1996 NISSAN SENTRA automatic transmission

If you have a flat tire, follow the instructions
below.
Stopping the vehicle
1. Safely move the vehicle off the road
away from traffic.
2. Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
3.
Park on a level surface and apply the park-
ing brake. Shift the manual transmission into
reverse (automatic transmission in P).
4. Turn off the engine.
WARNING
cMake sure that the parking brake is
securely applied and the manual
transmission is shifted into reverse
(automatic transmission in P).
cNever change tires when the vehicle
is on a slope, ice or slippery areas.
This is dangerous.
cNever change tires if oncoming traffic
is close to your vehicle. Wait for pro-
fessional road assistance.c
Raise the hood to warn other traffic,
and to signal professional road assis-
tance personnel that you need
assistance.
cHave all passengers get out of the
vehicle and stand in a safe place, away
from traffic and clear of the vehicle.
CE1050MA
ACE0601
FLAT TIRE
5-2
ZX

cMake sure that cables do not touch
moving parts in the engine compart-
ment and that clamps do not contact
any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster
vehicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start
your engine in the normal manner.CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged
for more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before
trying again.
7. After starting your engine, carefully dis-
connect the negative cable and then the
positive cable.
8. Replace the vent caps (if so equipped).
Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to
cover the vent holes as it may be con-
taminated with corrosive acid.
CAUTION
cAutomatic transmission models can-
not be push started. This may cause
transmission damage.
cThree-way catalytic converter
equipped models should not be
started by pushing since the three
way catalyst may be damaged.
cNever try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it; when the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.
ACE0602
PUSH STARTING
5-8
ZX

If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge read-
ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-
ing steps:
WARNING
To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is still hot. When the radiator
cap is removed, pressurized hot water
will spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
gearshift lever to Neutral (automatic
transmission to P).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioning. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
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 engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
6. 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.
WARNING
cBe careful not to allow your hands,
hair or clothing to come into contact
with, or to get caught in, the running
fan, belts, or fan motor. The fan motor
can start at any time when the cool-
ant temperature is high.
cIf coolant is leaking, the water pump
belt is missing or loose, or the cool-
ing fan does not run, stop the engine.7. 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 the nearest NISSAN
dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
5-9
ZX

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 your
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 recom-
mends having a service operator tow your
vehicle. It is advisable to have the service
operator carefully read the following precau-
tions.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working condi-
tion. If any unit is damaged, a dolly
must be used.
cWhen towing with the front wheels on
the ground:
Turn the ignition key to the ``OFF''
position and secure the steering
wheel in a straight ahead position
with a rope or similar device. Never
place the ignition key in the ``LOCK''position. This will result in damage
to the steering lock mechanism.
Move the gearshift lever to the Neu-
tral (``N'') position.
On automatic transmission models,
to move the shift lever to the Neutral
(``N'') position turn the ignition key
to the ``ACC'' position.
After moving the shift lever to the
Neutral (``N'') position, be sure to
turn the ignition key to the ``OFF''
position.
cWhen towing with the rear wheels on
the ground, release the parking
brake.
On automatic transmission models,
to move the shift lever to the Neutral
(``N'') position, turn the ignition key
to the ``ACC'' position. After moving
the shift lever to the Neutral position,
be sure to turn the ignition key to the
``OFF'' position.
cAttach safety chains for all towing.NISSAN recommends that your vehicle be
towed with the driving (front) wheels off the
ground as illustrated.
cSpeed: Below 70MPH (115 km/h)
cDistance: Less than 500 miles (800
km)
CE1051
TOW TRUCK TOWING
5-10
ZX

Towing an automatic transmission
model with rear wheels raised (with
front wheels on the ground)
CAUTION
Never tow an automatic transmission
model with the rear wheels raised (with
the front wheels on the ground) as this
may cause serious and expensive dam-
age to the transmission. If it is neces-
sary to tow the vehicle with the rear
wheels raised, always use a towing
dolly under the front wheels.
If you have to tow an automatic
transmission model with four
wheels on ground
Observe the following restricted towing
speeds and distances.
cSpeed: Below 30 MPH (50 km/h)
cDistance: Less than 40 miles (65 km)
CAUTION
Never tow an automatic transmission
model from the rear (i.e., backward)
with four wheels on the ground as this
may cause serious and expensive dam-
age to the transmission.
VEHICLE RECOVERY (Freeing a
stuck vehicle)
cTow chains or cables must be attached
only to the main structual members of the
vehicle.
cPulling devices should be routed so they
do not touch any part of the suspension,
steering, brake or cooling systems.
cAlways pull the cable straight out from
the front or rear of the vehicle. Never pullon the vehicle at a sideways angle.
cPulling devices such as ropes or canvas
straps are not recommended for use in
vehicle towing or recovery.
CE1052
5-11
ZX

7 Do-it-yourself operations
Maintenance precautions ..................................... 7-2
Engine compartment check locations .................. 7-3
Engine cooling system ......................................... 7-5
Engine oil ............................................................ 7-8
Automatic transmission fluid .............................. 7-11
Power steering fluid............................................ 7-13
Brake fluid .......................................................... 7-13
Window washer fluid .......................................... 7-14
Battery ................................................................ 7-15
Drive belts .......................................................... 7-17
Spark plug replacement ..................................... 7-18
Air cleaner housing filter .................................... 7-19Wiper blades ...................................................... 7-20
Parking brake check........................................... 7-21
Brake pedal ........................................................ 7-21
Brake booster ..................................................... 7-22
Clutch pedal ....................................................... 7-23
Fuses .................................................................. 7-23
Light bulbs .......................................................... 7-25
Headlight aiming adjustment .............................. 7-26
Bulb replacement ............................................... 7-26
Wheels and tires ................................................ 7-32
ZX

4. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old rubber gasket
remaining on the mounting surface of the
engine.
5. Coat the rubber gasket on the new filter
with clean engine oil.
6. Screw in the oil filter until a slight resis-
tance is felt, then tighten an additional
2/3 turn.
7. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.8. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.WARNING
cWhen engine is running, keep hands
and clothing away from any moving
parts such as cooling fan and drive
belts.
cAutomatic transmission fluid is poi-
sonous and should be stored care-
fully in marked containers out of the
reach of children.
DI1154ADI0614
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
FLUID
7-11
ZX

Temperature conditions for check-
ing
cThe fluid level should be checked using
the HOT range on the dipstick after the
following conditions have been met:
Ð The engine should be warmed up to
operating temperature.
Ð The vehicle should be driven at least 5
minutes.
Ð The automatic transmission fluid should
be warmed to between 122 and 176ÉF
(50 and 80ÉC).cThe fluid can be checked at fluid tem-
peratures of 86 to 122ÉF (30 to 50ÉC)
using the COLD range on the dipstick
after the engine is warmed up and before
driving. However, the fluid should be
re-checked using the HOT range.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and then move the shift
lever through each gear range, ending in
P.
3. Check the fluid level with the engine
idling.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean
with lint-free paper.
5. Reinsert the dipstick into the charging
pipe as far as it will go.
6. Remove the dipstick and note the read-
ing. If the level is at the low side of either
range, add fluid to the charging pipe.
DO NOT OVERFILL.
Use ONLY Nissan Matic `D' (Continen-
tal U.S. and Alaska) or Genuine Nis-
san Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Canada). Dexronž III/Merconž or
equivalent may also be used. Outsidethe continental United States and
Alaska contact a Nissan dealership
for more information regarding suit-
able fluids, including recommended
brand(s) of Dexronž III/Merconž or
Dexronž IIE/Merconž Automatic
Transmission Fluid.
NOTE:
If the vehicle has been driven for a long
time at high speeds, or in city traffic in
hot weather, or if it is being used to pull
a trailer, the accurate fluid level cannot
be read. You should wait until the fluid
has cooled down (about 30 minutes) be-
fore checking fluid level.
ADI0626
7-12
ZX