warning NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID 2008 L32A / 4.G Owner's Guide

WARNING
Front seat-mounted side-impact supple-
mental air bags and roof-mounted curtain
side-impact supplemental air bags:
cThe front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bags and roof-
mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bags ordinarily will not in-
flate in the event of a frontal 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 accident.
WARNING
cThe seat belts, the front seat-mounted
side-impact supplemental air bags and
roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bags are most effec-
tive when you are sitting well back and
upright in the seat with both feet on the
floor. 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 seats or
rear outboard seats to extend their
hand out of the window or lean against
the door. Some examples of dangerous
riding positions are shown in the previ-
ous illustrations.
SSS0101SSS0188
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-39
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

WARNING
cWhen sitting in the rear seat, do not
hold onto the seatback of the front seat.
If the side air bag inflates, you may be
seriously injured. Be especially careful
with children, who should always be
properly restrained. Some examples of
dangerous riding positions are shown
in the illustrations.
cDo not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
WRS0032SSS0159SSS0162
1-40Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

The driver supplemental front air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel. The passenger
supplemental front air bag is mounted in the
dashboard above the glove box. The supplemen-
tal front air bags are designed to inflate in higher
severity frontal collisions, although they may in-
flate 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 front air bag
system operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System has dual
stage air bag inflators. It also monitors informa-
tion from the crash zone sensor, the Airbag Con-
trol Unit (ACU) , seat belt buckle sensors and the
occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor) .
Inflator operation is based on the severity of a
collision and seat belt usage for the driver. For the
front passenger, the occupant classification sen-
sor is also monitored. Based on information from
the sensors, only one front air bag may inflate in a
crash, depending on the crash severity and
whether the front occupants are belted or un-
belted. Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned OFF under some
conditions, depending on the information pro-
vided by the occupant classification sensor. If the
front passenger air bag is OFF, the passenger air
bag status light will be illuminated (if the seat isunoccupied, the light will not be illuminated, but
the air bag will be off) . See “Front passenger air
bag and status light” later in this section for
further details. One front air bag inflating does not
indicate improper performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, please contact NISSAN or your NISSAN
dealer. If you are considering modification of your
vehicle due to a disability, you may also contact
NISSAN. Contact information is contained in the
front of this Owner’s Manual.
When a 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.
Even with NISSAN advanced air bags, seat belts
should be correctly worn and the driver and pas-
senger seated upright as far as practical away
from the steering wheel or instrument panel. Thesupplemental front air bags inflate 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 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
position.
After pushing the ignition switch 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.
1-42Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

Front passenger air bag and status light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF under some con-
ditions. Read this section carefully to
learn how it operates. Proper use of the
seat, seat belt and child restraints is nec-
essary for most effective protection. Fail-
ure to follow all instructions in this
manual concerning the use of seats, seat
belts and child restraints can increase the
risk or severity of injury in an accident.Status light
The front passenger air bag status light
is
located on the instrument panel above the radio
controls. The light operates as follows:
cUnoccupied passenger’s seat: The
is
OFF and the front passenger air bag is OFF
and will not inflate in a crash.
cPassenger’s seat occupied by a small adult,
child or child restraint as outlined in this
section: The
illuminates to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is OFF and
will not inflate in a crash.
cOccupied passenger seat and the passen-
ger meets the conditions outlined in this
section: The light
is OFF to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is opera-
tional.
Front passenger air bag
The front passenger air bag is designed to auto-
matically turn OFF when the vehicle is operated
under some conditions as described below in
accordance with U.S. regulations. If the front
passenger air bag is OFF, it will not inflate in a
crash. The driver air bag and other air bags in your
vehicle are not part of this system.
The purpose of the regulation is to help reduce
the risk of injury or death from an inflating air bagto certain front passenger seat occupants, such
as children, by requiring the air bag to be auto-
matically turned OFF.
The occupant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) is in the front passenger seat cushion and is
designed to detect an occupant and objects on
the seat. For example, if a child is in the front
passenger seat, the advanced air bag system is
designed to turn the passenger air bag OFF in
accordance with the regulations. Also, if a child
restraint of the type specified in the regulations is
on the seat, the occupant classification sensor
can detect it and cause the air bag to turn OFF.
Front passenger seat adult occupants who are
properly seated and using the seat belt as out-
lined in this manual should not cause the passen-
ger air bag to be automatically turned OFF. For
small adults it may be turned OFF, however if the
occupant does not sit in the seat properly (for
example, by not sitting upright, by sitting on an
edge of the seat, or by otherwise being out of
position) , this could cause the sensor to turn the
air bag OFF. Always be sure to be seated and
wearing the seat belt properly for the most effec-
tive protection by the seat belt and supplemental
air bag.
NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and chil-
dren be properly restrained in a rear seat.
NISSAN also recommends that appropriate child
WRS0475
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-43
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

restraints and booster seats be properly installed
in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the occupant
classification sensor is designed to operate as
described above to turn the front passenger air
bag OFF for specified child restraints as required
by the regulations. Failing to properly secure
child restraints and to use the Automatic Locking
Retractor mode (child restraint mode) may allow
the restraint to tip or move in an accident or
sudden stop. This can also result in the passen-
ger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being
OFF. See “Child restraints” earlier in this section
for proper use and installation.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object being detected by the occupant clas-
sification sensor. Other conditions could also
result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants
are seated and restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light, you can
monitor when the front passenger air bag is au-
tomatically turned OFF with the seat occupied.
The light will not illuminate when the front pas-
senger seat is unoccupied.If an adult occupant is in the seat but the passen-
ger air bag status light is illuminated (indicating
that the air bag is OFF) , it could be that the
person is a small adult, or is not sitting on the seat
properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front seat,
the passenger air bag status light may or may not
be illuminated, depending on the size of the child
and the type of child restraint being used. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated (indicating that
the air bag might inflate in a crash) , it could be
that the child restraint or seat belt is not being
used properly. Make sure that the child restraint is
installed properly, the seat belt is used properly
and the occupant is positioned properly. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
If the passenger air bag status light will not illu-
minate even though you believe that the child
restraint, the seat belts and the occupant are
properly positioned, the system may be sensing
an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is
OFF) . Your NISSAN dealer can check that the
system is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your dealer that
your air bag is working properly, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
The air bag system and passenger air bag status
light will take a few seconds to register a changein the passenger seat status. However, if the seat
becomes unoccupied, the air bag status light will
remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges area
in the center of the instrument panel, will blink.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front air bag precau-
tions
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.
1-44Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag and roof-
mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag system
The front seat-mounted side-impact supplemen-
tal air bags are located in the outside of the
seatback of the front seats. The roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental 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 occu-
pants.However, all of the information, cau-
tions and warnings in this manual still ap-
ply and must be followed.The front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and
roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental
air bags are designed to inflate in higher severity
side 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 operation.
When the front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain
side-impact supplemental air bags 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.
Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental
air bags, along with the use of seat belts, help to
cushion the impact force on the chest and pelvic
area of the front occupants. Roof-mounted cur-
tain side-impact supplemental air bags help to
cushion the impact force to the head of occu-
pants in the front and rear outboard seating po-
sitions. They can help save lives and reduceserious injuries. However, an inflating front seat-
mounted side-impact supplemental air bag and
roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental
air bag may cause abrasions or other injuries.
Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental
air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental 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 supplemental side air
bag. Rear seat passengers should be seated as
far away as practical from the door finishers and
side roof rails. The front seat-mounted side-
impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental air bag inflate
quickly in order to help protect the front occu-
pants. Because of this, the force of the front
seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag
and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental 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 front
seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bag will deflate quickly after the colli-
sion is over.
LRS0259
1-46Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

The front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bags and roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental air bags
operate only when the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
After pushing the ignition switch 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 front seat-mounted
side-impact supplemental air bag
inflates.
cRight after inflation, several front seat-
mounted side-impact supplemental air
bag and roof-mounted curtain side-
impact supplemental 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 front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag and roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental air
bag system. This is to prevent acciden-
tal inflation of the side air bag and cur-
tain side-impact air bag or damage to
the front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag and roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental 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
front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag and roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental air
bag system.
cTampering with the front seat-mounted
side-impact supplemental air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal in-
jury. For example, do not change the
front seats by placing material near the
seatbacks or by installing additional
trim material, such as seat covers,
around the side air bag.cWork around and on the roof-mounted
curtain side-impact supplemental 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 har-
nesses* should not be modified or dis-
connected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices should
not be used on the front seat-mounted
side-impact supplemental air bag and
roof-mounted curtain side-impact
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 seat-mounted
side-impact supplemental air bag and roof-
mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appropri-
ate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-47
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

Seat belts with pretensioners (Front
seats)
WARNING
cThe pretensioner system cannot be re-
used 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 pretensioner 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 pretensioners. This is to prevent
damage to or accidental activation of
the pretensioner. Tampering with the
pretensioner system may result in seri-
ous personal injury.cWork around and on the seat belts with
pretensioners should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the seat belts
with pretensioners.
cWork around and on the seat belts with
pretensioners should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the seat belts
with pretensioners..
cIf you need to dispose of the preten-
sioner or scrap the vehicle, contact a
NISSAN dealer. Correct pretensioner
disposal procedures are set forth in the
appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.
Incorrect disposal procedures could
cause personal injury.
The front seat belt pretensioners activate in con-
junction with the supplemental air bag systems.
Working with the seat belt retractor, it helps
tighten the seat belt when the vehicle becomes
involved in certain types of collisions, helping to
restrain front seat occupants.The pretensioner is encased with the seat belt’s
retractor. These seat belts are used the same as
conventional seat belts.
When the pretensioner activates, smoke is re-
leased 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 may
cause irritation and choking. Those with a history
of a breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
After the pretensioners have activated, load lim-
iters allow the seat belt to release webbing (if
necessary) to reduce forces against the chest.
If any abnormality occurs in the pretensioners, the
supplemental air bag warning light
will not
come on, will flash intermittently 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 pretensioner 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 seat belts with preten-
sioners and guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner’s Manual.
1-48Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

1. SRS air bag warning labels
2. Front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag warning label
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front 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,
front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air
bags, roof-mounted curtain side-impact and
supplemental air bag and seatbelt pretensioner
systems. The circuits monitored by the supple-
mental air bag warning light are the Air bag
Control Unit, crash zone sensor, satellite sen-
sors, front air bag modules, side air bag modules,
curtain side-impact air bag modules, seat belt
pretensioners and all related wiring.When the ignition is in the ON 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, side-impact supple-
mental air bag and curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bag and pretensioner system 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, side-impact supplemental air bag and
curtain side-impact and supplemental air bag or
pretensioner systems may not operate properly. It
must be checked and repaired. Take your vehicle
to the nearest NISSAN dealer.
WRS0169LRS0100
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X

WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemental
front air bag, front seat-mounted side-
impact supplemental air bags, roof-
mounted curtain side-impact and supple-
mental air bags and/or pretensioners will
not operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your ve-
hicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon
as possible.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental front air bags, front seat-
mounted side-impact supplemental air bags,
roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental
air bags and seat belt pretensioners are designed
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, pretensioners and related parts should be
pointed out to the person performing the mainte-nance. The ignition should always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or inside
the vehicle.
WARNING
cOnce a supplemental front air bag,
side-impact supplemental air bag, cur-
tain side-impact and supplemental air
bag has inflated, the air bag module will
not function again and must be re-
placed. Additionally, if any of the
supplemental front air bags inflate, the
activated pretensioners must also be
replaced. The air bag module and pre-
tensioners should be replaced by a
NISSAN dealer. The air bag module and
pretensioners cannot be repaired.
cThe supplemental front air bag, curtain
side-impact and supplemental air bag
systems, and the pretensioners 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, pretensioners or scrap
the vehicle, contact a NISSAN dealer.
Correct supplemental air bag and pre-
tensioner disposal procedures are set
forth in the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal procedures
could cause personal injury.
1-50Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ZREVIEW COPYÐ2008 Altima Hybrid Electric
(ahv)
Owners ManualÐUSA_English(nna)
05/31/07Ðdebbie
X