2003 NISSAN XTERRA steering

Adjust the head restraint so the center is level
with the center of your ears.
PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental front air
bags and pre-tensioner seat belts.
Supplemental front impact air bag system:
This system can help cushion the impact force to
the head and chest of the driver and front pas-
senger in certain frontal collisions.
Supplemental curtain side-impact air bag
system (if so equipped):This system can help
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in front and rear outboard seating positions
in certain side impact collisions. The curtain side-
impact air bags are designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted.
The supplemental air bags are designed to
supplementthe crash protection provided by
the driver and front passenger seat belts and are
not a substitutefor them. Seat belts should
always be correctly worn and the driver and front
passenger seated a suitable distance away from
the steering wheel and instrument panel. (See
“Seat belts” later in this section for instructions
and precautions on seat belt usage.)The supplemental 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 warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WRS0134
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-8Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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WARNING
cThe supplemental front air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
side impact, rear impact, rollover, or
lower severity frontal collision. Always
wear your seat belts to help reduce the
risk or severity of injury in various kinds
of accidents.cThe seat belts and the supplemental
front air bags are most effective when
you are sitting well back and upright in
the seat. The front air bags inflate with
great force. If you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways or out
of position in any way, you are at
greater risk of injury or death in a crash.
You may also receive serious or fatal
injuries from the supplemental front air
bag if you are up against it when it
inflates. Always sit back against the
seatback and as far away as practical
from the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Always use the seat belts.cThe driver and front passenger seat belt
buckles are equipped with sensors that
detect if the seat belts are fastened. The
air bag system monitors the severity of
a collision and then inflates the air bags
based on belt usage. Failure to properly
wear seat belts can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.
cKeep hands on the outside of the steer-
ing wheel. Placing them inside the
steering wheel rim could increase the
risk that they are injured when the
supplemental front air bag inflates.
WRS0031
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-9
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1. Crash zone sensor
2.
Passenger supplemental air bag module
3. Passenger seat belt buckle switch
4. Side curtain air bag
5. Front seat belt pre-tensioner6. Driver seat belt buckle switch
7. Air bag diagnosis sensor unit
8. Front seat belt pre-tensioner
9. Driver supplemental air bag module
Supplemental front air bag system
The driver supplemental front air bag is located 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 optional
certification requirements under U.S. regulations.
They are also permitted in Canada. The optional
certification allows the front air bags to be de-
signed to inflate somewhat less forcefully than
previously.However, all of the information,
cautions and warnings in this manual still
apply and must be followed.
The supplemental front air bag system is de-
signed to inflate in higher severity frontal colli-
sions, 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 supple-
mental front air bag system operation.
The supplemental air bag system has dual stage
inflators for both the driver and passenger 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. Only one front air bag may
WRS0237
1-14Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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X

inflate in a crash, depending on the crash severity
and whether the front occupants are belted or
unbelted. This does not indicate improper perfor-
mance 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 the
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 chok-
ing. Those with a history of a breathing condition
should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the use of
seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating 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 instru-
ment panel. The supplemental front air bags in-
flate quickly in order to help protect the front
occupants. Because of this, the force of the front
air bag inflating can increase 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 warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
cDo 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 steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several front air
bag system components 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 air bag system. This is
to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to the
supplemental air bag system.
cDo 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 front air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental front
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 steering wheel pad
and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material
around the air bag system.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-15
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1. Headlight/turn signal switch
2. Meters and gauges
3. Windshield wiper/washer switch
4. Power point
5. Heater and air conditioner
6. Front passenger supplemental air bag
7. Glove box
8. Audio system
9. Hazard warning flasher switch
10. Automatic/manual selector lever
11. Transfer case shift lever (if so
equipped)
12. Parking brake release lever
13. Cruise control main/set switch (if so
equipped)
14. Driver supplemental air bag
15. Steering wheel switch for audio con-
trols (if so equipped)
16. Vehicle dynamics control (VDC) off
switch (if so equipped)
WIC0366
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls
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cIf the light comes on while driving,
avoid sudden steering maneuvers or
abrupt braking, reduce vehicle speed,
pull off the road to a safe location and
stop the vehicle as soon as possible.
Serious vehicle damage could occur
and may lead to an accident and result
in serious personal injury. Check the
tire pressure for all 4 wheels and adjust
the pressure to the COLD tire pressure
shown on the tire placard. If the light
still comes on while driving after adjust-
ing the tire pressure, a tire may be flat. If
you have a flat tire, replace it with a
spare tire as soon as possible.
cWhen a spare tire is mounted or a wheel
is replaced, tire pressure will not be
indicated and the low tire pressure
warning system will not function. Con-
tact your NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible for tire replacement and/or
system resetting.
CAUTION
cThe low tire pressure warning system is
not a substitute for the regular tire pres-
sure check. Be sure to check the tire
pressure regularly.cIf the vehicle is being driven at speeds
of less than 20 MPH (32 km/h) , the low
tire pressure warning system may not
operate correctly.
cBe sure to install the specified size of
tires to the 4 wheels correctly.
Low washer fluid warning light
This light comes on when the washer fluid is at a
low level. Add washer fluid as necessary. See the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself” section of this
manual.
Seat belt warning light and
chime
The light and chime remind you to fasten your
seat belts. The light illuminates whenever the
ignition key is turned to the ON or START position
and remains illuminated until the driver’s seat belt
is fastened. At the same time, the chime sounds
for about 7 seconds unless the driver’s seat belt
is securely fastened.
Refer to “Seat belts” in the “Seats, restraints and
supplemental air bag systems” section for pre-
cautions on seat belt usage.
Supplemental air bag warning
light
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 curtain
side-impact and pre-tensioner seat belt systems
need servicing and your vehicle must be taken to
a NISSAN dealer:
cThe supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Unless checked and repaired, the supplemental
restraint system (air bag system) and/or the pre-
tensioner seat belts may not function properly.
For additional details see “Supplemental restraint
system” in the “Seats, restraints and supplemen-
tal air bag systems” section of this manual.
2-12Instruments and controls
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cTurn signals do not work when the haz-
ard warning flasher lights are on.
The flashers will operate with the ignition switch
in any position.
Some state laws may prohibit the use of
the hazard warning flasher switch while
driving.
To sound the horn, push the center pad area of
the steering wheel.
WARNING
Do not disassemble the horn. Doing so
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental front air bag system. Tam-
pering with the supplemental front air bag
system may result in serious personal
injury.The vehicle should be driven with the Vehicle
Dynamic Control System (VDC) on for most driv-
ing conditions.
When the vehicle is stuck in mud or snow, the
VDC system reduces the engine output to re-
duce wheel spin. The engine speed will be re-
duced even if the accelerator is depressed to the
floor. If maximum engine power is needed to free
a stuck vehicle, turn the VDC system off.
To turn off the VDC system, push the VDC OFF
switch. The
indicator will come on.
Push the VDC OFF switch again or restart the
engine and the system will operate normally. See
“Vehicle dynamic control system (VDC)” in the
“Starting and driving” section.
WIC0249LIC0364
HORN VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (VDC)
OFF SWITCH (if so equipped)
Instruments and controls2-23
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3 Pre-driving checks and adjustments
Keys .............................................3-2
Doors............................................3-2
Locking with key................................3-2
Locking with inside lock knob....................3-3
Locking with power door lock switch
(if so equipped)................................3-3
Child safety rear door lock.......................3-4
Remote keyless entry system (if so equipped).........3-4
How to use remote keyless entry system..........3-5
Battery replacement............................3-7
Hood............................................3-8
Rear door.........................................3-9
Tubular roof rack with gear basket..................3-10Tubular step rail (if so equipped)...................3-13
Fuel filler lid......................................3-13
Fuel filler cap..................................3-13
Steering wheel...................................3-15
Tilt operation (if so equipped)...................3-15
Sun visors.......................................3-15
Vanity mirror (if so equipped)....................3-15
Mirrors..........................................3-16
Inside mirror..................................3-16
Outside mirrors...............................3-16
Outside mirror remote control
(if so equipped)...............................3-17
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Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
03/18/03Ðcathy
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