2002 NISSAN XTERRA Owners Manual

WARNING
ONever let children ride unrestrained.
Do not attempt to hold them in your
lap or arms. Some examples of dan-
gerous riding positions are shown in
the illustrations.
OChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental air bag
inflates if they are not properly re-
strained.
ONever install a rear-facing child re-
straint in the front seat. An inflating
supplemental air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill your child. See
``Child restraints'' later in this sec-
tion for details.
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Supplemental air bag system
The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The pas-
senger 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 informa-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.
The supplemental air bag system has dual
stage inflators for both the driver and pas-
senger air bags. The system monitors infor-
mation from the crash zone sensor, the
diagnosis sensor unit and seat belt buckle
sensors that detect if the seat belts are
fastened. Inflator operation is based on the
severity of a collision and whether the seat
belts are being used.
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.
Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
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Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-11
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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 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 in-
crease the risk of injury if the occupant is too
close to, or is 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 anyobjects 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 components
will 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 steeringwheel 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.
Installation of electrical equipment
should also be done by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer. The yellow and
orange Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem (SRS) wiring and connectors
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.
OA 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.
OThe SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow and orange for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
1-12Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
ZX

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 retrac-
tor 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 sys-
tem.
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. 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 intermit-
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.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-13
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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 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.
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 work-
ing under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
O
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 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.
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, pre-tensioner seat
belt system or scrap the vehicle,
contact an authorized NISSAN and
pre-tensioner seat belt system
dealer. Correct supplemental air bag
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
1-15
ZX

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.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.
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SEAT BELTS
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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.
OAll 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 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-
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