Nissan Sentra B18 (2020-2025) Owner's Manual: Starting/stopping the engine

Starting the engine

1. Verify that the parking brake is fully applied to prevent any unintended movement of the Nissan Sentra.

2. With the shift position set to P (Park) or N (Neutral), firmly depress the brake pedal all the way down.

3. Push and release the ignition switch to start the engine of your Nissan Sentra.

• If the engine is difficult to start in extremely cold weather or during a restart, slightly depress the accelerator pedal (approximately one-third of the way to the floor) and, while holding it, crank the engine.

  Release the accelerator pedal immediately once the engine starts running.

• If the engine is very hard to start due to flooding, fully depress and hold the accelerator pedal to the floor. Push the ignition switch to the ON position to begin cranking the engine. After approximately 5–6 seconds, stop cranking by pushing the ignition switch to the LOCK position. Release the accelerator pedal, then crank the engine again with your foot off the accelerator by depressing the brake pedal and pushing the ignition switch to start the engine.

  If the engine starts but does not continue running, repeat the procedure above as needed.

CAUTION

Do not operate the starter motor for more than 15 seconds at a time. If the engine does not start, push the ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least 10 seconds before attempting to crank again. Failure to do so may result in starter motor damage.

4. Warm-up

Allow the engine to idle for at least 30 seconds after starting. Avoid racing the engine while it is warming up. Drive the Nissan Sentra at a moderate speed for a short distance first, especially in cold weather. In low temperatures, keep the engine running for a minimum of 2–3 minutes before shutting it off. Frequently starting and stopping the engine over short intervals may make the vehicle more difficult to start.

5. To stop the engine, ensure the Intelligent Key is inside the Nissan Sentra, move the shift lever to the P (Park) position or to N (Neutral) and apply the parking brake (M/T), then push the ignition switch to the OFF position.

NOTE:

Care should be taken to avoid situations that may lead to battery discharge and potential no-start conditions, including the following:

1. Installation or prolonged use of electronic accessories that draw power when the engine is not running, such as phone chargers, GPS units, or DVD players.

2. The vehicle is not driven regularly or is only driven short distances.

In these situations, the battery of your Nissan Sentra may require charging to maintain proper battery condition and reliable starting performance.

Remote Engine Start

Vehicles equipped with Remote Engine Start require the ignition switch to be placed in the ON position before the shift lever can be moved out of the P (Park) position.

To place the ignition switch in the ON position, follow these steps:

1. Confirm that the Intelligent Key is in your possession.

2. Apply the brake pedal.

3. Push the ignition switch once to move it to the ON position.

Stopping the engine

WARNING

To reduce the risk of injury or death caused by unintended vehicle movement, always ensure the Nissan Sentra is in the P (Park) position and the parking brake is applied before exiting the vehicle.

To turn the vehicle OFF:

1. Apply the parking brake.

2. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.

3. Push the ignition switch.

Some electrical accessories, such as the audio system, may continue to operate temporarily. These systems will automatically turn off once the driver’s door is opened.

If the ignition switch is pushed while the shift lever is in a position other than P (Park), the engine will shut off, but the vehicle will enter AUTO ACC mode. A warning message may appear and an audible alert may sound. To fully turn the vehicle off, perform the following steps:

1. Confirm that the parking brake is applied.

2. Depress the brake pedal.

3. Move the shift lever to the P (Park) position.

4. Push the ignition switch.

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