2002 NISSAN SENTRA Owners Manual

WARNING
Supplemental side air bag (if so
equipped):
cThe supplemental side air bag ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
frontal impact, rear impact or lower
severity side collision. Always wear
your seat belt to help reduce the risk
or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.cThe seat belts and the supplemental
side air bag are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright
in the seat. The side air bag inflates
with great force. Do not allow any-
one to place their hand, leg or face
near the side air bag on the side of
the seatback of the front seat. Do not
allow anyone sitting in the front seat
to extend their hand out of the win-
dow or lean against the door.
When sitting in the rear seat, do not
hold onto the seatback of the front seat.
If the side air bag inflates, you may
be seriously injured. Be especially
careful with children, who should
always be properly restrained. Some
examples of dangerous riding posi-
tions are shown in the illustrations.
cDo not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
SSS0101WRS0032SSS0159
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Supplemental front air bag system
The driver supplemental front air bag is lo-
cated in the center of the steering wheel. The
passenger supplemental front air bag is
mounted in the dashboard above the glove
box.
These systems are designed to meet op-
tional certification requirements under U.S.
regulations. They are also permitted in
Canada. The optional certification allows
the front air bags to be designed to inflate
somewhat less forcefully than previously.
However, all of the information, cautions
and warnings in this manual still applyand must be followed.
The front air bag system is designed to
inflate in higher severity frontal collisions,
although it may inflate if the forces in an-
other 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 front air
bag system operation.
When the supplemental front air bag in-
flates, a fairly loud noise may be heard,
followed by the release of smoke. This
smoke is not harmful and does not indicate
SSS0162WRS0003
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-11
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a fire. Care should be taken to not inhale it,
as it may cause irritation and choking.
Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
The 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 inflat-
ing front air bag may cause facial abrasions
or other injuries. Front 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 front air
bags inflate quickly in order to help protect
the front occupants. Because of this, the
force of the front air bag inflating can in-
crease the risk of injury if the occupant is too
close to, or is against, the front air bag
module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a
collision.
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 front air
bag system components will be hot.
Do not touch them; you may se-
verely 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 front air bags or damage
to the front air bag system.cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle's electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end struc-
ture. This could affect proper opera-
tion of the supplemental front air bag
system.
cTampering with the supplemental
front air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. For ex-
ample, do not change the steering
wheel and instrument panel assem-
bly by placing material over the
steering wheel pad and above the
dashboard or by installing additional
trim material around the front air bag
system.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal front air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. The
SRS wiring should not be modified
or disconnected. Unauthorized elec-
trical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the
supplemental front air bag system.
1-12Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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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.
cThe SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow 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.
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.
Care should be taken to not 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.
Side 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 supplemental
side air bag. The side air bag inflates quickly
in order to help protect the front occupants.
Because of this, 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 a
collision.
LRS0020
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-13
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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 accidentalinflation of the side air bag or dam-
age to the side air bag system.
cDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation of
the side air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental
side air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. For ex-
ample, do not change the front seat
assembly by placing material near
the seatback of the front seat or by
installing additional trim material,
such as seat covers, around the side
air bag system.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal side air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. The
SRS wiring harnesses* should not
be modified or disconnected. Unau-
thorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the side air bag system.* The SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow for easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemen-
tal side 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
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.
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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 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. This smoke is not harmful and does
not indicate a fire. Care should be taken to
not 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 thebuyer to the appropriate sections in this
Owner's Manual.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-15
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag systems are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the supplemental
front air bags, pre-tensioner seat belt and
supplemental side air bag (if so equipped)
systems. The circuits monitored by the
supplemental air bag warning light are the
diagnosis sensor unit, supplemental air bag
modules, pre-tensioner seat belts and all
related wiring.
WRS0004LRS0100
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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 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 bag 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 or supplemental side air bag
system 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 light remains illumi-
nated after inflation has occurred. Repair
and replacement of the supplemental air
bag system should be done only by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
After a supplemental air bag inflates, the in-
strument panel assembly should be replaced
by an authorized NISSAN dealer if damaged.
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 performing the
maintenance. The ignition key should al-
ways be in the LOCK position when working
under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
c
Once the supplemental front air bag
or supplemental side air bag has in-
flated, the air bag module will not
function again and must be replaced.
Additionally, if any of the supplemen-
tal 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 and
supplemental side air bag systems
should be inspected by an authorized
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end or side portion of the
vehicle, or replaced if the supplemen-
tal air bag has inflated.
cIf you need to dispose of a supplemental
air bag, pre-tensioner seat belt system
and or scrap the vehicle, contact an au-
thorized NISSAN dealer. Correct supple-
mental air bag disposal procedures are
set forth in the appropriate NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-17
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