2008 NISSAN SENTRA check engine light

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.
c
Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the
trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity low.
cLoad the trailer so approximately 60% of the
trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in
the back half. Also make sure the load is
balanced side to side.
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.cDetermine the overall height of the vehicle
and trailer so the required clearance is
known.
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.
cLock the trailer hitch coupler with a pin or
lock to prevent the coupler from inadvert-
ently becoming unlatched.
cAvoid abrupt starts, acceleration or stops.
cAvoid sharp turns or lane changes.
cAlways drive your vehicle at a moderate
speed.
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.Always block the wheels on both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Parking on a slope is not
recommended; however, if you must do so:
CAUTION
If you move the shift selector lever to the P
(Park) position before blocking the
wheels and applying the parking brake,
transmission damage could occur.
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
2. Have someone place blocks on the downhill
side of the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. After the wheel blocks are in place, slowly
release the brake pedal until the blocks ab-
sorb the vehicle load.
4. Apply the parking brake.
5. Shift the transmission into P (Park) .
6. Turn off the engine.
To drive away:
1. Start the vehicle.
2. Apply and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the transmission into gear.
4. Release the parking brake.
9-22Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/22/08Ðdebbie
X

If you believe that your vehicle has a de-
fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addi-
tion to notifying NISSAN.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of
vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or NISSAN.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Ve-
hicle Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-
327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C. 20590.
You can also obtain other information
about motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov.
You may notify NISSAN by contacting our
Consumer Affairs Department, toll-free, at
1-800-NISSAN-1.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
“not ready”. If the MIL does not blink after 20
seconds, the I/M test condition is “ready”. If the
MIL indicates the vehicle is in a “not ready” con-
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.
REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS (US
only)READINESS FOR INSPECTION/
MAINTENANCE (I/M) TEST
9-26Technical and consumer information
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/22/08Ðdebbie
X

10 Index
A
Active Head Restraint..............1-7
Air bag
(See supplemental restraint
system).....................1-43
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system)...............1-50
Side and curtain
(See supplemental side air bag and
curtain side-impact air bag system). . . .1-55
Air bag warning labels.............1-58
Air bag warning light...........1-58, 2-12
Air cleaner housing filter............8-19
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation..........4-10
Air conditioner service...........4-14
Air conditioner specification label.....9-12
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.............9-6
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-7
Servicing air conditioner..........4-14
Air flow charts..................4-11
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-15
Anchor point locations.............1-27
Antenna.....................4-36
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-9
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-23
Armrests.....................1-7Audible reminders................2-14
Audio system..................4-15
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-32
Compact disc (CD) player.....4-23, 4-27
FM/AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player.................4-21
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) changer................4-29
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player.................4-25
Radio....................4-15
Steering wheel audio control switch. . . .4-35
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-32
AUX jack.................4-23, 4-28
Average speed..................4-4
B
Battery......................8-15
Charge warning light.............2-9
Before starting the engine............5-9
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-17
Block heater
Engine....................5-26
BluetoothThands-free phone system.....4-37
Booster seats..................1-38
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-23
Brake fluid..................8-13
Brake light (See stop light).........8-29Brake system................5-22
Brake warning light..............2-9
Brake wear indicators........2-14, 8-21
Parking brake operation..........5-17
Self-adjusting brakes............8-21
Brakes......................8-21
Break-in schedule................5-20
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-21
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-8
Bulb replacement................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
Car phone or CB radio.............4-36
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-13
CD care and cleaning.............4-34
CD changer (See audio system)........4-32
CD player (See audio system).....4-23, 4-27
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-27
Child restraints..........1-12, 1-23, 1-25
Precautions on child
restraints............1-23, 1-32, 1-38
Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-27
Child safety rear door lock............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders...........2-14
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
Clock......................4-22
(models without navigation system).....4-5
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/22/08Ðdebbie
X

Clock set.....................4-5
Clutch
Clutch fluid.................8-14
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
Cold weather driving..............5-24
Compact disc (CD) player.......4-23, 4-27
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) . .5-11
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-14
Control panel buttons
Clock set...................4-5
Setting button................4-5
Trip button..................4-3
Without navigation system..........4-2
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-35
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-7
Coolant
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Corrosion protection...............7-6
Cruise control..................5-18
Cup holders...................2-27
Curtain side-impact air bag system
(See supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system)..........1-55D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-20
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-19
Dimensions and weights.............9-9
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-21
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Distance to empty................4-3
Door locks....................3-4
Door open warning................4-6
Door open warning light.............2-9
Drive belt....................8-17
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-24
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-11
Driving with manual transmission.....5-16
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy - fuel.................5-20
Emission control information label.......9-12
Emission control system warranty.......9-25
Engine
Before starting the engine..........5-9
Block heater.................5-26
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine coolant..........8-9
Changing engine oil............8-11Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine coolant level........8-8
Checking engine oil level..........8-9
Engine compartment check locations. . . .8-6
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Engine cooling system............8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-10
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Engine serial number............9-11
Engine specifications.............9-7
Starting the engine..............5-9
Engine oil pressure gauge............2-6
Event data recorders..............9-27
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
Eyeglass case..............2-26, 2-28
F
Flashers
(See hazard warning flasher switch)......2-22
Flat tire......................6-2
Floor mat positioning aid.............7-5
Fluid
Brake fluid..................8-13
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Clutch fluid.................8-14
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid.....................8-13
Engine coolant................8-8
Engine oil...................8-9
Window washer fluid............8-14
F.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-11
10-2
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/22/08Ðdebbie
X

Language setting.................4-5
LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers
for CHildren) System..............1-25
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-13
Light
Air bag warning light.........1-58, 2-12
Brake light (See stop light).........8-29
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-8
Bulb replacement..............8-29
Charge warning light.............2-9
Fog light switch...............2-22
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-19
Headlight control switch..........2-19
Headlights..................8-28
Interior light.................2-36
Light bulbs..................8-28
Low tire pressure warning light......2-11
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-12
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-52
Security indicator light...........2-14
Spotlights (See map light).........2-37
Trunk light..................2-37
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-8
Lights
Map lights..................2-37
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Door locks..................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-24
Glove box lock...............2-27
Power door locks...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever.........3-23
Low fuel warning light.............2-11
Low tire pressure warning light........2-11Low washer fluid warning light.........2-12
Luggage (See vehicle loading information) . .9-13
M
Maintenance
General maintenance............8-2
Inside the vehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance...........1-23
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator light...........2-13
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Manual windows................2-33
Map lights....................2-37
Map pocket...................2-24
Meters and gauges................2-3
Instrument brightness control.......2-21
Mirror
Inside mirror.................3-27
Outside mirror control...........3-27
Vanity mirror.................3-26
Moonroof....................2-33
N
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system................2-16, 3-2, 5-9
O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-4Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changing engine oil............8-11
Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine oil level..........8-9
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter recommendation . .9-5
Engine oil viscosity..............9-5
Outside mirror control.............3-27
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form..........9-28
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-28
P
Parking
Parking brake operation..........5-17
Parking/parking on hills...........5-21
Phone, BluetoothThands-free system. . . .4-37
Power
Power door locks...............3-5
Power outlet.................2-23
Power rear windows............2-32
Power steering system...........5-22
Power windows...............2-30
Rear power windows............2-32
Precautions
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints............1-23, 1-32, 1-38
Precautions on seat belt usage.......1-9
10-4
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Sentra(sen)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
01/22/08Ðdebbie
X