1997 Nissan Sentra Owners Manual

L4Y 4H6

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If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to no- tifying NISSAN. If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be- come involved in individual problems be- tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN. To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1- 800-424- 9393 (or 366-0123 in the Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Depart- ment of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other informa- tion about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline. You may notify NISSAN by contacting our Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at 1-800-NISSAN-1. In Hawaii call (808) 836-0888.

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READINESS FOR INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST Due to legal requirements in some states and Canadian provinces, your vehicle may be required to be in the ready condition for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the emission control system. The vehicle is set to the ready condition when it is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually, the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary usage of the ve- hicle. If a powertrain system component is re- paired or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be reset to a not ready condi- tion. Before taking the I/M test, drive the vehicle through the following pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If you cannot or do not want to perform the driving pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.

WARNING

Always drive the vehicle in a safe man- ner according to traffic conditions and obey all traffic laws.

1. Start the engine when the engine coolant temperature gauge needle points to C. Allow the engine to idle until the gauge

needle points between the C and H (nor- mal operating temperature).

2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 mph (89
km/h), then quickly release the accelera- tor pedal completely and keep it released for at least 6 seconds.

3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of 53 to 60 mph (85 to 96 km/h) for at least 5 minutes.

4. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off. 5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 at least one

more time.

If step 1, 2 or 3 is interrupted, repeat the preceding step. Any safe driving mode is acceptable between steps. Do not stop the engine until step 3 is completed.

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A Genuine NISSAN Service Manual is the best source of service and repair information for your vehicle. Filled with wiring diagrams, illus- trations and step-by-step diagnostic and ad- justment procedures, this manual is the same one used by the factory trained technicians working 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 Services 20770 Westwood Dr. Strongsville OH 44136

In a hurry? Call 1-800-247-5321 and charge your purchase to Visa/Master Card. In Canada: To purchase a copy of a Genuine NISSAN Service Manual or Owner’s Manual please contact your nearest NISSAN Dealer. For the phone number and location of a NISSAN Dealer in your area call the Nissan Satisfaction Center at 1-800-387-0122 and a bilingual NIS- SAN representative will assist you. Also available are Genuine NISSAN Service and Owner’s Manuals for older Nissan models.

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10 Index

Air bag (See supplemental restraint system) ...................................................... 2-16
Air bag warning light .......................... 1-6, 2-22
Air cleaner housing filter............................ 7-19
Air conditioner

Air conditioner operation ........................ 3-5
Air conditioner specification label......... 9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and lubrication recommendations.................. 9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3
Servicing air conditioner ......................... 3-9
Air flow charts .............................................. 3-6
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............... 1-9
Anchor point locations ............................... 2-35
Antenna (manual) ...................................... 3-14
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 4-17
Anti-lock brake warning light ....................... 1-7
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and ashtray) ...................................................... 1-14
Audio system

AM-FM radio with cassette player........................................... 3-11, 3-13

Automatic

Automatic power window switch .......... 1-17
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 7-11
Driving with automatic transmission....... 4-6

Battery........................................................ 7-15
Before starting the engine ........................... 4-5
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 7-17
Brake

Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 4-17
Brake booster ....................................... 7-22
Brake fluid............................................. 7-14
Brake light (See stop light)................... 7-26
Brake pedal .......................................... 7-21
Brake system........................................ 4-17
Brake warning light................................. 1-7
Brake wear indicators ................... 1-8, 7-22
Parking brake check............................. 7-21
Parking brake operation ....................... 4-11
Break-in schedule ...................................... 4-14
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 1-5

Capacities and recommended fuel/ lubricants...................................................... 9-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) ................................................ 9-13
Cassette player (See audio system) ............................................. 3-11, 3-13
CB radio or car phone ............................... 3-15

Check engine indicator light (See malfunction indicator light)........................... 1-8
Child restraints for infants and small children ...................................................... 2-31
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 2-6
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray ................................................ 1-14
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 6-2
Clock-radio................................................. 3-11
Clutch

Clutch pedal.......................................... 7-23
Cold weather driving.................................. 4-19
Controls

Audio controls....................................... 3-11
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3

Coolant

Capacities and recommended fuel/ lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 7-6
Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-3
Corrosion protection .................................... 6-5
Cruise control............................................. 4-12
Cup holder ................................................. 1-15

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D

Daytime running light system (Canada only) ........................................................... 1-12
Defogger switch

Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-11
Dimensions and weights.............................. 9-9
Door ajar warning light ................................ 1-6
Door locks.................................................... 2-2
Drive belts.................................................. 7-17
Driving

Cold weather driving............................. 4-19
Driving with automatic transmission....... 4-6
Driving with manual transmission........... 4-9
Precautions when starting and driving ..................................................... 4-2

Economy - fuel........................................... 4-14
Emission control information label............. 9-12
Emission control system warranty............. 9-18
Engine

Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Capacities and recommended fuel/ lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 7-6
Changing engine oil................................ 7-9
Changing engine oil filter...................... 7-10
Checking engine coolant level ............... 7-5
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-8

Engine compartment check locations .......................................... 7-3, 7-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-3
Engine cooling system ........................... 7-5
Engine oil................................................ 7-8
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 1-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
Engine specifications.............................. 9-8
Starting the engine ............................... 4-11
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)................. 4-2

Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)........................................................ 1-14
Flat tire......................................................... 5-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 6-4
Fluid

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 7-11
Brake fluid............................................. 7-14
Capacities and recommended fuel/ lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Engine coolant........................................ 7-5
Engine oil................................................ 7-8
Power steering fluid.............................. 7-13
Window washer fluid ............................ 7-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-11
Front fog light switch ................................. 1-13
Front seats................................................. 2-12

10-2

Fuel

Capacities and recommended fuel/ lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 4-14
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 2-10
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 2-10
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-4
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation............................. 9-3
Fuses ......................................................... 7-23
Fusible links ............................................... 7-23

Gauge

Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 1-3
Fuel gauge.............................................. 1-4
Speedometer .......................................... 1-3
Tachometer............................................. 1-3
Trip odometer ......................................... 1-3
General maintenance .................................. 8-2
Glove box..................................................... 2-8

Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 1-14
Head restraints .......................................... 2-14
Headlight aiming adjustment ..................... 7-26
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 1-12
Headlights .................................................. 7-25

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Heater

Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 3-3
Heater operation..................................... 3-4
Heater operation .......................................... 3-4
Hood release ............................................... 2-7

Ignition switch .............................................. 4-4
Increasing fuel economy............................ 4-14
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/ indicator lights and chimes)......................... 1-5
Inside mirror............................................... 2-39
Instrument brightness control .................... 1-13
Interior light ................................................ 1-18

Jump starting ............................................... 5-7

Key............................................................... 2-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote control system) ............................................ 2-3

Labels

Air conditioner specification label......... 9-12
Emission control information label........ 9-12
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................ 9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ...................................................... 9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 2-22

License plate

Installing the license plate .................... 9-13

Light

Air bag warning light ..................... 1-6, 2-22
Brake light (See stop light)................... 7-26
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 1-5
Front fog light switch ............................ 1-13
Headlight aiming adjustment ................ 7-26
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 1-12
Headlights............................................. 7-25
Interior light........................................... 1-18
Light bulbs ............................................ 7-25
Trunk light............................................. 1-19
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 1-5

Lock

Child safety rear door lock ..................... 2-6
Door locks............................................... 2-2
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 2-10
Power door lock...................................... 2-3
Trunk lid lock opener lever..................... 2-8

Luggage (See vehicle loading information ................................................. 9-13

10-3

Maintenance

General maintenance ............................. 8-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Outside the vehicle................................. 8-2
Periodic maintenance schedules............ 8-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-30
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 8-4
Malfunction indicator light ............................ 1-8
Manual antenna ......................................... 3-14
Manual windows ........................................ 1-16
Meters and gauges...................................... 1-2
Mirror

Inside mirror.......................................... 2-39
Outside mirror control........................... 2-38
Vanity mirror ......................................... 2-39
Multi-remote control system ........................ 2-3

Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ........ 9-3
Oil

Capacities and recommended fuel/ lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine oil................................ 7-9
Changing engine oil filter...................... 7-10
Checking engine oil level ....................... 7-8
Engine oil................................................ 7-8

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Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Opener lever for trunk lid............................. 2-8
Outside mirror control ................................ 2-38
Overdrive switch .......................................... 4-8
Overheat

If your vehicle overheats ...................... 5-10
Owner’s manual order form....................... 9-20

Parking

Parking brake check............................. 7-21
Parking brake operation ....................... 4-11
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 4-15
Periodic maintenance schedules................. 8-5
Power

Power door lock...................................... 2-3
Power steering fluid.............................. 7-13
Power windows..................................... 1-16
Rear power windows ............................ 1-17

Precautions

Maintenance precautions ....................... 7-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-24
Precautions when starting and driving ..................................................... 4-2
Push starting................................................ 5-9

Radio

AM-FM radio with cassette player....... 3-11, 3-13
CB radio or car phone.......................... 3-15

Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M) test ............................................................. 9-19
Rear power windows ................................. 1-17
Rear seat ................................................... 2-15
Rear window defogger switch ................... 1-11
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-7
Registering your vehicle in another country ....................................................... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system (See multi-remote control system) ....................... 2-3
Reporting safety defects (USA)................. 9-18

Safety

Child safety rear door lock ..................... 2-6
Reporting safety defects (USA)............ 9-18
Seat adjustment......................................... 2-12
Seat belt

2-point type without retractor (rear center lap belt)................................................. 2-29
3-point type with retractor..................... 2-27
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 2-24
Seat belt extenders .............................. 2-30
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 2-30
Seat belts.............................................. 2-24

10-4

Shoulder belt height adjustment........... 2-28
Seat belt warning light ................................. 1-6
Seats

Front seats............................................ 2-12
Rear seat .............................................. 2-15
Service manual order form ........................ 9-20
Servicing air conditioner .............................. 3-9
Shifting

Automatic transmission .......................... 4-7
Manual transmission............................... 4-9
Shoulder belt height adjustment................ 2-28
Spark plug replacement............................. 7-18
Speedometer ............................................... 1-3
SRS warning label ..................................... 2-22
Starting

Before starting the engine ...................... 4-5
Jump starting .......................................... 5-7
Precautions when starting and driving ..................................................... 4-2
Push starting........................................... 5-9
Starting the engine ............................... 4-11

Steering

Power steering fluid.............................. 7-13
Tilting steering wheel............................ 2-37
Stop light.................................................... 7-26
Sunroof ...................................................... 1-18
Supplemental restraint system (Supplemental air bag system) .......................................... 2-16
Switch

Automatic power window switch .......... 1-17
Front fog light switch ............................ 1-13
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-14

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Wheels and tires........................................ 7-32
Wheel/tire size ............................................. 9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in another country...................................... 9-10
Window washer fluid.................................. 7-14
Windows

Locking passengers’ windows.............. 1-16
Manual windows ................................... 1-16
Power windows..................................... 1-16
Rear power windows ............................ 1-17
Windshield wiper and washer switch ........ 1-10
Wiper

Windshield wiper and washer switch.................................................... 1-10
Wiper blades......................................... 7-20

Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 1-12
Ignition switch ......................................... 4-4
Overdrive switch ..................................... 4-8
Rear window defogger switch .............. 1-11
Windshield wiper and washer switch.................................................... 1-10

Driving with manual transmission........... 4-9

Travel (See registering your vehicle in another country)......................................... 9-10
Trip odometer .............................................. 1-3
Trunk lid lock opener lever .......................... 2-8
Trunk light .................................................. 1-19

Tachometer.................................................. 1-3
Theft warning ............................................... 1-9
Three way catalyst....................................... 4-2
Tilting steering wheel................................. 2-37
Timing chain ................................................ 9-8
Tire

Flat tire.................................................... 5-2
Spare tire....................................... 5-3, 7-35
Tire chains ............................................ 7-33
Tire placard........................................... 9-12
Tire pressure ........................................ 7-32
Tire rotation .......................................... 7-33
Types of tires........................................ 7-32
Uniform tire quality grading .................. 9-17
Wheels and tires................................... 7-32
Wheel/tire size ........................................ 9-9

Towing

Tow truck towing .................................. 5-11
Towing load/specification chart ............ 9-15
Trailer towing ........................................ 9-14

Transmission

Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 7-11
Driving with automatic transmission....... 4-6

Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-17

Vanity mirror .............................................. 2-39
Vehicle dimensions and weights ................. 9-9
Vehicle identification number (chassis number) ....................................... 9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate ........................................................... 9-10
Vehicle recovery ........................................ 5-12
Ventilators .................................................... 3-2

Warning

Air bag warning light ..................... 1-6, 2-22
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 1-14
Theft warning.......................................... 1-9
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 2-22
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 1-5
Weights (See dimensions and weights) ...... 9-9

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GAS STATION INFORMATION QUICK REFERENCE

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: c API SG or SH and Energy Conserving II c API Certification Mark c 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 side center pillar. Recommended new vehicle break-in procedure: During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of vehicle use, follow the recommendations out- lined in the “BREAK-IN SCHEDULE Informa- tion found in the “Starting and Driving” section of this Owner’s Manual. Follow these recom- mendations for the future reliability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow these recommendations may result in vehicle damage or shortened engine life.

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