2003 NISSAN SENTRA windshield

When the supplemental front air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by the
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken to
not inhale it, as it may cause irritation and chok-
ing. Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating front air bag may cause
facial abrasions or other injuries. Front air bags
do not provide restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel. The supplemental front air bags in-
flate quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants. Because of this, the force of the front
air bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to, or is against, the
front air bag module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
cDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several front air
bag system components will be hot. Do
not touch them; you may severely burn
yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This is
to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to the
supplemental air bag system.cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental front air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental front
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.
cWork around and on the supplemental
front air bag system should be done by
a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electri-
cal equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) wiring should not
be modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used on
the air bag system.
cA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield could
affect inflation of the supplemental air
bag system.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-13
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2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer.....................2-3
Tachometer (if so equipped).....................2-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge...............2-5
Fuel gauge....................................2-5
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders.......2-7
Checking bulbs................................2-7
Warning lights.................................2-7
Indicator lights.................................2-9
Audible reminders.............................2-10
Security systems.................................2-11
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system (NVIS)
(if so equipped)...............................2-11
Vehicle security system (if so equipped)..........2-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch...............2-15
Switch operation..............................2-15
Rear window defroster switch......................2-16
Headlight and turn signal switch....................2-16
Headlight control switch........................2-17Fog light switch (if so equipped)...................2-18
Hazard warning flasher switch.....................2-19
Horn............................................2-19
Power outlet.....................................2-20
Storage.........................................2-21
Sunglasses holder (if so equipped)..............2-21
Cup holders..................................2-21
Glove box....................................2-22
Coin box.....................................2-22
Console box (if so equipped)...................2-23
Instrument panel storage (if so equipped)........2-23
Windows........................................2-24
Power windows (if so equipped)................2-24
Manual windows..............................2-26
Sunroof (if so equipped)...........................2-26
Electric sunroof...............................2-26
Interior light......................................2-27
Map lights (if so equipped)........................2-28
Trunk light.......................................2-28
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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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Security indicator light (NISSAN Ve-
hicle Immobilizer System)
The security indicator lights1is located on the
instrument panel near the windshield.
The security indicator light blinks every 3 sec-
onds whenever the ignition switch is in the
LOCK, OFF or ACC position. This function indi-
cates the NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
(NVIS) is operational.
If the NVIS is malfunctioning, the light will remain
on while the ignition key is in the ON position.
If the light still remains on and/or the en-
gine will not start, see a NISSAN dealer forNVIS service as soon as possible. Please
bring all NVIS keys that you have when
visiting your NISSAN dealer for service.
VEHICLE SECURITY SYSTEM (if so
equipped)
The vehicle security system provides visual and
audio alarm signals if parts of the vehicle are
disturbed.
Security indicator light (Vehicle secu-
rity system)
The security indicator lights1is located on the
instrument panel near the windshield.
The security indicator light shows the status of
the vehicle security system.
The light operates whenever the ignition switch is
in the LOCK, OFF, or ACC position.
The vehicle security system has four phases. For
each phase the operation of the security indicator
light is different.
WIC0237WIC0237
2-12Instruments and controls
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1. Low speed
2. High speed
3. Wash1. Intermittent
2. Low speed
3. High speed
4. Wash
5. Intermittent control
6. Mist
SWITCH OPERATION
The ignition switch must be in the ON position for
the wipers or washer to be activated.
Push the lever down to operate the windshield
wipers. Pull the lever toward you to operate the
washer.cIntermittent (if so equipped) — intermittent
wiper operation.
cLow speed — continuous low speed opera-
tion.
cHigh speed — continuous high speed opera-
tion.
cWash — pull the lever toward you to operate
the washer function. Operating the washer
automatically cycles the wipers several times.
cIntermittent control — intermittent wiper op-
eration can be adjusted from 1-19 seconds by
turning the time control knob.
cMist — push the lever up to activate the mist
feature.
WARNING
In freezing temperatures the washer solu-
tion may freeze on the windshield and
obscure your vision which may lead to an
accident. Warm the windshield with the
defroster before you wash the windshield.
CAUTION
cDo not operate the washer continu-
ously for more than 30 seconds.
Type A
WIC0239
Type B
WIC0240
WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER
SWITCH
Instruments and controls2-15
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Use the off position for normal heater or air con-
ditioner operation.
Air conditioner button (if so
equipped)
The button is provided only on vehicles equipped
with an air conditioner.
Start the engine, turn the fan control dial to the
desired (1 - 4) position and push the
button to turn on the air conditioner. The indicator
light comes on when the air conditioner is oper-
ating. To turn off the air conditioner, push
the
button again.
The air conditioner cooling function oper-
ates only when the engine is running.
Rear window defroster switch
For more information about the rear window de-
froster switch, see “Rear window defroster
switch” in the “Instruments and controls” section
of this manual.
HEATER OPERATION
Heating
This mode is used to direct heated air to the foot
outlets. Some air also flows from the defrost
outlets.1. Push the
button (if so equipped) to
the off position for normal heating.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position between the middle and the
hot position.
Ventilation
This mode directs outside air to the side and
center ventilators.
1. Push the
button (if so equipped) to
the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Defrosting or defogging
This mode directs the air to the defrost outlets to
defrost/defog the windows.1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
3. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position between the middle and the
hot position.
cTo quickly remove ice or fog from the windows,
turn the fan control dial to 4 and the tempera-
ture control lever to the full HOT position.
cWhen the
position is selected, the air
conditioner automatically turns on (however,
the indicator light will not illuminate) if the
outside temperature is more than 36 - 37°F (2
- 3°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the fan control dial is
turned to OFF or the vehicle is shut off, even if
the air flow control dial is turned to a position
other than the
position. This dehumidi-
fies the air which helps defog the windshield.
The
mode automatically turns off, allow-
ing outside air to be drawn into the passenger
compartment to further improve the defogging
performance.
Bi-level heating
This mode directs cooler air from the side and
center vents and warmer air from the floor outlets.
When the temperature control dial is moved to
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the full hot or full cool position, the air between
the vents and the floor outlets is the same tem-
perature.
1. Push the
button (if so equipped) to
the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to
the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Heating and defogging
This mode heats the interior and defogs the wind-
shield.
1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
cWhen the
position is selected,
thefunction automatically cancels.
Outside air is drawn into the passenger com-
partment to improve the defogging perfor-
mance.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
3. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position between the middle and the
hot position.cWhen the
position is selected, the air
conditioner automatically turns on (however,
the indicator light will not illuminate) if the
outside temperature is more than 36 - 37°F (2
- 3°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the fan control dial is
turned to OFF or the vehicle is shut off, even if
the air flow control dial is turned to a position
other than the
position. This dehumidi-
fies the air which helps defog the windshield.
The
mode automatically turns off, allow-
ing outside air to be drawn into the passenger
compartment to further improve the defogging
performance.
Operating tips
Clear snow and ice from the wiper blades
and air inlet in front of the windshield. This
improves heater operation.
AIR CONDITIONER OPERATION (if
so equipped)
Start the engine, turn the fan control dial to the
desired (1 - 4) position, and push in the
button to activate the air conditioner. When the
air conditioner is on, cooling and dehumidifying
functions are added to the heater operation.
The air conditioner cooling function oper-
ates only when the engine is running.
Cooling
This mode is used to cool and dehumidify the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
4. Push the
button. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
cFor quick cooling when the outside tempera-
ture is high, push the
button to the on
position (indicator light on) . Be sure to return
the
to the off position for normal cool-
ing.
Dehumidified heating
This mode is used to heat and dehumidify the air.
1. Push the
button to the off position.
2. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
3. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
Heater, air conditioner and audio systems4-5
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4. Push thebutton. The indicator light
comes on.
5. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Dehumidified defogging
This mode is used to defog the windows and
dehumidify the air.
1. Turn the air flow control dial to the
position.
2. Turn the fan control dial to the desired posi-
tion.
3. Push on the air conditioner button. The indi-
cator light comes on.
When the
,or positions in between
are selected, the air conditioner automatically
turns on (however, the indicator light will not
illuminate) if the outside temperature is more than
45°F (7°C) . The air conditioning system will con-
tinue to operate until the vehicle is shut OFF, even
if the air flow control dial is turned to a position
other than the
position. This dehumidifies
the air which helps defog the windshield.
The
mode automatically turns off, allowing
outside air to be drawn into the passenger com-
partment to further improve the defogging perfor-
mance.4. Turn the temperature control dial to the de-
sired position.
Operating tips
cKeep the windows and sunroof closed while
the air conditioner is in operation.
cAfter parking in the sun, drive for 2 or 3 min-
utes with the windows open to vent hot air
from the passenger compartment. Then, close
the windows. This allows the air conditioner to
cool the interior more quickly.
cThe air conditioning system should be
operated for approximately 10 minutes
at least once a month. This helps prevent
damage to the system due to lack of
lubrication.
cIf the engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates engine coolant temperature
over the normal range, turn the air con-
ditioner off. See “If your vehicle over-
heats” in the “In case of emergency”
section of this manual.
AIR FLOW CHARTS
The following charts show the button and dial
positions forMAXIMUM AND QUICKheating,
cooling or defrosting.The air recirculation
button should always be in the OFF posi-
tion for heating and defrosting.
4-6Heater, air conditioner and audio systems
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