NissanSentra (GA)1998Overview/nissan/sentra-ga/1998/base/

1998 Nissan Sentra (GA)

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Sentra (GA).

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 1998 Nissan Sentra (GA) operates as a passenger car requiring 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Its reliability history is quantified by 5 recalls and 64 total owner complaints, with the top complaint area identified as air bags. This record places the vehicle in a reliability context where safety system integrity becomes the primary factor for evaluation.

Model year19991998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 490 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520855Y0A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 490 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP155-80R13OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520855Y0A alt 1520865F0E
Engine air filter165460Z000 alt 16546V0100
Fuel filter1640041B1A
Spark plug2240150Y04 alt 2240150Y07
Front wiper blades288909E000 discontinued · alt 288908B700
Serpentine belt119500M200 alt 117200M200
Thermostat2120077A63 alt 212000C82A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length170.1 in
Overall width66.5 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase100 in
Curb weight2368 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 56.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.6 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts98-112 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts105-112 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 69-76 ft-lbs, MT: 61-39 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts62-70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts19-21 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts13-15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts27-35 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub145-202 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 675, AT: 800, CANADA MT: 750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.0 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,000 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.5-1.0 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.30-1.55 lbs
Oil TypeNISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca
Optional BCI Group Number24F CANADA
Optional BCI Cranking Performance550 CANADA cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket23-30 ft-lbs / 16-23 ft-lbs / 44 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle44 ft-lbs / 33 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.059 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0008 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.024 in / 0.276 in / 0.709 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.024 in / 0.276 in / 0.709 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Tighten all bolts finger tight, Step 27–9 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
112 ft. lbs., Step 2: 35-4012 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 28-3310–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
1Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1043 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
4Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
5Bolts 1-1050–55 degrees
6Bolts 11-1556–74 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
129 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
258 ft. lbs.58 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
425-33 ft. lbs.25–33 ft. lbs
590-95 degrees.90–95 degrees
690-95 degrees.90–95 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
121-24 ft. lbs., Step 2: 75-80 degrees, Step 3: Back off 360 degrees, Step 4: 25-28 ft. lbs., Step 5: 45-5021–24 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1998 Nissan Sentra (GA) lead in one area — the air bags, 13 of 64 reports (20%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 5 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 17 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
56
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
64
Owner complaints
17 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 64 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags13
Visibility11
Tires6
Vehicle Speed Control5
Engine & Engine Cooling4
Structure3
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Suspension2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 56 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-0492023-06-16Electrical System12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-0532023-06-16Electrical SystemSILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F2023-04-27Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C2023-04-17Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sentra (GA). OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Sentra (GA) take?

3.6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Sentra (GA) have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.