2003 NISSAN 350Z Owners Manual

IPosition 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 internal injuries
in an accident.
IBe sure the seat belt tongue is se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.
IDo not wear the belt inside out or
twisted. Doing so may reduce its ef-
fectiveness.
IDo not allow more than one person
to use the same belt.
INever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts. This
vehicle has only two seating posi-
tions. Do not allow anyone to ride in
the cargo area.
IIf 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 a
NISSAN dealer.IOnce the pre-tensioner seat belt has
activated, it cannot be reused and
must be replaced together with the
retractor. See your NISSAN dealer.
IRemoval and installation of the pre-
tensioner seat belt system compo-
nents should be done by a NISSAN
dealer.
IAll seat belt assemblies including re-
tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected after any colli-
sion by your NISSAN dealer. NISSAN
recommends that all seat belt as-semblies in use during a collision be
replaced unless the collision was mi-
nor and the belts show no damage
and continue to operate properly.
Seat belt assemblies not in use dur-
ing a collision should also be in-
spected and replaced if either dam-
age or improper operation is noted.
SSS0134
1-20
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

CHILD SAFETYChildren need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
WARNING
INever let children 12 or under ride in
this vehicle. Do not attempt to hold
them in your lap or arms.
INever let children stand or kneel on
any seat and do not allow a child in
the cargo areas while the vehicle ismoving. The child could be seriously
injured or killed in an accident or
sudden stop.
Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental
front impact air bag system for the front passen-
ger. See ªSupplemental restraint systemº earlier
in this section. Therefore, children 12 or under
should not ride in this vehicle without installing
an air bag ON/OFF switch.
OBTAINING AN AIR BAG ON/OFF
SWITCHIf you must transport a child in this vehicle, you
may be eligible to have an air bag ON/OFF
switch installed. US and Canadian governments
have procedures that allow you to apply for
permission to have your vehicle fitted with an air
bag ON/OFF switch. Such a switch is available
for purchase from NISSAN. If you have ques-
tions about the government application proce-
dures, contact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs
Department listed earlier in this manual.
AFTER AN AIR BAG ON/OFF
SWITCH IS INSTALLED
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 improperly
fitting seat belt could cause serious or
fatal injury. Always use appropriate
child restraints.
All US states and provinces of Canada require
the use of approved child restraints for infants
and small children. (See ªChild restraintsº later in
this section.)
In addition, there are many types of child re-
straints available for larger children which should
be used for maximum protection.Infants and small childrenNISSAN 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
SSS0016
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-21
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

should choose a child restraint that fits your
vehicle and always follow the manufacturer's
instructions for installation and use.Larger childrenChildren who are too large for child restraint
systems 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 available) may help
overcome this. The booster seat should raise the
child so that the shoulder belt is properly posi-
tioned 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
Motor 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.PREGNANT WOMENNISSAN 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 overyour abdominal area. Contact your doctor for
specific recommendations.
INJURED PERSONSNISSAN recommends that injured persons use
seat belts, depending on the injury. Check with
your doctor for specific recommendations.
THREE-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
WARNING
IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times.
IDo 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 accident
you could be thrown into it and re-
SSS0018B
1-22
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal inju-
ries.
IFor 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 belts1. Adjust the seat.
2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor
and insert the tongue into the buckle until it
clicks.
The retractor is designed to lock during a
sudden stop or on impact. A slow pulling
motion will permit the belt to move, and
allow you some freedom of movement in
the seat.
3. Position the lap belt portionlow and snug
on the hipsas shown.
4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.
The front passenger seat belt has a cinching
mechanism for child restraint installation. It is
referred to as the automatic locking mode. (Also
remember, if you need to install a child restraint,
first obtain an air bag ON/OFF switch and turn
the passenger air bag OFF.)
When the cinching mechanism is activated the
seat belt cannot be withdrawn again until the
seat belt tongue is detached from the buckle and
fully retracted. For additional information, see
ªChild restraintsº later in this section.
The automatic locking mode should be
used only for child restraint installation.During normal seat belt use by a passen-
ger, the locking mode should not be acti-
vated. If it is activated it may cause uncom-
fortable seat belt tension.
WARNING
When fastening the seat belts, be cer-
tain that seatbacks are completely se-
cured in the latched position. If they are
not completely secured in the right po-
sition, passengers may be injured in an
accident or sudden stop.
SSS0020B
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-23
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

Unfastening the seat beltsTo unfasten the belt, press the button on the
buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract.Checking seat belt operationYour seat belt retractors are designed to lock
belt movement using two separate methods:
Iwhen the belt is pulled quickly from the
retractor.
Iwhen the vehicle slows down rapidly.
You can check their operation as follows:
Igrasp the shoulder belt and pull quickly for-ward. The retractor should lock and restrict
further belt movement.
If the retractor does not lock during this check or
if you have any questions about belt operation,
see your NISSAN dealer.
Seat belt hookHook the seat belt and its tongue
qA
at the belt
hook when it is not in use or when opening the
rear floor box lid.
SEAT BELT EXTENDERSIf, 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
passenger seating position. See your NISSAN
dealer for assistance if the extender is required.
SSS0021
SSS0210
1-24
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

WARNING
IOnly NISSAN seat belt extenders,
made by the same company which
made the original equipment belts,
should be used with NISSAN seat
belts.
IPersons who can use the standard
seat belt should not use an extender.
Such unnecessary use could result in
serious personal injury in the event
of an accident.
INever 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. (Also re-
member never to use a child restraint
unless an air bag ON/OFF switch has
been installed and is being used
properly.)SEAT BELT MAINTENANCEITo clean the seat belt webbings,apply a
mild soap solution or any solution recom-mended for cleaning upholstery or carpets.
Then brush the webbing, wipe it with a cloth
and allow it to dry in the shade. Do not allow
the seat belts to retract until they are com-
pletely dry.
IIf dirt builds up in the shoulder belt guide of
the seat belt anchors, the seat belts may
retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder belt guide
with a clean, dry cloth.
IPeriodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal componentssuch 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 belt assembly
should be replaced.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHILD
RESTRAINTS
WARNING
The information in this section is pro-
vided only for those owners who have
received permission to install an air bag
ON/OFF switch and the switch has been
installed. See ªObtaining an air bag
ON/OFF switchº earlier in this manual.
Never let children 12 or under ride in this
vehicle unless an air bag ON/OFF
switch is installed and it is being prop-
erly used.
WARNING
IInfants and small children should al-
ways 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.
IInfants and small children should
never be carried on your lap. It is notCHILD RESTRAINTS
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-25
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

possible for even the strongest adult
to resist the forces of a severe acci-
dent. The child could be crushed be-
tween the adult and parts of the ve-
hicle. Also, do not put the same seat
belt around both your child and your-
self.
INever install a child restraint in the
front seat unless an air bag ON/OFF
switch has been installed and the air
bag has been turned OFF. An inflat-
ing supplemental air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill your child.
IAn improperly installed child re-
straint could lead to serious injury or
death in an accident.
In general, child restraints are designed to be
installed with the lap portion of a three-point type
seat belt.
The proper restraint depends on the child's size.
Generally, infants (up to about 1 year and less
than 20 lb (9 kg) should be placed in rear facing
child restraints. Front facing child restraints are
available for children who outgrow rear facing
child restraints.Child restraints for infants and children of various
sizes are offered by several manufacturers.
When selecting any child restraint, keep the
following points in mind:
Ichoose only a restraint with a label certifying
that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 or Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
Icheck the child restraint in your vehicle to be
sure it is compatible with the vehicle's seat
and seat belt system.
Iif the child restraint is compatible with your
vehicle, place your child in the child restraint
and check the various adjustments to be sure
the child restraint is compatible with your
child. Always follow all recommended proce-
dures.
All US states and Canadian provinces re-
quire that infants and small children be
restrained in approved child restraints at
all times while the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
WARNING
IImproper use of a child restraint can
result in increased injuries for boththe infant or child and other occu-
pants in the vehicle.
IFollow all of the child restraint manu-
facturer's instructions for installation
and use. When purchasing a child
restraint, be sure to select one which
will fit your child and vehicle. It may
not be possible to properly install
some types of child restraints in your
vehicle.
IIf the child restraint is not anchored
properly, the risk of a child being
injured in a collision or a sudden stop
greatly increases.
IAdjustable seatbacks should be po-
sitioned to fit the child restraint, but
as upright as possible.
IAfter attaching the child restraint,
test it before you place the child in it.
Tilt it from side to side. Try to tug it
forward and check to see if the belt
holds the restraint in place. If the
restraint is not secure, tighten the
belt as necessary, or put the restraint
in another seat and test it again.
1-26
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

IFor a front facing child restraint,
check to make sure the shoulder belt
does not go in front of the child's face
or neck. If it does, put the shoulder
belt behind the child restraint. If you
must install a front facing child re-
straint in the front seat, see instruc-
tions later in this section.
IWhen your child restraint is not in
use, keep it secured with a seat belt
to prevent it from being thrown
around in case of a sudden stop or
accident.
CAUTION
Remember that a child restraint left in a
closed vehicle can become very hot.
Check the seating surface and buckles
before placing your child in the child
restraint.
TOP TETHER STRAP CHILD
RESTRAINTAn anchor for a child restraint with a top tether is
provided in this vehicle.However, a child
restraint of this type should not be used in
this vehicle unless an air bag ON/OFF
switch has been installed and is being
properly used.See ªObtaining an air bag
ON/OFF switchº earlier in this manual.
If your child restraint has a top tether strap, it
must be secured to the provided anchor point.
Secure the child restraint with the seat belt.
Secure the top tether strap to the anchor
bracket. Tighten the strap according to manu-facturer instructions to remove any slack.
WARNING
The child restraint anchor point is de-
signed to withstand only those loads
imposed by correctly fitted child re-
straints. Under no circumstance is it to
be used for adult seat belts or har-
nesses.
SSS0207Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-27
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X