2003 NISSAN SENTRA open hood

1. Headlight and turn signal switch
(P. 2-16)
2. Meters/gauges (P. 2-3)
3. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-15)
4. Heater/air conditioner control (P. 4-2)
5. Storage compartment (P. 2-23)
6. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-19)
7. Center ventilators (P. 4-2)
8. Passenger supplemental air bag (P. 1-6)
9. Glove box (P. 2-22)
10. Pocket
11. 12 volt DC/cigarette lighter (accessory)
(P. 2-20)
12. 12 volt DC/cigarette lighter (accessory)
(if so equipped) (P. 2-20)
13. Radio/CD player/CD changer (P. 4-10)
14. Cruise control and main set switch
(P. 5-13)
15. Tilt steering lock lever (P. 3-13)
16. Trunk release Type B (P. 3-9)
17. Fuel filler lid opening lever (P. 3-12)
18. Driver supplemental air bag (P. 1-6)
19. Hood release lever (P. 3-9)
20. Fuse box cover/coin holder
(P. 8-31, 2-22)
21. Trunk release Type A (P. 3-9)
22. Instrument brightness control switch
(P. 2-18)
23. Outside mirror control switch (P. 3-15)
WIC0433
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
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How to arm the vehicle security sys-
tem
1. Close all windows.(The system can be
armed even if the windows are open.)
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.3. Close the hood, trunk lid and all doors. Lock
all doors. The doors can be locked with the
key or with the keyfob.
Keyfob operation:
cPush the LOCK button on the keyfob. All
doors lock. The hazard lights flash twice
and the horn beeps once to indicate all
doors are locked.
cWhen the LOCK button is pushed with all
doors locked, the hazard lights flash twice
and the horn beeps once as a reminder
that the doors are already locked.
The horn may or may not beep once.
Refer to “Silencing the horn beep fea-
ture” later in this section.
cConfirm that the SECURITY indicator light
comes on. The SECURITY light stays on for
about 30 seconds. The vehicle security sys-
tem is now pre-armed. After about 30 seconds
the vehicle security system automatically shifts
into the armed phase. The SECURITY light
begins to flash once every 3 seconds. If, dur-
ing the 30-second pre-arm time period, the
door is unlocked by the key or the keyfob, or
the ignition key is turned to ACC or ON, the
system will not arm.
c
If the key is turned slowly when locking
the door, the system may not arm. Further-more, if the key is turned excessively to
the unlock position, the system may be
disarmed when the key is removed. If the
indicator light fails to glow for 30 seconds,
unlock the door once and lock it again.
cEven when the driver and/or passengers
are in the vehicle, the system will arm
with all doors, hood and trunk lid closed
and locked with the ignition key in the
OFF position.
Vehicle security system activation
The vehicle security system will give the following
alarm:
cThe headlights blink and the horn sounds in-
termittently.
cThe alarm automatically turns off after about
50 seconds. However, the alarm reactivates if
the vehicle is tampered with again. The alarm
can be shut off by unlocking a door or trunk lid
with the key, or by pressing the UNLOCK
button on the keyfob.
The alarm is activated by:
copening the door or trunk lid without using the
key or keyfob (even if the door is unlocked by
releasing the door inside lock switch) or open-
ing the trunk lid by operating the opener lever.
copen the hood.
LIC0053
Instruments and controls2-13
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3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .............................................3-2
Nissan Vehicle Immobilizer System (NVIS)
keys (if so equipped)............................3-2
Doors............................................3-3
Locking with key................................3-3
Locking with inside lock knob....................3-4
Locking with power door lock switch (if so
equipped).....................................3-4
Child safety rear door lock.......................3-5
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped).........3-5
How to use remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Battery replacement............................3-8
Hood............................................3-9
Trunk lid..........................................3-9Opener operation...............................3-9
Key operation.................................3-11
Interior trunk lid release........................3-11
Fuel filler lid......................................3-12
Opener operation..............................3-12
Fuel filler cap..................................3-12
Steering wheel...................................3-13
Tilt operation..................................3-13
Sun visors.......................................3-14
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)....................3-14
Mirrors..........................................3-14
Inside mirror..................................3-14
Outside mirrors...............................3-15
Outside mirror remote control...................3-15
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CHILD SAFETY REAR DOOR LOCK
Child safety locks help prevent the rear doors
from being opened accidentally, especially when
small children are in the vehicle.
The child safety lock levers are located on the
edge of the rear doors.
When the lever is in the lock position, the
door can be opened only from the outside.It is possible to lock/unlock all doors, turn the
interior light on, and activate the panic alarm by
using the keyfob from outside the vehicle.
Be sure to remove the key from the vehicle
before locking the doors.
The keyfob can operate at a distance of approxi-
mately 49 ft (15 m) from the vehicle. The effective
distance depends upon the conditions around
the vehicle.
As many as 4 keyfobs can be used with one
vehicle. For information concerning the purchase
and use of additional keyfobs, contact a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
Listed below are conditions or occur-
rences which will damage the keyfob:
cDo not allow the keyfob to become wet.
cDo not drop the keyfob.
cDo not strike the keyfob sharply against
another object.
cDo not place the keyfob for an extended
period in an area where temperatures
exceed 140°F (60°C) .
HOW TO USE REMOTE KEYLESS
ENTRY SYSTEM
Locking doors
1. Close all windows
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Close the hood, trunk lid and all doors.
4. Push the LOCK button on the keyfob. All the
doors lock. The hazard lights flash twice and
the horn beeps once to indicate all doors are
locked.
cWhen the LOCK button is pushed with all
doors locked, the hazard lights flash twice and
WPD0019WPD0111
REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM
(if so equipped)
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-5
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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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If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an
extremely high temperature gauge reading) , or if
you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal
noise, etc. take the following steps.
WARNING
cDo not continue to drive if your vehicle
overheats. Doing so could cause a ve-
hicle fire.
cTo avoid the danger of being scalded,
never remove the radiator cap while the
engine is still hot. When the radiator
cap is removed, pressurized hot water
will spurt out, possibly causing serious
injury.
cDo not open the hood if steam is com-
ing out.
1. Move the vehicle safely off the road, apply
the parking brake and move the shift lever to
N (Neutral) (manual transmission) or to P
(Park) (automatic transmission) .
Do not stop the engine.
2. Turn off the air conditioner (if so equipped) .
Open all the windows, move the heater or air
conditioner temperature control to maximum
hot and fan control to high speed.3. Get out of the vehicle. Look and listen for
steam or coolant escaping from the radiator
before opening the hood. (If steam or cool-
ant is escaping, turn off the engine.) Wait
until no steam or coolant can be seen before
proceeding.
4. Open the engine hood.
WARNING
If steam or water is coming from the en-
gine, stand clear to prevent getting
burned.
5. Visually check drive belts for damage or
looseness. Also check if the cooling fan is
running. The radiator hoses and radiator
should not leak water. If coolant is leaking,
the water pump belt is missing or loose, or
the cooling fan does not run, stop the en-
gine.
WARNING
Be careful not to allow your hands, hair,
jewelry or clothing to come into contact
with, or get caught in, engine belts or the
engine cooling fan. The engine cooling
fan can start at any time when the coolant
temperature is high.6. After the engine cools down, check the cool-
ant level in the reservoir tank with the engine
running. Add coolant to the reservoir tank if
necessary. Have your vehicle repaired at a
NISSAN dealer.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
6-10In case of emergency
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In order to maintain the appearance of your ve-
hicle, it is important to take proper care of it.
In the following cases, please wash your vehicle
as soon as possible to protect the paint surface:
cafter a rainfall to prevent possible damage from
acid rain.
cafter driving on coastal roads.
cwhen contaminants such as soot, bird drop-
pings, tree sap, metal particles or bugs get on
the paint surface.
cwhen dust or mud builds up on the surface.
Whenever possible, store or park your vehicle
inside a garage or in a covered area.
When it is necessary to park outside, park in a
shady area or protect the vehicle with a body
cover.
Be careful not to scratch the paint surface
when putting on or removing the body
cover.
WASHING
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty of
water. Clean the vehicle thoroughly using a mild
soap, a special vehicle soap or general purpose
dishwashing liquid mixed with clean, lukewarm
(never hot) water.
CAUTION
cDo not wash the vehicle with strong
household soap, strong chemical deter-
gents, gasoline or solvents.
cDo not wash the vehicle in direct sun-
light or while the vehicle body is hot, as
the surface may become water-spotted.
cAvoid using tight-napped or rough
cloths, such as washing mitts. Care
must be taken when removing
caked-on dirt or other foreign sub-
stances so the paint surface is not
scratched or damaged.
Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of clean
water.
Inside flanges, seams and folds on the doors,
hatches and hood are particularly vulnerable to
the effects of road salt. Therefore, these areas
must be cleaned regularly. Take care that the
drain holes in the lower edge of the door are
open. Spray water under the body and in the
wheel wells to loosen the dirt and wash away
road salt.
A damp chamois can be used to dry the vehicle to
avoid water spots.
WAXING
Regular waxing protects the paint surface and
helps retain new vehicle appearance. After wax-
ing, polishing is recommended to remove
built-up residue and to avoid a “weathered” ap-
pearance.
A NISSAN dealer can assist you in choosing the
proper product.
cWax your vehicle only after a thorough wash-
ing. Follow the instructions supplied with the
wax.
cDo not use a wax containing any abrasives,
cutting compounds or cleaners that may dam-
age the vehicle finish.
cIf the surface does not polish easily, use a
“road tar” remover and wax again.
Machine compounding or aggressive polishing
on a base coat/clear coat paint finish may dull the
finish or leave swirl marks.
REMOVING SPOTS
Remove tar and oil spots, industrial dust, insects,
and tree sap as quickly as possible from the
surface of the paint to avoid lasting damage or
staining. Special cleaning products are available
at a NISSAN dealer or any automotive accessory
store.
CLEANING EXTERIOR
7-2Appearance and care
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Wheel nuts*When checking the tires, make
sure no wheel nuts are missing, and check for any
loose wheel nuts. Tighten if necessary.
Tire rotation*Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel
alignment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
cFor additional information regarding tires, refer
to “Important Tire Safety Information” (US) or
“Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in the War-
ranty Information Booklet .
WindshieldClean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and hoodCheck that the doors and
hood operate properly. Also ensure that all
latches lock securely. Lubricate hinges, latches,latch pins, rollers and links as necessary. Make
sure that the secondary latch keeps the hood
from opening when the primary latch is released.
When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Warning lights and chimesMake sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer*Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defrosterCheck that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.SeatsCheck seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints
move up and down smoothly and the locks (if so
equipped) hold securely in all latched positions.
Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Accelerator pedalCheck the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.
Clutch pedal*Make sure the pedal operates
smoothly and check that it has the proper free
travel.
BrakesCheck that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Brake pedal and booster*Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure it has the proper
distance under it when depressed fully. Check
the brake booster function. Be certain to keep the
floor mat away from the pedal.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
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