1999 NISSAN SENTRA engine oil

Selecting the correct oil filter
Your new NISSAN vehicle is equipped with
a high-quality genuine NISSAN oil filter.
When replacing, use a genuine NISSAN oil
filter or its equivalent for the reason de-
scribed 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 the
engine 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.
10-6Technical and consumer information
ZX

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.DOT Quality Grades: All passenger car tires
must conform to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.
Quality grades can be found where appli-
cable on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on tire wear rate when tested under
controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test courses. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and a half
(1-1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. However,
relative tire performance depends on actual
driving conditions, and may vary signifi-
cantly due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent a tire's ability to stop on wet pavement
as measured under controlled conditions,
on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your
vehicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests, and does notin-
clude acceleration cornering, hydro-
planing, or peak traction characteris-
tics.
Temperature A, B and C
Temperature grades are A (the highest), B,
and C. They represent a tire's resistance to
heat build-up, and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory test
wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause tire material to degenerate, reducing
tire life. Excessive temperatures can lead to
sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds to
a performance level which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A
and B represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on laboratory test wheels than the
minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY
GRADING
10-18Technical and consumer information
ZX

Corrosion protection .................................... 7-5
Cruise control............................................. 5-13
Cup holder ................................................. 2-15
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only) ............................................ 2-12
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-11
Dimensions and weights............................ 10-9
Door ajar warning light ................................ 2-6
Door locks .................................................... 3-2
Drive belts .................................................. 8-17
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-19
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-6
Driving with manual transmission ........... 5-9
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-15
Emission control information label........... 10-12
Emission control system warranty ........... 10-19
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-5
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-6
Changing engine oil................................ 8-9Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-10
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-5
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-8
Engine compartment check locations ... 8-3,
8-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-3
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-5
Engine oil ................................................ 8-8
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-5
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-5
Engine serial number ......................... 10-11
Engine specifications ............................ 10-8
Starting the engine ............................... 5-11
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-14
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-11
Brake fluid............................................. 8-14
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-5
Engine oil ................................................ 8-8
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-13
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-14F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................... 10-11
Front fog light switch ................................. 2-13
Front seats ................................................... 1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-15
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 3-12
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-12
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-4
Fuel octane rating................................. 10-3
Fuel recommendation ........................... 10-3
Fuses ......................................................... 8-24
Fusible links ............................................... 8-24
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-3
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-4
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer............................................. 2-3
Trip odometer ......................................... 2-3
General maintenance .................................. 9-2
Glove box................................................... 3-10
H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-14
Head restraints ............................................ 1-4
Headlight aiming adjustment ..................... 8-27
11-2
ZX

Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 2-12
Headlights .................................................. 8-26
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Heater operation ..................................... 4-4
Hood release ............................................... 3-9
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Increasing fuel economy............................ 5-15
Indicator lights and chimes (See warning/
indicator lights and chimes) ......................... 2-5
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-15
Instrument brightness control .................... 2-13
Interior light ................................................ 2-18
J
Jump starting ............................................... 6-8
K
Key ............................................................... 3-2
Keyless entry system (See multi-remote
control system) ............................................ 3-4L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ....... 10-12
Emission control information label...... 10-12
Engine serial number ......................... 10-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label .............. 10-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................... 10-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-11
License plate
Installing the license plate .................. 10-13
Light
Air bag warning light ..................... 1-11, 2-6
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-27
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-5
Charge warning light .............................. 2-5
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-13
Headlight aiming adjustment ................ 8-27
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-12
Headlights ............................................. 8-26
Interior light ........................................... 2-18
Light bulbs ............................................ 8-26
Trunk light ............................................. 2-19
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ...... 2-5
Lock
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-8
Door locks............................................... 3-2
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-12
Trunk lid lock opener lever ................... 3-10Luggage (See vehicle loading
information) .............................................. 10-13
M
Maintenance
General maintenance ............................. 9-2
Inside the vehicle.................................... 9-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Outside the vehicle ................................. 9-2
Periodic maintenance schedules ............ 9-5
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-21
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ................. 2-8
Manual windows ........................................ 2-16
Meters and gauges ...................................... 2-2
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 3-15
Outside mirror control ........................... 3-14
Vanity mirror ......................................... 3-15
Multi-remote control system ........................ 3-4
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ...... 10-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine oil................................ 8-9
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-10
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-8
11-3
ZX

Engine oil ................................................ 8-8
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-5
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-5
Opener lever for trunk lid........................... 3-10
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-14
Overdrive switch ................................... 5-8, 5-9
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-10
Owner's manual order form ..................... 10-21
Owner's manual/service manual order
forms ........................................................ 10-21
P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-22
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-12
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-16
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 9-5
Power
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-13
Power windows..................................... 2-16
Rear power windows ............................ 2-17
Power Lock
Power door locks .................................... 3-3
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-13
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting .............................................. 6-10R
Radio
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 .................................................... 4-15
CB radio or car phone .......................... 4-27
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test ........................................................... 10-20
Rear power windows ................................. 2-17
Rear seat ..................................................... 1-5
Rear window defogger switch ................... 2-11
Refrigerant recommendation ..................... 10-7
Registering your vehicle in another
country ..................................................... 10-10
Remote keyless entry system (See
multi-remote control system) ....................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............... 10-19
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-8
Reporting safety defects (USA) .......... 10-19
Seat adjustment ........................................... 1-2
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-13
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-21
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-21
Seat belts.............................................. 1-13Shoulder belt height adjustment ........... 1-18
Three-point type with retractor ............. 1-16
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-6
Seats
Front seats.............................................. 1-2
Rear seat ................................................ 1-5
Servicing air conditioner .............................. 4-9
Shift lock release ......................................... 5-5
Shifting
Automatic transmission .......................... 5-7
Manual transmission............................. 5-10
Shoulder belt height adjustment ................ 1-18
Spark plug replacement............................. 8-18
Speedometer ............................................... 2-3
SRS warning label ..................................... 1-11
Starting
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-5
Jump starting .......................................... 6-8
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting......................................... 6-10
Starting the engine ............................... 5-11
Steering
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-13
Tilting steering wheel............................ 3-14
Stop light .................................................... 8-27
Sunroof ...................................................... 2-18
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).................... 1-6
Switch
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-17
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-13
Hazard warning flasher switch ............. 2-14
11-4
ZX

Recommended fuel:
Unleaded gasoline, at least 87 AKI (RON 91).
For further information on items such as gaso-
hol, see ``Fuel recommendation'' in the ``Tech-
nical and consumer information'' section.
Recommended engine oil:
cAPI Certification Mark
cAPI grade SG/SH, Energy Conserving II
or API grade SJ, Energy Conserving
c
ILSAC grade GF-II
See ``Engine oil and oil filter recommenda-
tion'' in the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section.
Tire cold pressure:
See tire placard affixed to the driver side
center pillar.
Recommended new vehicle
break-in procedure:
During the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of
vehicle use, follow the recommendations out-
lined in the ªBREAK-IN SCHEDULE Informa-
tion found in the ªStarting and Drivingº section
of this Owner's Manual. Follow these recom-
mendations for the future reliability and
economy of your new vehicle. Failure to follow
these recommendations may result in vehicle
damage or shortened engine life.
AGS1011
GAS STATION INFORMATION QUICK REFERENCE
ZX