1-60Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
personal injury.
. Immediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the supplemental air bag system.
This is to prevent accidental infla-
tion of the supplemental air bag or
damage to the supplemental air bag
system.
. Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the front air bag sys-
tem.
. Tampering with the air bag system
may result in serious personal in-
jury. Tampering includes changes to
the steering wheel and the instru-
ment panel assembly by placing
material over the steering wheel
pad and above the instrument panel
or by installing additional trim ma-
terial around the air bag system. .
Removing or modifying the front
passenger seat may affect the func-
tion 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 exam-
ple, do not change the front seats by
placing material on the seat cushion
or by installing additional trim ma-
terial, such as seat covers, on the
seat that is not specifically designed
to assure proper air bag operation.
Additionally, do not stow any ob-
jects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback.
Such objects may interfere with the
proper operation of the occupant
classification sensors.
. 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 serious personal in-
jury.
. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for work on and
around the front air bag. It is also recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for installation of electrical
equipment. The Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) wiring har-
nesses* should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the
air bag system.
. A cracked windshield should be
replaced immediately by a qualified
repair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect the function of the
supplemental air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the front air bag system
and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections
in this Owner’s Manual.
1-62Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
.Right after inflation, several side air
bags and curtain air bag system
components will be hot. Do not
touch them; you may severely burn
yourself.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of side air bag and curtain air bags.
This is to prevent damage to or
accidental inflation of the side air
bag and curtain air bag systems.
. Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation
of the side air bag and curtain air
bag systems.
. Tampering with the air bag system
may result in serious personal in-
jury. For example, do not change the
front seats by placing material near
the seatback or by installing addi-
tional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bags.
. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for work on and
around the side air bag and curtain
air bag systems. It is also recom-
mended you visit a NISSAN dealer for installation of electrical equip-
ment. The Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) wiring harnesses*
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the side-
impact air bag system.
*
The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the side air bag and
curtain air bag systems and guide the buyer to
the appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SEAT BELTS WITH PRETENSIONERS
(front seats)
WARNING
.The pretensioners cannot be reused
after activation. They must be re-
placed together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.
. If the vehicle becomes involved in a
collision but a pretensioner is not
activated, be sure to have the pre-
tensioner system checked and, if
necessary replaced. It is recom- mended you visit a NISSAN dealer
for this service.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the pretensioner system. This is
to prevent damage to or accidental
activation of the pretensioners.
Tampering with the pretensioner
system may result in serious perso-
nal injury.
. It is recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for work on and
around the pretensioner system. It
is also recommended you visit a
NISSAN dealer for installation of
electrical equipment. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and prob-
ing devices should not be used on
the pretensioner system.
. If you need to dispose of a preten-
sioner or scrap the vehicle, it is
recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. Correct pre-
tensioner disposal procedures are
set forth in the appropriate NISSAN
Service Manual. Incorrect disposal
procedures could cause personal
injury.
1-64Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
SPA1097
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light, display-
ingin the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits for the air bag systems, pretensioners
and all related wiring.
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns off.
This means the SRS air bag systems are
operational. If any of the following conditions occur, the air
bag and/or pretensioner systems need servi-
cing:
.
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on approximately 7 seconds after
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
. The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the air bag and/or
pretensioner systems may not operate properly.
They must be checked and repaired. It is
recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag and curtain air bag
and/or pretensioner systems will not
operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked as soon as possible. It
is recommended you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PRO-
CEDURE
The front air bags, side air bags and curtain air
bags and pretensioners are designed to activate
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
occurred. These systems should be repaired
and/or replaced as soon as possible. It is
recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer for
this service.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags and
curtain air bags, pretensioners and related parts
should be pointed out to the person conducting
the maintenance. The ignition switch should
always be in the LOCK position when working
under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
. Once a front air bag, side air bag or
curtain air bag has inflated, the air
bag module will not function again
and must be replaced. Additionally,
the activated pretensioner must
also be replaced. The air bag mod-
ule and pretensioner should be
replaced. It is recommended you
5-2Starting and driving
WARNING
.Do not leave children or adults who
would normally require the support
of others alone in your vehicle. Pets
should not be left alone either. They
could accidentally injure themselves
or others through inadvertent op-
eration of the vehicle. Also, on hot,
sunny days, temperatures in a
closed vehicle could quickly become
high enough to cause severe or
possibly fatal injuries to people or
animals.
. Properly secure all cargo with ropes
or straps to help prevent it from
sliding or shifting. Do not place
cargo higher than the seatbacks. In
a sudden stop or collision, unse-
cured cargo could cause personal
injury.
EXHAUST GAS (carbon monoxide)
WARNING
.Do not breathe exhaust gases; they
contain colorless and odorless car-
bon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is
dangerous. It can cause uncon-
sciousness or death.
. If you suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering the vehicle, drive with
all windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
. Do not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.
. Do not park the vehicle with the
engine running for any extended
length of time.
. Keep the liftgate closed while driv-
ing, otherwise exhaust gases could
be drawn into the passenger com-
partment. If you must drive with the
liftgate open, follow these precau-
tions:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the
air recirculation to off
and the fan control to high to circulate the air.
. If electrical wiring or other cable
connections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the liftgate or
the body, follow the manufacturer’s
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
. If a special body, camper or other
equipment is added for recreational
or other usage, follow the manufac-
turer’s recommendation to prevent
carbon monoxide entry into the
vehicle. (Some recreational vehicle
appliances such as stoves, refrig-
erators, heaters, etc. may also gen-
erate carbon monoxide.)
. The exhaust system and body
should be inspected by a qualified
mechanic whenever:
— The vehicle is raised for service.
— You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
— You notice a change in the sound of the exhaust system.
— You have had an accident invol- ving damage to the exhaust
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING
.Have your vehicle serviced more often than
at intervals specified in the recommended
maintenance schedule shown in the “9.
Maintenance and schedules” section.
. When making a turn, your trailer wheels will
be closer to the inside of the turn than your
vehicle wheels. To compensate for this,
make a larger than normal turning radius
during the turn.
. Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely
affect vehicle/trailer handling, possibly caus-
ing vehicle sway. When being passed by
larger vehicles, be prepared for possible
changes in crosswinds that could affect
vehicle handling. If swaying does occur,
firmly grip the steering wheel, steer straight
ahead, and immediately (but gradually)
reduce vehicle speed. This combination will
help stabilize the vehicle. Never increase
speed.
Do the following if the trailer begins to sway:
1. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal to allow the vehicle to coast and steer as
straight ahead as the road conditions allow.
This combination will help stabilize the
vehicle.
.Do not correct trailer sway by steering orapplying the brakes. 2. When the trailer sway stops, gently apply
the brakes and pull to the side of the road in
a safe area.
3. Try to rearrange the trailer load so it is balanced as described earlier in this section.
. Be careful when passing other vehicles.
Passing while towing a trailer requires
considerably more distance than normal
passing. Remember the length of the trailer
must also pass the other vehicle before you
can safely change lanes.
. Down shift the transmission to a lower gear
for engine braking when driving down steep
or long hills. This will help slow the vehicle
without applying the brakes.
. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too
long or too frequently. This could cause the
brakes to overheat, resulting in reduced
braking efficiency.
. Increase your following distance to allow for
greater stopping distances while towing a
trailer. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
. Do not use cruise control while towing a
trailer.
. Some states or provinces have specific
regulations and speed limits for vehicles
that are towing trailers. Obey the local
speed limits. .
Check your hitch, trailer wiring harness
connections, and trailer wheel lug nuts after
50 miles (80 km) of travel and at every
break.
. When stopped in traffic for long periods of
time in hot weather, put the vehicle in the P
(Park) position.
. When launching a boat, don’t allow the
water level to go over the exhaust tail pipe or
rear bumper.
. Make sure you disconnect the trailer lights
before backing the trailer into the water or
the trailer lights may burn out.
When towing a trailer, the transmission
fluid should be changed more frequently.
For additional information, see the “9.
Maintenance and schedules” section.
FLAT TOWING
Towing your vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is sometimes called flat towing. This
method is sometimes used when towing a
vehicle behind a recreational vehicle, such as a
motor home.
CAUTION
. Failure to follow these guidelines
can result in severe transmission
Technical and consumer information10-23