1998 NISSAN FRONTIER instrument panel

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 collisions. The supplemental air bags
are designed tosupplementthe crash pro-
tection provided by the driver and front pas-
senger seat belts and arenot a substitute
for them. The seat belts should always be
correctly worn and the driver and front pas-
senger seated a suitable distance away from
the steering wheel and instrument panel.
See ``Seat belts'' for instructions and precau-
tions on seat belt usage later in this section.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
cThe supplemental air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or
lower severity frontal collision. Al-
ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury
in various kinds of accidents.cThe 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 unre-
strained, 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 supplemental air bag if you are
up against it when it inflates. Always
sit back against the seatback and asfar away as practical from the steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel. Al-
ways use the seat belts.
c
Keep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when the
supplemental air bag inflates.
ARS1091ARS1096
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (supplemental air bag
system)
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-7
ZX

The driver's supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passen-
ger's supplemental air bag is located in the top
right section of the instrument panel.
These systems are designed to meet optional
certification requirements under U.S. regula-tions. They are also permitted in Canada. The
optional certification allows air bags to be
designed to inflate somewhat less forcefully
than previously.However, all of the infor-
mation, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
The supplemental 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
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.
The front passenger supplemental air bag is
equipped with an ON/OFF switch. Because
no rear seat exists where a rear facing child
restraint can be secured, the switch is de-
signed to turn OFF the passenger supple-
mental air bag so that a rear facing child
restraint can be used in the front passenger
seat. See ``Passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch and light'' later in this section
for details.
When the supplemental air bag inflates, a
fairly 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 not to unintentionally
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bags, along with the use
of the seat belt, helps to cushion the impact
force on the face and chest of the occupant.
ARS1116
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
1-10Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

It 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 pro-
vide restraint to the lower body.
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 bags
inflate quickly in order to help protect the
front occupants, the force of the supplemen-
tal air bag inflating can increase the risk of
injury if the occupant is too close to or
against the supplemental air bag module
during inflation.
The supplemental air bags deflate quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
WARNING
cDo not attach any objects to the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or on the instru-
ment panel. Such objects maybecome dangerous projectiles and
cause injury if the supplemental air
bag inflates.
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.
cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle's electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious per-
sonal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel pad,
above the dashboard, or by installing
additional trim material around the
supplemental air bag system.cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Installa-
tion 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.
cSRS wiring harnesses are covered
with yellow insulation either just be-
fore the harness connectors or over
the complete harness for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemental
air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner's Manual.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-11
ZX

PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL
AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH AND
LIGHT.
WARNING
Air bags and seat belts are designed to
work as a unit. Do not switch the air bag
OFF unless you meet federal govern-
ment criteria. Switching off the air bag
may increase the risk of serious or fatal
injuries in a collision where the air bag
would have inflated.
The passenger air bag ON/OFF switch is
located in the center of the instrument panel,
near the ashtray. It can be used to turn the
passenger supplemental air bag OFF.
In rare instances, some passengers are ex-
posed to serious injury risks from inflating air
bags, especially if not properly restrained.
The U.S. and Canadian federal governments
recognize other limited circumstances in
which an air bag could reduce safety. The
passenger air bag ON/OFF switch is, there-
fore, allowed in this vehicle. Because the
overall benefits of air bags are great, in most
situations air bags should not be switched off
unless special government criteria exist.
ARS1117
1-12Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

cKeep the passenger supplemental
air bag ON/OFF switch turned ON
unless
a rear-facing child restraint
must be used in the front seat, if
children ages 1-12 must be placed in
the front seat, or if the passenger
has a medical condition, which, ac-
cording to a physician, causes the
air bag to pose a special risk of harm
(the federal government criteria). If
the switch is OFF, the air bag will not
inflate in a collision as designed and
the extra protection provided by the
air bag may be lost.
c
Be sure to turn the passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch OFF
when using a rear facing child re-
straint in the front passenger seat. If
it is not OFF, the air bag may inflate in
a collision. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could cause serious
injury or kill the child in the child
restraint. Children ages 1-12 and per-
sons with special medical conditions
may also be at risk from an inflating
air bag.cIf the supplemental air bag warning
light located in the instrument panel
next to the speedometer comes on
when the passenger supplemental air
bag OFF light is also illuminated,
something may be wrong with the air
bag system. Infants, children ages
1-12 or persons with special medical
conditions should not use the front
passenger seat until the system is
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
1-14Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag system are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.The supplemental air bag warning light,
displaying AIR BAG in the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the supplemental air
bag. The circuits monitored by the supple-
mental air bag warning light are the diagno-
sis sensor unit, the supplemental air bag
module and all related wiring.
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 and
ARS1028ARS1029
WARNING LABELS SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-15
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cFor a front facing child restraint,
check to make sure the shoulder belt
does not go in front of the child's
face or neck. If it does, put the shoul-
der belt behind the child restraint.
cWhen your child restraint is not in
use, keep it secured with a seat belt
to prevent it from being thrown
around in case of a sudden stop or
accident.
CAUTION
Remember that a child restraint left in a
closed vehicle can become very hot.
Check the seating surface and buckles
before placing your child in the child
restraint.
FRONT FACING INSTALLATION
ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
(Three-point type with retractor)
WARNING
cKeep the passenger supplemental
air bag ON/OFF switch turned ON
unless a rear-facing child restraint is
used in the front seat. If the switch is
OFF the air bag will not inflate in a
collision as designed.cThe three-point belt in your vehicle
is equipped with a locking mode re-
tractor which must be used when
installing a child restraint.
cFailure to use the retractor's locking
mode will 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.
cBe sure to turn the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch
OFF when using a rear facing child
restraint in the front passenger seat.
If it is not OFF, the air bag may inflate
in a collision. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could cause serious
injury or kill the child in the child
restraint.
c
If the supplemental air bag warning
light located in the instrument panel
next to the speedometer comes on
when the passenger supplemental air
bag OFF indicator light is also illumi-
nated, something may be wrong
ARS1109
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ZX

After the child restraint is removed and the
seat belt is allowed to wind back into the
retractor, the automatic locking mode (child
restraint mode) is canceled; The seat belt
only locks during a sudden stop or impact.REAR FACING INSTALLATION
ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
(Three-point type with retractor)
WARNING
cKeep the passenger supplemental
air bag ON/OFF switch turned ON
unless a rear-facing child restraint is
used in the front seat. If the switch is
OFF the air bag will not inflate in a
collision as designed.
c
Be sure to turn the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch
OFF when using a rear facing child
restraint in the front passenger seat.
If it is not OFF, the air bag may inflate
in a collision. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could cause serious
injury or kill the child in the child
restraint. See ``Passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch and
light'' earlier in this section.
cIf the supplemental air bag warning
light located in the instrument panel
next to the speedometer comes on
when the passenger supplemental airbag OFF indicator light is also illumi-
nated, something may be wrong with
the air bag system. Do not use a child
restraint in the front passenger seat
until the system is checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
cThe three-point belt in your vehicle
is equipped with a locking mode re-
tractor which must be used when
installing a child restraint.
cFailure to use the retractor's locking
mode will 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.
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ZX