NISSAN SENTRA 1996 B14 / 4.G Owners Manual

ADI0621
7-4
ZX

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory 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, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ra-
tio. Examples are shown below:
Outside tempera-
ture down toAnti-
freezeSoft wa-
ter
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
The use of other types of coolant solu-
tions may damage your cooling system.
The radiator is equipped with a pressure
cap. Use a genuine NISSAN cap or its
equivalent when replacement is re-
quired.
Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could becaused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. See precautions in ``If your ve-
hicle overheats'' found in the ``In Case Of
Emergency'' section.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
With coolant reservoir
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below MIN, add coolant up to the MAX
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check
the coolant level in the radiatorwhen the
engine is cold.If there is insufficient cool-
ant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
DI1210M
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
7-5
ZX

If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have the cooling system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
cMajor cooling system repairs should be
performed by your NISSAN dealer. The
service procedures can be found in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.cImproper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine over-
heating.
WARNING
cTo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
DI1211M
7-6
ZX

1. Move the heater or air conditioner tem-
perature control dial to the maximum hot
position.
2. Open the radiator drain plug. Open the
drain plug on the engine block.3. Open the radiator cap to drain the cool-
ant.
4. Flush the cooling system by running
fresh water through the radiator.
5. Close the drain plugs on the radiator and
the engine block securely.
6. See the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section for cooling system ca-
pacity. Fill the radiator slowly with the
proper mixture of coolant and water. Fill
the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
7. Open and close the air release plug(s) to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
8. Start the engine, and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine 2 or 3 times under
no load. Watch the coolant temperature
gauge for signs of overheating.
ADI0632
ADI0615
7-7
ZX

9. Stop the engine. After it completely
cools down, refill the radiator up to the
filler opening. Fill the reservoir tank up
to the MAX level.
10. Open and close the air release plug(s)
to release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
11. Check the drain plugs on the radiator
and the engine block for any sign of
leakage. Also check the air release plug
for any sign of leakage.CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature.3. Turn off the engine.Wait a few minutes
for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean.
Reinsert it all the way.
5. Remove the dipstick again and check the
oil level. It should be between the H and
L marks. If the oil level is below the L
mark, remove the oil filler cap and pour
recommended oil through the opening.
Do not overfill.
DI1249MDI1217MDI1251M
ENGINE OIL
7-8
ZX

6. Recheck oil level with dipstick.
CAUTION
cOil level should be checked regularly.
Operating with insufficient amount of
oil can damage the engine, and such
damage is not covered by warranty.
cIt is normal to add some oil between
oil maintenance intervals or during
the break-in period, depending on the
severity of operating conditions.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Run the engine until it reaches operating
temperature, and then turn it off.
3. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug.
4. Remove the oil filler cap.
5. Remove the drain plug with a wrench and
completely drain the oil.If the oil filter is to be changed, remove
and replace it at this time. See ``Chang-
ing engine oil filter'' in this section.
WARNING
cProlonged and repeated contact with
used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
cTry to avoid direct skin contact with
used oil. If skin contact is made,
wash thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
cKeep used engine oil out of reach of
children.
DI1252MDI1221M
7-9
ZX

WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil is hot.
CAUTION
cWaste oil must be disposed of prop-
erly. Check your local regulations.
cAvoid direct contact with used en-
gine oil.
6. Clean and re-install the drain plug and
washer. Securely tighten the drain plug
with a wrench.Drain plug tightening torque:
22 to 29 ft-lb
(29 to 39 N²m)
Do not overtighten.
7. Refill engine with recommended oil and
install the cap securely.
See the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section for refill capacity.
8. Start the engine.
Check for leakage around the drain plug
and oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off.
3.
Loosen the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
(Depending on the engine model, a special
cap typewrench may be required. See
your NISSAN dealer if in doubt.) Remove
the oil filter by turning it by hand.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself, as the
engine oil may be hot.
DI1151DI1222M
7-10
ZX

4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resis-
tance is felt, then tighten an additional
2/3 turn.
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.8. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.WARNING
cWhen engine is running, keep hands
and clothing away from any moving
parts such as cooling fan and drive
belts.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
DI1154ADI0614
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
7-11
ZX

Temperature conditions for check-
ing
cThe fluid level should be checked using
the HOT range on the dipstick after the
following conditions have been met:
Ð The engine should be warmed up to
operating temperature.
Ð The vehicle should be driven at least 5
minutes.
Ð The automatic transmission fluid should
be warmed to between 122 and 176ÉF
(50 and 80ÉC).cThe fluid can be checked at fluid tem-
peratures of 86 to 122ÉF (30 to 50ÉC)
using the COLD range on the dipstick
after the engine is warmed up and before
driving. However, the fluid should be
re-checked using the HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the shift
lever through each gear range, ending in
P.
3. Check the fluid level with the engine
idling.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean
with lint-free paper.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the charging
pipe as far as it will go.
6. Remove the dipstick and note the read-
ing. If the level is at the low side of either
range, 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). Dexronž III/Merconž or
equivalent may also be used. Outsidethe continental United States and
Alaska contact a Nissan dealership
for more information regarding suit-
able fluids, including recommended
brand(s) of Dexronž III/Merconž or
Dexronž IIE/Merconž Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
NOTE:
If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic in
hot weather, or if it is being used to pull
a trailer, the accurate fluid level cannot
be read. You should wait until the fluid
has cooled down (about 30 minutes) be-
fore checking fluid level.
ADI0626
7-12
ZX

Check the power steering fluid level.
The fluid level should be checked using the
HOT range on the side of the fluid reservoir
at fluid temperatures of 122 to 176ÉF (50 to
80ÉC) or using the COLD range on the side
of the fluid reservoir at fluid temperatures of
32 to 86ÉF (0 to 30ÉC).
CAUTION
cDo not overfill.
cThe recommended fluid is type
DEXRON
TMII or equivalent.Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir.
If the fluid is below the minimum (MIN) line
or the brake warning light comes on, add
DOT 3fluid up to the maximum (MAX) line.
If fluid must be added frequently, the system
should be thoroughly checked by your NIS-
SAN dealer.
CAUTION
cUse only new fluid from a sealed
container. Old, inferior, or contami-
nated fluid may damage the brake
system. The use of improper fluids
can damage the brake system and
affect the vehicle's stopping ability.
ADI0611DI1226M
POWER STEERING FLUID BRAKE FLUID
7-13
ZX