2004 NISSAN SENTRA light

Aftermarket fuel additives
NISSAN does not recommend the use of any
aftermarket fuel additives (for example, fuel injec-
tor cleaner, octane booster, intake valve deposit
removers, etc.) which are sold commercially.
Many of these additives intended for gum, varnish
or deposit removal may contain active solvents or
similar ingredients that can be harmful to the fuel
system and engine.
Octane rating tips
Using unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating lower than stated can cause persis-
tent, heavy “spark knock.” (“Spark knock”
is a metallic rapping noise.) If severe, this
can lead to engine damage. If you detect a
persistent heavy spark knock even when
using gasoline of the stated octane rating,
or if you hear steady spark knock while
holding a steady speed on level roads, have
a NISSAN dealer correct the condition.
Failure to correct the condition is misuse of
the vehicle, for which NISSAN is not re-
sponsible.
Incorrect ignition timing may result in spark
knock, after-run and/or overheating, which may
cause excessive fuel consumption or enginedamage. If any of the above symptoms are en-
countered, have your vehicle checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
However, now and then you may notice
light spark knock for a short time while
accelerating or driving up hills. This is not a
cause for concern, because you get the
greatest fuel benefit when there is light
spark knock for a short time under heavy
engine load.
9-4Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/18/04Ðtbrooks
X

Use the following steps to mount the front license
plate:
s1Make holes on the plastic finisher at the
location mark (small dimple) using a 0.31 in
(8 mm) drill. Apply light pressure to the drill.
Install the license plate holder using the two
screws provided with the holder.
s2Mount the license plateusing two M6-
14mm bolts.
License plate bolt tightening torque:
3.8 - 4.7 ft-lb (5.10 - 6.37 N·m)
WARNING
cIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside a vehicle. In a colli-
sion, people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured or
killed.
cDo not allow people to ride in any area
of your vehicle that is not equipped with
seats and seat belts.
cBe sure everyone in your vehicle is in a
seat and using a seat belt properly.
TERMS
It is important to familiarize yourself with the fol-
lowing terms before loading your vehicle:
cCurb Weight (actual weight of your vehicle)
- vehicle weight including: standard and op-
tional equipment, fluids, emergency tools,
and spare tire assembly. This weightdoes
notinclude passengers and cargo.
cGVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) - curb weight
plus the combined weight of passengers
and cargo.
WTI0076
INSTALLING FRONT LICENSE PLATE VEHICLE LOADING INFORMATION
9-12Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/18/04Ðtbrooks
X

cDo not modify the vehicle exhaust sys-
tem, brake system, etc. to install a
trailer hitch.
cTo reduce the possibility of additional
damage if your vehicle is struck from
the rear, where practical, remove the
hitch and/or receiver when not in use.
cAfter the hitch is removed, seal the bolt
holes to prevent exhaust fumes, water
or dust from entering the passenger
compartment.
cRegularly check that all trailer hitch
mounting bolts are securely mounted.
Tire pressures
cWhen towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle tires
to the recommended cold tire pressure indi-
cated on the tire placard.
cTrailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in accor-
dance with the trailer and tire manufacturer’s
specifications.
Safety chains
Always use suitable safety chains between your
vehicle and the trailer. The safety chains should
be crossed and should be attached to the hitch,not to the vehicle bumper or axle. Be sure to leave
enough slack in the chains to permit turning
corners.
Trailer lights
CAUTION
When splicing into the vehicle electrical
system, a commercially available power-
type module/converter must be used to
provide power for all trailer lighting. This
unit uses the vehicle battery as a direct
power source for all trailer lights while
using the vehicle tail light, stoplight and
turn signal circuits as a signal source. The
module/converter must draw no more
that 15 milliamps from the stop and tail
lamp circuits. Using a module/converter
that exceeds these power requirements
may damage the vehicle’s electrical sys-
tem. See a reputable trailer dealer to ob-
tain the proper equipment and to have it
installed.
Trailer lights should comply with federal and/or
local regulations. For assistance in hooking up
trailer lights, contact a NISSAN dealer or repu-
table trailer dealer.
Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking system,
make sure it conforms to federal and/or local
regulations and that it is properly installed.
WARNING
Never connect a trailer brake system di-
rectly to the vehicle brake system.
Pre-towing tips
cBe certain your vehicle maintains a level
position when a loaded and/or unloaded
trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it
has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down
condition; check for improper tongue load,
overload, worn suspension or other possible
causes of either condition.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cBe certain your rearview mirrors conform to
all federal, state or local regulations. If not,
install any mirrors required for towing before
driving the vehicle.
Technical and consumer information9-17
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/18/04Ðtbrooks
X

10 Index
A
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system)......................1-6
Air bag warning light...........1-17, 2-11
Air cleaner housing filter............8-23
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation...........4-5
Air conditioner service............4-9
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
lubrication recommendations........9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Servicing air conditioner...........4-9
Air flow charts..................4-6
Alarm system (See vehicle security system). .2-13
Anchor point locations.............1-35
Antenna.....................4-17
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).........5-19
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-9
Audible reminders................2-12
Audio system..................4-10
Compact disc (CD) player.........4-15
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-13
Radio....................4-10
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-27
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Transmission selector lever lock release . .5-9B
Battery......................8-19
Charge warning light............2-10
Battery replacement
(See remote keyless entry system). . . .3-9, 8-32
Before starting the engine............5-6
Belts (See drive belts).............8-21
Brake
Anti-lock brake system (ABS).......5-19
Brake booster................8-29
Brake fluid..................8-17
Brake light (See stop light).........8-36
Brake pedal.................8-28
Brake system................5-18
Brake warning light..............2-9
Brake wear indicators........2-12, 8-29
Parking brake check............8-28
Parking brake operation..........5-13
Self-adjusting brakes............8-29
Break-in schedule................5-15
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-19
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-9
Bulb replacement................8-36C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-17
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CD care and cleaning.............4-16
CD player (See audio system).........4-15
Check engine indicator light
(See malfunction indicator lamp).......2-11
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-34
Child restraints.......1-20, 1-21, 1-26, 1-33
Precautions on child restraints.......1-26
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-35
Child safety rear door lock............3-5
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-12
Cigarette lighter.................2-22
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock......................4-14
Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-18
Coin box.....................2-25
Cold weather driving..............5-20
Compact disc (CD) player...........4-15
Console box...................2-25
Controls
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
04/02/04Ðdebbie
X

Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-7
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-14
Cup holders...................2-24
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-19
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch.......2-18
Door locks....................3-3
Door open warning light............2-10
Drive belts....................8-21
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.................5-16
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-20
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-6
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
Changing engine oil............8-12
Changing engine oil filter..........8-13
Checking engine coolant level........8-8Checking engine oil level..........8-11
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-7
Engine cooling system............8-8
Engine oil..................8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Starting the engine..............5-6
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light.........2-10
Event data recorders..............9-22
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch)
..........................2-20
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-4
Fluid
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Brake fluid..................8-17
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-18
Engine coolant................8-8
Engine oil..................8-11
Power steering fluid.............8-17
Window washer fluid............8-19
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-10
Fog light switch.................2-20
Folding rear seat.................1-4
Front seats....................1-2Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-16
Fuel filler cap................3-14
Fuel filler lid.................3-14
Fuel filler lid and cap............3-14
Fuel filler lid lock opener lever.......3-14
Fuel gauge..................2-7
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuses......................8-30
Fusible links...................8-30
G
Gascap.....................3-14
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-7
Fuel gauge..................2-7
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-4
Tachometer..................2-6
Trip odometer.................2-4
General maintenance..............8-2
Glove box....................2-24
H
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-20
Head restraints..................1-5
Headlight aiming adjustment..........8-34
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-18
Headlights....................8-34
10-2
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
04/02/04Ðdebbie
X

Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Heater operation...............4-4
Hood release..................3-11
Horn.......................2-21
I
Ignition switch..................5-4
Immobilizer system..........2-13, 3-2, 5-5
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-24
Increasing fuel economy............5-16
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders).....................2-9
Inside mirror...................3-16
Instrument brightness control.........2-19
Instrument panel.................2-2
Interior light...................2-29
Interior trunk lid release.............3-13
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-33
J
Jump starting...................6-7
K
Key ........................3-2
Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5L
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 Tethers for CHildren)
System......................1-33
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-12
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-17, 2-11
Brake light (See stop light).........8-36
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-9
Bulb replacement..............8-36
Charge warning light............2-10
Fog light switch...............2-20
Headlight aiming adjustment........8-34
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-18
Headlights..................8-34
Interior light.................2-29
Light bulbs..................8-34
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-10
Spotlights (See map light).........2-30
Trunk light..................2-30
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-9
Lights
Map lights..................2-30
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Door locks..................3-3Fuel filler lid lock opener lever.......3-14
Power door locks...............3-4
Trunk lid lock opener lever.........3-11
Low fuel warning light.............2-10
Low washer fluid warning light.........2-10
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.........8-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL)........2-11
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Manual windows................2-28
Map lights....................2-30
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-19
Mirror
Inside mirror.................3-16
Outside mirrors...............3-16
Vanity mirror.................3-16
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
N
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS).................2-13, 3-2, 5-5
10-3
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
04/02/04Ðdebbie
X

O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4
Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil............8-12
Changing engine oil filter..........8-13
Checking engine oil level..........8-11
Engine oil..................8-11
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light.......2-10
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirrors.................3-16
Overdrive switch................5-10
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form..........9-23
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-23
P
Parking
Parking brake check............8-28
Parking brake operation..........5-13
Parking/parking on hills...........5-17
Power
Power door locks...............3-4
Power outlet.................2-21
Power rear windows............2-27
Power steering fluid.............8-17Power steering system...........5-18
Power windows...............2-26
Rear power windows............2-27
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Precautions on child restraints.......1-26
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...........4-17
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-13
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test........................9-21
Rear power windows..............2-27
Rear seat.....................1-4
Rear window defogger switch.........2-18
Recorders
Event data..................9-22
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country. . .9-9
Remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-21
S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5Child seat belts...............1-26
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-21
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Seat belt
Child safety.................1-20
Infants and small children.........1-21
Injured Person................1-21
Larger children...............1-21
Precautions on seat belt usage......1-18
Pregnant women..............1-21
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.............2-11
Seats
Adjustment..................1-2
Front seats..................1-2
Manual front seat adjustment........1-2
Rear seat...................1-4
Security system (Nissan vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start.........2-13, 3-2, 5-5
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-29
Service manual order form...........9-23
Servicing 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............8-22
Speedometer...................2-4
Spotlights (See map light)...........2-30
SRS warning label...............1-16
10-4
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
04/02/04Ðdebbie
X

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.............8-17
Power steering system...........5-18
Tilting steering wheel............3-15
Stop light....................8-36
Storage.....................2-23
Storage tray...................2-25
Sunglasses case................2-23
Sunroof.....................2-28
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-17, 2-11
Supplemental restraint system
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system.....................1-6
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-6
Switch
Automatic power window switch.....2-27
Fog light switch...............2-20
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-20
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-18
Ignition switch................5-4
Overdrive switch..............5-10
Power door lock switch...........3-4
Rear window defogger switch.......2-18
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-17
T
Tachometer....................2-6Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-7
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light.......2-10
Theft (Nissan vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start..............2-13, 3-2, 5-5
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tilting steering wheel..............3-15
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-48
Tire chains..................8-45
Tire placard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-39
Tire rotation.................8-46
Types of tires................8-45
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-19
Wheels and tires..............8-39
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-34
Towing
Flat towing..................9-19
Tow truck towing..............6-11
Trailer towing................9-15
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
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...........3-11
Trunk light....................2-30
Turn signal switch (See headlight and
turn signal switch)............2-18, 2-20U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-19
V
Vanity mirror...................3-16
Vehicle identification...............9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number).................9-9
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate. . . .9-9
Vehicle loading information...........9-12
Vehicle recovery.................6-12
Vehicle security system.............2-13
Vehicle security system (Nissan vehicle
immobilizer system) , engine start . .2-13, 3-2, 5-5
Ventilators.....................4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light.........1-17, 2-11
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-9
Battery charge warning light........2-10
Brake warning light..............2-9
Door open warning light..........2-10
Engine oil pressure low/engine coolant
temperature high warning light.......2-10
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-20
Low fuel warning light...........2-10
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-10
Seat belt warning light...........2-10
Vehicle security system...........2-13
10-5
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Sentra(b15)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
04/02/04Ðdebbie
X