2003 NISSAN MAXIMA Owners Manual

WARNING
Supplemental side air bag (if so
equipped):
IThe 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 belts to help reduce the risk
or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.IThe 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 anyone
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. Some
examples of dangerous riding posi-
tions are shown in the previous illus-trations.
IWhen sitting in the rear seat, do not
hold onto the seatback of the front
seat. If the supplemental side air bag
inflates, you may be seriously in-
jured. Be especially careful with chil-
dren, who should always be properly
restrained.
IDo not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
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Supplemental front air bag systemThe driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel; the front
passenger supplemental air bag is mounted in
the dashboard above the glove box. These
systems are designed to meet optional certifi-
cation requirements under U.S. regulations.
They are also permitted in Canada. The op-
tional certification allows front 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 front
air bags are designed to inflate in higherseverity frontal collisions, although they may
inflate if the forces in another type of collision
are similar to those of a higher severity frontal
impact. They may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not
always an indication of proper supplemental
air bag operation.
The supplemental air bag system has dual
stage inflators for both the driver and passen-
ger air bags. The system monitors information
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.
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Only one front air bag may inflate in a crash,
depending on the crash severity and whether
the front occupants are belted or unbelted.
This does not indicate improper performance
of the system. If you have any questions about
the performance of your air bag system,
please contact your NISSAN dealer.
When the supplemental front air bag inflates, 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 not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation
and choking. Those with a history of a breath-
ing condition should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the
use of seat belts, helps to cushion the impact
force on the face and chest of the front occu-
pants. They can help save lives and reduce
serious injuries. However, an inflating front air
bag may cause facial abrasions or other inju-
ries. Front 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 steering wheel or
dash board. The supplemental front air bags
inflates quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants. Because of this, the force of the
front air bag inflating can increase the risk ofinjury if the occupant is too close to, or is
against, the air bag module during inflation.
The air bag will deflate quickly after the colli-
sion is over.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
IDo 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.
IRight after inflation, several air bag
system components will be hot. Do
not touch them; you may severely
burn yourself.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring ofthe supplemental front air bag sys-
tem. This is to prevent accidental
inflation of the air bag or damage to
the air bag system.
IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental air bag
system.
ITampering with the supplemental
front air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. Tampering
includes changes to the steering
wheel and the instrument panel as-
sembly by placing material over the
steering wheel pad, above the dash-
board, or by installing additional trim
material around the air bag system.
IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal front air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical equip-
ment should also be done by an au-
thorized NISSAN dealer. The SRS wir-
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ing harnesses* should not be modi-
fied or disconnected. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the air
bag system.
* The SRS wiring harnesses are cov-
ered with yellow insulation either just
before the harness connectors or
over the complete harness for easy
identification.
IA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect inflation of the supple-
mental air bag system.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental 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 designed 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 dam-
age (or lack of it) is not always an indication of
proper supplemental side air bag operation.When the supplemental side air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful
and does not indicate a fire, but care should be
taken not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation
and choking. Those with a history of a breath-
ing 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 head and the chest of the front occu-
pants. They can help save lives and reduce
serious 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. Be-
cause 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 the collision is
over.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
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warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
IDo 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 fin-
isher and the front seat. Such objects
may become dangerous projectiles
and cause injury if the supplemental
side air bag inflates.
IRight after inflation, several supple-
mental side air bag system compo-
nents will be hot. Do not touch them;
you may severely burn yourself.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental side air bag sys-
tem. This is to prevent accidental
inflation of the side air bag or damage
to the side air bag system.
IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental side air bag sys-
tem.
ITampering with the supplemental
side air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. For example,
do not change the front seat assem-
bly by placing material near the seat-
back of the front seat, or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bag sys-
tem.
IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal side air bag system should be
done by an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical equip-
ment should also be done by an au-
thorized NISSAN dealer. The SRS wir-
ing harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unautho-
rized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the side air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harnesses are cov-ered with yellow insulation either just
before the harness connectors or
over the complete harness for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental 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
IThe pre-tensioner seat belt cannot be
reused after activation. It must be
replaced together with the retractor
as a unit.
IIf 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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INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pre-tensioner seat belt system.
This is to prevent accidental activa-
tion 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 injury.
IWork 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
NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the pre-
tensioner seat belt system.
IIf you need to dispose of the pre-
tensioner or scrap the vehicle, con-
tact an authorized NISSAN dealer.
Correct pre-tensioner disposal proce-
dures are set forth in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause
personal injury.The front seat pre-tensioner seat belt system
activates in conjunction with the supplemental
front air bag. Working with the seat belt retrac-
tor, it helps tighten the seat belt the instant the
vehicle becomes involved in certain types of
collisions, thereby restraining 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 position. In this case, the pre-
tensioner seat belt may not function properly.
The system should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the pre-tensioner seat
belt system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner's Manual.
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELSWarning labels about the supplemental air bag
system are placed in the vehicle as shown in
the illustration.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHTThe supplemental air bag warning light, dis-
playing
in the instrument panel, monitors
the circuits of the supplemental front air bag
and supplemental side air bag systems, and
pre-tensioner seat belt. The circuits monitored
by the air bag warning light are the diagnosis
sensor unit, satellite sensors, front air bag
modules, side air bag modules and all related
wiring, and pre-tensioner seat belt.
After turning the ignition key to the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning light
illuminates. The supplemental air bag warning
SPA0945B
SPA1097
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light will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag system, supple-
mental side air bag system, and pre-tensioner
seat belt need servicing:
IThe supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 seconds.
IThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
IThe supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bags, supplemental side air bags and/or
pre-tensioner seat belt may not operate prop-
erly. They 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 supplemen-
tal front air bag system, supplemental
side air bag system and/or pre-tensioner
seat belt will not operate in an accident.
Repair and replacement procedureThe supplemental front air bags, supplemental
side air bags and pre-tensioner seat belt are
designed to activate on a one-time-only basis.
As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the
supplemental air bag warning light will remain
illuminated after inflation has occurred. Repair
and replacement of these systems should be
done only by authorized NISSAN dealers.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags,
supplemental side air bags, pre-tensioner seat
belt and related parts should be pointed out to
the person conducting the maintenance. The
ignition key should always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or in-
side the vehicle.
WARNING
IOnce the supplemental front air bag,
supplemental side air bag and/or pre-
tensioner seat belt have activated,
the air bag module will not function
again and must be replaced, addition-
ally, if any of the supplemental air
bags activate, the pre-tensioner seatbelts must also be replaced. The
module should be replaced by an
authorized NISSAN dealer. The
supplemental front air bag module or
supplemental side air bag module
cannot be repaired.
IThe supplemental front air bag sys-
tem, supplemental side air bag sys-
tem and pre-tensioner seat belt
should be inspected by an authorized
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end or side portion of the
vehicle.
IIf you need to dispose of these
supplemental systems or scrap the
vehicle, contact an authorized
NISSAN dealer.
Correct disposal procedures are set
forth in the appropriate NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual. Incorrect disposal pro-
cedures could cause personal injury.
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