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
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
Refer to “Seat belts” in the “Safety—Seats, seat
belts and supplemental restraint system” section
for precautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or
START position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag, and preten-
sioner systems need servicing and your vehicle
must be taken to a NISSAN dealer:
●The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
●The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
●The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the supplemental
restraint system (air bag system) and/or the pre-
tensioners may not function properly. For addi-
tional details see “Supplemental restraint sys-
tem” in the “Safety—Seats, seat belts and
supplemental restraint system” section of this
manual.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag systems
and/or pretensioner systems will not op-
erate in an accident. To help avoid injury
to yourself or others, have your vehicle
checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.
INDICATOR LIGHTS
Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) position
indicator light (CVT models)
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, this indicator light shows the shift selec-
tor position. See “Driving the vehicle” in the
“Starting and driving” section of this manual.
Cruise main switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on when the cruise control main
switch is pushed. The light goes out when the
main switch is pushed again. When the cruise
main switch indicator light comes on, the cruise
control system is operational.
Cruise set switch indicator
light (if so equipped)
The light comes on while the vehicle speed is
controlled by the cruise control system. If the light
blinks while the engine is running, it may indicate
the cruise control system is not functioning prop-
erly. Have the system checked by a NISSAN
dealer.
orFront passenger air
bag status light
The front passenger air bag status light (
or) will be lit and the passenger front air
bag will be OFF depending on how the front
passenger seat is being used.
For front passenger air bag status light operation,
see “Front passenger air bag and status light” in
the “Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental
restraint system” section of this manual.
High beam indicator light
(blue)
This blue light comes on when the headlight high
beams are on and goes out when the low beams
are selected.
Instruments and controls2-13
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
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The high beam indicator light also comes on
when the passing signal is activated.
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL)
If this indicator light comes on steady or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate a
potential emission control malfunction.
The Malfunction Indicator Light may also come
on steady if the fuel-filler cap is loose or missing,
or if the vehicle runs out of fuel. Check to make
sure the fuel-filler cap is installed and closed
tightly, and that the vehicle has at least 3 gallons
(11.4 liters) of fuel in the fuel tank.
After a few driving trips, the
light should
turn off if no other potential emission control
system malfunction exists.
If this indicator light comes on steady for 20
seconds and then blinks for 10 seconds when
the engine is not running, it indicates that the
vehicle is not ready for an emission control sys-
tem inspection/maintenance test. See “Readi-
ness for inspection/maintenance (I/M) test” in the
“Technical and consumer information” section of
this manual.Operation
The Malfunction Indicator Light will come on in
one of two ways:
●Malfunction Indicator Light on steady — An
emission control system malfunction has
been detected. Check the fuel-filler cap. If
the fuel-filler cap is loose or missing, tighten
or install the cap and continue to drive the
vehicle. The
light should turn off after
a few driving trips. If the
light does not
turn off after a few driving trips, have the
vehicle inspected by a NISSAN dealer. You
do not need to have your vehicle towed to
the dealer.
●Malfunction Indicator Light blinking — An
engine misfire has been detected which may
damage the emission control system. To re-
duce or avoid emission control system dam-
age:
– do not drive at speeds above 45 MPH
(72 km/h) .
– avoid hard acceleration or deceleration.
– avoid steep uphill grades.
– if possible, reduce the amount of cargo
being hauled or towed.The Malfunction Indicator Light may stop blinking
and come on steady. Have the vehicle inspected
by a NISSAN dealer. You do not need to have
your vehicle towed to the dealer.
CAUTION
Continued vehicle operation without hav-
ing the emission control system checked
and repaired as necessary could lead to
poor driveability, reduced fuel economy,
and possible damage to the emission con-
trol system.
Overdrive off indicator light
(CVT models)
The overdrive off indicator light illuminates when
the overdrive off mode is selected.
For additional information, see “Continuous Vari-
able Transmission (CVT)” in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Security indicator light
For vehicles without Intelligent Key: This light
blinks whenever the ignition switch is placed in
the LOCK, OFF or ACC position.
2-14Instruments and controls
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
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HEADLIGHT CONTROL SWITCH
Lighting
1When turning the switch to theposi-
tion, the front parking, tail, license plate and
instrument panel lights come on.
2When turning the switch to theposi-
tion, the headlights come on and all the other
lights remain on.
CAUTION
Use the headlights with the engine run-
ning to avoid discharging the vehicle
battery.
Headlight beam select
1To select the high beam function, push the
lever forward. The high beam lights come on
and the
light illuminates.
2Pull the lever back to select the low beam.
3Pulling and releasing the lever flashes the
headlight high beams on and off.
Battery saver system
If the ignition switch is placed in the OFF position
while the headlight switch is in the
orposition, the headlights will turn off after
5 minutes.
Type A
LIC0706
Type B
LIC0688WIC0859
HEADLIGHT AND TURN SIGNAL
SWITCH
2-20Instruments and controls
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/23/08—debbie
TURN SIGNAL SWITCH
Turn signal
1Move the lever up or down to signal the
turning direction. When the turn is com-
pleted, the turn signals cancel automatically.
Lane change signal
2To signal a lane change, move the lever up or
down to the point where the indicator light
begins to flash, but the lever does not latch.
FOG LIGHT SWITCH (if so equipped)
To turn the fog lights on, turn the headlight switch
to the
position, then turn the fog light
switch to the
position.
To turn the fog lights off, turn the fog light switch
to the OFF position.
The headlights must be on and the low beams
selected for the fog lights to operate. The fog
lights automatically turn off when the high beam
headlights are selected.Push the switch on to warn other drivers when
you must stop or park under emergency condi-
tions. All turn signal lights flash.WARNING
●If stopping for an emergency, be sure to
move the vehicle well off the road.
●Do not use the hazard warning flashers
while moving on the highway unless
unusual circumstances force you to
drive so slowly that your vehicle might
become a hazard to other traffic.
●Turn signals do not work when the haz-
ard warning flasher lights are on.
WIC0860WIC0861LIC0394
HAZARD WARNING FLASHER
SWITCH
2-22Instruments and controls
REVIEW COPY—2009 Sentra(sen)
Owners Manual—USA_English(nna)
10/23/08—debbie
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)
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