2018 NISSAN SENTRA Owner´s Manual

The engine cooling system is filled at the
factory with a pre-diluted mixture of 50%
Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) and 50% water to
provide year-round antifreeze and coolant
protection. The antifreeze solution con-
tains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Addi-
tional engine cooling system additives are
not necessary.
WARNING
∙ Never remove the radiator or coolantreservoir cap when the engine is hot.
Wait until the engine and radiator cool
down. Serious burns could be caused
by high pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. For additional informa-
tion on precautions, refer to “If your
vehicle overheats” found in the “In
case of emergency ” section of this
manual.
∙ The radiator is equipped with a pres- sure type radiator cap. To prevent en-
gine damage, use only a Genuine
NISSAN radiator cap.
CAUTION
∙ Never use any cooling system addi-tives such as radiator sealer. Additives
may clog the cooling system and
cause damage to the engine, trans-
mission and/or cooling system.
∙ When adding or replacing coolant, be sure to use only Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-
diluted to provide antifreeze protec-
tion to -34° F (-37° C). If additional
freeze protection is needed due to
weather where you operate your ve-
hicle, add Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) concen-
trate following the directions on the
container. If an equivalent coolant
other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is used, fol-
low the coolant manufacturer’s in-
structions to maintain minimum anti-
freeze protection to -34° F (-37° C). The
use of other types of coolant solu-
tions other than Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent may damage the engine
cooling system. ∙ The life expectancy of the factory-fill
coolant is 105,000 miles (168,000 km)
or 7 years. Mixing any other type of
coolant other than Genuine NISSAN
Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue),
including Genuine NISSAN Long Life
Antifreeze/Coolant (green), or the use
of non-distilled water will reduce the
life expectancy of the factory-fill cool-
ant. For additional information, refer
to the “Maintenance and schedules”
section of this manual.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM
Do-it-yourself8-5

CHECKING ENGINE COOLANT
LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir
when the engine is cold. If the coolant
level is below the MIN level
B, add coolant
to the MAX level
A. If the reservoir is empty,
check the coolant level in the radiator
when the engine is cold. If there is insuffi-
cient coolant in the radiator, fill the radiator
with coolant up to the filler opening and
also add it to the reservoir up to the MAX
level
A. This vehicle contains Genuine NISSAN Long
Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue). The life ex-
pectancy of the factory-fill coolant is
105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 7 years. Mixing
any other type of coolant or the use of
non-distilled water will reduce the life ex-
pectancy of the factory-fill coolant. For ad-
ditional information, refer to the “Mainte-
nance and schedules” section of this
manual.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, have it checked. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service. For additional information on the location
of the engine coolant reservoir, refer to “En-
gine compartment check locations” in this
section.
CHANGING ENGINE COOLANT
A NISSAN dealer can change the engine
coolant. The service procedure can be
found in the NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance and engine over-
heating.
WARNING
∙ To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
engine is hot.
∙ Never remove the radiator or engine coolant reservoir cap when the en-
gine is hot. Serious burns could be
caused by high pressure fluid escap-
ing from the radiator.
∙ Avoid direct skin contact with used coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
∙ Keep coolant out of the reach of chil- dren and pets.MRA8DE
LDI2167
MR16DDT
LDI3060
8-6Do-it-yourself

Engine coolant must be disposed of prop-
erly. Check your local regulations.
CHECKING ENGINE OIL LEVEL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Start the engine and let it idle until it reaches operating temperature.
3. Turn off the engine. Wait more than
10 minutes for the oil to drain back
into the oil pan.
4. Remove the dipstick and wipe it clean. Reinsert it all the way.
MRA8DE
LDI2168
MR16DDT
LDI3039
ENGINE OIL
Do-it-yourself8-7

5. Remove the dipstick again and checkthe oil level. It should be between the H
(High) and L (Low) marks
B. This is the
normal operating oil level range. If the
oil level is below the L (Low) mark
A,
remove the oil filler cap and pour rec-
ommended oil through the opening.
Do not overfill
C.
6. Recheck oil level with the dipstick.
It is normal to add some oil between oil
maintenance intervals or during the
break-in period, depending on the sever-
ity of operating conditions.
CAUTION
∙ Oil level should be checked regularly. Operating the engine with an insuffi-
cient amount of oil can damage the
engine, and such damage is not cov-
ered by warranty.
∙ It is normal to add some oil between oil maintenance intervals or during
the break-in period, depending on the
severity of operating conditions.
Make sure to follow the engine oil changing
intervals in the maintenance booklet. Op-
erating under the following conditions may
require more frequent oil change: ∙ repeated short distance driving
∙ driving in dusty conditions
∙ stop and go commuting.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
LDI0371
MRA8DE
LDI3041
8-8Do-it-yourself

2. Start the engine and let it idle until itreaches operating temperature, then
turn it off.
3. Remove the oil filler cap
Aby turning it
counterclockwise. 4. Place a large drain pan under the drain
plug
B.
5. Remove the drain plug
Bwith a
wrench by turning it counterclockwise
and completely drain the oil.
If the oil filter is to be changed, remove
and replace it at this time. For addi-
tional information, refer to “Changing
engine oil filter” in this section.
WARNING
∙ Prolonged and repeated contact with used engine oil may cause skin
cancer.
∙ Try to avoid direct skin contact with used oil. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner
as soon as possible.
∙ Keep used engine oil out of reach of children.
CAUTION
∙ Be careful not to burn yourself. Theengine oil may be hot.
∙ Waste oil must be disposed of properly.
∙ Check your local regulations. 6. Clean and reinstall the drain plug and a
new washer. Securely tighten the drain
plug with a wrench. Do not use exces-
sive force.
Drain plug tightening torque: 25 f t-lb (34 N·m)
7. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening, then install
the oil filler cap securely.
For additional information on the drain
and refill capacity, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capaci-
ties” in the “Technical and consumer
information” section of this manual.
The drain and refill capacity depends
on the oil temperature and drain time.
Use these specifications for reference
only. Always use the dipstick to deter-
mine when the proper amount of oil is
in the engine.
8. Start the engine. Check for leakage around the drain plug and oil filter. Cor-
rect as required.
9. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level with the
dipstick. Add engine oil if necessary.MR16DDT
LDI3043
Do-it-yourself8-9

For additional information on the location
of the engine oil filler cap, refer to “Engine
compartment check locations” in this sec-
tion.
CHANGING ENGINE OIL FILTER
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andapply the parking brake.
2. Turn the engine off. 3. Place a large drain pan under the oil
filterB.
MRA8DE
LDI3045
MR16DDT
LDI3044
8-10Do-it-yourself

4. Loosen the oil filterBwith an oil filter
wrench by turning it counterclockwise.
Then remove the oil filter by turning it
by hand.
CAUTION
Be careful not to burn yourself. The en-
gine oil may be hot.
5. Wipe the engine oil filter sealing surface with a clean rag.
CAUTION
Be sure to remove any old gasket mate-
rial remaining on the sealing surface of
the engine. Failure to do so could lead to
engine damage.
6. Coat the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil.
7. Screw on the oil filter. Securely tighten oil filter with wrench. Do not use exces-
sive force.
Oil filter tightening torque: 18 N·m (13 f t-lb)
8. Refill engine with recommended oil through the oil filler opening
A, then
install oil filler cap securely. 9. Start the engine and check for leakage
around the oil filter. Correct as required.
10. Turn the engine off and wait more than 10 minutes. Check the oil level. Add en-
gine oil if necessary.
For additional information on the location
of the engine oil filler cap, refer to “Engine
compartment check locations” in this sec-
tion.
CAUTION
∙ NISSAN recommends using Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 (or equivalent)
ONLY in NISSAN CVTs. Do not mix with
other fluids.
∙ Do not use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or manual transmission
fluid in a NISSAN CVT, as it may dam-
age the CVT. Damage caused by the
use of fluids other than as recom-
mended is not covered under
NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
∙ Using fluids that are not equivalent to Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 may
also damage the CVT. Damage caused
by the use of fluids other than as rec-
ommended is not covered under
NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
When checking or replacement of CVT fluid
is required, it is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN dealer for servicing.
CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE
TRANSMISSION (CVT) FLUID (if so
equipped)
Do-it-yourself8-11

For additional brake and clutch fluid speci-
fication information, refer to “Recom-
mended fluids/lubricants and capacities”
in the “Technical and consumer informa-
tion” section of this manual.
WARNING
∙ Use only new fluid from a sealed con-tainer. Old, inferior or contaminated
fluid may damage the brake and
clutch (if so equipped) systems. The
use of improper fluids can damage
the brake and clutch system and af-
fect the vehicle’s stopping ability.
∙ Clean the filler cap before removing.
∙ Brake and clutch fluid is poisonous and should be stored carefully in
marked containers out of reach of
children.
CAUTION
Do not spill the fluid on any painted sur-
faces. This will damage the paint. If fluid
is spilled, immediately wash the surface
with water.
BRAKE FLUID
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
level is below the MIN line
1, or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine
NISSAN Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3
fluid up to the MAX line
2. If fluid must be
added frequently, the system should be
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
CLUTCH (if so equipped) FLUID
Check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the
level is below the MIN line
1, or the brake
warning light comes on, add Genuine
NISSAN Brake Fluid or equivalent DOT 3
fluid up to the MAX line
2. If fluid must be
added frequently, the system should be
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
LDI2169LDI2169
BRAKE AND CLUTCH (if so equipped)
FLUID
8-12Do-it-yourself