Overdrive NISSAN SENTRA 1997 B14 / 4.G Owners Manual

orBrake warning lightLow washer fluid warning light
(for Canada)Cruise indicator light
(if so equipped)
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsorAnti-lock brake warning
light (if so equipped)Air bag warning light
(if so equipped)
High beam indicator light (Blue)O/D OFFOverdrive off indicator light
(automatic transmission only)Seat belt warning light
Charge warning lightorMalfunction indicator
light
Low fuel warning light
(if so equipped)
Door ajar warning light
(if so equipped)Engine oil pressure warning light
Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,or,,or,
If equipped, the following lights come on
briefly and then go off:
,or
If any light fails to come on, it may
indicate a burned-out bulb or an opencircuit in the electrical system. Have the
system repaired promptly.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call a NISSAN
dealer or other authorized repair shop.
The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
the dipstick to check the oil level.See``Engine oil'' in the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause seri-
ous damage to the engine almost im-
mediately. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate a problem with the
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
1-5
ZX

orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied, and also warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine is
running with the parking brake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. See ``Brake and
clutch fluid'' in the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
cIf the level is below the MINIMUM
mark on the brake fluid reservoir, do
not drive until the brake system has
been checked at a NISSAN dealer.
cYour brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light is
on. Driving could be dangerous. If
you judge it to be safe, drive care-fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise, have your ve-
hicle towed because driving it could
be dangerous.
cPressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
orAnti-lock brake
warning light
(if so equipped)
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate something wrong
with the anti-lock portion of the brake sys-
tem. Have the system checked by your
Nissan dealer.
Turn off the engine, and start it again by
slowly turning the ignition key (quickly
doing so may cause the ABS light to stay
on when there is nothing wrong). If the
light stays on, have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, theanti-lock function ceases, but the regular
braking system continues to operate.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact your NISSAN dealer for repair.
O/D OFFOverdrive off indicator light
(automatic transmission
models only)
This light comes on when the overdrive
switch is pushed to the OFF
position.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn
signal lever switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is
turned on.
High beam indicator light
This blue light comes on when the headlight
high beam is on and goes out when the low
beam is selected.
Cruise indicator light
(if so equipped)
The light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system.
1-7
ZX

2 (Second gear):
Use for hill climbing or engine braking on
downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 2 position at speeds
over 68 MPH (110 km/h). Do not exceed 68
MPH (110 km/h) in the 2 position.
1 (Low gear):
Use this position when climbing steep hills
slowly or driving slowly through deep snow,
sand or mud, or for maximum engine brak-
ing on steep downhill grades.
Do not shift into the 1 position at speeds
over 34 MPH (55 km/h).
Do not exceed 34 MPH (55 km/h) in the 1
position.
Accelerator downshift
Ð In D position Ð
For rapid passing or hill climbing, fully de-
press the accelerator pedal to the floor. This
shifts the transmission down into third gear,
second gear or first gear, depending on the
vehicle speed.
Overdrive switch
ON: For normal driving, push the over-
drive switch ON with the shift lever in
the D position. The transmission is
upshifted into OVERDRIVE as the
vehicle speed increases.
The overdrive does not engage until the
engine has warmed up.
OFF: For driving up and down long slopes
where engine braking would be ad-
vantageous, push the switch OFF.
When cruising at a low speed or
climbing a gentle slope, you may feeluncomfortable shift shocks as the
transmission shifts between 3rd and
overdrive repeatedly. In this case,
set the overdrive switch in the
OFF position. The indicator
light in the instrument panel comes
on at this time.
When driving conditions change, reset the
overdrive switch in the ON position.
Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time with the overdrive
switch set in the OFF position. This reduces
fuel economy.
ASD0613
4-8
ZX

the parking brake, transmission damage
could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, down-
shift the transmission to a lower gear
and reduce speed to reduce chances of
engine overloading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine temperature coolant rises
to an extremely high temperature when
the air conditioning system is on, turn off
the air conditioner. Coolant heat can be
additionally vented by opening the win-
dows, switching the fan control to high
and setting the temperature control to
the HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle's
first 500 miles (800 km).
cHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compen-
sate for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.cCrosswinds and rough roads adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being
passed by larger vehicles, be prepared
for possible changes in crosswinds that
could affect vehicle handling. If swaying
does occur, firmly grip the steering
wheel, steer straight ahead, and imme-
diately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination helps to stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance, do
not use fifth gear (manual transmission)
or overdrive (automatic transmission).
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, change the oil in
the transmission more frequently.
See the Maintenance Schedule.DOT Quality Grades: All passenger car tires
must conform to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test courses. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1-1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. However,
relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary signifi-
cantly from the norm due to variations in
driving habits, service practices and differ-
ences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction A, B and C
Traction grades are A (the highest), B and C.
They represent a tire's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled con-
ditions, on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
with a C may have poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your
vehicle tires is based on straight line
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
9-17
ZX

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
P
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 ................................................ 5-9R
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
S
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.............................................. 2-24Shoulder 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
10-4
ZX

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
T
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 ....... 4-6Driving 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
U
Uniform tire quality grading ....................... 9-17
V
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
W
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) ...... 9-9Wheels 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
10-5
ZX