2009 NISSAN SENTRA ABS

Warning
lightName Page
or
Anti-lock Braking
System (ABS) warn-
ing light (if so
equipped)2-9
or
Brake warning light 2-9
Charge warning light 2-10
Door open warning
light2-10
Electric power
steering warning
light2-10
Engine oil pressure
warning light2-10
Low fuel warning
light2-10
Warning
lightName Page
Low tire pressure
warning light (if so
equipped)2-11
Low windshield
washer fluid warning
light (if so equipped)2-12
NISSAN Intelligent
Key™ warning light
(if so equipped)3-3
P position selecting
warning light (CVT
models) (if so
equipped)2-12
Seat belt warning
light and chime2-12
Supplemental air
bag warning light2-13
Indicator
lightName Page
Continuously Vari-
able Transmission
(CVT) position indi-
cator light (CVT
models)2-13
Cruise main switch
indicator light (if so
equipped)2-13
Cruise set switch
indicator light (if so
equipped)2-13
or
Front passenger air
bag status light2-13
High beam indicator
light (blue)2-13
Malfunction Indica-
tor Light (MIL)2-14
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS
Illustrated table of contents0-9
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


Center armrest (if so equipped)
Pull the armrest down until it is horizontal.
FRONT-SEAT ACTIVE HEAD
RESTRAINTS
WARNING
●Always adjust the head restraints prop-
erly as specified in this section. Failure
to do so can reduce the effectiveness of
the Active Head Restraint.
●Active Head Restraints are designed to
supplement other safety systems. Al-
ways wear seat belts. No system can
prevent all injuries in any accident.●Do not attach anything to the head re-
straint stalks. Doing so could impair
Active Head Restraint function.
The Active Head Restraint moves forward utiliz-
ing the force that the seatback receives from the
occupant in a rear-end collision. The movement
of the head restraint helps support the occu-
pant’s head by reducing its backward movement
and helping absorb some of the forces that may
lead to whiplash-type injuries.
Active Head Restraints are effective for collisions
at low to medium speeds in which it is said that
whiplash injuries occur most.
Active Head Restraints operate only in certain
rear-end collisions. After the collision, the head
restraints return to their original positions.
Properly adjust the Active Head Restraints as
described in this section.
WIC1097SPA1025
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-7
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/23/08—debbie


orAnti-lock Braking System
(ABS) warning light
(if so equipped)Low windshield washer fluid warning light
(if so equipped)Cruise set switch indicator light
(if so equipped)
orBrake warning lightNISSAN Intelligent Key™ warning light
(if so equipped)orFront passenger air bag status
light
Charge warning lightP position selecting warning light (CVT mod-
els) (if so equipped)High beam indicator light (Blue)
Door open warning lightSeat belt warning light and chimeMalfunction Indicator Light (MIL)
Electric power steering warning lightSupplemental air bag warning lightOverdrive off indicator light (CVT models)
Engine oil pressure warning lightContinuously Variable Transmission (CVT) po-
sition indicator light (CVT models)Security indicator light
Low fuel warning light (if so equipped)Cruise main switch indicator light (if so
equipped)Turn signal/hazard indicator lights
Low tire pressure warning light
WARNING/INDICATOR LIGHTS AND
AUDIBLE REMINDERS
2-8Instruments and controls
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


CHECKING BULBS
With all doors closed, apply the parking brake
and place the ignition switch in the ON position
without starting the engine. The following lights
will come on:
or,,,,,
If equipped, the following lights come on briefly
and then go off:
or,,,
If any light fails to come on, it may indicate
an open circuit in the electrical system.
Have the system repaired promptly.
WARNING LIGHTS
orAnti-lock Braking
System (ABS)
warning light (if so
equipped)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
warning light illuminates and then turns off. This
indicates the ABS is operational.If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
engine is running, or while driving, it may indicate
the ABS is not functioning properly. Have the
system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
If an ABS malfunction occurs, the anti-lock func-
tion is turned off. The brake system then operates
normally, but without anti-lock assistance. See
Brake systemin theStarting and drivingsec-
tion.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
Brake warning light
This light functions for both the parking brake and
the foot brake systems.
Parking brake indicator
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light comes on when the parking
brake is applied.
Low brake fluid warning light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the light warns of a low brake fluid level.
If the light comes on while the engine is running
with the parking brake not applied, stop the ve-
hicle and perform the following:1. Check the brake fluid level. Add brake fluid
as necessary. See “Brake fluid” in the “Main-
tenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
2. If the brake fluid level is correct, have the
warning system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
WARNING
●Your brake system may not be working
properly if the warning light is on. Driv-
ing could be dangerous. If you judge it
to be safe, drive carefully to the nearest
service station for repairs. Otherwise,
have your vehicle towed because driv-
ing it could be dangerous.
●Pressing the brake pedal with the en-
gine stopped and/or a low brake fluid
level may increase your stopping dis-
tance and braking will require greater
pedal effort as well as pedal travel.
●If the brake fluid level is below the
MINIMUM or MIN mark on the brake
fluid reservoir, do not drive until the
brake system has been checked at a
NISSAN dealer.
Instruments and controls2-9
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/23/08—debbie


5 Starting and driving
Precautions when starting and driving................5-2
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)..................5-2
Three-way catalyst..............................5-2
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)..........5-3
Avoiding collision and rollover....................5-5
Off-road recovery...............................5-5
Rapid air pressure loss..........................5-6
Drinking alcohol/drugs and driving................5-6
Ignition switch. . ...................................5-7
NISSAN Intelligent Key™ (if so equipped).........5-7
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).........5-8
Manual transmission............................5-9
Key positions..................................5-9
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system...............5-10
Before starting the engine.........................5-10
Starting the engine...............................5-10
Driving the vehicle................................5-12
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
(if so equipped)...............................5-12
Manual transmission (if so equipped)............5-17
Parking brake . . ..................................5-19Cruise control (if so equipped).....................5-19
Precautions on cruise control...................5-19
Cruise control operations.......................5-20
Break-in schedule................................5-21
Increasing fuel economy...........................5-21
Parking/parking on hills............................5-22
Power steering...................................5-23
Brake system....................................5-24
Brake precautions.............................5-24
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
(if so equipped)...............................5-24
Cold weather driving..............................5-26
Freeing a frozen door lock......................5-26
Anti-freeze....................................5-26
Battery.......................................5-26
Draining of coolant water.......................5-26
Tire equipment................................5-26
Special winter equipment.......................5-26
Driving on snow or ice
.........................5-26
Engine block heater (if so equipped).............5-27
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


The brake system has two separate hydraulic
circuits. If one circuit malfunctions, you will still
have braking at 2 wheels.
BRAKE PRECAUTIONS
Vacuum assisted brakes
The brake booster aids braking by using engine
vacuum. If the engine stops, you can stop the
vehicle by depressing the brake pedal. However,
greater foot pressure on the brake pedal will be
required to stop the vehicle and stopping dis-
tance will be longer.
Using the brakes
Avoid resting your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This will overheat the brakes, wear out the
brake pads faster, and reduce gas mileage.
To help reduce brake wear and to prevent the
brakes from overheating, reduce speed and
downshift to a lower gear before going down a
slope or long grade. Overheated brakes may
reduce braking performance and could result in
loss of vehicle control.
WARNING
●While driving on a slippery surface, be
careful when braking, accelerating or
downshifting. Abrupt braking or accel-
erating could cause the wheels to skid
and result in an accident.
●If the engine is not running or is turned
off while driving, the power assist for
the brakes will not work. Braking will be
harder.
Wet brakes
When the vehicle is washed or driven through
water, the brakes may get wet. As a result, your
braking distance will be longer and the vehicle
may pull to one side during braking.
To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe
speed while lightly pressing the brake pedal to
heat up the brakes. Do this until the brakes return
to normal. Avoid driving the vehicle at high
speeds until the brakes function correctly.
Parking brake break-in
Break-in the parking brake shoes whenever the
stopping effect of the parking brake is weakened
or whenever the parking brake shoes and/or
drum/rotors are replaced, in order to assure the
best brake performance.This procedure is described in the vehicle service
manual and can be performed by a NISSAN
dealer.
ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM
(ABS) (if so equipped)
WARNING
●The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is a
sophisticated device, but it cannot pre-
vent accidents resulting from careless
or dangerous driving techniques. It can
help maintain vehicle control during
braking on slippery surfaces. Remem-
ber that stopping distances on slippery
surfaces will be longer than on normal
surfaces even with ABS. Stopping dis-
tances may also be longer on rough,
gravel or snow covered roads, or if you
are using tire chains. Always maintain a
safe distance from the vehicle in front
of you. Ultimately, the driver is respon-
sible for safety.
●Tire type and condition may also affect
braking effectiveness.
– When replacing tires, install the
specified size of tires on all four
wheels.
BRAKE SYSTEM
5-24Starting and driving
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


– When installing a spare tire, make
sure that it is the proper size and type
as specified on the Tire and Loading
Information label. See “Tire and
Loading Information label” in the
“Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
– For detailed information, see
“Wheels and tires” in the “Mainte-
nance and do-it-yourself” section of
this manual.
The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) controls the
brakes so the wheels do not lock during hard
braking or when braking on slippery surfaces.
The system detects the rotation speed at each
wheel and varies the brake fluid pressure to pre-
vent each wheel from locking and sliding. By
preventing each wheel from locking, the system
helps the driver maintain steering control and
helps to minimize swerving and spinning on slip-
pery surfaces.
Using the system
Depress the brake pedal and hold it down. De-
press the brake pedal with firm steady pressure,
but do not pump the brakes. The ABS will oper-
ate to prevent the wheels from locking up. Steer
the vehicle to avoid obstacles.
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Doing so
may result in increased stopping
distances.
Self-test feature
The ABS includes electronic sensors, electric
pumps, hydraulic solenoids and a computer. The
computer has a built-in diagnostic feature that
tests the system each time you start the engine
and move the vehicle at a low speed in forward or
reverse. When the self-test occurs, you may hear
a “clunk” noise and/or feel a pulsation in the brake
pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a
malfunction. If the computer senses a malfunc-
tion, it switches the ABS off and illuminates the
ABS warning light on the instrument panel. The
brake system then operates normally, but without
anti-lock assistance.
If the ABS warning light illuminates during the
self-test or while driving, have the vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
The ABS operates at speeds above3-6MPH(5
- 10 km/h) . The speed varies according to road
conditions.When the ABS senses that one or more wheels
are close to locking up, the actuator rapidly ap-
plies and releases hydraulic pressure. This action
is similar to pumping the brakes very quickly. You
may feel a pulsation in the brake pedal and hear a
noise from under the hood or feel a vibration from
the actuator when it is operating. This is normal
and indicates that the ABS is operating properly.
However, the pulsation may indicate that road
conditions are hazardous and extra care is re-
quired while driving.
Starting and driving5-25
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks


The air cleaner filter should not be cleaned and
reused. Replace it according to the maintenance
log shown in the “NISSAN Service and Mainte-
nance Guide.” When replacing the filter, wipe the
inside of the air cleaner filter housing and the
cover with a damp cloth.
To remove the air cleaner filter, push the tabs
A
and pull the unit upwardB.
WARNING
●Operating the engine with the air
cleaner removed can cause you or oth-
ers to be burned. The air cleaner not
only cleans the air, it stops the flame if
the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and
the engine backfires, you could be
burned. Do not drive with the air cleaner
removed, and be careful when working
on the engine with the air cleaner
removed.●Never pour fuel into the throttle body or
attempt to start the engine with the air
cleaner removed. Doing so could result
in serious injury.
IN-CABIN MICROFILTER
The in-cabin microfilter restricts the entry of air-
borne dust and pollen particles and reduces
some objectionable outside odors. The filter is
located behind the trim panel near the accelera-
tor pedal. Refer to the “NISSAN Service and
Maintenance Guide” for change intervals.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer.
Type A
LDI0541
Type B
WDI0596
AIR CLEANER
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks