1998 NISSAN SENTRA engine

To defog the rear window glass, start the
engine and push the rear window defogger
switch on. (The indicator light on the switch
comes on.) Push the switch again to turn
the defogger off.
The rear window defogger switch automati-
cally turns off after approximately 15 min-
utes.
CAUTION
When cleaning the inner side of the
rear window, be careful not to scratch
or damage the rear window defogger.
AIC0646
REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
SWITCH
2-12Instruments and controls
ZX

Lighting
Turn the switch to theposition:
The front parking, tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights come on.
Turn the switch to the
position:
The headlights come on and all the other
lights remain on.
To select the high beam function, push the
lever forward. The high beam lights come
on and the
light illuminates. Pull it
back to select the low beam.
Passing signal
Pulling and releasing the lever flashes the
headlight high beams on and off.
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT
SYSTEM (Canada only)
The headlights automatically illuminate at a
reduced intensity when the engine is started
with the parking brake released. The day-
time running lights operate with the head-
light switch in the OFF position or in the
position. Turn the headlight switch
to theposition for full illumination
when driving at night.If the parking brake is applied before the
engine is started, the daytime running lights
do not illuminate. The daytime running lights
illuminate once the parking brake is re-
leased. The daytime running lights will re-
main on until the ignition switch is turned off.
WARNING
When the daytime running light system
is active, tail lights on your vehicle are
not on. It is necessary at dusk to turn
on your headlights. Failure to do so
could cause an accident injuring your-
self and others.
AIC1038
HEADLIGHT AND TURN
SIGNAL SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-13
ZX

1. Pull the hood lock release handles1
located below the instrument panel. The
hood will spring up slightly.
2. Pull up on the lever
s2at the front of the
hood with your fingertips and raise the
hood.
3. Insert the support rod into the slot
marked with the arrow on the underside
of the hood.
4. When closing the hood, reset the support
rod to its original position, lower the hood
to approximately 12 inches above the
latch and release it. This allows proper
engagement of the hood latch.
WARNING
cMake sure the hood is completely
closed and latched before driving.
Failure to do so could cause the
hood to fly open and result in an
accident.
cIf you see steam or smoke coming
from the engine compartment, to
avoid injury do not open the hood.
APD1044APD1018
HOOD RELEASE
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-9
ZX

WARNING
cGasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain con-
ditions. You could be burned or se-
riously injured if it is misused or
mishandled. Always stop the engine
and do not smoke or allow open
flames or sparks near the vehicle
when refueling.
cFuel may be under pressure. Turn
the cap one-half turn and wait for
any ``hissing'' sound to stop to pre-
vent fuel from spraying out and pos-
sibly causing personal injury. Then
remove the cap.
cDo not attempt to top off the fuel
tank after the fuel pump nozzle shuts
off automatically. Continued refuel-
ing may cause fuel overflow, result-
ing in fuel spray and possibly fire.
cUse only a genuine NISSAN fuel filler
cap as a replacement. It has a built-in
safety valve needed for proper op-
eration of the fuel system and emis-
sion control system. An incorrect
cap can result in a serious malfunc-
tion and possible injury.cNever pour fuel into the throttle body
to attempt to start your vehicle.
CAUTION
cIf fuel is spilled on the car body,
flush it away with water to avoid
paint damage.
cTighten until the cap clicks. Failure
to tighten the fuel cap properly may
cause the
malfunction indica-
tor light (MIL) to illuminate. If this
occurs, securely close the fuel filler
cap. After driving for a while, the
light should remain off. If the light
remains on, have the vehicle in-
spected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer.
For additional information, see the
``Malfunction indicator light (MIL)'' in
the ``Instruments and controls'' sec-
tion.Put the fuel filler cap on the cap holder while
refueling.
APD0621
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-13
ZX

WARNING
cThe air conditioner cooling function
operates only when the engine is
running.
cDo not leave children, unreliable
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
On hot, sunny days, temperatures in
a closed vehicle could quickly be-
come high enough to cause severe
or possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals.
cDo not use the recirculation mode
for long periods as it may cause the
interior air to become stale and the
windows to fog up.
cPositioning of the heater and air con-
ditioner controls should not be done
while driving, in order that full atten-
tion may be given to the driving
operation.
CONTROLS
Fan control dial
This dial turns the fan on and off, and
controls fan speed.
Air flow control dial
This dial allows you to select the air flow
outlets.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators.
Ð Air flows from center and side
ventilators and foot outlets.
Ð Air flows mainly from foot outlets.
Ð Air flows from defroster outlets
and foot outlets.
Ð Air flows mainly from defroster
outlets.
The air flow control dial also has intermedi-
ate positions which allow the air flow to be
distributed between two of the icon posi-
tions on the air flow control dial.
Temperature control dial
This dial allows you to adjust the tempera-
ture of the outlet air.
AHA1032
HEATER AND AIR
CONDITIONER
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-3
ZX

Air recirculation button
(if so equipped)
NOTE:
The air recirculation feature is available
only on those vehicles equipped with air
conditioning.
OFF position (indicator light OFF):
Outside air is drawn into the passenger
compartment and distributed through the
selected outlets.
Use the OFF position for normal heater or
air conditioner operation.
ON position (indicator light ON):
Interior air is recirculated inside the vehicle.
Depress the air recirculation button to acti-
vate the recirculation function when driving
on a dusty road or to avoid traffic fumes.
The air recirculation function is also used to
improve A/C performance during extremely
hot or humid conditions.
Air conditioner button
(if so equipped)
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (one to four) position, and push
the air conditioner button to turn on the air
conditioner. The indicator light comes on
when the air conditioner is on. To turn off the
air conditioner, push the button again.
The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode is used to direct hot air mainly
from the floor outlets. A small amount of air
also flows from the defrost outlets.
1. Push the air recirculation button (if so
equipped) to the OFF position for normal
heating.
2. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control dial to thedesired position between the middle and
the hot position.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air from the side
and center vents.
1. Push the air recirculation button (if so
equipped) to the OFF position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode is used to defrost/defog the
windows.
1. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
cWhen the
position is selected the
(air recalculation) function auto-
matically cancels. Outside air is drawn
into the passenger compartment to im-
prove the defogging performance.
4-4Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX

2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the hot position.
cIf it is difficult to defog the windshield
glass, turn the air conditioner on (if so
equipped). This helps dehumidify the air.
Bi-level heating
This mode directs cooler air from the side
and center vents and warmer air from the
floor outlets. When the temperature control
dial is moved to the full hot or full cool
position, the air between the vents and the
floor outlets is the same temperature.
1. Push the air recirculation button (if so
equipped) to the OFF position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
the desired position.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the interior and defogs the
windshield.
1. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
cWhen the
position is selected the
(air recalculation) function auto-
matically cancels. Outside air is drawn
into the passenger compartment to im-
prove the defogging performance.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position between the middle and
the hot position.
Operating tips
Clear snow and ice from the wiper
blades and air inlet in front of the wind-
shield. This improves heater operation.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION
(if so equipped)
Start the engine, move the fan control dial to
the desired (one to four) position, and push
in the air conditioner button to activate theair conditioner. When the air conditioner is
on, cooling and dehumidifying functions are
added to the heater operation.
The air conditioner cooling function op-
erates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify
the air.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
OFF position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push on the air conditioner button. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
4-5
ZX

For quick cooling when the outside tem-
perature is high, push the air recirculation
button to the ON position. Be sure to return
the air recirculation button to the OFF posi-
tion for normal cooling.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidify
the air.
1. Push the air recirculation button to the
OFF position.
2. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
3. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
4. Push on the air conditioner button. The
indicator light comes on.
5. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows
and dehumidify the air.
1. Move the air control dial to the
po-
sition.
cWhen the
position is selected the
(air recalculation) function auto-
matically cancels. Outside air is drawn
into the passenger compartment to im-
prove the defogging performance.
2. Move the fan control dial to the desired
position.
3. Push on the air conditioner button. The
indicator light comes on.
4. Move the temperature control dial to the
desired position.
Operating tips
cKeep windows and sunroof closed while
the air conditioner is in operation.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for two or
three minutes with the windows open to
vent hot air from the passenger compart-
ment. Then, close the windows. This
allows the air conditioner to cool the
interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for about ten minutes at
least once a month. This helps pre-
vent damage to the system due to lack
of lubrication.
cIf the engine coolant temperaturegauge indicates engine coolant tem-
perature over the normal range, turn
the air conditioner off. See ``If your
vehicle overheats'' in the ``In case of
emergency'' section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and
dial positions forMAXIMUM AND QUICK
heating, cooling or defrosting.The air recir-
culation switch should always be in the
OFF position for heating and defrosting.
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
ZX