2002 NISSAN SENTRA parking brake

CHECKING BRAKE PEDAL
With the engine running, check the distance
between the upper surface of the pedal and
the metal floor. If it is out of the range shown
above, see an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front (and rear, if equipped) disc-type
brakes self-adjust every time the brake
pedal is applied. The rear drum-type brakes
also self-adjust every time the brake pedal
is applied.If the brake pedal goes down farther than
normal, it may be due to a lack of adjust-
ment of the rear drum brakes. To adjust,
apply the parking brake several times.
WARNING
See an authorized NISSAN dealer for a
brake system check if the brake pedal
height does not return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have
an audible wear indicator. When a brake
pad requires replacement, it makes a high
pitched scraping or screeching sound when
the vehicle is in motion whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear
indicator sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions,
occasional brake squeak, squeal or other
noise may be heard. Occasional brake
noise during light to moderate stops is nor-
mal and does not affect the function or
performance of the brake system.
The rear drum brakes (if so equipped) do
not have audible wear indicators. Shouldyou ever hear an unusually loud noise from
the rear drum brakes, have them inspected
as soon as possible by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.For more information regard-
ing brake inspections, see the appropriate
maintenance schedule information in the
``NISSAN Service and Maintenance Guide''.
BRAKE BOOSTER
Check the brake booster function as fol-
lows:
1. With the engine off, press and release
the brake pedal several times. When
brake pedal movement (distance of
travel) remains the same from one pedal
application to the next, continue on to the
next step.
2. While depressing the brake pedal, start
the engine. The pedal height should drop
a little.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the
engine. Keeping the pedal depressed for
about 30 seconds, the pedal height
should not change.
DI1020M
8-30Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX

cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle
and trailer when parking. Parking on a
slope is not recommended; however, if
you must do so, and if your vehicle is
equipped with an automatic transmission,
first block the wheels and apply the park-
ing brake, and then move the transmis-
sion shift selector lever into the P (Park)
position. If you move the shift selector
lever to the P (Park) position before block-
ing the wheels and applying the parking
brake, transmission damage could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When ascending a long grade, down-
shift the transmission to a lower gear
and reduce speed to reduce chances of
engine overloading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine temperature coolant rises
to an extremely high temperature when
the air conditioning system is on, turn off
the air conditioner. Coolant heat can be
additionally vented by opening the win-
dows, switching the fan control to high
and setting the temperature control to
the HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than
normal circumstances.cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle's
first 500 miles (800 km).
cHave your vehicle serviced more often
than at intervals specified in the recom-
mended Maintenance Schedule in the
ªNISSAN Service and Maintenance
Guideº.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels
will be closer to the inside of the turn
than your vehicle wheels. To compen-
sate for this, make a larger than normal
turning radius during the turn.
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 thetrailer 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 and do-it-yourself'' section earlier
in this manual.
9-18Technical and consumer information
ZX

10 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) ........................................................ 1-6
Air bag warning light .......................... 1-16, 2-9
Air cleaner housing filter ............................ 8-24
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation ........................ 4-5
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations.................. 9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Servicing air conditioner ......................... 4-9
Air flow charts .............................................. 4-6
Alarm system (See vehicle security
system) ...................................................... 2-11
Anchor point locations ............................... 1-34
Antenna...................................................... 4-19
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).................... 5-19
Anti-lock brake warning light ....................... 2-7
Ashtray (See cigarette lighter and
ashtray) ...................................................... 2-20
Audio system
Compact Disc (CD) changer ................ 4-17
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................................................... 4-12
Automatic
Automatic power window switch .......... 2-25Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-15
Driving with automatic transmission ....... 5-7
Transmission selector lever lock
release .................................................. 5-10
B
Battery........................................................ 8-19
Battery
Charge warning light .............................. 2-8
Battery replacement (See remote keyless
entry system) ............................................... 3-8
Before starting the engine ........................... 5-6
Belts (See drive belts) ............................... 8-22
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) .............. 5-19
Brake booster ....................................... 8-30
Brake fluid............................................. 8-18
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-40
Brake pedal .......................................... 8-30
Brake system ........................................ 5-19
Brake warning light ................................. 2-8
Brake wear indicators ................. 2-11, 8-30
Parking brake check ............................. 8-29
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-13
Self-adjusting brakes ............................ 8-30
Break-in schedule ...................................... 5-16
Bulb check/instrument panel ....................... 2-7Bulb replacement ....................................... 8-40
C
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants...................................................... 9-2
Car phone or CB radio .............................. 4-20
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) ... 9-14
Child restraint with top tether strap ........... 1-34
Child restraints ........................ 1-20, 1-25, 1-32
Child safety rear door lock .......................... 3-4
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and
ashtray ....................................................... 2-20
Cleaning exterior and interior ...................... 7-2
Clock .......................................................... 4-13
Clutch
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-18
Clutch pedal.......................................... 8-31
Cold weather driving .................................. 5-21
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Coolant
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant...................... 8-10
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-9
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
ZX

N
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS) ......................................... 2-11, 3-2, 5-6
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating) ........ 9-3
Odometer ..................................................... 2-3
Oil
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-13
Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-14
Checking engine oil level ..................... 8-12
Engine oil .............................................. 8-12
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Opener lever for trunk lid........................... 3-10
Outside mirror control ................................ 3-16
Overdrive switch ........................................ 5-11
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats ...................... 6-10
Owner's manual order form ....................... 9-22
Owner's manual/service manual order
information ................................................. 9-22P
Parking
Parking brake check ............................. 8-29
Parking brake operation ....................... 5-13
Parking/parking on hills ........................ 5-17
Power
Power door locks .................................... 3-4
Power outlet.......................................... 2-19
Power steering fluid .............................. 8-17
Power steering system ......................... 5-18
Power windows..................................... 2-24
Rear power windows ............................ 2-25
Precautions
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-5
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 ......................... 4-20
Compact Disc (CD) changer ................ 4-17
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player .................................................... 4-12
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test..................................................... 9-21Rear power windows ................................. 2-25
Rear window defogger switch ................... 2-16
Refrigerant recommendation ....................... 9-7
Registering your vehicle in another
country ....................................................... 9-10
Remote keyless entry system ..................... 3-5
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................. 9-20
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) ............ 9-20
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 ........... 1-23
Three-point type with retractor ............. 1-21
Seat belt warning light ................................. 2-9
Seats
Front seats.............................................. 1-2
Self-adjusting brakes ................................. 8-30
10-4
ZX