
2. Open the drain plug on the engine block.
3. Open the radiator cap to drain the coolant.
cWaste coolant must be disposed of prop-
erly.
cCheck your local regulations.
4. Flush the cooling system by running fresh
water through the radiator.
5. Close the drain plugs on the radiator and the
engine block securely.6. See the “Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section for cooling system capacity. Fill
the radiator slowly with the proper mixture of
coolant and water. Fill the reservoir tank up
to the MAX level.
7. For QG18DE engine only, open and close
the air release plug(s) to release air. Then fill
the radiator again and install the radiator
cap.8. Start the engine, and warm it up until it
reaches normal operating temperature.
Then race the engine two or three times
under no load. Watch the engine coolant
temperature gauge for signs of overheating.
9. Stop the engine. After it completely cools
down, refill the radiator up to the filler open-
ing. Fill the engine coolant reservoir tank up
to the MAX level.
10. For QG18DE engine only, open and close
the air release plug(s) to release air. Then fill
the radiator again and install the radiator
cap.
11. Check the drain plugs on the radiator and
the engine block for any sign of leakage. For
QG18DE only, also check the air release
plug for any sign of leakage.
QG18DE engine
WDI0171
QG18DE engine
WDI0172
8-10Maintenance and do-it-yourself
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Sentra(b15)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
09/01/05Ðdebbie
X

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.
cLoad the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half.
cCheck your hitch, trailer tire pressure, ve-
hicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and
trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a
trailer to the vehicle.
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.
Trailer towing tips
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning,
stopping and backing up in an area which is free
from traffic. Steering stability and braking perfor-
mance will be somewhat different than under
normal driving conditions.
cAlways secure items in the trailer to prevent
load shift while driving.
cAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed. Some states or provinces have spe-
cific speed limits for vehicles that are towing
trailers. Obey the local speed limits.
cWhen backing up, hold the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand. Move your
hand in the direction in which you want the
trailer to go. Make small corrections and
back up slowly. If possible, have someone
guide you when you are backing up.
cAlways block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is
not recommended; however, if you must do
so, and if your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission, first block the
wheels and apply the parking brake, andthen move the transmission shift selector
lever into the P (Park) position. If you move
the shift selector lever to the P (Park) posi-
tion before blocking the wheels and applying
the parking brake, transmission damage
could occur.
cWhen going down a hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine braking effect.
When going up a long grade, downshift the
transmission to a lower gear and reduce
speed to reduce chances of engine over-
loading and/or overheating.
cIf the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature when the air conditioner
system is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the fan
control to high and setting the temperature
control to the HOT position.
cTrailer towing requires more fuel than normal
circumstances.
cAvoid towing a trailer for your vehicle’s first
500 miles (805 km) .
cFor the first 500 miles that you do tow, do
not drive over 50 MPH (80 km/h) .
Technical and consumer information9-19
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Sentra(b15)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
09/01/05Ðdebbie
X

Due to legal requirements in some states and
Canadian Provinces, your vehicle may be re-
quired to be in what is called the “ready condi-
tion” for an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) test of
the emission control system.
The vehicle is set to the “ready condition” when it
is driven through certain driving patterns. Usually,
the ready condition can be obtained by ordinary
usage of the vehicle.
If a powertrain system component is repaired or
the battery is disconnected, the vehicle may be
reset to a “not ready” condition. Before taking the
I/M test, check the vehicle’s
inspection/maintenance test readiness condi-
tion. Turn the ignition switch ON without starting
the engine. If the Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) comes on steady for 20 seconds and then
blinks for 10 seconds , the I/M test condition is
9not ready9. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is9ready.9If the
MIL indicates the vehicle is in a9not ready9con-
dition, drive the vehicle through the following
pattern to set the vehicle to the ready condition. If
you cannot or do not want to perform the driving
pattern, a NISSAN dealer can conduct it for you.WARNING
Always drive the vehicle in a safe and
prudent manner according to traffic con-
ditions and obey all traffic laws.
1. Start the engine when the engine coolant
temperature gauge needle points to C. Al-
low the engine to idle until the gauge needle
points between the C and H (normal oper-
ating temperature) .
2. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88
km/h) , then quickly release the accelerator
pedal completely and keep it released for at
least 10 seconds.
3. Quickly depress the accelerator pedal for a
moment, then drive the vehicle at a speed of
53 - 60 MPH (86 - 96 km/h) for at least 9
minutes.
4. Stop the vehicle.
5. Accelerate the vehicle to 35 MPH (55 km/h)
and maintain the speed for 20 seconds.
6. Repeat steps 4 through 5 at least 10 times.
7. Accelerate the vehicle to 55 MPH (88 km/h)
and maintain the speed for at least 3 min-
utes.8. Stop the vehicle. Place the transmission se-
lector lever in the P (Park) or N (Neutral)
position.
9. Turn the engine off.
10. Repeat steps1-8atleast one more time.
If steps 1 through 7 are interrupted, repeat the
preceding step. Any safe driving mode is accept-
able between steps. Do not stop the engine until
step 7 is completed.
READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
Technical and consumer information9-23
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Sentra(b15)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
09/01/05Ðdebbie
X

Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-7
Corrosion protection...............7-5
Cruise control..................5-14
Cup holders...................2-23
D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-19
Defogger switch
Rear window defogger switch.......2-17
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-19
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.....5-11
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-16
Emission control information label.......9-11
Emission control system warranty.......9-22
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 pressure warning light.....2-10
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-10
Starting the engine..............5-6
Event data recorders..............9-24
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-20
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
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............8-18
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 gauge..................2-8
Fuel octane rating..............9-4
Fuel recommendation............9-3
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-12
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-12
Fuses......................8-29
Fusible links...................8-29
G
Gascap.....................3-12
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-7
Fuel gauge..................2-8
Odometer...................2-5
Speedometer.................2-4
Tachometer..................2-6
Trip computer.................2-5
Trip odometer.................2-5
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
Headlight control switch............2-18
Headlights....................8-33
10-2
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Sentra(b15)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
09/01/05Ðdebbie
X

Shoulder belt height adjustment........1-13
Spark plug replacement............8-22
Speedometer...................2-4
Spotlights (See map light)...........2-30
SRS warning label...............1-41
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............3-13
Stop light....................8-35
Storage.....................2-22
Storage tray...................2-25
Sunglasses case................2-22
Sunroof.....................2-28
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-42, 2-11
Supplemental restraint system
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-31
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-31
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
Headlight control switch..........2-18
Ignition switch................5-4
Overdrive switch..............5-10
Power door lock switch...........3-4
Rear window defogger switch.......2-17Turn signal switch..............2-19
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-16
T
Tachometer....................2-6
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-7
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start..............2-15, 3-2, 5-5
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tilting steering wheel..............3-13
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2
Spare tire................6-3, 8-47
Tire chains..................8-45
Tire placard.................9-11
Tire pressure................8-39
Tire rotation.................8-45
Types of tires................8-44
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-21
Wheels and tires..............8-39
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-23
Towing
Flat towing..................9-20
Tow truck towing..............6-11
Trailer towing................9-16
Transmission
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF). . . .8-14
Driving with automatic transmission.....5-7
Driving with manual transmission.....5-11
Selector lever lock release.........5-10
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country)......................9-9
Trip computer...................2-5Trip odometer...................2-5
Trunk access through the rear seat.......1-4
Trunk lid lock opener lever............3-9
Trunk light....................2-30
Turn signal switch................2-19
U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-21
V
Vanity mirror...................3-14
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..............2-15, 3-2, 5-5
Ventilators.....................4-2
W
Warning
Air bag warning light.........1-42, 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
10-5
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Sentra(b15)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
09/01/05Ðdebbie
X