1999 NISSAN SENTRA tow

3. Position the lap belt portionlow and
snug on the hipsas shown.
4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.
The front seat passenger side seat belt and
rear three-point seat belts have a cinching
mechanism for child restraint installation. It is
referred to as the automatic locking mode.
When automatic locking mode is activated,
the seat belt cannot be withdrawn again
until the seat belt tongue is detached from
the buckle and fully retracted. Once re-
tracted, the seat belt is in the emergencylocking mode. For additional information,
see ``Child Restraints'' later in this section.
The automatic locking mode should be
used only for child restraint installation.
During normal seat belt use by a passen-
ger, the automatic locking mode should
not be activated. If it is activated it may
cause uncomfortable seat belt tension.
Unfastening the seat belts
To unfasten the seat belt, press the button
on the buckle. The seat belt automatically
retracts.
ARS1077ARS1054
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-17
ZX

orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position,
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 fluid'' in the
``Do-it-yourself'' section of this manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by an autho-
rized 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 an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer.
cYour brake system may not be work-
ing properly if the warning light ison. 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 a 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 is wrong
with the anti-lock portion of the brake sys-
tem. Have the system checked by an autho-
rized 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 an authorized NISSAN dealer.If an abnormality occurs in the system, the
anti-lock function ceases, but the regular
braking system continues to operate.
If the light comes on while you are driving,
contact an authorized 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.
The high beam indicator light also comes on
when the passing signal is activated.
Instruments and controls
2-7
ZX

Cruise indicator light
(if so equipped)
The light comes on while the vehicle speed
is controlled by the cruise control system.
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
leaving 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.
Malfunction indicator 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 may also
come on steady or blink if the fuel filler cap
has not been closed tightly or if the fuel tank
is nearly empty. Check to make sure the fuel
cap is secure and that you have at least three
gallons (14 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
After driving for a while, the light should
remain off if no other potential emission
control system problem exists.
Operation
The malfunction indicator light will come on
in one of two ways:
cMalfunction 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.
cMalfunction indicator light blinking - An
engine misfire has been detected whichmay damage the emission control sys-
tem. To reduce or avoid emission control
system damage:
a) do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h).
b)
avoid hard acceleration or decelera-
tion.
c) avoid steep uphill grades.
d) if 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.
2-8Instruments and controls
ZX

Push the lever down to operate the wiper.
Pull the lever toward you to operate the
washer. The ignition switch must be in the
ON position for the wipers or washer to be
activated. Operating the washer automati-
cally cycles the wipers two times.
CAUTION
The following could damage the washer
system:
cOperating the washer continuously
for more than 30 seconds.cOperating the washer if the reservoir
tank is empty.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer
solution may freeze on the windshield
and obscure your vision, which may
lead to an accident. Warm the wind-
shield with the defroster before you
wash the windshield.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.
AIC0645AIC0646
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND
WASHER SWITCHREAR WINDOW DEFOGGER
SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-11
ZX

The sunroof only operates with the ignition
key in the ON position.
Sliding the sunroof
To open the sunroof, push the switch
toward DOWN/OPEN.
To close the sunroof, push the switch
toward UP/CLOSE.
Tilting the sunroof
Close the sunroof by pushing the switch
toward UP/CLOSE. Release the switch,
then push the UP/CLOSE switch to tilt the
sunroof up.To tilt the sunroof down, push the switch
toward DOWN/OPEN.
Sun shade
Open and close the sun shade by sliding it
forward or backward.
WARNING
cIn an accident, you could be thrown
from the vehicle through an open
sunroof. Always use seat belts and
child restraints properly.
cDo not allow anyone to stand up or
extend any portion of their body out
of the sunroof opening while the
vehicle is in motion, or while the
sunroof is closing.
CAUTION
cRemove water drops, snow, ice or
sand from the sunroof before open-
ing.
cDo not place heavy objects on the
sunroof or surrounding area.The interior light has a three-position switch.
The interior light operates regardless of
ignition key position.
cWhen the switch is in the OFF position,
the interior light does not illuminate, re-
gardless of door position.
cWhen the switch is in the centerj
position, the interior light illuminates
when a door is opened.
cWhen the switch is in the ON position,
the interior light illuminates, regardless of
door position.
AIC0616SIC0025
SUNROOF
(if so equipped)INTERIOR LIGHT
2-18Instruments and controls
ZX

A key number plate is supplied with your
key. Record the key number and keep it in a
safe place (such as your wallet), NOT IN
THE CAR. If you lose your keys, see an
authorized NISSAN dealer for duplicates by
using the key number. NISSAN does not
record key numbers so it is very important to
keep track of your key number plate.
A key number is only necessary when you
have lost all keys and do not have one to
duplicate from. If you still have a key, this
key can be duplicated by an authorized
NISSAN dealer or locksmith.
WARNING
cAlways have the doors locked while
driving. Along with the use of seat
belts, this provides greater safety in
the event of an accident by helping
to prevent persons from being
thrown from the vehicle. This also
helps keep children and others from
unintentionally opening the doors,
and will help keep out intruders.
cBefore opening any door, always
look for and avoid oncoming traffic.
c
Do not leave children unattended in a
locked vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches and controls.
Unattended children could become
involved in serious accidents.
MANUAL DOOR LOCK
To lock the door, turn the key towards the
front of the vehicle. To unlock, turn it to-
wards the rear.
APD1042APD1024
KEY DOOR LOCKS
3-2Pre-driving checks and adjustments
ZX

To lock the door without the key, move the
inside lock knob to the lock position, then
close the door.
When locking the door this way, be certain
not to leave the key inside the vehicle.POWER DOOR LOCK
(if so equipped)
Move the door lock/unlock button, located
on the driver's door armrest, toward the rear
of the vehicle to lock all doors. Move the
door lock/unlock button toward the front of
the vehicle to unlock all doors.If your vehicle is equipped with the theft
warning system,the power door lock sys-
tem allows you to lock or unlock all doors
simultaneously.
Turning the front door key to the front of the
vehicle locks all doors.
Turning the front door key one time to the
rear of the vehicle unlocks the corresponding
door. From that position, returning the key to
Neutral (where the key can only be removed
and inserted) and turning it to the rear again
within 5 seconds unlocks all doors.
PD1160MAPD1014APD1043
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-3
ZX

grass, waste paper or rags. They
may ignite and cause a fire.
CAUTION
c
Do not use leaded gasoline. Deposits
from leaded gasoline seriously re-
duce the three way catalyst's ability
to help reduce exhaust pollutants.
cKeep your engine tuned up. Malfunc-
tions in the ignition, fuel injection, or
electrical systems can cause overrich
fuel flow into the converter, causing it
to overheat. Do not keep driving if the
engine misfires, or if noticeable loss
of performance or other unusual op-
erating conditions are detected. Have
the vehicle inspected promptly by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
cAvoid driving with an extremely low
fuel level. Running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, damag-
ing the three way catalyst.
cDo not race the engine while warming
it up.
cDo not push or tow your vehicle to
start the engine.
WARNING
Failure to operate this vehicle in a safe
and prudent manner may result in loss
of control or an accident.
Be alert and drive defensively at all times.
Obey all traffic regulations. Avoid excessive
speed, high speed cornering, or sudden
steering maneuvers, because these driving
practices could cause you to lose control of
your vehicle.As with any vehicle, loss of
control could result in a collision with
other vehicles or objects, or cause the
vehicle to rollover, particularly if the loss
of control causes the vehicle to slide
sideways.Be attentive at all times, and
avoid driving when tired. Never drive when
under the influence of alcohol or drugs
(including prescription or over-the-counter
drugs which may cause drowsiness). Al-
ways wear your seat belt as outlined in the
``Seat belts'' section of this manual, and also
instruct your passengers to do so.WARNING
Never drive under the influence of alco-
hol or drugs. Alcohol in the blood
stream reduces coordination, delays
reaction time and impairs judgment.
Driving after drinking alcohol increases
the likelihood of being involved in an
accident injuring yourself and others.
Additionally, if you are injured in the
accident, alcohol can increase the se-
verity of injury.
NISSAN is committed to safe driving. How-
ever, you must choose not to drive under
the influence of alcohol. Every year thou-
sands of people are injured or killed in
alcohol related accidents. Although the local
laws vary on what is considered to be
legally intoxicated, the fact is that alcohol
affects all people differently and most
people underestimate the effects of alcohol.
Remember, drinking and driving don't mix!
And that is true for drugs, too (over the
counter, prescription, and illegal drugs). Do
not drive if your ability to operate your
vehicle is impaired by alcohol, drugs, or
some other physical condition.
AVOIDING COLLISION AND
ROLLOVERDRINKING ALCOHOL/DRUGS
AND DRIVING
Starting and driving5-3
ZX