NISSAN FRONTIER 2003 D22 / 1.G Owner's Manual

PASSENGER SUPPLEMENTAL AIR
BAG ON/OFF SWITCH AND LIGHT
(except Crew Cab models)
WARNING
Air bags and seat belts are designed to
work as a unit. Do not switch the air bag
OFF unless you meet federal government
criteria. Switching off the air bag may in-
crease the risk of serious or fatal injuries
in a collision where the air bag would have
inflated.
In rare instances, some passengers are exposed
to serious injury risks from inflating air bags, es-
pecially if not properly restrained. The U.S. and
Canadian federal governments recognize other
limited circumstances in which an air bag could
reduce safety. The passenger air bag ON/OFF
switch is, therefore, allowed in models without full
rear seats. Because the overall benefits of air
bags are great, in most situations air bags should
not be switched off unless special government
criteria exist.
The passenger air bag ON/OFF switch is located
in the center of the instrument panel, near the
ashtray. It can be used to turn the passenger
supplemental air bag OFF.The ON/OFF switch should ONLY be used to
turn the passenger supplemental air bag OFF
when the following government criteria exists:
cInfants (less than 1 year old) in rear facing child
restraints MUST be placed in the front pas-
senger seat.
cChildren ages 1-12 years MUST be placed in
the front passenger seat.
cThe passenger has a medical condition which,
according to a physician, causes the air bag to
pose a special risk and makes the potential
harm from the air bag greater than the potential
harm from turning off the air bag.
Seat belts and child restraints should always be
properly used. See “Precautions on seat belt
usage” and “Child restraints” later in this section
for details.
To turn the passenger supplemental air bag OFF,
insert the ignition key in the passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch and turn the
switch clockwise to the OFF position. Then re-
move the key. When the ignition is turned to the
ON or START position the passenger air bag
OFF indicator light will illuminate to indicate the
air bag is OFF. To turn the passenger supplemen-
tal air bag ON, insert the ignition key in the
passenger supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch
and turn the switch counter clockwise to the ONposition. Then remove the key. When the ignition
is turned to the ON or START position the pas-
senger air bag OFF indicator light will illuminate
for 7 seconds to indicate the system is working
properly and then go out to indicate that the
passenger supplemental air bag is ON.
1. Do not operate the passenger supplemental
air bag ON/OFF switch when the ignition is
ON.
2. Fully turn the passenger supplemental air
bag ON/OFF switch to either the ON or OFF
position.
3. Always remove the ignition key after using
the passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch.
4. The passenger air bag OFF indicator light
should illuminate for 7 seconds after the
ignition is turned to the ON or START posi-
tion. If not, the vehicle should be taken to a
NISSAN dealer.
Items 2 and 3 above are intended to prevent
improper use of the ignition key.
When the switch is turned to the ON position, the
passenger supplemental air bag is enabled and
could inflate in a frontal collision. When the
switch is turned to the OFF position, the passen-
ger supplemental air bag is disabled and will not
inflate in a frontal collision. The passenger
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supplemental air bag OFF indicator light on the
instrument panel illuminates when the passenger
supplemental air bag ON/OFF switch is turned to
the OFF position. The driver’s side supplemental
air bag always remains enabled and is not af-
fected by the passenger supplemental air bag
ON/OFF switch.
The passenger supplemental air bag light, dis-
playing OFF in the center of the instrument panel,
monitors the position of the passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch. When the igni-
tion key is in the ON or START position, the light
illuminates for about 7 seconds and then turns off
if the air bag ON/OFF switch is in the ON posi-
tion, or stays on if the passenger supplemental air
bag ON/OFF switch is in the OFF position.WARNING
cDo not switch the air bag OFF unless
you meet the federal government crite-
ria outlined previously. This vehicle (ex-
cept Crew Cab models) is equipped
with seat belts with a “load limiter” fea-
ture. The seat belts are designed to
work with the air bags to reduce the risk
of injury in a collision. The seat belts are
designed to release additional belt
webbing during some collisions to re-
duce the concentration of force on the
occupant’s chest area. In a collision
with the airbag turned OFF, the seat
belt may allow the occupant enough
forward movement to incur serious or
fatal injuries.cKeep the passenger supplemental air
bag ON/OFF switch turned ON unless arear-facing child restraint must be used
in the front seat, if children ages 1-12
must be placed in the front seat, or if the
passenger has a medical condition,
which, according to a physician, causes
the air bag to pose a special risk of
harm (the federal government criteria) .
If the switch is OFF, the air bag will not
inflate in a collision as designed and
the extra protection provided by the air
bag may be lost.
cBe sure to turn the passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch OFF
when using a rear facing child restraint
in the front passenger seat. If it is not
OFF, the air bag may inflate in a colli-
sion. The force of the rapidly inflating
air bag could cause serious injury or kill
the child in the child restraint. Children
ages 1-12 and persons with special
medical conditions may also be at risk
from an inflating air bag.
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cIf the supplemental air bag warning
light located in the instrument panel
next to the speedometer comes on
when the passenger supplemental air
bag OFF light is also illuminated, some-
thing may be wrong with the air bag
system. Infants, children ages 1-12 or
persons with special medical condi-
tions should not use the front passen-
ger seat until the system is checked by
your NISSAN dealer.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front air
bag system 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 air bag and
pre-tensioner seat belt systems. The circuits
monitored by the supplemental air bag warning
light are the diagnosis sensor unit, crash zone
sensor, supplemental 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.
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If any of the following system conditions occur,
the supplemental air bag 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 Re-
straint System (supplemental front air bag or
pre-tensioner seat belt systems) may not operate
properly. It 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 the supplemental
front air bag or pre-tensioner seat belt
systems will not operate in an accident.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental front air bag and pre-tensioner
seat belts 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. Repairand 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, pre-
tensioner seat belts and related parts should be
pointed out to the person performing the mainte-
nance. 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 has
inflated, the air bag module will not
function and must be replaced. Addi-
tionally, if any of the supplemental front
air bags inflate, the activated pre-
tensioner seat belts must also be re-
placed. The air bag module 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 system
and pre-tensioner seat belt system
should be inspected by a NISSAN
dealer if there is any damage to the
front end 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.
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PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
If you are wearing your seat belt properly ad-
justed, your chances of being injured or killed in
an accident and/or the severity of injury may be
greatly reduced. NISSAN strongly encourages
you and all of your passengers to buckle up every
time you drive, even if your seating position in-
cludes a supplemental air bag.
Most U.S. states and Canadian provinces
or territories specify that seat belts be worn
at all times when a vehicle is being driven.
0
SSS0136
SEAT BELTS
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WARNING
cEvery person who drives or rides in this
vehicle should use a seat belt at all
times. Children should be properly re-
strained in the rear seat (Crew Cab
models) and, if appropriate, in a child
restraint.
WARNING
cThe seat belt should be properly ad-
justed to a snug fit. Failure to do so may
reduce the effectiveness of the entire
restraint system and increase the
chance or severity of injury in an acci-
dent. Serious injury or death can occur
if the seat belt is not worn properly.
SSS0134SSS0016
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WARNING
cAlways 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.
cPosition 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.cBe sure the seat belt tongue is securely
fastened to the proper buckle.
cDo not wear the seat belt inside out or
twisted. Doing so may reduce its
effectiveness.
cDo not allow more than one person to
use the same seat belt.
cNever carry more people in the vehicle
than there are seat belts.
cOnce the pre-tensioner seat belt has
activated, it cannot be reused and must
be replaced together with the retractor.
See your NISSAN dealer.
cNever allow anyone to ride in the cargo
area or in a slide-in camper or other
type cargo area cover while the vehicle
is in motion. These areas do not contain
seat belts. It is not designed for passen-
gers. They could be injured in sudden
braking or a collision.
cIf the seat belt warning light glows con-
tinuously while the ignition is turned
ON with all doors closed and all seat
belts fastened, it may indicate a mal-
function in the system. Have the system
checked by a NISSAN dealer.cRemoval and installation of the pre-
tensioner seat belt system components
should be done by a NISSAN dealer.
cAll seat belt assemblies, including re-
tractors and attaching hardware,
should be inspected after any collision
by a NISSAN dealer. NISSAN recom-
mends that all seat belt assemblies in
use during a collision be replaced un-
less the collision was minor and the
belts show no damage and continue to
operate properly. Seat belt assemblies
not in use during a collision should also
be inspected and replaced if either
damage or improper operation is noted.
cAll child restraints and attaching hard-
ware should be inspected after any col-
lision. Always follow the restraint
manufacturer’s inspection instructions
and replacement recommendations.
The child restraints should be replaced
if they are damaged.
CHILD SAFETY
Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.
The proper restraint depends on the child’s size.
Generally, infants up to about 1 year and less
than 20 pounds, (9 kg) should be placed in rear
SSS0014
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facing child restraints. Front facing child re-
straints are available for children who outgrow
rear facing child restraints.
WARNING
cBe sure to turn the passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch OFF
when using a rear facing child restraint
in the front passenger seat in models so
equipped. If it is not OFF, the air bag
may inflate in a collision. The force of
the rapidly inflating air bag could cause
serious injury or kill the child in the
child restraint. See “Passenger supple-
mental air bag ON/OFF switch and
light” earlier in this section.
cIn Crew Cab models, never install a rear
facing child restraint in the front pas-
senger seat. An inflating supplemental
air bag could seriously injure or kill your
child. A rear facing child restraint must
only be used in the rear seat.
cDo not install a child restraint in the
jump seats (King Cab model) . These
seats are not suitable for child restraint
installation.cInfants 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 U.S. states and Canadian provinces or terri-
tories require the use of approved child restraints
for infants and small children. See “Child Re-
straints” 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.
NISSAN recommends that all pre-teens
and children be restrained in the rear seat if
available (Crew Cab models) . According to
accident statistics, children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear seat than in
the front seat. This is especially important
because your vehicle has a supplemental
restraint system (Air bag system) for the
front passenger. See “Supplemental re-
straint system” earlier in this section. Also,
see “Passenger air bag ON/OFF switch and
light” earlier in this section.
Infants and small children
NISSAN recommends that infants and small chil-
dren be placed in child restraints that comply with
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Ca-
nadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. You
should choose a child restraint that fits your ve-
hicle and always follow the manufacturer’s in-
structions for installation and use.
Larger children
Children who are too large for child restraints
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 Mo-
tor 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.
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WARNING
Never let a child stand or kneel on any
seat and do not allow a child in the cargo
areas while the vehicle is moving. The
child could be seriously injured or killed in
an accident or sudden stop.
PREGNANT WOMEN
NISSAN recommends that pregnant women use
seat belts. The seat belt should be worn snug,
and always position the lap belt as low as pos-
sible around the hips, not the waist. Place the
shoulder belt over your shoulder and across your
chest. Never run the lap/shoulder belt over your
abdominal area. Contact your doctor for specific
recommendations.
INJURED PERSONS
NISSAN recommends that injured persons use
seat belts. Check with your doctor for specific
recommendations.
THREE-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
WITH RETRACTOR
WARNING
cEvery person who drives or rides in this
vehicle should use a seat belt at all
times.
cDo 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 receive
neck or other serious injuries. You
could also slide under the lap belt and
receive serious internal injuries.
cFor the 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 belts
s1Adjust the seat.
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s2Slowly pull the seat belt out of the retractor
and insert the tongue into the buckle until you
hear and feel the latch engage.
The retractor is designed to lock during a
sudden stop or on impact. A slow pulling
motion permits the seat belt to move, and
allows you some freedom of movement in
the seat.s3Position the lap belt portionlow and snug
on the hipsas shown.
s4Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack.
The front passenger seat belt and the rear three-
point seat belts (Crew Cab only) have a cinching
mechanism for child restraint installation. It is
referred to as the automatic locking mode.
When automatic locking mode is activated the
seat belt cannot be withdrawn again until the seat
belt tongue is detached from the buckle and fully
retracted. Once retracted, the seat belt is in the
emergency locking mode. See “Child restraints”
later in this section for more information.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 certain
that the seatbacks are completely se-
cured in the latched position. If they are
not completely secured, passengers may
be injured in an accident or sudden stop.
WRS0137WRS0138
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