2003 NISSAN SENTRA Owners Manual

WARNING
cMake sure the hood is completely
closed and latched before driving. Fail-
ure to do so could cause the hood to fly
open and result in an accident.
cIf you see steam or smoke coming from
the engine compartment, to avoid injury
do not open the hood.
1. Pull the hood lock release handle
sAlocated
below the driver side instrument panel; the
hood springs up slightly.
2. Lift the lever
sBat the front of the hood with
your fingertips and raise the hood.3. Remove the support rod from the clamp.
4. Insert the support rod
sCinto the slot in the
front edge of the hood.
5. When closing the hood, return the support
rod to its original position, lower the hood to
approximately 12 inches above the latch and
release it. This allows proper engagement of
the hood latch.
OPENER OPERATION
WARNING
cDo not drive with the trunk lid open. This
could allow dangerous exhaust gases
to be drawn into the vehicle. See “Ex-
haust gas” in the “Starting and driving”
section of this manual.
cClosely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
WPD0117
HOODTRUNK LID
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-9
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Type A
The trunk lid opener lever is located on the out-
side of the driver’s seat. To open the trunk lid, pull
up the opener lever
s1. To close, push the trunk
lid down securely.Type B
The trunk lid release is located on the instrument
panel. To open the trunk, push the release in the
direction indicated in the illustrations1. To close
the trunk lid, push it down securely.
Cancel lever
When the lever is in the cancel position, the trunk
lid cannot be opened with the trunk lid opener
lever. It can be opened only with the key.
WPD0118WPD0198WPD0021
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KEY OPERATION
To open the trunk lid, turn the key clockwise. To
close the trunk lid, lower and push the trunk lid
down securely.
INTERIOR TRUNK LID RELEASE
WARNING
Closely supervise children when they are
around cars to prevent them from playing
and becoming locked in the trunk where
they could be seriously injured. Keep the
car locked, with the rear seatback and
trunk lid securely latched when not in use,
and prevent children’s access to car keys.
The interior trunk lid release mechanism provides
a means of escape for children and adults in the
event they become locked inside the trunk.
To open the trunk from the inside, rotate the
illuminated lever until the lock releases and push
up on the trunk lid. The release lever is made of a
material that glows in the dark after a brief expo-
sure to ambient light.
The handle is located inside the trunk compart-
ment on the trunk lock at the center of the trunk
lid.
WPD0120
WPD0051
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OPENER OPERATION
The fuel filler opener lever is located on the out-
side of the driver’s seat
s1. To open the fuel filler
lid, pull the opener lever up. To lock, close the fuel
filler lid securely.
FUEL FILLER CAP
The fuel filler cap is a ratcheting type. Turn the
cap counterclockwise to remove. To tighten, turn
the cap clockwise until ratcheting clicks are
heard.
WARNING
cGasoline is extremely flammable and
highly explosive under certain condi-
tions. You could be burned or seriously
injured if it is misused or mishandled.
Always stop the engine and do not
smoke or allow open flames or sparks
near the vehicle when refueling.
cFuel may be under pressure. Turn the
cap a third turn, and wait for any “hiss-
ing” sound to stop to prevent fuel from
spraying out and possibly causing per-
sonal injury. Then remove the cap.
cDo not attempt to top off the fuel tank
after the fuel pump nozzle shuts off
automatically. Continued refueling may
cause fuel overflow, resulting in fuel
spray and possibly a fire.
cUse only an original equipment type
fuel filler cap as a replacement. It has a
built-in safety valve needed for proper
operation of the fuel system and emis-
sion control system. An incorrect cap
can result in a serious malfunction and
possible injury. It could also cause the
malfunction indicator lamp to come on.
cNever pour fuel into the throttle body to
attempt to start your vehicle.
WPD0121WPD0180
FUEL FILLER LID
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cDo not fill a portable fuel container in
the vehicle or trailer. Static electricity
can cause an explosion of flammable
liquid, vapor or gas in any vehicle or
trailer. To reduce the risk of serious
injury or death when filling portable fuel
containers:
– Always place the container on the
ground when filling.
– Do not use electronic devices when
filling.
– Keep the pump nozzle in contact
with the container while you are fill-
ing it.
– Use only approved portable fuel con-
tainers for flammable liquid.
CAUTION
cIf fuel is spilled on the vehicle body,
flush it away with water to avoid paint
damage.cTighten until the fuel filler cap clicks.
Failure to tighten the fuel filler cap
properly may cause the
mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL) to illumi-
nate. If the
lamp illuminates be-
cause the fuel filler cap is loose or
missing, tighten or install the cap and
continue to drive the vehicle.
The
lamp should turn off after a
few driving trips. If the
lamp
does not turn off after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information, see the
“Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)” in
the “Instruments and Controls” section
earlier in this manual.
TILT OPERATION
Pull the lock lever downsAand adjust the steer-
ing wheel up or down
sBto the desired position.
Push the lock lever up firmly to lock the steering
wheel in place.
WARNING
Do not adjust the steering wheel while
driving. You could lose control of your
vehicle and cause an accident.
WPD0123
STEERING WHEEL
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CAUTION
Do not store the sun visor before returning
it to its original position.
VANITY MIRROR (if so equipped)
To access the vanity mirror, pull the sun visor
down and flip open the mirror cover. Some vanity
mirrors are illuminated and turn on when the
mirror cover is open.
INSIDE MIRROR
The night positions1reduces glare from the
headlights of vehicles behind you at night.
Use the day position
s2when driving in daylight
hours.
WARNING
Use the night position only when neces-
sary, because it reduces rear view clarity.
Driver’s side only
WPD0124WPD0125WPD0126
SUN VISORSMIRRORS
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OUTSIDE MIRRORS
The outside mirrors can be moved in any direc-
tion for a better rear view.
OUTSIDE MIRROR REMOTE
CONTROL
Electric control type (if so equipped)
The outside mirror remote control only operates
when the ignition switch is in the ACC or ON
position.
Rotate the control lever to select the right or left
mirror. Adjust the mirror to the desired position by
moving the control lever.
WARNING
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear. Be careful when moving to the
right. Using only this mirror could cause
an accident. Use the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder to properly
judge distances to other objects.
Heated mirrors (Canada only)
The electric control type outside mirrors (if so
equipped) can be heated to defrost, defog, or
de-ice for improved visibility. Press the rear win-
dow defogger switch to activate the heating
function. Press the switch again to deactivate, or
the heating function will automatically turn off
after approximately 15 minutes.
WPD0127
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Manual control type
The outside mirror can be moved in any direction
for a better rear view.
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on the
passenger side are closer than they appear.
LPD0029
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