1996 NISSAN SENTRA Owners Manual

an octane rating as low as 85 AKI (Anti-
Knock Index) in high altitude areas (over
4,000 ft [1,219 m]) such as: Colorado, Mon-
tana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, north-
eastern Nevada, southern Idaho, western
South Dakota, western Nebraska, and that
part of Texas which is directly south of New
Mexico.
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated above can cause
persistent, heavy ``spark knock.'' (``Spark
knock'' is a metallic rapping noise.) If
severe, this can lead to engine damage. If
you detect a persistent heavy spark
knock even when using gasoline of the
stated octane rating, or if you hear steady
spark knock while holding a steady
speed on level roads, have your dealer
correct the condition. Failure to correct
the condition is misuse of the vehicle, for
which NISSAN is not responsible.
Incorrect ignition timing results in knocking,
after-run and/or overheating. This in turn
may cause excessive fuel consumption or
damage to the engine. If any of the above
symptoms are encountered, have your ve-
hicle checked at a NISSAN dealer or other
competent service facility.However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is
no cause for concern, because you get
the greatest fuel benefit when there is
light spark knock for a short time under
heavy engine load.
9-4
ZX

ENGINE OIL AND OIL FILTER
RECOMMENDATION
Selecting the correct oil
It is essential to choose the correct quality
and viscosity oil to ensure satisfactory en-
gine life and performance. Nissan recom-
mends the use of a low friction oil (energy
conserving oil) in order to improve fuel
economy and conserve energy. Oils which
do not have the specified quality label
should not be used as they could cause
engine damage.
Only those engine oils with the AmericanPetroleum Institute (API) CERTIFICATION
MARK on the front of the container should
be used. This type of oil supersedes the
existing API SG or SH and Energy Conserv-
ing II categories.
If you cannot find engine oil with the CER-
TIFICATION MARK, an API SG or SH and
Energy Conserving II oil with API Service
Symbol may be used. An oil with a single
designation SG or SH, or in combination
with other categories (for example, SG/CC
or SG/CD) may also be used if one with the
API CERTIFICATION MARK cannot be
found.Mineral based or synthetic type oils may be
used in your NISSAN vehicle. These oils
must however, meet the API quality and
SAE viscosity ratings specified for your ve-
hicle. Do not mix mineral based and syn-
thetic type oils in the engine at the same
time.
Oil additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of oil
additives. The use of an oil additive is not
necessary when the proper oil type is used
and maintenance intervals are followed.
Oil which may contain foreign matter or has
been previously used should not be used.
Oil viscosity
The engine oil viscosity or thickness
changes with temperature. Because of this,
it is important to select the engine oil viscos-
ity based on the temperatures at which the
vehicle will be operated before the next oil
change. The chart ``Recommended SAE
viscosity number'' shows the recommended
oil viscosities for the expected ambient tem-
peratures. Choosing an oil viscosity other
than that recommended could cause seri-
ous engine damage.
ATI0645
9-5
ZX

Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new vehicle is equipped with a high-
quality genuine NISSAN oil filter. When
replacing, use the genuine oil filter or its
equivalent for the reason described in
``Change intervals''.
Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Oil and filter other
than the specified quality, or oil and filter
change intervals longer than recommended
could reduce engine life. Damage to en-
gines caused by improper maintenance or
use of incorrect oil and filter quality and/or
viscosity is not covered by the new NISSAN
vehicle warranties.
Your engine was filled with a high quality
engine oil when it was built. You do not have
to change the oil before the first recom-
mended change interval. Oil and filter
change intervals depend upon how you use
your vehicle. Operation under the following
conditions may require more frequent oil
and filter changes:
Ð repeated short distance driving at cold
outside temperatures,Ð driving in dusty conditions,
Ð extensive idling,
Ð towing a trailer.
9-6
ZX

RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOS-
ITY NUMBER
cSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred
for all temperatures. SAE 10W-30 vis-cosity oil may be used if the ambient
temperature is above 0ÉF (-18ÉC).
c80W-90 is preferable for outside tem-
peratures below 104ÉF (40ÉC).
ATI0646
ATI0647
9-7
ZX

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioning in your NISSAN ve-
hicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the lubricant,
Nissan A/C system lubricant Type R or
the exact equivalents.
CAUTION
Use of any other refrigerant or lubricant
will cause severe damage and you will
need to replace your vehicle's entire air
conditioning system.
The new refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in
your NISSAN vehicle does not harm the
earth's ozone layer. Although this refriger-
ant does not affect the earth's atmosphere,
certain governmental regulations require
the recovery and recycling of any refrigerant
during automotive air conditioning system
service. Your NISSAN dealer has the
trained technicians and equipment needed
to recover and recycle your air conditioning
system refrigerant.Contact your NISSAN dealer when servic-
ing your air conditioning system.
9-8
ZX

ModelGA16DE SR20DE
TypeGasoline, 4-cycle Gasoline, 4-cycle
Cylinder arrangement 4-cylinder in-line 4-cylinder in-line
Bore ý Stroke in (mm) 2.992 ý 3.465 (76.0 ý 88.0) 3.386 ý 3.386 (86.0 ý 86.0)
Displacement cu in (cm
3) 97.39 (1,596) 121.92 (1,998)
Firing order1-3-4-2 1-3-4-2
Idle speed rpm
See the ``Emission Control label'' on the underside of the hood. Ignition timing (B.T.D.C.)
degree/rpm
CO percentage at idle speed
[No air] %
Platinum-tipped type
(Standard for SR20DE)Conventional type
Spark plug Hot BKR4E-11 BKR5E
Standard BKR5E-11 PFR5B-11 BKR6E
Cold BKR6E-11 PFR6B-11, PFR7B-11 BKR7E
Camshaft operation Timing chain Timing chain
Spark plug gap in (mm) 0.039 to 0.043 (1.0 to 1.1) Ð 0.031 to 0.035 (0.8 to 0.9)
Generator belt size
Width ý Length in (mm)0.843 x 32.28
(21.4 x 820)
0.843 x 44.09
(21.4 x 1,120)*20.559 x 32.68
(14.2 x 830)
0.843 x 40.75
(21.4 x 1,035)*2
*1: With power steering *2: With air conditioner
The spark ignition system of this vehicle meets all requirements of the Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
ENGINE
9-9
ZX

200SX SENTRA Wheel
Dimension
Road wheel
139steel w/center
capÐ E* 13ý5J
139steel w/full cover S XE, GXE 13 ý 5J
149aluminum alloy SE GLE 14 x 5.5JJ
159aluminum alloy SE-R Ð 15 ý 6JJ
Offset in (mm) 1.57 (40)
Conventional tire
size
P155/80R13 E* 13 x 5J
P175/70R13 S XE, GXE 13 x 5J
P175/65R14 SE GLE 14 x 5.5JJ
P195/55R15 SE-R 15 x 6JJ
Spare tire size
T115/70D14 S, SE E*, XE, GXE,
GLE14ý4T
T135/70D15 SE-R 15 x 4T
*: base model in Canada
200SX SENTRA
Overall length in (mm) 169.8 (4,313) 170.1 (4,321)
Overall width in (mm) 66.6 (1,692) 66.6 (1,692)
Overall height in (mm) 54.2 (1,377) 54.5 (1,384)
Front tread
13-inch in (mm) 58.3 (1,481) 58.3 (1,481)
14/15-inch in (mm) 57.9 (1,471) 57.9 (1,471)
Rear tread
13-inch in (mm) 56.9 (1,445) 56.9 (1,445)
14/15-inch in (mm) 56.5 (1,435) 56.5 (1,435)
Wheelbase in (mm) 99.8 (2,535) 99.8 (2,535)
Gross vehicle weight
rating lb (kg)
See the ``F.M.V.S.S. certification
label'' on the driver's side door
pillar. Gross axle weight rating
Front lb (kg)
Rear lb (kg)
WHEEL/TIRE SIZE DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
9-10
ZX

When planning to travel in another coun-
try,you should first find out if the fuel
available is suitable for your vehicle's en-
gine.
Using fuel with too low an octane/cetane
rating may cause engine damage. All gaso-
line vehicles must be operated with un-
leaded engine gasoline. Therefore, avoid
taking your vehicle to areas where appropri-
ate fuel is not available.
When transferring the registration of
your vehicle to another country, state,
province or district,it may be necessary to
modify the vehicle to meet local laws and
regulations.
The laws and regulations for motor vehicle
emission control and safety standards vary
according to the country, state, province or
district; therefore, vehicle specifications
may differ.
When any vehicle is to be taken into
another country, state, province or dis-
trict and registered, its modifications,
transportation, and registration are the
responsibility of the user. NISSAN is not
responsible for any inconvenience that
may result.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUM-
BER PLATE
The vehicle identification number plate is
attached to the top of the instrument panel
on the driver's side. This number is the
identification for your vehicle and is used in
the vehicle registration.
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (Chassis number)
The chassis number is stamped as shown.
TI1050MATI0605
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE
IN ANOTHER COUNTRYVEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
9-11
ZX