Foreword Welcome to the growing family of new NISSAN owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with confidence. It was produced using the latest techniques 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 of driving pleasure. Please read through this manual before operating your vehicle. A separate Warranty Information and Maintenance Log Booklet explains details about the warranties covering your vehicle and vehicle maintenance schedules. Additionally, a separate Customer Care/Lemon Law Booklet will explain how to resolve any concerns you may have with your vehicle, as well as clarify your rights under your state's lemon law. Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle best. When you require any service or have any questions, they will be glad to assist you with the extensive resources available to them. READ FIRST -- THEN DRIVE SAFELY Before driving your vehicle please read this owner's manual carefully. This will ensure familiarity with controls and maintenance requirements, assisting you in the safe operation of your vehicle. WARNING IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION REMINDERS FOR SAFETY! Follow these important driving rules to help ensure a safe and complete 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. Pre-teen children should be seated in the rear seat. ALWAYS provide information about the proper use of vehicle safety features to all occupants of the vehicle. ALWAYS review this Owner's Manual for important safety information. The inside pages of this manual contain a minimum of 50% recycled fibers, including 10% post-consumer fibers. MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE This vehicle should not be modified. Modification could affect its performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or performance problems resulting from modifications may not be covered under NISSAN warranties. WHEN READING THE MANUAL This manual includes information for all options available on this model. Therefore, you may find some information that does not apply to your vehicle. All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are those in effect at the time of printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change specifications or design without notice and without obligation. IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MANUAL You will see various symbols in this manual. They are used in the following ways: WARNING This is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that could cause death or serious personal injury. To avoid or reduce the risk, the procedures must be followed precisely. The inside pages of this manual contain a minimum of 50% recycled fibers, including 10% post-consumer fibers. CAUTION This is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that could cause minor or moderate personal injury or damage to your vehicle. To avoid or reduce the risk, the procedures must be followed carefully. APD1005 If you see this symbol, it means ``Do not do this'' or ``Do not let this happen.'' All rights reserved. No part of this Owner's Manual may be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Nissan North America, Inc., Gardena, California. © 1998 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. GARDENA, CALIFORNIA Welcome To The World Of NISSAN portation services, to the supply of lubricants, parts and accessories. NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics and computers in automobiles, and has led the industry in improving both performance and fuel efficiency through new engine designs and the use of synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight. The company has also developed ways to build quality into its vehicles at each stage of the production process, both through extensive use of automation and -- most importantly -- through an awareness that people are the central element in quality control. AFW0001 Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedication to produce the finest in safe, reliable and economical transportation. Your vehicle is the product of a successful worldwide company that manufactures cars and trucks in over 17 countries and distributes them in 170 nations. NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufactured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSAN affiliates world wide, collectively growing to become the fifth largest automaker in the world. In addition to cars and trucks, NISSAN also makes textile machinery, forklift trucks, marine engines, boats and other products. NISSAN has made a substantial and growing investment in North America, starting with the opening of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. in 1960 and continuing with the production of some cars and trucks at one of the world's most modern manufacturing facilities, Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation U.S.A. in Smyrna, Tennessee, vehicle styling at Nissan Design International in San Diego, California, and engineering at Nissan Research and Development in Farmington Hills, Michigan. NISSAN and its dealers employ about 60,000 Americans. NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to the Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its suppliers and over 150 dealers employ approximately 4,500 people. These include company employees and the staffs of NISSAN dealers all across Canada. In addition, many Canadians work for companies that supply NISSAN and NISSAN dealers with materials and services ranging from operation of port facilities and trans- From the time the parts arrived from our suppliers until you took delivery of your new NISSAN, dozens of checks were made to ensure that only the best job was being done in producing and delivering your vehicle. NISSAN also takes great care to ensure that when you take your NISSAN to your dealer for maintenance, the service technician will perform his work according to the quality standards that have been established by the factory. Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. As you know, seat belts are an integral part of the safety systems that will help protect you and your passengers in the event of a sudden stop or an accident. We urge you to use the seat belts every time you drive the vehicle. The NISSAN story of growth and achievement reflects our major goal: to provide you, our customer, with a vehicle that is built with quality and craftsmanship -- a product that we can be proud to build and you can be proud to own. NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM NISSAN CARES ... Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and service needs. However, if there is something that your NISSAN dealer cannot assist you with or you would like to provide NISSAN directly with comments or questions, please contact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs Department using our toll-free number: For U.S. mainland customers 1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261) For Hawaii customers (808) 836-0888 (Oahu Number) For Canada customers 1-800-387-0122 The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the following information: -- 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 informa- tion on the left at: For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers Nissan North America, Inc. Consumer Affairs Department P.O. Box 191 Gardena, California 90248-0191 For Hawaii customers Nissan Motor Corporation in Hawaii 2880 Kilihau St. Honolulu, Hawaii 96819 For Canada customers Nissan Canada Inc. 5290 Orbitor Drive Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5 We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle. Table of Contents Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems Instruments and controls Pre-driving checks and adjustments Heater, air conditioner and audio systems Starting and driving In case of emergency Appearance and care Do-it-yourself Maintenance Technical and consumer information Index 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems Front seats .............................................................1-2 Seat adjustment .....................................................1-2 Head restraints .......................................................1-4 Rear seat................................................................1-5 Supplemental restraint system (air bag system) ...................................................................1-6 Supplemental air bag system.................................1-9 Warning labels......................................................1-11 Supplemental air bag warning light......................1-11 Seat belts .............................................................1-13 Precautions on seat belt usage ...........................1-13 Child safety...........................................................1-15 Pregnant women ..................................................1-15 Injured persons ....................................................1-15 Three-point type with retractor .............................1-16 Two-point type without retractor (rear center lap belt).................................................................1-19 Seat belt extenders ..............................................1-21 Seat belt maintenance .........................................1-21 Child restraints .....................................................1-21 Top strap child restraint .......................................1-30 FRONT SEATS SEAT ADJUSTMENT WARNING Do not adjust the driver's seat while driving. The seat may move suddenly and could cause loss of control of the vehicle. After adjustment, gently rock in the seat to make sure it is securely locked. ARS1131 WARNING Do not ride in a moving vehicle when the seatback is reclined. This can be dangerous. The shoulder belt will not be against your body. In an accident, you could be thrown into it and receive neck or other serious injuries. You could also slide under the lap belt and receive serious internal injuries. For the most effective protection when the vehicle is in motion, the seat should be upright. Always sit well back in the seat and adjust the seat belt properly. See ``Precautions on seat belt usage'' later in this section. 1-2 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems ARS1222 ARS1223 Forward and backward Pull the lever up while you slide the seat forward or backward to the desired position. Release the lever to lock the seat in position. Reclining To recline the seatback, pull the lever up and lean back. To bring the back of the seat forward again, pull the lever and move your body forward. The seatback moves forward. Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-3 PD1319 ARS1130 HEAD RESTRAINTS To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To lower, press the lock knob down while pushing the head restraint down. WARNING Head restraints should be adjusted properly as they may provide significant protection against injury in an accident. Do not remove them. Check the adjustment after someone else uses the seat. Adjust the head restraints so the top is level with the tops of your ears. 1-4 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems REAR SEAT Closely supervise children when they are around cars to prevent them from playing and becoming locked in the trunk where they could be seriously injured. Keep the car locked, with the rear seat back securely latched, when not in use, and prevent children's access to car keys. ARS1022 Interior trunk access (if so equipped) The trunk can be accessed from the rear seat for loading and unloading, as shown. WARNING Never allow anyone to ride in the luggage area or on the rear seat when it is in the fold-down position. Use of these areas by passengers without proper restraints could result in serious injury in an accident or sudden stop. Properly secure all cargo to help prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do not place cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or collision, unsecured cargo could cause personal injury. When returning the seatbacks to the upright position, be certain they are completely secured in the latched position. If they are not completely secured in the latched position, passengers may be injured in an accident or sudden stop. Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-5 SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM) This Supplemental Restraint System section contains important ...