seat back NISSAN 350Z 2003 Z33 User Guide
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should choose a child restraint that fits your
vehicle and always follow the manufacturer's
instructions for installation and use.Larger childrenChildren who are too large for child restraint
systems should be seated and restrained by the
seat belts which are provided.
If the child's seating position has a shoulder belt
that fits close to the face or neck, the use of a
booster seat (commercially available) may help
overcome this. The booster seat should raise the
child so that the shoulder belt is properly posi-
tioned across the top, middle portion of the
shoulder and the lap belt is low on the hips. The
booster seat should fit the vehicle seat and have
a label certifying that it complies with Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Once the child
has grown so the shoulder belt is no longer on or
near the face and neck, use the shoulder belt
without the booster seat.PREGNANT WOMENNISSAN recommends that pregnant women use
seat belts. The seat belt should be worn snug,
and always position the lap belt as low as
possible around the hips, not the waist. Place
the shoulder belt over your shoulder and across
your chest. Never run the lap/shoulder belt overyour abdominal area. Contact your doctor for
specific recommendations.
INJURED PERSONSNISSAN recommends that injured persons use
seat belts, depending on the injury. Check with
your doctor for specific recommendations.
THREE-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
WARNING
IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times.
IDo not ride in a moving vehicle when
the seatback is reclined. This can be
dangerous. The shoulder belt will not
be against your body. In an accident
you could be thrown into it and re-
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ceive neck or other serious injuries.
You could also slide under the lap
belt and receive serious internal inju-
ries.
IFor most effective protection when
the vehicle is in motion, the seat
should be upright. Always sit well
back in the seat and adjust the seat
belt properly.
Fastening the seat belts1. Adjust the seat.
2. Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor
and insert the tongue into the buckle until it
clicks.
The retractor is designed to lock during a
sudden stop or on impact. A slow pulling
motion will permit the belt to move, and
allow you some freedom of movement in
the seat.
3. Position the lap belt portionlow and snug
on the hipsas shown.
4. Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.
The front passenger seat belt has a cinching
mechanism for child restraint installation. It is
referred to as the automatic locking mode. (Also
remember, if you need to install a child restraint,
first obtain an air bag ON/OFF switch and turn
the passenger air bag OFF.)
When the cinching mechanism is activated the
seat belt cannot be withdrawn again until the
seat belt tongue is detached from the buckle and
fully retracted. For additional information, see
ªChild restraintsº later in this section.
The automatic locking mode should be
used only for child restraint installation.During normal seat belt use by a passen-
ger, the locking mode should not be acti-
vated. If it is activated it may cause uncom-
fortable seat belt tension.
WARNING
When fastening the seat belts, be cer-
tain that seatbacks are completely se-
cured in the latched position. If they are
not completely secured in the right po-
sition, passengers may be injured in an
accident or sudden stop.
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possible for even the strongest adult
to resist the forces of a severe acci-
dent. The child could be crushed be-
tween the adult and parts of the ve-
hicle. Also, do not put the same seat
belt around both your child and your-
self.
INever install a child restraint in the
front seat unless an air bag ON/OFF
switch has been installed and the air
bag has been turned OFF. An inflat-
ing supplemental air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill your child.
IAn improperly installed child re-
straint could lead to serious injury or
death in an accident.
In general, child restraints are designed to be
installed with the lap portion of a three-point type
seat belt.
The proper restraint depends on the child's size.
Generally, infants (up to about 1 year and less
than 20 lb (9 kg) should be placed in rear facing
child restraints. Front facing child restraints are
available for children who outgrow rear facing
child restraints.Child restraints for infants and children of various
sizes are offered by several manufacturers.
When selecting any child restraint, keep the
following points in mind:
Ichoose only a restraint with a label certifying
that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 or Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
Icheck the child restraint in your vehicle to be
sure it is compatible with the vehicle's seat
and seat belt system.
Iif 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 proce-
dures.
All US states and Canadian provinces re-
quire that infants and small children be
restrained in approved child restraints at
all times while the vehicle is being oper-
ated.
WARNING
IImproper use of a child restraint can
result in increased injuries for boththe infant or child and other occu-
pants in the vehicle.
IFollow all of the child restraint manu-
facturer's instructions for installation
and use. When purchasing a child
restraint, 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.
IIf the child restraint is not anchored
properly, the risk of a child being
injured in a collision or a sudden stop
greatly increases.
IAdjustable seatbacks should be po-
sitioned to fit the child restraint, but
as upright as possible.
IAfter attaching the child restraint,
test it before you place the child in it.
Tilt it from side to side. Try to tug it
forward and check to see if the belt
holds the restraint in place. If the
restraint is not secure, tighten the
belt as necessary, or put the restraint
in another seat and test it again.
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4. Pull on the shoulder belt until all of the belt is
fully extended. At this time, the belt retractor
is in the automatic locking mode (child re-
straint mode). It reverts back to emergency
locking mode when the belt is fully retracted.5. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on the belt to
remove any slack in the belt.6. 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.
7. 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 belt is in the
automatic locking mode.
8. Check to make sure that the child restraint is
properly secured prior to each use. If the lap
belt is not locked, repeat steps 4 through 7.
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After the child restraint is removed and the seat
belt is allowed to wind back into the retractor,
the automatic locking mode (child restraint
mode) is canceled; the seat belt only locks
during a sudden stop or impact.
Rear facingWhen you install a child restraint in the front
seat, follow these steps:
1. Turn the air bag ON/OFF switch to the OFF
position.
2. Position the child restraint on the front pas-
senger seat. Move the seat to the rearmost
position. The direction of the child restraint
depends on the type of the child restraint and
the size of the child. Always follow the re-
straint manufacturer's instructions.3. 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.
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4. Pull on the shoulder belt until all of the belt is
fully extended. At this time, the belt retractor
is in the automatic locking mode (child re-
straint mode). It reverts back to emergency
locking mode when the belt is fully retracted.5. Allow the belt to retract. Pull up on the belt to
remove any slack in the belt.6. 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.
7. 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 belt is in the
automatic locking mode.
8. Check to make sure that the child restraint is
properly secured prior to each use. If the belt
is not locked, repeat steps 4 through 7.
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After the child restraint is removed and the seat
belt is allowed to wind back into the retractor,
the automatic locking mode (child restraint
mode) is canceled; the seat belt only locks
during a sudden stop or impact.
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WARNING
IDo not leave children, impaired
adults, or pets alone in your vehicle.
They could accidentally injure them-
selves or others through inadvertent
operation 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.
IProperly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.EXHAUST GAS (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Do not breathe exhaust gases; they con-
tain colorless and odorless carbonmonoxide. Carbon monoxide is dan-
gerous. It can cause unconscious-
ness or death.
IIf you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all
windows fully open, and have the
vehicle inspected immediately.
IDo not run the engine in closed
spaces such as a garage.
IDo not park the vehicle with the en-
gine running for any extended length
of time.
IKeep the rear hatch closed while
driving, otherwise exhaust gases
could be drawn into the passenger
compartment. If you must drive with
the rear hatch open, follow these
precautions:
1. Open all the windows.
2. Set the air recirculation mode OFF
and the fan control at the maxi-
mum position to circulate the air.
IIf electrical wiring or other cable con-nections must pass to a trailer
through the seal on the rear hatch or
the body, follow the manufacturer's
recommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
IIf a special body or other equipment
is added for recreational or other
usage, follow the manufacturer's rec-
ommendation to prevent carbon
monoxide entry into the vehicle.
(Some recreational vehicle appli-
ances such as stoves, refrigerator,
heaters, etc. may also generate car-
bon monoxide.)
IThe exhaust system and body should
be inspected by a qualified mechanic
whenever:
a. The vehicle is raised for service.
b. You suspect that exhaust fumes
are entering into the passenger
compartment.
c. You notice a change in the sound
of the exhaust system.PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING5-2
Starting and driving
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Tire rotation*:Tires cannot be rotated in this
vehicle.
Wheel alignment and balance:If the vehicle
pulls to either side while driving on a straight and
level road, or if you detect uneven or abnormal
tire wear, there may be a need for wheel align-
ment.
If the steering wheel or seat vibrates at normal
highway speeds, wheel balancing may be
needed.
For additional information regarding tires, refer to
ªImportant Tire Safety Informationº (US) or ªTire
Safety Informationº (Canada) in the Warranty
Information booklet.
Windshield:Clean the windshield on a regular
basis. Check the windshield at least every six
months for cracks or other damage. Have a
damaged windshield repaired by a qualified re-
pair facility.
Windshield wiper blades*:Check for cracks
or wear if they do not wipe properly.
Doors and engine hood:Check that all doors
and the engine hood operate smoothly as well as
the trunk lid or back hatch. Also make sure that
all latches lock securely. Lubricate if necessary.
Make sure that the secondary latch keeps the
hood from opening when the primary latch is
released.When driving in areas using road salt or other
corrosive materials, check lubrication frequently.
Lights*:Clean the headlights on a regular basis.
Make sure that the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights are all
operating properly and installed securely. Also
check headlight aim.
Inside the vehicleThe maintenance items listed here should be
checked on a regular basis, such as when
performing periodic maintenance, cleaning the
vehicle, etc.
Warning lights and chimes:Make sure that all
warning lights and chimes are operating prop-
erly.
Windshield wiper and washer*:Check that
the wipers and washer operate properly and that
the wipers do not streak.
Windshield defroster:Check that the air
comes out of the defroster outlets properly and
in good quantity when operating the heater or air
conditioner.
Steering wheel:Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free play,
hard steering or strange noises.
Seats:Check seat position controls such as
seat adjusters, seatback recliner, etc. to ensurethey operate smoothly and that all latches lock
securely in every position. Check that the head
restraints move up and down smoothly and that
the locks (if equipped) hold securely in all
latched positions.
Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat belt
system (for example, buckles, anchors, adjusters
and retractors) operate properly and smoothly,
and are installed securely. Check the belt web-
bing for cuts, fraying, wear or damage.
Accelerator pedal:Check the pedal for
smooth operation and make sure the pedal does
not catch or require uneven effort. Keep the floor
mat away from the pedal.
Clutch pedal*:Make sure the pedal operates
smoothly and check that it has the proper free
play.
Brakes:Check that the brakes do not pull the
vehicle to one side when applied.
Brake pedal and booster*:Check the pedal
for smooth operation and make sure it has the
proper distance under it when depressed fully.
Check the brake booster function. Be sure to
keep floor mat away from the pedal.
Parking brake*:Check that the lever has the
proper travel and make sure that the vehicle is
held securely on a fairly steep hill when only the
parking brake is applied.
Maintenance and do-it-yourself
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ceeded. If GVWR is exceeded, remove cargo
as necessary. If either the front or rear GAWR
is exceeded, shift the load or remove cargo
as necessary.
LOADING TIPSIThe GVW must not exceed GVWR or
GAWR as specified on the F.M.V.S.S. certi-
fication label.
IDo not load the front and rear axle to the
GAWR. Doing so will exceed the GVWR.
WARNING
IProperly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
IDo not load your vehicle any heavier
than the GVWR or the maximum front
and rear GAWRs. If you do, parts on
your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle handles.
This could result in loss of controland cause personal injury.
IOverloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle. Failures caused by over-
loading are not covered by your war-
ranty.
Your new vehicle was designed to be used
primarily to carry passengers and cargo. Re-
member that towing a trailer will place additional
loads on your vehicle's engine, drive train, steer-
ing, braking and other systems.
Information on trailer towing ability and the spe-
cial equipment required should be obtained from
your NISSAN dealer. He can obtain aNISSAN
Trailer Towing Guide(US only) for you.
TI1011M
TOWING A TRAILERTechnical and consumer information
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