1996 NISSAN MAXIMA instrument panel

Turn signal
Move the lever up or down to signal the turning
direction. When the turn is completed, the turn
signals cancel automatically.
Lane change signal
To indicate a lane change, move the lever up
or down to the point where lights begin flash-
ing.
The cornering light provides additional illumi-
nation toward the turning direction. The light
will come on when the turn signal lever is
moved to the right or left with the headlights
on.The instrument brightness control operates
when the light switch is in the ª
ºor
ªº position.
Turn the control to adjust the brightness of
instrument panel lights (except clock) and
power window switch lights.
When the control is turned to the right until a
click sound is heard, the light intensity will be
at maximum. When the control is turned to the
left until a click sound is heard, the light will be
turned off.
IC1030IC1284MA
CORNERING LIGHT
INSTRUMENT BRIGHTNESS
CONTROL
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1. Pull the hood lock release handleq1lo-
cated below the instrument panel; the hood
will then spring up slightly.
2. Pull the lever
q2at the front of the hood with
your fingertips and raise the hood.
3. When closing the hood, slowly close the
hood and make sure it locks into place.When locking or unlocking the glove box, use
the master key.
The glove box may be opened by pulling the
handle.
Keep glove box lid closed while driving
to help prevent injury in an accident or a
sudden stop.
SPA0091SPA0092
HOOD RELEASE GLOVE BOX LOCK
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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.
SPA0043SPA0044
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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over the steering wheel pad and
above the dashboard, or by installing
additional trim material around the air
bag system.
IDo not attach any objects to the
steering wheel pad and to the instru-
ment 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 in-
jury if the air bag inflates.
IWork around and on the air bag sys-
tem should be done by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. Installation of electri-
cal equipment should also be done
by an authorized NISSAN dealer. The
SRS wiring harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the air bag system.
* SRS wiring harnesses are covered
with yellow insulation either just be-
fore the harness connectors or for
the complete harness, for easyidentification.
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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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Installation on front passenger seat
Never install a rear-facing child restraint
in the front passenger seat. Air bags
inflate with great force. A rear-facing
child restraint could be struck by the air
bag in a crash and could seriously injure
or kill your child.
If you install a forward-facing child re-
straint in the front passenger seat, place
the passenger seat as far back aspossible.
A child restraint with a top strap should not be
used in the front passenger seat.
IThe 3-point belt in your vehicle is
equipped with a locking mode retrac-
tor which must be used when install-
ing a child restraint.
IFailure to use the retractor's locking
mode may result in the child restraint
not being properly secured. The re-
straint could tip over or otherwise be
unsecured and cause injury to the
child in a sudden stop or collision.
When you install a child restraint in the front
seat, follow these steps:
1. Position the child restraint on the front
passenger seat.It should be placed in a
forward-facing direction only.Move the
seat as far back from the instrument panel
as possible. Always follow the child re-
straint manufacturer's instructions.Child
restraints for infants must be used in the
rear-facing direction and therefore mustnot be used in the front seat.
2. Route the seat belt tongue through the child
restraint and insert it into the buckle until
you hear and feel the latch engage.
APD0503
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