Nissan Altima Hybrid (2010 year). Instruction

Removal

Use the following procedure to remove the ad-
justable head restraints.

1. Pull the head restraint up to the highest

position.

2. Push and hold the lock knob and release

knob.

3. Remove the head restraint from the seat.

4. Store the head restraint properly so it is not

loose in the vehicle.

5. Reinstall and properly adjust the head re-

straint before an occupant uses the seating
position.

Install

1. Align the head restraint stalks with the holes

in the seat. Make sure the head restraint is
facing the correct direction. The stalk with
the adjustment notches

䊊

must be installed

in the hole with the lock knob

䊊

2. Push and hold the lock knob and push the

head restraint down.

3. Properly adjust the head restraint before an

occupant uses the seating position.

Front-seat Active Head Restraints

The Active Head Restraint moves forward utiliz-
ing the force that the seatback receives from the
occupant in a rear-end collision. The movement
of the head restraint helps support the occu-
pant’s head by reducing its backward movement
and helping absorb some of the forces that may
lead to whiplash-type injuries.

Active Head Restraints are effective for collisions
at low to medium speeds in which it is said that
whiplash injury occurs most.

Active Head Restraints operate only in certain
rear-end collisions. After the collision, the head
restraints return to their original position.

WRS0922

LRS0891

SPA1025

1-8

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Adjust the Active Head Restraints properly as
described in this section.

PRECAUTIONS ON SEAT BELT
USAGE

If you are wearing your seat belt properly ad-
justed and you are sitting upright and well back in
your seat with both feet on the floor, 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 supple-
mental 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.

SSS0136

SEAT BELTS

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-9

WARNING

● Every 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 and, if appro-
priate, in a child restraint.

WARNING

● The 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.

SSS0134

SSS0016

1-10

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WARNING

● Always route the shoulder belt over

your shoulder and across your chest.
Never put 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.

● Position 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.

● Be sure the seat belt tongue is securely

fastened to the proper buckle.

● Do not wear the seat belt inside out or

twisted.

Doing

may

reduce

its

effectiveness.

● Do not allow more than one person to

use the same seat belt.

● Never carry more people in the vehicle

than there are seat belts.

● If 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.

● No changes should be made to the seat

belt system. For example, do not modify
the seat belt, add material, or install
devices that may change the seat belt
routing or tension. Doing so may affect
the operation of the seat belt system.
Modifying or tampering with the seat
belt system may result in serious per-
sonal injury.

● Once a seat belt pretensioner has acti-

vated, it cannot be reused and must be
replaced together with the retractor.
See your NISSAN dealer.

● Removal and installation of preten-

sioner system components should be
done by a NISSAN dealer.

● All 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.

● All 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.

SSS0014

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-11

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 possible
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 ab-
dominal 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

● Every person who drives or rides in this

vehicle should use a seat belt at all
times.

● Do 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.

● For the most effective protection when

the vehicle is in motion, the seat should
be upright. Always sit well back in the
seat with both feet on the floor and
adjust the seat belt properly.

Fastening the seat belts

1. Adjust the seat. See “Seats” earlier in this

section.

Manual front seat shown

WRS0738

1-12

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

䊊

Slowly 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.

● If the seat belt cannot be pulled from

its fully retracted position, firmly pull
the belt and release it. Then smoothly
pull the belt out of the retractor.

䊊

Position the lap belt portion low and snug
on the hips as shown.

䊊

Pull the shoulder belt portion toward the
retractor to take up extra slack. Be sure the
shoulder belt is routed over your shoulder
and across your chest.

The front passenger seat and the rear seating
positions three-point seat belts have two modes
of operation:

● Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
● Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

The Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode
allows the seat belt to extend and retract to allow
the driver and passengers some freedom of
movement in the seat. The ELR locks the seat belt
when the vehicle slows down rapidly or during
certain impacts.

The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode
(child restraint mode) locks the seat belt for child
restraint installation.

When the ALR mode is activated, the seat belt
cannot be extended again until the seat belt
tongue is detached from the buckle and fully
retracted. The seat belt returns to the ELR mode
after the seat belt fully retracts. See “Child re-
straints” later in this section for more information.

The ALR mode should be used only for child
restraint installation. During normal seat
belt use by an occupant, the ALR mode
should not be activated. If it is activated, it
may cause uncomfortable 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.

LRS0594

LRS0595

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-13

Unfastening the seat belts

䊊

To unfasten the seat belt, press the button on
the buckle. The seat belt automatically re-
tracts.

Checking seat belt operation

Seat belt retractors are designed to lock seat belt
movement by two separate methods:

● When the seat belt is pulled quickly from the

retractor.

● When the vehicle slows down rapidly.

To increase your confidence in the seat belts,
check the operation as follows:

● Grasp the shoulder belt and pull forward

quickly. The retractor should lock and re-
strict further belt movement.

If the retractor does not lock during this check or
if you have any questions about seat belt opera-
tion, see a NISSAN dealer.

Shoulder belt height adjustment (front
seats)

The shoulder belt anchor height should be ad-
justed to the position best for you. (See “Precau-
tions on seat belt usage” earlier in this section.)
To adjust, pull out the adjustment button

䊊

and

move the shoulder belt anchor to the desired
position

䊊

, so the belt passes over the center of

the shoulder. The belt should be away from your
face and neck, but not falling off your shoulder.
Release the adjustment button to lock the shoul-
der belt anchor into position.

WRS0139

LRS0242

1-14

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WARNING

● After adjustment, release the adjust-

ment button and try to move the shoul-
der belt anchor up and down to make
sure it is securely fixed in position.

● The shoulder belt anchor height should

be adjusted to the position best for you.
Failure to do so may reduce the effec-
tiveness of the entire restraint system
and increase the chance or severity of
injury in an accident.

SEAT BELT EXTENDERS

If, because of body size or driving position, it is
not possible to properly fit the lap/shoulder belt
and fasten it, an extender that is compatible with
the installed seat belts is available that can be
purchased. The extender adds approximately 8 in
(200 mm) of length and may be used for either
the driver or front passenger seating position.
See a NISSAN dealer for assistance with pur-
chasing an extender if an extender is required.

WARNING

● Only NISSAN seat belt extenders, made

by the same company which made the
original equipment seat belts, should
be used with NISSAN seat belts.

● Adults and children who can use the

standard seat belt should not use an
extender. Such unnecessary use could
result in serious personal injury in the
event of an accident.

● Never use seat belt extenders to install

child restraints. If the child restraint is
not secured properly, the child could be
seriously injured in a collision or a sud-
den stop.

SEAT BELT MAINTENANCE

● To clean the seat belt webbing, apply a

mild soap solution or any solution recom-
mended for cleaning upholstery or carpet.
Then wipe with a cloth and allow the seat
belts to dry in the shade. Do not allow the
seat belts to retract until they are completely
dry.

● If dirt builds up in the shoulder belt

guide of the seat belt anchors, the seat
belts may retract slowly. Wipe the shoulder
belt guide with a clean, dry cloth.

● Periodically check to see that the seat

belt and the metal components, such as
buckles, tongues, retractors, flexible wires
and anchors work properly. If loose parts,
deterioration, cuts or other damage on the
webbing is found, the entire seat belt as-
sembly should be replaced.

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-15

Children need adults to help protect them.
They need to be properly restrained.

In addition to the general information in this
manual, child safety information is available from
many other sources, including doctors, teachers,
government traffic safety offices, and community
organizations. Every child is different, so be sure
to learn the best way to transport your child.

There are three basic types of child restraint
systems:

● Rear-facing child restraint
● Forward-facing child restraint
● Booster seat

The proper restraint depends on the child’s size.
Generally, infants up to about 1 year and less
than 20 lbs (9 kg) should be placed in rear-facing
child restraints. Forward-facing child restraints
are available for children who outgrow rear-
facing child restraints and are at least 1 year old.
Booster seats are used to help position a vehicle
lap/shoulder belt on a child who can no longer
use a forward-facing child restraint.

WARNING

Infants and children need special protec-
tion. 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 fit-
ting 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.

A child restraint may be secured in the vehicle by
using either the LATCH (Lower Anchor and Teth-
ers for CHildren) system or with the vehicle seat
belt. See “Child Restraints” section for more in-
formation.

NISSAN recommends that all pre-teens
and children be restrained in the rear seat.
Studies show that 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 sys-
tem (Air bag system) for the front passen-
ger. See “Supplemental restraint system”
later in this section.

INFANTS

Infants up to at least 1 year old should be placed
in a rear-facing child restraint. NISSAN recom-
mends that infants be placed in child restraints
that comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards. You should choose a child restraint
that fits your vehicle and always follow the manu-
facturer’s instructions for installation and use.

SMALL CHILDREN

Children that are over one year old and weigh at
least 20 lbs (9 kg) can be placed in a forward-
facing child restraint. Refer to the manufacturer’s
instructions for minimum and maximum weight
and height recommendations. NISSAN recom-
mends that small children be placed in child
restraints that comply with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards. You should choose a child
restraint that fits your vehicle and always follow
the manufacturer’s instructions for installation
and use.

CHILD SAFETY

1-16

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

LARGER CHILDREN

Children who are too large for child restraints
should be seated and restrained by the seat belts
which are provided. The seat belt may not fit
properly if the child is less than 4 ft 9 in (142.5
cm) tall and weighs between 40 lbs (18 kg) and
80 lbs (36 kg). A booster seat should be used to
obtain proper seat belt fit.

NISSAN recommends that a child be placed in a
commercially available booster seat if the shoul-
der belt fits close to the face or neck or if the lap
portion of the seat belt goes across the abdo-
men. The booster seat should raise the child so
that the shoulder belt is properly positioned
across the top, middle portion of the shoulder
and the lap belt is low on the hips. A booster seat
can only be used in seating positions that have a
three-point type seat belt. The booster seat
should fit the vehicle seat and have a label certi-
fying that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards or Canadian Motor 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.

WARNING

Never let a child stand or kneel on any
seat and do not allow a child in the cargo
area. The child could be seriously injured
or killed in a sudden stop or collision.

PRECAUTIONS ON CHILD
RESTRAINTS

ARS1098

CHILD RESTRAINTS

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-17

WARNING

● Failure to follow the warnings and in-

structions for proper use and installa-
tion of child restraints could result in
serious injury or death of a child or
other passengers in a sudden stop or
collision:

– The child restraint must be used and

installed properly. Always follow all
of the child restraint manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.

– Infants and children should never be

held on anyone’s lap. Even the stron-
gest adult cannot resist the forces of
a collision.

– Do not put a seat belt around both a

child and another passenger.

– NISSAN recommends that all child

restraints be installed in the rear
seat. Studies show that children are
safer when properly restrained in the
rear seat than in the front seat. If you
must install a forward-facing child
restraint

the

front

seat,

see

“Forward-facing child restraint in-
stallation using the seat belts” later
in this section.

– Even with the NISSAN Advanced Air

Bag System, never install a rear-
facing child restraint in the front
seat. An inflating air bag could seri-
ously injure or kill a child. A rear-
facing child restraint must only be
used in the rear seat.

– Be sure to purchase a child restraint

that will fit the child and vehicle.
Some child restraints may not fit
properly in your vehicle.

– Child restraint anchor points are de-

signed to withstand loads from child
restraints that are properly fitted.

– Never use the anchor points for adult

seat belts or harnesses.

– A child restraint with a top tether

strap should not be used in the front
passenger seat.

– Keep seatbacks as upright as pos-

sible after fitting the child restraint.

– Infants and children should always

be placed in an appropriate child re-
straint while in the vehicle.

● When the child restraint is not in use,

keep it secured with the LATCH system
or a seat belt. In a sudden stop or colli-
sion, loose objects can injure occu-
pants or damage the vehicle.

CAUTION

A child restraint in a closed vehicle can
become very hot. Check the seating sur-
face and buckles before placing a child in
the child restraint.

WRS0256

1-18

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

This vehicle is equipped with a universal child
restraint anchor system, referred to as the LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) sys-
tem. Some child restraints include rigid or
webbing-mounted attachments that can be con-
nected to these anchors. For details, see “LATCH
(Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) sys-
tem” later in this section.

If you do not have a LATCH compatible child
restraint, the vehicle seat belts can be used.

Several manufacturers offer child restraints for
infants and children of various sizes. When se-
lecting any child restraint, keep the following
points in mind:

● Choose only a restraint with a label certifying

that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard 213 or Canadian Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

● Check the child restraint in your vehicle to be

sure it is compatible with the vehicle’s seat
and seat belt system.

● If the child restraint is compatible with your

vehicle, place your child in the child restraint
and check the various adjustments to be
sure the child restraint is compatible with
your child. Choose a child restraint that is
designed for your child’s height and weight.
Always follow all recommended procedures.

All U.S. states and Canadian provinces or
territories require that infants and small
children be restrained in an approved child
restraint at all times while the vehicle is
being operated. Canadian law requires the
top tether strap on forward-facing child
restraints be secured to the designated an-
chor point on the vehicle.

LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers

for CHildren) SYSTEM

Your vehicle is equipped with special anchor
points that are used with LATCH (Lower Anchors
and Tethers for CHildren) system compatible
child restraints. This system may also be referred
to as the ISOFIX or ISOFIX compatible system.
With this system, you do not have to use a vehicle
seat belt to secure the child restraint.

LATCH system lower anchor locations

WRS0795

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-19

LATCH lower anchor

WARNING

Failure to follow the warnings and instruc-
tions for proper use and installation of
child restraints could result in serious in-
jury or death of a child or other passen-
gers in a sudden stop or collision:

– Attach LATCH system compatible

child restraints only at the locations
shown in the illustration.

– Do not secure a child restraint in the

center rear seating position using
the LATCH lower anchors. The child
restraint will not be secured properly.

– Inspect the lower anchors by insert-

ing your fingers into the lower anchor
area. Feel to make sure there are no
obstructions over the anchors such
as seat belt webbing or seat cushion
material. The child restraint will not
be secured properly if the lower an-
chors are obstructed.

LATCH lower anchor location

The LATCH lower anchors are located at the rear
of the seat cushion near the seatback. A label is
attached to the seatback to help you locate the
LATCH lower anchors.

Installing child restraint LATCH lower
anchor attachments

LATCH compatible child restraints include two
rigid or webbing-mounted attachments that can
be connected to two anchors located at certain
seating positions in your vehicle. With this sys-
tem, you do not have to use a vehicle seat belt to
secure the child restraint. Check your child re-
straint for a label stating that it is compatible with
LATCH. This information may also be in the in-
structions provided by the child restraint manu-
facturer.

LATCH lower anchor location

WRS0700

LATCH webbing-mounted attachment

LRS0661

1-20

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

The child restraint top tether strap must be used
when installing the child restraint with the LATCH
lower anchor attachments or seat belts. See “Top
tether anchor” for installation instructions.

When installing a child restraint, carefully read
and follow the instructions in this manual and
those supplied with the child restraint.

Top tether anchor

WARNING

Do not allow cargo to contact the top
tether strap when it is attached to the top
tether anchor. Properly secure the cargo
so it does not contact the top tether strap.
Cargo that is not properly secured or
cargo that contacts the top tether strap
may damage it during a collision. A child
could be seriously injured or killed in a
collision

the

top

tether

strap

damaged.

Top tether anchor point locations

Anchor points

䊊

are located on the rear parcel

shelf.

REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT
INSTALLATION USING LATCH

Refer to all Warnings and Cautions in the “Child
Safety” and “Child Restraint” sections before in-
stalling a child restraint.

Follow these steps to install a rear-facing child
restraint using the LATCH system:

1. Position the child restraint on the seat. Al-

ways follow the child restraint manufactur-
er’s instructions.

LATCH rigid-mounted attachment

LRS0662

WRS0797

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-21

2. Secure the child restraint anchor attach-

ments to the LATCH lower anchors. Check
to make sure the LATCH attachment is prop-
erly attached to the lower anchors.

3. For child restraints that are equipped with

webbing-mounted attachments, remove any
additional slack from the anchor attach-
ments. Press downward and rearward firmly
in the center of the child restraint with your
hand to compress the vehicle seat cushion
and seatback while tightening the webbing
of the anchor attachments.

Rear-facing web-mounted – step 2

WRS0801

Rear-facing rigid-mounted – step 2

WRS0802

Rear-facing – step 3

LRS0673

1-22

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Nissan Altima Hybrid (2010 year). Instruction - part 3