NISSAN 350Z 2003 Z33 Owner's Manual

heard. The smoke is not harmful, but 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.
If any abnormality occurs in the pre-tensioner
seat belt system, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light
will not come on, will flash inter-
mittently or will turn on for 7 seconds and remain
on after the ignition key has been turned to the
ON or START position. In this case, the pre-
tensioner seat belt may not function properly.
They must be checked and repaired. Take your
vehicle to the nearest NISSAN dealer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the pre-tensioner seat
belt system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner's Manual.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELSWarning labels about the supplemental air bag
system are placed in the vehicle as shown in the
illustration.
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHTThe supplemental air bag warning light, display-
ing
in the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits of the supplemental front air bag,
supplemental side air bag (if so equipped) and
curtain side-impact air bag (if so equipped)
systems, and pre-tensioner seat belt. The cir-
cuits monitored by the air bag warning light are
the diagnosis sensor unit, satellite sensors, front
air bag modules, side air bag modules, curtain
side-impact air bag modules, pre-tensioner seat
belt and all related wiring.
After turning the ignition key to the ON position,the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates. The supplemental air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, supplemental side air
bag (if so equipped) and curtain side-impact air
bag (if so equipped) systems, and pre-tensioner
seat belt need servicing:
IThe supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
IThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
IThe supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bags, supplemental side air bags, curtain
side-impact air bags and/or pre-tensioner seat
belt may not operate properly. They must be
checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to the
nearest NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that thesupplemental front air bag, supplemen-
tal side air bag, curtain side-impact air
bag systems and/or pre-tensioner seat
belt will not operate in an accident.
Repair and replacement procedureThe supplemental front air bags, supplemental
side air bags (if so equipped), curtain side-
impact air bags (if so equipped) and pre-
tensioner seat belt are designed to inflate 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 oc-
curred. Repair and replacement of these sys-
tems should be done only by a NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags, side air
bags, curtain side-impact air bags, related parts
and pre-tensioner seat belt should be pointed
out to the person conducting the maintenance.
The ignition key should always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or inside
the vehicle.
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WARNING
IOnce the supplemental front air bag,
side air bag or curtain side-impact air
bag has inflated, the air bag module
will not function again and must be
replaced. Additionally, if any of the
supplemental front air bags inflate,
the activated pre-tensioner seat belt
must also be replaced. The air bag
module and pre-tensioner seat belt
system should be replaced by a NIS-
SAN dealer. The air bag modules and
pre-tensioner seat belt system can-
not be repaired.
IThe supplemental front air bag and
side air bag, curtain side-impact air
bag systems and pre-tensioner seat
belt system should be inspected by a
NISSAN dealer if there is any damage
to the front end or side portion of the
vehicle.
IIf you need to dispose of these
supplemental systems or scrap the
vehicle, contact a NISSAN dealer.Correct disposal procedures are set
forth in the appropriate NISSAN Ser-
vice Manual. Incorrect disposal pro-
cedures could cause personal injury.1-18
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PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGEYour chances of being injured or killed in an
accident and/or the severity of injury may be
greatly reduced if you are wearing your seat belt
and it is properly adjusted. 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.
Most states, provinces or territories re-
quire that seat belts be worn at all times
when a vehicle is being driven.
WARNING
IEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times.
IThe belt should be properly adjusted
to a snug fit. Failure to do so may
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increase thechance or severity of injury in an
accident. Serious injury or death can
occur if the seat belt is not worn
properly.
IAlways route the shoulder belt over
your shoulder and across your chest.
Never run 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.
SSS0136
SEAT BELTS
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IPosition the lap belt as low and snug
as possible around the hips, not the
waist. A lap belt worn too high could
increase the risk of internal injuries
in an accident.
IBe sure the seat belt tongue is se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.
IDo not wear the belt inside out or
twisted. Doing so may reduce its ef-
fectiveness.
IDo not allow more than one person
to use the same belt.
INever carry more people in the ve-
hicle than there are seat belts. This
vehicle has only two seating posi-
tions. Do not allow anyone to ride in
the cargo area.
IIf the seat belt warning light glows
continuously while the ignition is
turned ON with all doors closed and
all seat belts fastened, it may indi-
cate a malfunction in the system.
Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.IOnce the pre-tensioner seat belt has
activated, it cannot be reused and
must be replaced together with the
retractor. See your NISSAN dealer.
IRemoval and installation of the pre-
tensioner seat belt system compo-
nents should be done by a NISSAN
dealer.
IAll seat belt assemblies including re-
tractors and attaching hardware
should be inspected after any colli-
sion by your NISSAN dealer. NISSAN
recommends that all seat belt as-semblies in use during a collision be
replaced unless the collision was mi-
nor and the belts show no damage
and continue to operate properly.
Seat belt assemblies not in use dur-
ing a collision should also be in-
spected and replaced if either dam-
age or improper operation is noted.
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CHILD SAFETYChildren need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
WARNING
INever let children 12 or under ride in
this vehicle. Do not attempt to hold
them in your lap or arms.
INever let children stand or kneel on
any seat and do not allow a child in
the cargo areas while the vehicle ismoving. The child could be seriously
injured or killed in an accident or
sudden stop.
Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental
front impact air bag system for the front passen-
ger. See ªSupplemental restraint systemº earlier
in this section. Therefore, children 12 or under
should not ride in this vehicle without installing
an air bag ON/OFF switch.
OBTAINING AN AIR BAG ON/OFF
SWITCHIf you must transport a child in this vehicle, you
may be eligible to have an air bag ON/OFF
switch installed. US and Canadian governments
have procedures that allow you to apply for
permission to have your vehicle fitted with an air
bag ON/OFF switch. Such a switch is available
for purchase from NISSAN. If you have ques-
tions about the government application proce-
dures, contact the NISSAN Consumer Affairs
Department listed earlier in this manual.
AFTER AN AIR BAG ON/OFF
SWITCH IS INSTALLED
WARNING
Infants and children need special pro-
tection. The vehicle's seat belts may not
fit them properly. The shoulder belt may
come too close to the face or neck. The
lap belt may not fit over their small hip
bones. In an accident, an improperly
fitting seat belt could cause serious or
fatal injury. Always use appropriate
child restraints.
All US states and provinces of Canada require
the use of approved child restraints for infants
and small children. (See ªChild restraintsº later in
this section.)
In addition, there are many types of child re-
straints available for larger children which should
be used for maximum protection.Infants and small childrenNISSAN recommends that infants and small
children be placed in child restraints that comply
with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. You
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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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Unfastening the seat beltsTo unfasten the belt, press the button on the
buckle. The seat belt will automatically retract.Checking seat belt operationYour seat belt retractors are designed to lock
belt movement using two separate methods:
Iwhen the belt is pulled quickly from the
retractor.
Iwhen the vehicle slows down rapidly.
You can check their operation as follows:
Igrasp the shoulder belt and pull quickly for-ward. The retractor should lock and restrict
further belt movement.
If the retractor does not lock during this check or
if you have any questions about belt operation,
see your NISSAN dealer.
Seat belt hookHook the seat belt and its tongue
qA
at the belt
hook when it is not in use or when opening the
rear floor box lid.
SEAT BELT EXTENDERSIf, because of body size or driving position, it is
not possible to properly fit the lap-shoulder belt
and fasten it, an extender is available which is
compatible with the installed seat belts. The
extender adds approximately 8 inches (200 mm)
of length and may be used for either the driver or
passenger seating position. See your NISSAN
dealer for assistance if the extender is required.
SSS0021
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WARNING
IOnly NISSAN seat belt extenders,
made by the same company which
made the original equipment belts,
should be used with NISSAN seat
belts.
IPersons who can use the standard
seat belt should not use an extender.
Such unnecessary use could result in
serious personal injury in the event
of an accident.
INever use seat belt extenders to in-
stall child restraints. If the child re-
straint is not secured properly, the
child could be seriously injured in a
collision or a sudden stop. (Also re-
member never to use a child restraint
unless an air bag ON/OFF switch has
been installed and is being used
properly.)SEAT BELT MAINTENANCEITo clean the seat belt webbings,apply a
mild soap solution or any solution recom-mended for cleaning upholstery or carpets.
Then brush the webbing, wipe it with a cloth
and allow it to dry in the shade. Do not allow
the seat belts to retract until they are com-
pletely dry.
IIf dirt builds up in the shoulder belt guide of
the seat belt anchors, the seat belts may
retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder belt guide
with a clean, dry cloth.
IPeriodically check to see that the seat
belt and the metal componentssuch as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible wires
and anchors work properly. If loose parts,
deterioration, cuts or other damage on the
webbing is found, the entire belt assembly
should be replaced.
PRECAUTIONS ON CHILD
RESTRAINTS
WARNING
The information in this section is pro-
vided only for those owners who have
received permission to install an air bag
ON/OFF switch and the switch has been
installed. See ªObtaining an air bag
ON/OFF switchº earlier in this manual.
Never let children 12 or under ride in this
vehicle unless an air bag ON/OFF
switch is installed and it is being prop-
erly used.
WARNING
IInfants and small children should al-
ways be placed in an appropriate
child restraint while riding in the ve-
hicle. Failure to use a child restraint
can result in serious injury or death.
IInfants and small children should
never be carried on your lap. It is notCHILD RESTRAINTS
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