2002 NISSAN FRONTIER Owners Manual

Supplemental air bag system
The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passen-
ger supplemental air bag is located in the top
right section of the instrument panel.
These systems are designed to meet optional
certification requirements under U.S. regula-
tions. They are also permitted in Canada. The
optional certification allows air bags to be
designed to inflate somewhat less forcefully
than previously.However, all of the infor-mation, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
The supplemental air bag system is designed
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.
The front passenger supplemental air bag is
equipped with an ON/OFF switch (except
crew cab models which have a rear seat for
child restraint installation). Because no rear
seat exists where a rear facing child restraint
can be secured in other models, the switch is
designed to turn OFF the passenger supple-
mental air bag so that a rear facing child
restraint can be used in the front passenger
seat. See ``Passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch and light'' later in this section
for details.
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. Care
should be taken not to intentionally inhale it,
as it may cause irritation and choking.
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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 inju-
ries. However, an inflating supplemental air
bag may cause facial abrasions or other inju-
ries. Supplemental air bags do not provide
restraint to the lower body.
Seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far
as practical away from the steering wheel or
instrument panel. The supplemental air
bags inflate quickly in order to help protect
the front occupants. Because of this, the
force of the supplemental air bags inflating
can increase the risk of injury if the occu-
pant is too close to, or is against, the
supplemental air bag module during infla-
tion.
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
cDo 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.
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
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 air bag system. This
is to prevent accidental inflation of
the supplemental air bag or damage
to the supplemental air bag system.
cDo 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.c
Tampering with the supplemental air
bag system may result in serious per-
sonal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and the
instrument panel assembly, by plac-
ing material over the steering wheel
pad and above the instrument panel,
or by installing additional trim mate-
rial around the supplemental air bag
system.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Installation of electrical equipment
should also be done by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer. The yellow and
orange Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem (SRS) wiring should not be
modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the supplemental air bag system.
cA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified
repair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect inflation of the supple-
mental air bag system.
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1-11
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cThe SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow and orange for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemen-
tal 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
cThe pre-tensioner seat belt cannot
be reused after activation. It must be
replaced together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.
cIf 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.
cNo 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.
cWork around and on the pre-
tensioner system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the pre-
tensioner seat belt system.
cIf 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 conjunction with the supple-
mental air bag. Working with the seat beltretractor, 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. 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.
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.
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PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL
AIR BAG ON/OFF SWITCH AND
LIGHT (except Crew Cab models)
WARNING
Air bags and seat belts are designed to
work as a unit. Do not switch the air bag
OFF unless you meet federal govern-
ment criteria. Switching off the air bag
may increase the risk of serious or fatal
injuries in a collision where the air bag
would have inflated.
In rare instances, some passengers are
exposed to serious injury risks from inflating
air bags, especially if not properly re-
strained. The U.S. and Canadian federal
governments recognize other limited circum-
stances in which an air bag could reduce
safety. The passenger air bag ON/OFF
switch is, therefore, allowed in models with-
out full rear seats. Because the overall ben-
efits of air bags are great, in most situations
air bags should not be switched off unless
special government criteria exist.
The passenger air bag ON/OFF switch is
located in the center of the instrument
panel, near the ashtray. It can be used to
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turn the passenger supplemental air bag
OFF.
The ON/OFF switch should ONLY
be used
to turn the passenger supplemental air bag
OFF when the following government criteria
exists:
cInfants (less than 1 year old) in rear
facing child restraints MUST
be placed
in the front passenger seat.
cChildren ages 1-12 years MUST
be
placed in the front passenger seat.
c
The passenger has a medical condition
which, according to a physician, causes
the air bag to pose a special risk and
makes the potential harm from the air-
bag greater than the potential harm
from turning off the air bag.
Seat belts and child restraints should al-
ways be properly used. See ªPrecautions
on seat belt usageº and ªChild restraintsº
later in this section for details.
To turn the passenger supplemental air bag
OFF, insert the ignition key in the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch and
turn the switch clockwise to the OFF position.
Then remove the key. When the ignition is
turned to the ON or START position thepassenger air bag OFF indicator light will
illuminate to indicate the air bag is OFF. To
turn the passenger supplemental air bag ON,
insert the ignition key in the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch and
turn the switch counter clockwise to the ON
position. Then remove the key. When the
ignition is turned to the ON or START posi-
tion the passenger air bag OFF indicator light
will illuminate for 7 seconds to indicate the
system is working properly and then go out to
indicate that the passenger supplemental air
bag is ON.
1. Do not operate the passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch when the
ignition is ON.
2. Fully turn the passenger supplemental
air bag ON/OFF switch to either the ON
or OFF position.
3. Always remove the ignition key after us-
ing the passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch.
4. The passenger air bag OFF indicator
light should illuminate for 7 seconds after
the ignition is turned to the ON or START
position. If not, the vehicle should be
taken to an authorized NISSAN dealer.Items 2 and 3 above are intended to prevent
improper use of the ignition key.
When the switch is turned to the ON posi-
tion, the passenger supplemental air bag is
enabled and could inflate in a frontal colli-
sion. When the switch is turned to the OFF
position, the passenger supplemental air
bag is disabled and will not inflate in a
frontal collision. The passenger supplemen-
tal air bag OFF indicator light on the instru-
ment panel illuminates when the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch is
turned to the OFF position. The driver's side
supplemental air bag always remains en-
abled and is not affected by the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch.
The passenger supplemental air bag light,
displaying OFF in the center of the instru-
ment panel, monitors the position of the
passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF
switch. When the ignition key is in the ON or
START position, the light illuminates for
about 7 seconds and then turns off if the air
bag ON/OFF switch is in the ON position, or
stays on if the passenger supplemental air
bag ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position.
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WARNING
cDo not switch the air bag OFF unless
you meet the federal government cri-
teria outlined previously. This ve-
hicle (except Crew Cab models) is
equipped with seat belts with a(load
limiter(feature. The seat belts are
designed to work with the air bags to
reduce the risk of injury in a colli-
sion. The seat belts are designed to
release additional belt webbing dur-
ing some collisions to reduce the
concentration of force on the occu-
pant's chest area. In a collision with
the airbag turned OFF, the seat belt
may allow the occupant enough for-
ward movement to incur serious or
fatal injuries.
cKeep the passenger supplemental
air bag ON/OFF switch turned ON
unless
a rear-facing child restraint
must be used in the front seat, if
children ages 1-12 must be placed in
the front seat, or if the passenger
has a medical condition, which, ac-
cording to a physician, causes the
air bag to pose a special risk of harm
(the federal government criteria). Ifthe switch is OFF, the air bag will not
inflate in a collision as designed and
the extra protection provided by the
air bag may be lost.
cBe sure to turn the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch
OFF when using a rear facing child
restraint in the front passenger seat.
If it is not OFF, the air bag may inflate
in a collision. The force of the rapidly
inflating air bag could cause serious
injury or kill the child in the child
restraint. Children ages 1-12 and
persons with special medical condi-
tions may also be at risk from an
inflating air bag.
cIf the supplemental air bag warning
light located in the instrument panel
next to the speedometer comes on
when the passenger supplemental
air bag OFF light is also illuminated,
something may be wrong with the air
bag system. Infants, children ages
1-12 or persons with special medical
conditions should not use the front
passenger seat until the system is
checked by your NISSAN dealer.
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag system are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
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 warning
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light 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
NISSAN dealer:
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
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.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags,
pre-tensioner seat belts and related parts
should be pointed out to the person conduct-
ing the maintenance.
The ignition key must always be in the
LOCK position when working under the
hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
c
Once the supplemental front air bag
has inflated, the air bag module will
not function and must be replaced.
Additionally, if any of the supplemen-
tal airbags 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 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.
cIf you need to dispose of the 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
disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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