1999 NISSAN ALTIMA ignition

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.c
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 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 as faraway as practical from the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Always
use the seatbelts.
cKeep 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.
ARS1132
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM)
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-9
ZX

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.
These systems are designed to meet op-
tional certification requirements under U.S.
regulations. 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 information, cautions and warn-
ings in this manual still apply and must
be followed.
The supplemental air bag system is de-signed 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
system operation.
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 andchoking. Those with a history of breathing
trouble should get fresh air promptly.
The 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 seri-
ous injuries. However, an inflating supple-
mental air bag may cause facial abrasions
or other injuries. Supplemental air bags do
not provide 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
instrument panel. Since the supplemental air
bags inflate quickly in order to help protect
the front occupants, the force of the supple-
mental 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 bags deflate quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
APD0530
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
1-12Seats, 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,
displayingin the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the supplemental air
bag system. The circuits monitored by the
supplemental air bag warning light are the
diagnosis sensor unit, supplemental air bag
modules 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.
APD0513APD0523
WARNING LABELS SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
1-14Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing:
1. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on and remain on for 7
seconds and then go off as described.
2. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental
restraint system air bag may not operate
properly. It must be checked and repaired.
Take your vehicle to the nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental air bag system will not
operate in an accident.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental air bag modules are 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 air
bag system should be done only by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
To ensure long-term functioning, the
supplemental air bag system must be
inspected 10 years after the date of
manufacture as noted on the certifica-
tion 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 should 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
module will not function again and
should be replaced by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. The supplemental air
bag module cannot be repaired.cThe supplemental air bag system
should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer if there is any
damage to the front end portion of
the vehicle.
cIf you need to dispose of a supple-
mental air bag or scrap the vehicle,
contact an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Correct supplemental air bag
disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-15
ZX

cBe sure the seat belt tongue is se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.
cDo not wear the belt inside out or
twisted. Doing so may reduce its
effectiveness.
cDo not allow more than one person
to use the same belt.
cNever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.cIf the seat belt warning light glows
continuously while the ignition is
turned ON with all doors closed and
all seat belts fastened, it may indi-
cate a malfunction in the system.
Have the system checked by an au-
thorized NISSAN dealer.c
All seat belt assemblies including
retractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected after any colli-
sion by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. NISSAN recommends that all
seat belt assemblies in use during a
collision be replaced unless the col-
lision was minor and the belts show
no damage and continue to operate
properly. Seat belt assemblies not in
use during a collision should also be
inspected and replaced if either dam-
age or improper operation is noted.
ARS1047ARS1050
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-17
ZX

Engine coolant temperature gauge
The gauge indicates the engine coolant
temperature.
The engine coolant temperature varies with
the outside air temperature and driving con-
ditions.
CAUTION
cIf the gauge indicates engine coolant
temperature over the normal range,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible. If the engine is overheated,
continued operation of the vehicle
may seriously damage the engine.
See the ``In case of emergency'' sec-
tion for immediate action required.
Fuel gauge
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel
level in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning, acceleration, or going up or
down hills.
The gauge needle remains in approximately
the same position even when the ignition
key is turned to OFF.
The warning indicator light comes on when
the amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge
registers E (Empty).
CAUTION
cIf the vehicle is driven with the fuel
level very low, the malfunction indi-
cator light may come on. Refuel as
soon as possible. After driving for a
while, the light should remain off. If
the light remains on, have the ve-
hicle inspected by an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information, see the
``Malfunction indicator light (MIL)''
later in this section.
AIC0077
ENGINE COOLANT
TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND
FUEL GAUGE
2-4Instruments and controls
ZX

Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition
key to ON without starting the engine. The
following lights come on:
,or,,,
If the driver side seat belt is fastened the
light will not come on. The following
lights come on briefly and then go off:
or,,
If any light fails to come on, it may
indicate a burned-out bulb or an open
circuit in the electrical system. Have thesystem repaired promptly.
Engine oil pressure warning
light
This light warns of low engine oil pressure. If
the light flickers or comes on during normal
driving, pull off the road in a safe area, stop
the engineimmediatelyand call an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
The oil pressure warning light is not
designed to indicate a low oil level. Use
the dipstick to check the oil level.See
``Engine oil'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on could cause serious
damage to the engine almost immedi-
ately. Turn off the engine as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate a problem with the
charging system. Turn the engine off and
check the generator belt. If the belt is loose,
orBrake warning lightSeat belt warning lightEngine oil pressure warning light
Turn signal/hazard indicator lightsLow washer fluid warning light
(Canada only)CRUISE indicator light
High beam indicator lightorAnti-lock brake warning lightSupplemental air bag warning light
Charge warning lightOverdrive off indicator light
Door open warning lightMalfunction indicator light
(emission system)
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Instruments and controls2-5
ZX

broken, or missing, or if the light remains on,
see an authorized NISSAN dealer immedi-
ately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Door open warning light
This light comes on when any of the doors
are not closed securely while the ignition
key is ON.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever
the ignition key is turned to ON, and re-
mains illuminated until the driver's seat belt
is fastened. At the same time, the chime
sounds for about seven seconds unless the
driver seat belt is securely fastened.
Refer to ``Seat belts'' in the ``Seats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systems''
section for precautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag
warning light
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 system needs servicing
and your vehicle must be taken to an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on and remain on for 7
seconds and then go off as described
above.
2. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the supple-
mental restraint system (air bag system)
may not function properly. For additional
details, see ``Supplemental restraint system''
in the ``Seats, restraints and supplemental
air bag systems'' section.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental air bag will not operate in
an accident.
Low washer fluid warning
light (Canada only)
This light comes on when the washer fluid is
at a low level. Add washer fluid as neces-
sary. See the ``Do-it-yourself'' section.
orBrake warning light
This light functions for both the parking
brake and the foot brake systems.
When the ignition key is in the ON position,
the light comes on when the parking brake is
applied, and also warns of a low brake fluid
level. If the light comes on while the engine
is running with the parking brake not applied,
stop the vehicle and perform the following:
1.Check the brake fluid level. Add brake
fluid as necessary. See ``Brake and clutch
fluid'' in the ``Do-it-yourself'' section of this
owner's manual.
2-6Instruments and controls
ZX