NISSAN SENTRA 1998 B14 / 4.G User Guide

TILTING FRONT SEAT (Two-door
model)
The front passenger seat can be tilted to
make it easier for the rear seat passengers
to get in and out of the vehicle.
To tilt the front seatback forward, pull the
reclining lever up or depress the tilt lever.
The seat back tilts and the seat moves
forward automatically.
To return the seat, move the whole seat
backward, then push the seat back up until
it locks.
CAUTION
When returning the seat to its original
position, check that the seat and seat-
back are properly locked.
HEAD RESTRAINTS
Adjust the head restraints so the top is level
with the tops of your ears.
To raise the head restraint, pull it up. To
lower, press the lock knob down while push-
ing the head restraint down.
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.
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REAR SEAT
Interior trunk access
(if so equipped)
The trunk can be accessed from the rear
seat for loading and unloading, as shown.
WARNING
cNever allow anyone to ride in the
luggage area or on the rear seat
when it is in the fold-down position.
Use of these areas by passengers
without proper restraints couldresult in serious injury in an accident
or sudden stop.
c
Properly secure all cargo to help pre-
vent it from sliding or shifting. Do not
place cargo higher than the seat-
backs. In a sudden stop or collision,
unsecured cargo could cause per-
sonal injury.
cWhen returning the seatbacks to the
upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched
position.This Supplemental Restraint System sec-
tion contains important information concern-
ing the driver and passenger supplemental
air bags. The Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem Air Bag can help reduce impact force to
the driver and to the front passenger in
certain frontal collisions. The supplemental
air bags are designed tosupplementthe
crash protection provided by the driver and
front passenger seat belts and arenot a
substitutefor them. The seat belts should
always be correctly worn and the driver and
front passenger seated a suitable distance
from the steering wheel and instrument
panel. (See ``Seat belts'' 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.
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SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM)
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WARNING
cThe supplemental air bags ordinarily
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.
c
The seat belts and the supplemental
air bags are most effective when you
are sitting back and upright in the
seat. Supplemental air bags inflate
with great force. If you are unre-strained, leaning forward, sitting
sideways or out of position in any
way, you are at greater risk of injury
or death in a crash and may also
receive serious or fatal injuries from
the supplemental air bag if you are up
against it when it inflates. Always sit
back against the seatback and as far
away as practical from the steering
wheel or instrument panel. Always
use the seatbelts.cKeep 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
air bag inflates.
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WARNING
cNever let children ride unrestrained.
Do not attempt to hold them in your
lap or arms. Some examples of dan-
gerous riding positions are shown in
the previous illustrations.
cChildren may be severely injured or
killed when the supplemental air bag
inflates if they are not properly re-
strained.
cAlso, never install a rear-facing child
restraint in the front seat. An inflat-
ing supplemental air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill your child. See
``Child Restraints'' for details.
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The driver supplemental air bag is located in
the center of the steering wheel; the front
passenger supplemental air bag is mounted in
the dashboard above the glove box.
These systems are designed to meet op-
tional certification requirements under U.S.
regulations. They are also permitted in
Canada. The optional certification allows air
bags to be designed to inflate somewhat
less forcefully than previously.However, all
of the information, cautions and warn-
ings in this manual still apply and must
be followed.
The supplemental air bag system is de-signed to inflate in higher severity frontal
collisions, although it may inflate if the
forces in another type of collision are similar
to those of a higher severity frontal impact. It
may not inflate in certain frontal collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always
an indication of proper supplemental air bag
operation.
When the supplemental 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, but
care should be taken to not unintentionally
inhale it, as it may cause irritation andchoking. Those with a history of breathing
trouble should get fresh air promptly.
The supplemental air bags, along with the
use of seat belts, help to cushion the impact
force on the face and chest of the occupant.
They can help save lives and reduce seri-
ous injuries. However, an inflating supple-
mental air bag may cause facial abrasions
or other injuries. Supplemental 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
dashboard. Since the supplemental air bag
inflates quickly in order to help protect the
occupant, the force of the supplemental air
bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to or is against the
supplemental air bag module during inflation.
The supplemental air bag deflates quickly
after a collision.
The supplemental air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON or
START position.
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEM
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WARNING
c
Do 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 steer-
ing wheel or instrument panel. Such
objects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and may cause injury if the
supplemental air bag inflates.
cRight after inflation, several supple-
mental air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you
may severely burn yourself.
c
No 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,
suspension system or front end
structure. This could affect proper
operation of the supplemental air
bag system.cTampering with the supplemental 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 supplemental air
bag system.
cWork around and on the supplemen-
tal air bag system should be done by
an authorized NISSAN dealer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an authorized NIS-
SAN dealer. The yellow SRS wiring
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the supple-
mental air bag system.
cThe SRS wiring harnesses are cov-
ered with yellow insulation either
just before the harness connectors
or on the complete harness for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the supplemental
air bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner's Manual.
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Warning labels about the supplemental air
bag system are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displaying AIR BAG in the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the supplemental air
bag. The circuits monitored by the supple-
mental air bag light are the diagnosis sensor
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WARNING LABELS SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
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unit, supplemental air bag modules 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 air bag needs servicing:
1. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on and remain on for 7 seconds
and then go off as described above.
2. The supplemental air bag light flashes
intermittently or remains on.
3. The supplemental air bag light does not
come on at all.
Under these conditions, the Supplemental
Restraint System Air Bag may not operate
properly. It must be checked and repaired.
Take your vehicle to the nearest authorized
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light
is on, it could mean that the supplemen-
tal air bag system will not operate in an
accident.
Repair and replacement procedure
The supplemental air bag system is de-
signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.
As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the
supplemental air bag light remains illumi-
nated after inflation has occurred. Repair
and replacement of the supplemental air
bag system should be done only by an
authorized NISSAN dealer.
After a supplemental air bag inflates, the
front instrument panel assembly should be
replaced by an authorized NISSAN dealer if
damaged.
To ensure long-term functioning, the
system must be inspected 10 years after
the date of manufacture as noted on the
certification label located on the driver
side front pillar.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental air bag system
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 the supplemental air bag in-
flates, the supplemental air bag
module will not function again and
must be replaced. The supplemental
air bag module cannot be repaired.
cThe supplemental air bag system
should be inspected by an autho-
rized NISSAN dealer if there is any
damage to the front end portion of
the vehicle, or replaced if the supple-
mental air bag has inflated.
cIf you need to dispose of a supple-
mental air bag or scrap the vehicle,
contact an authorized NISSAN
dealer. Correct supplemental air bag
disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate NISSAN Service
Manual. Incorrect disposal proce-
dures could cause personal injury.
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PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE
If you are wearing your seat belt properly
adjusted, 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 includes
a supplemental air bag.
Most states and all Canadian provinces
or territories require that seat belts be
worn at all times when a vehicle is being
driven.
WARNING
cEvery person who drives or rides in
this vehicle should use a seat belt at
all times. Children should be prop-
erly restrained and, if appropriate in
a child restraint.
cThe belt should be properly adjusted
to a snug fit. Failure to do so may
reduce the effectiveness of the en-
tire restraint system and increase
the chances or severity of injury in
an accident. Serious injury or death
can occur if the seat belt is not worn
properly.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 as pos-
sible 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 se-
curely fastened to the proper buckle.
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SEAT BELTS
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