Nissan Sentra Owners Manual: Fuel efficient driving tips

Nissan Sentra Owners Manual / Starting and driving / Fuel efficient driving tips

Follow these easy-to-use Fuel Efficient Driving Tips to help you achieve the most fuel economy from your vehicle.

Use Smooth Accelerator and Brake Pedal Application

Avoid rapid starts and stops
Use smooth, gentle accelerator and brake application whenever possible
Maintain constant speed while commuting and coast whenever possible

Maintain Constant Speed

Look ahead to try and anticipate and minimize stops
Synchronizing your speed with traffic lights allows you to reduce your number of stops
Maintaining a steady speed can minimize red light stops and improve fuel efficiency

Use Air Conditioning (A/C) at Higher Vehicle Speeds

Below 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more efficient to open windows to cool the vehicle due to reduced engine load
Above 40 MPH (64 km/h), it is more efficient to use A/C to cool the vehicle due to increased aerodynamic drag
Recirculating the cool air in the cabin when the A/C is on reduces cooling load

Drive at Economical Speeds and Distances

Observing the speed limit and not exceeding 60 MPH (97 km/h) (where legally allowed) can improve fuel efficiency due to reduced aerodynamic drag
Maintaining a safe following distance behind other vehicles reduces unnecessary braking
Safely monitoring traffic to anticipate changes in speed permits reduced braking and smooth acceleration changes
Select a gear range suitable to road conditions

Use Cruise Control

Using cruise control during highway driving helps maintain a steady speed
Cruise control is particularly effective in providing fuel savings when driving on flat terrains

Plan for the Shortest Route

Utilize a map or navigation system to determine the best route to save time

Avoid Idling

Shutting off your engine when safe for stops exceeding 30–60 seconds saves fuel and reduces emissions

Buy an Automated Pass for Toll Roads

Automated passes permit drivers to use special lanes to maintain cruising speed through the toll and avoid stopping and starting

Winter Warm Up

Limit idling time to minimize impact to fuel economy
Vehicles typically need no more than 30 seconds of idling at start-up to effectively circulate the engine oil before driving
Your vehicle will reach its ideal operating temperature more quickly while driving versus idling

Keeping your Vehicle Cool

Park your vehicle in a covered parking area or in the shade whenever possible
When entering a hot vehicle, opening the windows will help to reduce the inside temperature faster, resulting in reduced demand on your A/C system

ECO Mode

The ECO mode helps to enhance the fuel economy by controlling the engine and CVT (if so equipped) operation automatically to avoid rapid acceleration.

Break-in schedule

CAUTION During the first 1,200 miles (2,000 km), follow these recommendations to obtain maximum engine performance and ensure the future reliability and economy of your new vehicle. Failure to fo ...

Increasing fuel economy

Keep your engine tuned up. Follow the recommended scheduled maintenance. Keep the tires inflated to the correct pressure. Low tire pressure increases tire wear and lowers fuel economy. ...

Other materials:

Engine cooling system
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 anti-freeze and coolant protection. The antifreeze solution contains rust and corrosion inhibitors. Additional engine cool ...

If your vehicle overheats
If your vehicle is overheating (indicated by an extremely high temperature gauge reading), or if you feel a lack of engine power, detect abnormal noise, etc., take the following steps. WARNING Do not continue to drive if your vehicle overheats. Doing so could cause engine dama ...

Symptom diagnosis
Squeak and rattle trouble diagnoses Work Flow Customer interview Interview the customer if possible, to determine the conditions that exist when the noise occurs. Use the Diagnostic Worksheet during the interview to document the facts and conditions when the noise occurs and any custome ...