2009 NISSAN SENTRA headlights

REARVIEW MIRROR
The night position1reduces glare from the
headlights of vehicles behind you at night.
Use the day position
2when driving in daylight
hours.
WARNING
Use the night position only when neces-
sary, because it reduces rear view clarity.
OUTSIDE MIRRORS
WARNING
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on
the passenger side are closer than they
appear. Be careful when moving to the
right. Using only this mirror could cause
an accident. Use the inside mirror or
glance over your shoulder to properly
judge distances to other objects.
Electric control type (if so equipped)
The outside mirror remote control only operates
when the ignition switch is in the ACC or ON
position.
Rotate the control lever to select the right or left
mirror. Adjust the mirror to the desired position by
moving the control lever.
WPD0126WPD0274
MIRRORS
Pre-driving checks and adjustments3-27
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/23/08—debbie


8 Maintenance and do-it-yourself
Maintenance requirements..........................8-2
General maintenance..............................8-2
Explanation of general maintenance items.........8-2
Maintenance precautions . . .........................8-5
Engine compartment check locations................8-6
Engine cooling system.............................8-8
Checking engine coolant level...................8-8
Changing engine coolant........................8-9
Engine oil.........................................8-9
Checking engine oil level........................8-9
Changing engine oil...........................8-11
Changing engine oil filter.......................8-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid......8-13
Brake and clutch fluid.............................8-13
Brake fluid . . ..................................8-14
Clutch fluid . ..................................8-14
Window washer fluid.............................8-14
Window washer fluid reservoir..................8-14
Battery..........................................8-15
Jump starting.................................8-16
Drive belt........................................8-17
Spark plugs......................................8-18Replacing spark plugs . ........................8-18
Air cleaner.......................................8-19
In-cabin microfilter.............................8-19
Windshield wiper blades..........................8-20
Cleaning.....................................8-20
Replacing....................................8-20
Brakes..........................................8-21
Fuses...........................................8-22
Engine compartment...........................8-22
Passenger compartment . . .....................8-24
Battery replacement..............................8-25
Keyfob.......................................8-25
NISSAN Intelligent Key™.......................8-27
Lights...........................................8-28
Headlights....................................8-28
Exterior and interior lights . . .....................8-29
Wheels and tires.................................8-31
Tire pressure..................................8-31
Tire labeling...................................8-35
Types of tires..................................8-37
Tire chains....................................8-38
Changing wheels and tires.....................8-38
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)*When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation*Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km) .
Tires*Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter componentsReplace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balanceIf the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheelalignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
●For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
WindshieldClean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades*Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with an “*” is found later in this sec-
tion.
Accelerator pedalCheck the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal.Brake pedalCheck the pedal for smooth opera-
tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down fur-
ther than normal, the pedal feels spongy or the
vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.
BrakesCheck that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) position mechanismOn a fairly
steep hill, check that the vehicle is held securely
with the shift selector in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brakeCheck the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment,
see a NISSAN dealer.
SeatsCheck seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc., to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints
move up and down smoothly and the locks (if so
equipped) hold securely in all latched positions.
Seat beltsCheck that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


HEADLIGHTS
Replacing the halogen headlight bulb
The headlight is a semi-sealed beam type which
uses a replaceable headlight (halogen) bulb. Be-
cause the headlight assembly must be removed
from the vehicle for bulb replacement, see your
NISSAN dealer.
CAUTION
●Aiming is not necessary after replacing
the bulb. When aiming adjustment is
necessary, contact a NISSAN dealer.
●Do not leave the headlight assembly
open without a bulb installed for a long
period of time. Dust, moisture, smoke,
etc. entering the headlight body may
affect bulb performance. Remove the
bulb from the headlight assembly just
before a replacement bulb is installed.
●Only touch the base when handling the
bulb. Never touch the glass envelope.
Touching the glass could significantly
affect bulb life and/or headlight
performance.
●High pressure halogen gas is sealed
inside the halogen bulb. The bulb may
break if the glass envelope is scratched
or the bulb is dropped.●Use the same number and wattage as
shown in the chart.
Fog may temporarily form inside the lens of the
exterior lights in the rain or in a car wash. A
temperature difference between the inside and
the outside of the lens causes the fog. This is not
a malfunction. If large drops of water collect
inside the lens, contact a NISSAN dealer.
LIGHTS
8-28Maintenance and do-it-yourself
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


Foglightswitch.................2-22
Foldingrearseat............1-3,1-4,1-5
Front air bag system
(See supplemental restraint system).....1-47
Frontseats....................1-2
Fuel
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Fuel economy................5-21
Fuelgauge..................2-5
Fuel octane rating..............9-5
Fuel recommendation............9-4
Fuel-filler door and cap...........3-24
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-24
Fuel economy setting..............4-4
Fuses ......................8-22
Fusible links...................8-23
G
Gascap.....................3-24
Gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Engine oil pressure gauge..........2-6
Fuelgauge..................2-5
g-forcegauge.................2-5
Odometer...................2-4
Speedometer.................2-3
Tachometer..................2-4
Trip odometer.................2-4
Generalmaintenance ..............8-2
g-forcegauge...................2-5
Glovebox....................2-28
Gloveboxlock .................2-28
Grocery hooks.................2-31H
Hands-free phone system, Bluetooth....4-39
Hazard warning flasher switch.........2-22
Head restraints..................1-8
Active Head Restraint............1-7
Headlight and turn signal switch........2-20
Headlight control switch............2-20
Headlights....................8-28
Heatedseats..................2-23
Heater
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-7
Heater operation..............4-10
Hood release..................3-22
Horn.......................2-23
I
Ignition switch..................5-7
Immobilizer system.........2-17,3-2,5-10
Important vehicle information label.......9-12
In-cabin microfilter...............8-19
Increasing fuel economy............5-21
Indicator lights and audible reminders
(See warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders).....................2-8
Inside mirror...................3-27
Instrument brightness control.........2-21
Instrument panel..............0-6,2-2
Instrument panel dimmer switch........2-21
Intelligent Key system
Key operating range............3-12
Key operation................3-13
Mechanical key................3-3Remote keyless entry operation......3-16
Troubleshooting guide...........3-21
Warning signals...............3-21
Interiorlight...................2-37
Interior trunk lid release.............3-23
ISOFIX child restraints.............1-22
J
Jump starting...................6-8
K
Keyfob battery replacement..........8-25
Keyless entry
With Intelligent Key system
(See Intelligent Key system)........3-16
Keys, Except Intelligent Key...........3-2
L
Labels
Air conditioner specification label.....9-13
C.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-12
Emission control information label.....9-13
Engine serial number............9-12
F.M.V.S.S. certification label........9-12
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-13
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
plate.....................9-11
Warning labels (for SRS)..........1-55
Language setting.................4-6
10-3
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)
System......................1-22
License plate
Installing the license plate.........9-14
Light
Airbagwarninglight.........1-55,2-13
Brake light (See stop light).........8-29
Bulb check/instrument panel........2-9
Bulb replacement..............8-29
Chargewarninglight............2-10
Foglightswitch...............2-22
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-20
Headlightcontrolswitch..........2-20
Headlights..................8-28
Interiorlight.................2-37
Lightbulbs..................8-28
Low tire pressure warning light......2-11
Lowwasherfluidwarninglight.......2-12
Passenger air bag and status light.....1-49
Security indicator light...........2-14
Spotlights(Seemaplight).........2-38
Trunklight..................2-39
Warning/indicator lights and audible
reminders...................2-8
Lights
Maplights..................2-38
Lock
Child safety rear door lock..........3-6
Door locks..................3-4
Fuel-filler door lock opener lever......3-24
Gloveboxlock ...............2-28
Power door locks...............3-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever.........3-23
Lowfuelwarninglight .............2-10
Low tire pressure warning light........2-11
Low washer fluid warning light.........2-12Luggage
(See vehicle loading information).......9-14
M
Maintenance
General maintenance............8-2
Insidethevehicle...............8-3
Maintenance precautions..........8-5
Outside the vehicle..............8-2
Seat belt maintenance...........1-19
Under the hood and vehicle.........8-4
Malfunction indicator light...........2-14
Manual front seat adjustment..........1-2
Manual windows................2-35
Maplights....................2-38
Map pocket...................2-25
Metersandgauges................2-3
Instrumentbrightnesscontrol.......2-21
Mirror
Inside mirror.................3-27
Outside mirror control...........3-27
Vanity mirror.................3-26
Moonroof....................2-35
N
NISSAN Intelligent Key™.........3-3,3-10
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system................2-17,3-2,5-10O
Octane rating (See fuel octane rating).....9-5
Odometer.....................2-4
Oil
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingengineoil ............8-11
Changing engine oil filter..........8-12
Checking engine oil level..........8-9
Engine oil...................8-9
Engine oil and oil filter
recommendation...............9-6
Engine oil viscosity..............9-6
Outside mirror control.............3-27
Overheat
If your vehicle overheats
..........6-10
Owner’s manual order form..........9-29
Owner’s manual/service manual order
information....................9-29
P
Parking
Parking brake operation..........5-19
Parking/parking on hills...........5-22
Phone, Bluetoothhands-free system....4-39
Power
Power door locks...............3-5
Power outlet.................2-24
Power rear windows............2-33
Power steering system...........5-23
Power windows...............2-32
Rear power windows............2-33
10-4
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks