1996 NISSAN SENTRA Owners Manual

cDriver Supplemental Air Bag (see
``Meters and Gauges'' in the ``Instru-
ments and controls'' section).
cPassenger-side Supplemental Air Bag
(see ``Meters and Gauges'' in the ``Instru-
ments and controls'' section).
cSupplemental Restraint System Warning
Labels (see ``Warning Labels'' later in
this section).
Every person who drives or rides in this
vehicle should use a seat belt at all times.
Children should be in appropriate child re-
straints (see ``Seat belts'' and ``Child Re-
straints for Infants and Small Children'' later
in this section).
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.WARNING
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 of accidents.
WARNING
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,
leaning 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
upagainst it when it inflates. Always sit
back against the seatback and use the
seatbelts.
IPD061
2-16
ZX

WARNING
Never let children ride unrestrained as
shown in the previous illustrations.
Children may be severely injured or
killed when the air bag inflates if they
are not properly restrained.
Also, never install a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat. See ``Child
restraints for infants and small chil-
dren'' for details.
IPD062IPD063IPD064
2-17
ZX

Air bag system
(If so equipped)
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 supplemental air bag system
is designed to inflate in higher severity fron-
tal collisions, although 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 air bag operation.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, afairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
the release of smoke. This smoke is not
harmful and does not indicate a fire, but
care should be taken to not intentionally
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of breathing
trouble should get fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bags, along with the
use of the 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 inflat-
ing air bag may cause facial abrasions or
other injuries. Air bags do not provide re-straint to the lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger be seated upright
as far as practical away from the steering
wheel or dashboard. Since the air bag in-
flates quickly in order to help protect the
occupant, the force of the air bag inflating
can increase the risk of injury if the occu-
pant is too close to or is against the air bag
module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag deflates quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
c
No 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 damage
to the supplemental air bag system.
APD0607
2-18
ZX

cTampering 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 instrument
panel, or by installing additional trim
material around the supplemental air
bag system.
cDo 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.cWork 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 NIS-
SAN dealer. The yellow SRS wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.
2-19
ZX

Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag system are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
The supplemental air bag light, displaying
AIR BAG in the instrument panel, monitors
the circuits of the air bag. The circuits
monitored by the air bag light are the diag-
nosis sensor unit, air bag modules and all
related wiring.
APD0609
APD0610
WARNING LABELS
(If so equipped)AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT
(If so equipped)
2-20
ZX

When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing:
1. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on and remain on for 7 seconds
and then go off as described above.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes
intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Under these conditions, the Supplemental
Restraint System Air Bag does not operate
properly. 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 de-
signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.
As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the
supplemental air bag light remains illumi-
nated after inflation has occurred. Repair
and replacement of the supplemental airbag system should be done only by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
To ensure long-term functioning, the
system must be inspected 10 years after
the date of manufacture as noted on the
certification label located on the driver
side front 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 ignition key must always be in the
LOCK position when working under the
hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
cOnce the supplemental air bag in-
flates, the supplemental air bag mod-
ule will not function again and must
be replaced. The supplemental air
bag module cannot be repaired.
cAfter a supplemental air bag inflates,
the front instrument panel assembly
should be replaced by your NISSAN
dealer if damaged.cThe 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 if the air bag has inflated.
cWhen selling your vehicle, we re-
quest that you inform the buyer about
the supplemental air bag system and
guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner's Manual.
cIf you need to dispose of the 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.
2-21
ZX

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
an air bag.
Some states, provinces or territories re-
quire that seat belts be worn at all times
when a vehicle is being driven.
WARNING
cEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be in ap-
propriate child restraints.
cThe belt should be properly adjusted
to a snug fit. Failure to do so will
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increases the
chances or severity of injury in an
accident.cDo not wear the belt inside out or
twisted. Be sure the seat belt tongue
is securely fastened to the proper
buckle.
cDo not allow more than one person to
use the same belt.
cAll seat belt assemblies including re-
tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected after any colli-
sion at your NISSAN dealer. 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.
cNever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.
c
If the seat belt warning lamp glows con-
tinuously 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.cBe sure to observe the following pre-
cautions when using seat belts. Failure
to do so could increase the chance
and/or severity of injury in an accident.
cAlways 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.
cPosition the lap belt as low as pos-
sible AROUND THE HIPS, NOT THE
WAIST.
cSerious injury or death can occur if
seat belt is not worn properly.
CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect
them.
All U.S. states and provinces of Canada
require the use of approved child restraints
for infants and small children. (See ``Child
Restraints for Infants and Small Children''
later in this section.)
In addition, there are many types of child
restraints available for larger children which
SEAT BELTS
2-22
ZX

should be used for maximum protection.
Infant or small child
NISSAN recommends that infants or small
children be placed in child restraint systems
that comply with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standards. You should choose
a child restraint system which fits your ve-
hicle and always follow the manufacturer's
instructions for installation and use.
Children
Children who are too large for child restraint
systems 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 lapbelt 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 Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standards. Once the child
has grown enough 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 spe-
cific 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. Check with your doctor for
specific recommendations.
3-POINT TYPE WITH RETRACTOR
WARNING
Every person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should wear a seat belt at
all times.
Fastening the belts
1. Adjust the seat.
MPA0002
2-23
ZX