How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra has a reputation as a reliable, long-lived car. Help it keep up that reputation by using the right Nissan fluids or equivalent replacements when you service your vehicle. You'll be able to tell which fluids meet Nissan Sentra manufacturer specifications with a quick look at the bottle label or, if in doubt, make a call to your Nissan Sentra dealer's service department just to be sure.

Instructions

1

Check to make sure you're using 5W-30 engine oil. 10W-30 might be appropriate in hot climates.

2

Double-check your radiator and coolant reservoir before long trips; they should be filled with a 50-50 mix of Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant or equivalent and water. You can use up to 70% coolant in climates below -34F, but never use pure coolant as this fluid does not cool as well on its own as when mixed with water.

3

Keep your Sentra automatic transmission filled with only Nissan J-Matic automatic transmission fluid. Manual transmissions should use Genuine Nissan manual transmission fluid.

4

Refill a low brake fluid reservoir with Genuine Nissan Brake Fluid or a DOT3 equivalent.

5

Top off battery cells that are low on fluid with distilled water. Remember that each cell must be checked and filled individually.

6

Fill your windshield washer reservoir with Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Antifreeze fluid or equivalent before heading out on a long trip.

7

Use NISSAN A/C System Oil Type R (DH-PS) or equivalent refrigerant oil in your air conditioning system. The refrigerant itself should be HFC-134a (R-134a).