key NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 L31 / 3.G Owners Manual
[x] Cancel search | Manufacturer: NISSAN, Model Year: 2003, Model line: ALTIMA, Model: NISSAN ALTIMA 2003 L31 / 3.GPages: 256, PDF Size: 3.34 MB
Page 12 of 256

FOLDING REAR SEAT
Interior trunk access
The trunk can be accessed from the passenger
side of the rear seat for loading and unloading, as
shown.
s1Push down on the button on the rear parcel
shelf.
s2Fold down the passenger side seatback.
WARNING
cNever allow anyone to ride in the cargo
area or on the rear seat when it is in the
fold-down position. Use of these areas
by passengers without proper restraints
could result in serious injury in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.
cProperly 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 col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.
cWhen returning the seatbacks to the
upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched posi-
tion. If they are not completely secured,
passengers may be injured in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.cClosely supervise children when they
are around cars to prevent them from
playing and becoming locked in the
trunk where they could be seriously in-
jured. Keep the car locked, with the rear
seatback and trunk lid securely latched
when not in use, and prevent children’s
access to car keys.
WRS0166
1-6Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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Page 13 of 256

To fold down the driver side of the rear seat, reach
through the opening and pull on the strap
s1
located behind the seat.
The rear seats can be locked using the master
key to prevent unauthorized access. The valet key
cannot be used to lock or unlock the release
button.
Center armrest
Pull the armrest forward until it is horizontal.
HEAD RESTRAINT ADJUSTMENT
To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To lower,
push and hold the lock knob and push the head
restraint down.
WARNING
Head restraints should be adjusted prop-
erly as they may provide significant pro-
tection against injury in an accident. Do
not remove them. Check the adjustment
after someone else uses the seat.
LRS0225WRS0167WRS0133
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-7
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Page 14 of 256

Adjust the head restraint so the center is level
with the center of your ears.
PRECAUTIONS ON
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) sec-
tion contains important information concerning
the driver and passenger supplemental front air
bags, supplemental side air bags, curtain side-
impact air bags and pre-tensioner seat belts.
Supplemental front impact air bag system:
This system can help cushion the impact force to
the head and chest of the driver and front pas-
senger in certain frontal collisions.
Supplemental side-impact air bag system
(if so equipped):This system can help cushion
the impact force to the head and the chest area of
the driver and front passenger in certain side
impact collisions. The supplemental side air bag
is 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 front and rear outboard seating positions
in certain side impact collisions. The curtain 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 pro-vided by the driver and front passenger seat belts
and 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 and door finish-
ers. (See “Seat belts” later in this section for
instructions and precautions on seat belt usage.)
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
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.
WRS0134
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM
1-8Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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Page 22 of 256

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 severity
and whether the front occupants are belted or
unbelted. This does not indicate improper perfor-
mance of the system. If you have any questions
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 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 chok-
ing. 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 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.
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 in-
flate quickly in order to help protect the frontoccupants. 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 inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
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
cDo not place any objects on the steer-
ing wheel pad or on the instrument
panel. Also, do not place any objects
between any occupant and the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Such ob-
jects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if the supplemen-
tal front air bag inflates.
cImmediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will be
hot. Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself.cNo 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.
cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or front end structure.
This could affect proper operation of
the supplemental front air bag system.
cTampering with the supplemental 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.
1-16Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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Page 24 of 256

The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as
practical away from the supplemental side air
bag. Rear seat passengers should be 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.
The supplemental side air bags and curtain
side-impact air bags operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ON or START posi-
tions.
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
cDo not place any objects near the seat-
back of the front seats. Also, do not
place any objects (an umbrella, bag,
etc.) between the front door finisher
and the front seat. Such objects may
become dangerous projectiles and
cause injury if the supplemental side air
bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag system
components will be hot. Do not touch
them; you may severely burn yourself.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the side air bag and curtain side-impact
air bag system. This is to prevent acci-
dental 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 system.
cDo not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, sus-
pension system or side panel. This
could affect proper operation of the
supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system.cTampering with the supplemental side
air bag system may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing mate-
rial near the seatback or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bag.
cWork around and on the side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag system
should be done by a NISSAN dealer.
Installation of electrical equipment
should also be done by a NISSAN
dealer. The SRS wiring harnesses*
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices should
not be used on the side 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 supplemental side air
bag and curtain side-impact air bag system and
guide the buyer to the appropriate sections in this
Owner’s Manual.
1-18Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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Page 25 of 256

Pre-tensioner seat belt system (For
front seats)
WARNING
cThe pre-tensioner seat belt cannot be
reused after activation. It must be re-
placed together with the retractor and
buckle as a unit.
cIf 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 nec-
essary, replaced by your NISSAN
dealer.
cNo unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pre-tensioner seat belt system. This
is to prevent accidental activation 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 per-
sonal injury.cWork around and on the pre-tensioner
system should be done by a NISSAN
dealer. Installation of electrical equip-
ment should also be done by a NISSAN
dealer. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices should
not be used on the pre-tensioner seat
belt system.
cIf you need to dispose of the pre-
tensioner or scrap the vehicle, contact 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 retractor,
it helps tighten the seat belt the instant the ve-
hicle becomes involved in certain types of colli-
sions, 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 heard.
This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a
fire. Care should be taken not to inhale it, as it maycause irritation and choking. Those with a history
of a breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
If any abnormality occurs in the pre-tensioner
system, the supplemental air bag warning
lightwill not come on, will flash intermit-
tently 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 appropriate
sections in this Owner’s Manual.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-19
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Page 26 of 256

1. SRS Air Bag Warning Labels
2. SRS Side Air Bag Warning Labels (lo-
cated on the door pillar) (if so
equipped)
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front air
bag, supplemental side air bag and curtain side-
impact air bag systems are placed in the vehicle
as shown in the illustration.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits of the supplemental front air bag,
supplemental side air bag and curtain side-
impact air bag (if so equipped) and pre-tensioner
seat belt systems. The circuits monitored by the
supplemental air bag warning light are the diag-
nosis sensor unit, crash zone sensor, satellite
sensors, front air bag modules, side air bag mod-
ules, curtain side-impact air bag modules, pre-
tensioner seat belts and all related wiring.When the ignition key is in the ON or START
position, the supplemental air bag warning light
illuminates for about 7 seconds and then turns
off. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, supplemental side air
bag and curtain side-impact air bag (if so
equipped) and pre-tensioner seat belt systems
need servicing:
cThe supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
cThe supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bag, supplemental side air bags and curtain
side-impact air bag (if so equipped) or pre-
tensioner seat belt systems may not operate
properly. It must be checked and repaired. Take
your vehicle to the nearest NISSAN dealer.
WRS0169LRS0100
1-20Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems
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Page 27 of 256

WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemental
front air bag, supplemental side air bag,
curtain side-impact air bag systems (if so
equipped) and/or pre-tensioner seat belt
systems will not operate in an accident.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental front air bags, supplemental
side air bags, curtain side-impact air bags (if so
equipped) and pre-tensioner seat belts are de-
signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis. As a
reminder, unless it is damaged, the supplemental
air bag warning light remains illuminated after
inflation has occurred. Repair and replacement of
these supplemental air bag systems should be
done only by a NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the ve-
hicle, the supplemental front air bags, supple-
mental side air bags, curtain side-impact air bags
(if so equipped) , pre-tensioner seat belts and
related parts should be pointed out to the person
performing the maintenance. The ignition key
should always be in the LOCK position when
working under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
cOnce a supplemental front air bag,
supplemental 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 belts
must also be replaced. The air bag mod-
ule and pre-tensioner seat belt system
should be replaced by a NISSAN dealer.
The air bag module and pre-tensioner
seat belt system cannot be repaired.
cThe supplemental front air bag, side air
bag and curtain side-impact air bag sys-
tems, and the 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.
cIf you need to dispose of the supple-
mental air bag, pre-tensioner seat belt
system or scrap the vehicle, contact a
NISSAN dealer. Correct supplemental
air bag and pre-tensioner seat belt sys-
tem disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal procedures
could cause personal injury.
Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems1-21
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1. Speedometer
2. Odometer/twin trip display
3. Change button
SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER
Speedometer
The speedometer indicates vehicle speed in
miles per hour (MPH) and kilometers per hour
(km/h) .
Odometer/Twin trip odometer
The odometer/twin trip odometer is displayed
when the ignition key is in the ON position.The odometer records the total distance the ve-
hicle has been driven.
The twin trip odometer records the distance of
individual trips.
Changing the display:
Pushing the change button changes the display
as follows:
Trip
!Trip!Outside temperature
!Distance to Empty!Average economy!
Average speed!Elapsed time!Trip
Resetting the trip odometer:
Pushing the change button for more than 1 sec-
ond resets the trip odometer to zero.
WIC0354WIC0182
METERS AND GAUGES
Instruments and controls2-3
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FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel level
in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hills.The gauge needle returns to E (Empty) after the
ignition key is turned to OFF.
The low fuel warning light comes on when the
amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge regis-
ters E (Empty) .
The
indicates that the fuel filler lid is
located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
CAUTION
cIf the vehicle runs out of fuel,
the
malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL) may come on. Refuel as soon as
possible. After a few driving trips,
the
lamp should turn off. If the
lamp remains on after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.
cFor additional information, see “Mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL)” later in
this section.
WIC0353
Instruments and controls2-7
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