1999 Nissan Maxima Owner's Manual - Page 19

mental air bag system components will be hot. Do not touch them; you may severely burn yourself. ¼ 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. ¼ Do 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. ¼ Tampering 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, above the dashboard, or by installing additional trim material around the supplemental air bag system. ¼ Work around and on the supplemental air bag system should be done by an authorized NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical equipment should also be done by an authorized NISSAN dealer. The SRS wiring harnesses* should not be modified or disconnected. Unauthorized electrical test equipment and probing devices should not be used on the supplemental air bag system. * The SRS wiring harnesses are covered with yellow insulation either just before the harness connectors or over 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. inflate if the forces in another type of collision are similar to those of a higher severity side impact. It is designed to inflate on the side where the vehicle is impacted. It may not inflate in certain side collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an indication of proper supplemental side air bag operation. When the supplemental side air bag inflates, a fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a fire, but 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. Supplemental side air bags along with the use of seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on the chest of the front occupants. They can help save lives and reduce serious injuries. However, an inflating supplemental side air bag may cause abrasions or other injuries. 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. Since the supplemental side air bag inflates quickly in order to help protect the front occupants, the force of the supplemental side air bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if the occupant is too close to or is against the supplemental side air bag module during infla- Supplemental side air bag system The supplemental side air bags are located in the outside of the seatback of the front seats. The supplemental side air bag (on the driver or front passenger seat) is designed to inflate in higher severity side collisions, although it may 1-12 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems