2001 Nissan Altima Owner's Manual - Page 21

smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a fire, but care should be taken to not intentionally inhale it, as it may cause irritation and choking. Those with a history of a breathing condition should get fresh air promptly. The supplemental front 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 serious injuries. However, an inflating supplemental front air bag may cause facial abrasions or other injuries. Supplemental front 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 instrument panel. Since the supplemental front air bags inflate quickly in order to help protect the front occupants, the force of the supplemental front air bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if the occupant is too close to or is against the supplemental front air bag module during inflation. The supplemental front air bags deflate quickly after a collision. WRS0003 Supplemental front air bag system 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. These systems are designed to meet optional certification requirements under U.S. regulations. They are also permitted in Canada. The optional certification allows the front air bags to be designed to inflate somewhat less forcefully than previously. However, all of the information, cautions and warnings in this manual still apply and must be followed. The supplemental front air bag system is designed 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 front air bag system operation. When the supplemental front air bag inflates, a fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by the release of smoke. This 1-14 Seats, restraints and supplemental air bag systems