2013 NISSAN SENTRA maintenance

Vehicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level.
JUMP STARTING
If jump starting is necessary, see “Jump starting”
in the “In case of emergency” section of this
manual. If the engine does not start by jump
starting, the battery may have to be replaced.
Contact a NISSAN dealer.
CAUTION
●Do not ground accessories directly to
the battery terminal. Doing so will by-
pass the variable voltage control sys-
tem and the vehicle battery may not
charge completely.
● Use electrical accessories with the en-
gine running to avoid discharging the
vehicle battery.
Your vehicle is equipped with a variable voltage
control system. This system measures the
amount of electrical discharge from the battery
and controls voltage generated by the generator. The current sensor
Ais located near the battery
along the negative battery cable. If you add elec-
trical accessories to your vehicle, be sure to
ground them to a suitable body ground such as
the frame or engine block area.
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VARIABLE VOLTAGE CONTROL
SYSTEM
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-15

1. Automatic tensioner
2. Generator
3. Water pump
4. Air conditioner compressor
5. Crankshaft pully
WARNING
Be sure the ignition switch is in the OFF or
LOCK position before servicing drive belt.
The engine could rotate unexpectedly.1. Visually inspect the belt for signs of unusual wear, cuts, or fraying. If the belt is in poor
condition, have it replaced or adjusted by a
NISSAN dealer. 2. Have the belt checked regularly for condi-
tion.
REPLACING SPARK PLUGS
WARNING
Be sure the engine and ignition switch are
off and that the parking brake is engaged
securely.
CAUTION
Be sure to use the correct socket to re-
move the spark plugs. An incorrect socket
can damage the spark plugs.
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DRIVE BELT SPARK PLUGS
8-16Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Platinum-tipped spark plugs (except
California models)
It is not necessary to replace platinum-tippedA
spark plugs as frequently as conventional type
spark plugs because they last much longer. Fol-
low the maintenance log shown in the “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”. Do not service
platinum-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or re-
gapping.● Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer for assistance.
Iridium-tipped spark plugs (California
models only)
It is not necessary to replace iridium-tippedA
spark plugs as frequently as conventional type
spark plugs because they last much longer. Fol-
low the maintenance log shown in the “NISSAN
Service and Maintenance Guide”. Do not service
iridium-tipped spark plugs by cleaning or regap-
ping. ● Always replace spark plugs with rec-
ommended or equivalent ones.
If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer for assistance. 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.”
To remove the air cleaner filter:
1. Unlatch the retaining clips
A.
2. Pull up at points
Band remove.
3. Pull up and remove air cleaner housing
C.
4. Remove the air cleaner filter, Wipe the inside of the air cleaner filter housing and the cover
with a damp cloth, then replace air cleaner
filter. NOTE:
After installing a new air cleaner, make
sure the air cleaner cover is seated in the
housing and latch the clips.
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.
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AIR CLEANER
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-17

If replacement is required, see your NISSAN
dealer.CLEANING
If your windshield is not clear after using the
windshield washer or if a wiper blade chatters
when running, wax or other material may be on
the blade or windshield.
Clean the outside of the windshield with a washer
fluid or a mild detergent. Your windshield is clean
if beads do not form when rinsing with clear
water.
Clean each blade by wiping it with a cloth soaked
in a washer fluid or a mild detergent. Then rinse
the blades with clear water. If your windshield is
still not clear after cleaning the blades and using
the wiper, install new windshield wiper blades.
CAUTION
Worn windshield wiper blades can dam-
age the windshield and impair driver
vision.
REPLACING
Replace the wiper blades if they are worn.
To replace the windshield wiper blades, follow
the procedure below:1. Ensure that the ignition switch is in the OFF position.
2. Pull the windshield wiper and washer lever for 5 seconds
2. This action will cause the
wipers to take the service position automati-
cally.
3. Lift the wiper arm away from the windshield.
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WINDSHIELD WIPER BLADES
8-18Maintenance and do-it-yourself

4. Push the release tab4.
5. Move the wiper blade down
5and remove.
6. Insert the new wiper blade onto the wiper arm until it clicks into place.
7. Rotate the wiper blade so the dimple is in the groove. 8. Finally, pull the windshield wiper and washer
lever for 5 seconds. This action will cause
the wipers to resume the set position.
CAUTION
●After wiper blade replacement, return
the wiper arm to its original position;
otherwise it may be damaged when the
hood is opened.
● Make sure the wiper blades contact the
glass; otherwise the arms may be dam-
aged from wind pressure. If you wax the surface of the hood, be careful not
to let wax get into the washer nozzle
A. This may
cause clogging or improper windshield-washer
operation. If wax gets into the nozzle, remove it
with a needle or small pin
B.
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LDI2182
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-19

If the brakes do not operate properly, have the
brakes checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Self-adjusting brakes
Your vehicle is equipped with self-adjusting
brakes.
The front (and rear– if so equipped) disc-type
brakes self-adjust every time the brake pedal is
applied. The rear drum-type brakes (if so
equipped) self-adjust every time the parking
brake is applied.
WARNING
See a NISSAN dealer for a brake system
check if the brake pedal height does not
return to normal.
Brake pad wear indicators
The disc brake pads on your vehicle have audible
wear indicators. When a brake pad requires re-
placement, a high pitched scraping or screech-
ing sound will be heard when the vehicle is in
motion. The noise will be heard whether or not the
brake pedal is depressed. Have the brakes
checked as soon as possible if the wear indicator
sound is heard.
Under some driving or climate conditions, occa-
sional brake squeak, squeal or other noise may
be heard. Occasional brake noise during light tomoderate stops is normal and does not affect the
function or performance of the brake system.
Proper brake inspection intervals should
be followed.
For more information regarding
brake inspections, see the appropriate mainte-
nance schedule information in the “NISSAN Ser-
vice and Maintenance Guide”.
Two types of fuses are used. Type
Ais used in
the fuse boxes in the engine compartment. Type
Bis used in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
Type A fuses are provided as spare fuses. They
are stored in the passenger compartment fuse
box.
Type A fuses can be installed in the engine com-
partment and passenger compartment fuse
boxes.
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BRAKES FUSES
8-20Maintenance and do-it-yourself

If a type A fuse is used to replace a type B fuse,
the type A fuse will not be level with the fuse
pocket as shown in the illustration. This will not
affect the performance of the fuse. Make sure the
fuse is installed in the fuse box securely.
Type B fuses cannot be installed in the under-
hood fuse boxes. Only use type A fuses in the
underhood fuse boxes.ENGINE COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than specified on the
fuse box cover. This could damage the
electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not come on,
check for an open fuse. 1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight switch are OFF.
2. Open the engine hood. 3. Remove the fuse box cover by pushing the
tab
Aand lifting the cover up.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller, which is located in the center of the fuse block in
the passenger compartment.
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Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-21

5. If the fuse is openA, replace it with a new
fuse
B.
6. If a new fuse also opens, have the electrical system checked and repaired by a NISSAN
dealer.
Fusible links
If the electrical equipment does not operate and
fuses are in good condition, check the fusible
links. If any of these fusible links are melted,
replace with only Genuine NISSAN parts.
PASSENGER COMPARTMENT
CAUTION
Never use a fuse of a higher or lower
amperage rating than specified on the
fuse box cover. This could damage the
electrical system or cause a fire.
If any electrical equipment does not operate,
check for an open fuse. NOTE:
The fuse box is located on the driver’s side
of the instrument panel.
1. Be sure the ignition switch and the headlight switch are OFF.
2. Remove the fuse box cover with a suitable tool. Use a cloth to avoid damaging the trim.
3. Locate the fuse that needs to be replaced.
4. Remove the fuse with the fuse puller
2.
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8-22Maintenance and do-it-yourself