
This Supplemental Restraint System de-
scription contains important information
concerning the special driver and passen-
ger supplemental air bag. The Supplemen-
tal Restraint System Air Bags can help
reduce impact force to the driver and front
passenger in certain frontal collisions. The
supplemental air bags are designed to
supplementthe crash protection provided
by the seat belts and arenot a substitute
for the seat belts. The seat belts should
always be correctly worn and the driver and
front passenger seated a suitable distance
from the steering wheel and instrument
panel. (See ``Seat belts'' for instructions and
precautions 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
c
The supplemental air bag ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a side
impact, rear impact, roll over, or lower
severity frontal collision. Always 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 bag are most effective when you are
sitting back and upright in the seat.
Supplemental air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways, youare 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.
cAlways sit back against the seatback
and as far away 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 (supplemental air bag
system)
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-19
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 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 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 and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition 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
away as practical from the steering wheel or
instrument panel. 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 bag deflates quickly
after a collision.The supplemental air
bags operate only when the ignition
switch is in the ON or START position.
ARS1122
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
1-22Seats, 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 include
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.
ARS1123APD0554
WARNING LABELS SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
1-24Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag needs servicing and
should be taken to your nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on and remain on for 7 seconds
and then go off as described.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes
intermittently, or remains on after 7 sec-
onds.
3. The supplemental air bag 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.
c
If 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.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-25
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 seat 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 by an authorized
NISSAN dealer after any collision.
NISSAN recommends that all seatbelt assemblies in use during a colli-
sion be replaced unless the collision
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.
CHILD SAFETY
Children 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
ARS1047ARS1050ARS1049
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-27
ZX

This 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 OFF.
The low fuel warning 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.
For additional information, see the
``Malfunction indicator light (MIL)'' later
in this section.
AIC0005
FUEL GAUGE
Instruments and controls2-5
ZX

Checking bulbs
Apply the parking brake, fasten seat belts,
and turn the ignition key to ON without start-
ing the engine. The following lights come on
and stay on until the engine is started:
,,,
The following lights come on briefly and
then go off:
ABS 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
of this manual.
CAUTION
Running the engine with the oil pres-
sure warning light on could cause seri-
ous damage to the engine almost im-
mediately. Turn off the engine as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Charge warning light
If the light comes on while the engine is
running, it may indicate something wrong
with the charging system. Turn the engine
off and check the generator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken, missing, or if the light re-
AIC1093
WARNING/INDICATOR
LIGHTS AND CHIMES
2-6Instruments and controls
ZX

mains on, see an authorized NISSAN
dealer immediately.
CAUTION
Do not continue driving if the belt is
loose, broken or missing.
Low fuel warning light
This light comes on when the fuel level in
the fuel tank is getting low. Refuel as soon
as it is convenient, preferably before the fuel
gauge reaches E (Empty).There will be a
small reserve of fuel in the tank when the
fuel gauge needle reaches E (Empty).
Door ajar 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
your seat belts. If the driver's seat belt is
NOT securely fastened when the ignition
key is turned to ON or START, the chime
sounds for approximately 6 seconds and
the light illuminates.Refer to ``Seat belts'' in the ``Seats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systems''
section of this manual 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 Air Bag Supple-
mental Restraint System is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental air bag system needs servic-
ing and your vehicle should be taken to an
authorized NISSAN dealer:
1. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on for 7 seconds and then
turn off as described above.
2. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently, or remains on after
7 seconds.
3. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the Air Bag Supple-
mental restraint system may not function
properly. For additional details, see ``Supple-mental restraint system'' in the ``Seats, re-
straints and supplemental air bag systems''
section of this manual.
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
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 of this
manual.
Brake 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:
Instruments and controls
2-7
ZX