1997 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

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.
IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental air bag
system.
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.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
identifi-
cation.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemen-
tal air bag system and guide the buyer to
the appropriate sections in this Owner's
Manual.
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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.
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 may not operate prop-
erly. It must be checked and repaired. Take
your vehicle to the nearest authorized NISSAN
dealer.
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemen-
tal air bag will not operate in an
accident.
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 sys-
tem must be inspected 10 years after the
date of manufacture noted on the certifica-
tion 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 should be replaced by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. The
supplemental air bag module cannot
be repaired.
IThe supplemental air bag system
should be inspected by an authorizedNISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end portion of the vehicle.
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.
SPA0506SPA0485SPA0486
SEAT BELTS
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IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be properly
restrained and, if appropriate, in a
child restraint.
IThe belt should be properly adjusted
to a snug fit. Failure to do so may
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increase the
chance or severity of injury in an
accident. Serious injury or death can
occur if the seat belt is not worn
properly.
IAlways route the shoulder belt over
your shoulder and across your chest.
Never run the belt behind your back,
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 and snug
as possible AROUND THE HIPS, NOT
THE WAIST. A lap belt worn too high
could increase the risk of internalinjuries in an accident.
IBe sure the seat belt tongue is se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.
IDo not wear the belt inside out or
twisted. Doing so may reduce its ef-
fectiveness.
IDo not allow more than one person to
use the same belt.
INever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.
IIf the seat belt warning lamp glows
continuously while the ignition is
turned ªONº 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.
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 damageand 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.
CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect them.
Infants and children need special pro-
tection. The vehicle's seat belts may not
fit them properly. The shoulder belt may
come too close to the face or neck. The
lap belt may not fit over their small hip
bones. In an accident, an improperly
fitting seat belt could cause serious or
fatal injury. Always use appropriate
child restraints.
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
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restraints available for larger children which
should be used for maximum protection.
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 thevehicle seat and have a label certifying that it
complies with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. 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. The
child could be seriously injured or killed
in an accident.
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.
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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.
Do not ride in a moving vehicle when the
seatback is reclined. This can be dan-
gerous. The shoulder belt will not be
against your body. In an accident you
could be thrown into it and receive neck
or other serious injuries. You could also
slide under the lap belt and receive se-
rious internal injuries.
For most effective protection when the
vehicle is in motion, the seat should be
upright. Always sit well back in the seat
and adjust the seat belt properly.
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 seat passenger side seat belt and
rear 3-point seat belts have a cinching mecha-
nism for child seat installation. It is referred to
as the automatic locking mode.
SPA0492APD1024M
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When the cinching mechanism is activated the
seat belt cannot be withdrawn again until the
seat belt tongue is detached from the buckle
and fully retracted. Refer to ªChild Restraint
Systems for Infants and Small Childrenº later
in this section for more information.
The automatic locking mode should be
used only for child seat installation. During
normal seat belt use by a passenger, the
locking mode should not be activated. If it
is activated it may cause uncomfortable
seat belt tension.
Unfastening the belts
To unfasten the belt, press the button on the
buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract.
Checking seat belt operation
Your seat belt retractors are designed to lock
belt movement by two separate methods:
1) When the belt is pulled quickly from the
retractor.
2) When the vehicle slows down rapidly.
You can check the operation as follows:
IGrasp the shoulder belt and pull quickly
forward. The retractor should lock and re-
strict further belt movement.If the retractor does not lock during this check
or if you have any question about belt opera-
tion, see your NISSAN dealer.
Shoulder belt height adjustment
The shoulder belt anchor height should be
adjusted to the position best suited for you
(see ªPrecautions on Seat Belt Usageº). To
adjust, squeeze the release buttons, then
move it to the desired position so that the belt
passes over the shoulder.
IAfter adjustment, release the button
and check that it does not move up
and down to make sure the shoulder
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