2003 NISSAN SENTRA recommended oil

Change intervals
The oil and oil filter change intervals for your
engine are based on the use of the specified
quality oils and filters. Using engine oil and filters
that are not of the specified quality, or exceeding
recommended oil and filter change intervals
could reduce engine life. Damage to the engine
caused by improper maintenance or use of incor-
rect oil and filter quality and/or viscosity is not
covered by the NISSAN new vehicle warranty.
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 recommended 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:
crepeated short distance driving at cold outside
temperatures
cdriving in dusty conditions
cextensive idling
ctowing a trailer
RECOMMENDED SAE VISCOSITY
NUMBER
cSAE 5W-30 viscosity oil is preferred for all
temperatures. SAE 10W-30 or SAE 10W-40
viscosity oils may be used if the ambient
temperature is above 0°F (-18°C) .
AIR CONDITIONER SYSTEM
REFRIGERANT AND LUBRICANT
RECOMMENDATIONS
The air conditioner system in your NISSAN
vehicle must be charged with the refriger-
ant HFC-134a (R-134a) and the lubricant,
NISSAN A/C system oil Type R or the exact
equivalents.
CAUTION
The use of any other refrigerant or lubri-
cant will cause severe damage to the air
conditioning system and will require the
replacement of all air conditioner system
components.
The refrigerant HFC-134a (R-134a) in your
NISSAN vehicle does not harm the earth’s ozone
layer. Although this refrigerant does not affect the
earth’s atmosphere, certain government regula-
tions require the recovery and recycling of any
refrigerant during automotive air conditioner sys-
tem service. A NISSAN dealer has the trained
technicians and equipment needed to recover
and recycle your air conditioner system refriger-
ant.
Contact a NISSAN dealer when servicing your air
conditioner system.
ATI1028
9-6Technical and consumer information
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
12/20/02Ðcathy
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D
Daytime running light system (Canada only). .2-18
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch.......2-16
Door locks....................3-3
Door open warning light.............2-8
Drive belts....................8-22
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-20
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Driving with manual transmission.....5-10
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-15
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-18
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-6
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-10
Changing engine oil............8-13
Changing engine oil filter..........8-14
Checking engine coolant level........8-9
Checking engine oil level..........8-12
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-9
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......2-8Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Starting the engine..............5-6
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning
flasher switch)..................2-19
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.................8-19
Engine coolant................8-9
Engine oil..................8-12
Power steering fluid.............8-18
Window washer fluid............8-20
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Folding rear seat.................1-4
Front fog light switch..............2-18
Front seats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-15
Fuel filler cap................3-12
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever.......3-12
Fuel gauge..................2-5
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuses......................8-31Fusible links...................8-31
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..............8-2
Glove box....................2-22
H
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-19
Head restraints..................1-5
Headlight aiming adjustment..........8-35
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-16
Headlights....................8-34
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Heater operation...............4-4
Hood release...................3-9
Horn.......................2-19
I
Ignition switch..................5-4
Immobilizer system..........2-11, 3-2, 5-5
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-25
10-2
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Increasing fuel economy............5-15
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and
audible reminders)................2-7
Inside mirror...................3-14
Instrument brightness control.........2-18
Instrument panel.................2-2
Interior light...................2-27
Interior trunk lid release.............3-11
J
Jump starting...................6-7
K
Key ........................3-2
Keyless entry system (See remote keyless
entry system)...................3-5
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Emission control information label.....9-11
Engine serial number............9-10
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . .9-9
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-16
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children)
System......................1-33
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-12Light
Air bag warning light.........1-17, 2-9
Brake light (See stop light).........8-36
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-7
Bulb replacement..............8-36
Charge warning light.............2-8
Front fog light switch............2-18
Headlight aiming adjustment........8-35
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-16
Headlights..................8-34
Interior light.................2-27
Light bulbs..................8-34
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-8
Spotlights (See map light).........2-28
Trunk light..................2-28
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-7
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Door locks..................3-3
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever.......3-12
Power door locks...............3-4
Trunk lid lock opener lever..........3-9
Low fuel warning light..............2-8
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-12
M
Maintenance
General maintenance............8-2
Inside the vehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance...........1-25
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)........2-9
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Manual windows................2-26
Map lights....................2-28
Meters and gauges................2-3
Mirror
Inside mirror.................3-14
Outside mirror control...........3-15
Vanity mirror.................3-14
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
Multi-remote controller battery replacement .8-33
N
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS).................2-11, 3-2, 5-5
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4
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
Outside mirror control.............3-15
Overdrive switch................5-10
10-3
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RECOMMENDED FUEL:
For 1.8L/2.5L engines
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at leat 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
For SE-R SPEC V
Use unleaded regular gasoline with an octane
rating of at leat 87 AKI (Anti-Knock Index) num-
ber (Research octane number 91) .
For improved performance, NISSAN recom-
mends the use of unleaded premium gasoline
with an octane rating of at least 91 AKI number
(Research octane number 96) .
CAUTION
cUsing a fuel other than that specified
could adversely affect the emission
control system, and may also affect the
warranty coverage.
cUnder no circumstances should a
leaded gasoline be used, because this
will damage the three-way catalyst.
For additional information, see “Capacities and
recommended fuel/lubricants in the “Technical
and consumer information” section.
RECOMMENDED ENGINE OIL:
cAPI Certification Mark
cAPI grade SG/SH Energy ConservingI&IIor
API grade SJ or SL Energy Conserving
cILSAC grade GF-1, GF-II & GF-III
c5W-30 Viscosity preferred
See “Engine oil and oil filter recommendation” in
the “Technical and consumer information” sec-
tion of this manual.
TIRE COLD PRESSURE:
See tire placard.
RECOMMENDED NEW VEHICLE
BREAK-IN PROCEDURE:
During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km) of vehicle
use, follow the recommendations outlined in the
“BREAK-IN SCHEDULE” information found in
the “Starting and driving” section of this manual.
Follow these recommendations for the future re-
liability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure
to follow these recommendations may result in
vehicle damage or shortened engine life.
GAS STATION INFORMATION
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
12/20/02Ðcathy
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