1998 NISSAN MAXIMA warning

PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEMThis Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
section contains important information con-
cerning the driver and passenger supplemen-
tal air bags and supplemental side air bags.
Supplemental air bag system:This system
can help cushion the impact force to the face
and chest of the driver and front passenger in
certain frontal collisions.
Supplemental side air bag system (if so
equipped):This system can help cushion the
impact force to the chest area of the driver and
front passenger in certain side impact colli-
sions. The supplemental side air bag is de-
signed to inflate on the side where the vehicle
is impacted.
These supplemental restraint systems are de-
signed tosupplementthe crash protection
provided by the driver and front passenger
seat belts and arenot a substitutefor them.
Seat belts should always be correctly worn
and the driver and front passenger seated a
suitable distance away from the steering
wheel, instrument panel and front door finish-
ers. (See ªSeat beltsº later in this section for
instructions and precautions on seat belt us-
age.)After turning the ignition key to the ON
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.SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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Supplemental air bag systemThe 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 bags are designed to inflate
in higher severity frontal collisions, although
they may inflate if the forces in another type of
collision are similar to those of a higher sever-
ity frontal impact. They 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 fairlyloud 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 inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental air bags along with the use of
seat belts, helps to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious inju-
ries. However, an inflating supplemental air
bag may cause facial abrasions or other inju-
ries. Supplemental 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 far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
dash board. Since the supplemental air bags
inflates quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants, 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 the collision is over.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
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.
IDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel. Such
objects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and cause injury if the supple-
mental air bag inflates.
IRight after inflation, several supple-
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After turning the ignition key to the ON
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.IDo not place any objects near the
seatback of the front seats. Also, do
not place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door fin-
isher and the front seat. Such objects
may become dangerous projectiles
and cause injury if the supplemental
side air bag inflates.
IRight after inflation, several supple-
mental side air bag system compo-
nents 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 side air bag sys-
tem. This is to prevent accidental
inflation of the supplemental side air
bag or damage to the supplemental
side air bag system.IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental side air bag sys-
tem.
ITampering with the supplemental
side air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. Tampering
includes changes to the front seats
assembly by placing material near
the seatback of the front seat, or by
installing additional trim material
around the supplemental side air bag
system.
IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal side air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical equip-
ment should also be done by an au-
thorized NISSAN dealer. The SRS wir-
ing harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the supplemental side air bag sys-
tem.* The SRS wiring harnesses are cov-
ered with yellow insulation either just
before the harness connectors or
over the complete harness for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental side
air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner's Manual.
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELSWarning labels about the supplemental air bag
system are placed in the vehicle as shown in
the illustration.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHTThe supplemental air bag warning light, dis-
playing AIR BAG in the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the supplemental air
bag and supplemental side air bag systems.
The circuits monitored by the supplemental air
bag warning light are the diagnosis sensor
unit, satellite sensors, supplemental air bag
modules, supplemental side air bag modules
and all related wiring.
After turning the ignition key to the ON, the
supplemental air bag warning light illuminates.
The supplemental air bag warning light will
SPA0104A
SPA0431
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turn off after about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag and supplemental side
air bag systems needs servicing:
IThe supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on and remain on for 7
seconds and then go off as described
above.
IThe supplemental air bag light flashes in-
termittently or remains on (after 7 seconds).
IThe supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental air
bags or supplemental side air bags may not
operate properly. 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 or supplemental side air bag
system will not operate in an accident.Repair and replacement procedureThe supplemental air bags or supplemental
side air bags are designed to inflate on aone-time-only basis. As a reminder, unless it is
damaged, the supplemental air bag warning
light will remain illuminated after inflation has
occurred. Repair and replacement of these
supplemental systems should be done only by
authorized NISSAN dealers.
To ensure long-term functioning, these
systems must be inspected 10 years after
the date of manufacture noted on the cer-
tification label located on the driver side
center pillar.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental air bags, supple-
mental side air bags and related parts should
be pointed out to the person conducting the
maintenance. The ignition key should always
be in the LOCK position when working under
the hood or inside the vehicle.
IOnce the supplemental air bag or
supplemental side air bag has in-
flated, the supplemental air bag mod-
ule or supplemental side air bag mod-
ule will not function again and must
be replaced. The supplemental air
bag module or supplemental side air
bag module should be replaced by anauthorized NISSAN dealer. The
supplemental air bag module or
supplemental side air bag module
cannot be repaired.
IThe supplemental air bag and supple-
mental side air bag systems should
be inspected by an authorized
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end or side portion of the
vehicle.
IIf you need to dispose of these
supplemental systems or scrap the
vehicle, contact an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
Correct disposal procedures are set
forth in the appropriate NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual. Incorrect disposal pro-
cedures could cause personal injury.
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as possible around the hips, not the
waist. A lap belt worn too high could
increase the risk of internal injuries 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 light glows
continuously 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.
IAll seat belt assemblies including re-
tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected after any colli-
sion by 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.
CHILD SAFETYChildren need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
The proper restraint depends on the child's
size. Generally, infants (up to about 1 year and
less than 20 lb (9 kg) should be placed in rear
facing child restraints. Front facing child re-
straints are available for children who outgrow
rear facing child restraints.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
SSS0016
SSS0014
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2 Instruments and controlsInstrument panel ....................................................... 2-2
Meters and gauges ................................................... 2-3
Warning/indicator lights and buzzers ........................ 2-7
Security system (if so equipped)............................. 2-11
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...................... 2-13
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defogger switch ....................................................... 2-14
Headlight and turn signal switch ............................. 2-15
Front fog light switch (if so equipped)..................... 2-16
Hazard warning flasher switch ................................ 2-17
Horn......................................................................... 2-17
Heated seats (if so equipped) ................................. 2-18Cigarette lighter and ashtray ................................... 2-19
Storage .................................................................... 2-19
Windows .................................................................. 2-22
Sunroof (if so equipped) ......................................... 2-24
Clock ....................................................................... 2-25
Interior light ............................................................. 2-25
Personal light .......................................................... 2-26
Vanity mirror light (if so equipped) .......................... 2-26
Trunk light ............................................................... 2-27
Integrated HomeLink
transmitter
(if so equipped) ....................................................... 2-27
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Windshield wiper/washer switch (P.2-13)
Instrument brightness control switch (P.2-15)
Meters/gauges (P.2-3)
Theft warning light (P.2-11)
(if so equipped)
Cruise control main switch (P.5-13)
Headlight, fog light (if so equipped) and
turn signal switch (P.2-15)
Hood release handle (P.3-9)
Outside mirror remote control (P.3-14)
Fuse box cover (P.8-23)
Tilting steering wheel lock lever (P.3-13)
Driver supplemental air bag (P.1-7)
Ignition switch/steering lock (P.5-5)
Cruise control set switch (P.5-12)
Cigarette lighter (accessory) (P.2-19)Hazard warning flasher switch (P.2-17)
Ventilator (P.4-2)
Heater/air conditioner control (P.4-3)
Clock (P.2-25)
Radio/cassette player (P.4-13)/CD player (P.4-19)
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped) defogger switch (P.2-14)
Passenger supplemental air bag (P.1-7)
Glove box (P.2-22)
Ash tray
(P.2-19)
Heated seat switch (P.2-18)
(if so equipped)
SIC0875
See the page indicated in parentheses for operating details.
INSTRUMENT PANEL2-2
Instruments and controls
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