2000 NISSAN SENTRA checking oil

orBrake warning lightLow washer fluid warning light
(Canada only)CRUISE ONzOFF switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsorAnti-lock brake warning
light (if so equipped)Cruise SET indicator light
(if so equipped)
High beam indicator light (Blue)Overdrive off indicator light
(automatic transmission only)Supplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightMalfunction indicator lampSeat belt warning light and chime
Door open warning lightEngine oil pressure warning lightLow fuel warning light
CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking
brake and turn the ignition key to the ON
position without starting the engine. The
following lights will come on:
,,or,,,
If equipped, the following lights come on
briefly and then go off:
or
If any light fails to come on, it may
indicate a burned-out bulb or an open
circuit in the electrical system. Have thesystem repaired promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Usethe dipstick to check the oil level.See
``Engine oil'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section
of this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause seri-
ous damage to the engine almost im-
mediately. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Instruments and controls2-7
ZX

8 Do-it-yourself
Maintenance precautions .......................................8-2
Engine compartment check locations -
QG engine .............................................................8-4
Engine compartment check locations -
SR engine ..............................................................8-5
Engine cooling system ...........................................8-6
Checking engine coolant level ...............................8-6
Changing engine coolant .......................................8-8
Engine oil ...............................................................8-9
Checking engine oil level .......................................8-9
Changing engine oil .............................................8-10
Changing engine oil filter .....................................8-12
Automatic transmission fluid ................................8-13
Temperature conditions for checking ...................8-14
Power steering fluid..............................................8-15
Brake fluid ............................................................8-15
Clutch fluid............................................................8-16
Window washer fluid ............................................8-16
Battery ..................................................................8-17
Jump starting ........................................................8-18
Drive belts ............................................................8-19
Spark plug ............................................................8-20Replacing spark plugs ..........................................8-20
Air cleaner ............................................................8-21
Windshield wiper blades ......................................8-22
Cleaning ...............................................................8-22
Replacing .............................................................8-22
Parking brake and brake pedal ............................8-23
Checking park brake ............................................8-23
Checking brake pedal ..........................................8-23
Brake booster .......................................................8-24
Clutch pedal .........................................................8-25
Checking clutch pedal ..........................................8-25
Fuses ....................................................................8-25
Engine compartment ............................................8-25
Passenger compartment ......................................8-27
Multi-remote controller battery replacement ........8-28
Lights ....................................................................8-29
Headlights ............................................................8-29
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................................8-32
Exterior and interior lights ....................................8-33
Wheels and tires ..................................................8-36
Tire pressure ........................................................8-36
Types of tires........................................................8-37
ZX

4. Close the drain plugs on the radiator and
the engine block securely.
5. See the ``Technical and consumer infor-
mation'' section for cooling system ca-
pacity. Fill the radiator slowly with the
proper mixture of coolant and water. Fill
the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
6. Open and close the air release plug(s) to
release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
7.
Start the engine, and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine two or three times
under no load. Watch the engine coolant
temperature gauge for signs of overheating.
8. Stop the engine. After it completely
cools down, refill the radiator up to the
filler opening. Fill the reservoir tank up to
the MAX level.
9. Open and close the air release plug(s)
to release air. Then fill the radiator again
and install the radiator cap.
10. Check the drain plugs on the radiator
and the engine block for any sign of
leakage. Also check the air release plug
for any sign of leakage.CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it
reaches operating temperature.
ADI0615DI1249MWDI0014
ENGINE OIL
Do-it-yourself8-9
ZX

Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Corrosion protection .................................... 7-5
Cruise control............................................. 5-14
Cup holders ............................................... 2-21
D
Daytime running light system (Canada
only) ........................................................... 2-17
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch .............. 2-16
Dimensions and weights............................ 10-9
Door locks .................................................... 3-3
Door open warning light .............................. 2-8
Drive belts .................................................. 8-19
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-20
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-7
Driving with manual transmission ......... 5-11
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
E
Economy - fuel........................................... 5-16
Emission control information label........... 10-12
Emission control system warranty ........... 10-20
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine coolant........................ 8-8Changing engine oil.............................. 8-10
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-12
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-6
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-9
Engine compartment check
locations .......................................... 8-4, 8-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-6
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-7
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-5
Engine serial number ......................... 10-11
Engine specifications ............................ 10-8
Starting the engine ................................. 5-7
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
Explanation of maintenance items .............. 9-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-18
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-13
Brake fluid............................................. 8-15
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-16
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-6Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-15
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-16
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................... 10-11
Front fog light switch ................................. 2-18
Front seats ................................................... 1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-16
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 3-12
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-12
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-5
Fuel octane rating................................. 10-3
Fuel recommendation ........................... 10-3
Fuses ......................................................... 8-25
Fusible links ............................................... 8-25
G
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-5
Odometer ................................................ 2-3
Speedometer .......................................... 2-3
Tachometer............................................. 2-4
Trip odometer ......................................... 2-4
General maintenance .................................. 9-2
Glasses case ............................................. 2-21
Glove box................................................... 2-22
11-2
ZX

N
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS) ......................................... 2-11, 3-2, 5-6
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ...... 10-3
Odometer ..................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants .............................................. 10-2
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-10
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-12
Checking engine oil level ....................... 8-9
Engine oil ................................................ 8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ................................... 10-5
Engine oil viscosity ............................... 10-5
Opener lever for trunk lid........................... 3-10
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-15
Overdrive switch ........................................ 5-10
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-10
Owner's manual order form ..................... 10-22
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ............................................... 10-22P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-23
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-13
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-17
Periodic maintenance schedules ................. 9-5
Power
Power door locks .................................... 3-4
Power socket ........................................ 2-19
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-15
Power steering system ......................... 5-18
Power windows..................................... 2-25
Rear power windows ............................ 2-26
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-2
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-18
Precautions when starting and driving ... 5-2
Push starting .............................................. 6-10
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio ......................... 4-23
Compact Disc (CD) changer ................ 4-20
FM-AM radio with cassette player ........ 4-10
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................................................... 4-15
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test................................................... 10-20
Rear power windows ................................. 2-26Rear window defogger switch ................... 2-16
Refrigerant recommendation ..................... 10-7
Registering your vehicle in another
country ..................................................... 10-10
Remote keyless entry system
(See multi-remote control system) .............. 3-5
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............... 10-20
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) .......... 10-20
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment................ 1-2
Rear seat adjustment ............................. 1-4
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage............ 1-18
Seat belt extenders .............................. 1-24
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-24
Seat belts.............................................. 1-18
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........... 1-24
Three-point type with retractor ............. 1-21
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-8
Seats
Front seats.............................................. 1-2
Security systems (see theft warning) ........ 2-11
Self-adjusting brakes ................................. 8-23
Service manual order form ...................... 10-22
Servicing air conditioner .............................. 4-9
Shift lock release ....................................... 5-10
11-4
ZX