2002 NISSAN SENTRA maintenance

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.
RECOMMENDED SAE
VISCOSITY NUMBER
cSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for
all temperatures. SAE 10W-30, SAE
10W-40 viscosity oils may be used if the
ambient temperature is above 0ÉF (-18ÉC).
ATI1028
9-6Technical and consumer information
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

Due to legal requirements in some states
and Canadian provinces, your vehicle may
be required to be in the ready condition for
an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of the
emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the ready condition
when it is driven through certain driving pat-
terns. Usually, the ready condition can be
obtained by ordinary usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired
or the battery is disconnected, the vehicle
may be reset to a not ready condition. Before
taking the I/M test, drive the vehicle through
the following pattern to set the vehicle to the
ready condition. If you cannot or do not want
to perform the driving pattern, an authorized
NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.
WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic
conditions and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C.
Allow the engine to idle until the gauge
needle points between the C and H (nor-
mal operating temperature).2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 mph (88
km/h), then quickly release the accelera-
tor pedal completely and keep it released
for at least 6 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for
a moment, then drive the vehicle at a
speed of 53 to 60 mph (86 to 96 km/h) for
at least 5 minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 mph (55
km/h) and maintain the speed for 20
seconds.
6. Repeat steps four through five at least
three times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 mph (88
km/h) and maintain the speed for at least
3 minutes.
8. Stop the vehicle [shift selector lever in
the P (Park) or N (Neutral) position].
9. Rev the engine up between 2,500 and
3,500 rpm and hold it for 3 consecutive
minutes, then release the accelerator
pedal completely.
10. Wait 5 seconds at idle.
11. Rev the engine up between 2,000 and3,000 rpm and maintain it for 5 consecu-
tive minutes.
12. Stop the vehicle and turn the engine off.
13. Repeat steps one through twelve at
least one more time.
If step one through seven is interrupted,
repeat the preceding step. Any safe driving
mode is acceptable between steps. Do not
stop the engine until step seven is com-
pleted.
READINESS FOR
INSPECTION/MAINTENANCE
(I/M) TEST (US only)
Technical and consumer information9-21
ZX

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.............................. 9-9
Door locks .................................................... 3-3
Door open warning light .............................. 2-8
Drive belts .................................................. 8-22
Driving
Cold weather driving............................. 5-21
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............. 9-12
Emission control system warranty ............. 9-20
Engine
Before starting the engine ...................... 5-6
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Changing engine coolant...................... 8-10
Changing engine oil.............................. 8-13Changing engine oil filter...................... 8-14
Checking engine coolant level ............... 8-9
Checking engine oil level ..................... 8-12
Engine compartment check
locations .......................................... 8-7, 8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge ........ 2-5
Engine cooling system ........................... 8-9
Engine oil .............................................. 8-12
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation ..................................... 9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ........... 2-8
Engine oil viscosity ................................. 9-5
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
Engine specifications .............................. 9-8
Starting the engine ................................. 5-7
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................. 5-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher
switch) ........................................................ 2-18
Flat tire ......................................................... 6-2
Floor mat positioning aid ............................. 7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) ...... 8-15
Brake fluid............................................. 8-18
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Clutch fluid ............................................ 8-18
Engine coolant ........................................ 8-9
Engine oil .............................................. 8-12Power steering fluid .............................. 8-17
Window washer fluid ............................ 8-19
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ..................... 9-11
Front fog light switch ................................. 2-18
Front seats ................................................... 1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended fuel/
lubricants ................................................ 9-2
Fuel economy ....................................... 5-16
Fuel filler cap ........................................ 3-13
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-13
Fuel gauge.............................................. 2-5
Fuel octane rating................................... 9-3
Fuel recommendation ............................. 9-3
Fuses ......................................................... 8-31
Fusible links ............................................... 8-32
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 .................................. 8-3
Glove box................................................... 2-22
10-2
ZX

H
Hazard warning flasher switch .................. 2-18
Head restraints ............................................ 1-5
Headlight aiming adjustment ..................... 8-37
Headlight and turn signal switch ............... 2-16
Headlights .................................................. 8-36
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls ........ 4-3
Heater operation ..................................... 4-4
Hood release ............................................... 3-9
Horn ........................................................... 2-19
I
Ignition switch .............................................. 5-4
Immobilizer system ..................... 2-11, 3-2, 5-6
Increasing fuel economy............................ 5-16
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders) .................................................... 2-7
Inside mirror ............................................... 3-16
Instrument brightness control .................... 2-17
Interior light ................................................ 2-27
Interior trunk lid release ............................. 3-12
J
Jump starting ............................................... 6-8K
Key ............................................................... 3-2
Keyless entry system (See remote keyless
entry system) ............................................... 3-5
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label ......... 9-12
Emission control information label........ 9-12
Engine serial number ........................... 9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ................ 9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate ...................................................... 9-10
Warning labels (for SRS) ..................... 1-16
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for
Children) System ....................................... 1-32
License plate
Installing the license plate .................... 9-13
Light
Air bag warning light ..................... 1-16, 2-9
Brake light (See stop light) ................... 8-40
Bulb check/instrument panel .................. 2-7
Bulb replacement.................................. 8-40
Charge warning light .............................. 2-8
Front fog light switch ............................ 2-18
Headlight aiming adjustment ................ 8-37
Headlight and turn signal switch .......... 2-16
Headlights ............................................. 8-36
Interior light ........................................... 2-27Light bulbs ............................................ 8-36
Low washer fluid warning light ............... 2-9
Spotlights (See map light) .................... 2-27
Trunk light ............................................. 2-28
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders ................................................ 2-7
Lock
Child safety rear door lock ..................... 3-4
Door locks............................................... 3-3
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever ............. 3-13
Power door locks .................................... 3-4
Trunk lid lock opener lever ................... 3-10
M
Maintenance
General maintenance ............................. 8-3
Inside the vehicle.................................... 8-3
Maintenance precautions ....................... 8-5
Outside the vehicle ................................. 8-3
Seat belt maintenance.......................... 1-24
Under the hood and vehicle ................... 8-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) ............... 2-10
Manual windows ........................................ 2-25
Meters and gauges ...................................... 2-2
Mirror
Inside mirror.......................................... 3-16
Outside mirror control ........................... 3-16
Vanity mirror ......................................... 3-15
Multi-remote control system (See remote
keyless entry system) .................................. 3-5
10-3
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