Page 57 of 296

5. Before placing the child in the child restraint,
use force to tilt the child restraint from side
to side, and tug it forward to make sure it is
securely held in place. It should not move
more than 1 inch (25mm) .
6. Check that the retractor is in the automatic
locking mode by trying to pull more belt out
of the retractor. If you cannot pull any more
belt webbing out of the retractor, the retrac-
tor is in the automatic locking mode.
7. Check to make sure the child restraint is
properly secured prior to each use. If the belt
is not locked, repeat steps 3 through 6.After the child restraint is removed and the seat
belt is fully retracted, the automatic locking mode
(child restraint mode) is canceled.LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers
for CHildren) SYSTEM
WARNING
cAttach LATCH system compatible child
restraints only at the locations shown. If
a child restraint is not secured properly,
your child could be seriously injured or
killed in an accident.
cDo not secure a child restraint in the
center rear seating position using the
LATCH system anchors. The child re-
straint will not be secured properly.
Rear Facing — step 5
WRS0254
LATCH system anchor point locations
WRS0438
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags1-39
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 58 of 296

cThe LATCH system anchors are de-
signed to withstand only those loads
imposed by correctly fitted child re-
straints. Under no circumstance are
they to be used for adult seat belts or
harnesses.
Some child restraints include two rigid or
webbing-mounted attachments that can be con-
nected to two anchors located at certain seating
positions in your vehicle. This system is known as
the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHil-
dren) system. This system may also be referred to
as the ISOFIX or ISOFIX compatible system.
With this system, you do not have to use a vehicleseat belt to secure the child restraint. Your vehicle
is equipped with special anchor points that are
used with LATCH system compatible child re-
straints. Check your child restraint for a label
stating that it is compatible with the LATCH sys-
tem. This information may also be in the child
restraint owner’s manual. If you have such a child
restraint, refer to the illustration for the seating
positions equipped with LATCH system anchors
which can be used to secure the child restraint.
The LATCH system anchors are located at the
rear of the seat cushion near the seatback. A
label is attached to the seatback to help you
locate the LATCH system anchors.
LATCH child restraints generally require the use
of a top tether strap. See “Top tether strap child
restraint” later in this section for installation in-
structions.
When installing a child restraint, carefully read
and follow the instructions in this manual and
those supplied with the child restraint.
When you install a LATCH system compatible
child restraint to the lower anchor attachments,
follow these steps:
WARNING
Inspect the lower anchors by inserting
your fingers into the lower anchor area
and feeling to make sure there are no
obstructions over the LATCH system an-
chors, such as seat belt webbing or seat
cushion material. The child restraint will
not be secured properly if the LATCH sys-
tem anchors are obstructed.
1. To install the LATCH system compatible
child restraint, insert the child restraint
LATCH system anchor attachments into the
anchor points on the seat. If the child re-
straint is equipped with a top tether, see
“Top tether strap child restraint” later in this
section for installation instructions.
2. After attaching the child restraint and before
placing the child in it, use force to tilt the
child restraint from side to side and tug it
forward to make sure that the child restraint
is securely held in place. It should not move
more than 1 inch.
3. Check to make sure that the child restraint is
properly secured prior to each use.
LATCH anchor point labels
WRS0206
1-40Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 59 of 296
1. Hook
2. Anchor bracket
3. Tether strap
4. Tongue and buckle fastenedTOP TETHER STRAP CHILD
RESTRAINT
This vehicle is equipped with 3 anchor brackets
in the rear cargo area for attaching child restraint
top tether straps.
If your child restraint has a top tether strap, se-
cure the child restraint with the two-point (center)
or three-point seat belt and latch the top strap
hook onto the anchor bracket which provides the
straightest installation of the tether strap. Tighten
the strap according to the manufacturer’s in-structions to remove any slack. Make sure the
shoulder belt is placed between the seat back
and child restraint.
For the rear outboard seating positions, place the
top tether strap over the seat back as shown in
the illustration.
Rear seat outboard position
WRS0207
Rear seat outboard position
WRS0209
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags1-41
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 60 of 296

For the rear center seating position, place the top
tether strap through the split between the rear
seat back cushion as shown in the illustration.
Position the tether as low as possible in the split
before tightening the top tether strap. Do not
place the top tether strap over the seat back to
the side of the split when installing a child re-
straint in the center rear position. In that position
the top tether strap may not stay in place and not
keep the child restraint secure in a crash.
WARNING
In the center position the top tether strap
must be correctly placed between the split
in the rear seat back cushions. If the child
restraint top tether strap is not secured
properly, your child could be seriously in-
jured or killed in an accident.
Secure the top strap to the attaching bracket that
provides the straightest installation of the strap.
Tighten the strap according to the manufactur-
er’s instructions to remove any slack.
WARNING
cChild restraint anchor points are de-
signed to withstand only those loads
imposed by correctly fitted child re-
straints. Under no circumstances are
they to be used for adult seat belts or
harnesses.
cThe child restraint top tether strap may
be damaged by contact with the ton-
neau cover or items in the cargo area.
Remove the tonneau cover from the ve-
hicle or secure it and any cargo. Your
child could be seriously injured or killed
in a collision if the top tether strap is
damaged.1. Anchor point locations
2. Cargo tie down hook flaps
Anchor point locations
Anchor points are located in the cargo area under
the carpet
s1.
If you have any questions when installing a
top strap child restraint on the rear seat,
consult your NISSAN dealer for details.
Rear seat center position
WRS0208WRS0232
1-42Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 61 of 296
Flaps are provided in the carpet for easy access
to the anchor point locations and are marked with
the label shown.INSTALLATION ON FRONT
PASSENGER SEAT
WARNING
cNever install a rear-facing child re-
straint in the front passenger seat.
Supplemental front air bags inflate with
great force. A rear-facing child restraint
could be struck by the supplemental
front air bag in a crash and could seri-
ously injure or kill your child.
WARNING
cNISSAN recommends that child re-
straints be installed in the rear seat.
However, if you must install a forward-
facing child restraint in the front pas-
senger seat, move the passenger seat
to the rearmost position.
cA child restraint with a top tether strap
should not be used in the front passen-
ger seat.
WRS0210WRS0256WRS0378
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags1-43
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 62 of 296

cThe three-point seat belt in your vehicle
is equipped with an automatic locking
mode retractor which must be used
when installing a child restraint.
cFailure to use the retractor’s locking
mode will result in the child restraint
not being properly secured. The re-
straint could tip over or otherwise be
unsecured and cause injury to the child
in a sudden stop or collision.
If you must install a child restraint in the front seat,
follow these steps:
1. Position the child restraint on the front pas-
senger seat.It should be placed in a
front-facing direction only. Move the
seat to the rearmost position.Adjust the
head restraint to its highest position. Always
follow the child restraint manufacturer’s in-
structions.Child restraints for infants
must be used in the rear-facing direc-
tion and therefore must not be used in
the front seat.2. Route the seat belt tongue through the child
restraint and insert it into the buckle until you
hear and feel the latch engage.
Be sure to follow the child restraint manufac-
turer’s instructions for belt routing.
Front Facing — step 1WRS0379
Front Facing — step 2
WRS0159
1-44Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 63 of 296

3. Pull on the shoulder belt until all of the belt is
fully extended. At this time, the seat belt
retractor is in the automatic locking mode
(child restraint mode) . It reverts to emer-
gency locking mode when the seat belt is
fully retracted.4. Allow the seat belt to retract slightly. Pull up
on the shoulder belt to remove any slack in
the belt.
If necessary to ensure the child restraint is
secure, pull the shoulder belt through the
seat belt tongue beyond the stitching in the
belt.
After the seat belt is fully retracted and the child
restraint is removed from the seat, the stitching
on the shoulder belt can be pulled back through
the seat belt tongue. This stitching locates the
seat belt tongue near the top of the seat back for
easy access for passengers.5. Before placing the child in the child restraint,
use force to tilt the child restraint from side
to side, and tug it forward to make sure that
it is securely held in place. It should not move
more than 1 inch.
6. Check that the retractor is in the automatic
locking mode by trying to pull more seat belt
out of the retractor. If you cannot pull any
more belt webbing out of the retractor, the
retractor is in the automatic locking mode.
Front Facing — step 3
WRS0160
Front Facing — step 4
WRS0161
Front Facing — step 5
WRS0380
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags1-45
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X
Page 64 of 296
7. Check to make sure the child restraint is
properly secured prior to each use. If the
seat belt is not locked, repeat steps 3
through 6.
After the child restraint is removed and the seat
belt is fully retracted, the automatic locking mode
(child restraint mode) is canceled.
1-46Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental air bags
ZREVIEW COPY:Ð2004 Xterra(xtr)
Owners Manual(owners)ÐUSA English(nna)
10/23/03Ðdebbie
X