 9-12Vehicle identification number plate ...... 9-11Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 2-20

License plateInstalling license plate .......................... 9-14

LightAir bag warning light............................. 2-20Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 1-5Bulb replacement.................................. 7-26Front fog light switch ............................ 1-12Headlight aiming adjustment ................ 7-26Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 1-11Headlights............................................. 7-25Interior light........................................... 1-17Light bulbs ............................................ 7-25

Trunk light ............................................ 1-17Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 1-5

LockChild safety rear door lock ..................... 2-7Door locks............................................... 2-2Fuel filler lid lock operation .................. 2-11Power door lock...................................... 2-3Trunk lid lock operation .......................... 2-9

M

MaintenanceGeneral maintenance ............................. 8-2Inside the vehicle.................................... 8-3Outside the vehicle................................. 8-2Periodic maintenance schedules............ 8-5Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-27Under the hood and vehicle ................... 8-4

Manual antenna ......................................... 3-17Meters and gauges...................................... 1-2Mirror

Inside mirror.......................................... 2-35Outside mirror control ........................... 2-34Vanity mirror ......................................... 2-35

Multi-remote control system ........................ 2-4

O

Octane rating (See fuel)Odometer ..................................................... 1-3

OilCapacities and recommendedfuel/lubricants.......................................... 9-2Changing engine oil................................ 7-9Changing engine oil filter...................... 7-10Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-8Engine oil ................................................ 7-8Engine oil and oil filterrecommendation ..................................... 9-5

Opener lever for trunk lid............................. 2-9Outside mirror control ................................ 2-34Overdrive switch .......................................... 4-8Overheat

If your vehicle overheats ........................ 5-9Owner’s manual order form....................... 9-20

P

ParkingParking brake check............................ 7-21Parking brake operation ....................... 4-11Parking/parking on hills ........................ 4-15

Periodic maintenance schedules................. 8-5Power

Power door lock...................................... 2-3Power steering fluid.............................. 7-13Power windows..................................... 1-15

PrecautionsMaintenance precautions ....................... 7-2Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-22Precautions when driving ..................... 4-16

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Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2Push starting................................................ 5-8

Q

Quick reference (See gas station information)

R

RadioAM-FM radio......................................... 3-11AM-FM radio with cassette player........ 3-13CB radio or car phone.......................... 3-18

Rear seat ................................................... 2-15Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-10Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-8Registering your vehicle inanother country.......................................... 9-11Remote keyless entry system (See multi-remote control system)Reporting safety defects (USA)................. 9-19

S

SafetyChild safety rear door lock ..................... 2-7Reporting safety defects (USA)............ 9-19

Seat adjustment......................................... 2-13Seat belt

Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-22Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-27

Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-27Seat belts.............................................. 2-22Shoulder belt height adjustment........... 2-252-point type without retractor(rear center lap belt) ............................. 2-263-point type with retractor..................... 2-23

SeatsFront seats............................................ 2-13Rear seat .............................................. 2-15

Service manual order form ........................ 9-20Shifting ......................................................... 4-7Spark plug replacement............................. 7-18Speedometer ............................................... 1-3SRS warning label ..................................... 2-20Starting

Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5Jump starting .......................................... 5-7Precautions when starting and driving ... 4-2Push starting........................................... 5-8Starting the engine ............................... 4-11

SteeringPower steering fluid.............................. 7-13Tilting steering wheel............................ 2-34

Sun roof ..................................................... 1-16Supplemental restraint system(Air bag system) (If so equipped).............. 2-15Switch

Automatic power window switch .......... 1-16Front fog light switch ............................ 1-12Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-13Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 1-11Ignition switch ......................................... 4-4

Overdrive switch ..................................... 4-8Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-10Windshield wiper and washer switch ..... 1-9

T

Tachometer.................................................. 1-3Theft warning ............................................... 1-8Three way catalyst....................................... 4-2Tilting front seat ......................................... 2-14Tilting steering wheel................................. 2-34Timing chain ................................................ 9-9Tire

Flat tire.................................................... 5-2Tire chains ............................................ 7-33Tire placard........................................... 9-13Tire pressure ........................................ 7-32Tire rotation .......................................... 7-33Types of tires........................................ 7-32Uniform tire quality grading .................. 9-18Wheel/tire size ...................................... 9-10Wheels and tires................................... 7-32

TowingTow truck towing .................................. 5-10Trailer towing ........................................ 9-15Towing load/specification chart ............ 9-16

TransmissionAutomatic transmission fluid................. 7-11Driving with automatictransmission............................................ 4-6

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Driving with manual transmission........... 4-9Travel (See registering your vehicle inanother country)Trip odometer .............................................. 1-3Trunk lid lock operation ............................... 2-9Trunk light .................................................. 1-17

U

Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-18

V

Vanity mirror .............................................. 2-35Vehicle dimensions and weights ............... 9-10Vehicle identification

Vehicle identification number(chassis number) .................................. 9-11Vehicle identification number plate ...... 9-11

Vehicle loading information ....................... 9-14Vehicle recovery ........................................ 5-11Ventilators .................................................... 3-2

W

WarningAir bag warning light............................. 2-20Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-13Theft warning.......................................... 1-8Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 1-5

Wheel/tire size ........................................... 9-10Wheels and tires........................................ 7-32Window washer fluid.................................. 7-14Windows

Locking passengers’ windows.............. 1-15Rear power windows ............................ 1-16Manual .................................................. 1-15Power windows..................................... 1-15

WiperWindshield wiper and washer switch ..... 1-9Wiper blades......................................... 7-20

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Recommended fuel:Unleaded gasoline, at least 87 AKI (RON 91).For further information on items such as gaso-hol, see ‘‘Fuel recommendation’’ in the ‘‘Tech-nical and consumer information’’ section.

Recommended engine oil:● API SG or SH and Energy Conserving II● API Certification Mark● SAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all

ambient temperatures.

See ‘‘Engine oil and oil filter recommenda-tion’’ in the ‘‘Technical and consumer infor-mation’’ section.

Tire cold pressure:See tire placard affixed to the driver sidecenter pillar.

Recommended new vehiclebreak-in procedure:During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) ofvehicle use, follow the recommendations out-lined in the “BREAK-IN SCHEDULE Informa-tion found in the “Starting and Driving” sectionof this Owner’s Manual. Follow these recom-mendations for the future reliability andeconomy of your new vehicle. Failure to followthese recommendations may result in vehicledamage or shortened engine life.

AGS0600

GAS STATION INFORMATION QUICK REFERENCE

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Documents

1996 Nissan Sentra