2013 NISSAN SENTRA steering

When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Road wheel nuts (lug nuts)* When checking
the tires, make sure no wheel nuts are missing,
and check for any loose wheel nuts. Tighten if
necessary.
Tire rotation* Tires should be rotated every
7,500 miles (12,000 km).
Tires* Check the pressure with a gauge often
and always prior to long distance trips. If neces-
sary, adjust the pressure in all tires, including the
spare, to the pressure specified. Check carefully
for damage, cuts or excessive wear.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
transmitter components Replace the TPMS
transmitter grommet seal, valve core and cap
when the tires are replaced due to wear or age.
Wheel alignment and balance If the vehicle
should pull to either side while driving on a
straight and level road, or if you detect uneven or
abnormal tire wear, there may be a need for wheel alignment. If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at
normal highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
● For additional information regarding tires,
refer to “Important Tire Safety Information”
(US) or “Tire Safety Information” (Canada) in
the Warranty Information Booklet.
Windshield Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a dam-
aged windshield repaired by a qualified repair
facility.
Windshield wiper blades* Check for cracks or
wear if they do not wipe properly.
Inside the vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when per-
forming periodic maintenance, cleaning the ve-
hicle, etc.
Additional information on the following
items with an “*” is found later in this sec-
tion.
Accelerator pedal Check the pedal for smooth
operation and make sure the pedal does not bind
or require uneven effort. Keep the floor mat away
from the pedal. Brake pedal
Check the pedal for smooth opera-
tion. If the brake pedal suddenly goes down fur-
ther than normal, the pedal feels spongy or the
vehicle seems to take longer to stop, see a
NISSAN dealer immediately. Keep the floor mat
away from the pedal.
Brakes Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)
P (Park) position mechanism On a fairly
steep hill, check that the vehicle is held securely
with the shift selector in the P (Park) position
without applying any brakes.
Parking brake Check the parking brake opera-
tion regularly. The vehicle should be securely held
on a fairly steep hill with only the parking brake
applied. If the parking brake needs adjustment,
see a NISSAN dealer.
Seats Check seat position controls such as seat
adjusters, seatback recliner, etc., to ensure they
operate smoothly and all latches lock securely in
every position. Check that the head restraints or
headrests move up and down smoothly and the
locks (if so equipped) hold securely in all latched
positions.
Seat belts Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
Maintenance and do-it-yourself8-3

and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Steering wheelCheck for changes in the steer-
ing system, such as excessive freeplay, hard
steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes Make sure all
warning lights and chimes are operating properly.
Windshield wiper and washer* Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and in
sufficient quantity when operating the heater or
air conditioner (if so equipped) .
Under the hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should be
checked periodically (for example, each time you
check the engine oil or refuel) .
Battery* Check the fluid level in each cell. It
should be between the MAX and MIN lines. Ve-
hicles operated in high temperatures or under
severe conditions require frequent checks of the
battery fluid level. NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery discharge
and potential no-start conditions such as:
1. Installation or extended use of electronic
accessories that consume battery power
when the engine is not running (Phone
chargers, GPS, DVD players, etc.) 2. Vehicle
is not driven regularly and/or only driven
short distances. In these cases, the battery
may need to be charged to maintain battery
health.
Brake and clutch fluid levels*
Make sure that
the brake and clutch fluid level is between the
MIN and MAX lines on the reservoir.
Engine coolant level* Check the coolant level
when the engine is cold.
Engine drive belts* Make sure the drive belts
are not frayed, worn, cracked or oily.
Engine oil level* Check the level after parking
the vehicle on a level surface with the engine off.
Wait more than 10 minutes for the oil to drain
back into the oil pan.
Exhaust system Make sure there are no loose
supports, cracks or holes. If the sound of the
exhaust seems unusual or there is a smell of
exhaust fumes, immediately have the exhaust
system inspected by a NISSAN dealer. See the carbon monoxide warning in the “Starting and
driving” section of this manual.
Fluid leaks
Check under the vehicle for fuel, oil,
water or other fluid leaks after the vehicle has
been parked for a while. Water dripping from the
air conditioner (if so equipped) after use is nor-
mal. If you should notice any leaks or if gasoline
fumes are evident, check for the cause and have
it corrected immediately.
Radiator and hoses Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects, leaves,
etc., that may have accumulated. Make sure the
hoses have no cracks, deformation, rot or loose
connections.
Underbody The underbody is frequently ex-
posed to corrosive substances such as those
used on icy roads or to control dust. It is very
important to remove these substances from the
underbody, otherwise rust may form on the floor
pan, frame, fuel lines and exhaust system. At the
end of winter, the underbody should be thor-
oughly flushed with plain water, in those areas
where mud and dirt may have accumulated. See
the “Appearance and care” section of this
manual.
Windshield-washer fluid* Check that there is
adequate fluid in the reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it-yourself

10 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) ........5-31
Air bag (See supplemental restraint
system) .....................1-34
Air bag system Front (See supplemental front impact
air bag system) ...............1-41
Side and curtain (See supplemental
side air bag and curtain side-impact
air bag system) ...............1-47
Airbagwarninglabels.............1-49
Airbagwarninglight...........1-49,2-17
Air cleaner housing filter ............8-17
Air conditioner Air conditioner operation ..........4-18
Air conditioner service ...........4-26
Air conditioner specification label .....9-11
Air conditioner system refrigerant and
oil recommendations .............9-6
Heater and air conditioner
controls................4-15,4-24
Servicing air conditioner ..........4-26
Airflowcharts..................4-19
Alarm system
(See vehicle security system) .........2-21
Anchor point locations .............1-20
Antenna.....................4-65
Anti-lock brake warning light ..........2-13
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ........5-31
Armrests .....................1-4
Audible reminders ...............2-20 Audio system
..................4-26
Bluetooth®audio..............4-60
Compact disc (CD) player . .4-37, 4-42, 4-48
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD)
player ....................4-35
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-40,4-45
Audio System iPod®Player.............4-54,4-57
Audio system Radio ....................4-26
Steering wheel audio control switch . . .4-64
USB interface ............4-51,4-53
Autolight switch .................2-25
Automatic Automatic power window switch .....2-39
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-18
Automatic anti-glare inside mirror .......3-31
Automatic door locks ..............3-6
AUXjack..............4-38,4-43,4-50
B
Battery ......................8-13
Chargewarninglight............2-14
Before starting the engine ...........5-14
Belt (See drive belt) ..............8-16
Block heater Engine ....................5-35
Bluetooth®audio................4-60 Bluetooth® hands-free phone
system
..................4-66,4-81
Boosterseats..................1-30
Brake Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) ......5-31
Brakefluid..................8-12
Brakelight(Seestoplight).........8-28
Brake system ................5-30
Brake warning light .............2-13
Brake wear indicators ........2-20,8-20
Parking brake operation ..........5-21
Self-adjusting brakes ............8-20
Brakes ......................8-20
Break-inschedule ...............5-26
Brightness/contrast button ...........4-9
Brightness control Instrument panel ..............2-27
Bulb check/instrument panel ..........2-13
Bulbreplacement................8-28
C
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants ...................9-2
Cargonet....................2-37
Cargo (See vehicle loading information) . . .9-12
CarphoneorCBradio.............4-66
CDcareandcleaning .............4-63
CD player (See audio system) . .4-37, 4-42, 4-48
Child restraints .......1-15,1-15,1-16,1-18
Precautions on child
restraints ........1-16,1-22,1-27,1-30

Top tether strap anchor point locations . .1-20
Child safety rear door lock ............3-6
Chimes, audible reminders ...........2-20
Cleaningexteriorandinterior...........7-2
Clock.......................4-36 (models without navigation system) ....4-36
Clockset.....................4-36
C.M.V.S.S. certification label ..........9-10
Cold weather driving ..............5-34
Compact disc (CD) player ....4-37,4-42,4-48
Console box ...................2-35
Console light ...................2-43
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). . .5-16 Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT) fluid ..................8-11
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-16
Transmission shift selector lock release . .5-18
Controlpanelbuttons...............4-2 Brightness/contrast button ..........4-9
Enterbutton..................4-2
Setting button .................4-5
Controls Audiocontrols(steeringwheel).......4-64
Heater and air conditioner
controls ................4-15,4-24
Coolant Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Checking engine coolant level ........8-8
Engine coolant temperature gauge .....2-6
Corrosionprotection ...............7-6
Cruise control ..................5-24
Cupholders................2-34,2-35 Curtain side-impact air bag system
(See supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system)
...........1-47
D
Daytime running light system (Canada only) . .2-27
Defroster switch Rear window defroster switch .......2-24
Dimensionsandweights.............9-8
Dimmer switch for instrument panel ......2-27
Display controls (see control panel buttons) . .4-2
Door locks .....................3-4
Door open warning light .............2-14
Drive belt .....................8-16
Driving Cold weather driving ............5-34
Driving with Continuously Variable
Transmission (CVT) .............5-16
Driving with manual transmission ......5-20
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
E
Economy - fuel ..................5-28
Emission control information label .......9-10
Emission control system warranty .......9-17
Engine Before starting the engine ..........5-14
Block heater .................5-35
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Changing engine coolant ...........8-8
Changing engine oil .............8-10 Changing engine oil filter
..........8-11
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 ............8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
Engine

oil and oil filter recommendation . . .9-5
Engine oil pressure warning light ......2-14
Engine oil viscosity ..............9-5
Engine serial number ............9-10
Engine specifications .............9-7
Starting the engine ..........5-14,5-15
Enterbutton....................4-2
Eventdatarecorders ..............9-19
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .........5-2
Extended storage switch ............8-23
Eyeglass case ..................2-33
F
Flashers (See hazard warning flasher switch) . .6-2
Flat tire .......................6-3
Floor mat positioning aid .............7-5
Fluid Brake fluid ..................8-12
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................9-2
Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT)fluid..................8-11
Engine coolant .................8-7
Engine oil ...................8-9
F.M.V.S.S. certification label ...........9-10
Foglightswitch .................2-28
10-2

Phone, Bluetooth® hands-free
system...................4-66,4-81
PowerPower door locks ...............3-5
Power outlet .................2-30
Power rear windows .............2-39
Power steering system ...........5-29
Power windows ...............2-37
Rear power windows ............2-39
Precautions Maintenanceprecautions...........8-5
Precautions on child
restraints .........1-16,1-22,1-27,1-30
Precautionsonseatbeltusage........1-8
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ....................1-34
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Programmable features ..............4-5
Push starting ...................6-10
R
Radio Car phone or CB radio ...........4-66
FM-AM radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..................4-35
FM/AM/SAT radio with compact disc
(CD) player ..............4-40,4-45
Steering wheel audio control switch ....4-64
Readiness for inspection maintenance
(I/M) test .....................9-19
Rear power windows ..............2-39
Rearseat......................1-4
RearViewMonitor.................4-9
Rear window defroster switch .........2-24Recorders
Eventdata..................9-19
Refrigerant recommendation ...........9-6
Registering your vehicle in another country . . .9-9
Reporting safety defects (US only) .......9-18
S
Safety Child safety rear door lock ..........3-6
Child seat belts .....1-16,1-22,1-27,1-30
Reporting safety defects (US only) .....9-18
Seat adjustment Frontmanualseatadjustment ........1-2
Rear seat adjustment .............1-4
Seatback pockets ................2-32
Seat belt Childsafety..................1-15
Infants and small children ..........1-15
Injured Person ................1-11
Largerchildren................1-16
Precautions on seat belt usage ........1-8
Pregnant women ...............1-11
Seatbeltextenders .............1-14
Seatbeltmaintenance............1-14
Seatbelts ...................1-8
Shoulder belt height adjustment ......1-14
Three-point type with retractor .......1-11
Seat belt warning light ..............2-17
Seats Adjustment ...................1-2
Frontseats...................1-2
Heatedseats.................2-29
Manual front seat adjustment .........1-2
Rearseat....................1-4 Security indicator light
..............2-19
Security system (NISSAN vehicle immobilizer
system) , engine start .....2-22,3-4,5-10,5-14
Self-adjusting brakes ..............8-20
Service manual order form ...........9-20
Servicing air conditioner .............4-26
Setting button ...................4-5
Shifting Continuously Variable Transmission
(CVT).....................5-17
Manual transmission .............5-20
Shiftlockrelease.................5-18
Shoulder belt height adjustment ........1-14
Side air bag system (See supplemental
side air bag and curtain side-impact air
bag system) ...................1-47
Spark plug replacement .............8-16
Speedometer ...................

2-3
Spotlights(Seemaplight) ...........2-43
SRSwarninglabel................1-49
Starting Before starting the engine ..........5-14
Jump starting .................6-8
Precautions when starting and driving ....5-2
Push starting .................6-10
Starting the engine ..........5-14,5-15
Steering Power steering system ...........5-29
Steering wheel audio control switch ......4-64
Stoplight.....................8-28
Storage......................2-31
Storage tray ...................2-32
Sunglasses case .................2-33
Sunglasses holder ................2-33
Sunroof (see Moonroof) .............2-40
Sun visors ....................3-29
10-5