1998 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual - Page 14

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG SYSTEM) This Supplemental Restraint System section contains important information concerning the driver and passenger supplemental air bags. The Supplemental Restraint System 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 to supplement the crash protection provided by the driver and front passenger seat belts and are not a substitute for them. The seat belts should always be correctly worn and the driver and front passenger seated a suitable distance away from the steering wheel and instrument panel. (See ''Seat belts'' for instructions and precautions on seat belt usage later in this section.) The supplemental air bags operate only when the ignition switch is in the ON or START position. WARNING ● The supplemental air bags ordinarily will not inflate in the event of a side impact, rear impact, roll over, or lower severity frontal collision. Always wear your seat belts to help reduce the risk or severity of injury in various kinds of accidents. ARS1030 ARS1039 ● 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 unrestrained, 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. ● Keep 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 supplemental air bag inflates. Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems 1-7