coolant NISSAN SENTRA 2002 B15 / 5.G Owners Manual

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel ....................................................2-2
Meters and gauges ................................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer .............................2-3
Tachometer (if so equipped) .............................2-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ...................2-5
Fuel gauge ........................................................2-5
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders................................................................2-7
Checking bulbs ..................................................2-7
Warning lights ....................................................2-7
Indicator lights ...................................................2-9
Audible reminders............................................2-11
Security systems ..................................................2-11
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS) (if so equipped)....................................2-11
Vehicle security system (if so equipped) ........2-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...................2-15
Switch operation ..............................................2-15
Rear window defogger switch ..............................2-16
Headlight and turn signal switch ..........................2-16
Headlight control switch ..................................2-16Turn signal switch............................................2-17
Fog light switch (if so equipped) ..........................2-18
Hazard warning flasher switch .............................2-18
Horn ......................................................................2-19
Power outlet .........................................................2-19
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ashtray ............2-20
Storage .................................................................2-21
Sunglasses case (if so equipped) ...................2-21
Cup holders .....................................................2-21
Glove box ........................................................2-22
Coin box ..........................................................2-22
Console box (if so equipped) ..........................2-23
Instrument panel storage (if so
equipped) .........................................................2-23
Windows ...............................................................2-24
Power windows (if so equipped) .....................2-24
Manual windows ..............................................2-25
Sunroof (if so equipped).......................................2-26
Interior light...........................................................2-27
Map lights (if so equipped)...................................2-27
Trunk light (if so equipped) ..................................2-28
ZX

ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERA-
TURE GAUGE
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature varies with
the outside air temperature and driving
conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates engine coolant
temperature over the normal range,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely pos-
sible. If the engine is overheated, con-
tinued operation of the vehicle may
seriously damage the engine. See the
``In case of emergency'' section for
immediate action required.FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel
level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning, acceleration, or going up or
down hills.
The gauge needle returns to empty (E) after
the ignition key is turned to OFF.
The low fuel warning light comes on when
the amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
WIC0032WIC0033WIC0034
Instruments and controls2-5
ZX

the on position. Be sure to return theto the off position for normal cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidify
the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows
and dehumidify the air.
1. Move the air flow control dial to the
position.
cWhen the
position is selected thefunction automatically cancels.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment to improve the defogging
performance.cWhen the
position is selected, the
air conditioner automatically turns on
(however, the indicator light will not illu-
minate). This dehumidifies the air which
helps defog the windshield.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Operating tips
cKeep windows and sunroof closed while
the air conditioner is in operation.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for two or
three minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger compart-
ment. Then, close the windows. This
allows the air conditioner to cool the
interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for approximately ten min-
utes at least once a month. This helps
prevent damage to the system due to
lack of lubrication.
cIf the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turnthe air conditioner off. See ``If your
vehicle overheats'' in the ``In case of
emergency'' section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and
dial positions forMAXIMUM AND QUICK
heating, cooling or defrosting.The air recir-
culation button should always be in the
OFF position for heating and defrosting.
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving ...................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) .......................5-2
Three-way catalyst ............................................5-2
Avoiding collision and rollover ...........................5-3
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving ....................5-3
Ignition switch .........................................................5-4
Automatic transmission .....................................5-4
Manual transmission..........................................5-5
Key positions .....................................................5-5
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS) (if so equipped)......................................5-6
Before starting the engine ......................................5-6
Starting the engine .................................................5-7
Driving the vehicle ..................................................5-7
Automatic transmission (if so equipped) ...........5-7
Manual transmission........................................5-11
Parking brake .......................................................5-13
Cruise control (if so equipped) .............................5-14
Precautions on cruise control ..........................5-14Cruise control operations ................................5-15
Break-in schedule ................................................5-16
Increasing fuel economy ......................................5-16
Parking/parking on hills ........................................5-17
Power steering .....................................................5-18
Brake system........................................................5-19
Braking precautions .........................................5-19
Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
(if so equipped)................................................5-19
Cold weather driving ............................................5-21
Freeing a frozen door lock ..............................5-21
Anti-freeze .......................................................5-21
Battery .............................................................5-21
Draining of coolant ..........................................5-21
Tire equipment.................................................5-21
Special winter equipment ................................5-22
Driving on snow or ice.....................................5-22
Engine block heater (if so equipped) ..............5-22
ZX

FREEING A FROZEN DOOR
LOCK
To prevent a door lock from freezing, apply
de-icer or glycerin through the key hole. If
the lock becomes frozen, heat the key be-
fore inserting it in the key hole.
ANTI-FREEZE
In the winter when it is anticipated that the
temperature will drop below 32ÉF (0ÉC),
check the anti-freeze (ethylene glycol base)
to assure proper winter protection. For de-
tails, see ``Engine cooling system'' in the
``Maintenance and do-it-yourself'' section of
this manual.
BATTERY
If the battery is not fully charged during
extremely cold weather conditions, the bat-
tery fluid may freeze and damage the bat-
tery. To maintain maximum efficiency, the
battery should be checked regularly. For
details, see ``Battery'' in the ``Maintenance
and do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
DRAINING OF COOLANT
If the vehicle is to be left outside without
anti-freeze, drain the cooling system byopening the drain valves located under the
radiator and on the engine block. Refill
before operating the vehicle. See ``Chang-
ing engine coolant'' in the ``Maintenance
and do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
TIRE EQUIPMENT
1.SUMMER tires are of a tread design to
provide superior performance on dry
pavement. However, the performance of
these tires will be substantially reduced in
snowy and icy conditions. If you operate
your vehicle on snowy or icy roads, NIS-
SAN recommends the use of MUD &
SNOW or ALL SEASON TIRES on all four
wheels. Please consult an authorized
NISSAN dealer for the tire type, size,
speed rating and availability information.
2. For additional traction on icy roads, stud-
ded tires may be used. However, most
U.S. states and Canadian provinces pro-
hibit their use. Check local, state and
provincial laws before installing studded
tires.
Skid and traction capabilities of studded
snow tires on wet or dry surfaces may be
poorer than that of non-studded snow
tires.3. Tire chains may be used. Make sure they
are of proper size for the tires on your
vehicle and are installed according to the
chain manufacturer's suggestions.
Use of tire chains may be prohibited
according to location. Check the local
laws before installing tire chains. When
installing tire chains, make sure they are
of proper size for the tires on your vehicle
and are installed according to the chain
manufacturer's suggestions.Use only
SAE Class ªSº chains.Other types may
damage your vehicle. Use chain tension-
ers when recommended by the tire chain
manufacturer to ensure a tight fit. Loose
end links of the tire chain must be se-
cured or removed to prevent the possi-
bility of whipping action damage to the
fenders or underbody. If possible, avoid
fully loading your vehicle when using tire
chains. In addition, drive at a reduced
speed. Otherwise, your vehicle may be
damaged and/or vehicle handling and
performance may be adversely affected.
Never install tire chains on TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tires. Do not
use tire chains on dry roads.
COLD WEATHER DRIVING
Starting and driving5-21
ZX

hot and fan control to high speed.
3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. Wait until
no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
4. Open the hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking, the water pump belt is missing or
loose, or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or
the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan can start at any time when
the coolant temperature is high.
6. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle.
Towing instructions are available from an
authorized NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators are generally familiar with the
applicable laws and procedures for towing.
To assure proper towing and to prevent
accidental damage to your vehicle, NISSAN
recommends having a service operator tow
your vehicle. It is advisable to have the
service operator carefully read the following
precautions:
WARNING
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-11
ZX

8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements .....................................8-2
General maintenance .............................................8-3
Explanation of general maintenance
items ..................................................................8-3
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-5
Engine compartment check locations -
QG engine .............................................................8-7
Engine compartment check locations -
QR engine .............................................................8-8
Engine cooling system ...........................................8-9
Checking engine coolant level ..........................8-9
Changing engine coolant ................................8-10
Engine oil .............................................................8-12
Checking engine oil level ................................8-12
Changing engine oil ........................................8-13
Changing engine oil filter.................................8-14
Automatic transmission fluid ................................8-15
Temperature conditions for checking ..............8-16
Power steering fluid..............................................8-17
Brake and clutch fluid...........................................8-18
Brake fluid........................................................8-18
Clutch fluid .......................................................8-18Window washer fluid ............................................8-19
Battery ..................................................................8-19
Jump starting ...................................................8-21
Drive belts ............................................................8-22
Spark plug ............................................................8-23
Replacing spark plugs .....................................8-23
Air cleaner ............................................................8-24
Cabin air filter (if so equipped) ........................8-24
Windshield wiper blades ......................................8-28
Cleaning ..........................................................8-28
Replacing .........................................................8-28
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................8-29
Checking park brake .......................................8-29
Checking brake pedal .....................................8-30
Brake booster ..................................................8-30
Clutch pedal .........................................................8-31
Checking clutch pedal .....................................8-31
Fuses ....................................................................8-31
Engine compartment .......................................8-31
Passenger compartment .................................8-34
Keyfob battery replacement .................................8-35
Lights ....................................................................8-36
ZX

Engine coolant level*Check the coolant
level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hosesCheck the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-
formation, rot or loose connections.
Engine drive belts*Make sure the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Battery*Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines.
Vehicles operated in high temperatures or
under severe conditions require frequent
checks of the battery fluid level.
Exhaust systemMake sure there are no
loose supports, cracks or holes. If the sound
of the exhaust seems unusual or there is a
smell of exhaust fumes, immediately have
the exhaust system inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer. See the carbon mon-
oxide warning in the ``Starting and driving''
section of this manual.
UnderbodyThe underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances from the underbody, otherwise rustmay form on the floor pan, frame, fuel lines
and exhaust system. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, in those areas where mud
and dirt may have accumulated. See the
``Appearance and care'' section of this
manual.
Fluid leaksCheck under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for a while. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use is
normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately.When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
cPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For manual trans-
mission models, move the shift lever
to N (Neutral). For automatic trans-
mission models, move the shift se-
lector lever to P (Park).
cBe sure the ignition key is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing
any parts replacement or repairs.
cYour vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.
MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
ZX

cIf you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
cIt is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.,
before working on your vehicle.
cAlways wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
cIf you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases to escape.
cNever get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
cKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.cOn gasoline engine models with the
multiport fuel injection (MFI) system,
the fuel filter or fuel lines should be
serviced by an authorized NISSAN
dealer because the fuel lines are
under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn the engine off
and wait until it cools down.
cNever connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
cNever leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.c
Avoid contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed
engine oil, engine coolant, and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of ve-
hicle fluid.
This ``Maintenance and do-it-yourself'' sec-
tion gives instructions regarding only those
items which are relatively easy for an owner
to perform.
A genuine NISSAN service manual is also
available. See ``Owner's Manual/Service
Manual order information'' in the ``Technical
and consumer information'' section.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage.If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done
by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

1. Engine oil filler cap
2. Spark plug caps
3. Brake fluid reservoir
4. Clutch fluid reservoir (M/T model)
5. Air Cleaner
6. Battery
7. Fuse/Fusible link holds
8. Radiator cap
9. Engine oil dipstick
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
11. Coolant reservoir
12. Power steering fluid reservoir
* Engine cover removed for clarity
WDI0024
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CHECK LOCATIONS -
QG ENGINE
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
ZX