2000 NISSAN SENTRA warning light

1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air
bag systems
Seats ......................................................................1-2
Front seat adjustment ............................................1-2
Rear seat adjustment .............................................1-4
Head restraint adjustment ......................................1-5
Supplemental restraint system ...............................1-6
Precautions on supplemental restraint system ......1-6
Supplemental air bag warning labels ...................1-16
Supplemental air bag warning light......................1-16
Seat belts .............................................................1-18
Precautions on seat belt usage ...........................1-18
Child safety...........................................................1-20Pregnant women ..................................................1-20
Injured persons ....................................................1-21
Three-point type seat belt with retractor ..............1-21
Seat belt extenders ..............................................1-24
Seat belt maintenance .........................................1-24
Child restraints .....................................................1-25
Precautions on child restraints .............................1-25
Installation on rear seat center or outboard
positions ...............................................................1-26
Top tether strap child restraint .............................1-32
Installation on front passenger seat .....................1-33
ZX

PRECAUTIONS ON SUPPLE-
MENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM
This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
section contains important information con-
cerning the driver and passenger supple-
mental front air bags, supplemental side air
bags and pre-tensioner seat belts.
Supplemental front 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 the chest
area of the driver and front passenger in
certain side impact collisions. The supple-
mental side air bag is designed to inflate on
the side where the vehicle is impacted.
These supplemental restraint systems 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, instrument panel and front
door finishers. (See ``Seat belts'' later in thissection for instructions and precautions on
seat belt usage.)
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental
air bag warning light will turn off after
about 7 seconds if the system is opera-
tional.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-6Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

a fire, but care should be taken to not
intentionally inhale it, as it may cause irrita-
tion and choking. Those with a history of a
breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
The supplemental front 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 inflat-
ing front air bag may cause facial abrasions
or other injuries. Front 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
front air bags inflate quickly in order to help
protect the front occupants, the force of the
front air bag inflating can increase the risk of
injury if the occupant is too close to or is
against the front air bag module during infla-
tion.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a
collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in theON or START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental
air bag warning light will turn off after
about 7 seconds if the system is opera-
tional.
WARNING
c
Do not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
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 front air bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several front air
bag system components will be hot.
Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself.
c
No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental front air bag sys-
tem. This is to prevent accidental in-
flation of the front air bags or damage
to the front air bag system.cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle's electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end struc-
ture. This could affect proper opera-
tion of the supplemental front air bag
system.
cTampering with the supplemental front
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel pad
and above the dashboard, or by install-
ing additional trim material around the
front air bag system.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal front air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. The
yellow SRS wiring should not be
modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the supplemental front air bag
system.
1-12Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental
air bag warning light will turn off after
about 7 seconds if the system is opera-
tional.
WARNING
cDo not place any objects near the
seatback of the front seats. Also, do
not place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door
finisher and the front seat. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and cause injury if the
supplemental side air bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental side air bag system compo-
nents will be hot. Do not touch them;
you may severely burn yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the supplemental side air bag sys-
tem. This is to prevent accidentalinflation of the side air bag or dam-
age to the side air bag system.
cDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation of
the side air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental
side air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. Tampering
includes changes to the front seats
assembly by placing material near
the seatback of the front seat, or by
installing additional trim material,
such as seat covers, around the side
air bag system.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal side air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. The
SRS wiring harnesses* should not
be modified or disconnected. Unau-
thorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the side 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 identi-
fication.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemen-
tal side air bag system and guide the buyer
to the appropriate sections in this Owner's
Manual.Pre-tensioner seat belt system (For
front seats)
WARNING
cThe pre-tensioner seat belt cannot
be reused after activation. It must be
replaced together with the retractor
as a unit.
cIf 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.
1-14Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

cNo 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.
cWork around and on the pre-
tensioner system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
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.
cIf 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 front 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, thereby restrain-
ing seat occupants.
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. This smoke is not harmful and does
not indicate a fire, but care should be taken
to not 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.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-15
ZX

SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag systems are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the supplemental air
bag system and supplemental side air bag
(if so equipped) system. The circuits moni-
tored by the supplemental air bag warning
light are the diagnosis sensor unit, supple-
mental air bag modules and all related
wiring.
WRS0004WRS0033
1-16Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

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 front air bag and supplemen-
tal side air bag needs servicing:
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 sec-
onds.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.cThe supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental
front air bag or supplemental side 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
front air bag or supplemental side 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.
After a supplemental air bag inflates, the
instrument panel assembly should be re-
placed by an authorized NISSAN dealer if
damaged.
To ensure long-term functioning, the
supplemental air bag system must be
inspected 10 years after the date of manu-
facture as noted on the certification 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 performing 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 front air bag
or supplemental side air bag has
inflated, the air bag module will not
function again and must be re-
placed. The air bag module should
be replaced by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. The air bag module can-
not be repaired.
cThe supplemental front air bag and
supplemental side air bag systems
should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer if there is anyWRS0034
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-17
ZX

cAlways 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.
cPosition 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.
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.cAll 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
damage or improper operation is
noted.
ARS1049ARS1047ARS1050
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-19
ZX