1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

This Supplemental Restraint System section
contains important information concerning the
driver and passenger supplemental air bags.
The Supplemental Restraint System Air Bag
can help reduce impact force to the driver and
to the front passenger in certain frontal colli-
sions. The supplemental air bags are designed
tosupplementthe crash protection provided
by the driver and passenger seat belts and are
not a substitutefor them. The seat belts
should always be correctly worn and the driver
and front passenger seated a suitable distance
from the steering wheel and instrument panel.
(See ªSeat beltsº for instructions and precau-
tions on seat belt usage.)
After turning the ignition key to the ªONº
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.
The supplemental air bags ordinarily will
not inflate in the event of a side impact,
rear impact, roll over, or lower severity
frontal collision; so always wear your
seat belts to help reduce the risk or
severity of injury in various kinds ofaccidents.
The seat belts and the supplemental air
bags are most effective when you are
sitting back and upright in the seat.
Supplemental air bags inflate with great
force. If you are unrestrained, leaning
forward, sitting sideways or out of posi-
tion 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
supplemental air bag if you are up
against it when it inflates. Always sit
SPA0043
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SUPPLEMENTAL AIR
BAG SYSTEM)
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back against the seatback and use the
seat belts.
SPA0044SPA0045
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Never let children ride unrestrained as
shown in the previous illustrations.
Children may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental air bag
inflates if they are not properly re-
strained.
Also, never install a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat. See ªChild
restraints for infants and small childrenº
for details.
Supplemental 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. The
supplemental air bag system is designed to
inflate in higher severity frontal collisions, al-
though it may inflate if the forces in another
type of collision are similar to those of a higher
severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in
certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or
lack of it) is not always an indication of proper
supplemental air bag operation.When the supplemental 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 intentionally inhale it, as it may cause irrita-
tion and choking. Those with a history of
breathing trouble should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental 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 supplemental air bag
may cause facial abrasions or other injuries.
Supplemental air bags do not provide restraint
to the lower body.
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The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
dashboard. Since the supplemental air bag
inflates quickly in order to help protect the
occupant, the force of the supplemental air
bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to or is against the
supplemental air bag module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag will deflate quickly
after a collision.
After turning the ignition key to the ªONº
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.
IRight after inflation, several supple-
mental 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 supplemental air bag system.
This is to prevent accidental inflation
of the supplemental air bag or dam-age to the supplemental air bag sys-
tem.
ITampering with the supplemental 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 and above the dashboard,
or by installing additional trim mate-
rial around the supplemental 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 supplemental air bag in-
flates.
IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. The SRS wiring har-nesses* should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the
supplemental air bag system.
* SRS wiring harnesses are covered
with yellow insulation either just be-
fore the harness connectors or for
the complete harness, for easy
identification.
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Warning labels about the supplemental air bag
system are placed in the vehicle.The supplemental air bag light, displaying ªAIR
BAGº in the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits of the supplemental air bag. The cir-
cuits monitored by the supplemental air bag
light are the diagnosis sensor unit, supplemen-
tal air bag modules and all related wiring.
After turning the ignition key to the ªONº posi-
tion, the air bag warning light illuminates. The
supplemental air bag warning light will turn off
after about 7 seconds if the system is opera-
tional.
SPA0391SPA0392
WARNING LABELS
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
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If any of the following conditions occurs, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing and
should be taken to your nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag light goes off
within 7 seconds.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes in-
termittently or remains on (after 7 seconds).
3. The supplemental 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 supplemental air bag system is designed
to inflate on a one-time-only basis. As a re-
minder, unless it is damaged, the supplemen-
tal air bag light will remain illuminated after
inflation has occurred. Repair and replace-
ment of the supplemental 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 label located on the driver side
center pillar.When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental air bag system and
related parts should be pointed out to the
person conducting the maintenance. The igni-
tion key should always be in the ªLOCKº
position when working under the hood or in-
side the vehicle.
IOnce the supplemental air bag has
inflated, the supplemental air bag
module will not function again and
must be replaced. The supplemental
air bag module cannot be repaired.
IAfter a supplemental air bag inflates,
the front instrument panel assembly
should be replaced by your NISSAN
dealer.
IThe supplemental air bag system
should be inspected by an authorized
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end portion of the vehicle
or replaced if the supplemental air
bag has inflated.
IWhen selling your vehicle, we re-
quest that you inform the buyer aboutthe supplemental air bag system and
guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner's Manual.
IIf you need to dispose of a supple-
mental air bag or scrap the vehicle,
contact an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Correct supplemental air bag dis-
posal procedures are set forth in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.
Incorrect disposal procedures 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 a supple-
mental 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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Infant or small child
NISSAN recommends that infants or small
children be placed in child restraints that com-
ply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards. You should choose a child restraint that
fits your vehicle and always follow the manu-
facturer's instructions for installation and use.
Children
Children who are too large for child restraints
should be seated and restrained by the seat
belts which are provided.
NISSAN recommends that children sit 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.
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 SafetyStandards. 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.
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.
Pregnant women
NISSAN recommends that pregnant women
use seat belts. Contact your doctor for specific
recommendations. The lap belt should be
worn snug and positioned as low as possible
around the hips, not the waist.
Injured persons
NISSAN recommends that injured persons
use seat belts, depending on the injury. Check
with your doctor for specific recommendations.3-POINT TYPE 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.
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