brake fluid NISSAN SENTRA 2009 Owner´s Manual

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.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery*Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MIN and MAX lines on the reservoir.Engine coolant level*Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts*Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level*Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
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 a NISSAN dealer. See the
carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” 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 imme-
diately.
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, deformation, rot or loose
connections.UnderbodyThe underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield washer fluid*Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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When performing any inspection or maintenance
work on your vehicle, always take care to prevent
serious accidental injury to yourself or damage to
the vehicle. The following are general precau-
tions which should be closely observed.
WARNING
●Park the vehicle on a level surface, ap-
ply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the vehicle
from moving. For manual transmission
models, move the shift selector to N
(Neutral) . For CVT models, move the
shift selector to P (Park) .
●Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing any
parts replacement or repairs.
●If you must work with the engine run-
ning, keep your hands, clothing, hair
and tools away from moving fans, belts
and any other moving parts.
●It is advisable to secure or remove any
loose clothing and remove any jewelry,
such as rings, watches, etc. before
working on your vehicle.
●Always wear eye protection whenever
you work on your vehicle.●If you must run the engine in an en-
closed space such as a garage, be sure
there is proper ventilation for exhaust
gases to escape.
●Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is neces-
sary to work under the vehicle, support
it with safety stands.
●Keep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.
●On gasoline engine models, the fuel
filter or fuel lines should be serviced by
a NISSAN dealer because the fuel lines
are under high pressure even when the
engine is off.
CAUTION
●Do not work under the hood while the
engine is hot. Turn the engine off and
wait until it cools down.
●Avoid contact with used engine oil and
coolant. Improperly disposed engine
oil, engine coolant and/or other vehicle
fluids can damage the environment. Al-
ways conform to local regulations for
disposal of vehicle fluid.●Never leave the engine or the CVT re-
lated component harness connector
disconnected while the ignition switch
is in the ON position.
●Never connect or disconnect the battery
or any transistorized component while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
●Your vehicle is equipped with an auto-
matic engine cooling fan. It may come
on at any time without warning, even if
the ignition key is in the OFF position
and the engine is not running. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the negative
battery cable before working near the
fan.
This “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
gives instructions regarding only those items
which are relatively easy for an owner to perform.
A genuine NISSAN service manual is also avail-
able. See “Owner’s Manual/Service Manual or-
der information” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
You should be aware that incomplete or improper
servicing may result in operating difficulties or
excessive emissions, and could affect warranty
coverage.If in doubt about any servicing,
have it done by a NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-5
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MR20DE engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid
reservoir (M/T model)
4. Battery
5. Air cleaner
6. Fuse/Fusible link box
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Drive belt location
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
WDI0587
ENGINE COMPARTMENT CHECK
LOCATIONS
8-6Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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QR25DE engine
1. Engine coolant reservoir
2. Engine oil filler cap
3. Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid
reservoir (M/T model)
4. Battery
5. Air cleaner
6. Fuse/Fusible link box
7. Radiator cap
8. Engine oil dipstick
9. Drive belt location
10. Windshield washer fluid reservoir
* Engine cover removed for clarity.
WDI0637
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-7
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CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine coolant.
The service procedure can be found in the
NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine overheat-
ing.
WARNING
●To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the en-
gine is hot.
●Never remove the radiator cap when the
engine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escaping
from the radiator.
●Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
●Keep coolant out of the reach of chil-
dren and pets.
Engine coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply
the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches
operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine.Wait more than 10
minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Re-
insert it all the way.
Type B
LDI0589
Type A
WDI0591
ENGINE OIL
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-9
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CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The engine
oil may be hot.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with
a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket material
remaining on the sealing surface of the
engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean
engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resistance
is felt, then tighten an additional 2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine oil if
necessary.
CAUTION
●Use only Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid
NS-2-V. Do not mix with other fluids.
●Using transmission fluid other than
Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V will
damage the CVT, which is not covered
by the NISSAN new vehicle limited
warranty.
When checking or replacement of CVT Fluid is
required, we recommend your NISSAN dealer for
servicing.For further brake and clutch fluid specification
information, refer to “Capacities and recom-
mended fuel/lubricants” in the “Technical and
consumer information” section of this manual.
WARNING
●Use only new fluid from a sealed con-
tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake and clutch
systems. The use of improper fluids can
damage the brake system and affect
the vehicle’s stopping ability.
●Clean the filler cap before removing.
●Brake and clutch fluid is poisonous and
should be stored carefully in marked
containers out of reach of children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid is
spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water.
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUIDBRAKE AND CLUTCH FLUID
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-13
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BRAKE FLUID
Check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. If the
brake warning light comes on, add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalentDOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
A.If
fluid must be added frequently, the system should
be checked by a NISSAN dealer.
CLUTCH FLUID
Check the clutch fluid level in the reservoir
(manual transmissions only) . Add Genuine
NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or
equivalentDOT 3fluid up to the MAX line
A.If
fluid must be added frequently, the system should
be checked by a NISSAN dealer.
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
RESERVOIR
Fill the window washer fluid reservoir periodically.
Add window washer fluid when the low window
washer fluid warning light comes on (if so
equipped) .
To fill the window washer fluid reservoir, lift the
cap off the reservoir tank and pour the window
washer fluid into the tank opening.
Add a washer solvent to the washer for better
cleaning. In the winter season, add a windshield
washer antifreeze. Follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for the mixture ratio.
LDI0539LDI0539LDI0540
WINDOW WASHER FLUID
8-14Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
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The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate) Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US measure Imp measure Liter
Fuel 14-1/2 gal 12-1/8 gal 55.0 See “Fuel recommendation” later in this section.
Engine oil *6
Drain and Refill
With oil filter change MR20DE 4-1/8 3-3/8 qt 3.9
Engine oil with API Certification Mark *1
Viscosity SAE 5W-30 *1 QR25DE 4-1/2 qt 3-1/4 qt 4.3
Without oil filter
changeMR20DE 3-7/8 qt 3-1/8 qt 3.6
QR25DE 4-1/4 qt 3-1/2 qt 4.0
Cooling system
With reservoir
MR20DE 1-7/8 gal 1-1/2 gal 7.0
50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent
50% Demineralized or distilled water
QR25DECVT 2 gal 1-5/8 gal 7.6
MT 2 gal 1-5/8 gal 7.6
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid — — — Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-2-V *2
Manual transmission gear oil
MR20DE —— — Genuine NISSAN gear oil (XT4447 M+) 75W-80, Genuine NISSAN gear
oil (ETL8997B) 75W-80 or equivalent *3
QR25DE —— — Genuine NISSAN Manual Transmission Fluid (MTF) HQ Multi 75W-85 or
API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 75W-85
Brake and clutch fluid Refill to the proper level according to the instructions
in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section *7Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3 *4
CAPACITIES AND RECOMMENDED
FUEL/LUBRICANTS
9-2Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
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2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply the
brakes and pull to the side of the road in a
safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is bal-
anced as described earlier in this section.
●Be 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.
●Use the Tow Mode or downshift the trans-
mission to a lower gear for engine braking
when driving down steep or long hills. This
will help slow the vehicle without applying
the brakes.
●Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long
or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
●Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
●NISSAN recommends that the cruise con-
trol not be used while towing a trailer.●Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles that
are towing trailers. Obey the local speed
limits.
●Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
●When launching a boat, don’t allow the wa-
ter level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
●Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, transmission fluid
should be changed more frequently. For
additional information, see the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section earlier in
this manual.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
●Failure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
●Whenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
●DO NOT tow any continuously variable
transmission vehicle with all four
wheels on the ground (flat towing) . Do-
ing so WILL DAMAGE internal transmis-
sion parts due to lack of transmission
lubrication.
●For emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Continuously Variable Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with a continuously
variable transmission, an appropriate vehicle dolly
MUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Technical and consumer information9-25
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10 Index
A
Active Head Restraint..............1-7
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-40
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system)...............1-47
Side and curtain (See supplemental side
air bag and curtain side-impact air bag
system) ...................1-52
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-55
Airbagwarninglight...........1-55,2-13
Air cleaner housing filter............8-19
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation..........4-11
Air conditioner service...........4-16
Air conditioner specification label.....9-13
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.............9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-7
Servicing air conditioner..........4-16
Airflowcharts..................4-13
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-16
Anchorpointlocations.............1-24
Antenna.....................4-38
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-9
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-24
Armrests .....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-15Audio system..................4-16
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-34
Compact disc (CD) player.....4-25,4-29
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-23
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-31
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-27
Radio ....................4-16
Steering wheel audio control switch....4-37
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-33
Automatic door locks...............3-5
AUX jack.................4-26,4-30
Average speed..................4-4
B
Battery......................8-15
Chargewarninglight............2-10
Before starting the engine...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-17
Block heater
Engine....................5-27
Bluetoothhands-free phone system.....4-39
Booster seats..................1-35
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-24
Brake fluid..................8-13
Brake light (See stop light).........8-29Brake system................5-24
Brake warning light..............2-9
Brake wear indicators........2-15,8-21
Parking brake operation..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes............8-21
Brakes......................8-21
Break-in schedule................5-21
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-21
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-9
Bulb replacement................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-39
Cargonet....................2-30
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-14
CD care and cleaning.............4-36
CD changer (See audio system)........4-34
CD player (See audio system).....4-25,4-29
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-23
Child restraints..........1-12,1-20,1-22
Precautions on child
restraints............1-20,1-28,1-35
Top tether strap anchor point
locations...................1-24
Child safety rear door lock............3-6
Chimes,audiblereminders...........2-15
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
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