2016 NISSAN ALTIMA Owners Manual

WARNING
●When sitting in the rear seat, do not
hold onto the seatback of the front seat.
If the side air bag inflates, you may be
seriously injured. Be especially careful
with children, who should always be
properly restrained. Some examples of
dangerous riding positions are shown
in the illustrations
● Do not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with side
air bag inflation.
WRS0032
LII2184
1-48Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
(front seats)
1. Top tether strap anchor
2. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and roll-over supplemental air bag inflators
3. Rear seat belts
4. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and roll- over supplemental air bag
5. Front seat-mounted side-impact supple- mental air bag
6. Head restraints/headrests
7. Front seat belts
8. Side-impact pressure sensor (driver’s side shown; front passenger’s side similar)
9. Supplemental front-impact air bags
10. Seats
11. Occupant classification sensor (weight sen- sor)
12. Seat belt with pretensioner(s) (front seats)
13. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system
WARNING
To ensure proper operation of the passen-
ger’s NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System,
please observe the following items.
●Do not allow a passenger in the rear
seat to push or pull on the seatback
pocket.
● Do not place heavy loads heavier than
2.2 lb (1 kg) on the seatback, head
restraint/headrest or in the seatback
pocket.
● Do not store luggage behind the seat
that can press into the seatback.
● Do not position the front passenger
seat so it contacts the rear seat. If the
front seat does contact the rear seat,
the air bag system may determine a
sensor malfunction has occurred and
the front passenger air bag status light
may illuminate and the supplemental
air bag warning light may flash. ●
If a forward facing child restraint is in-
stalled in the front passenger seat, do
not position the front passenger seat so
the child restraint contacts the instru-
ment panel. If the child restraint does
contact the instrument panel, the sys-
tem may determine the seat is occupied
and the passenger air bag may deploy
in a collision. Also the front passenger
air bag status light may not illuminate.
For additional information about in-
stalling and using child restraints, refer
to Child restraints in this section.
● Confirm the operating condition with
the front passenger air bag status light.
● If you notice that the front passenger air
bag status light is not operating as de-
scribed in this section. It is recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer to
check the occupant classification
system.
● Until you have confirmed with a dealer
that your passenger seat occupant clas-
sification system is working properly,
position the occupants in the rear seat-
ing positions.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49
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This vehicle is equipped with the NISSAN Ad-
vanced Air Bag System for the driver and front
passenger seats. This system is designed to
meet certification requirements under U.S. regu-
lations. It is also permitted in Canada.However,
all of the information, cautions and warn-
ings in this manual still apply and must be
followed.
The driver supplemental front-impact air bag is
located in the center of the steering wheel. The
front passenger supplemental front-impact air
bag is mounted in the dashboard above the glove
box. The front air bags are designed to inflate in
higher severity frontal collisions, although they
may inflate if the forces in another type of collision
are similar to those of a higher severity frontal
impact. They may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not
always an indication of proper front air bag sys-
tem operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System monitors
information from the crash zone sensor, the Air
bag Control Unit (ACU) , seat belt buckle sensors
and occupant classification sensor (weight sen-
sor) . Inflator operation is based on the severity of
a collision and seat belt usage for the driver. For
the front passenger, the occupant classification
sensor is also monitored. Based on information
from the sensor, only one front air bag may inflate
in a crash, depending on the crash severity and whether the front occupants are belted or un-
belted. Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned off under some con-
ditions, depending on the weight detected on the
front passenger seat and how the seat belt is
used. If the front passenger air bag is OFF, the
front passenger air bag status light will be illumi-
nated (if the seat is unoccupied, the light will not
be illuminated, but the air bag will be off) . For
additional information, refer to “Front passenger
air bag and status light” in this section. One front
air bag inflating does not indicate improper per-
formance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, it is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer to obtain information about the system. If
you are considering modification of your vehicle
due to a disability, you may also contact NISSAN.
Contact information is contained in the front of
this Owner’s Manual.
When a 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 choking. Those with a history
of a breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
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.
Even with NISSAN Advanced Air Bags, seat
belts should be correctly worn and the driver and
front passenger seated upright as far as practical
away from the steering wheel or instrument
panel. The front air bags inflate 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 infla-
tion.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The front air bags operate only when the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position.
After placing the ignition switch in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7 sec-
onds if the system is operational.
1-50Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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Front passenger air bag and status light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF under some condi-
tions. Read this section carefully to learn
how it operates. Proper use of the seat,
seat belt and child restraints is necessary
for most effective protection. Failure to
follow all instructions in this manual con-
cerning the use of seats, seat belts and
child restraints can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.Status light
The front passenger seat is equipped with an
occupant classification sensor (weight sensor)
that turns the front passenger air bag on or off
depending on the weight applied to the front
passenger seat. The status of the front passen-
ger air bag (ON or OFF) is indicated by the front
passenger air bag status light
which is
located on the instrument panel.
After the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the front passenger air bag status light
on the instrument panel illuminates for about
7 seconds and then turns off or remains illumi-
nated depending on the front passenger seat
occupied status. The light operates as follows:
● Unoccupied front passenger’s seat:
The
light is OFF and the front passen-
ger air bag is OFF and will not inflate in a
crash.
● Front passenger seat occupied by a small
adult, child or child restraint as outlined in
this section: The
light illuminates to
indicate that the front passenger air bag is
OFF and will not inflate in a crash.
● Occupied front passenger seat and the pas-
senger meets the conditions as outlined in
this section: The
light is OFF to indi-
cate that the front passenger air bag is op-
erational. In addition to the above, certain objects placed
on the front passenger seat may also cause the
light to operate as described above depending
on their weight.
For additional information related to the normal
operation and troubleshooting of this occupant
classification sensor system, please refer to
“Normal operation” and “Troubleshooting” in this
section.
Front passenger air bag
The front passenger air bag is designed to auto-
matically turn OFF when the vehicle is operated
under some conditions as described below in
accordance with U.S. regulations. If the front
passenger air bag is OFF, it will not inflate in a
crash. The driver air bag and other air bags in your
vehicle are not part of this system.
The purpose of the regulation is to help reduce
the risk of injury or death from an inflating air bag
to certain front passenger seat occupants, such
as children, by requiring the air bag to be auto-
matically turned OFF. Certain sensors are used to
meet the requirements.
The occupant classification sensor in this vehicle
is a weight sensor. It is designed to detect an
occupant and objects on the seat by weight. For
example, if a child is in the front passenger seat,
the NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System is de-
LRS0865
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-51
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signed to turn the front passenger air bag OFF in
accordance with the regulations. Also, if a child
restraint of the type specified in the regulations is
on the seat, its weight and the child’s weight can
be detected and cause the air bag to turn OFF.
Front passenger seat adult occupants who are
properly seated and using the seat belt as out-
lined in this manual should not cause the front
passenger air bag to be automatically turned
OFF. For small adults it may be turned OFF,
however if the occupant takes his/her weight off
the seat cushion (for example, by not sitting up-
right, by sitting on an edge of the seat, or by
otherwise being out of position) , this could cause
the sensor to turn the air bag OFF. Always be
sure to be seated and wearing the seat belt
properly for the most effective protection by the
seat belt and supplemental air bag.
NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and chil-
dren be properly restrained in a rear seat.
NISSAN also recommends that appropriate child
restraints and booster seats be properly installed
in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the occupant
classification sensor is designed to operate as
described above to turn the front passenger air
bag OFF for specified child restraints as required
by the regulations. Failing to properly secure
child restraints and to use the ALR mode may
allow the restraint to tip or move in a collision or
sudden stop. This can also result in the passen-ger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being
OFF. For additional information about proper use
and installation, refer to “Child restraints” in this
section.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
front passenger air bag is designed not to inflate
in a crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object’s weight detected by the occupant
classification sensor. Other conditions could also
result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants
are seated and restrained properly.
Using the front passenger air bag status light, you
can monitor when the front passenger air bag is
automatically turned OFF with the seat occupied.
The light will not illuminate when the front pas-
senger seat is unoccupied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the front
passenger air bag status light is illuminated (indi-
cating that the air bag is OFF) , it could be that the
person is a small adult, or is not sitting on the seat
properly or not using the seat belt properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front seat,
the front passenger air bag status light may or
may not be illuminated, depending on the size of
the child and the type of child restraint beingused. If the air bag status light is not illuminated
(indicating that the air bag might inflate in a
crash) , it could be that the child restraint or seat
belt is not being used properly. Make sure that
the child restraint is installed properly, the seat
belt is used properly and the occupant is posi-
tioned properly. If the air bag status light is still not
illuminated, reposition the occupant or child re-
straint in a rear seat.
If the front passenger air bag status light will not
illuminate even though you believe that the child
restraint, the seat belts and the occupant are
properly positioned, the system may be sensing
an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is
OFF) . A NISSAN dealer can check that the sys-
tem is OFF by using a special tool. However, until
you have confirmed with your dealer that your air
bag is working properly, reposition the occupant
or child restraint in a rear seat.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System and front
passenger air bag status light will take a few
seconds to register a change in the front passen-
ger seat status. For example, if a large adult who
is sitting in the front passenger seat exits the
vehicle, the front passenger air bag status light
will go from OFF to ON for a few seconds and
then to OFF. This is normal system operation and
does not indicate a malfunction.
1-52Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges area
of the instrument panel, will blink. Have the sys-
tem checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Normal operation
In order for the occupant classification sensor
system to classify the front passenger based on
weight, please follow the precautions and steps
outlined below:
Precautions
● Make sure that there are no objects weigh-
ing over 2.2 lbs (1 kg) hanging on the seat or
placed in the seatback pocket.
● Make sure that a child restraint or other
object is not pressing against the rear of the
seatback.
● Make sure that a rear passenger is not push-
ing or pulling on the back of the front pas-
senger seat.
● Make sure that the front passenger seat or
seatback is not forced back against an ob-
ject on the seat or floor behind it.
● Make sure that there is no object placed
under the front passenger seat. Steps
1. Adjust the seat as outlined in the “Seats” section of this manual. Sit upright, leaning
against the seatback, and centered on the
seat cushion with your feet comfortably ex-
tended to the floor.
2. Make sure there are no objects on your lap.
3. Fasten the seat belt as outlined in the “Seat belts” section of this manual.
4. Remain in this position for 30 seconds al- lowing the system to classify the front pas-
senger before the vehicle is put into motion.
5. Ensure proper classification by checking the front passenger air bag status light.
NOTE:
This vehicle’s occupant classification sen-
sor system locks the classification during
driving so it is important that you confirm
that the front passenger is properly classi-
fied prior to driving. Also, the occupant
classification sensor system may recalcu-
late the weight of the occupant when the
vehicle comes to a stop (i.e. stop light, stop
sign, etc.) , so front passenger seat occu-
pants should continue to remain seated as
outlined above. Troubleshooting
If you think the front passenger air bag status light
is incorrect:
1. If the light is ON with no front passenger and no objects on the front passenger seat:
This may be due to the following conditions that
may be interfering with the weight sensors: ● An object weighing over 2.2 lbs (1 kg) hang-
ing on the seat or placed in the seatback
pocket.
● A child restraint or other object pressing
against the rear of the seatback.
● A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the
back of the front passenger seat.
● Forcing the front seat or seatback against an
object on the seat or floor behind it.
● An object placed under the front passenger
seat.
● An object placed between the seat cushion
and center console or between the seat
cushion and the door.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a stop
when it is safe to do so. Check and correct any of
the above conditions. Restart the vehicle and
wait 1 minute.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-53
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NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still ON after this, the vehicle should
be checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as
possible.2. If the light is ON with an adult occupying the front passenger seat:
● Occupant is a small adult — the air bag light
is functioning as intended. The front passen-
ger air bag is suppressed.
However, if the occupant is not a small adult, then
this may be due to the following conditions that
may be interfering with the weight sensors: ● Occupant is not sitting upright, leaning
against the seatback, and centered on the
seat cushion with his/her feet comfortably
extended to the floor.
● A child restraint or other object pressing
against the rear of the seatback.
● A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the
back of the front passenger seat.
● Forcing the front seat or seatback against an
object on the seat or floor behind it. ●
An object placed under the front passenger
seat.
● An object placed between the seat cushion
and center console or between the seat
cushion and the door.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a stop
when it is safe to do so. Check and correct any of
the above conditions. Restart the vehicle and
wait 1 minute.
NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still ON after this, the person should
be advised not to ride in the front passenger seat
and the vehicle should be checked by a NISSAN
dealer as soon as possible. 3. If the light is OFF with a small adult, child or child restraint occupying the front passen-
ger seat.
This may be due to the following conditions
that may be interfering with the weight sen-
sors: ●
Small adult or child is not sitting upright,
leaning against the seatback, and centered
on the seat cushion with his/her feet com-
fortably extended to the floor.
● The child restraint is not properly installed,
as outlined in the “Child restraints” section of
this manual.
● An object weighing over 2.2 lbs (1 kg) hang-
ing on the seat or placed in the seatback
pocket.
● A child restraint or other object pressing
against the rear of the seatback.
● A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the
back of the front passenger seat.
● Forcing the front seat or seatback against an
object on the seat or floor behind it.
● An object placed under the front passenger
seat.
● An object placed between the seat cushion
and center console.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a stop
when it is safe to do so. Check and correct any of
the above conditions. Restart the vehicle and
wait 1 minute.
1-54Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still OFF after this, the small adult,
child or child restraint should be repositioned in
the rear seat and the vehicle should be checked
by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
Other supplemental front-impact air bag
precautions
WARNING
●Do not place any objects on the steering
wheel pad or on the instrument panel.
Also, do not place any objects between
any occupant and the steering wheel or
instrument panel. Such objects may be-
come dangerous projectiles and cause
injury if the front air bags inflate.
● Immediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will be
hot. Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself. ●
No 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.
● Do not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the front air bag system.
● Tampering with the 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.
● Removing or modifying the front pas-
senger seat may affect the function of
the air bag system and result in serious
personal injury. ●
Modifying or tampering with the front
passenger seat may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing mate-
rial on the seat cushion or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, on the seat that are not specifi-
cally designed to assure proper air bag
operation. Additionally, do not stow any
objects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback. Such
objects may interfere with the proper
operation of the occupant classification
sensor (weight sensor) .
● No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the seat belt system. This may affect the
front air bag system. Tampering with
the seat belt system may result in seri-
ous personal injury.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-55
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