service NISSAN SENTRA 2023 User Guide

If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
front passenger air bag status light is illu-
minated (indicating that the front passen-
ger air bag and front passenger supple-
mental knee air bag are OFF), it could be
that the person is a small adult, or is not
sitting on the seat properly or not using the
seat belt properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front
seat, the front passenger air bag status
light may or may not be illuminated, de-
pending on the size of the child and the
type of child restraint being used. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated (indicat-
ing that the front passenger air bag and
front passenger supplemental knee air
bag might inflate in a crash), it could be that
the child restraint or seat belt is not being
used properly. Make sure that the child re-
straint is installed properly, the seat belt is
used properly and the occupant is posi-
tioned properly. If the air bag status light is
still not illuminated, reposition the occu-
pant or child restraint in a rear seat.
If the front passenger air bag status light
will not illuminate even though you believe
that the child restraint, the seat belts and
the occupant are properly positioned, it is
recommended that you take your vehicleto a NISSAN dealer. A NISSAN dealer can
check system status by using a special
tool. However, until you have confirmed
with a dealer that your air bag is working
properly, reposition the occupant or child
restraint in a rear seat.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System and
front passenger air bag status light will
take a few seconds to register a change in
the front passenger seat status. This is nor-
mal system operation and does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passen-
ger air bag system, the supplemental air
bag warning light
, located in the me-
ter and gauges area of the instrument
panel, will be illuminated (blinking or
steadily lit). Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Normal operation
In order for the occupant classification
sensor system to classif y the front passen-
ger based on weight, please follow the pre-
cautions and steps outlined below: Precautions
• Make sure that there are no objects
weighing over 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) hanging on
the seat or placed in the seatback pocket
(if so equipped).
• Make sure that a child restraint or other object is not pressing against the rear of
the seatback.
• Make sure that a rear passenger is not pushing or pulling on the back of the front
passenger seat.
• Make sure that the front passenger seat or seatback is not forced back against an
object on the seat or floor behind it.
• Make sure that there is no object placed under the front passenger seat.
Steps
1. Adjust the seat as outlined in “Seats” (P. 1-2). Sit upright, leaning against the
seatback, and centered on the seat
cushion with your feet comfortably ex-
tended to the floor.
2. Make sure there are no objects on your lap.
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-57

3. Fasten the seat belt as outlined in “Seatbelts” (P. 1-12). Front passenger seat belt
buckle status is monitored by the occu-
pant classification system, and is used
as an input to determine occupancy
status. So, it is highly recommended that
the front passenger fasten their seat
belt.
4. Remain in this position for 30 seconds allowing the system to classif y the front
passenger before the vehicle is put into
motion.
5. Ensure proper classification by checking the front passenger air bag status light.
NOTE:
This vehicle’s occupant classification
sensor system generally keeps the clas-
sification locked during driving, so it is
important that you confirm that the
front passenger is properly classified
prior to driving. However, the occupant
classification sensor may recalculate the
weight of the occupant under some con-
ditions (both while driving and when
stopped), so front passenger seat occu-
pants should continue to remain seated
as outlined above.
Troubleshooting
If you think the front passenger air bag
status light is incorrect:
1. If the light is ON with an adult occupyingthe front passenger seat:
• Occupant is a small adult — the air bag light is functioning as intended. The front
passenger air bag and front passen-
ger supplemental knee air bag are
suppressed.
However, if the occupant is not a small
adult, then this may be due to the following
conditions that may be interfering with the
weight sensors:
• Occupant is not sitting upright, leaning against the seatback, and centered on
the seat cushion with his/her feet com-
fortably extended to the floor.
• A child restraint or other object pressing against the rear of the seatback.
• A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger seat.
•
Forcing the front seat or seatback against
an object on the seat or floor behind it.
• An object placed under the front passen- ger seat. • An object placed between the seat cush-
ion and center console or between the
seat cushion and the door.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a
stop when it is safe to do so. Check and
correct any of the above conditions. Re-
start the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still ON af ter this, the person
should be advised not to ride in the front
passenger seat and the vehicle should be
checked as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
2. If the light is OFF with a small adult, child or child restraint occupying the front
passenger seat.
This may be due to the following condi-
tions that may be interfering with the
weight sensors:
• Small adult or child is not sitting upright, leaning against the seatback, and cen-
tered on the seat cushion with his/her
feet comfortably extended to the floor.
1-58Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

•The child restraint is not properly installed,
as outlined in “Child restraints” (P. 1-23).
• An object weighing over 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) hanging on the seat or placed in the seat-
back pocket (if so equipped).
• A child restraint or other object pressing against the rear of the seatback.
• A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger seat.
• Forcing the front seat or seatback against an object on the seat or floor be-
hind it.
• An object placed under the front passen- ger seat.
• An object placed between the seat cush- ion and center console.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a
stop when it is safe to do so. Check and
correct any of the above conditions. Re-
start the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially. If the light is still OFF af ter this, the small
adult, child or child restraint should be re-
positioned in the rear seat and the vehicle
should be checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
3. If the light is OFF with no front passenger
and no objects on the front passenger
seat, the vehicle should be checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible.
Other supplemental front-impact air
bag precautions
WARNING
• Do not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause in-
jury if the front air bags inflate.
• Immediately af ter inflation, several
front air bag system components will
be hot. Do not touch them; you may
severely burn yourself. •
No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This
is to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to
the supplemental air bag system.
• Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the front air bag system.
• Tampering with the front air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal
injury. Tampering includes changes
to the steering wheel and the instru-
ment panel assembly by placing ma-
terial over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or
by installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.
• Removing or modif ying the front
passenger seat may affect the func-
tion of the air bag system and result
in serious personal injury.
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-59

•It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for work on and
around the knee air bag. It is also rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for installation of electrical
equipment. The SRS wiring har-
nesses* should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the knee
air bag system.
*The SRS wiring harness or connectors are
yellow or orange for easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the knee air
bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this manual.
Seat belt with pretensioner(s)
(front and rear outboard seats)
WARNING
• The pretensioner(s) cannot be re-
used af ter activation. They must be
replaced together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit. •
If the vehicle becomes involved in a
collision but pretensioner(s) are not
activated, be sure to have the preten-
sioner system checked and, if neces-
sary, replaced. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
• No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the pretensioner system. This is to
prevent damage to or accidental ac-
tivation of the pretensioner(s). Tam-
pering with the pretensioner system
may result in serious personal injury.
• It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for work on and
around the pretensioner system. It is
also recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for installation of elec-
trical equipment. Unauthorized elec-
trical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the
pretensioner system.
• If you need to dispose of the preten-
sioner(s) or scrap the vehicle, it is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. Incorrect dis-
posal procedures could cause per-
sonal injury. The pretensioner system may activate
with the supplemental air bag system in
certain types of collisions. Working with the
seat belt retractor, the pretensioner(s) help
tighten the seat belt when the vehicle be-
comes involved in certain types of colli-
sions, helping to restrain front and rear out-
board seat occupants.
The pretensioner(s) are encased within the
seat belt retractor and to the seat belt an-
chor affixed to the floor of the vehicle.
These seat belts are used the same way as
conventional seat belts.
When pretensioner(s) activate, smoke is re-
leased and a loud noise may be heard. This
smoke is not harmful and does not indi-
cate a fire. Care should be taken not to
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breath-
ing condition should get fresh air promptly.
Af ter the pretensioner(s’) activation, load
limiters allow the seat belt to release web-
bing (if necessary) to reduce forces against
the chest.
1-64Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

The supplemental air bag warning lightis used to indicate malfunctions in the
pretensioner system. For additional infor-
mation, see "Supplemental air bag warning
light" (P. 1-65). If the operation of the supple-
mental air bag warning light indicates
there is a malfunction, have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the preten-
sioner system and guide the buyer to
the appropriate sections in this Owner's
Manual.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental
front-impact air bag system are placed in
the vehicle as shown in the illustration.
WARNING
Do not use a rear-facing child restraint
on a seat protected by an air bag in
front of it. If the air bag deploys, it may
cause serious injury or death.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits for the air bag sys-
tems, pretensioner(s) and all related wiring.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
WRS0897
1. SRS Air bag warning labels The warning labels are located on the
surface of the sun visor.
LRS0100
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-65

If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
knee air bag and pretensioner systems
need servicing:
•
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on af ter approximately 7 seconds.
• The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
• The supplemental air bag warning light does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag or pretensioner
systems may not operate properly. They
must be checked and repaired. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
knee air bag and/or pretensioner sys-
tems will not operate in an accident. To
help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
Repair and replacement
procedure
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain air
bags, knee air bags and pretensioner(s)
are designed to inflate on a one-time-only
basis. As a reminder, unless it is damaged,
the supplemental air bag warning light
remains illuminated af ter inflation has oc-
curred. These systems should be repaired
and/or replaced as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags,
curtain air bags, knee air bags, pretension-
er(s) and related parts should be pointed
out to the person performing the mainte-
nance. The ignition switch should always
be placed in the LOCK position when work-
ing under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
• Once a front air bag, side air bag, cur-
tain air bag or knee air bag has in-
flated, the air bag module will not
function again and must be replaced.
Additionally, the activated preten-
sioner(s) must also be replaced. The
air bag module and pretensioner(s)
should be replaced. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. However, the
air bag module and pretensioner(s)
cannot be repaired.
• The front air bag, side air bag, curtain
air bag, knee air bag systems and the
pretensioner system should be in-
spected if there is any damage to
the front end or side portion of the
vehicle. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
• If you need to dispose of the supple-
mental air bag or pretensioner sys-
tems or scrap the vehicle, it is recom-
mended that you contact a NISSAN
dealer for this service. Incorrect dis-
posal procedures could cause per-
sonal injury.
1-66Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

•If there is an impact to your vehicle
from any direction, your Occupant
Classification Sensor (OCS) should be
checked to verif y it is still functioning
correctly. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
The OCS should be checked even if
no air bags deploy as a result of the
impact. Failure to verif y proper OCS
function may result in an improper
air bag deployment resulting in in-
jury or death.
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-67

The engine coolant temperature varies
with the outside air temperature and driv-
ing conditions.
CAUTION
If the gauge indicates a coolant tem-
perature near the hot (H) end of the
normal range, reduce vehicle speed
to decrease the temperature. If the
gauge is over the normal range, stop
the vehicle as soon as safely possible.
If the engine is overheated, continued
operation of the vehicle may seriously
damage the engine. For additional
information, see “If your vehicle over-
heats” (P. 6-11).
FUEL GAUGE
NOTE:
The ignition switch must be placed in
the ON position for the gauge to give a
reading.
The gauge indicates the approximatefuel
level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning, acceleration, or going up or
down hills. The low fuel warning light comes on when
the amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge reg-
isters 0 (Empty).
The arrow on the fuel pump symbol
indicates the fuel-filler location.
CAUTION
• If the vehicle runs out of fuel, the
Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) may
come on. Refuel as soon as possible.
Af ter a few driving trips. the
light
should turn off. If the light remains on
af ter a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this
service.
•
For additional information, see “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL)” (P. 2-11).
LIC2222
Instruments and controls2-7

CHECKING LIGHTS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake, fasten the seat belts and place the
ignition switch in the ON position without
starting the engine. The following lights
(if so equipped) will come on:
,,,,,or
The following lights (if so equipped) will
come on briefly and then go off:
,or,,,,
If any light does not come on or operate in
a way other than described, it may indicate
a burned-out bulb and/or a system mal-
function. Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Some indicators and warnings are also dis-
played on the vehicle information display
between the speedometer and tachom-
eter. For additional information, see “Ve-
hicle information display 4.2 inch (11 cm)
Type A” (P. 2-18) or “Vehicle information dis-
play 7 inch (18 cm) Type B” (P. 2-32).
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS (red)
For additional information on warnings
and indicators, see “Vehicle information
display 4.2 inch (11 cm) Type A” (P. 2-18) or
“Vehicle information display 7 inch (18 cm)
Type B” (P. 2-32).
orBrake warning
light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the park-
ing brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine
is running with the parking brake not ap-
plied, stop the vehicle and perform the
following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brakefluid as necessary. For additional infor-
mation, see “Brake fluid” (P. 8-10). 2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
WARNING
• Your 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 carefully to
the nearest service station for re-
pairs. Otherwise, have your vehicle
towed because driving it could be
dangerous.
• Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine 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.
• If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked. It
is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
2-10Instruments and controls

Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate the charging sys-
tem is not functioning properly. Turn the
engine off and check the generator belt. If
the belt is loose, broken, missing, or if the
light remains on, have your vehicle serviced
immediately. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the generator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Engine oil pressure
warning light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure.
If the light flickers or comes on during nor-
mal driving, pull off the road in a safe area,
stop the engine immediatelyand call a
NISSAN dealer or other authorized repair
shop.
The engine oil pressure warning light is
not designed to indicate a low oil level.
Use the dipstick to check the oil level. For
additional information, see “Engine oil”
(P. 8-6 ).
CAUTION
Running the engine with the engine oil
pressure warning light on could cause
serious damage to the engine almost
immediately. Such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty. Turn off the engine as
soon as it is safe to do so.
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or
blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate a potential emission control
malfunction.
The MIL may also come on steady if the
fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, or if the
vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make sure
the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least
3 gallons (11.4 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
Af ter a few driving trips, the
light
should turn off if no other potential emis-
sion control system malfunction exists.
If this indicator light comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds
when the engine is not running, it indicates
that the vehicle is not ready for an emission
control system inspection/maintenance test. For additional information, see “Readi-
ness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test”
(P. 10-24).
Operation
The MIL will come on in one of two ways:
• MIL on steady — An emission control sys-
tem malfunction has been detected.
Check the fuel-filler cap if the Loose Fuel
Cap warning appears in the vehicle infor-
mation display. If the fuel-filler cap is loose
or missing, tighten or install the cap and
continue to drive the vehicle. The
light should turn off af ter a few driving
trips. If thelight does not turn off
af ter a few driving trips, have the vehicle
inspected. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer for this service. You
do not need to have your vehicle towed
to the dealer.
• MIL blinking — An engine misfire has been detected which may damage the emis-
sion control system. To reduce or avoid
emission control system damage:– do not drive at speeds above 45 mph (72 km/h).
–
avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargo being hauled or towed.
Instruments and controls2-11