1998 NISSAN SENTRA automatic transmission

When performing any inspection or mainte-
nance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The
following are general precautions which
should be closely observed.
WARNING
cPark the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
block the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. For a manual
transmission, move the gearshift
control lever to N (Neutral). For an
automatic transmission, move the
shift lever to P (Park).
cBe sure the ignition key is OFF when
performing any parts replacement or
repairs.
cBe sure to turn the ignition key to the
OFF or LOCK position. When the
ignition key is in the ON or ACC
position, the cooling fan may start to
operate suddenly even when the en-
gine is not running.cIf you must work with the engine
running, keep your hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from moving
fans, belts and any other moving
parts.
cIt is advisable to remove ties and any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.,
before working on your vehicle.
cIf you must run the engine in an
enclosed space such as a garage, be
sure there is proper ventilation for
exhaust gases.
cNever get under the vehicle while it
is supported by only a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
cKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from fuel and battery.
cOn gasoline engine models with the
Multiport Fuel Injection (MFI) sys-
tem, the fuel filter or fuel lines
should be serviced by an authorized
NISSAN dealer because the fuel
lines are under high pressure even
when the engine is off.
CAUTION
cDo not work under the hood while
the engine is hot. Turn the engine off
and wait until it cools down.
cNever connect or disconnect either
the battery or any transistorized
component connector while the igni-
tion is ON.
c
Avoid contact with used motor oil.
Improperly disposed motor oil and/or
other vehicle fluids can hurt the en-
vironment. Always conform to local
regulations for disposal of vehicle
fluid.
This ``Do-it-yourself'' section gives instruc-
tions regarding only those items which are
relatively easy for an owner to perform.
You should be aware that incomplete or
improper servicing may result in operating
difficulties or excessive emissions, and
could affect your warranty coverage.If in
doubt about any servicing, have it done
by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself
ZX

5. Wipe the engine oil filter mounting sur-
face with a clean rag.
Be sure to remove any old gasket mate-
rial remaining on the mounting surface of
the engine.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with
clean engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter until a slight resis-
tance is felt, then tighten an additional
2/3 turn.
8. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.9. Turn the engine off and wait several
minutes. Check the oil level. Add engine
oil if necessary.WARNING
cWhen engine is running, keep
hands, jewelry and clothing away
from any moving parts such as cool-
ing 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 (ATF)
Do-it-yourself8-11
ZX

TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS
FOR CHECKING ATF
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
selector lever through each gear range.
Move the shift selector lever to P (Park)
after you have moved it through all
ranges.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 through the charging
pipe.
CAUTION
DO NOT OVERFILL.
Use ONLY Nissan Matic `D' (Continen-
tal U.S. and Alaska) or Genuine Nissan
Automatic Transmission Fluid
(Canada). Dexron
TMIII/MerconTMor
equivalent may also be used. Outside
the continental United States and
Alaska contact an authorized Nissan
dealership for more information re-
garding suitable fluids, including rec-
ommended brand(s) of Dexron
TM
III/MerconTM.
ADI0653
8-12Do-it-yourself
ZX

Parking brake* ÐCheck that the lever has
the proper travel and confirm that your
vehicle is held securely on a fairly steep hill
with only the parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ``Park'' mecha-
nism ÐOn a fairly steep hill check that your
vehicle is held securely with the selector
lever in the P (Park) position without apply-
ing any brakes.
UNDER THE HOOD AND VEHICLE
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically, such as each time
you check the engine oil or refuel.
Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
Windshield washer fluid* ÐCheck for
adequate fluid in the tank.
Engine coolant level* ÐCheck the cool-
ant level when the engine is cold.
Radiator and hoses ÐCheck the front of
the radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure the hoses have no cracks, de-
formation, rot or loose connections.Brake and (if so equipped) clutch fluid
level's* ÐMake sure the brake and clutch
fluid levels are between the MIN and MAX
lines on each reservoir.
Battery* ÐCheck the fluid level in each
cell.
Engine drive belts* ÐMake sure the drive
belts are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* ÐCheck the level after
parking the vehicle on a level surface, with
the engine off. Wait a few minutes for the oil
to drain back into the oil pan.
Power steering fluid level* and lines Ð
Check the level when the fluid is cold, with
the engine off. Check the lines for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, etc.
Automatic transmission fluid level* Ð
Check the level after putting the selector
lever in P (Park) with the engine idling at
operating temperature.
Exhaust system ÐMake sure there are no
cracks, holes, loose joints or supports. If the
sound of the exhaust seems unusual or
there is a smell of exhaust fumes, immedi-
ately have the exhaust system inspected by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. (See thecarbon monoxide warning in the ``Starting
and driving'' section of this manual.)
Underbody ÐThe underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances, from the underbody, otherwise rust
may form on the floor pan, frame, fuel lines
and exhaust system. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly flushed
with plain water, especially those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulate.
See the ``Appearance and care'' section of
this manual.
Fluid leaks ÐCheck under the vehicle for
fuel, oil, water or other fluid leaks after the
vehicle has been parked for awhile. Water
dripping from the air conditioner after use is
normal. If you should notice any leaks or if
gasoline fumes are evident, check for the
cause and have it corrected immediately by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
9-4Maintenance
ZX

Additional information on the following
items with an ``*'' is found in the ``Do-it-
yourself'' section of this manual.
Emission control system
maintenance
Drive belts* ÐCheck drive belts for wear,
fraying or cracking and also for proper tension.
Replace any damaged drive belts.
Air cleaner filter ÐUnder normal driving
conditions, the air cleaner filter should be
replaced in accordance with the maintenance
schedule. However, driving the vehicle in
dusty areas may cause rapid clogging of the
element. Consequently, the element may
have to be replaced more frequently.
EVAP vapor lines ÐCheck vapor lines
and connections for leaks, looseness or
deterioration. If leaks are found, replace
them.
Fuel lines ÐCheck the fuel hoses, piping
and connections for leaks, looseness or
deterioration. Replace any damaged parts.
Fuel filter ÐIf the vehicle is operated under
extremely adverse weather conditions or in
areas where ambient temperatures are ei-
ther extremely low or extremely high, thefilter might become clogged. In such an
event, replace the filter immediately.
Engine coolant* ÐDrain and flush the
cooling system.
Engine oil & oil filter* ÐUnder normal
driving conditions, the engine oil and oil filter
should be replaced in accordance with the
maintenance schedule. However, under se-
vere driving conditions, they may have to be
replaced more frequently.
Spark plugs* ÐReplace with new plugs
having the correct heat range.
Intake & exhaust valve clearance Ð
Check and adjust the valve clearance.
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cables ÐCheck the brake
lines and hoses (including brake booster
vacuum hoses, connections & check valve)
and parking brake cables for proper attach-
ment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abrasion, de-
terioration, etc.
Brake pads, discs, drums & linings Ð
Check these and the other brake compo-
nents for wear, deterioration and leaks. Un-
der severe driving conditions, they may have
to be inspected more frequently.
Manual & automatic transmission fluid*
ÐCheck the fluid level and visually inspect
for signs of leakage. Under severe driving
conditions, the fluid should be replaced at
the specified interval.
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspen-
sion parts, and drive shaft boots Ð
Check for damage, looseness and leakage
of oil or grease. Under severe driving con-
ditions, inspection should be performed
more frequently.
Exhaust system ÐVisually check the ex-
haust pipes, muffler, and hangers for proper
attachment, leaks, cracks, chafing, abra-
sion, deterioration, etc. Under severe
driving conditions, inspection should be per-
formed more frequently.
Supplemental air bag system ÐCheck
the supplemental air bag system compo-
nents for proper attachment, damage, de-
formities, cracks, rust, etc. Work around and
on the supplemental air bag system should
be done by an authorized NISSAN dealer.
EXPLANATION OF
MAINTENANCE ITEMS
9-10Maintenance
ZX

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be a little different. When refilling, follow the procedure
instructed in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Capacity (Approximate)
Recommended Fluids and Lubricants
US
measureImp
measureLiter
Fuel 13-1/4 gal 11 gal 50 Unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of at least 87 AKI (RON 91)*1
Engine oil (Refill)
With oil filter GA16DE 3-3/8 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.2
API SG or SH and Energy Conserving II*2
API Certification Mark *2 SR20DE 3-5/8 qt 3 qt 3.4
Without oil filter GA16DE 3 qt 2-1/2 qt 2.8
SR20DE 3-3/8 qt 2-7/8 qt 3.2
Cooling system
With reservoir
Antifreeze coolant
(Ethylene glycol base) Manual transmission: SR20DE 6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt 6.2
GA16DE 5-1/2 qt 4-5/8 qt 5.2
Automatic transmission: SR20DE 6-1/2 qt 5-1/2 qt 6.2
GA16DE 6 qt 5 qt 5.7
Manual transmission gear oilRS5F31A 6-1/8 - 6-3/4 pt 5-1/8 - 5-5/8 pt 2.9 - 3.2
API GL-4, Viscosity SAE 80W - 90 only
RS5F32V 7-7/8 - 8-1/4 pt 6-1/2 - 6-7/8 pt 3.7 - 3.9
Automatic transmission fluid
Refill to the proper level according to the instructions in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section.Nissan Matic `D' (Continental U.S. and Alaska) or Genuine Nissan Auto-
matic Transmission Fluid (Canada).*3
Power steering fluidType DEXRON
TMIII or equivalent.
Brake fluidGenuine Nissan Brake Fluid*4 or equivalent
DOT 3 (US FMVSS No. 116)
Multi-purpose grease Ð Ð Ð NLGI No. 2 (Lithium Complex)
Air conditioning system refrigerant Ð Ð Ð HFC-134a (R-134a)*5
Air conditioning system lubricantsNissan A/C System Lubricant Type R or equivalent*5
*1: For further details, see ``Fuel recommendation.''
*2: For further details, see ``Recommended SAE engine oil viscosity.''
*3: Dexron
TMIII/MerconTMor equivalent may also be used. Outside the Continental United States and Alaska contact a Nissan dealership for more
information regarding suitable fluids, including recommended brand(s) of DexronTMIII/MerconTMAutomatic Transmission Fluid.
*4: Available in mainland USA through your Nissan dealer.
*5: For further details, see ªAir conditioner specification label.º
CAPACITIES AND
RECOMMENDED FUEL/
LUBRICANTS
10-2Technical and consumer information
ZX

cBe certain your rear view mirrors con-
form to all federal, state or local regula-
tions. If not, install any mirrors required
for towing before driving the vehicle.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding
of the vehicle's behavior, you should prac-
tice turning, stopping and backing up in an
area which is free from traffic. Steering,
stability, and braking performance are
somewhat different than under normal driv-
ing conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to
prevent load shift while driving.
c
Avoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
c
Always block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, and if your vehicle is
equipped with an automatic transmission,
first block the wheels and apply the park-
ing brake, and then move the transmis-
sion shift selector lever into the P position.
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
position before blocking the wheels andapplying the parking brake, transmission
damage could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, down-
shift the transmission to a lower gear
and reduce speed to reduce chances of
engine overloading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine temperature coolant rises
to an extremely high temperature when
the air conditioning system is on, turn off
the air conditioner. Coolant heat can be
additionally vented by opening the win-
dows, switching the fan control to high
and setting the temperature control to
the HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle's
first 500 miles (800 km).
cHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compen-
sate for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.cCrosswinds and rough roads adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly
causing vehicle sway. When being
passed by larger vehicles, be prepared
for possible changes in crosswinds that
could affect vehicle handling. If swaying
does occur, firmly grip the steering
wheel, steer straight ahead, and imme-
diately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination helps to stabi-
lize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the
trailer must also pass the other vehicle
before you can safely change lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency
and electrical charging performance, do
not use fifth gear (manual transmission)
or overdrive (automatic transmission).
cAvoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause
the brakes to overheat, resulting in re-
duced braking efficiency.
When towing a trailer, change the oil in
the transmission more frequently. For
additional information see the ``Mainte-
nance'' section earlier in this manual.
Technical and consumer information
10-17
ZX

11 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ........................................................ 1-5
Air bag warning light .......................... 1-11, 2-6
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-19
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations ................ 10-7
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Servicing air conditioner ......................... 4-9
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-6
Alarm system (See theft warning) ............... 2-9
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-30
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-17
Anti-lock brake warning light ....................... 2-7
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-15
Audio system
AM-FM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10
AM-FM radio with cassette player and
compact disc player.............................. 4-20
AM-FM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................................................... 4-15Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-18
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-11
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
B
Battery........................................................ 8-15
Battery
Charge warning light .............................. 2-5
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-5
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 8-17
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-17
Brake booster ....................................... 8-22
Brake fluid............................................. 8-14
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-26
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-21
Brake system ........................................ 5-17
Brake warning light ................................. 2-7
Brake wear indicators ................... 2-8, 8-22
Parking brake check ............................. 8-21
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-11
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-14
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-5C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants.................................................... 10-2
Cargo (See vehicle loading
information) .............................................. 10-13
Cassette player (See audio system) ......... 4-10
CB radio or car phone ............................... 4-26
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator light) .................. 2-8
Child restraints ................................. 1-15, 1-21
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 3-8
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and
ashtray ....................................................... 2-15
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clutch
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-23
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-19
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-6
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-3
ZX