2000 NISSAN FRONTIER instrument panel

This supplemental restraint system section
contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental air
bags. The supplemental 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 tosupplementthe crash protec-
tion provided by the driver and front passen-
ger 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 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
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 well back and upright in
the seat. Supplemental air bags in-
flate with great force. If you are un-
restrained, 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 asfar away as practical from the steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel. Al-
ways use the seat belts.
I
Keep 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.
ARS1151
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (supplemental air bag
system)
1-10Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passen-
ger supplemental air bag is located in the top
right section of the instrument panel.
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 informa-
tion, 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.
The front passenger supplemental air bag is
equipped with an ON/OFF switch (except
crew cab models which have a rear seat for
child restraint installation). Because no rear
seat exists where a rear facing child restraint
can be secured in other models, the switch is
designed to turn OFF the passenger supple-
mental air bag so that a rear facing child
restraint can be used in the front passenger
seat. See ``Passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch and light'' later in this section
for details.
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 intentionally
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
ARS1186
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-13
ZX

of the seat belts, helps to cushion the impact
force on the face and chest of the occupant. It
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.
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
supplemental air bags inflating can increase
the risk of injury if the occupant is too close
to or against the supplemental air bag mod-
ule 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.
WARNING
IDo not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place anyobjects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or on the instru-
ment panel. Such objects may be-
come dangerous projectiles, and
cause injury if the supplemental air
bag inflates.
IRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
I
No 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 bag or damage
to the supplemental air bag system.
IDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle's electrical system, sus-
pension 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 per-
sonal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly, by plac-
ing material over the steering wheelpad and above the instrument panel,
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 NIS-
SAN dealer. The yellow Supplemen-
tal Restraint System (SRS) wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.
ISRS wiring harnesses are covered
with yellow insulation either just be-
fore the harness connectors or over
the complete harness for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemental
air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this owner's manual.
1-14Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL
AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH AND
LIGHT (except Crew Cab models)
WARNING
Air bags and seat belts are designed to
work as a unit. Do not switch the air bag
OFF unless you meet federal govern-
ment criteria. Switching off the air bag
may increase the risk of serious or fatal
injuries in a collision where the air bag
would have inflated.
In rare instances, some passengers are
exposed to serious injury risks from inflating
air bags, especially if not properly re-
strained. The U.S. and Canadian federal
governments recognize other limited circum-
stances in which an air bag could reduce
safety. The passenger air bag ON/OFF
switch is, therefore, allowed in models with-
out full rear seats. Because the overall ben-
efits of air bags are great, in most situations
air bags should not be switched off unless
special government criteria exist.
The passenger air bag ON/OFF switch is
located in the center of the instrument
panel, near the ashtray. It can be used to
ARS1241
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-15
ZX

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

IWhen your child restraint is not in
use, keep it secured with a seat belt
to prevent it from being thrown
around in case of a sudden stop or
accident.
CAUTION
Remember that a child restraint left in a
closed vehicle can become very hot.
Check the seating surface and buckles
before placing your child in the child
restraint.
FRONT FACING INSTALLATION
ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
(Three-point type with retractor)
WARNING
IIf so equipped, keep the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch
turned ON unless a rear-facing child
restraint is used in the front seat. If
the switch is OFF, the air bag will not
inflate in a collision as designed.INISSAN recommends that child re-
straints be installed in the rear seat.
However, if you must install a
forward-facing child restrain in the
front passenger seat, move the pas-
senger seat to the rear most posi-
tion.
INever install a rear facing child re-
straint in the front seating position
of crew cab models. Install a rear
facing child restraint in the rear seat
only. The force of the inflating air
bag could cause serious injury or kill
the child in the child restraint.
IThe three-point belt in your vehicle
is equipped with a locking mode re-
tractor which must be used when
installing a child restraint.
IFailure to use the retractor's locking
mode will result in the child restraint
not being properly secured. The re-
straint could tip over or otherwise be
unsecured and cause injury to the
child in a sudden stop or collision.
I
If the supplemental air bag warning
light located in the instrument panel
ARS1109
1-32Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

After the child restraint is removed and the
seat belt is fully retracted, the automatic
locking mode (child restraint mode) is can-
celed.REAR FACING INSTALLATION
ON FRONT PASSENGER SEAT
(Three-point type with retractor,
except Crew Cab models)
WARNING
INever install a rear facing child re-
straint in the front seating position
of crew cab models. Install a rear
facing child restraint in the rear seat
only. The force of the inflating air
bag could cause serious injury or kill
the child in the child restraint.
IIf so equipped, keep the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch
turned ON unless a rear-facing child
restraint is used in the front seat. If
the switch is OFF, the air bag will not
inflate in a collision as designed.
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
inflatein a collision. The force of
therapidly inflating air bag could
causeserious injury or kill the childin the child restraint. See ``Passen-
ger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch and light'' earlier in this sec-
tion.
I
If the supplemental air bag warning
light located in the instrument panel
next to the speedometer comes on
when the passenger supplemental air
bag OFF indicator light is also illumi-
nated, something may be wrong with
the air bag system. Do not use a child
restraint in the front passenger seat
until the system is checked by your
NISSAN dealer.
IThe passenger three-point seat belt
is equipped with an automatic lock-
ing mode retractor which must be
used when installing a child re-
straint.
IFailure to use the automatic locking
mode will result in the child restraint
not being properly secured. The re-
straint could tip over or otherwise be
unsecured and cause injury to the
child in a sudden stop or collision.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-35
ZX