cCrosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect ve-
hicle handling. If swaying does occur, firmly
grip the steering wheel, steer straight ahead,
and immediately (but gradually) reduce vehicle
speed. This combination will help stabilize the
vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles. Pass-
ing while towing a trailer requires considerably
more distance than normal passing. Remem-
ber, the length of the trailer must also pass the
other vehicle before you can safely change
lanes.
cTo maintain engine braking efficiency and
electrical charging performance, do not use
5th 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 reduced braking effi-
ciency.
When towing a trailer, transmission
oil/fluid should be changed more fre-
quently. For additional information, see the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section
earlier in this manual.DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality
Grades: All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to these
grades.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and
maximum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Treadwear
Treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on tire wear rate when tested under controlled
conditions on specified government test courses.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and a half (1-1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100. However,
relative tire performance depends on actual driv-
ing conditions, and may vary significantly due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B and C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B, and C. Those grades represent the
tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement as mea-
sured under controlled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and con-
crete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.WARNING
The traction grade assigned to your ve-
hicle tires is based on straight-ahead
braking traction tests and does not in-
clude acceleration, cornering, hydroplan-
ing or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A, B and C
Temperature grades are A (the highest) , B, and
C. They represent a tire’s resistance to heat
build-up, and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified
indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause tire material to degenerate,
reducing tire life. Excessive temperatures can
lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds
to a performance level which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A and B rep-
resent higher levels of performance on laboratory
test wheels than the minimum required by law.
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Technical and consumer information9-17
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
12/20/02Ðcathy
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Overheat
If your vehicle overheats..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form..........9-20
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-20
P
Parking
Parking brake check............8-29
Parking brake operation..........5-13
Parking/parking on hills...........5-16
Power
Power door locks...............3-4
Power outlet.................2-20
Power steering fluid.............8-18
Power steering system...........5-17
Power windows...............2-24
Rear power windows............2-25
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Precautions on child restraints.......1-25
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-18
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-6
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting...................6-9
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio...........4-19
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-17FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-12
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test.....................9-19
Rear power windows..............2-25
Rear seat.....................1-4
Rear window defogger switch.........2-16
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country. . .9-9
Remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-18
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-18
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Seat belt
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-18
Seat belt extenders.............1-25
Seat belt maintenance...........1-25
Seat belts..................1-18
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-24
Three-point type with retractor.......1-22
Seat belt warning light..............2-9
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Front seats..................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Rear seat...................1-4
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-30
Service manual order form...........9-20Servicing air conditioner.............4-9
Shift lock release.................5-9
Shifting
Automatic transmission...........5-8
Manual transmission............5-11
Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-24
Spark plug replacement............8-23
Speedometer...................2-3
Spotlights (See map light)...........2-28
SRS warning label...............1-16
Starting
Before starting the engine..........5-6
Jump starting.................6-7
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting.................6-9
Starting the engine..............5-6
Steering
Power steering fluid.............8-18
Power steering system...........5-17
Tilting steering wheel............3-13
Stop light....................8-36
Storage.....................2-21
Storage tray...................2-23
Sunglasses case................2-21
Sunroof.....................2-26
Supplemental restraint system
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-6
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-6
Switch
Automatic power window switch.....2-25
Front fog light switch............2-18
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-19
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-16
10-4
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
12/20/02Ðcathy
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Ignition switch................5-4
Overdrive switch..............5-10
Rear window defogger switch.......2-16
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-15
T
Tachometer....................2-4
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tilting steering wheel..............3-13
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-44
Tire chains..................8-41
Tire placard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-39
Tire rotation.................8-42
Types of tires................8-40
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-17
Wheels and tires..............8-39
Towing
Flat towing..................6-12
Tow truck towing..............6-11
Trailer towing................9-14
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-15
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Driving with manual transmission.....5-10
Selector lever lock release..........5-9
Travel (See registering your vehicle in
another country).................9-9
Trip odometer...................2-4
Trunk access through the rear seat.......1-4
Trunk lid lock opener lever............3-9
Trunk light....................2-28Turn signal switch (See headlight and
turn signal switch)............2-16, 2-17
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-17
V
Vanity mirror...................3-14
Vehicle identification...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) (Chassis num-
ber)........................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. . . .9-9
Vehicle loading information...........9-12
Vehicle recovery.................6-12
Vehicle security system.............2-11
Ventilators.....................4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light.........1-17, 2-9
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-7
Brake warning light..............2-7
Door open warning light...........2-8
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-19
Low fuel warning light............2-8
Seat belt warning light............2-8
Vehicle security system...........2-11
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-16
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-7Wheels and tires................8-39
When traveling or registering your vehicle in
another country..................9-9
Window washer fluid..............8-20
Windows
Locking passengers’ windows.......2-25
Manual windows..............2-26
Power windows...............2-24
Rear power windows............2-25
Windshield wiper and washer switch.....2-15
Wiper
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-15
Wiper blades................8-28
10-5
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2003 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
12/20/02Ðcathy
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