How to Inspect the Drivetrain in a Nissan Sentra
- 1). Inspect the drivetrain on your Nissan Sentra once a year or every 15,000 miles to check for wear or problems on the rest of the drivetrain. Do this inspection both during and after the warranty period expires.
- 2). Look at all the components of the car's drivetrain. Lift the Sentra on a hoist and look for any signs of breakage or wear on the axles that connect the driveshaft to the wheels. Look for seepage of fluids from the joints. At the outer end of the driveshaft, check the support brackets for the drivetrain, making sure they're tight.
- 3). Take your Nissan Sentra for a drive and listen for any unusual noises, such as a clicking or clunking when you're cruising at a low speed, a clicking noise when you turn or clunks when you round a corner. Any of these noises could indicate trouble with the drivetrain. If you experience any shaking, rattling, drift or pull while driving, you may have damage to the steering or suspension.
- 4). Park the car, open the hood to check the fluid levels for the oil and the transmission. Check the transmission with the vehicle running and then shut it off to check the oil The dipsticks for both are on the front of the engine block.
- 5). Wipe each of the dipsticks with an old rag and reinsert them into their respective holes. Gauge the level of fluid in the container and add more, if it falls below the full mark. Also, note the color and change the fluids if the oil appears black instead of almost clear and the transmission fluid doesn't have a reddish tint.
- 6). Check all the hoses and clamps attached to the engine and coming from the oil and air filters. The warranty doesn't cover these part and it could create bigger problems if they're allowed to break.
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