Nissan Maxima 2002 Owner's Manual

Foreword

Welcome to the growing family of new
NISSAN owners. This vehicle is delivered to
you with confidence. It was produced using
the latest techniques and strict quality control.

This manual was prepared to help you under­stand the operation and maintenance of your
vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles of
driving pleasure. Please read through this
manual before operating your vehicle.

A separateService and Maintenance Guide
and Warranty Information Booklet explains
details about the warranties covering your
vehicle and vehicle maintenance sched­ules. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state’s
lemon law.

Your NISSAN dealer knows your vehicle best.
When you require any service or have any
questions, he will be glad to assist you with
the extensive resources available to him.

READ FIRST — THEN DRIVE
SAFELY

Before driving your vehicle please read
your Owner’s Manual carefully. This will
ensure familiarity with controls and main­tenance requirements, assisting you in the

safe operation of your vehicle.

WARNING

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMA­TION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!

Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and comfortable trip
for you and your passengers!

I Never drive under the influence of al-

cohol or drugs.

I Always observe posted speed limits

and never drive too fast for condi­tions.

I Always use your seat belts and appro-

priate child restraint systems. Preteen
children should be seated in the rear
seat.

I Always provide information about the

proper use of vehicle safety features
to all occupants of the vehicle.

I Always review this Owner’s Manual

for important safety information.

MODIFICATION OF YOUR
VEHICLE

This vehicle should not be modified. Modi­fication could affect its performance,
safety or durability, and may even violate
governmental regulations. In addition,
damage or performance problems result­ing from modification may not be covered
under NISSAN warranties.

WHEN READING THE MANUAL

This manual includes information for all
options available on this model. Therefore,
you may find some information that does
not apply to your vehicle.

All information, specifications and illustrations
in this manual are those in effect at the time of
printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change
specifications or design at any time without
notice.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT THIS MANUAL

You will see various symbols in this manual.
They are used in the following ways:

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING

WARNING

WARNING

This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause death or serious
personal injury. To avoid or reduce the
risk, the procedures must be followed
precisely.

CAUTION

This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause minor or moder­ate personal injury or damage to your
vehicle. To avoid or reduce the risk, the
procedures must be followed carefully.

SIC0697

If you see this symbol, it means Do not do

this or Do not let this happen.

Engine Exhaust, some of its constitu­ents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to State
of California to cause cancer and birth
defects or other reproductive harm.

© 2001 NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.

All rights reserved. No part of this Owner’s Manual may
be reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or trans­mitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, me­chanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior written permission of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

TOKYO, JAPAN

Welcome To The World Of NISSAN

WFW0002

Your new NISSAN is the result of our dedication
to produce the finest in safe, reliable and eco­nomical transportation. Your vehicle is the prod­uct of a successful worldwide company that
manufactures cars and trucks in over 17 coun­tries and distributes them in 170 nations.

NISSAN vehicles are designed and manufac­tured by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. which was
founded in Tokyo, Japan in 1933, and NISSAN
affiliates world wide, collectively growing to be­come the fifth largest automaker in the world. In
addition to cars and trucks, NISSAN also makes
forklift trucks, marine engines, boats and other
diversified products.

NISSAN has made a substantial and growing
investment in North America. NISSAN’S commit­ment is nearly $4 billion dollars in capital invest­ments in facilities across the continent. Some of

the facilities include the Nissan Manufacturing
facility in Smyrna, Tennessee, vehicle styling
design at Nissan Design International in San
Diego, California, and engineering at Nissan
Technical Center North America in Farmington
Hills, Michigan. Additionally, NISSAN employs
nearly 18,000 people throughout the United
States, Canada, and Mexico. An additional
71,000 people work for the 1,500 NISSAN and
INFINITI dealers across North America.

NISSAN is also a substantial contributor to the
Canadian economy. Nissan Canada Inc., its sup­pliers and over 140 dealers employ approxi­mately 4,500 people. These include company
employees and the staffs of NISSAN dealers all
across Canada. In addition, many Canadians
work for companies that supply NISSAN and
NISSAN dealers with materials and services
ranging from operation of port facilities and trans-

portation services to the supply of lubricants,
parts and accessories.

NISSAN pioneered the use of electronics and
computers in automobiles,and has led the indus­try in improving both performance and fuel effi­ciency through new engine designs and the use
of synthetic materials to reduce vehicle weight.
The company has also developed ways to build
quality into its vehicles at each stage of the
production process, both through extensive use
of automation and — most importantly —
through an awareness that people are the cen­tral element in quality control.

From the time the parts arrived from our suppli­ers until you took delivery of your new Nissan,
dozens of checks were made to ensure that only
the best job was being done in producing and
delivering your vehicle. NISSAN also takes great
care to ensure that when you take your NISSAN
to your dealer for maintenance, the service tech­nician will perform his work according to the
quality standards that have been established by
the factory.

Safety has also been built into your NISSAN. As
you know, seat belts are an integral part of the
safety systems that will help protect you and your
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or an
accident. We urge you to use the seat belts every
time you drive the vehicle.

The NISSAN story of growth and achievement
reflects our major goal: to provide you, our
customer, with a vehicle that is built with quality
and craftsmanship — a product that we can be
proud to build and you can be proud to own.

NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM

NISSAN CARES ...

Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs. Your satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN
dealer are our primary concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile sales and service needs.

However, if there is something that your
NISSAN dealer cannot assist you with or you
would like to provide NISSAN directly with
comments or questions, please contact our
(NISSAN’s) Consumer Affairs Department us­ing our toll-free number:

For U.S. mainland customers

1-800-NISSAN-1
(1-800-647-7261)

For Hawaii customers

[phone] (Oahu Number)

For Canadian customers

1-800-387-0122

We appreciate your interest in NISSAN and thank you for buying a quality NISSAN vehicle.

The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for
the following information:
— Your name, address, and telephone

number

— Vehicle identification number (on dash-

board)
— Date of purchase
— Current odometer reading
— Your NISSAN dealer’s name
— Your comments or questions
OR

You can write to NISSAN with the information
on the left at:

For U.S. mainland and Alaska customers

Nissan North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 191
Gardena, California 90248-0191

For Hawaii customers

Nissan Motor Corporation in Hawaii
2880 Kilihau St.
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819

For Canada customers

Nissan Canada Inc.
5290 Orbitor Drive
Mississauga, Ontario L4W 4Z5

Table of

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

Contents

Instruments and controls

Pre-driving checks and adjustments

Heater, air conditioner and audio systems

Starting and driving

In case of emergency

Appearance and care

Maintenance and do-it-yourself

Technical and consumer information

Index

1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag

systems

Seats......................................................................... 1-2

Front manual seat adjustment ............................. 1-2

Front power seat adjustment ............................... 1-3

Folding rear seat ................................................. 1-5

Head restraint adjustment.................................... 1-6

Active head restraint (front seats)........................ 1-7

Armrest................................................................. 1-8

Supplemental restraint system.................................. 1-8

Precautions on supplemental restraint system.... 1-8

Supplemental air bag warning labels................. 1-18

Supplemental air bag warning light.................... 1-18

Seat belts ................................................................ 1-20

Precautions on seat belt usage ......................... 1-20

Child safety......................................................... 1-22

Pregnant women ................................................ 1-23

Injured persons................................................... 1-23

Three-point type seat belt with retractor............ 1-23

Seat belt extenders ............................................ 1-26

Seat belt maintenance ....................................... 1-26

Child restraints ........................................................ 1-27

Precautions on child restraints........................... 1-27

Installation on rear seat outboard or center

positions ............................................................. 1-29

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for Children)

system................................................................ 1-34

Top tether strap child restraint........................... 1-35

Installation on front passenger seat................... 1-36

SEATS

FRONT MANUAL SEAT
ADJUSTMENT — Passenger side

WARNING

After adjustment, gently rock in the seat
to make sure it is securely locked.

SSS0133

WARNING

I Do not ride in a moving vehicle when

the seatback is reclined. This can be
dangerous. The shoulder belt will not
be against your body. In an accident
you could be thrown into it and re­ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal
injuries.

I For most effective protection when

the vehicle is in motion, the seat
should be upright. Always sit well
back in the seat and adjust the seat
belt properly. See “Precautions on
seat belt usage” later in this section.

1-2 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

Forward and backward

Pull the lever up while you slide the seat
forward or backward to the desired position.
Release the lever to lock the seat in position.

SSS0179

Reclining

To recline the seatback, pull the lever up and
lean back. To bring the seatback forward
again, pull the lever and move your body
forward. The seatback moves forward.

FRONT POWER SEAT
ADJUSTMENT

WARNING

I Do not adjust the driver’s seat while

driving so full attention may be given
to vehicle operation.

I Do not leave children unattended in-

side the vehicle. They could unknow­ingly activate switches or controls.
Unattended children could become
involved in serious accidents.

Operating tips

I The seat motor has an auto-reset overload

protection circuit. If the motor stops during
operation, wait 30 seconds, then reactivate
the switch.

I Do not operate the power support seat

for a long period of time when the engine is
off. This will discharge the battery.

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-3

SSS0148 SSS0166

Forward and backward

Moving the switch forward or backward will
slide the seat forward or backward to the
desired position.

Reclining

Move the recline switch backward until the
desired angle is obtained. To bring the seat­back forward again, move the switch forward
and move your body forward. The seatback
will move forward.

1-4 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

Seat lifter (Driver’s seat)

Push the front or rear end of the switch up or
down to adjust the angle and height of the seat
cushion.

SPA0467

Lumbar support (Driver’s seat)

The lumbar support feature provides lower
back support to the driver. Move the lever up
or down to adjust the seat lumbar area.

SSS0180

FOLDING REAR SEAT
Interior trunk access

Pull up on the release knob to access the trunk
from the rear seat.

The rear seats can be locked using the
master key to prevent unauthorized ac­cess.

WARNING

I When returning the seatbacks to the

upright position, be certain that they
are completely secured in the latched
position. If they are not completely
secured in the right position, passen­gers may be injured in an accident or
sudden stop.

I Never allow anyone to ride in the

luggage area or on the rear seat when
it is in the fold-down position. Use of
these areas by passengers without
proper restraint can be extremely
dangerous in an accident or sudden
stop.

I Properly secure all cargo to help pre-

vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat­backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per­sonal injury.

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-5

I Closely supervise children when they

are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously
injured. Keep the car locked with the
rear seatback securely latched when
not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.

ment after someone else uses the seat.

SSS0125

HEAD RESTRAINT ADJUSTMENT

To raise the head restraint, just pull it up. To
lower, push the lock knob and push the head
restraint down.

WARNING

Head restraints should be adjusted
properly as they may provide significant
protection against injury in an accident.
Do not remove them. Check the adjust-

1-6 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

SSS0178 SPA1025

Adjust the head restraints so the center is level
with the center of your ears.

ACTIVE HEAD RESTRAINT (front
seats)

WARNING

I Always adjust the head restraints

properly as specified in the previous
section. Failure to do so can reduce
the effectiveness of the active head
restraint.

I Active head restraints are designed

to supplement other safety systems.
Always wear seat belts. No system
can prevent all injuries in any acci­dent.

I Do not attach anything to the head

restraint stalks. Doing so could im­pair active head restraint function.

The head restraint moves forward utilizing the
force that the seatback receives from the oc­cupant in a rear-end collision. The movement
of the head restraint helps support the occu­pant’s head by reducing its backward move­ment and helping absorb some of the forces
that may lead to whiplash type injuries.

Active head restraints are effective for colli­sions at low to medium speeds in which it is
said that whiplash injury occurs most.

Active head restraints operate only in certain
rear-end collisions. After the collision, the head
restraints return to their original positions.

Properly adjust the active head restraints as
described in the previous section.

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-7

SSS0150

ARMREST

Pull the armrest forward until it is horizontal.

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM

PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM

This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
section contains important information con­cerning the driver and passenger supplemen­tal air bags, supplemental side air bags and
pre-tensioner seat belts.
Supplemental front air bag system: This
system can help cushion the impact force to
the face and chest of the driver and front
passenger in certain frontal collisions.

Supplemental side air bag system (if so
equipped): This system can help cushion the

impact force to the head and the chest area of
the driver and front passenger in certain side
impact collisions. The supplemental side air
bag is designed to inflate on the side where the
vehicle is impacted.

These supplemental restraint systems are de­signed to supplement the crash protection
provided by the driver and front passenger
seat belts and are not a substitute for them.
Seat belts should always be correctly worn
and the driver and front passenger seated a
suitable distance away from the steering
wheel, instrument panel and front door finish­ers. (See “Seat belts” later in this section for

instructions and precautions on seat belt us­age.)

After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.

1-8 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

WARNING

I The supplemental front air bags ordi-

narily will not inflate in the event of a
side impact, rear impact, roll over, or
lower severity frontal collision. Al­ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury in
various kinds of accidents.

I The seat belts and the supplemental

front air bags are most effective when

SSS0131

you are sitting well back and upright
in the seat. Front air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways or
out of position in any way, you are at
greater risk of injury or death in a
crash. You may also receive serious
or fatal injuries from the supplemen­tal front air bag if you are up against
it when it inflates. Always sit back
against the seatback and as far away
as practical from the steering

wheel or instrument panel. Always
use the seat belts.

I The driver and front passenger seat

belt buckles are equipped with sen­sors that detect if the seat belts are
fastened. The air bag system moni­tors the severity of a collision and
then inflates the air bags based on
belt usage. Failure to properly wear
seat belts can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.

I Keep hands on the outside of the

steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when the
supplemental front air bag inflates.

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-9

1-10 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

SSS0132 SSS0006

SSS0007

SSS0008

SSS0099

WARNING

I Never let children ride unrestrained

or extend their hands or face out of
the window. Do not attempt to hold
them in your lap or arms. Some ex­amples of dangerous riding positions
are shown in the previous illustra­tions.

I Children may be severely injured or

killed when the supplemental front air
bag or supplemental side air bag in­flates if they are not properly re­strained.

I Also never install a rear facing child

restraint in the front seat. An inflating
supplemental front air bag could se­riously injure or kill your child. For
additional information, see “Child re­straints” later in this section.

SSS0009

SSS0100

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-11

SSS0101 SSS0140 SSS0159

WARNING

Supplemental side air bag (if so
equipped):

I The supplemental side air bag ordi-

narily will not inflate in the event of a
frontal impact, rear impact or lower
severity side collision. Always wear
your seat belts to help reduce the risk
or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.

I The seat belts and the supplemental

side air bag are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright
in the seat. The side air bag inflates
with great force. Do not allow anyone
to place their hand, leg or face near
the side air bag on the side of the
seatback of the front seat. Do not
allow anyone sitting in the front seat
to extend their hand out of the win­dow or lean against the door. Some
examples of dangerous riding posi­tions are shown in the previous illus-

1-12 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

trations.

I When sitting in the rear seat, do not

hold onto the seatback of the front
seat. If the supplemental side air bag
inflates, you may be seriously in­jured. Be especially careful with chil­dren, who should always be properly
restrained.

I Do not use seat covers on the front

seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.

SSS0162 SSS0173

Supplemental front air bag system

The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel; the front
passenger supplemental air bag is mounted in
the dashboard above the glove box. These
systems are designed to meet optional certifi­cation requirements under U.S. regulations.
They are also permitted in Canada. The op­tional certification allows front air bags to be
designed to inflate somewhat less forcefully
than previously. However, all of the informa-

tion, cautions and warnings in this manual
still apply and must be followed. The front

air bags are designed to inflate in higher

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-13

severity frontal collisions, although they may
inflate if the forces in another type of collision
are similar to those of a higher severity frontal
impact. They may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not
always an indication of proper supplemental
air bag operation.

The supplemental air bag system has dual
stage inflators for both the driver and passen­ger air bags. The system monitors information
from the crash zone sensor, the diagnosis
sensor unit and seat belt buckle sensors that
detect if the seat belts are fastened, inflator
operation is based on the severity of a collision
and whether the seat belts are being used.

When the supplemental front air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful
and does not indicate a fire. Care should be
taken not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation
and choking. Those with a history of a breath­ing condition should get fresh air promptly.

Supplemental front air bags, along with the
use of seat belts, helps to cushion the impact
force on the face and chest of the front occu­pants. They can help save lives and reduce
serious injuries. However, an inflating front air
bag may cause facial abrasions or other inju­ries. Front air bags do not provide restraint to
the lower body.

The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
dash board. The supplemental front air bags
inflates quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants. Because of this, the force of the
front air bag inflating can increase the risk of
injury if the occupant is too close to, or is
against, the air bag module during inflation.
The air bag will deflate quickly after the colli­sion is over.

After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag

warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.

I Do not place any objects on the steer-

ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steer­ing wheel or instrument panel. Such
objects may become dangerous pro­jectiles and cause injury if the supple­mental front air bag inflates.

I Right after inflation, several air bag

system components will be hot. Do
not touch them; you may severely
burn yourself.

I No unauthorized changes should be

made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental front air bag sys­tem. This is to prevent accidental
inflation of the air bag or damage to
the air bag system.

I Do not make unauthorized changes

to your vehicle’s electrical system,

1-14 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

WARNING

suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental air bag
system.

I Tampering with the supplemental

front air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. Tampering
includes changes to the steering
wheel and the instrument panel as­sembly by placing material over the
steering wheel pad, above the dash­board, or by installing additional trim
material around the air bag system.

I Work around and on the supplemen-

tal front air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer.Installation of electrical equip­ment should also be done by an au­thorized NISSAN dealer. The SRS wir­ing harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unautho­rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the air bag system.

* The SRS wiring harnesses are cov-

ered with yellow insulation either just
before the harness connectors or
over the complete harness for easy
identification.

I A cracked windshield should be re-

placed immediately by a qualified re­pair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect inflation of the supple­mental air bag system.

When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental front
air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.

SSS0165

Supplemental side air bag system (if
so equipped)

The supplemental side air bags are located in
the outside of the seatback of the front seats.
The supplemental side air bag (on the driver or
front passenger seat) is designed to inflate in
higher severity side collisions, although it may
inflate if the forces in another type of collision
are similar to those of a higher severity side
impact. It is designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted. It may not
inflate in certain side collisions. Vehicle dam­age (or lack of it) is not always an indication of
proper supplemental side air bag operation.

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-15

When the supplemental side air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful
and does not indicate a fire, but care should be
taken not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation
and choking. Those with a history of a breath­ing condition should get fresh air promptly.

Supplemental side air bags along with the use
of seat belts, help to cushion the impact force
on the head and the chest of the front occu­pants. They can help save lives and reduce
serious injuries. However, an inflating side air
bag may cause abrasions or other injuries.
Side air bags do not provide restraint to the
lower body.

The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the supplemental side
air bag. The side air bag inflates quickly in
order to help protect the front occupants. Be­cause of this, the force of the side air bag
inflating can increase the risk of injury if the
occupant is too close to, or is against, the side
air bag module during inflation. The side air
bag will deflate quickly after the collision is
over.

After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag

warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.

WARNING

I Do not place any objects near the

seatback of the front seats. Also, do
not place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door fin­isher and the front seat. Such objects
may become dangerous projectiles
and cause injury if the supplemental
side air bag inflates.

I Right after inflation, several supple-

mental side air bag system compo­nents will be hot. Do not touch them;
you may severely burn yourself.

I No unauthorized changes should be

made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental side air bag sys­tem. This is to prevent accidental
inflation of the side air bag or damage
to the side air bag system.

I Do not make unauthorized changes

to your vehicle’s electrical system,

suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental side air bag sys­tem.

I Tampering with the supplemental

side air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. For example,
do not change the front seat assem­bly by placing material near the seat­back of the front seat, or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bag sys­tem.

I Work around and on the supplemen-

tal side air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer.Installation of electrical equip­ment should also be done by an au­thorized NISSAN dealer. The SRS wir­ing harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unautho­rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the side air bag system.

* The SRS wiring harnesses are cov-

ered with yellow insulation either just
before the harness connectors or
over the complete harness for easy
identification.

When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental side
air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.

Pre-tensioner seat belt system (For
front seats)

WARNING

I The pre-tensioner seat belt cannot be

reused after activation. It must be
replaced together with the retractor
as a unit.

I If the vehicle becomes involved in a

frontal collision but the pre-tensioner
is not activated, be sure to have the
pre-tensioner system checked and, if
necessary, replaced by your NISSAN
dealer.

1-16 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

I No unauthorized changes should be

made to any components or wiring of
the pre-tensioner seat belt system.
This is to prevent accidental activa­tion of the pre-tensioner seat belt or
damage to the pre-tensioner seat belt
operation. Tampering with the pre­tensioner seat belt system may result
in serious personal injury.

I Work around and on the pre-

tensioner system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal­lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized electri­cal test equipment and probing de­vices should not be used on the pre­tensioner seat belt system.

I If you need to dispose of the pre-

tensioner or scrap the vehicle, con­tact an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Correct pre-tensioner disposal proce­dures are set forth in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause
personal injury.

The front seat pre-tensioner seat belt system
activates in conjunction with the supplemental
front air bag. Working with the seat belt retrac­tor, it helps tighten the seat belt the instant the
vehicle becomes involved in certain types of
collisions, thereby restraining seat occupants.

The pre-tensioner is encased with the seat
belt’s retractor. These seat belts are used the
same as conventional seat belts.

When the pre-tensioner seat belt activates,
smoke is released and a loud noise may be
heard. The smoke is not harmful, but care
should be taken not to inhale it as it may cause
irritation and choking. Those with a history of a
breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.

If any abnormality occurs in the pre-tensioner
system, the supplemental air bag warning light

will not come on, will flash intermittently
or will turn on for 7 seconds and remain on
after the ignition key has been turned to the
ON or START position. In this case, the pre­tensioner seat belt may not function properly.

When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the pre-tensioner seat
belt system and guide the buyer to the appro­priate sections in this Owner’s Manual.

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-17

SPA0945B SPA1097

SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS

Warning labels about the supplemental air bag
system are placed in the vehicle as shown in
the illustration.

1-18 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT

The supplemental air bag warning light, dis­playing

the circuits of the supplemental front air bag
and supplemental side air bag systems, and
pre-tensioner seat belt. The circuits monitored
by the air bag warning light are the diagnosis
sensor unit, satellite sensors, front air bag
modules, side air bag modules and all related
wiring, and pre-tensioner seat belt.

After turning the ignition key to the ON posi­tion, the supplemental air bag warning light
illuminates. The supplemental air bag warning

in the instrument panel, monitors

light will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
system is operational.

If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag system, supple­mental side air bag system, and pre-tensioner
seat belt need servicing:

I The supplemental air bag warning light

remains on after approximately 7 seconds.

I The supplemental air bag warning light

flashes intermittently.

I The supplemental air bag warning light

does not come on at all.

Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bags, supplemental side air bags and/or
pre-tensioner seat belt may not operate prop­erly. They must be checked and repaired.
Take your vehicle to the nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer.

WARNING

If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemen­tal front air bag system, supplemental
side air bag system and/or pre-tensioner
seat belt will not operate in an accident.

Repair and replacement procedure

The supplemental front air bags, supplemental
side air bags and pre-tensioner seat belt are
designed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.
As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the
supplemental air bag warning light will remain
illuminated after inflation has occurred. Repair
and replacement of these systems should be
done only by authorized NISSAN dealers.

When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags,
supplemental side air bags, pre-tensioner seat
belt and related parts should be pointed out to
the person conducting the maintenance. The
ignition key should always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or in­side the vehicle.

WARNING

I Once the supplemental front air bag,

supplemental side air bag and/or pre­tensioner seat belt have activated,
the air bag module will not function
again and must be replaced, addition­ally, if any of the supplemental air
bags inflate, the pre-tensioner seat

belts must also be replaced. The
module should be replaced by an
authorized NISSAN dealer. The
supplemental front air bag module or
supplemental side air bag module
cannot be repaired.

I The supplemental front air bag sys-

tem, supplemental side air bag sys­tem and pre-tensioner seat belt
should be inspected by an authorized
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end or side portion of the
vehicle.

I If you need to dispose of these

supplemental systems or scrap the
vehicle, contact an authorized
NISSAN dealer.

Correct disposal procedures are set
forth in the appropriate NISSAN Ser­vice Manual. Incorrect disposal pro­cedures could cause personal injury.

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-19

SEAT BELTS

PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE

Your chances of being injured or killed in an
accident and/or the severity of injury may be
greatly reduced if you are wearing your seat
belt and it is properly adjusted. NISSAN
strongly encourages you and all of your pas­sengers to buckle up every time you drive,
even if your seating position includes a supple­mental air bag.

Most states, provinces or territories require
that seat belts be worn at all times when a
vehicle is being driven.

SSS0134

I Every person who drives or rides in

this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be properly
restrained and, if appropriate, in a
child restraint.

I The belt should be properly adjusted

to a snug fit. Failure to do so may
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increase the

1-20 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

WARNING

chance or severity of injury in an
accident. Serious injury or death can
occur if the seat belt is not worn
properly.

I Always route the shoulder belt over

your shoulder and across your chest.
Never run the belt behind your back
under your arm or across your neck.
The belt should be away from your
face and neck, but not falling off your
shoulder.

I Position the lap belt as low and snug

as possible around the hips, not the
waist. A lap belt worn too high could
increase the risk of internal injuries in
an accident.

I Be sure the seat belt tongue is se-

curely fastened to the proper buckle.

I Do not wear the belt inside out or

twisted. Doing so may reduce its ef­fectiveness.

I Do not allow more than one person to

use the same belt.

I Never carry more people in the ve-

hicle than there are seat belts.

I If the seat belt warning light glows

continuously while the ignition is
turned ON with all doors closed and
all seat belts fastened, it may indicate
a malfunction in the system. Have the
system checked by your NISSAN
dealer.

I Once the pre-tensioner seat belt has

activated, it cannot be reused and
must be replaced together with the

retractor. See your NISSAN dealer.

I Removal and installation of the pre-

tensioner seat belt system compo­nents should be done by an autho­rized NISSAN dealer.

I All seat belt assemblies including re-

tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected after any colli­sion by your NISSAN dealer. NISSAN
recommends that all seat belt assem­blies in use during a collision be
replaced unless the collision was mi­nor and the belts show no damage

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-21

SSS0136

and continue to operate properly.
Seat belt assemblies not in use dur­ing a collision should also be in­spected and replaced if either dam­age or improper operation is noted.

I All child restraints and attaching

hardware should be inspected after
any collision. Always follow the re­straint manufacturer’s inspection in­structions and replacement recom­mendations. The child restraints
should be replaced if they are dam­aged.

SSS0016 SSS0014

CHILD SAFETY

Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.

The proper restraint depends on the child’s
size. Generally, infants (up to about 1 year and
less than 20 lb (9 kg) should be placed in rear
facing child restraints. Front facing child re­straints are available for children who outgrow
rear facing child restraints.

WARNING

Infants and children need special pro­tection. The vehicle’s seat belts may not
fit them properly. The shoulder belt may
come too close to the face or neck. The
lap belt may not fit over their small hip
bones. In an accident, an improperly
fitting seat belt could cause serious or
fatal injury.Always use appropriate child
restraints.

All US states and provinces of Canada require
the use of approved child restraints for infants
and small children. (See “Child restraints” later
in this section.)

In addition, there are many types of child
restraints available for larger children which
should be used for maximum protection.

NISSAN recommends that all preteens and
children be restrained in the rear seat if
possible. According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seat than in the front seat.

This is especially important because your
vehicle has a supplemental restraint sys­tem (air bag system) for the front passen­ger (see “Supplemental Restraint System”
earlier in this section for precautions).

Infants and small children

NISSAN recommends that infants and small
children be placed in child restraints that com­ply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan­dards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Stan­dards. You should choose a child restraint that
fits your vehicle and always follow the manu­facturer’s instructions for installation and use.

1-22 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

Larger children

Children who are too large for child restraint
systems should be seated and restrained by
the seat belts which are provided.

If the child’s seating position has a shoulder
belt that fits close to the face or neck, the use
of a booster seat (commercially available) may
help overcome this. The booster seat should
raise the child so that the shoulder belt is
properly positioned across the top, middle
portion of the shoulder and the lap belt is low
on the hips. The booster seat should fit the
vehicle seat and have a label certifying that it
complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. Once the child has grown so the
shoulder belt is no longer on or near the face
and neck, use the shoulder belt without the
booster seat.

WARNING

Never let a child stand or kneel on any
seat and do not allow a child in the cargo
areas while the vehicle is moving. The
child could be seriously injured or killed
in an accident or a sudden stop.

PREGNANT WOMEN

NISSAN recommends that pregnant women
use seat belts. The seat belt should be worn
snug, and always position the lap belt as low
as possible around the hips, not the waist.
Place the shoulder belt over your shoulder and
across your chest. Never run the lap/shoulder
belt over your abdominal area. Contact your
doctor for specific recommendations.

INJURED PERSONS

NISSAN recommends that injured persons
use seat belts, depending on the injury. Check
with your doctor for specific recommendations.

SSS0018

THREE-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
WITH RETRACTOR

WARNING

I Every person who drives or rides in

this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times.

I Do not ride in a moving vehicle when

the seatback is reclined. This can be
dangerous. The shoulder belt will not
be against your body. In an accident

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-23

SSS0020 SSS0102 SSS0061

you could be thrown into it and re­ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal inju­ries.

I For most effective protection when

the vehicle is in motion, the seat
should be upright. Always sit well
back in the seat and adjust the seat
belt properly.

Fastening the seat belts

1. Adjust the seat.

2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor

and insert the tongue into the buckle until it
snaps.

The retractor is designed to lock during a
sudden stop or on impact. A slow pulling
motion will permit the belt to move, and
allow you some freedom of movement in
the seat.

1-24 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems

3. Position the lap belt portion low and snug
on the hips as shown.

4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.

The front passenger and rear seat belts have a
cinching mechanism for child restraint installa­tion. It is referred to as the automatic locking
mode.

When the cinching mechanism is activated the
seat belt cannot be withdrawn again until the
seat belt tongue is detached from the buckle
and fully retracted. For additional information,
see “Child restraints” later in this section.

The automatic locking mode should be
used only for child restraint installation.
During normal seat belt use by a passen­ger, the locking mode should not be acti­vated. If it is activated it may cause uncom­fortable seat belt tension.

WARNING

When fastening the seat belts, be certain
that seatbacks are completely secured
in the latched position. If they are not
completely secured in the right position,
passengers may be injured in an acci­dent or sudden stop.

forward. The retractor should lock and re­strict further belt movement.

If the retractor does not lock during this check
or if you have any questions about belt opera­tion, see your NISSAN dealer.

SSS0021

Unfastening the seat belts

To unfasten the belt, press the button on the
buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract.

Checking seat belt operation

Your seat belt retractors are designed to lock
belt movement using two separate methods:

I when the belt is pulled quickly from the

retractor.
I when the vehicle slows down rapidly.
You can check their operation as follows:
I grasp the shoulder belt and pull quickly

Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-25