2003 NISSAN PATHFINDER warning

ForewordWelcome to the growing family of new NISSAN
owners. This vehicle is delivered to you with
confidence. It was produced using the latest
techniques and strict quality control.
This manual was prepared to help you under-
stand the operation and maintenance of your
vehicle so that you may enjoy many miles of
driving pleasure. Please read through this
manual before operating your vehicle.
A separate Warranty Information Booklet
explains details about the warranties cov-
ering your vehicle. The NISSAN Service
and Maintenance Guide explains details
about maintaining and servicing your ve-
hicle. Additionally, a separate Customer
Care/Lemon Law Booklet (U.S. only) will
explain how to resolve any concerns you
may have with your vehicle, as well as
clarify your rights under your state’s lemon
law.
Your NISSAN dealer knows your vehicle best.
When you require any service or have any
questions, they will be glad to assist you with
the extensive resources available to them.
READ FIRST — THENDRIVE
SAFELYBefore driving your vehicle please read
your Owner’s Manual carefully. This will
ensure familiarity with controls and main-
tenance requirements, assisting you in the
safe operation of your vehicle.
WARNING
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMA-
TION
REMINDERS FOR SAFETY!Follow these important driving rules to
help ensure a safe and comfortable trip
for you and your passengers!

Never drive under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.

Always observe posted speed limits
and never drive too fast for condi-
tions.

Always use your seat belts and appro-
priate child restraint systems. Pre-
teen children should be seated in the
rear seat.

Always provide information about the
proper use of vehicle safety features
to all occupants of the vehicle.

Always review this Owner’s Manual
for important safety information.For descriptions specified for four wheel drive
models, a
mark is placed at the begin-
ning of the applicable sections/items.
As with other vehicles with features for
offroad use, failure to operate four wheel
drive models correctly may result in loss of
control or an accident. For additional in-
formation, see “Driving your four wheel
drive safely” in the “5. Starting and driv-
ing” section.
ON-PAVEMENT AND OFFROAD
DRIVINGThis vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from an ordinary passenger
car because it has a higher center of
gravity for offroad use. As with other
vehicles with features of this type, fail-
ure to operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or an accident.
For additional information, see “On-
pavement and offroad driving precau-
tions” and “Avoiding collision and roll-
over” in the “5. Starting and driving”
section.


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLEThis vehicle should not be modified. Modi-
fication could affect its performance,
safety or durability, and may even violate
governmental regulations. In addition,
damage or performance problems result-
ing from modification may not be covered
under NISSAN warranties.WHEN READING THE MANUALThis manual includes information for all
options available on this model. There-
fore, you may find some information that
does not apply to your vehicle.
All information, specifications and illustrations in
this manual are those in effect at the time of
printing. NISSAN reserves the right to change
specifications or design at any time without
notice.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT THIS MANUALYou will see various symbols in this manual.
They are used in the following ways:
WARNING
This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause death or serious
personal injury. To avoid or reduce the
risk, the procedures must be followed
precisely.
CAUTION
This is used to indicate the presence of a
hazard that could cause minor or moder-
ate personal injury or damage to your
vehicle. To avoid or reduce the risk, the
procedures must be followed carefully.If you see this symbol, it meansDo not do this
orDo not let this happen.
SIC0697


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65
WARNING
WARNING
Engine Exhaust, some of its constitu-
ents, and certain vehicle components
contain or emit chemicals known to
State of California to cause cancer and
birth defects or other reproductive
harm.
© 2002 NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
TOKYO, JAPANAll rights reserved. No part of this Owner’s Manual may be
reproduced or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in
any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-
copying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written
permission of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


1 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag
systemsSeats ......................................................................................... 1-2
Front manual seat adjustment....................................... 1-2
Front power seat adjustment ........................................ 1-4
Rear seat adjustment ...................................................... 1-6
Head restraint adjustment.............................................. 1-9
Armrest (if so equipped) ................................................ 1-9
Supplemental restraint system ......................................... 1-10
Precautions on supplemental restraint
system .............................................................................. 1-10
Supplemental air bag warning labels ....................... 1-21
Supplemental air bag warning light .......................... 1-21
Seat belts .............................................................................. 1-23
Precautions on seat belt usage ................................. 1-24
Child safety ..................................................................... 1-25
Pregnant women ............................................................ 1-26Injured persons............................................................... 1-26
Three-point type seat belt with retractor ................. 1-26
Two-point type seat belt without retractor (Center of
rear seat).......................................................................... 1-30
Seat belt extenders ....................................................... 1-32
Seat belt maintenance ................................................. 1-32
Child restraints ..................................................................... 1-32
Precautions on child restraints................................... 1-32
Installation on rear seat center position................... 1-34
Installation on rear seat outboard positions ........... 1-37
LATCH (Lower Anchor and Tether for Children)
system (if so equipped) ............................................... 1-41
Top tether strap child restraint................................... 1-43
Installation on front passenger seat.......................... 1-45


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WARNING

Do 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-
ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal
injuries.
For 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. See “Precautions on
seat belt usage” later in this section
for precautions on seat belt usage.
FRONT MANUAL SEAT
ADJUSTMENT
WARNING

Do not adjust the driver’s seat while
driving so full attention may be given
to vehicle operation. The seat may
move suddenly and could cause loss
of control of the vehicle.

After adjustment, gently rock in the
seat to make sure it is securely
locked.
See “Automatic seat positioner” in the “3. Pre-
driving checks and adjustments” for automatic
seat positioner operation.
SSS0133
SEATS1-2
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems


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Lumbar support (if so equipped for
driver’s seat)Turn the lever forward or backward to adjust the
seat lumbar area.
FRONT POWER SEAT
ADJUSTMENT
WARNING

Do not adjust the driver’s seat while
driving so full attention may be given
to vehicle operation.

Do not leave children unattended in-
side the vehicle. They could unknow-
ingly activate switches or controls
which could cause a serious accident.Operating tips
The motor has an auto-reset overload protec-
tion circuit. If the motor stops during opera-
tion, wait 30 seconds, then reactivate the
switch.

Do not operate the power support seat for a
long period of time when the engine is off.
This will discharge the battery.
SPA0465
1-4
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems


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Folding1. Remove the head restraints.
2. Pull the strap forward and fold the seat
cushion up.
3. Pull the lever and pull the seatback forward to
fold it down.
4. When resetting the seat, be sure to install the
head restraints.
WARNING

Never allow anyone to ride in the
cargo area or on the rear seat when it
is in the fold-down position. Use of
these areas by passengers without
proper restraints could result in seri-
ous injury in an accident or sudden
stop.

It is extremely dangerous to ride in a
cargo area inside of a vehicle. In acollision, people riding in these areas
are more likely to be seriously in-
jured or killed.

Do not allow people to ride in any
area of your vehicle that is not
equipped with seats and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in
a seat and using a seat belt properly.

Head restraints should be adjusted
properly as they may provide signifi-
cant protection against injury in an
accident. Always replace and adjust
them properly if they have been re-
moved for any reason.

If the head restraints are removed for
any reason, they should be securely
stored to prevent them from causing
injury to passengers or damage to
the vehicle in case of sudden braking
or an accident.

Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
IC0371Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-7


03.1.28/R50-D/V5


unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.

When returning the seatbacks to the
upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched po-
sition. If they are not completely se-
cured in the right position, passen-
gers may be injured in an accident or
sudden stop.
Reclining (if so equipped)Pull the reclining lever and position the seat back
at the desired angle. Release the reclining lever
after positioning the seat at the desired angle.
WARNING

Do 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 accidentyou could be thrown into it and re-
ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal inju-
ries.

For 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. See “Seat belts” later
in this section for precautions on
seat belt usage.

After adjustment, check to be sure
the seat is securely locked.
IC0385
1-8
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems


03.1.28/R50-D/V5