2002 NISSAN ALTIMA warning

the pre-tensioner seat belt system.
cIf you need to dispose of the pre-
tensioner or scrap the vehicle, con-
tact an authorized NISSAN retailer.
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. The smoke is not harmful, but care
should be taken not to inhale it as it may
cause irritation and choking. Those with a
history of a breathing condition should get
fresh air promptly.If any abnormality occurs in the pre-
tensioner system, the supplemental air bag
warning light
will not come on, will
flash intermittently or will turn on for 7
seconds and remain on after the ignition key
has been turned to the ON or START posi-
tion. In this case, the pre-tensioner seat belt
may not function properly. They must be
checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to
the nearest authorized NISSAN Retailer.
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.
1-18Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental
front air bag, supplemental side air bag and
curtain air bag systems are placed in the
vehicle as shown in the illustration.
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 and curtain
air bag (if so equipped) and pre-tensioner
seat belt systems. The circuits monitored by
the supplemental air bag warning light are
the diagnosis sensor unit, satellite sensors,
front air bag modules, side air bag modules,
curtain air bag modules, pre-tensioner seat
belts and all related wiring.
WRS0124LRS0100
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-19
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, supplemental
side air bag and curtain air bag (if so
equipped) and pre-tensioner seat belt sys-
tems 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
and curtain air bag (if so equipped) or
pre-tensioner seat belt systems 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, curtain air bag systems
(if so equipped) and/or pre-tensioner
seat belt systems will not operate in an
accident.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental front air bags, supple-
mental side air bags, curtain air bags and
pretensioner seat belts are designed to in-
flate 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.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags,
supplemental side air bags, pre-tensioner
seat belts and related parts should be
pointed out to the person conducting the
maintenance. The ignition key should al-
ways be in the LOCK position when working
under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
cOnce the supplemental front air bag,
supplemental side air bag or curtain
air bag has inflated, the air bag mod-
ule will not function again and must
be replaced. Additionally, if any of
the supplemental air bags inflate, the
pre-tensioner seat belts must also
be replaced. The air bag module and
pre-tensioner seat belt system
should be replaced by an authorized
NISSAN dealer. The air bag module
and pre-tensioner seat belt system
cannot be repaired.
cThe supplemental front air bag,
supplemental side air bag and cur-
tain air bag systems should be in-
spected by an authorized NISSAN
dealer if there is any damage to the
front end or side portion of the ve-
hicle.
cIf you need to dispose of a supple-
mental air bag, pre-tensioner seat
belt system or scrap the vehicle,
contact an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Correct supplemental air bag
and pre-tensioner seat belt system
1-20Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
If you are wearing your seat belt properly
adjusted, your chances of being injured or
killed in an accident and/or the severity of
injury may be greatly reduced. NISSAN
strongly encourages you and all of your
passengers to buckle up every time you
drive, even if your seating position includes
a supplemental air bag.
Most U.S. states and all Canadian prov-
inces and territories, require that seat belts
be worn at all times when a vehicle is being
driven.
WARNING
cEvery 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.
c
The belt should be properly adjusted
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 acci-
dent. Serious injury or death can occur
if the seat belt is not worn properly.
ARS1134
SEAT BELTS
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-21
ZX

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.
cAll child restraints and attaching
hardware should be inspected after
any collision. Always follow the re-
straint manufacturer's inspection in-
structions and replacement recom-
mendations. The child restraints
should be replaced if they are dam-
aged.
CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect
them. They need to be properly re-
strained.
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. Forward
facing child restraints are available for chil-
dren who outgrow rear facing child restraints.
WARNING
Infants and children need special pro-
tection. The vehicle's seat belts may
not fit them properly. The shoulder 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 improp-
erly fitting seat belt could cause seri-
ous or fatal injury. Always use appro-
priate 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.
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-teens
and children be restrained in the rear
seat if possible. According to accident
statistics, children are safer when prop-
erly restrained in the rear seat than in the
front seat. This is especially important
because your vehicle has a supplemen-
tal restraint system (Air bag system) for
the front passenger. See ``Supplemental
restraint system'' earlier in this section.Infants and small children
NISSAN recommends that infants and small
children be placed in child restraints that
comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards. You should choose a
child restraint that 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 that the shoul-
der 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.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-23
ZX

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 mov-
ing. The child could be seriously in-
jured or killed in an accident.
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. Check with your doctor for
specific recommendations.
THREE-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
WITH RETRACTOR
WARNING
cEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times.cDo 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.
ARS1051WRS0029
1-24Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

Shoulder belt height adjustment
(For front seats)
The shoulder belt anchor height should be
adjusted to the position best for you. (See
``Precautions on seat belt usage'' earlier in
this section.) To adjust, push the adjustment
button and move the shoulder belt anchor to
the desired position, so the belt passes over
the center of the shoulder. The belt should
be away from your face and neck, but not
falling off of your shoulder. Release the
adjustment button to lock the shoulder belt
anchor into position.
WARNING
cAfter adjustment, release the adjust-
ment button and try to move the
shoulder belt anchor up and down to
make sure it is securely fixed in
position.
cThe shoulder belt anchor height
should be adjusted to the position
best for you. Failure to do so may
reduce the effectiveness of the en-
tire restraint system and increase
the chance or severity of injury in an
accident.
Center of rear seat
Selecting correct set of seat belts:
The center seat belt buckle is identified by
the CENTER mark. The center seat belt
tongue can be fastenedonlyinto the center
seat belt buckle.
LRS0107LRS0106
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-27
ZX

SEAT BELT EXTENDERS
If, because of body size or driving position, it
is not possible to properly fit the lap-shoulder
belt and fasten it, an extender is available
which is compatible with the installed seat
belts. The extender adds approximately 8
inches (200 mm) of length and may be used
for either the driver or front passenger seat-
ing position. See your NISSAN dealer for
assistance if an extender is required.
WARNING
cOnly NISSAN seat belt extenders,
made by the same company which
made the original equipment seat
belts, should be used with NISSAN
seat belts.
cAdults and children who can use the
standard seat belt should not use an
extender. Such unnecessary use
could result in serious personal in-
jury in the event of an accident.
Never use seat belt extenders to in-
stall child restraints. If the child re-
straint is not secured properly, the
child could be seriously injured in a
collision or a sudden stop.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
cTo clean the seat belt webbings,apply
a mild soap solution or any solution rec-
ommended for cleaning upholstery or
carpet. Then wipe with a cloth and allow
the seat belts to dry in the shade. Do not
allow the seat belts to retract until they
are completely dry.
cIf dirt builds up on the shoulder belt
guideof the seat belt anchors, the seat
belts may retract slowly. Wipe the shoul-
der belt guide with a clean, dry cloth.
cPeriodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal components,such
as buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible
wires and anchors, work properly. If
loose parts, deterioration, cuts or other
damage on the webbing is found, the
entire seat belt assembly should be re-
placed.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHILD
RESTRAINTS
WARNING
cInfants and small children should
always be placed in an appropriate
child restraint while riding in the ve-
hicle. Failure to use a child restraint
can result in serious injury or death.
cInfants and small children should
never be carried on your lap. It is not
possible for even the strongest adult
to resist the forces of a severe
ARS1098
CHILD RESTRAINTS
1-28Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX