NISSAN 350Z 2003 Z33 User Guide

Adjust the head restraints so the center is level
with the center of your ears.
WARNING
Head restraints should be adjusted
properly as they may provide significant
protection against injury in an accident.
Do not remove them. Check the adjust-
ment after someone else uses the seat.
PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEMThis Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger front impact supple-
mental air bags, front seat side-impact supple-
mental air bags, curtain side-impact air bags and
front seat pre-tensioner seat belts.
Supplemental front impact air bag system:
This system can help cushion the impact force to
the face and chest of the driver and front
passenger in certain frontal collisions.
Supplemental side-impact air bag system
(if so equipped):This system can help cushion
the impact force to the chest area of the driver
and front passenger in certain side impact colli-
sions. The front seat side-impact supplemental
air bags are designed to inflate on the side
where the vehicle is impacted.
Supplemental curtain side-impact air bag
system (if so equipped):This system can help
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in certain side impact collisions. The cur-
tain side-impact air bags are designed to inflate
on the side where the vehicle is impacted.
These supplemental restraint systems are de-
signed tosupplementthe crash protection
provided by the driver and passenger seat beltsand arenot a substitutefor them. Seat belts
should always be correctly worn and the occu-
pant seated a suitable distance away from the
steering wheel, instrument panel, door finishers
and side roof rails. (See ªSeat beltsº later in this
section for instructions and precautions on seat
belt usage.)
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the systems are operational.
SSS0178
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-6
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

WARNING
IThe supplemental front air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a
side impact, rear impact, roll over, or
lower severity frontal collision. Al-
ways wear your seat belts to help
reduce the risk or severity of injury in
various kinds of accidents.
IThe seat belts and the supplemental
front air bags are most effectivewhen you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat. Front air bags
inflate with great force. If you are
unrestrained, leaning forward, sitting
sideways or out of position in any
way, you are at greater risk of injury
or death in a crash. You may also
receive serious or fatal injuries from
the supplemental front air bag if you
are up against it when it inflates.
Always sit back against the seatback
and as far away as practical from thesteering wheel or instrument panel.
Always use the seat belts.
IThe driver and front passenger seat
belt buckles are equipped with sen-
sors that detect if the seat belts are
fastened. The air bag system moni-
tors the severity of a collision and
then inflates the air bags based on
belt usage. Failure to properly wear
seat belts can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.
IKeep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when
the supplemental front air bag in-
flates.
SSS0131Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-7
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

SSS0132
SSS0016
1-8
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

SSS0006SSS0007
SSS0008SSS0009
SSS0099SSS0100
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-9
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

WARNING
INever let children 12 or under ride in
this vehicle. Do not attempt to hold
them in your lap or arms. Some ex-
amples of dangerous riding positions
are shown in the previous illustra-
tions.
IChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental front
air bags or supplemental side and
curtain side-impact air bags (if so
equipped) inflate.
IAlso never install a child restraint in
the front seat. An inflating supple-
mental front air bag could seriously
injure or kill your child.
IFor information about installing an
air bag ON/OFF switch in your ve-
hicle so children can be transported,
see ªObtaining an air bag ON/OFF
switchº later in this section.
WARNING
Supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag (if so equipped):
IThe supplemental side air bag and
curtain side-impact air bag ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a fron-
tal impact, rear impact, rollover or
lower severity side collision. Always
wear your seat belts to help reduce
the risk or severity of injury in various
kinds of accidents.IThe seat belts, the supplemental side
air bag and curtain side-impact air
bag are most effective when you are
sitting well back and upright in the
seat. The side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag inflate with great
force. Do not allow anyone to place
their hand, leg or face near the side
air bag on the side of the seatback of
the front seat or near the side roof
rails. Do not allow anyone sitting in
the front seat to extend their hand
SSS0101
SSS0159
1-10
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

out of the window or lean against the
door. Some examples of dangerous
riding positions are shown in the pre-
vious illustrations.
IDo not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
COMPONENTS OF THE
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front air bag modules
3. Supplemental curtain side-impact air bags
4. Supplemental curtain side-impact air bag
modules
5. Diagnosis sensor unit
6. Satellite sensors
7. Seat belt pre-tensioner retractor
8. Supplemental side air bag modules
Supplemental front air bag systemThe driver supplemental air bag is located in the
center of the steering wheel; the front passenger
supplemental air bag is mounted in the instru-
ment panel. These systems are designed to
meet optional certification requirements under
U.S. regulations. They are also permitted in
Canada. The optional certification allows front air
bags to be designed to inflate somewhat less
forcefully than previously.However, all of the
information, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
The front air bags are designed to inflate in
higher severity frontal collisions, although they
SSS0162
SSS0205
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-11
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

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 supplemental
air bag operation.
The supplemental air bag system has dual stage
inflators for both the driver and passenger air
bags. The system monitors information from the
crash zone sensor, the diagnosis sensor unit and
seat belt buckle sensors that detect if the seat
belts are fastened, inflator operation is based on
the severity of a collision and whether the seat
belts are being used. Only one front air bag may
inflate in a crash, depending on the crash sever-
ity and whether the front occupants are belted or
unbelted. This does not indicate improper per-
formance of the system. If you have any ques-
tions about the performance of your air bag
system, please contact your NISSAN dealer.
When the supplemental front air bag inflates, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a fire. Care should be taken
not to inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.
Supplemental front air bags, along with the use
of seat belts, help to cushion the impact force onthe 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.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel. The supplemental front air bags
inflates 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 air
bag module during inflation. The air bag will
deflate quickly after the collision is over.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
WARNING
IDo not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant andthe steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause in-
jury if the supplemental front air bag
inflates.
IRight after inflation, several air bag
system components will be hot. Do
not touch them; you may severely
burn yourself.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental front air bag sys-
tem. This is to prevent accidental in-
flation of the air bag or damage to
the air bag system.
IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental air
bag system.
ITampering with the supplemental
front air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. Tampering
1-12
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

includes changes to the steering
wheel and the instrument panel as-
sembly by placing material over the
steering wheel pad, above the dash-
board, or by installing additional trim
material around the air bag system.
IWork around and on the supplemen-
tal front air bag system should be
done by a NISSAN dealer. Installa-
tion of electrical equipment should
also be done by a NISSAN dealer.
The yellow and orange Supplemental
Restrain System (SRS) wiring and
connectors should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the air
bag system.
IA cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect inflation of the supple-
mental air bag system.
IThe SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow and orange for easyidentification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental front air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner's Manual.
Supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag systems (if so
equipped)The supplemental side air bags are located in
the outside of the seatback of the front seats.
The supplemental curtain side-impact air bags
are located in the side roof rails. These systems
are designed to meet voluntary guidelines to
help reduce the risk of injury to out-of-position
occupants.However, all of the information,
cautions and warnings in this manual still
apply and must be followed.The supplemen-
tal side air bags and curtain side-impact air bags
are designed to inflate in higher severity side
SSS0209
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-13
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

collisions, although they may inflate if the forces
in another type of collision are similar to those of
a higher severity side impact. They are designed
to inflate on the side where the vehicle is
impacted. They may not inflate in certain side
collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not
always an indication of proper supplemental side
air bag and curtain side-impact air bag opera-
tion.
When the supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag inflate, a fairly loud noise
may be heard, followed by release of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate
a fire. Care should be taken not to inhale it, as it
may cause irritation and choking. Those with a
history of a breathing condition should get fresh
air promptly.
Supplemental side air bags, along with the use
of seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the chest of the front occupants. Curtain side-
impact air bags help to cushion the impact force
to the head of occupants. They can help save
lives and reduce serious injuries. However, an
inflating side air bag and curtain side-impact air
bag may cause abrasions or other injuries.
Supplemental side air bags and curtain side-
impact air bags do not provide restraint to the
lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far aspractical away from the side air bag, and seated
as far away as practical from the door finishers
and side roof rails. The side air bags and curtain
side-impact air bag inflate quickly in order to
help protect the front occupants. Because of
this, the force of the side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag inflating can increase the risk
of injury if the occupant is too close to, or is
against, these air bag modules during inflation.
The side air bag and curtain side-impact air bag
will deflate quickly after the collision is over.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
systems are operational.
WARNING
IDo not place any objects near the
seatback of the front seats. Also, do
not place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door fin-
isher and the front seat. Such objects
may become dangerous projectiles
and cause injury if the side air bag
inflates.
IRight after inflation, several side airbag and curtain air bag system com-
ponents will be hot. Do not touch
them; you may severely burn your-
self.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
this side air bag and curtain side-
impact air bag system. This is to pre-
vent accidental inflation of the side
air bag and curtain side-impact air
bag or damage to the side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag sys-
tem.
IDo not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental side air bag and
curtain side-impact air bag system.
ITampering with the supplemental
system may result in serious per-
sonal injury. For example, do not
change the front seat by placing ma-
terial near the seatback or by install-
ing additional trim material, such as
1-14
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X

seat covers, around the side air bag.
IWork around and on the side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag sys-
tem should be done by a NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. The SRS wiring har-
nesses* should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the side
air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harnesses are cov-
ered with yellow insulation either just
before the harness connectors or
over the complete harness for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the side air bag and
curtain side-impact air bag system and guide the
buyer to the appropriate sections in this Owner's
Manual.
Pre-tensioner seat belt system
WARNING
IThe pre-tensioner seat belt cannot be
reused after activation. It must be
replaced together with the retractor
as a unit.
IIf the vehicle becomes involved in a
frontal collision but the pre-tensioner
is not activated, be sure to have the
pre-tensioner system checked and, if
necessary, replaced by your NISSAN
dealer.
INo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pre-tensioner seat belt system.
This is to prevent accidental activa-
tion of the pre-tensioner seat belt or
damage to the pre-tensioner seat
belt operation. Tampering with the
pre-tensioner seat belt system may
result in serious personal injury.
IWork around and on the pre-
tensioner seat belt system should bedone by a NISSAN dealer. Installa-
tion of electrical equipment should
also be done by a NISSAN dealer.
Unauthorized electrical test equip-
ment and probing devices should not
be used on the pre-tensioner seat
belt system.
IIf you need to dispose of the pre-
tensioner or scrap the vehicle, con-
tact a NISSAN dealer. Correct pre-
tensioner disposal procedures are
set forth in the appropriate NISSAN
Service Manual. Incorrect disposal
procedures could cause personal
injury.
The front seat pre-tensioner seat belt system
activates in conjunction with the supplemental
front air bag. Working with the seat belt retrac-
tor, it helps tighten the seat belt the instant the
vehicle becomes involved in certain types of
collisions, thereby restraining seat occupants.
The pre-tensioner is encased with the seat belt's
retractor. These seat belts are used the same as
conventional seat belts.
When the pre-tensioner seat belt activates,
smoke is released and a loud noise may be
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
1-15
Z
02.9.13/Z33-D/V5.0
X