1996 NISSAN SENTRA lights

The night position reduces glare from the
headlights of vehicles behind you at night.
CAUTION
Use the night position only when nec-
essary, because it reduces rear view
clarity.Your vehicle may be equipped with a pas-
senger side vanity mirror. To access, pull
the sun visor down.
APD0612APD0613
INSIDE MIRROR VANITY MIRROR (If so
equipped)
2-35
ZX

1) Move the shift lever into the P position.
2) Turn the ignition key slightly in the ON
direction.
3) Turn the key toward the LOCK position.
4) Remove the key.
If the key is removed from the ignition
switch, the shift lever cannot be moved from
P (Park).The shift lever can be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ACC posi-
tion. The shift lever can also be moved if
the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed.
There is an OFF position in between LOCK
and ACC, although it does not show on the
lock cylinder. When the ignition is in OFF
the steering wheel is not locked.
In order for the steering wheel to be locked,
it must be turned about 1/8 of a turn coun-
terclockwise from the straight up position,
and the key must be removed from the
ignition.WARNING
To lock the steering wheel, remove the
key. To unlock the steering wheel, in-
sert the key and turn it gently while
rotating the steering wheel slightly
right and left.
Never remove the key while driving. If
the key is removed, the steering wheel
will lock. This may cause the driver to
lose control of the vehicle and could
result in serious vehicle damage or
personal injury.
OFF (Manual transmission model) (1)
The engine can be turned off without locking
the steering wheel.
ACC (Accessories) (2)
This position activates electrical accesso-
ries such as the radio when the engine is
not running.
ON Normal operating position (3)
This position turns on the ignition system
and the electrical accessories.
START (4)
This position activates the starter motor,
which starts the engine.cMake sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
cMaintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically, e.g., each time you
check engine oil.
cCheck that all windows and lights are
clean.
cVisually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
cLock all doors.
cPosition seat and adjust head restraints.
cAdjust inside and outside mirrors.
cFasten seat belts and ask all passengers
to do likewise.
cCheck the operation of warning lights
when key is turned to the ON (3) position.
BEFORE STARTING THE
ENGINE
4-5
ZX

Push the button to shift into P, R or from D
to 2. All other positions can be selected
without pushing the button.
P (Park):
Use this selector position when the vehicle
is parked or when starting the engine. Al-
ways be sure the vehicle is at a complete
stop. For maximum safety, depress the
brake pedal, then push in the shift lever
button and move the lever to the P position.
Apply the parking brake. When parking on a
hill, apply the parking brake first, then shift
the lever into the P position.
Shifting from P (Park)
If the ignition switch is in the ON position
and the foot brake pedal is depressed, but
the shift lever still cannot be moved out of P
(Park) use the following procedure:
1. Shut the engine off and remove the key.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Reinsert the key and turn it clockwise to
the ACC position.
4.
Depress the brake pedal, move the shift
lever to N (Neutral) and start the engine.
5. Check stoplights operation.
WARNING
If the shift lever cannot be moved from
the P position while the engine is run-
ning and the brake pedal is depressed,
the stoplights may not work. Malfunc-
tioning stoplights could cause an acci-
dent injuring yourself and others.
These instructions for starting the vehicle in
N (Neutral) should only be used until service
can be obtained. Never drive the vehicle if
the stoplights are not operating properly.
R (Reverse):
Use this position to back up. Always be sure
the vehicle is completely stopped. With the
brake pedal depressed, push in the shift
lever button and move the lever to the R
position.
N (Neutral):
Neither forward nor reverse gear is en-
gaged. The engine can be started in this
position. You may shift to N and restart a
stalled engine while the vehicle is moving.
ASD0611
4-7
ZX

The cruise control allows driving at a speed
between 30 to 90 MPH (48 to 144 km/h)
without keeping your foot on the accelerator
pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the
main switch. The indicator light on the
switch comes on.
To set cruising speed,accelerate your
vehicle to the desired speed, push the
COAST/SET switch and release it. The
CRUISE indicator light comes on. Take your
foot off the accelerator pedal. Your vehicle
maintains the set speed.cTo pass another vehicle,depress the
accelerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previ-
ously 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.
To cancel the preset speed,use one of
the following three methods:
a) Push the CANCEL button; the CRUISE
light goes out.b) Tap the brake pedal; the CRUISE light
goes out.
c) Turn the main switch off. Both the ON
indicator and CRUISE lights go out.
The cruise control is automatically can-
celled and the CRUISE light goes out if:
cYou depress the brake pedal while push-
ing the ``ACCEL'' set switch.
cThe vehicle slows down more than 8
MPH (13 km/h) below the set speed.
cYou depress the clutch pedal (manual
transmission), or move the shift lever to
the N position (automatic transmission).
To reset at a faster cruising speed,use
one of the following three methods:
a) Depress the accelerator pedal. When the
vehicle attains the desired speed, push
and release the COAST/SET switch.
b) Push and hold the ACCEL set switch.
When the vehicle attains the speed you
desire, release the switch.
c) Push, then quickly release the ACCEL
set switch. Each time you do this, the set
speed increases by about 1 MPH (1.6
km/h).
ASD0604
CRUISE CONTROL
(If so equipped)
4-12
ZX

tire placard affixed to the driver side
center pillar.
cRetighten the wheel nuts when the
vehicle has been run for 600 miles
(1,000 km).
5. Securely store the spare tire and jacking
equipment in the vehicle.
WARNING
cAlways make sure that the spare tire
and jacking equipment are properly
secured after use. The jack rod may
be used to securely tighten the hold-
down bolts. Such items can become
dangerous projectiles in an accident
or sudden stop.
cThe T-type spare tire and small size
spare tire are designed for emer-
gency use. See specific instructions
under the heading ``Wheels and
tires'' in the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.To start your engine with a booster battery,
the instructions and precautions below must
be followed.
CAUTION
cIf done incorrectly, jump starting can
be hazardous.
cExplosive hydrogen gas is always
present in the vicinity of the battery.
Keep all sparks and flames away
from the battery.
c
Do not allow battery fluid to come into
contact with eyes, skin, cloth or painted
surfaces. Battery fluid is a corrosive
sulfuric acid solution which can cause
severe burns. If the fluid should come
into contact with anything, immediately
flush the contacted area with water.
cA battery rated at above 12 volts
should not be used for a booster.
cWhenever working on or near a bat-
tery, always wear suitable eye protec-
tors (e.g., goggles or industrial safety
spectacles) and remove rings, metal
bands, or any other metal jewelry.
c
Keep battery out of the reach of chil-
dren.
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause per-
sonal injury.
1.
If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their
batteries into close proximity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply the parking brake. Move the shift
lever to Neutral (On automatic transmis-
sion models, move the lever to P). Switch
off all unnecessary electrical systems
(lights, heater, air conditioner, etc.).
3. Remove vent caps on the battery (if so
equipped). Cover the battery with an old
cloth to reduce explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence
as illustrated.
CAUTION
cAlways connect positive (+) to posi-
tive (+) and negative (þ) to body
ground (e.g., strut mounting bolt, etc.
Ðnot to the battery).
JUMP STARTING
5-7
ZX

HEADLIGHTS
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type
which uses a replaceable headlight (halo-
gen) bulb. A bulb can be replaced from
inside the engine compartment without re-
moving the headlight assembly.
CAUTION
High pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb may
break if the glass envelope is scratched
or the bulb is dropped.
Hold the plastic base when handling
the bulb. Never touch the glass enve-
lope.
Removing the headlight bulb
1. Open the hood.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. If removing the right-hand (passenger
side) headlight bulb, it is necessary to
first reposition the engine coolant reser-
voir.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector from
the rear end of the bulb.5. Push down spring retainer.
6. Pull out the headlight bulb and socket as
an assembly. Do not shake or rotate the
bulb when removing it. Do not handle the
glass envelope.
Replacing the headlight bulb
1. Insert the bulb and socket assembly into
the headlight.
2. Install the spring retainer.
3. Push the electrical connector into the
bulb plastic base until it snaps and stops.
4. If installing the right-hand (passenger
side) headlight bulb, be sure to reposition
the engine coolant reservoir.
5. Connect the battery cable.
6. Close the hood.
CAUTION
DO NOT TOUCH THE BULB.
cUse the same number and wattage as
originally installed:
Type A:
Wattage 65/45
Bulb no. 9004
ADI0607
LIGHT BULBS
7-25
ZX

cAiming is not necessary after replac-
ing the bulb. When aiming adjust-
ment is necessary, contact your NIS-
SAN dealer.
cDo not leave the bulb out of the head-
light reflector for a long period of
time as dust, moisture, and smoke
may enter the headlight body and
affect the performance of the head-
light.
Before adjusting the headlights, make sure
all of the tires are properly inflated, the
vehicle is on level ground and there is no
excess weight in the vehicle that would
affect the level of the vehicle.
First, open the hood.
The vertical adjustment bolt is behind the
headlight. Turn the adjustment bolt clock-
wise to raise the headlight beam. Turn the
adjustment bolt counterclockwise to lower
the headlight beam.
The horizontal adjustment bolt is also be-
hind the headlight.To adjust the horizontal level of the headlight,
turn the adjustment bolt clockwise to turn the
headlight beam left, and turn it counterclock-
wise to turn the headlight beam right.
BULB REPLACEMENT
ItemWattage
(W)Bulb No.
Front combination light 27/8 1157NA
Rear combination light
Turn signal 27 1156
Stop/Tail 27/8 1157
Back-up (Sentra) 13 912
Back-up (200SX) 1156
License plate light 5 168
High-mounted stop
light13 912
Trunk lid-mounted
stop light13 912
Front fog lamp 35H3
(Special)
Interior light 8
Trunk light 3.4 158
ADI0619
HEADLIGHT AIMING
ADJUSTMENT
7-26
ZX

Replacement procedures
All other lights are either type A, B, C or D.
When replacing a bulb, first remove the lens
and/or cover.
MDI0006
7-28
ZX