Nissan Sentra Owners Manual: Driving on snow or ice

Nissan Sentra Owners Manual / Starting and driving / Cold weather driving / Driving on snow or ice

WARNING

Wet ice (32°F, 0°C and freezing rain), very cold snow or ice can be slick and very hard to drive on. The vehicle will have much less traction or “grip” under these conditions. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until the road is salted or sanded.
Whatever the condition, drive with caution.
Accelerate and slow down with care. If accelerating or downshifting too fast, the drive wheels will lose even more traction.
Allow more stopping distance under these conditions. Braking should be started sooner than on dry pavement.
Allow greater following distances on slippery roads.
Watch for slippery spots (glare ice).
These may appear on an otherwise clear road in shaded areas. If a patch of ice is seen ahead, brake before reaching it. Try not to brake while on the ice, and avoid any sudden steering maneuvers.
Do not use the cruise control (if so equipped) on slippery roads.
Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases under your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust pipe and from around your vehicle.

Special winter equipment

It is recommended that the following items be carried in the vehicle during winter: A scraper and stiff-bristled brush to remove ice and snow from the windows and wiper blades. A sturdy, fl ...

Engine block heater (if so equipped)

Engine block heaters are used to assist with cold temperature starting. The engine block heater should be used when the outside temperature is 20°F (-7°C) or lower. WARNING Do not u ...

Other materials:

Engine oil and oil filter recommendations
Selecting the correct oil It is essential to choose the correct grade, quality and viscosity engine oil to ensure satisfactory engine life and performance. See “Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities” in this section. NISSAN recommends the use of an energy conserving oil in order ...

Wheel alignment
Inspection PRELIMINARY INSPECTION WARNING: Always adjust the wheel alignment with the vehicle on a flat surface. NOTE: If the wheel alignment is out of specification, inspect and replace any damaged or worn rear suspension parts before making any adjustments. Check and adjust the wheel ...

Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities
The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section to determine the proper refill capacity. ...