steering wheel NISSAN SENTRA 2004 B15 / 5.G User Guide

1. Cruise control main switch
2. RES/ACCEL switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. SET/COAST switch
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
cIf the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator
light in the instrument panel then blinks to
warn the driver.
cIf the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control main switch off and have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.cThe SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control main switch is turned ON
while pushing the RES/ACCEL,
SET/COAST, or CANCEL switch (located
on the steering wheel) . To properly set the
cruise control system, use the following pro-
cedures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driving
under the following conditions:
cWhen it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.
cIn heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in
speed.
cOn winding or hilly roads.
cOn slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.) .
cIn very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into N (Neutral) without depressing the
clutch pedal when the cruise control is set.
Should this occur, depress the clutch pedal
and turn the main switch off immediately.
Failure to do so may cause engine damage.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS
The cruise control allows driving at a speed be-
tween 25 - 89 MPH (40 - 144 km/h) without
keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the main
switch. The CRUISE indicator light in the instru-
ment panel comes on.
To set cruising speed,accelerate the vehicle to
the desired speed, push the SET/COAST switch
and release it. The SET indicator light in the
instrument panel comes on. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Your vehicle maintains the set
speed.
cTo pass another vehicle,depress the ac-
celerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previously
set speed.
cThe vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
WSD0049
CRUISE CONTROL (if so equipped)
5-14Starting and driving
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cHEADED UPHILL OR DOWNHILL, NO
CURB:
sC
Turn the wheels toward the side of the road
so the vehicle will move away from the cen-
ter of the road if it moves.
4. Turn the ignition key to the LOCK position
and remove the key.The power assisted steering uses a hydraulic
pump, driven by the engine, to assist steering.
If the engine stops or the drive belt breaks, you
will still have control of the vehicle. However,
much greater steering effort is needed, especially
in sharp turns and at low speeds.
WARNING
If the engine is not running or is turned off
while driving, the power assist for the
steering will not work. Steering will be
much harder to operate.The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at two wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brakes and pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
POWER STEERING BRAKE SYSTEM
5-18Starting and driving
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WARNING
cWhile driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
cIf the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return
to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high
speeds until the brakes function correctly.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)
(if so equipped)
The anti-lock brake system controls the brakes so
the wheels do not lock when braking abruptly or
when braking on slippery surfaces. The system
detects the rotation speed at each wheel andvaries the brake fluid pressure to prevent each
wheel from locking and sliding. By preventing
wheel lockup, the system helps the driver main-
tain steering control and helps to minimize swerv-
ing and spinning on slippery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Normal operation
The anti-lock brake system does not operate at
speeds below3-6MPH(5-10km/h) . (The
speeds vary according to road conditions.)
When driving, the anti-lock brake system con-
trols the wheels so they will not lock when brak-
ing abruptly or when braking on a slippery road.
Thus, difficult steering and swerving of the ve-
hicle due to locked wheels is minimized. The
system detects the wheel rotation rate and elec-
tronically controls the pressure applied to each
brake. Slight vibration on the brake pedal accom-
panied by noise usually occurs while the ABS
system is operating. Such vibration and noise
encountered during abrupt braking is not a prob-lem, but indicates that the system is functioning
properly. However, the pulsation may indicate
that road conditions are hazardous and extra care
is required while driving.
Self-test feature
The anti-lock brake system consists of electronic
sensors and hydraulic solenoids controlled by a
computer. The computer has a built-in diagnostic
feature that tests the system each time you start
the engine and move the vehicle at a low speed in
forward or reverse. When the self-test occurs,
you may hear a ‘‘clunk’’ noise and/or feel a pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal. This is normal and is not
an indication of any malfunction. If the computer
senses any malfunction, it switches the anti-lock
brake system off and turns on the ABS brake
warning light on the instrument panel. The brake
system then operates normally, but without anti-
lock assistance.
If a malfunction occurs in the system, the anti-
lock function will not operate, but the standard
vehicle brake system will continue to operate
normally. The ABS brake warning light will then
come on.
If the light comes on during the self-test or while
driving, take the vehicle to a NISSAN dealer for
repair.
Starting and driving5-19
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DRIVING ON SNOW OR ICE
WARNING
cWet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain) ,
very cold snow or ice can be slick and
very hard to drive on. The vehicle will
have much less traction or “grip” under
these conditions. Try to avoid driving on
wet ice until the road is salted or
sanded.
cWhatever the condition, drive with cau-
tion. Accelerate and slow down with
care. If accelerating or downshifting too
fast, the drive wheels will lose even
more traction.
cAllow more stopping distance under
these conditions. Braking should be
started sooner than on dry pavement.
cAllow greater following distances on
slippery roads.
cWatch for slippery spots (glare ice) .
These may appear on an otherwise
clear road in shaded areas. If a patch of
ice is seen ahead, brake before reach-
ing it. Try not to brake while on the ice,
and avoid any sudden steering
maneuvers.cDo not use the cruise control on slip-
pery roads.
cSnow can trap dangerous exhaust
gases under your vehicle. Keep snow
clear of the exhaust pipe and from
around your vehicle.
ENGINE BLOCK HEATER (if so
equipped)
An engine block heater to assist in extreme cold
temperature starting is available through a
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
Do not use your heater with an un-
grounded electrical system or two-
pronged (cheater) adapters. You can be
injured by an electrical shock if you use an
ungrounded connection.
5-22Starting and driving
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When towing your vehicle, all State (Provincial in
Canada) and local regulations for towing must be
followed. Incorrect towing equipment could dam-
age your vehicle. Towing instructions are avail-
able from a NISSAN dealer. Local service opera-
tors 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 trans-
mission, axles, steering system and
powertrain are in working condition. If
any unit is damaged, dollies must be
used.
cAlways attach safety chains before
towing.For information about towing your vehicle behind
a recreational vehicle (RV) , refer to “Flat towing”
in the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
TOWING RECOMMENDED BY
NISSAN
NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be towed
with the driving (front) wheels off the ground or
place the vehicle on a flat bed truck as illustrated.
ACE0511
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-11
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CAUTION
cNever tow automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on the
ground or four wheels on the ground
(forward or backward) , as this may
cause serious and expensive damage to
the transmission. If it is necessary to
tow the vehicle with the rear wheels
raised always use towing dollies under
the front wheels.cWhen towing automatic transmission
models with the front wheels on towing
dollies, or when towing manual trans-
mission models with the front wheels
on the ground:
cTurn the ignition key to the OFF po-
sition, and secure the steering wheel
in a straight-ahead position with a
rope or similar device. Never secure
the steering wheel by turning the ig-
nition key to the LOCK position. This
may damage the steering lock
mechanism.
cMove the gearshift lever to the N
(Neutral) position.
cWhen towing automatic or manual
transmission models with the rear
wheels on the ground (if you do not use
towing dollies): Always release the
parking brake.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (freeing a stuck
vehicle)
WARNING
cStand clear of a stuck vehicle.cDo not spin your tires at high speed.
This could cause them to explode and
result in serious injury. Parts of your
vehicle could also overheat and be
damaged.
CAUTION
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the vehicle recovery hooks or
main structural members of the vehicle.
Otherwise, the vehicle body will be
damaged.
cPulling devices should be routed so
they do not touch any part of the sus-
pension, steering, brake or cooling
systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never
pull the vehicle at an angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
If your vehicle is stuck in sand, snow, mud, etc.,
use the following procedure:
1. Turn off the Vehicle Dynamic Control System
(if so equipped) .
ACE1001
6-12In case of emergency
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2. Make sure the area in front and behind the
vehicle is clear of obstructions.
3. Turn the steering wheel right and left to clear
an area around the front tires.
4. Slowly rock the vehicle forward and back-
ward.
cShift back and forth between R (reverse)
and D (drive) .
cApply the accelerator as little as possible
to maintain the rocking motion.
cRelease the accelerator pedal before
shifting between R and D.
cDo not spin the tires above 35 mph (55
km/h) .
5. If the vehicle can not be freed after a few
tries, contact a professional towing service
to remove the vehicle.
In case of emergency6-13
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8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions...........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................8-8
Changing engine coolant........................8-9
Engine oil........................................8-11
Checking engine oil level.......................8-11
Changing engine oil...........................8-12
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-13
Automatic transmission fluid.......................8-14
Temperature conditions for checking.............8-15
Power steering fluid...............................8-17
Brake and clutch fluid.............................8-17
Brake fluid....................................8-18
Clutch fluid...................................8-18
Window washer fluid.............................8-19
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-19
Battery..........................................8-19
Jump starting.................................8-21
Drive belts.......................................8-21
Spark plugs......................................8-22Replacing spark plugs.........................8-22
Air cleaner.......................................8-23
In-cabin Microfilter (if so equipped)..............8-24
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-27
Cleaning.....................................8-27
Replacing....................................8-27
Parking brake and brake pedal.....................8-28
Checking parking brake........................8-28
Checking brake pedal..........................8-28
Brake booster.................................8-29
Fuses...........................................8-30
Engine compartment...........................8-30
Passenger compartment.......................8-31
Battery replacement..............................8-32
Lights...........................................8-34
Headlights....................................8-34
Fog lights (if so equipped)......................8-35
Exterior and interior lights.......................8-36
Wheels and tires.................................8-39
Tire pressure..................................8-39
Tire labeling...................................8-42
Types of tires..................................8-45
Tire chains....................................8-45
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-46
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When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts*When checking the tires,
make sure no wheel nuts are missing, and check
for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
Tires*Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel
alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
cFor additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet .WindshieldClean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Accelerator pedalCheck the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.
Automatic transmission P (Park) position
mechanismCheck that the lock release button
on the shift selector lever operates properly and
smoothly. On a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector lever in
the P (Park) position without applying any brakes.
Brake pedal and booster*Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure it has the proper
distance under it when depressed fully. Check
the brake booster function. Be certain to keep the
floor mat away from the pedal.BrakesCheck that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Clutch pedal*Make sure the pedal operates
smoothly and check that it has the proper free
travel.
Parking brake*Check that the lever has the
proper travel and confirm that your vehicle is held
securely on a fairly steep hill with only the parking
brake applied.
SeatsCheck seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints
move up and down smoothly and the locks (if so
equipped) hold securely in all latched positions.
Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimesMake sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
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Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is
not recommended; however, if you must do
so, and if your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, and
then move the transmission shift selector
lever into the P (Park) position. If you move
the shift selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion before blocking the wheels and applying
the parking brake, transmission damage
could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating. However, for
long steep grades, do not stay in 1st or 2nd
gear when driving above 35 MPH (56 km/h) .
cIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioner
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, 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 (805 km) .
cFor the first 500 miles that you do tow, do
not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
cHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.cCrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help sta-
bilize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. 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
5th 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 reduced
braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.
9-18Technical and consumer information
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