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 condition. Turn the ignition switch ON
without starting the engine. If the Malfunction Indi-
cator 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”
condition, 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 shift selector 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
9-28Technical and consumer information
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks
10 Index
A
Active Head Restraint..............1-7
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-40
Air bag system
Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system)...............1-47
Side and curtain (See supplemental side
air bag and curtain side-impact air bag
system) ...................1-52
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-55
Airbagwarninglight...........1-55,2-13
Air cleaner housing filter............8-19
Air conditioner
Air conditioner operation..........4-11
Air conditioner service...........4-16
Air conditioner specification label.....9-13
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations.............9-7
Heater and air conditioner controls.....4-7
Servicing air conditioner..........4-16
Airflowcharts..................4-13
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system).........2-16
Anchorpointlocations.............1-24
Antenna.....................4-38
Anti-lock brake warning light..........2-9
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)........5-24
Armrests .....................1-7
Audible reminders................2-15Audio system..................4-16
Compact Disc (CD) changer.......4-34
Compact disc (CD) player.....4-25,4-29
FM/AM radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-23
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
changer...................4-31
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc (CD)
player ....................4-27
Radio ....................4-16
Steering wheel audio control switch....4-37
Automatic
Automatic power window switch.....2-33
Automatic door locks...............3-5
AUX jack.................4-26,4-30
Average speed..................4-4
B
Battery......................8-15
Chargewarninglight............2-10
Before starting the engine...........5-10
Belt (See drive belt)..............8-17
Block heater
Engine....................5-27
Bluetoothhands-free phone system.....4-39
Booster seats..................1-35
Brake
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)......5-24
Brake fluid..................8-13
Brake light (See stop light).........8-29Brake system................5-24
Brake warning light..............2-9
Brake wear indicators........2-15,8-21
Parking brake operation..........5-19
Self-adjusting brakes............8-21
Brakes......................8-21
Break-in schedule................5-21
Brightness control
Instrument panel..............2-21
Bulb check/instrument panel..........2-9
Bulb replacement................8-29
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants...................9-2
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-39
Cargonet....................2-30
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-14
CD care and cleaning.............4-36
CD changer (See audio system)........4-34
CD player (See audio system).....4-25,4-29
Child restraint with top tether strap......1-23
Child restraints..........1-12,1-20,1-22
Precautions on child
restraints............1-20,1-28,1-35
Top tether strap anchor point
locations...................1-24
Child safety rear door lock............3-6
Chimes,audiblereminders...........2-15
Cleaning exterior and interior..........7-2
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks
Clock ......................4-24
(models without navigation system).....4-5
Clockset.....................4-5
Clutch
Clutchfluid .................8-14
C.M.V.S.S. certification label..........9-12
Cold weather driving..............5-26
Compact disc (CD) player.......4-25,4-29
Console box...................2-29
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid .....................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-12
Transmission selector lever lock
release....................5-15
Control panel buttons
Clockset...................4-5
Setting button................4-5
Tripbutton ..................4-3
Without navigation system..........4-2
Controls
Audio controls (steering wheel)......4-37
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
Corrosionprotection...............7-6
Cruise control..................5-19
Cupholders...................2-27
Curtain side-impact air bag system
(See supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system)..........1-52D
Daytime running light system
(Canada only)..................2-21
Defroster switch
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-19
Dimensionsandweights............9-10
Dimmer switch for instrument panel......2-21Display 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............2-10
Drive belt....................8-17
Driving
Cold weather driving............5-26
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-12
Driving with manual transmission.....5-17
Precautions when starting and driving . . .5-2
E
Economy-fuel .................5-21
Emission control information label.......9-13
Emission control system warranty.......9-27
Engine
Before starting the engine.........5-10
Blockheater.................5-27
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants.................9-2
Changingenginecoolant ..........8-9
Changingengineoil ............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 . .9-6
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-10
Engine oil viscosity..............9-6
Engine serial number............9-12
Engine specifications.............9-8
Starting the engine.............5-10
Engine oil pressure gauge............2-6
Eventdatarecorders..............9-29
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)........5-2
Eyeglass case..................2-25
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..........9-12
10-2
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