1996 NISSAN MAXIMA ignition

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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Caution and warning labels about the air bag
system are placed in the vehicle.The air bag light, displaying ªAIR BAGº in the
instrument panel, monitors the circuits of the
air bag. The circuits monitored by the air bag
light are the diagnosis sensor unit, air bag
modules and all related wiring.
When the ignition key is in the ªONº or
ªSTARTº position, the air bag light will illumi-
nate for about 7 seconds and then turn off.
This means the system is operational.
SPA0104SPA0105
CAUTION AND WARNING
LABELSAIR BAG WARNING LIGHT
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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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The outside mirror will operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ªACCº or ªONº position.
Push the right or left end of the switch to select
the right or left side mirror, then adjust using
the control lever.
Objects viewed in the outside mirror on the
passenger side are closer than they ap-
pear.Push the outside mirror backward to fold it. The night position will reduce glare from the
headlights of vehicles behind you at night.
Use the night position only when neces-
sary, because it reduces rear view
clarity.
SPA0112MPA0008MPA0009
OUTSIDE MIRROR REMOTE
CONTROLFOLDABLE OUTSIDE MIRRORS INSIDE MIRROR
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The sensor on the instrument panel helps
maintain a constant temperature; do not put
anything on or around this sensor.
Servicing air conditioner
The air conditioning system in your NISSAN
vehicle is charged with a new refrigerant de-
signed with the environment in mind.This new
refrigerant will not harm the earth's ozone
layer.However, special charging equipment
and lubricant are required when servicing your
NISSAN air conditioner. Using improper refrig-
erants or lubricants will cause severe damage
to your air conditioning system. See AIR CON-
DITIONING SYSTEM REFRIGERANT AND
LUBRICANT RECOMMENDATIONS in the
TECHNICAL AND CONSUMER INFORMA-
TION section of this manual.
Your NISSAN dealer will be able to service
your environmentally ªfriendlyº air conditioning
system.To turn the radio on, turn the ignition key to
ªACCº or ªONº. If you listen to the radio with
the engine not running, turn the key to the
ªACCº position.
Radio reception is affected by station signal
strength, distance from radio transmitter, build-
ings, bridges, mountains and other external
influences. Intermittent changes in reception
quality normally are caused by these external
influences.
HA1011
RADIO
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than 2 seconds. (For example, in the dia-
gram ch2 is to be memorized. The radio
mutes when the select button is pushed.)
3. The indicator ªch2º will then come on and
the sound will resume. Memorizing is now
complete.
4. Other buttons can be set in the same
manner.
If the battery cable is disconnected, or if the
fuse blows, the radio memory will be can-
celled. In that case, reset the desired stations.
Adjusting tone quality
Push then turn the BASS and TREB
(TREBLE) control knob to obtain the most
pleasant sound.
Adjusting speaker sound balance
Push then pull the BAL (BALANCE) control
knob to adjust the volume between the right
and left speakers.
FADER volume control
Push then pull the FADER control knob to
adjust the volume between the front and rear
speakers.
Cassette tape operation
Turn the ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº, then
carefully insert the cassette tape into the tape
door.
The cassette tape will automatically pull into
the player.
Do not force the cassette tape into the tape
door.
Pressing strongly could cause player dam-
age.
The cassette tape will automatically change
directions to play the other side when the first
side is completed.
ITo maintain good quality sound, NIS-
SAN recommends that you use cassette
tapes of 60 minutes or shorter in length.
ICassette tapes should be removed from
the player when not in use. Store cas-
settes in their protective cases and away
from direct sunlight, heat, moisture and
magnetic sources.
Direct sunlight can cause the cassette to
become deformed. The use of deformed
cassettes may cause the cassette to jam
in the player.
IDo not use cassettes that have labels
HA1078
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AM-FM RADIO WITH CASSETTE
PLAYER AND COMPACT DISC
PLAYER (Bose audio system)
Head unit
The radio has an FM Diversity reception sys-
tem, which employs two antennas. One is a
rod type antenna; the other is an antenna
printed on the window. This system automati-
cally switches to the antenna which is receiv-
ing less noise.
The tape deck employs a permalloy head
which allows for improved reproduction of high
frequency ranges. Noise is also greatly re-
duced by the combined use of the Dolby NR
(noise reduction) system. The auto loudness
circuit enhances the low frequency range au-
tomatically in both radio reception and tape
playback.
Power button
Turn the ignition key to ªACCº or ªONº, and
then push the POWER button while the sys-
tem is off to call up the mode (radio, tape or
CD) which was playing immediately before the
system was turned off. When no CD or tape is
loaded, the radio will come on. While the
system is on, pushing the POWER button
turns the system off.
SAA0045A
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