2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER Owners Manual

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, display-
ing
in the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits of the supplemental front air bag,
supplemental side air bag (if so equipped) and
curtain side-impact air bag (if so equipped)
systems, and pre-tensioner seat belt. The cir-
cuits monitored by the air bag warning light are
the diagnosis sensor unit, satellite sensors, front
air bag modules, side air bag modules, curtain
side-impact air bag modules, and pre-tensioner
seat belt and all related wiring.
After turning the ignition key to the ON position,
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the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates. The supplemental air bag warning 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, supplemental side air
bag (if so equipped) and curtain side-impact air
bag (if so equipped) systems, and pre-tensioner
seat belt need servicing:

The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.

The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.

The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bags, supplemental side air bags, curtain
side-impact air bags and/or pre-tensioner seat
belt may not operate properly. They must be
checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to the
nearest NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that thesupplemental front air bag, supplemen-
tal side air bag, curtain side-impact air
bag systems and/or pre-tensioner seat
belt will not operate in an accident.
Repair and replacement procedureThe supplemental front air bags, supplemental
side air bags (if so equipped), curtain side-
impact air bags (if so equipped) and pre-
tensioner seat belt are designed to inflate 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 oc-
curred. Repair and replacement of these sys-
tems should be done only by a NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags, side air
bags, curtain side-impact air bags, related parts
and pre-tensioner seat belt 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 inside
the vehicle.
WARNING

Once the supplemental front air bag,
side air bag or curtain side-impact air
bag has inflated, the air bag module
will not function again and must be
replaced. Additionally, if any of the
supplemental front 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 a NISSAN
dealer. The air bag modules and pre-
tensioner seat belt system cannot be
repaired.

The supplemental front air bag and
side air bag, curtain side-impact air
bag systems and pre-tensioner seat
belt system should be inspected by a
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end or side portion of the
vehicle.

If you need to dispose of these
supplemental systems or scrap the
vehicle, contact a NISSAN dealer.
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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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SEAT BELTS
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PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGEIf you are wearing your seat belt properly ad-
justed, and you are sitting upright and well back
in your seat, your chances of being injured or
killed in an accident and/or the severity of injury
may be greatly reduced. NISSAN strongly en-
courages you and all of your passengers to
buckle up every time you drive, even if your
seating position includes a supplemental air bag.
Most states, provinces or territories re-
quire that seat belts be worn at all times
when a vehicle is being driven.
WARNING

Every person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be properly
restrained in the rear seat and, if
appropriate, in a child restraint.

The belt should be properly adjusted
to a snug fit. Failure to do so may
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint systems and increase the
chance or severity of injury in anaccident. Serious injury or death can
occur if the seat belt is not worn
properly.

Always 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.

Position 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.

Be sure the seat belt tongue is se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.

Do not wear the belt inside out or
twisted. Doing so may reduce its ef-
fectiveness.

Do not allow more than one person
to use the same belt.

Never carry more people in the ve-
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hicle than there are seat belts.

If the seat belt warning light glows
continuously while the ignition is
turned ONwith all doors closed and
all seat belts fastened, it may indi-
cate a malfunction in the system.
Have the system checked by your
NISSAN dealer.

Once the pre-tensioner seat belt has
activated, it cannot be reused and
must be replaced together with the
retractor. See your NISSAN dealer.

Removal and installation of the pre-
tensioner seat belt system compo-
nents should be done by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer.

All 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 damageand 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.

All 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 SAFETYChildren 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 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.
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 “Child restraints” 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.
NISSAN recommends that all preteens and
children be restrained in the rear seat if
possible. According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly restrained
in the rear seat than in the front seat.
This is especially important because your
vehicle has a Supplemental Restraint Sys-
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tem (Air Bag System) for the front passen-
ger. See “Supplemental Restraint System”
earlier in this section for precaution.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
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 restraints
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 beltwithout the booster seat.
WARNING
Never let a child stand or kneel on any
seat and do not allow a child in the
cargo areas while the vehicle is moving.
The child could be seriously injured or
killed in an accident or sudden stop.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 over
your 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
WITH RETRACTOR
WARNING

Every person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times.

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
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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 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.
Fastening the seat belts1. Adjust the seat. See “Seats” earlier in this
section.2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor
and insert the tongue into the buckle until it
snaps.
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. Make sure the
shoulder belt is routed over your shoulder
across your chest.The front seat passenger side seat belt and rear
three-point seat belts have a cinching mecha-
nism for child restraint installation. It is referred
to as the automatic locking mode.
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
“Child Restraints for Infants and Small Children”
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-
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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, passengers
may be injured in an accident or sudden
stop.
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 by two separate methods:

When the belt is pulled quickly from the
retractor.

When the vehicle slows down rapidly.
You can check the operation as follows:

Grasp the shoulder belt and pull quicklyforward. The retractor should lock and restrict
further belt movement.
If the retractor does not lock during this check or
if you have any question about belt operation,
see your NISSAN dealer.
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