2000 NISSAN SENTRA tow

If the vehicle front body has been repaired
and/or the headlight assembly has been
replaced, check aiming. Use the aiming
chart shown in the illustration.
cBasic illuminating area should be within
the range shown. Adjust headlamps ac-
cordingly.
FOG LIGHTS (if so equipped)
Replacing the fog light bulb
1. Remove screw.
2. Disconnect connector.
3. Push the fog light assembly towards the
front of the vehicle and pull out to expose
the rear of the assembly.
4. Rotate the bulb cover counterclockwise
and remove.
5. Lift the spring retainer.
6. Remove the fog light bulb from housing.
7. Disconnect the electrical connector.
LDI0028
8-32Do-it-yourself
ZX

cTire tread of the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire will wear at a faster
rate than the standard tire. Replace
the spare tire as soon as the tread
wear indicators appear.
cDo not use the spare tire on other
vehicles.
cDo not use more than one spare tire
at the same time.
cDo not tow a trailer when the TEM-
PORARY USE ONLY spare tire is
installed.CAUTION
c
Do not use tire chains on the TEMPO-
RARY USE ONLY spare tire. Tire
chains will not fit properly and may
cause damage to the vehicle.
cBecause the TEMPORARY USE
ONLY spare tire is smaller than the
original tire, ground clearance is re-
duced. To avoid damage to the ve-
hicle, do not drive over obstacles.
Also, do not drive the vehicle
through an automatic car wash since
it might get caught.
Do-it-yourself
8-41
ZX

To ensure smooth, trouble-free, safe and
economical driving, NISSAN provides two
periodic maintenance schedules that may be
used, depending upon the conditions in
which you usually drive. These schedules
contain both distance and time intervals, up
to 60,000 miles (96,000 km)/48 months. For
most people, the odometer reading indicates
when service is needed. However, if you
drive very little, your vehicle should be ser-
viced at the regular time intervals shown in
the schedules.After 60,000 miles (96,000
km)/48 months, continue periodic mainte-
nance at the same mileage/time intervals.
SCHEDULE ONE
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule One
if your driving habits frequently include one
or more of the following driving conditions:
cRepeated short trips of less than 5
miles (8 km).
cRepeated short trips of less than 10
miles (16 km) with outside tempera-
tures below freezing.
cOperating the vehicle in hot weather
during stop-and-go ``rush hour'' traf-
fic.cExtensive idling and/or low speed
driving for long distances, such as
police, taxi or door-to-door delivery
use.
cDriving in dusty conditions.
cDriving on rough, muddy, or salt
spread roads.
cTowing a trailer, using a camper or a
car-top carrier.
SCHEDULE TWO
Follow Periodic Maintenance Schedule Two
if none of the driving conditions shown in
Schedule One apply to your driving habits.
PERIODIC MAINTENANCE
SCHEDULES
Maintenance9-5
ZX

Schedule 1
Abbreviations: I = Inspect. Correct or replace if necessary.
MAINTENANCE OPERATIONMAINTENANCE INTERVAL
Perform at number of miles,
kilometers or months, whichever
comes first.Miles ý 1,000 7.5 15 22.5 30 37.5 45 52.5 60
(km ý 1,000) (12) (24) (36) (48) (60) (72) (84) (96)
Months 6 12 18 24 30 36 42 48
Chassis and body maintenance
Brake lines & cablesIIII
Brake pads & rotors (SR20DE engine)IIIIIIII
Brake pads, rotors, drums & linings (QG18DE engine)IIIIIIII
Manual transmission gear oil & automatic transmission fluid See NOTE (1)IIII
Steering gear & linkage, axle & suspension partsIIIIIIII
Tire Rotation See NOTE (3)
Exhaust systemIIIIIIII
Front drive shaft bootsIIIIIIII
Supplemental air bag and supplemental
side air bag (if so equipped) system See NOTE (2)
NOTE: (1) If towing a trailer, using a camper or a car-top carrier, or driving on rough or muddy roads, change (not just inspect) oil (exc. LSD) at
every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) or 24 months and change LSD gear oil every 15,000 miles (24,000 km) or 12 months.
(2) Inspect the supplemental air bag system 10 years after the date of manufacture noted on the F.M.V.S.S. certification label.
(3) Refer to ªTire rotationº under the ªGeneral maintenanceº heading earlier in this section.
Maintenance9-7
ZX

10 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ......10-2
Fuel recommendation...........................................10-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation..............10-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number.................10-7
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ..................................10-7
Specifications .......................................................10-8
Engine ..................................................................10-8
Wheels and tires ..................................................10-9
Dimensions and weights ......................................10-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ..................................................10-10
Vehicle identification ..........................................10-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate...........10-10
Vehicle identification number
(chassis number) ................................................10-10
Engine serial number .........................................10-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..............................10-11
Emission control information label .....................10-12Tire placard ........................................................10-12
Air conditioner specification label.......................10-12
Installing front license plate................................10-13
Vehicle loading information ................................10-14
Terms .................................................................10-14
Determining vehicle load capacity .....................10-14
Loading tips ........................................................10-14
Trailer towing ......................................................10-15
Maximum load limits...........................................10-15
Towing load/specification chart ..........................10-16
Towing safety .....................................................10-16
Uniform tire quality grading ................................10-19
Emission control system warranty .....................10-20
Reporting safety defects (US only) ....................10-20
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) .....................................................10-20
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ..........................................................10-22
ZX

FUEL RECOMMENDATION
Your vehicle is designed to operate on
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of at least 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index)
(Research octane number 91).
CAUTION
cUsing a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect
the warranty coverage.
cUnder no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used since this
will damage the three way catalyst.
Reformulated Gasoline
Some fuel suppliers are now producing re-
formulated gasolines. These gasolines are
specially designed to reduce vehicle emis-
sions. NISSAN supports efforts towards
cleaner air and suggests that you use refor-
mulated gasoline when available.
Gasoline containing oxygenates
Some fuel suppliers sell gasoline containing
oxygenates such as ethanol, MTBE and
methanol with or without advertising theirpresence. NISSAN does not recommend
the use of fuels of which the oxygenate
content and the fuel compatibility for your
NISSAN cannot be readily determined. If in
doubt, ask your service station manager.
If you use oxygenate-blend gasoline, please
take the following precautions as the usage
of such fuels may cause vehicle performance
problems and/or fuel system damage.
cThe fuel should be unleaded and
have an octane rating no lower than
that recommended for unleaded
gasoline.
cIf an oxygenate-blend other than a
methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 10% oxygenate.
(MTBE may, however, be added up to
15%.)
cIf a methanol blend is used, it should
contain no more than 5% methanol
(methyl alcohol, wood alcohol). It
should also contain a suitable
amount of appropriate cosolvents
and corrosion inhibitors. If not prop-
erly formulated with appropriate co-
solvents and corrosion inhibitors,
such methanol blends may causefuel system damage and/or vehicle
performance problems. At this time,
sufficient data is not available to en-
sure that all methanol blends are suit-
able for use in NISSAN vehicles.
If any driveability problems such as engine
stalling and hard hot-starting are experi-
enced after using oxygenate-blend fuels,
immediately change to a non-oxygenate
fuel or a fuel with a low blend of MTBE.
Take care not to spill gasoline during
refueling. Gasoline containing oxygen-
ates can cause paint damage.
Aftermarket Fuel Additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of
any fuel additives (i.e., fuel injector cleaners,
octane boosters, intake valve deposit re-
movers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum,
varnish or deposit removal may contain ac-
tive solvents or similar ingredients that can
be harmful to the fuel system and engine.
Octane rating tips
In most parts of North America, you should
use unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
Technical and consumer information
10-3
ZX

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

handles. This could result in loss of
control and cause personal injury.
cOverloading can shorten the life of
the vehicle. Failures caused by over-
loading are not covered by the vehi-
cle's warranty.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo.
Remember that towing a trailer places ad-
ditional loads on your vehicle's engine, drive
train, steering, braking and other systems.
A Nissan Trailer Towing Guide (U.S. only)
containing information on trailer towing abil-
ity and the special equipment required may
be obtained from an authorized NISSAN
dealer.MAXIMUM LOAD LIMITS
Maximum trailer loads
Never allow the total trailer load to exceed
1,000 lb (454 kg). The total trailer load
equals trailer weight plus its cargo weight.
Towing loads greater than 1,000 lb (454 kg)
or using improper towing equipment could
adversely affect vehicle handling, braking
and performance.
The ability of your vehicle to tow a trailer is
not only related to the maximum trailer
loads, but also the places you plan to tow.
Tow weights appropriate for level highway
driving may have to be reduced on very
steep grades or in low traction situations (for
example, on slippery boat ramps).
WARNING
Vehicle damage and/or personal injury
resulting from improper towing proce-
dures are not covered by NISSAN war-
ranties. A NISSAN Trailer Towing Guide
(U.S. only) containing information on
trailer towing ability and the special
equipment required may be obtained
from an authorized NISSAN dealer.
TI1011M
TRAILER TOWING
Technical and consumer information10-15
ZX