2001 NISSAN SENTRA engine

cWhenever working on or near a bat-
tery, always wear suitable eye pro-
tectors (for example, goggles or in-
dustrial safety spectacles) and
remove rings, metal bands, or any
other jewelry. Do not lean over the
battery when jump starting.
cDo not attempt to jump start a frozen
battery. It could explode and cause
serious injury.
cYour vehicle has an automatic en-
gine cooling fan. It could come on at
any time. Keep hands and other ob-
jects away from it.
Always follow the instructions below.
Failure to do so could result in damage
to the charging system and cause per-
sonal injury.
1.
If the booster battery is in another vehicle,
position the two vehicles to bring their
batteries into close proximity to each other.
Do not allow the two vehicles to touch.
2. Apply the parking brake. Move the selec-
tor lever to N (Neutral) (on automatic
transmission models, move the shift se-
lector lever to P (Park)). Switch off all
unnecessary electrical systems (lights,heater, air conditioner, etc.).
3. Cover the battery with an old cloth to
reduce explosion hazard.
4. Connect jumper cables in the sequence
illustrated.
CAUTION
c
Always connect positive (+) to positive
(+) and negative (þ) to body ground (for
example, strut mounting bolt, engine
lift bracket, etc.)Ðnot to the battery.
ACE1013
In case of emergency6-9
ZX

cMake sure the jumper cables do not
touch moving parts in the engine com-
partment and that the cable clamps do
not contact any other metal.
5. Start the engine of the booster vehicle
and let it run for a few minutes.
6. Keep the engine speed of the booster
vehicle at about 2,000 rpm, and start the
engine of the vehicle being jump started.
CAUTION
Do not keep the starter motor engaged
for more than 10 seconds. If the engine
does not start right away, turn the key
off and wait 3 to 4 seconds before
trying again.
7. After starting the engine, carefully dis-
connect the negative cable and then the
positive cable.
8. Be sure to dispose of the cloth used to
cover the vent holes as it may be con-
taminated with corrosive acid.
CAUTION
cAutomatic transmission models can-
not be push started. This may cause
transmission damage.
cThree way catalyst equipped models
should not be started by pushing.
The three way catalyst may be dam-
aged.
cNever try to start the vehicle by tow-
ing it. When the engine starts, the
forward surge could cause the ve-
hicle to collide with the tow vehicle.If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by
an extremely high temperature gauge read-
ing), or if you feel a lack of engine power,
detect abnormal noise, etc., take the follow-
ing steps.
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your ve-
hicle overheats. Doing so could
cause a vehicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being
scalded, never remove the radiator
cap while the engine is still hot.
When the radiator cap is removed,
pressurized hot water will spurt out,
possibly causing serious injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is
coming out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road,
apply the parking brake and move the
selector lever to N (Neutral) (manual
transmission) or the shift selector lever to
P (Park) (automatic transmission).
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner. Open all the
windows, move the heater or air condi-
tioner temperature control to maximum
PUSH STARTING IF YOUR VEHICLE
OVERHEATS
6-10In case of emergency
ZX

hot and fan control to high speed.
3. If engine overheating is caused by climb-
ing a long hill on a hot day, run the engine
at a fast idle (approximately 1,500 rpm)
until the temperature gauge indication
returns to normal.
4. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the ra-
diator before opening the hood. Wait until
no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
5. Open the hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the
engine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
6. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan
is running. The radiator hoses and radia-
tor should not leak water. If coolant is
leaking, the water pump belt is missing or
loose, or the cooling fan does not run,
stop the engine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or
the engine cooling fan. The engine
cooling fan can start at any time when
the coolant temperature is high.
7. After the engine cools down, check the
coolant level in the reservoir tank with the
engine running. Add coolant to the res-
ervoir tank if necessary. Have your ve-
hicle repaired at an authorized NISSAN
dealer.When towing your vehicle, all State (Provin-
cial in Canada) and local regulations for
towing must be followed. Incorrect towing
equipment could damage your vehicle.
Towing instructions are available from an
authorized NISSAN dealer. Local service
operators are generally familiar with the
applicable laws and procedures for towing.
To assure proper towing and to prevent
accidental damage to your vehicle, NISSAN
recommends having a service operator tow
your vehicle. It is advisable to have the
service operator carefully read the following
precautions:
WARNING
cNever ride in a vehicle that is being
towed.
cNever get under your vehicle after it
has been lifted by a tow truck.
CAUTION
cWhen towing, make sure that the
transmission, axles, steering system
and powertrain are in working con-
dition. If any unit is damaged, dollies
must be used.
TOWING YOUR VEHICLE
In case of emergency6-11
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 and clutch 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 ............................................................8-19Spark plug ............................................................8-20
Replacing 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
ZX

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 manual trans-
mission models, move the shift lever
to N (Neutral). For automatic trans-
mission models, move the shift se-
lector lever to P (Park).
cBe sure the ignition key is in the OFF
or LOCK position when performing
any parts replacement or repairs.
cYour vehicle is equipped with an
automatic engine cooling fan. It may
come on at any time without warn-
ing, even if the ignition key is in the
OFF position and the engine is not
running. To avoid injury, always dis-
connect the negative battery cable
before working near the fan.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 secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.,
before working on your vehicle.
cAlways wear eye protection when-
ever you work 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 to escape.
cNever get under the vehicle while it
is supported only by a jack. If it is
necessary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
cKeep smoking materials, flame and
sparks away from the fuel tank and
battery.cOn gasoline engine models with the
multiport fuel injection (MFI) system,
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 the bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
cNever leave the engine or automatic
transmission related component
harnesses disconnected while the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
c
Avoid contact with used engine oil
and coolant. Improperly disposed
engine oil, engine coolant, and/or
other vehicle fluids can damage the
environment. Always conform to lo-
cal regulations for disposal of ve-
hicle fluid.
MAINTENANCE
PRECAUTIONS
8-2Do-it-yourself
ZX

WDI0024
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CHECK LOCATIONS -
QG ENGINE
8-4Do-it-yourself
ZX

LDI0025
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CHECK LOCATIONS -
SR ENGINE
Do-it-yourself8-5
ZX

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a high-quality, year-round, anti-
freeze coolant solution. The anti-freeze so-
lution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors;
therefore, additional engine cooling system
additives are not necessary.
CAUTION
When adding or replacing coolant, be
sure to use only an ethylene glycol
anti-freeze with the proper mixture ratio
of 50% Genuine Nissan Anti-freeze
coolant or equivalent and 50% soft tap
water. The use of other types of coolant
solutions may damage the engine cool-
ing system.
Outside
temperature
down toGenuine
NISSAN Anti-
freeze coolant
or equivalentSoft tap
water
ÉC ÉF
þ35 þ30 50% 50%
WARNING
cNever remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot. Serious burns
could be caused by high pressure
fluid escaping from the radiator.
c
The radiator is equipped with a pres-
sure type radiator cap. To prevent
engine damage, use only a genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant level in the reservoir tank
when the engine is cold. If the coolant level
is below MIN, add coolant up to the MAX
level. If the reservoir tank is empty, check
the coolant level in the radiatorwhen the
engine is cold.If there is insufficient cool-
ant in the radiator, fill the radiator with
coolant up to the filler opening and also add
it to the reservoir tank up to the MAX level.
ADI1137
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
8-6Do-it-yourself
ZX