1999 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEMThis Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
section contains important information con-
cerning the driver and passenger supplemen-
tal air bags, supplemental side air bags and
pre-tensioner seat belts.
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 head and chest area of the
driver and front passenger in certain side
impact collisions. The supplemental side air
bags are designed 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 forinstructions 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 systems are operational.SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM1-10
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IThe 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.
IThe 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 bags if you are
up against it when it inflates. Always
sit back against the seatback and as
far away as practical from the steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel. Al-
ways use the seat belts.
IKeep 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 bags inflate.
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INever let children ride unrestrained
or extend their hands or face out of
window. Do not attempt to hold them
in your lap or arms. Some examples
of dangerous riding positions are
shown in the previous illustrations.
IChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental air bags
inflate if they are not properly
restrained.
IAlso, never install a rear facing child
restraint in the front seat. An inflating
supplemental air bags could seri-
ously injury or kill your child. For
additional information, see ªChild re-
straintsº later in this section.
For supplemental side air bag
system (if so equipped):IThe supplemental side air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
frontal impact, rear impact or lower
severity side collision. Always wear
your seat belts to help reduce the risk
or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.
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IThe seat belts and the supplemental
side air bags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright
in the seat. Supplemental side air
bags inflate with great force. Do not
allow anyone to place their hand, leg
or face near the supplemental side air
bags on the side of the seatback of
the front seat. Do not allow anyone
sitting in the front seat to extend their
hand out of the window or lean
against the door.
When sitting in the rear seat, do not
hold onto the seatback of the front
seat. If the supplemental side air bag
inflates, the occupant may be seri-
ously injured. Be especially careful
with children, who should always be
properly restrained.
IDo not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
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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. These
systems are designed to meet optional certifi-
cation requirements under U.S. regulations.
They are also permitted in Canada. The op-
tional certification allows air bags to be de-
signed to inflate somewhat less forcefully than
previously.However, all of the information,
cautions and warnings in this manual still
apply and must be followed.The supple-
mental air bags are designed to inflate inhigher 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 fairly
loud 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, 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 inflating supplemental air bag
may cause facial abrasions or other injuries.
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
dashboard. Since the supplemental air bag
inflates quickly in order to help protect the
occupant, 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 bags will deflate quickly
after a 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
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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 bags inflate.
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 bags 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 andthe 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.
* 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 air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner's Manual.
Supplemental side air bag system (if
so equipped)The supplemental side air bags are located in
the outside of the seatback of the front seats.
The supplemental side air bag (on the driver or
front passenger seat) is designed to inflate in
higher severity side collisions, although it may
inflate if the forces in another type of collision
are similar to those of a higher severity side
impact. It is designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted. It may not
inflate in certain side collisions. Vehicle dam-
age (or lack of it) is not always an indication of
proper supplemental side air bag operation.
When the supplemental side air bags inflate, a
fairly loud 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 breath-
ing condition should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental side air bags along with the use
of seat belts, help to cushion the impact force
on the head and chest of the front occupants.
They can help save lives and reduce serious
injuries. However, an inflating supplemental
side air bag may cause abrasions or other
injuries.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and
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