2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEMThis Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
section contains important information con-
cerning the driver and passenger supplemen-
tal 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 chest area of the
driver and front passenger in certain side
impact collisions. The supplemental side air
bags are designed to inflate on the side where
the vehicle is impacted.
These supplemental restraint systems are de-
signed tosupplementthe crash protection
provided by the driver and front passenger
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 finish-
ers. (See ªSeat beltsº later in this section forinstructions and precautions on seat belt us-
age.)
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the systems are operational.SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
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WARNING
IThe supplemental front air bags ordi-
narily 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
front air bags are most effective whenyou are sitting well back and upright
in the seat. Front air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
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 supplemen-
tal 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 steering wheelor instrument panel. Always use the
seat belts.
IKeep 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 front air bag inflates.
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SSS0006
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SSS0007
SSS0008
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WARNING
INever let children ride unrestrained
or extend their hands or face out of
the window. Do not attempt to hold
them in your lap or arms. Some ex-
amples of dangerous riding positions
are shown in the previous illustra-
tions.
IChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental front airbag inflates if they are not properly
restrained.
INever install a rear facing child re-
straint in the front seat. An inflating
supplemental front air bag could se-
riously injury or kill your child. See
ªChild restraintsº later in this section
for details.
For supplemental side air bag
system (if so equipped):
WARNING
IThe supplemental side air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
frontal impact, rear impact or lower
severity side collision. Always wear
your seat belts to help reduce the risk
or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.
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SSS0100
SSS0101
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IThe seat belts and the supplemental
side air bag are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright
in the seat. Supplemental side air bag
inflates with great force. Do not allow
anyone to place their hand, leg or
face near the supplemental side air
bag on the side of the seatback of the
front seat. Do not allow anyone sit-
ting in the front seat to extend their
hand out of the window or lean
against the door. Some examples of
dangerous riding positions areshown in the previous illustrations.
IWhen sitting in the rear seat, do not
hold onto the seatback of the front
seat. If the supplemental side air bag
inflates, you may be seriously in-
jured. Be especially careful with chil-
dren, who should always be properly
restrained.
IDo not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
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Supplemental front air bag systemThe driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel; the front
passenger supplemental air bag is mounted in
the dashboard above the glove box. These
systems are designed to meet optional certifi-
cation requirements under U.S. regulations.
They are also permitted in Canada. The op-
tional certification allows front 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 front
air bags are designed to inflate in higherseverity frontal collisions, although they may
inflate if the forces in another type of collision
are similar to those of a higher severity frontal
impact. They may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not
always an indication of proper supplemental
air bag operation.
When the supplemental front air bag inflates, 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 not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation
and choking. Those with a history of a breath-
ing condition should get fresh air promptly.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 inflating front air bag
may cause facial abrasions or other injuries.
Front air bags do not provide restraint to the
lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
dashboard. Since the supplemental front air
bag inflates quickly in order to help protect the
occupant, 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 air bag module
during inflation.
The air bags will deflate quickly after a collision
is over.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
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WARNING
IDo 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 may cause injury if the
supplemental air bag inflates.
IRight after inflation, several air bag
system components will be hot. Do
not touch them; you may severely
burn yourself.
INo 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 front air bags or
damage to the supplemental air bag
system.
IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect properoperation of the supplemental front
air bag system.
ITampering with the supplemental
front air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. Tampering
includes changes to the steering
wheel and the instrument panel as-
sembly by placing material over the
steering wheel pad and above the
instrument panel, or by installing ad-
ditional trim material around the air
bag system.
IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal front air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical equip-
ment should also be done by an au-
thorized NISSAN dealer. The yellow
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) wiring harnesses* should not
be modified or disconnected. Unau-
thorized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the 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
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner's Manual.
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