2000 NISSAN FRONTIER Owners Manual

IKeep 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.
IBe 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. Children ages 1-12 and
persons with special medical condi-
tions may also be at risk from an
inflating air bag.IIf 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.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-17
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
in 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, the 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.
If any of the following system conditions
occur, the supplemental air bag system
ARS1188ARS1242
WARNING LABELS SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
1-18Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

needs servicing and should be taken to an
authorized 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.
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 (supplemental air bag
system) may not function properly. It must
be checked and repaired.
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 warning light remains
illuminated after inflation has occurred.
Repair and replacement of the supplemen-
tal 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 noted on the certification
label located on the driver side door
jamb 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 must always be in the LOCKposition when working under the hood or
inside the vehicle.
WARNING
IOnce 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.
IThe 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, or replaced if the supple-
mental air bag has inflated.
IIf you need to dispose of the 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.
ARS1243
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-19
ZX

PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
Your chances of being injured in an accident
and/or the severity of injury may be greatly
reduced if you are wearing your seat belt
and it is properly adjusted. NISSAN strongly
encourages you and all of your passengers
to buckle up every time you drive, even if
your seating position includes a supplemen-
tal air bag.
Most U.S. States and Canadian prov-
inces or territories specify that seat belts
be worn at all times when a vehicle is
being driven.
WARNING
IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be prop-
erly restrained and, if appropriate, in
child restraints.
I
The seat belt should be properly ad-
justed to a snug fit. Failure to do so
may reduce the effectiveness of the
entire restraint system and increase
the chance or severity of injury in an
accident. Serious injury or death can
occur if the seat belt is not wornproperly.
IAlways route the shoulder belt over
your shoulder and across your
chest. Never run the belt behind your
back, under your arm or across your
neck. The belt should be away from
your face and neck, but not falling
off your shoulder.
IPosition the lap belt as low and snug
as possible AROUND THE HIPS,
NOT THE WAIST. A lap belt worn too
high could increase the risk of inter-
nal injuries in an accident.
ARS1154ARS1100
SEAT BELTS
1-20Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

IBe sure the seat belt tongue is se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.
IDo not wear the seat belt inside out
or twisted. Doing so may reduce its
effectiveness.
IDo not allow more than one person
to use the same seat belt.
INever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.I
Never allow anyone to ride in the cargo
area or in a slide-in camper or other
type cargo area cover while the vehicle
is in motion. These areas do not con-
tain seat belts. It is not designed for
passengers. They could be injured in
sudden braking or a collision.
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 indi-
cate a malfunction in the system.
Have the system checked by an au-
thorized NISSAN dealer.
I
All seat belt assemblies including
retractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer after any colli-
sion. 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.
Pre-tensioner seat belt system
(For front seats)
WARNING
IThe pre-tensioner seat belt cannot
be reused after activation. It must be
replaced together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.
IIf the vehicle becomes involved in a
frontal collision but the pre-
tensioner is not activated, be sure to
have the pre-tensioner system
checked and, if necessary, replaced
by your NISSAN dealer.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the pre-tensioner seat belt sys-
tem. This is to prevent accidental
activation of the pre-tensioner seat
belt or damage to the pre-tensioner
seat belt operation. Tampering with
the pre-tensioner seat belt system
may result in serious personal in-
jury.
IWork around and on the pre-
tensioner system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
ARS1103
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-21
ZX

lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the pre-
tensioner seat belt system.
IIf you need to dispose of the pre-
tensioner or scrap the vehicle, con-
tact an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Correct pre-tensioner disposal pro-
cedures are set forth in the appropri-
ate NISSAN Service Manual. Incor-
rect disposal procedures could
cause personal injury.
The front seat pre-tensioner seat belt sys-
tem activates in conjunction with the supple-
mental air bag. Working with the seat belt
retractor, it helps tighten the seat belt the
instant the vehicle becomes involved in
certain types of collisions.
The pre-tensioner is encased with the seat
belt's retractor. These seat belts are used
the same as conventional seat belts.
When the pre-tensioner seat belt activates,
smoke is released and a loud noise may be
heard. The smoke is not harmful, but careshould be taken not to intentionally inhale it
as it may cause irritation and choking.
If any abnormality occurs in the pre-
tensioner system, the seat belt warning light
will flash intermittently after the igni-
tion key is turned to the ON or START
position. In this case, the pre-tensioner seat
belt will not function properly.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the pre-
tensioner seat belt system and guide the
buyer to the appropriate sections in this
Owner's Manual.
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 1 year and less than 20 pounds (9
kg) should be placed in rear facing child
restraints. Front facing child restraints
are available for children who outgrow
rear facing child restraints.
WARNING
IBe sure to turn the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch
OFF when using a rear facing child
restraint in the front passenger seat
in models so equipped. 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. See²Passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch and
light²earlier in this section.
IIn crew cab models, never install a
rear facing child restraint in the front
passenger seat. An inflating supple-
mental air bag could seriously injure
or kill your child. A rear facing child
restraint must only be used in the
rear seat.
IDo not install a child restraint in the
jump seats (King Cab model). These
seats are not suitable for child re-
straint installation.
IDo not install a child restraint in the
center position of the front bench-
seat if the type of restraint used
1-22Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

interferes with operation of the driv-
ing controls.
IInfants and children need special
protection. The vehicle's seat belts-
may not fit them properly. The shoul-
der belt may come too close to the-
face or neck. The lap belt may not
fitover their small hip bones. In an
accident, an improperly fitting seat
beltcould cause serious or fatal in-
jury. Always use appropriate child
restraints.
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require the use of approved child
restraints for infants and small children. See
``Child restraints'' later in this section for
more information.
In addition, there are many types of child
restraints available for larger children which
should be used for maximum protection.
NISSAN recommends that all pre-teen
children be restrained in the rear seat if
possible. According to accident statis-
tics, children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seat than in the
front seat.
This is especially important becauseyour vehicle has a supplemental re-
straint system (Supplemental air bag
system) for the front passenger (For pre-
cautions, see ``Supplemental restraint
system'' earlier in this section). Also, see
``Passenger air bag ON/OFF switch and
light'' earlier in this section.
Infants and small children
NISSAN recommends that infants and small
children be seated in child restraints that
comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards. You should choose a
child restraint which fits your vehicle and
always follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions for installation and use.
Larger children
Children who are too large for child re-
straints should be seated and restrained by
the seat belts which are provided.
If the child's seating position has a shoulder
belt that fits close to the face or neck, the
use of a booster seat (commercially avail-
able) may help overcome this. The booster
seat should raise the child so the shoulder
belt is properly positioned across the top,
middle portion of the shoulder and the lapbelt is low on the hips. The booster seat
should fit the vehicle seat and have a label
certifying that it complies with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standards. Once the child
has grown so the shoulder belt is no longer
on or near the face and neck, use the
shoulder belt without the booster seat.
WARNING
Never let a child stand or kneel on any
seat and do not allow a child in the
cargo areas while the vehicle is mov-
ing. The child could be seriously in-
jured or killed in an accident or sudden
stop.
PREGNANT WOMEN
NISSAN recommends that pregnant women
use seat belts. Contact your doctor for spe-
cific recommendations. The lap belt should
be worn snug and positioned as low as
possible around the hips, not the waist.
INJURED PERSONS
NISSAN recommends that injured persons
use seat belts, depending on the injury.
Check with your doctor for specific recom-
mendations.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-23
ZX

THREE-POINT TYPE WITH
RETRACTOR
WARNING
IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be prop-
erly restrained and, if appropriate, in
a child restraint.
I
Do not ride in a moving vehicle when
the seatback is reclined. This can be
dangerous. The shoulder belt will not
be against your body. In an accidentyou could be thrown into it and re-
ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap belt
and receive serious internal injuries.
IFor most effective protection when
the vehicle is in motion, the seat
should be upright. Always sit well
back in the seat and adjust the seat
belt properly.
Fastening the seat belt
1. Adjust the seat.
2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retrac-
tor and insert the tongue into the buckle
until you hear and feel the latch engage.
The retractor is designed to lock during
a sudden stop or on impact. A slow
pulling motion permits the seat belt to
move, and allows you some freedom of
movement in the seat.3. Position the lap belt portionlow on the
hipsas shown.
4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.
The front passenger seat belt has a cinch-
ing mechanism for child restraint installa-
tion. It is referred to as the automatic locking
mode.
When the cinching mechanism is activated
the seat belt cannot be extracted again until
the seat belt tongue is detached from the
buckle and the seat belt is fully retracted.
ARS1104ARS1189
1-24Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX