ignition NISSAN SENTRA 1996 B14 / 4.G User Guide

cDriver Supplemental Air Bag (see
``Meters and Gauges'' in the ``Instru-
ments and controls'' section).
cPassenger-side Supplemental Air Bag
(see ``Meters and Gauges'' in the ``Instru-
ments and controls'' section).
cSupplemental Restraint System Warning
Labels (see ``Warning Labels'' later in
this section).
Every person who drives or rides in this
vehicle 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'' later
in this section).
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.WARNING
The supplemental air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or lower
severity frontal collision; so always
wear your seat belts to help reduce the
risk or severity of injury in various
kinds of accidents.
WARNING
The seat belts and the air bags are most
effective when you are sitting back and
upright in the seat. Air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways or out
of position in any way, you are at
greater risk of injury or death in a crash
and may also receive serious or fatal
injuries from the air bag if you are
upagainst it when it inflates. Always sit
back against the seatback and use the
seatbelts.
IPD061
2-16
ZX

Air bag system
(If so equipped)
The driver air bag is located in the center of
the steering wheel; the front passenger air
bag is mounted in the dashboard above the
glove box. The supplemental air bag system
is designed to inflate in higher severity fron-
tal collisions, although it may inflate if the
forces in another type of collision are similar
to those of a higher severity frontal impact. It
may not inflate in certain frontal collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always
an indication of proper air bag operation.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, afairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
the release of smoke. This smoke is not
harmful and does not indicate a fire, but
care should be taken to not intentionally
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of breathing
trouble should get fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bags, along with the
use of the seat belts, help to cushion the
impact force on the face and chest of the
occupant. They can help save lives and
reduce serious injuries. However, an inflat-
ing air bag may cause facial abrasions or
other injuries. Air bags do not provide re-straint to the lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger be seated upright
as far as practical away from the steering
wheel or dashboard. Since the air bag in-
flates quickly in order to help protect the
occupant, the force of the air bag inflating
can increase the risk of injury if the occu-
pant is too close to or is against the air bag
module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag deflates quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
c
No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This
is to prevent accidental inflation of
the supplemental air bag or damage
to the supplemental air bag system.
APD0607
2-18
ZX

When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing:
1. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on and remain on for 7 seconds
and then go off as described above.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes
intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Under these conditions, the Supplemental
Restraint System Air Bag does not operate
properly. It must be checked and repaired.
Take your vehicle to the nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental air bag system is de-
signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.
As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the
supplemental air bag light remains illumi-
nated after inflation has occurred. Repair
and replacement of the supplemental airbag system should be done only by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
To ensure long-term functioning, the
system must be inspected 10 years after
the date of manufacture as noted on the
certification label located on the driver
side front pillar.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental air bag system
and related parts should be pointed out to
the person conducting the maintenance.
The ignition key must always be in the
LOCK position when working under the
hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
cOnce the supplemental air bag in-
flates, the supplemental air bag mod-
ule will not function again and must
be replaced. The supplemental air
bag module cannot be repaired.
cAfter a supplemental air bag inflates,
the front instrument panel assembly
should be replaced by your NISSAN
dealer if damaged.cThe supplemental air bag system
should be inspected by an authorized
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end portion of the vehicle
or if the air bag has inflated.
cWhen selling your vehicle, we re-
quest that you inform the buyer about
the supplemental air bag system and
guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner's Manual.
cIf 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 the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.
Incorrect disposal procedures could
cause personal injury.
2-21
ZX

PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
Your chances of being injured or killed in an
accident and/or the severity of injury may be
greatly reduced if you are wearing your seat
belt and it is properly adjusted. NISSAN
strongly encourages you and all of your
passengers to buckle up every time you
drive, even if your seating position includes
an air bag.
Some states, provinces or territories re-
quire that seat belts be worn at all times
when a vehicle is being driven.
WARNING
cEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be in ap-
propriate child restraints.
cThe belt should be properly adjusted
to a snug fit. Failure to do so will
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increases the
chances or severity of injury in an
accident.cDo not wear the belt inside out or
twisted. Be sure the seat belt tongue
is securely fastened to the proper
buckle.
cDo not allow more than one person to
use the same belt.
cAll seat belt assemblies including re-
tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected after any colli-
sion at your NISSAN dealer. NISSAN
recommends that all seat belt assem-
blies in use during a collision be
replaced unless the collision was mi-
nor and the belts show no damage
and 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.
cNever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.
c
If the seat belt warning lamp glows con-
tinuously while the ignition is turned ON
with all doors closed and all seat belts
fastened, it may indicate a malfunction
in the system. Have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.cBe sure to observe the following pre-
cautions when using seat belts. Failure
to do so could increase the chance
and/or severity of injury in an accident.
cAlways route the shoulder belt over
your shoulder and across your chest.
Never run the belt under your arm or
across your neck. The belt should be
away from your face and neck, but
not falling off your shoulder.
cPosition the lap belt as low as pos-
sible AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THE
WAIST.
cSerious injury or death can occur if
seat belt is not worn properly.
CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect
them.
All U.S. states and provinces of Canada
require the use of approved child restraints
for infants and small children. (See ``Child
Restraints for Infants and Small Children''
later in this section.)
In addition, there are many types of child
restraints available for larger children which
SEAT BELTS
2-22
ZX

Tilt operation
Push the lock lever down and adjust the
steering wheel up or down to the desired
position. Pull the lock lever up firmly to lock
the steering wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving.
Electric control type (If so equipped)
The outside mirror control operates only
when the ignition switch is in the ACC or ON
position.
Push the right or left end of the switch to
select the right or left side mirror, then adjust
using the control lever.
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear.
Manual control type
The outside mirror can be moved in any
direction for a better rear view.
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear.
PD1238MAPD0611PD1183M
TILTING STEERING WHEEL OUTSIDE MIRROR CONTROL
2-34
ZX

To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
ACC or ON. If you listen to the radio with the
engine not running, turn the key to the ACC
position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter,
buildings, bridges, mountains and other ex-
ternal influences. Intermittent changes in
reception quality normally are caused by
these external influences.
CLOCK-RADIO (If so equipped)
On vehicles equipped with an AM-FM radio
and cassette player, a clock is integrated
into the audio system. For further details,
refer to Clock Operation later in this section.
AHA0603
RADIO
3-10
ZX

Adjusting tone quality and sound
balance
To adjust BASS, TREB (treble), FADER,
and BAL (balance) the control knobs must
be released from their stowed positions.
Pushing the knobs once moves them to the
released position.
In the released position, the knobs control
tone quality. Turn the control knobs to ad-
just BASS and TREB to the most pleasing
level.
From the released position, the knobs must
be pulled out in order to control FADER andBAL. FADER adjusts the sound level be-
tween the front and rear speakers, and BAL
adjusts the sound level between the right
and left speakers.
Cassette tape operation
Turn the ignition key to ACC or ON, then
lightly insert the cassette tape into the tape
door.
The cassette tape automatically pulls into
the player. The word TAPE and an arrow
indicating tape side illuminates in the dis-
play window.Do not force the cassette tape into the
tape door.
Pressing strongly could cause player
damage.
The cassette tape automatically changes
directions to play the other side when the
first side is complete. At this time, the arrow
in the display window changes direction.
cTo maintain good quality sound, NIS-
SAN recommends using cassette
tapes of 60 minutes or shorter in
length.
cCassette tapes should be removed
from the player when not in use. Store
cassettes in their protective cases
and away from direct sunlight, heat,
moisture and magnetic sources.
cDirect sunlight can cause the cassette
to become deformed. The use of de-
formed cassettes may cause the cas-
sette to jam in the player.
cDo not use cassettes with labels
which are peeling and loose. If used,
the label could jam in the player.
cIf a cassette has loose tape, insert a
pencil through one of the cassette
hubs and rewind the tape firmly
AHA0522
3-16
ZX

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

To help prevent damage
cDo not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously reduce
the three way catalyst's ability to help
reduce exhaust pollutants.
cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the converter, causing it
to overheat. Do not keep driving if the
engine misfires, or if noticeable loss
of performance or other unusual op-
erating conditions are detected. Have
the vehicle inspected promptly by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damaging
the three way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warming
it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner may result in loss of control
or an accident. Be alert and drive defen-
sively at all times. Obey all traffic regula-
tions. Avoid excessive speed, high speed
cornering, or sudden steering maneuvers,
because these driving practices could
cause you to lose control of your vehicle.As
with any vehicle, a loss of control could
result in a collision with other vehicles or
objects, or cause the vehicle to rollover,
particularly if the loss of control causes
the vehicle to slide sideways.Be attentive
at all times, and avoid driving when tired.
Never drive when under the influence of
alcohol or drugs (including prescription or
over-the-counter drugs which may cause
drowsiness). Always wear your seat belt as
outlined in the ``Seat Belts'' section of this
manual, and also instruct your passengers
to do so.
WARNING
Alcohol in the blood stream reduces
coordination, delays reaction time and
impairs judgment. Driving after drink-
ing alcohol increases the likelihood of
being involved in an accident injuring
yourself and others. Additionally, if you
are injured in the accident alcohol can
increase the severity of injury.
Nissan is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under
the influence of alcohol. Every year thou-
sands of people are injured or killed in
alcohol related accidents. Although the local
laws vary on what is considered to be
legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most
people underestimate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don't mix!
And that's true for drugs, too (over the
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs).
Don't drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or
some other physical condition.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVERDRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVING
4-3
ZX

Manual transmission
The switch includes an anti-theft steering
lock device.
LOCK Normal parking position (0)
The ignition key can only be removed at this
position.
On manual transmission models, to turn
the ignition key to LOCK from ACC or ON,
turn the key to OFF and press in the key
release button, then turn the key to LOCK.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked
it must be straight up (logo on wheel will beup). If the wheel is left upside down, it is not
locked.
Automatic transmission
On automatic transmission models the igni-
tion lock is designed so the key cannot be
turned to LOCK and removed until the shift
lever 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 LOCK
position, proceed as follows to remove the
key:
ASD0610ASD0023
IGNITION SWITCH
4-4
ZX