2001 NISSAN XTERRA Owners Manual

tion, cautions and warnings in this manual
still apply and must be followed.
The supplemental air bag system is de-
signed 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.
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 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 injuries. However, an inflating sup-
plemental air bag may cause facial abrasions
or other injuries. Supplemental air bags do
not provide restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and thedriver 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 supple-
mental air bags inflating can increase the
risk of injury if the occupant is too close to or
against the supplemental air bag module
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
ODo not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects 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.
ORight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system componentswill be hot. Do not touch them; you-
may severely burn yourself.
O
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.
ODo 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.
OTampering with the supplemental 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 instrument
panel, or by installing additional trim
material around the supplemental air
bag system.
OWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
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Installation of electrical equipment
shouldalso be done by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. The yellow Supple-
mental Restraint System (SRS) wir-
ing should not be modified or dis-
connected. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.
OThe SRS wiring harnesses (except
the pre-tensioner seat belt system)
are covered with yellow insulation
either just before the harness con-
nectors or over the complete har-
ness 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
appropriate sections in this owner's manual.
Pre-tensioner seat belt system
(For front seats)
WARNING
OThe pre-tensioner seat belt cannot
be reused after activation. It must bereplaced together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.
OIf 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.
ONo 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.
OWork around and on the pre-
tensioner system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Installation of electrical equipment
should also be done by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and prob-
ing devices should not be used onthe pre-tensioner seat belt system.
OIf 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 conjuction with the supple-
mental 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.
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 intentionally 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 intermit-
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-11
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tently 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 system are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
ARS1229
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displaying
in the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the supplemental air
bag and pre-tensioner seat belt systems.
The circuits monitored by the supplemental
air bag warning light are the diagnosis sen-
sor unit, the supplemental air bag modules,
pre-tensioner seat belts and all related wir-
ing.
When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warninglight 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 and pre-
tensioner seat belt systems need servicing
and should be taken to an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer:
O
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 seconds.
OThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
OThe supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the Supplemental
Restraint System (supplemental air bag or
pre-tensioner seat belt systems may not
function properly. It must be checked and
repaired.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the
supplemental air bag or pre-tensioner
seat belt systems 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 warning light remains
illuminated after inflation has occurred.
Repair and replacement of the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done only by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
To ensure long-term functioning, the
supplemental air bag system must be
inspected 10 years after the date of
manufacture noted on the certification
label located on the driver side door
jamb pillar.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental air bag system
and related parts should be pointed out to
the person conducting the maintenance. The
ignition key must always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or
inside the vehicle.
WRS0062
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-13
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WARNING
OOnce the supplemental air bag in-
flates, the supplemental air bag
module will not function again and
should be replaced by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. The supplemental air
bag module cannot be repaired.
OThe supplemental air bag system
should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer if there is any
damage to the front end portion of
the vehicle, or replaced if the supple-
mental air bag has inflated.
OIf you need to dispose of the supple-
mental air bag or scrap the vehicle,
contact an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Correct supplemental air bag
disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
Your chances of being injured in an accident
and/or the severity of injury may be greatly
reduced if you are wearing your seat belt
and it is properly adjusted. NISSAN strongly
encourages you and all of your passengers
to buckle up every time you drive, even if
your seating position includes a supplemen-
tal air bag.
Most U.S. States and Canadian prov-
inces or territories specify that seat belts
be worn at all times when a vehicle is
being driven.
WARNING
OEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be prop-
erly restrained and, if appropriate, in
child restraints.
OThe seat belt should be properly ad-
justed to a snug fit. Failure to do so
may reduce the effectiveness of the
entire restraint system and increase
the chance or severity of injury in an
accident. Serious injury or death can
occur if the seat belt is not worn
properly.
ARS1154
SEAT BELTS
1-14Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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OAlways 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.
OPosition 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.OBe sure the seat belt tongue is se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.
ODo not wear the seat belt inside out
or twisted. Doing so may reduce its
effectiveness.
ODo not allow more than one person
to use the same seat belt.
ONever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts.
O
Never allow anyone to ride in the
cargo area while the vehicle is in
motion. It does not contain seat belts.It is not designed for passengers.
They could be injured in sudden brak-
ing or a collision.
OIf 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.
OAll seat belt assemblies including
retractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer after any colli-
sion. 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.
ARS1100ARS1103
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-15
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CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
The proper restraint depends on the child's
size. Generally, infants up to about 1 year
and less than 20 pounds (9 kg) should be
placed in rear facing child restraints. Front
facing child restraints are available for chil-
dren who outgrow rear facing child re-
straints.
WARNING
OInfants and children need special
protection. The vehicle's seat belts
may not fit them properly. The shoul-
der belt may come too close to the
face or neck. The lap belt may not fit
over their small hip bones. In an
accident, an improperly fitting seat
belt could cause serious or fatal in-
jury. Always use appropriate child
restraints.
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require the use of approved child
restraints for infants and small children. See
``Child restraints'' later in this section for
more information.In addition, there are many types of child
restraints available for larger children which
should be used for maximum protection.
NISSAN recommends that all pre-teen
children be restrained in the rear seat if
possible. According to accident statis-
tics, children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seat than in the
front seat.
This is especially important because
your vehicle has a supplemental re-
straint system (Supplemental air bag
system) for the front passenger (For pre-
cautions, see ``Supplemental restraint
system'' earlier in this section).
Infants and small children
NISSAN recommends that infants and small
children be seated in child restraints that
comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards. You should choose a
child restraint which fits your vehicle and
always follow the manufacturer's instruc-
tions for installation and use.
Larger children
Children who are too large for child re-
straints should be seated and restrained by
the seat belts which are provided.
If the child's seating position has a shoulder
belt that fits close to the face or neck, the
use of a booster seat (commercially avail-
able) may help overcome this. The booster
seat should raise the child so the shoulder
belt is properly positioned across the top,
middle portion of the shoulder and the lap
belt is low on the hips. The booster seat
should fit the vehicle seat and have a label
certifying that it complies with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standards. Once the child
has grown so the shoulder belt is no longer
on or near the face and neck, use the
shoulder belt without the booster seat.
WARNING
Never let a child stand or kneel on any
seat and do not allow a child in the
cargo areas while the vehicle is moving.
The child could be seriously injured or
killed in an accident or sudden stop.
1-16Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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PREGNANT WOMEN
NISSAN recommends that pregnant women
use seat belts. The seat belt should be worn
snug, and always position the lap belt as
low as possible around the hips, not the
waist. Place the shoulder belt over your
shoulder and across your chest. Never run
the lap/shoulder belt over your abdominal
area. Contact your doctor for specific rec-
ommendations.
INJURED PERSONS
NISSAN recommends that injured persons
use seat belts, depending on the injury.
Check with your doctor for specific recom-
mendations.
THREE-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
WITH RETRACTOR
WARNING
OEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be prop-
erly restrained and, if appropriate, in
a child restraint.
O
Do 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 accidentyou could be thrown into it and re-
ceive neck or other serious injuries.
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
belt properly.
Fastening the seat belts
1. Adjust the seat.
2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retrac-
tor and insert the tongue into the buckle
until you hear and feel the latch engage.
The retractor is designed to lock during
a sudden stop or on impact. A slow
pulling motion permits the seat belt to
move, and allows you some freedom of
movement in the seat.ARS1104
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