Nissan Sentra B18 (2020-2025) Owner's Manual: Engine cooling system

The engine cooling system of the Nissan Sentra is factory-filled with a pre-diluted mixture consisting of 50% Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) and 50% water. This formulation is designed to provide reliable, year-round antifreeze protection and effective engine cooling performance under a wide range of operating conditions.

The antifreeze solution used in the Nissan Sentra contains advanced rust and corrosion inhibitors that help protect internal engine components, the radiator, and the cooling passages. Under normal operating conditions, additional engine cooling system additives are not required and should not be used.

WARNING

• Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is hot. Always wait until the engine and radiator have completely cooled down.
• Serious burns may result from high-pressure hot coolant or steam escaping from the radiator or reservoir.
• The coolant reservoir is equipped with a pressure-type cap. To prevent engine damage or improper system operation, use only a Genuine NISSAN coolant reservoir cap designed for the Nissan Sentra.

CAUTION

• Never use cooling system additives, such as radiator sealers or stop-leak products. These additives may clog the cooling system and cause serious damage to the engine, transmission, and/or cooling system.
• When adding or replacing coolant, always use Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or an approved equivalent. Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) is pre-diluted to provide freeze protection down to -34ºF (-37ºC).
• If additional freeze protection is required due to extreme weather conditions, add Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) concentrate following the instructions on the container. If an equivalent coolant is used, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to maintain minimum freeze protection to -34ºF (-37ºC).
• The use of coolant solutions other than Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or approved equivalents may result in damage to the Nissan Sentra engine cooling system.
• The factory-fill coolant has a service life of 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 7 years. Mixing other coolant types, including Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (green), or using non-distilled water, can significantly reduce coolant life expectancy. Refer to the “Maintenance and schedules” section of this manual for additional details.

Checking engine coolant level

Check the coolant level in the reservoir when the engine is completely cold. If the coolant level is below the MIN level B, add Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) to bring the level up to the MAX level A.

This Nissan Sentra is equipped with Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue). The factory-fill coolant is designed to last 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 7 years under normal operating conditions. Mixing other coolant types or using non-distilled water may reduce the service life of the coolant. For additional information, refer to the “Maintenance and schedules” section of this manual.

If the cooling system frequently requires additional coolant, have the system inspected. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for proper diagnosis and service.

Changing engine coolant

Engine coolant replacement for the Nissan Sentra should be performed by a qualified technician. A NISSAN dealer has the proper tools and service information required to safely change the engine coolant according to factory specifications.

Improper servicing may lead to reduced heater performance, engine overheating, or damage to cooling system components.

WARNING

• To avoid the risk of scalding, never change the engine coolant while the engine is hot.
• Never remove the engine coolant reservoir cap when the engine is hot. High-pressure coolant may escape and cause serious injury.
• Avoid direct contact with used engine coolant. If contact occurs, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap or hand cleaner as soon as possible.
• Keep engine coolant out of the reach of children and pets, as coolant is toxic if ingested.

Used engine coolant must be disposed of in accordance with local environmental regulations.

Always check and follow applicable local disposal laws and guidelines.

Drain plug tightening torque: 22 to 29 ft-lb (29.4 to 39.2 N·m)

9. Refill the engine of your Nissan Sentra with the recommended engine oil through the oil filler opening, then securely install the oil filler cap to ensure a proper seal.

For additional details regarding drain and refill capacity, refer to the section titled "Recommended fluids/lubricants and capacities". The drain and refill capacity may vary depending on oil temperature and drain duration. These specifications are provided for reference only. Always use the engine oil dipstick to confirm the correct oil level in the Nissan Sentra engine.

10. Start the engine and carefully inspect the area around the drain plug and oil filter for any signs of oil leakage.

If leakage is detected, correct it immediately. Turn the engine off and allow it to sit for more than 15 minutes. Recheck the engine oil level using the dipstick and add oil if necessary.

After the operation

1. Reinstall the under engine protector in the reverse order of removal.

2. Lower the vehicle carefully and safely back to the ground.

3. Reset the oil change, oil filter maintenance reminder, and oil control system according to the Nissan Sentra service procedure.

• Dispose of used engine oil and the oil filter properly.
• Always follow local environmental regulations for disposal.

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) fluid

CAUTION

• NISSAN recommends using Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 (or an approved equivalent) ONLY in NISSAN CVTs. Do not mix this fluid with any other transmission fluids.
• Do not use Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF) or manual transmission fluid in a Nissan Sentra equipped with a CVT. Doing so may result in severe CVT damage. Damage caused by the use of non-recommended fluids is not covered under NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty as outlined in the Warranty Information Booklet.
• Using fluids that are not equivalent to Genuine NISSAN CVT Fluid NS-3 may also cause CVT malfunction or damage. Such damage is not covered under the NISSAN New Vehicle Limited Warranty.

Whenever CVT fluid inspection or replacement is required, it is strongly recommended that servicing be performed by a NISSAN dealer to ensure proper procedures and fluid specifications are followed.

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