2011 NISSAN XTERRA Consumer Safety Air Bag Information Guide

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 8
SIDE-IMPACT, CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT, AND CURTAIN SIDE-
IMPACT/ROLLOVER AIR BAG SYSTEMS
Supplemental side-impact air bags, curtain side-impact air bags, and curtain side-
impact/rollover air bags are available on many 2011 NISSAN vehicles. Side-impact air
bags (if so equipped) are located on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats. Curtain
side-impact air bags (if so equipped) and curtain side-impact/rollover air bags (if so
equipped) are located in the left and right side roof rails or in the upper part of the front
door panels.

Side-impact air bags and curtain side-impact air bags are designed to inflate in higher-
severity side collisions, on the side where the vehicle is impacted. However, they may
inflate if the forces in another type of collision are similar to those of a higher-severity side-
impact. Curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are designed to inflate in certain types of
side-impact collisions and rollovers.

Curtain side-impact air bags and curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are different mainly
in their sensing systems: curtain side-impact air bags are activated primarily in a lateral
collision, whereas curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are activated in either a lateral
collision or a rollover. Since a rollover event lasts longer than a side-impact event, curtain
side-impact/rollover air bags are designed to remain inflated longer than curtain side-
impact air bags.

Side-impact air bags and curtain side-impact air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force to the head and chest of the front occupants. In most
NISSAN vehicles, curtain side-impact air bags also help to cushion the impact force to the
head of rear outboard-seated occupants. These air bags can help save lives and reduce
serious injury. However, an inflating side-impact air bag, curtain side-impact air bag, or
curtain side-impact/rollover air bag may cause abrasions or other injuries.

Seat belts should be worn correctly and vehicle occupants seated upright. These air bags
inflate quickly in order to help protect the front or rear occupants. The force of an air bag
inflating can increase the risk of injury if the occupant is too close to or is against the air
bag module during inflation.

Like front air bags, an inflated side-impact air bag as well as an inflated curtain side-impact
air bag will deflate soon after the collision is over. As noted above, an inflated curtain side-
impact/rollover air bag will remain inflated for a short time afterward. See REPLACING
THE AIR BAGS earlier in this guide.

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 9
SIDE AND OTHER COLLISIONS





*Curtain side-impact/rollover air bags (if so equipped) probably will also inflate, depending on the
collision.
On vehicles equipped with curtain side-
impact/rollover air bags, the curtain air
bags on both sides of the vehicle are
designed to activate in certain types of
rollovers. This function is in addition to
the side-impact protection function
described above. The front air bags are
not likely to activate in this situation.


The air bags probably will not activate
if your vehicle is struck from the rear.

On vehicles equipped with side-impact
and curtain side-impact air bags, the air
bags on the side the vehicle was
impacted probably will activate
depending on the collision.* The front
air bags are not likely to activate in this
situation.

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 10
OTHER SPECIFICS ABOUT SIDE-IMPACT, CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT,
AND CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT/ROLLOVER AIR BAG SYSTEMS
ƒ Do not allow anyone sitting in the front seat to extend his or her hand out the window or
lean against the door.
ƒ When sitting in the rear, do not hold onto the seatbacks of the front seats. Be especially
careful with children, who should always be properly seated and restrained.
ƒ Do not allow anyone to place their hand, leg or face near the side-impact air bag
modules on the seatbacks of the front seats or near the curtain side-impact air bag
modules in the roof rails
or in the front door panels.
ƒ Curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are designed to inflate not only in rollovers, but
also in near rollover situations. As a result, certain vehicle movements (for example,
during severe off-road driving) may cause these air bags to inflate.
ƒ See the vehicle owner's manual for other important information about side-impact,
curtain side-impact, and curtain side-impact/rollover air bag systems (if the vehicle is
equipped with these systems).





CHILD SAFETY

WHENEVER A CHILD IS IN YOUR VEHICLE
The risk of serious or fatal injury to children in automobile collisions can be reduced with a
properly installed child restraint. Before you install a child restraint in your vehicle, please
consult the vehicle owner’s manual and the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions for
proper installation.

Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the
front passenger seat. An inflating front passenger
air bag could seriously injure or kill your child.
According to statistics, children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front
seat. NISSAN and the federal government
recommend that children 12 and under should ride
in the rear seat, properly secured in child restraints,
booster seats, or seat belts, according to their size.

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 11
If you must install a forward-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat, move the
passenger seat to the rearmost position. See the vehicle owner’s manual for details and
additional important information.

CHILD RESTRAINTS FOR INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN
Infants and small children should always be placed in an appropriate child restraint while
riding in the vehicle. Failure to use a child restraint can result in serious injury or death.

Children and infants should never be carried on
your lap. It is not possible for even the strongest
adult to resist the forces of a severe collision. 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, or another child.

Always install a child restraint properly, and check
that it is securely held in place by the vehicle’s seat
belt or LATCH system (if so equipped). An improperly installed child restraint could lead to
serious injury or death in a collision. See the vehicle owner’s manual and your child
restraint manufacturer’s instructions for complete details.

Child restraints specially designed for infants and small children are offered by several
manufacturers. When selecting any child restraint, keep the following points in mind:

1. The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) is a universal child
restraint system. This system – which also may be referred to as the ISOFIX or ISOFIX
compatible system – allows the child restraint to be installed into the vehicle without
the use of seat belts. Both the vehicle and child restraint must have LATCH system
capabilities.

2. Choose only a restraint with a label certifying that it complies with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

3. Always make sure the child restraint is appropriate for the age and size of your infant or
small child.

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 12
4. Check the child restraint in your vehicle to be sure it is compatible with the vehicle’s
seat and seat belt system.

5. If 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. Always follow all recommended procedures.

All U.S. states require that infants and small children be restrained in a certified child
restraint at all times while the vehicle is being operated.

THE LATCH SYSTEM (LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR
CH
ILDREN)
Most 2011 NISSAN vehicles are equipped with universal child restraint lower anchors and
top tether anchor for the installation of child restraints equipped with LATCH attachments.
With this system, you do not have to use a vehicle seat belt to secure the child restraint.
Instead, special anchor points are utilized to install the child restraint, provided it is
compatible with the LATCH system. See the vehicle owner’s manual for details and
additional important information.

SNUG KIDS™
The first of its kind, Snug Kids™ is our online guide to selecting
a child restraint seat for your NISSAN vehicle. Our safety
engineers have evaluated numerous child restraint seats and
have compiled their findings to create the Snug Kids™ Child
Safety Seat Fit Guides. These guides include important tips on correct installation
procedures. Visit www.NISSANUSA.com/snugkids to view or download the latest guide

information for finding a child restraint system that is right for your Nissan vehicle.

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 13
SEAT BELT SAFETY

If you are wearing a properly adjusted seat belt, your chances of being injured or killed in a
collision and/or the severity of injury may be greatly reduced. NISSAN strongly encourages
you and all of your passengers to buckle up every time you drive, even if your seating
position includes a supplemental air bag system. Most States require that seat belts be
worn at all times when a vehicle is being driven.




Always route the shoulder belt over your shoulder and across your chest. Never place 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. If available, the shoulder belt anchor
height should be adjusted to the position best suited for you (see the vehicle owner’s
manual for more detail). Position the lap belt as low as possible AROUND YOUR HIPS,
NOT YOUR WAIST. A lap belt worn too high could increase the risk of internal injuries in a
collision. Be sure the seat belt tongue is securely fastened into the proper buckle.

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 14



For the seat belt to be most effective when the vehicle is in motion, the seatback should be
upright. Do not ride in a moving vehicle when the seatback is reclined. This can be
dangerous, as the shoulder belt will not be against your body. In a collision, you could be
thrown into it and receive neck or other serious injuries. You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal injuries. Always sit well back in the seat with both feet on
the floor and adjust the seat belt properly.

OTHER SPECIFICS ABOUT SEAT BELTS
ƒ Do not wear the seat belt inside out or twisted.
ƒ Do not allow more than one person to use the same seat belt.
ƒ Never carry more people in the vehicle than there are seat belts.
ƒ If the seat belt warning light illuminates continuously while the ignition is turned ON with
all doors closed and all seat belts fastened, it may indicate a malfunction in the system;
have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
ƒ See the vehicle owner’s manual for more detailed information to help you better
understand the important safety warnings, system features, operation and maintenance
of your vehicle’s seat belts.

CONCERN FOR YOUR SAFETY
NISSAN urges you to always use your available seat belt restraint system whenever you
drive, even if your vehicle is equipped with supplemental air bags. Please ask all of your
passengers to buckle up too. For children, make sure they are secured in an appropriate
child restraint or booster seat.* Seat belts do save lives. See the vehicle owner’s manual
for details.



* Please see the vehicle owner’s manual and child restraint manufacturer’s instructions for complete

details.

2011 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 15
NISSAN’S CUSTOMER CARE PROGRAM

NISSAN CARES...
Both NISSAN and your NISSAN dealer are dedicated to serving all your automotive needs.
Your complete satisfaction with your vehicle and your NISSAN dealer are our primary
concerns. Your NISSAN dealer is always available to assist you with all your automobile
service requirements.

If, however, a situation arises that you believe has not been addressed to your satisfaction,
we ask that you take the following steps:

STEP 1:
Discuss the situation with the dealership’s manager. If a problem still exists, contact the
dealership’s Consumer Affairs manager or owner. They are best equipped to resolve the
matter for you.

STEP 2:
If the concern still has not been addressed to your satisfaction, please contact our
(NISSAN’s) Consumer Affairs Department using our toll-free telephone number:

1-800-NISSAN-1 (1-800-647-7261)

The Consumer Affairs Department will ask for the following information:
ƒ Your name, address, and telephone number
ƒ Vehicle Identification Number (on dashboard)
ƒ Date of purchase
ƒ Current odometer reading
ƒ Your NISSAN dealer’s name
ƒ Details of the concern

Or, you can write to NISSAN with the above information at:
NISSAN North America, Inc.
Consumer Affairs Department
P.O. Box 685003
Franklin, TN 37068-5003

STEP 3:
In the event that you believe NISSAN has been unable to satisfactorily address the issue
with your vehicle, a special automotive complaint resolution program called BBB AUTO
LINE is available to you. The Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc. (BBB) independently
operates the BBB AUTO LINE program.