1. To set the piston to TDC, place the shift lever in neutral, put the car on the handbrake and block the rear wheels. To disable the ignition system, disconnect the wires from the ignition coil. Remove the spark plugs and shut off the fuel system.
1997 and earlier models
2. Note the location of the first spark plug wire contact on the distributor cap.
3. Remove the cover from the distributor.
4. Make a mark on the distributor where the contact of the first cylinder is located.
5. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to align the notch on the crankshaft pulley with the timing mark.
6. The distributor rotor should point towards the mark you made.
7. If the rotor is rotated 180°with respect to the mark, then the piston is at TDC on the exhaust stroke.
8. To move the piston to TDC on the compression stroke, turn the crankshaft clockwise one full revolution (360°).
1998 models
9. 1998 models are equipped with ignition systems that do not include a distributor. In order to set the piston to TDC, unscrew the spark plug of the first cylinder and screw a pressure gauge into its hole.
10. Rotate the crankshaft. When the N1 piston approaches the TDC of the compression stroke, the meter will show the compression pressure. Continue turning the crankshaft until the slot in the crankshaft sprocket aligns with the timing mark.
All models
11. After you have set the N1 piston to TDC, you can set to TDC (in accordance with the sequence of operation of the cylinders) each of the remaining pistons by turning the crankshaft 90°.