1996 NISSAN MAXIMA Drive

SEAT ADJUSTMENT
IDo not adjust the driver's seat while
driving. The seat may move suddenly
and could cause loss of control of the
vehicle.
IAfter adjustment, gently rock in the
seat to make sure it is securely
locked.
IThe seatback should not be reclinedany more than needed for comfort.
Seat belts are most effective when
the passenger sits well back and
straight up in the seat. If the seat is
reclined, the risk of sliding under the
lap belt and being injured is
increased.
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.
Reclining
Pull the lever up and lean back until the
desired angle is obtained. To bring the seat
back forward again, pull the lever and move
your body forward. The seat back will move
forward.
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SEATS
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Seat lifter (Driver's seat)
Turn either dial to adjust the angle and height
of the seat cushion to the desired position.
POWER SUPPORT SEAT
IDo not adjust the driver's seat while
driving.
IThe seatback should not be reclined
any more than needed for comfort.
Seat belts are most effective when
the passenger sits well back and
straight up in the seat. If the seat is
reclined, the risk of sliding under thelap belt and being injured is in-
creased.
IDo not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They may inadvert-
ently activate switches.
Operating tips
IThe motor has an auto-reset overload pro-
tection circuit. If the motor stops during
operation, wait 30 seconds, then reactivate
the switch.
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IDo not operate the power support seatfor a
long period of time when the engine is off.
This will discharge the battery.
Forward and backward
Moving the switch forward or rearward will
slide the seat forward or rearward to the de-
sired position.
Reclining
Move the recline switch rearward until the
desired angle is obtained. To bring the seat
back forward again, move the switch forward
and move your body forward. The seat back
will move forward.
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.
Lumbar support (Driver's seat)
Turn the lever forward or backward to adjust
the seat lumbar area.
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This Supplemental Restraint System section
contains important information concerning the
driver and passenger air bags. The Supple-
mental Restraint System Air Bag can help
reduce impact force to the driver and to the
front passenger in certain frontal collisions.
The air bags are designed tosupplementthe
crash protection provided by the driver and
passenger seat belts and arenot a substitute
for them. The seat belts should always be
correctly worn and the driver and front passen-
ger seated a suitable distance from the steer-
ing wheel and instrument panel. (See ªSeat
beltsº for instructions and precautions on seat
belt usage.)
The air bags will operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ªONº or ªSTARTº
position.
The air bags ordinarily will not inflate in
the event of a side impact, rear impact,
roll over, or lower severity frontal colli-
sion; so always wear your seat belts to
help reduce the risk or severity of injury
in various kinds of accidents.
The seat belts and the air bags are most
effective when you are sitting back and
upright in the seat. Air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained, lean-
ing forward, sitting sideways or out of
position in any way, you are at greater
risk of injury or death in a crash and may
also receive serious or fatal injuries
from the air bag if you are up against it
when it inflates. Always sit back against
the seatback and use the seat belts.
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SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM)
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Air bag system
The driver air bag is located in the center of the
steering wheel; the front passenger air bag is
mounted in the dashboard above the glove
box. The air bag system is designed to inflate
in higher severity frontal collisions, although it
may inflate if the forces in another type of
collision are similar to those of a higher sever-
ity frontal impact. It may not inflate in certain
frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it)
is not always an indication of proper air bag
operation.
When the air bag inflates, a fairly loud noise
may be heard, followed by release of smoke.This smoke is not harmful and does not indi-
cate a fire, but care should be taken not to
intentionally inhale it, as it may cause irritation
and choking. Those with a history of breathing
trouble should get fresh air promptly.
Air bags, along with the use of seat belts, help
to cushion the impact force on the face and
chest of the occupant. They can help save
lives and reduce serious injuries. However, an
inflating air bag may cause facial abrasions or
other injuries. 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 faras practical away from the steering wheel or
dashboard. Since the air bag inflates quickly in
order to help protect the occupant, the force of
the 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 a collision.
The air bags will operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ªONº or ªSTARTº
position.
IRight after inflation, several air bag
system components will be hot. Do
not touch them; you may severely
burn yourself.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the air bag system. This is to prevent
accidental inflation of the air bag or
damage to the air bag system.
ITampering with the air bag system
may result in serious personal injury.
Tampering includes changes to the
steering wheel and the instrument
panel assembly by placing materialSPA0103
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If any of the following conditions occurs, the air
bag needs servicing and should be taken to
your nearest authorized NISSAN dealer:
1. The air bag light goes off within 7 seconds.
2. The air bag light flashes intermittently or
remains on (after 7 seconds).
3. The air bag light does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the Supplemental Re-
straint System Air Bag will not operate prop-
erly. It must be checked and repaired.
Take your vehicle to the nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer.
Repair and replacement procedure
The air bag system is designed to inflate on a
one-time-only basis. As a reminder, unless it is
damaged, the air bag light will remain illumi-
nated after inflation has occurred. Repair and
replacement of the air bag system should be
done only by authorized NISSAN dealers.To
ensure long-term functioning, the system
must be inspected 10 years after the date of
manufacture noted on the certification la-
bel located on the driver side center pillar.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the air bag system and related parts
should be pointed out to the person conducting
the maintenance. The ignition key should al-ways be in the ªLOCKº position when working
under the hood or inside the vehicle.
IOnce the air bag has inflated, the air
bag module will not function again
and must be replaced. The air bag
module cannot be repaired.
IAfter an air bag inflates, the front
instrument panel assembly should be
replaced by your NISSAN dealer.
IThe air bag system should be in-
spected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer if there is any damage to the
front end portion of the vehicle or
replaced if the air bag has inflated.
IWhen selling your vehicle, we re-
quest that you inform the buyer about
the air bag system and guide the
buyer to the appropriate sections in
this Owner's Manual.
IIf you need to dispose of an air bag or
scrap the vehicle, contact an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer. Correct air bag
disposal procedures are set forth inthe appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
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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 pas-
sengers to buckle up every time you drive,
even if your seating position includes an air
bag.
Some states, provinces or territories re-
quire that seat belts be worn at all times
when a vehicle is being driven.
IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be in ap-
propriate child restraints.
IThe belt should be adjusted properly
and to a snug fit. Failure to do so will
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increase the
chance or severity of injury in an
accident.
IDo not wear the belt inside out ortwisted. Be sure the seat belt tongue
is securely fastened to the proper
buckle.
IDo not allow more than one person to
use the same belt.
IAll seat belt assemblies including re-
tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected by your NISSAN
dealer after any collision. NISSAN
recommends that all seat belt assem-
blies in use during a collision be
replaced unless the collision was mi-
nor and the belts show no damage
and continue to operate properly.
Seat belt assemblies not in use dur-
ing a collision should also be in-
spected and replaced if either dam-
age or improper operation is noted.
INever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.
If the seat belt warning lamp glows con-
tinuously while the ignition is turned
ªONº with all doors closed and all seat
belts fastened, it may indicate a mal-
function in the system. Have the system
checked by your NISSAN dealer.Be sure to observe the following cau-
tions when using seat belts. Failure to
do so could increase the chance and/or
severity of injury in an accident.
IAlways route the shoulder belt over
your shoulder and across your chest.
Never run the belt under your arm or
across your neck. The belt should be
away from your face and neck, but
not falling off your shoulder.
IPosition the lap belt as low as pos-
sible AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THE
WAIST.
ISerious injury or death can occur if
the seat belt is not worn properly.
CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect them.
All U.S. states and provinces of Canada re-
quire the use of approved child restraints for
infants and small children. (See ªChild re-
straints for infants and small childrenº later in
this section.)
In addition, there are many types of child
restraints available for larger children which
should be used for maximum protection.
SEAT BELTS
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3-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT WITH
RETRACTOR
Every person who drives or rides in this
vehicle should wear a seat belt at all
times.
Fastening the belts
1. Adjust the seat.
The seatback should not be reclined any
more than needed for comfort when the
vehicle is moving. Seat belts are most
effective when the passenger sits well
back and straight up in the seat. If the
seat is reclined, the risk of sliding under
the lap belt and being injured is
increased.
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.
3. Position the lap belt portionlow on the
hipsas shown.
4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.
The front passenger side seat belt and rear
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