NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer system will not
allow the engine to start without the use of the
registered key.
If the engine fails to start using a registered key (for
example, when interference is caused by another
registered key, an automated toll road device or
automatic payment device on the key ring) , restart
the engine using the following procedure:
1. Leave the ignition switch in the ON position
for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Place the ignition switch in the OFF or
LOCK position, and wait approximately 10
seconds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2.
4. Restart the engine while holding the device
(which may have caused the interference)
separate from the registered key.
If the no start condition re-occurs, NISSAN recom-
mends placing the registered key on a separate key
ring to avoid interference from other devices.
●Make sure the area around the vehicle is
clear.
●Check fluid levels such as engine oil, cool-
ant, brake and clutch fluid, and window
washer fluid as frequently as possible, or at
least whenever you refuel.
●Check that all windows and lights are clean.
●Visually inspect tires for their appearance
and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
●Lock all doors.
●Position seat and adjust head restraints.
●Adjust inside and outside mirrors.
●Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to
do likewise.
●Check the operation of warning lights when
the key is turned to the ON (3) position. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders” in the “Instruments and controls”
section of this manual.1. Apply the parking brake.
2.CVT model:
Move the shift selector to P (Park) or N
(Neutral) . P (Park) is recommended.
The shift selector cannot be moved out
of P (Park) and into any of the other
gear positions if the ignition key is
turned to the OFF position or if the key
is removed from the ignition switch.
The starter is designed not to operate if
the shift selector is in any of the driving
positions.
Manual transmission model:
Move the shift selector to N (Neutral) . De-
press the clutch pedal to the floor while
cranking the engine.
The starter is designed not to operate
unless the clutch pedal is fully de-
pressed.
Models with Intelligent Key:Slowly
“PUSH ON” the ignition switch. When the
Intelligent Key warning light
in the
meter illuminates in green, the ignition
switch can be turned.
The Intelligent Key must be carried
when operating the ignition switch.
BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE STARTING THE ENGINE
5-10Starting and driving
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) (if so
equipped)
WARNING
●Do not depress the accelerator pedal
while shifting from P (Park) or N (Neu-
tral) to R (Reverse) , D (Drive) or L (Low) .
Always depress the brake pedal until
shifting is completed. Failure to do so
could cause you to lose control and
have an accident.
●Cold engine idle speed is high, so use
caution when shifting into a forward or
reverse gear before the engine has
warmed up.
●Do not downshift abruptly on slippery
roads. This may cause a loss of control.
●Never shift to P (Park) or R (Reverse)
while the vehicle is moving. This could
cause an accident.
CAUTION
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill
grade, do not hold the vehicle by depress-
ing the accelerator pedal. The foot brake
should be used for this purpose.The CVT in your vehicle is electronically con-
trolled to produce maximum power and smooth
operation.
The recommended operating procedures for this
transmission are shown on the following pages.
Follow these procedures for maximum vehicle
performance and driving enjoyment.
NOTE:
Engine power may be automatically re-
duced to protect the CVT if the engine
speed increases quickly when driving on
slippery roads or while being tested on
some dynamometers.
Starting the vehicle
1. After starting the engine, fully depress the
foot brake pedal before moving the shift
selector out of the P (Park) position.
2. Keep the foot brake pedal depressed and
move the shift selector lever into a driving
gear.
3. Release the foot brake, then gradually start
the vehicle in motion.
4. Stop the vehicle completely before shifting
the shift selector to the P (Park) position.The CVT is designed so the foot brake
pedal MUST be depressed before shifting
from P (Park) to any drive position while
the ignition switch is in the ON position.
The shift selector cannot be moved out of P
(Park) and into any of the other gear posi-
tions if the ignition key is turned to the
LOCK or OFF position or if the key is re-
moved.
DRIVING THE VEHICLE
5-12Starting and driving
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks
M1 (1st):
Use this position when climbing steep hills slowly
or driving slowly through deep snow, sand or
mud, or for maximum engine braking on steep
downhill grades.
●Remember not to drive at high speeds for
extended periods of time in lower than M6
range. This reduces fuel economy.
When shifting up:
Pull the +
Cpaddle on the steering wheel
towards you. (Shifts to higher range.)
When shifting down:
Pull the
Bpaddle on the steering wheel
towards you. (Shifts to lower range.)
●Pulling the same paddle twice will shift the
ranges in succession. However, if this mo-
tion is rapidly done, the second shifting may
not be completed properly.
When canceling the manual shift mode:
Press the manual shift mode button
Ato return
the transmission to the normal driving mode.
●In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may not shift to the selected gear.
This helps maintain driving perfor-
mance and reduces the chance of ve-
hicle damage or loss of control.●In the manual shift mode, the transmis-
sion may shift up automatically to a
higher range than selected if the en-
gine speed is too high. When the ve-
hicle speed decreases, the transmis-
sion automatically shifts down. The
transmission shifts to M1 (1st) gear
before the vehicle comes to a com-
plete stop. When accelerating again, it
is necessary to shift up to the desired
range.
●When the CVT fluid temperature is ex-
tremely low, the manual shift mode may not
work and automatically shift as a drive mode.
This is not a malfunction. In this case, press
the manual shift button
Aoff and drive for a
while and then reactivate the manual shift
mode.
●When the CVT fluid temperature is high, the
shift range may upshift in lower rpm than
usual. This is not a malfunction.Shift lock release
If the battery is discharged, the shift selector may
not be moved from the P (Park) position even with
the brake pedal depressed.
To move the shift selector, release the shift lock.
The shift selector can be moved to N (Neutral) .
However, the steering wheel will be locked un-
less the ignition switch is turned to the ON posi-
tion. This allows the vehicle to be moved if the
battery is discharged.
LSD0178
Starting and driving5-15
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks
WARNING
●Be sure the parking brake is fully re-
leased before driving. Failure to do so
can cause brake failure and lead to an
accident.
●Do not release the parking brake from
outside the vehicle.
●Do not use the gear shift in place of the
parking brake. When parking, be sure
the parking brake is fully engaged.
●Do not leave children unattended in a
vehicle. They could release the parking
brake and cause an accident.
To engage:Pull the lever up
A.
To release:
1. Firmly apply the foot brake.
2.Manual transmission models:
Place the shift selector in the N (Neutral)
position.
CVT models:
Move the shift selector to the P (Park) position.
3. While pulling up on the parking brake lever
slightly, push the button and lower com-
pletely
B.
4. Before driving, be sure the brake warning
light goes out.
1. ACCEL/RES switch
2. COAST/SET switch
3. CANCEL switch
4. ON/OFF switch
PRECAUTIONS ON CRUISE
CONTROL
●If the cruise control system malfunctions, it
cancels automatically. The SET indicator
light in the instrument panel then blinks to
warn the driver.
●If the SET indicator light blinks, turn the
cruise control switch off and have the sys-
tem checked by a NISSAN dealer.
WSD0048LSD0176
PARKING BRAKE CRUISE CONTROL (if so equipped)
Starting and driving5-19
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks
●The SET indicator light may blink when the
cruise control switch is turned ON while
pushing the ACCEL/RES, COAST/SET, or
CANCEL switch. To properly set the cruise
control system, use the following proce-
dures.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control when driving
under the following conditions:
●When it is not possible to keep the
vehicle at a set speed.
●In heavy traffic or in traffic that varies in
speed.
●On winding or hilly roads.
●On slippery roads (rain, snow, ice, etc.) .
●In very windy areas.
Doing so could cause a loss of vehicle
control and result in an accident.
CAUTION
On manual transmission models, do not
shift into N (Neutral) without depressing
the clutch pedal when the cruise control is
set. Should this occur, depress the clutch
pedal and turn the main switch off imme-
diately. Failure to do so may cause engine
damage.
CRUISE CONTROL OPERATIONS
The cruise control allows driving at a speed be-
tween 25 - 89 MPH (40 - 144 km/h) without
keeping your foot on the accelerator pedal.
To turn on the cruise control,push the
ON·OFF switch. The CRUISE indicator light in
the instrument panel comes on.
To set cruising speed,accelerate the vehicle to
the desired speed, push the COAST/SET switch
and release it. The SET indicator light in the
instrument panel comes on. Take your foot off the
accelerator pedal. Your vehicle maintains the set
speed.
●To pass another vehicle,depress the ac-
celerator pedal. When you release the
pedal, the vehicle returns to the previously
set speed.●The vehicle may not maintain the set speed
when going up or down steep hills. If this
happens, drive without the cruise control.
To cancel the preset speed,use one of the
following three methods.
●Push the CANCEL button; the SET indicator
light in the instrument panel goes out.
●Tap the brake pedal; the SET indicator light
goes out.
●Push the ON·OFF switch off. Both the
CRUISE indicator light and SET indicator
light in the instrument panel go out.
The cruise control is automatically canceled and
the SET light in the instrument panel goes out if:
●you depress the brake or clutch pedal while
pushing the ACCEL/RES or SET/COAST
switch. The preset speed is deleted from
memory.
●the vehicle slows down more than 8 MPH
(13 km/h) below the set speed.
●you depress the clutch pedal (manual trans-
mission) , or move the shift selector to N
(Neutral) (CVT or A/T)) .
5-20Starting and driving
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks
Supplemental air bag warning labels.....1-55
Supplemental air bag warning light . . .1-55, 2-13
Supplemental front impact air bag system. . .1-47
Supplemental restraint system
Information and warning labels.......1-55
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system....................1-40
Supplemental restraint system
(Supplemental air bag system).........1-40
Supplemental side and curtain side-impact
air bag system..................1-52
Switch
Automatic power window switch.....2-33
Foglightswitch...............2-22
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-22
Headlight and turn signal switch......2-20
Headlightcontrolswitch..........2-20
Ignition switch................5-7
Power door lock switch...........3-5
Rear window and outside mirror defroster
switch....................2-19
Turn signal switch..............2-22
Windshield wiper and washer switch . . .2-18
T
Tachometer....................2-4
Temperature gauge
Engine coolant temperature gauge.....2-6
Theft (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
enginestart.............2-17,3-2,5-10
Three-way catalyst................5-2
Tilting steering wheel..............3-26
Tire
Flat tire....................6-2Spare tire................6-3,8-41
Tire and Loading Information label.....9-13
Tire chains..................8-38
Tireplacard.................9-13
Tire pressure................8-31
Tirerotation.................8-38
Types of tires................8-37
Uniform tire quality grading.........9-26
Wheels and tires..............8-31
Wheel/tire size................9-9
Tire pressure
Low tire pressure warning light......2-11
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) . . .5-3
Top tether strap child restraint.........1-23
Towing
Flattowing..................9-25
Towtrucktowing..............6-11
Towing load/specification.........9-21
Trailer towing................9-18
Transmission
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
fluid .....................8-13
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT).............5-12
Driving with manual transmission.....5-17
Selector lever lock release.........5-15
Travel (See registering your vehicle in another
country).....................9-11
Tripbutton ....................4-3
Trip odometer...................2-4
Triptime......................4-5
Trunk access through the rear seat....1-4,1-5
Trunk lid lock opener lever...........3-23
Trunklight....................2-39
Turn signal switch................2-22U
Uniform tire quality grading...........9-26
V
Vanity mirror...................3-26
Vehicle dimensions and weights........9-10
Vehicle identification..............9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN)
(Chassis number)................9-11
Vehicle identification number (VIN) plate . . .9-11
Vehicle loading information...........9-14
Vehicle recovery.............6-12,6-13
Vehicle security system.............2-16
Vehicle security system
(NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system) ,
engine start.............2-17,3-2,5-10
Ventilators.....................4-7
W
Warning
Airbagwarninglight.........1-55,2-13
Anti-lock brake warning light........2-9
Battery charge warning light........2-10
Brake warning light..............2-9
Door open warning light..........2-10
Engine oil pressure warning light.....2-10
Hazard warning flasher switch.......2-22
Lowfuelwarninglight ...........2-10
Low tire pressure warning light......2-11
Low washer fluid warning light.......2-12
10-6
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/27/08—tbrooks