2008 NISSAN ALTIMA Owners Manual

s2Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor
and insert the tongue into the buckle until
you hear and feel the latch engage.
cThe retractor is designed to lock during
a sudden stop or on impact. A slow
pulling motion permits the seat belt to
move, and allows you some freedom of
movement in the seat.
cIf the seat belt cannot be pulled from
its fully retracted position, firmly pull
the belt and release it. Then smoothly
pull the belt out of the retractor.s3Position the lap belt portionlow and snug
on the hipsas shown.
s4Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack. Be sure the
shoulder belt is routed over your shoulder
and across your chest.
The front passenger seat and the rear seating
positions three-point seat belts have a locking
mechanism for child restraint installation. It is
referred to as the Automatic Locking Retractor
(ALR) mode or child restraint mode.
When ALR is activated the seat belt cannot be
extended again until the seat belt tongue is de-
tached from the buckle and fully retracted. Onceretracted, the seat belt is in the Emergency Lock-
ing Retractor (ELR) mode. See “Child restraints”
later in this section for more information.
The ALR mode should be used only for
child restraint installation. During normal
seat belt use by a passenger, the locking
mode should not be activated. If it is acti-
vated it may cause uncomfortable seat belt
tension.
WARNING
When fastening the seat belts, be certain
that the 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.
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Unfastening the seat belts
s1To unfasten the seat belt, press the button on
the buckle. The seat belt automatically re-
tracts.
Checking seat belt operation
Seat belt retractors are designed to lock seat belt
movement by two separate methods:
cWhen the seat belt is pulled quickly from the
retractor.
cWhen the vehicle slows down rapidly.
To increase your confidence in the seat belts,
check the operation as follows.cGrasp the shoulder belt and pull forward
quickly. The retractor should lock and re-
strict further belt movement.
If the retractor does not lock during this check or
if you have any questions about seat belt opera-
tion, see a NISSAN dealer.
Shoulder belt guide
The shoulder arm can be adjusted to allow easier
access to the should belt. The arm can also be
folded down to allow rear seat passengers easier
access.
SEAT BELT EXTENDERS
If, because of body size or driving position, it is
not possible to properly fit the lap-shoulder belt
and fasten it, an extender is available which is
compatible with the installed seat belts. The ex-
tender adds approximately 8 inches (200 mm) of
length and may be used for either the driver or
front passenger seating position. See a NISSAN
dealer for assistance if an extender is required.
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WARNING
cOnly NISSAN seat belt extenders, made
by the same company which made the
original equipment seat belts, should
be used with NISSAN seat belts.
cAdults and children who can use the
standard seat belt should not use an
extender. Such unnecessary use could
result in serious personal injury in the
event of an accident.
cNever use seat belt extenders to install
child restraints. If the child restraint is
not secured properly, the child could be
seriously injured in a collision or a sud-
den stop.
SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE
cTo clean the seat belt webbing,apply a
mild soap solution or any solution recom-
mended for cleaning upholstery or carpet.
Then wipe with a cloth and allow the seat
belts to dry in the shade. Do not allow the
seat belts to retract until they are completely
dry.
cIf dirt builds up in the shoulder belt
guideof the seat belt anchors, the seat
belts may retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder
belt guide with a clean, dry cloth.cPeriodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal components,such as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible wires
and anchors, work properly. If loose parts,
deterioration, cuts or other damage on the
webbing is found, the entire seat belt as-
sembly should be replaced.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHILD
RESTRAINTS
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CHILD RESTRAINTS
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WARNING
cInfants and small children should al-
ways be placed in an appropriate child
restraint while riding in the vehicle.
Failure to use a child restraint can re-
sult in serious injury or death.
cInfants and small children should never
be carried on your lap. It is not possible
for even the strongest adult to resist the
forces of a severe accident. The child
could be crushed between the adult and
parts of the vehicle. Also, do not put the
same seat belt around both your child
and yourself.cEven with the NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System, never install a rear-facing
child restraint in the front seat. An in-
flating supplemental front air bag could
seriously injure or kill your child. A rear-
facing child restraint must only be used
in the rear seat.
cNISSAN recommends that the child re-
straint be installed in the rear seat. Ac-
cording to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in
the rear seat than in the front seat. If
you must install a front facing child re-
straint in the front seat, see “Child re-
straint installation using the seat belts”
later in this section.
cImproper use or improper installation
of a child restraint can increase the risk
or severity of injury for both the child
and other occupants of the vehicle and
can lead to serious injury or death in an
accident.
cFollow all of the child restraint manu-
facturer’s instructions for installation
and use. When purchasing a child re-
straint, be sure to select one which will
fit your child and vehicle. It may not be
possible to properly install some types
of child restraints in your vehicle.cIf the child restraint is not anchored
properly, the risk of a child being in-
jured in a collision or a sudden stop
greatly increases.
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.
cAdjustable seatbacks should be posi-
tioned to fit the child restraint, but as
upright as possible.
cAfter attaching the child restraint, test it
before you place the child in it. Push it
from side to side while holding the seat
near the LATCH attachment or by the
seat belt path. Try to tug it forward and
check to see if the belt holds the re-
straint in place. The child restraint
should not move more than 1 inch (25
mm) . If the restraint is not secure,
tighten the belt as necessary, or put the
restraint in another seat and test it
again. You may need to try a different
child restraint. Not all child restraints fit
in all types of vehicles.
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cWhen your child restraint is not in use,
keep it secured with the LATCH System
or a seat belt to prevent it from being
thrown around in case of a sudden stop
or accident.
CAUTION
Remember that a child restraint left in a
closed vehicle can become very hot.
Check the seating surface and buckles
before placing your child in the child
restraint.
This vehicle is equipped with a universal child
restraint lower anchor system, referred to as the
Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren System
or LATCH. Some child restraints include two rigid
or webbing-mounted attachments that can be
connected to these lower anchors. For details,
see the “Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren
System (LATCH)” later in this section.
If you do not have a LATCH compatible child
restraint, the vehicle seat belts can be used. See
“Child restraint installation using the seat belts”
later in this section. In general, child restraints are
also designed to be installed with the lap portion
of a lap/shoulder seat belt.Several manufacturers offer child restraints for
infants and small children of various sizes. When
selecting any child restraint, keep the following
points in mind:
cChoose only a restraint with a label certifying
that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 or Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
cCheck the child restraint in your vehicle to be
sure it is compatible with the vehicle’s seat
and seat belt system.
cIf the child restraint is compatible with your
vehicle, place your child in the child restraint
and check the various adjustments to be
sure the child restraint is compatible with
your child. Choose a child restraint that is
designed for your child’s height and weight.
Always follow all recommended procedures.
All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require that infants and small
children be restrained in an approved child
restraint at all times while the vehicle is
being operated.
LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS
FOR CHILDREN SYSTEM (LATCH)
Your vehicle is equipped with special anchor
points that are used with Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren System (LATCH) compat-
ible child restraints. This system may also be
referred to as the ISOFIX or ISOFIX compatible
system. With this system, you do not have to use
a vehicle seat belt to secure the child restraint.
The LATCH anchor points are provided to install
child restraints in the rear outboard seating posi-
tions only. Do not attempt to install a child restraint
in the center position using the LATCH anchors.
LATCH system anchor locations
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LATCH lower anchor point locations
The LATCH anchors are located at the rear of the
seat cushion near the seatback. A label is at-
tached to the seatback to help you locate the
LATCH anchors.
WARNING
cAttach LATCH compatible child re-
straints only at the locations shown in
the illustration. 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 anchors. The child restraint will
not be secured properly.
cChild restraint anchor points 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.
Installing child restraint LATCH anchor
attachments
LATCH compatible child restraints include two
rigid or webbing-mounted attachments that can
be connected to two anchors located at certain
seating positions in your vehicle. With this sys-
tem, you do not have to use a vehicle seat belt to
secure the child restraint. Check your child re-
straint for a label stating that it is compatible with
LATCH. This information may also be in the in-
structions provided by the child restraint manu-
facturer.
LATCH lower anchor location
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(if so equipped)
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LATCH webbing-mounted attachment
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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. See “Child
restraint installation using LATCH” in this section.
TOP TETHER STRAP CHILD
RESTRAINT
If the manufacturer of your child restraint requires
the use of a top tether strap, it must be secured to
the anchor point.
WARNING
Child restraint anchor points are designed
to withstand only those loads imposed by
correctly fitted child restraints. Under no
circumstances are they to be used for
adult seat belts or harnesses.
Top Tether Anchor Point Locations
Anchor points are located on the rear parcel
shelf.
Installing top tether strap
LATCH rigid-mounted attachment
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First, secure the child restraint with the seat belt
or LATCH System (rear outboard seat positions
only) , as applicable.
1. Flip up the anchor cover from the anchor
point which is located directly behind the
child seat.
2. Position the top tether strap over the top of
the seatback.
3. Secure the tether strap to the tether anchor
bracket that provides the straightest instal-
lation.4. Tighten the tether strap according to the
manufacturer’s instructions to remove any
slack.
If you have any questions when installing a
top tether strap child restraint on the rear
seat, consult your NISSAN dealer for de-
tails.
CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION
USING LATCH
WARNING
cAttach LATCH compatible child re-
straints only at the locations shown. For
the LATCH lower anchor locations, see
“Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHil-
dren System (LATCH)” in this section. If
a child restraint is not secured properly,
your child could be seriously injured or
killed in an accident.
cThe LATCH anchors are designed to
withstand only those loads imposed by
correctly fitted child restraints. Under
no circumstance are they to be used for
adult seat belts or harnesses.cInspect the lower anchors by inserting
your fingers into the lower anchor area
and feeling to make sure there are no
obstructions over the LATCH anchors,
such as seat belt webbing or seat cush-
ion material. The child restraint will not
be secured properly if the LATCH an-
chors are obstructed.
Front-facing
Follow these steps to install a front-facing child
restraint using LATCH:
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