2000 NISSAN XTERRA warning

Welcome to the growing family of new NIS-
SAN owners. This vehicle has been deliv-
ered to you with confidence. It was produced
using the latest techniques and strict quality
control.
This manual was prepared to help you un-
derstand the operation and maintenance of
your vehicle so that you may enjoy many
miles (kilometers) of driving pleasure.
Please read through this manual before op-
erating your vehicle.
In the U.S., a separate Warranty Informa-
tion and Maintenance Log Booklet or in
Canada, a Warranty and Roadside Assis-
tance Information Booklet explains de-
tails about the warranties covering your
vehicle and vehicle maintenance sched-
ules. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state's
lemon law.
Your NISSAN dealership knows your vehicle
best. When you require any service or have
any questions, they will be glad to assist you
with the extensive resources available to
them.
READ FIRST - THEN DRIVE
SAFELY
Before driving your vehicle please read thisowner's manual carefully. This will ensure
familiarity with controls and maintenance
requirements, assisting you in the safe op-
eration of your vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!
Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and complete trip for
you and your passengers!
²NEVER drive under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
²ALWAYS observe posted speed lim-
its and never drive too fast for con-
ditions.
²ALWAYS use your seat belts and
appropriate child restraint systems.
Pre-teen children should be seated
in the rear seat.
²ALWAYS provide information about
the proper use of vehicle safety fea-
tures to all occupants of the vehicle.
²ALWAYS review this owner's manual
for important safety information.For descriptions specified for four-wheel
drive models, a
mark is placed at
the beginning of the applicable
sections/items.
As with other vehicles with features for
off-road use, failure to operate four-
wheel drive models correctly may result
in loss of control or an accident. Be sure
to read ``Driving safety precautions'' in
the ``Starting and driving'' section of this
manual.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFF-ROAD DRIV-
ING
This vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from an ordinary passenger
car because it has a higher center of
gravity for off-road use. As with other
vehicles with features of this type, fail-
ure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control or an
accident.
Be sure to read ªOn-pavement and off-
road driving precautionsº, and ``Avoid-
ing collision and rollover'', and ªDriv-
ing safety precautionsº, in the
ªStarting and drivingº section of this
manual.
The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.
Foreword
ZX

MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
This vehicle should not be modified.
Modification could affect its perfor-
mance, safety or durability, and may
even violate governmental regulations.
In addition, damage or performance
problems resulting from modification
may not be covered under NISSAN war-
ranties.
All information, specifications and illustra-
tions in this manual are those in effect at the
time of printing. NISSAN reserves the right to
change specifications or design without no-
tice and without obligation.
You will see various symbols in this manual.
They are used in the following ways:
WARNING
This is used to indicate the presence of
a hazard that could cause death or
serious personal injury. To avoid or
reduce the risk, the procedures must
be followed precisely.
CAUTION
This is used to indicate the presence of
a hazard that could cause minor or
moderate personal injury or damage to
your vehicle. To avoid or reduce the
risk, the procedures must be followed
carefully.If you see this symbol, it means ``Do not do
this'' or ``Do not let this happen.''
CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING
WARNING
Engine Exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
The inside pages of this manual contain
a minimum of 50% recycled fibers,
including 10% post-consumer fibers.
APD1005
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT THIS MANUAL
ZX

1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air
bag systems
Front bucket seats..................................................1-2
Seat adjustment .....................................................1-2
Head restraints .......................................................1-3
Rear seat ................................................................1-4
Supplemental restraint system (supplemental
air bag system).......................................................1-6
Supplemental air bag system.................................1-9
Warning labels...................................................... 1-11
Supplemental air bag warning light...................... 1-11
Seat belts .............................................................1-13
Precautions on seat belt usage ...........................1-13
Child safety...........................................................1-15
Pregnant women ..................................................1-16
Injured persons ....................................................1-16
Three-point type with retractor .............................1-16Two-point type without retractor (rear center
lap belt).................................................................1-19
Seat belt extenders ..............................................1-21
Seat belt maintenance .........................................1-21
Child restraints .....................................................1-22
Front facing installation at rear seat center
position .................................................................1-24
Rear facing installation at rear seat center
position .................................................................1-25
Front facing installation at rear seat outboard
positions ...............................................................1-26
Rear facing installation at rear seat outboard
positions ...............................................................1-29
Top strap child restraint ........................................1-31
ZX

WARNING
ODo 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 acci-
dent you could be thrown into it and
receive neck or other serious inju-
ries. You could also slide under the
lap belt and receive serious internal
injuries.OFor 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
properly. See ``Precautions on Seat
Belt Usage'' later in this section.SEAT ADJUSTMENT
WARNING
O
Do not adjust the driver's seat while
driving so full attention may be given
to vehicle operation. The seat may
move suddenly and could cause loss
of control of the vehicle.
OAfter adjustment, gently rock in the
seat to make sure it is securely locked.
ARS1152ARS1206
FRONT BUCKET SEATS
1-2Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

Forward and backward
Pull the lever up and hold it while you slide
the seat forward or backward to the desired
position. Release the lever to lock the seat
in position.
Reclining
To recline the seatback pull the lever up and
lean back. To bring the seatback forward,
pull the lever up and lean your body forward.
Release the lever to lock the seatback in
position.
WARNING
After adjustment, gently rock in the
seat to make sure it is securely locked.
HEAD RESTRAINTS
To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To
lower, push the lock knob, then push the
head restraint down.
WARNING
Head restraints should be adjusted
properly as they may provide signifi-
cant protection against injury in an ac-
cident. Do not remove them. Check the
adjustment after someone else uses
the seat.
ARS1207MPA0001
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-3
ZX

Folding up
1. Push the seat back up until it latches2. Hold the seat belts above the seat cush-
ion.
3. Slide the seat cushion back.
4. Push down the seat cushion until it
latches.
WARNING
ONever allow anyone to ride in the
cargo area or on the rear seat when it
is in the fold-down position. Use of
these areas by passengers without
proper restraints could result in seri-
ous injury in an accident or sudden
stop.OIt is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these ar-
eas are more likely to be seriously
injured or killed.
ODo not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is
in a seat and using a seat belt prop-
erly. Never ride in the rear seat un-
less the seat bottom cushions are in
place and latched.
OProperly secure all cargo to help
prevent it from sliding or shifting. Do
not place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
OWhen returning the seatbacks to the
upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched
position. If they are not completely
secured in the latched position, pas-
sengers may be injured in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.
ARS1226ARS1227
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-5
ZX

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
OThe 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.OThe 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.
O
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)
1-6Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

WARNING
ONever let children ride unrestrained.
Do not attempt to hold them in your
lap or arms. Some examples of dan-
gerous riding positions are shown in
the previous illustrations.
OChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental air bag
inflates if they are not properly re-
strained.
ONever install a rear-facing child re-
straint in the front seat. An inflating
supplemental air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill your child. See
``Child restraints'' later in this sec-
tion for details.
ARS1043
ARS1044
ARS1098
ARS1099
1-8Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX