2001 NISSAN ALTIMA light

1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air
bag systems
Seats ......................................................................1-2
Front manual seat adjustment...........................1-3
Front power seat adjustment
(if so equipped)..................................................1-4
Folding rear seat ...............................................1-6
Head restraint adjustment .................................1-8
Supplemental restraint system ...............................1-8
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system ...............................................................1-8
Supplemental air bag warning labels ..............1-18
Supplemental air bag warning light .................1-19
Seat belts .............................................................1-20
Precautions on seat belt usage ......................1-20Child safety ......................................................1-22
Pregnant women .............................................1-23
Injured persons ................................................1-23
Three-point type seat belt with retractor .........1-23
Seat belt extenders .........................................1-27
Seat belt maintenance ....................................1-27
Child restraints .....................................................1-28
Precautions on child restraints ........................1-28
Installation on rear seat center or
outboard positions ...........................................1-29
Top tether strap child restraint ........................1-34
Installation on front passenger seat ................1-35
ZX

section 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.
WARNING
cThe supplemental front air bags or-
dinarily 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.
c
The seat belts and the supplemental
front air bags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright
in the seat. The front air bags inflatewith great force. If you are unre-
strained, leaning forward, sitting side-
ways 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 front air bag if you are
up against it when it inflates. Always
sit back against the seatback and as
far away as practical from the steer-
ingwheel or instrument panel. Always
use the seat belts.
ARS1132
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-9
ZX

The supplemental front 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
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 supple-
mental front air bag system compo-
nents will be hot. Do not touch them;
you may severely 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 supplemental front air
bags or damage to the supplemental
front air bag system.
cDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental front
air bag system.
c
Tampering 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
supplemental front air bag system.cWork around and on the supplemental
front air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Installa-
tion of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. The yellow SRS wiring should
not be modified or disconnected. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the supplemental front air bag
system.
cThe SRS wiring harnesses are cov-
ered with yellow insulation either
just before the harness connectors
or over the complete harness for
easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supple-
mental front air bag 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 side air bag system
(if so equipped)
The supplemental side air bags are located
in the outside of the seatback of the front
seats. The supplemental side air bag (on
the driver or front passenger seat) is de-
signed to inflate in higher severity side
collisions, although it may inflate if the
forces in another type of collision are similar
to those of a higher severity side impact. It is
designed to inflate on the side where the
vehicle is impacted. It may not inflate in
certain side collisions. Vehicle damage (or
lack of it) is not always an indication ofproper supplemental side air bag operation.
When the supplemental side air bag in-
flates, a fairly loud noise may be heard,
followed by release of smoke. 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. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental side air bags along with the
use of seat belts, help to cushion the impact
force on the chest of the front occupants.
They can help save lives and reduce seri-
ous injuries. However, an inflating side air
bag may cause abrasions or other injuries.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger seated upright as
far as practical away from the supplemental
side air bag. Since the side air bag inflates
quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants, the force of the side air bag
inflating can increase the risk of injury if the
occupant is too close to or is against the
side air bag module during inflation. The
side air bag will deflate quickly after the
collision is over.The supplemental side 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 accidental
LRS0020
1-16Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

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. The smoke is not harmful, but care
should be taken not to inhale it as it may
cause irritation and choking.
If any abnormality occurs in the pre-
tensioner system, the supplemental air bag
warning light
will flash intermittently
after the ignition 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.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag systems are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
WRS0004
1-18Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light, dis-
playing
in the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits of the supplemental front air
bag, supplemental side air bag (if so
equipped) and pre-tensioner seat belt sys-
tems. The circuits monitored by the supple-
mental air bag warning light are the diagno-
sis sensor unit, satellite sensors, front air
bag modules, side air bag modules, pre-
tensioner seat belts and all related wiring.
When the ignition key is in the ON or STARTposition, 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, supplemental
side air bag (if so equipped) and pre-
tensioner seat belt systems need 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, supplemental side air bags (if
so equipped) or pre-tensioner seat belt sys-
tems 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, supplemen-tal side air bag system (if so equipped)
or pre-tensioner seat belt systems will
not operate in an accident.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental front air bag modules or
supplemental side air bags are designed to
inflate on a one-time-only basis. As a re-
minder, unless it is damaged, the supple-
mental air bag light remains illuminated
after inflation has occurred. Repair and re-
placement of these supplemental air bag
systems should be done only by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
To ensure long-term functioning, these
supplemental air bag systems 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 front air bags,
supplemental side air bags and related
parts should be pointed out to the person
conducting the maintenance. The ignition
key should always be in the LOCK position
WRS0080
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-19
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.
cOnce the pre-tensioner seat belt has
activated, it cannot be reused and
must be replaced together with the
retractor. See you NISSAN dealer.
ARS1049ARS1047ARS1050
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-21
ZX

2 Instruments and controls
Meters and gauges ................................................2-2
Speedometer and odometer .............................2-3
Tachometer........................................................2-4
Engine coolant temperature gauge ...................2-4
Fuel gauge ........................................................2-5
Warning/indicator lights and chimes ......................2-6
Checking bulbs ..................................................2-6
Warning lights ....................................................2-6
Indicator lights ...................................................2-8
Chimes...............................................................2-9
Security systems ..................................................2-10
Nissan vehicle immobilizer system
(NVIS) ..............................................................2-10
Vehicle security system (if so equipped) ........2-12
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...................2-14
Switch operation ..............................................2-14
Rear window defogger switch ..............................2-15
Headlight and turn signal switch ..........................2-16
Headlight switch ..............................................2-16
Turn signal switch............................................2-17
Cornering light .................................................2-18
Fog light switch (if so equipped) ..........................2-18Hazard warning flasher switch .............................2-18
Horn ......................................................................2-19
Power socket ......................................................2-19
Cigarette lighter (accessory) and ash tray ...........2-20
Storage .................................................................2-21
Map pocket ......................................................2-21
Glasses case ...................................................2-21
Cup holders .....................................................2-22
Glove box ........................................................2-23
Console box ....................................................2-23
Trunk side net..................................................2-25
Windows ...............................................................2-25
Power windows................................................2-25
Sunroof (if so equipped).......................................2-26
Interior light...........................................................2-28
Map lights (if so equipped)...................................2-28
Trunk light.............................................................2-29
Integrated HomeLinkTuniversal transceiver (if
so equipped) ........................................................2-29
Programming HomeLinkT................................2-30
Programming HomeLinkTfor Canadian
customers ........................................................2-31
ZX