2006 NISSAN SENTRA maintenance

cHave your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
Maintenance Schedule in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
cWhen making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
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 ve-
hicle speed. This combination will help sta-
bilize the vehicle. Never increase speed.
cBe careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires con-
siderably more distance than normal pass-
ing. Remember, 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 efficiency.
cIncrease your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
cDo not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.
cCheck your hitch, trailer wiring harness con-
nections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after 50
miles (80 km) of travel and at every break.
cWhen stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
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.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a vehicle
behind a recreational vehicle, such as a motor
home.
CAUTION
cFailure to follow these guidelines can
result in severe transmission damage.
cWhenever flat towing your vehicle, al-
ways tow forward, never backward.
cDO NOT tow any automatic transmis-
sion vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground (flat towing) . Doing so WILL
DAMAGE internal transmission parts
due to lack of transmission lubrication.
cFor emergency towing procedures refer
to “Towing recommended by NISSAN”
in the “In case of emergency” section of
this manual.
Automatic Transmission
To tow a vehicle equipped with an automatic
transmission, an appropriate vehicle dollyMUST
be placed under the towed vehicle’s drive
wheels.Alwaysfollow the dolly manufacturer’s
recommendations when using their product.
Manual Transmission
cAlways tow with the manual transmission in
Neutral.
9-20Technical and consumer information
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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
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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
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Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-2
Heater operation...............4-4
Hood release...................3-9
Horn.......................2-21
I
Ignition switch..................5-4
Immobilizer system..........2-15, 3-2, 5-5
Important vehicle information label.......9-10
In-cabin microfilter...............8-23
Increasing fuel economy............5-16
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders).....................2-9
Inside mirror...................3-14
Instrument brightness control.........2-19
Instrument panel..............0-6, 2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-19
Interior light...................2-29
Interior trunk lid release.............3-11
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-22
J
Jump starting...................6-7
K
Key ........................3-2
Keyfob battery replacement..........8-31Keyless entry system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-11
C.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-10
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)..........1-41
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers
for CHildren) System..............1-22
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-12
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-42, 2-11
Brake light (See stop light).........8-35
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-9
Bulb replacement..............8-35
Charge warning light............2-10
Fog light switch...............2-20
Headlight aiming adjustment........8-34
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-18
Headlight control switch..........2-18
Headlights..................8-33
Interior light.................2-29
Light bulbs..................8-33
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-10
Spotlights (See map light).........2-30
Trunk light..................2-30
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-9Lights
Map lights..................2-30
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Door locks..................3-3
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-12
Power door locks...............3-4
Trunk lid lock opener lever..........3-9
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...........1-13
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator light...........2-11
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Manual windows................2-27
Map lights....................2-30
Map pocket...................2-23
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-19
Mirror
Inside mirror.................3-14
Outside mirrors...............3-14
Vanity mirror.................3-14
Multi-remote control system
(See remote keyless entry system).......3-5
10-3
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N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system................2-15, 3-2, 5-5
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4
Odometer.....................2-5
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 viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirrors.................3-14
Overdrive switch................5-10
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form..........9-24
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-24
P
Parking
Parking brake check............8-27
Parking brake operation..........5-13
Parking/parking on hills...........5-17Power
Power door locks...............3-4
Power outlet.................2-21
Power rear windows............2-27
Power steering fluid.............8-17
Power steering system...........5-18
Power windows...............2-25
Rear power windows............2-27
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Precautions on child restraints . . .1-14, 1-27
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-6
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-31
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
Push starting...................6-9
R
Radio
Car phone or CB radio...........4-20
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-18
FM-AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player....................4-13
Readiness for inspection maintenance (I/M)
test........................9-23
Rear power windows..............2-27
Rear seat.....................1-4
Rear window defogger switch.........2-17
Recorders
Event data..................9-24
Refrigerant recommendation..........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country. . .9-9
Remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Reporting safety defects (US only)......9-22S
Safety
Child safety rear door lock..........3-5
Child seat belts...........1-14, 1-27
Reporting safety defects (US only). . . .9-22
Seat adjustment
Front manual seat adjustment........1-2
Seat belt
Child safety..................1-8
Infants and small children..........1-9
Injured Person................1-10
Larger children................1-9
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-6
Pregnant women..............1-10
Seat belt extenders.............1-13
Seat belt maintenance...........1-13
Seat belts...................1-6
Shoulder belt height adjustment......1-13
Three-point type with retractor.......1-10
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.........2-15, 3-2, 5-5
Self-adjusting brakes..............8-28
Service manual order form...........9-24
Servicing air conditioner.............4-9
Shift lock release................5-10
Shifting
Automatic transmission...........5-8
Manual transmission............5-11
10-4
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2006 Sentra(b15)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
09/01/05Ðdebbie
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