Welcome To The World Of NISSAN
Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedication
to produce the finest in safe, reliable and eco-
nomical transportation. Your vehicle is the prod-
uct of a successful worldwide company that
manufactures cars and trucks in over 17 coun-
tries and distributes them in 170 nations.
NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufac-
tured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was
founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSAN
affiliates world wide, collectively growing to be-
come the fifth largest automaker in the world. In
addition to cars and trucks, NISSAN also makes
forklift trucks, marine engines, boats and other
diversified products.
NISSAN has made a substantial and growing
investment in North America. NISSAN's commit-
ment is nearly $4 billion dollars in capital invest-
ments in facilities across the continent.Some of the facilities include the Nissan Manu-
facturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, vehicle
styling design at Nissan Design America, Inc. in
San Diego, California, and engineering at Nissan
Technical Center North America in Farmington
Hills, Michigan. Additionally, NISSAN employs
nearly 18,000 people throughout the United
States, Canada, and Mexico. An additional
71,000 people work for the 1,500 NISSAN and
INFINITI dealers across North America.
NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to the
Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its sup-
pliers and over 140 dealers employ approxi-
mately 4,500 people. These include company
employees and the staffs of NISSAN dealers all
across Canada. In addition, many Canadians
work for companies that supply NISSAN and
NISSAN dealers with materials and services
ranging from operation of port facilities and trans-portation services, to the supply of lubricants,
parts and accessories.
NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics and
computers in automobiles, and has led the indus-
try in improving both performance and fuel effi-
ciency through new engine designs and the use
of synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight.
The company has also developed ways to build
quality into its vehicles at each stage of the
production process, both through extensive use
of automation and Ð most importantly Ð
through an awareness thatpeopleare the cen-
tral element in quality control.
From the time the parts arrived from our suppli-
ers until you took delivery of your new NISSAN,
dozens of checks were made to ensure that only
the best job was being done in producing and
delivering your vehicle. NISSAN also takes great
care to ensure that when you take your NISSAN
to your dealer for maintenance, the service tech-
nician will perform his work according to the
quality standards that have been established by
the factory.
Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. As
you know, seat belts are an integral part of the
safety systems that will help protect you and your
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or an
accident. We urge you to use the seat belts every
time you drive the vehicle.
The NISSAN story of growth and achievement
reflects our major goal: to provide you, our
customer, with a vehicle that is built with quality
and craftsmanship Ð a product that we can be
proud to build and you can be proud to own.
WFW0002
ZX
Adjusting the headlight aim
Before performing aiming adjustment, make
sure of the following:
a. Use an aiming wall screen.
b. Keep all of the tires inflated to the correct
pressure.
c. Place the vehicle and screen on level
ground.
d. See that the vehicle is unloaded (except
for full levels of coolant, engine oil and
fuel, and that the spare tire, jack, and
tools are stored). Have the driver or anequivalent weight placed in the driver's
seat.
1. Open the hood. Turn headlight low beam
on.
2. Adjust the vertical aim by turning the
adjustment screw.
cCover the opposite light and ensure the
fog lights (if so equipped) are turned off.
cAdjust beam pattern until cutoff line is
positioned at the same height off ground
as bulb center (on H-line).
LDI0027
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-37
ZX
checked when tires are COLD. Tires are
considered COLD after the vehicle has
been parked for three or more hours, or
driven less than 1 mile (1.6 km) at moderate
speeds. COLD tire pressures are shown on
the tire placard affixed to the driver's side
rear door pillar.
WARNING
cImproperly inflated tires can fail sud-
denly and cause an accident.
c
The vehicle weight capacity is indi-
cated on the tire placard. Do not load
your vehicle beyond this capacity.
Overloading your vehicle may result
in reduced tire life, unsafe operating
conditions due to premature tire fail-
ure, or unfavorable handling charac-
teristics and could also lead to a
serious accident. Loading beyond the
specified capacity may also result in
failure of other vehicle components.
cBefore taking a long trip, or when-
ever you heavily load your vehicle,
use a tire pressure gauge to ensure
that the tire pressures are at the
specified level.cDo not drive your vehicle over 85
MPH (140 km/h) unless it is equipped
with high speed rated tires. Driving
faster than 85 MPH (140 km/h) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty and
Roadside Assistance Information
booklet (Canada).
TYPES OF TIRES
WARNING
cWhen changing or replacing tires, be
sure all four tires are of the same
type (i.e., summer, all season or
snow) and construction. An autho-
rized NISSAN dealer may be able to
help you with information about tire
type, size, speed rating and availabil-
ity. Replacement tires may have a
lower speed rating than the factory
equipped tires, and may not matchthe potential maximum vehicle speed.
Never exceed the maximum speed rat-
ing of the tire.
cFor additional information regarding
tires, refer to ``Important Tire Safety
Information'' in the Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet (US) or ``Tire Safety In-
formation'' in the Warranty and Road-
side Assistance Information booklet
(Canada).
All Season tires
NISSAN specifies All Season tires on some
models to provide good performance all
year round, including snowy and icy road
conditions. All Season tires are identified by
``ALL SEASON'' and/or ``M&S'' on the tire
sidewall. Snow tires have better snow trac-
tion than All Season tires and may be more
appropriate in some areas.
Summer tires
NISSAN specifies summer tires on some
models to provide superior performance on
dry roads. Summer tire performance is sub-
stantially reduced in snow and ice. Summer
tires do not have the tire traction rating
``M&S'' on the tire sidewall.
8-44Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZX
9 Technical and consumer information
Capacities and recommended fuel/lubricants ........9-2
Fuel recommendation ........................................9-3
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation ...........9-5
Recommended SAE viscosity number ..............9-6
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubricant recommendations ...............................9-7
Specifications .........................................................9-8
Engine ...............................................................9-8
Wheels and tires................................................9-9
Dimensions and weights ...................................9-9
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country ....................................................9-10
Vehicle identification ............................................9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate .................................................................9-10
Vehicle identification number (chassis
number) ...........................................................9-10
Engine serial number ......................................9-11
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........................9-11
Emission control information label ..................9-12Tire placard......................................................9-12
Air conditioner specification label ....................9-12
Installing front license plate..................................9-13
Vehicle loading information ..................................9-14
Terms...............................................................9-14
Determining vehicle load capacity...................9-14
Loading tips .....................................................9-14
Towing a trailer.....................................................9-15
Maximum load limits ........................................9-15
Towing load/specification chart .......................9-16
Towing safety ..................................................9-16
Uniform tire quality grading ..................................9-19
Emission control system warranty .......................9-20
Reporting safety defects (US only) ......................9-20
Readiness for inspection/maintenance (I/M)
test (US only) .......................................................9-21
Owner's manual/service manual order
information .......................................................9-22
In the event of a collision ................................9-23
ZX
WHEELS AND TIRES
Wheel
DimensionOffset
in (mm)
Road wheel
149steel w/bottom
cover14 ý 5.5JJ 1.57 (40)
159aluminum alloy 15 x 6JJ 1.77 (45)
169aluminum alloy 16 ý 6JJ 1.77 (45)
179aluminum alloy 17 x 7JJ 1.85 (47)
Conventional tire size
P185/65R/14 14 x 5.5JJ
P195/60R/15 15 x 6JJ
P195/55R/16 16 x 6JJ
P215/45ZR17 17 x 7JJ
Spare tire size
T115/70*14 14 ý 4T
T125/70*15 15 x 4T
T135/90*15 15 x 4T
*: ªRº or ªDº depending on tire manufacturer
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
SENTRA
Overall length in (mm) 177.4 (4505)
Overall width in (mm) 67.3 (1710)
Overall height in (mm) 55.5 (1410)
Front tread 14 inch in (mm) 58.3 (1480)
15/16 inch in (mm) 57.9 (1470)
17 inch in (mm) 57.7 (1466)
Rear tread 14 inch in (mm) 57.5 (1460)
15/16 inch in (mm) 57.1 (1450)
17 inch in (mm) 56.9 (1446)
Wheelbase in (mm) 99.8 (2,535)
Gross vehicle weight
ratinglb (kg)See the ``F.M.V.S.S. cer-
tification label'' on the
center pillar between
the driver's side front
and rear doors. Gross axle weight rating
Front lb (kg)
Rear lb (kg)
Technical and consumer information9-9
ZX
ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER
The engine serial number is stamped on the
engine as shown.
F.M.V.S.S. CERTIFICATION
LABEL
The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
(F.M.V.S.S.) certification label is affixed as
shown. This label contains valuable vehicle
information, such as: Gross Vehicle Weight
Ratings (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR), month and year of manufacture,
Vehicle Identification Number, (VIN), etc.
Review it carefully.
LTI0006WTI0032WTI0012
Technical and consumer information9-11
ZX
WARNING
cIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside the vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these ar-
eas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
cDo not allow people to ride in any
area of the vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
c
Be sure everyone in the vehicle is in a
seat with their seat belt properly fas-
tened.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the
following terms before loading your vehicle:
cCurb Weight (actual weight of your ve-
hicle) - vehicle weight including: standard
and optional equipment, fluids, emer-
gency tools, and spare tire assembly.
This weightdoes notinclude passen-
gers and cargo.
cGVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb
weight plus the combined weight of pas-
sengers and cargo.
cGVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) -maximum total weight (load) limit speci-
fied for the vehicle.
cGAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) -
maximum weight (load) limit specified for
the front or rear axle.
DETERMINING VEHICLE LOAD
CAPACITY
The load capacity of this vehicle is deter-
mined by weight, not by available cargo
space. For example, a luggage rack, bike
carrier, cartop carrier or similar equipment
does not increase the load carrying capacity
of your vehicle.
To determine vehicle load capacity:
Vehicle weight can be determined by using
a commercial-grade scale, found at places
such as a truck stop, gravel quarry, grain
elevator, or a scrap metal recycling facility.
1) Determine the curb weight of your ve-
hicle.
2) Compare the curb weight amount to the
GVWR specified for your vehicle to de-
termine how much more weight your
vehicle can carry.
3) After loading (cargo and passengers),re-weigh your vehicle to determine if
either GVWR or GAWR for your vehicle
is exceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, re-
move cargo as necessary. If either the
front or rear GAWR is exceeded, shift the
load or remove cargo as necessary.
LOADING TIPS
cThe GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S.
Certification Label.
cDo not load the front and rear axle to the
GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
cProperly secure all cargo to help
prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do
not place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
cDo not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum
front and rear GAWRs. If you do,
parts of your vehicle can break, tire
damage could occur, or it can
change the way your vehicle
handles. This could result in loss of
control and cause personal injury.
VEHICLE LOADING
INFORMATION
9-14Technical and consumer information
ZX
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
TOWING A TRAILER
Technical and consumer information9-15
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