1997 NISSAN SENTRA air con

NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM
NISSAN CARES ...
Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with
your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist
you with all your automobile sales and service needs.
However, if there is something that your NISSAN
dealer cannot assist you with or you would like to
provide NISSAN directly with comments or questions,
please contact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs Depart-
ment using our toll-free number:
For U.S. mainland customers
1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261)
For Hawaii customers
(808) 836-0888 (Oahu Number)
For Canada customers
1-800-387-0122
The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the following infor-
mation:
Ð Your name, address, and telephone number
Ð Vehicle identification number (on dashboard)
Ð Date of purchase
Ð Current odometer reading
Ð Your NISSAN dealer's name
Ð Your comments or questionsOR
You can write to NISSAN with the information on the left at:
For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers
Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 191
Gardena, California 90248-0191
For Hawaii customers
Nissan Motor Corporation in Hawaii
2880 Kilihau St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
For Canada customers
Nissan Canada Inc.
P.O. Box 1709, Station ``B''
Mississauga, Ontario L4Y 4H6
We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle.
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ContentsInstruments and controls
Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Heater, air conditioner and audio system
Starting and driving
In case of emergency
Appearance and interior care
Do-it-yourself operations
Maintenance schedule
Technical and consumer information
Index
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

Speedometer
The speedometer indicates vehicle speed.
Odometer
The odometer records the total distance the
vehicle has been driven.
Trip Odometer
The trip odometer records the distance of
individual trips. Before each trip, set the trip
odometer to zero by pushing the reset
button.The tachometer indicates engine speed in
revolutions per minute (r/min).
CAUTION
When engine speed approaches the
red zone, shift to a higher gear. Oper-
ating the engine in the red zone may
cause serious engine damage.The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature varies with
the outside air temperature and driving
conditions.
AIC0643AIC0644AIC0699
SPEEDOMETER AND
ODOMETERTACHOMETER (if so equipped) ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE
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charging system. Turn the engine off and
check the generator belt. If the belt is loose,
broken, or missing, or if the light remains on,
see your NISSAN dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the generator
belt is loose, broken or missing.
Low fuel warning light
(if so equipped)
This light comes on when the fuel in the tank
is getting low. Refuel as soon as it is con-
venient, preferably before the fuel gauge
reaches E.
There should be a small reserve of fuel
remaining in the tank when the fuel gauge
reaches E.
Door ajar warning light
(if so equipped)
This light comes on when any of the doors
are not closed securely while the ignition
key is ON.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever
the ignition key is turned to ON, and re-
mains illuminated until the driver's seat belt
is fastened. At the same time, the chime
sounds for about seven seconds unless the
driver's seat belt is securely fastened.
Refer to ªSeat beltsº in the ªPre-driving
checks and adjustmentsº section for pre-
cautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
(if so equipped)
When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag system needs servic-
ing and your vehicle must be taken to your
nearest authorized NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag warning lightdoes not come on and remain on for 7
seconds and then go off as described
above.
2. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the Supple-
mental Restraint System (Supplemental air
bag system) may not function properly. For
additional details see ``Supplemental Re-
straint System'' in the ``Pre-driving checks
and adjustments'' section.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental air bag system will not
operate in an accident.
Low washer fluid warning
light (for Canada)
This light comes on when the washer fluid is
at a low level. Add washer fluid as necessary.
See the ``Do-it-yourself operations'' section.
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orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
The light comes on when the parking brake is
applied, and also warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine is
running with the parking brake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. See ``Brake and
clutch fluid'' in the ``Do-it-yourself opera-
tions'' section.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
cIf the level is below the MINIMUM
mark on the brake fluid reservoir, do
not drive until the brake system has
been checked at a NISSAN dealer.
cYour 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 care-fully to the nearest service station
for repairs. Otherwise, have your ve-
hicle towed because driving it could
be dangerous.
cPressing the brake pedal with the
engine stopped and/or low brake
fluid level may increase your stop-
ping distance and braking will re-
quire greater pedal effort as well as
pedal travel.
orAnti-lock brake
warning light
(if so equipped)
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate something wrong
with the anti-lock portion of the brake sys-
tem. Have the system checked by your
Nissan dealer.
Turn off the engine, and start it again by
slowly turning the ignition key (quickly
doing so may cause the ABS light to stay
on when there is nothing wrong). If the
light stays on, have the system checked
by your NISSAN dealer.
If an abnormality occurs in the system, theanti-lock function ceases, but the regular
braking system continues to operate.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact your NISSAN dealer for repair.
O/D OFFOverdrive off indicator light
(automatic transmission
models only)
This light comes on when the overdrive
switch is pushed to the OFF
position.
Turn signal/hazard indicator
lights
The appropriate light flashes when the turn
signal lever switch is activated.
Both lights flash when the hazard switch is
turned on.
High beam indicator light
This blue light comes on when the headlight
high beam is on and goes out when the low
beam is selected.
Cruise indicator light
(if so equipped)
The light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system.
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Key reminder chime
A chime sounds if the driver side door is
opened while the key is left in the ignition
switch. Remove the key and take it with you
when leaving the vehicle.
Light reminder chime
A chime sounds when the driver side door is
opened if the headlights or parking lights
are on (ignition switch is turned off).
Turn the headlight control switch off before
you leave the vehicle.
Brake pad wear warning
The disc brake pads have audible wear
warnings. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, it makes a high pitched scraping
sound when the vehicle is in motion,
whether or not the brake pedal is de-
pressed. Have the brakes checked as soon
as possible if the warning sound is heard.
orMalfunction indi-
cator light (MIL)
If the malfunction indicator light comes on
steady or blinks while the engine is running,it may indicate a potential emission control
problem.
The malfunction indicator light will come on
in one of two ways:
1. Malfunction indicator light on steady - An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Have the vehicle in-
spected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your
vehicle towed to the dealer.
2. Malfunction indicator light blinking - An
engine misfire has been detected which
may damage the emission control sys-
tem. To reduce or avoid emission control
system damage:
cdo not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h).
c
avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
cavoid steep uphill grades.
cif possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.
The malfunction indicator light may stop
blinking and come on steady. Have the
vehicle inspected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. You do not need to have your vehicle
towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without
having the emission control system
checked and repaired as necessary
could lead to poor driveability, reduced
fuel economy, and possible damage to
the emission control system, which
may affect your warranty coverage.
Some conditions may cause the malfunc-
tion indicator light to come on steady or
blink. Examples are as follows:
cvehicle ran out of fuel, which caused the
engine to misfire.
cfuel filler cap was left off or improperly
installed, allowing fuel to evaporate into
the atmosphere.
If you suspect that you experienced one or
both of the above conditions, drive the ve-
hicle to an authorized NISSAN dealer and
have the vehicle inspected. Avoid any un-
necessary diagnosis during the service by
informing the dealer of the conditions listed
above that may have occurred.
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2Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Key .........................................................................2-2
Door locks ..............................................................2-2
Power door lock (if so equipped) ...........................2-3
Multi-remote control system (if so equipped).........2-3
Battery replacement ...............................................2-5
Child safety rear door lock (4-door only) ...............2-6
Hood release ..........................................................2-7................2-7
Glove box ...............................................................2-8
Trunk lid lock operation ..........................................2-8
Opener cancel lever for trunk lid (if so
equipped) ...............................................................2-9
Fuel filler lid lock operation ..................................2-10
Fuel filler cap ........................................................2-10
Front seats ...........................................................2-12
Seat adjustment ...................................................2-12
Tilting front seat (2-door model)...........................2-14
Head restraints .....................................................2-14
Rear seat ..............................................................2-15
Supplemental restraint system (supplemental
air bag system) (if so equipped) ..........................2-16Supplemental air bag system
(if so equipped) ....................................................2-20
Warning labels (if so equipped) ...........................2-22
Supplemental air bag warning light (if so
equipped) .............................................................2-22
Seat belts .............................................................2-24
Precautions on seat belt usage ...........................2-24
Child safety...........................................................2-26
3-point type with retractor ....................................2-27
2-point type without retractor (rear center lap
belt).......................................................................2-29
Seat belt extenders ..............................................2-30
Seat belt maintenance .........................................2-30
Child restraints for infants and small children......2-31
Top strap child restraint .......................................2-34
Tilting steering wheel ...........................................2-37
Outside mirror control...........................................2-38
Inside mirror .........................................................2-39
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)...............................2-39
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This Supplemental Restraint System sec-
tion contains important information concern-
ing the driver and passenger supplemental
air bags. The Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem Air Bag can help reduce impact force to
the driver and to the front passenger in
certain frontal collisions. The supplemental
air bags are designed tosupplementthe
crash protection provided by the driver and
front passenger seat belts and arenot a
substitutefor them. The seat belts should
always be correctly worn and the driver and
front passenger seated a suitable distance
from the steering wheel and instrument
panel. (See ``Seat belts'' for instructions and
precautions on seat belt usage.)
NOTE:
For Canada, some vehicles are not equipped
with a Supplemental Air Bag System.
Your vehicle may not have a Driver and
Passenger-side Supplemental Air Bag.
If your vehicle is not equipped with a
Supplemental Air Bag System,it will not
havethe following equipment:
cSupplemental Air Bag Warning Light
(see ``Supplemental air bag warning
light'' later in this section).cDriver Supplemental Air Bag (see
``Meters and gauges'' in the ``Instru-
ments and controls'' section).
cPassenger-side Supplemental Air Bag
(see ``Meters and gauges'' in the ``Instru-
ments and controls'' section).
cSupplemental Restraint System Warn-
ing Labels (see ``Warning labels'' later in
this section).
Every person who drives or rides in this vehicle
should use a seat belt at all times. Children
should be in appropriate child restraints (see
``Seat belts'' and ``Child restraints for infants
and small children'' later in this section).
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (supplemental air bag
system) (if so equipped)
2-16
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