tow NISSAN SENTRA 1998 B14 / 4.G Owners Manual

4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.
The front seat passenger side seat belt and
rear Three-point seat belts have a cinching
mechanism for child restraint installation. It is
referred to as the automatic locking mode.
When the automatic locking mode is acti-
vated, the seat belt cannot be withdrawn
again until the seat belt tongue is detached
from the buckle and fully retracted. Once
retracted, the seat belt is in the emergency
locking mode. For additional information,
see ``Child Restraints'' later in this section.The automatic locking mode should be
used only for child restraint installation.
During normal seat belt use by a passen-
ger, the automatic locking mode should
not be activated. If it is activated it may
cause uncomfortable seat belt tension.
Unfastening the seat belts
To unfasten the belt, press the button on the
buckle. The seat belt automatically retracts.
Checking seat belt operation
(Three-point type seat belt with re-
tractor)
Your seat belt retractors are designed to lock
belt movement by two separate methods:
1) When the belt is pulled quickly from the
retractor.
2) When the vehicle slows down rapidly.
To increase your confidence in the belts,
check the operation as follows:
cGrasp the shoulder belt and pull forward
quickly. The retractor should lock and
restrict further belt movement.
If the retractor does not lock during this check
or if you have any question about belt opera-
tion, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Shoulder belt height adjustment
(for front seats, four-door only)
The shoulder belt anchor height should be
adjusted to the position best for you. (See
``Precautions on Seat Belt Usage'' earlier in
this section.) To adjust, press both release
buttons and move the shoulder belt anchor
to the desired position so the belt passes
over the center of the shoulder. The belt
should be away from your face and neck,
but not falling off of your shoulder. Release
the buttons to lock the shoulder belt anchor
into position.
ARS1053APD0617
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-17
ZX

orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position, 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 fluid'' in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by an autho-
rized 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 an authorized NIS-
SAN 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 a 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 is wrong
with the anti-lock portion of the brake sys-
tem. Have the system checked by an autho-
rized 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 an authorized NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function ceases, but the regularbraking system continues to operate.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an authorized 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.
Instruments and controls
2-7
ZX

Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver side door is
opened while the key is left in the ignition
switch. Remove the key and take it with you
when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime sounds when the driver side door is
opened if the headlights or parking lights
are on (ignition switch is turned off).
Turn the headlight control switch off before
leaving the vehicle.
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it makes a high pitched scraping
sound when the vehicle is in motion,
whether or not the brake pedal is de-
pressed. Have the brakes checked as soon
as possible if the warning sound is heard.
Malfunction indicator light
(MIL)
If the malfunction indicator light comes on
steady or blinks while the engine is running,it may indicate a potential emission control
problem.
The malfunction indicator light may also
come on steady or blink if the fuel filler cap
has not been closed tightly or if the fuel tank
is nearly empty. Check to make sure the
fuel cap is secure and that you have at least
three gallons of fuel in the fuel tank.
After driving for a while, the light should
remain off if no other potential emission
control system problem exists.
Operation
The malfunction indicator light will come on
in one of two ways:
1. Malfunction indicator light on steady - An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your
vehicle towed to the dealer.
2. Malfunction indicator light blinking - An
engine misfire has been detected which
may damage the emission control sys-
tem. To reduce or avoid emission control
system damage:cdo not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h).
c
avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
cavoid steep uphill grades.
cif possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may stop
blinking and come on steady. Have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your vehicle
towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system.
Some conditions may cause the malfunc-
tion indicator light to come on steady or
blink. Examples are as follows:
cvehicle ran out of fuel, which caused the
engine to misfire.
2-8Instruments and controls
ZX

The hazard lights will quickly flash three
times to confirm that the horn beep feature
has been reactivated.
Deactivating the horn beep feature does not
silence the horn if the alarm is triggered.
If the system does not operate as de-
scribed above, have it checked by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
Push the lever down to operate the wiper.
Pull the lever toward you to operate the
washer. The ignition switch must be in the
ON position for the wipers or washer to be
activated. Operating the washer automati-
cally cycles the wipers two times.
CAUTION
The following could damage the washer
system:
cOperating the washer continuously
for more than 30 seconds.cOperating the washer if the reservoir
tank is empty.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer
solution may freeze on the windshield
and obscure your vision, which may
lead to an accident. Warm the wind-
shield with the defroster before you
wash the windshield.
AIC0645
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-11
ZX

The sunroof only operates with the ignition
key in the ON position.
Sliding the sunroof
To open the sunroof, push the switch
toward DOWN/OPEN.
To close the sunroof, push the switch
toward UP/CLOSE.
Tilting the sunroof
Close the sunroof by pushing the switch
toward UP/CLOSE. Release the switch,
then push the UP/CLOSE switch to tilt the
sunroof up.To tilt the sunroof down, push the switch
toward DOWN/OPEN.
Sun shade
Open and close the sun shade by sliding it
forward or backward.
WARNING
cIn an accident, you could be thrown
from the vehicle through an open
sunroof. Always use seat belts and
child restraints properly.
cDo not allow anyone to stand up or
extend any portion of their body out
of the sunroof opening while the
vehicle is in motion, or while the
sunroof is closing.
CAUTION
cRemove water drops, snow, ice or
sand from the sunroof before open-
ing.
cDo not place heavy objects on the
sunroof or surrounding area.The interior light has a three-position switch.
The interior light operates regardless of
ignition key position.
cWhen the switch is in the OFF position,
the interior light does not illuminate, re-
gardless of door position.
cWhen the switch is in the centerj
position, the interior light illuminates
when a door is opened.
cWhen the switch is in the ON position,
the interior light illuminates, regardless of
door position.
AIC0616SIC0025
SUNROOF
(if so equipped)INTERIOR LIGHT
Instruments and controls2-19
ZX

A key number plate is supplied with your
key. Record the key number and keep it in a
safe place (such as your wallet), NOT IN
THE CAR. If you lose your keys, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer for duplicates by
using the key number. NISSAN does not
record key numbers so it is very important to
keep track of your key number plate.
A key number is only necessary when you
have lost all keys and do not have one to
duplicate from. If you still have a key, this
key can be duplicated by an authorized
NISSAN dealer or locksmith.
WARNING
cAlways have the doors locked while
driving. Along with the use of seat
belts, this provides greater safety in
the event of an accident by helping
to prevent persons from being
thrown from the vehicle. This also
helps keep children and others from
unintentionally opening the doors,
and will help keep out intruders.
cBefore opening any door, always
look for and avoid oncoming traffic.
c
Do not leave children unattended in a
locked vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches and controls.
Unattended children could become
involved in serious accidents.
MANUAL DOOR LOCK
To lock the door, turn the key towards the
front of the vehicle. To unlock, turn it to-
wards the rear.
APD1042
APD0622
KEY DOOR LOCKS
3-2Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ZX

To lock the door without the key, move the
inside lock knob to the lock position, then
close the door.
When locking the door this way, be certain
not to leave the key inside the vehicle.POWER DOOR LOCK
(if so equipped)
Move the door lock/unlock button, located
on the driver's door armrest, toward the rear
of the vehicle to lock all doors. Move the
door lock/unlock button toward the front of
the vehicle to unlock all doors.If your vehicle is equipped with the multi-
remote control system, the power door lock
system allows you to lock or unlock all doors
simultaneously.
Turning the front door key to the front of the
vehicle locks all doors.
Turning the front door key one time to the
rear of the vehicle unlocks the corresponding
door. From that position, returning the key to
Neutral (where the key can only be removed
and inserted) and turning it to the rear again
within 5 seconds unlocks all doors.
PD1160MAPD0608APD1043
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-3
ZX

Adjusting tone quality and speaker
balance
To adjust BASS, TREB (treble), BAL (bal-
ance) and FADER, the control knobs must
be released from their stowed positions.
Pushing the knobs once moves them from
their stowed positions.
In the released position, the knobs control
tone quality. Turn the control knobs to adjust
BASS and TREB (treble) to the desired level.
From the released position, the knobs must
then be pulled out in order to control FADER
and BAL (balance). FADER adjusts the soundlevel between the front and rear speakers,
and BAL (balance) adjusts the sound level
between the right and left speakers.
Once sound quality is set to the desired
levels, return the control knobs to their
stowed positions by pushing them in com-
pletely.
CASSETTE TAPE OPERATION
Turn the ignition key to the ACC or ON
position, and carefully insert a cassette tape
into the tape door. The cassette tape auto-
matically pulls into the player. The word
TAPE illuminates in the display.
CAUTION
Do not force the cassette tape into the
tape door. This could cause player
damage.
Precautions on cassette player op-
eration
cTo maintain good quality sound,
NISSAN 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 or 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 that have peel-
ing or loose labels. If used, the label
could jam in the player.
cIf a cassette has loose tape, insert a
pencil through one of the cassette
AHA1029
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-23
ZX

CAUTION
c
Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously re-
duce 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 over-
rich 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 operating conditions
are detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected promptly by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warm-
ing it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. 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, loss of
control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause the
vehicle to rollover, particularly if the ve-
hicle slides 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 drowsi-
ness). Always wear your seat belt as out-
lined in the ``Seat belts'' section of this
manual, and also instruct your passengers
to do so.WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood
stream reduces coordination, delays
reaction time and impairs judgment.
Driving after drinking 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 se-
verity 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 is true for drugs, too (over the
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs). Do
not 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
Starting and driving5-3
ZX

1) Move the shift selector lever into the P
(Park) position.
2) Turn the ignition key slightly toward the
ON position.
3) Turn the key to the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
If the key is removed from the ignition
switch, the shift selector lever cannot be
moved from P (Park).The shift selector
lever can be moved if the ignition switch
is in the ACC position. The shift selector
lever can also be moved if the ignition
switch is in the ON position and the foot
brake pedal is depressed.
There is an OFF position between the
LOCK and ACC positions. The OFF position
is indicated by a ``1'' on the key cylinder.
When the ignition is in OFF, the steering
wheel is not locked.
To lock the steering wheel, remove the
key. In order for the steering wheel to be
locked, it must be turned about 1/8 of a
turn clockwise from the straight up posi-
tion. To unlock the steering wheel, insert
the key and turn it gently while rotating
the steering wheel slightly right and left.WARNING
Never remove the key while driving. If
the key is removed, the steering wheel
will lock. This may cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle and could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
Key positions
LOCK: Normal parking position (0)
OFF: (Manual transmission model) (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
ACC: (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
ON: Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and the electrical accessories.
START: (4)
This position activates the starter motor,
which starts the engine.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, e.g., each time you
check engine oil.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
c
Check the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
See ``Warning/indicator lights and chimes''
in the ``Instruments and controls'' section.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
Starting and driving5-5
ZX