Nissan Altima Coupe (2013 year). Manual - part 3

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” later in this section for
more information.

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 1 year old and weigh at
least 20 lbs (9 kg) should remain in a rear-facing
child restraint as long as possible up to the height
or weight limit of the child restraint. Children who
outgrow the height or weight limit of the rear-
facing child restraint and are at least 1 year old
should be secured in a forward-facing child re-
straint with a harness. Refer to the manufactur-
er’s instructions for minimum and maximum
weight and height recommendations. NISSAN
recommends that small children be placed in
child restraints that comply with Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standards. You should choose a
child restraint that fits your vehicle and always
follow the manufacturer’s instructions for instal-
lation and use.

LARGER CHILDREN

Children should remain in a forward-facing child
restraint with a harness until they reach the maxi-
mum height or weight limit allowed by the child
restraint manufacturer.

Once a child outgrows the height or weight limit
of the harness-equipped forward-facing child re-
straint, NISSAN recommends that the child be
placed in a commercially available booster seat to
obtain proper seat belt fit. For a seat belt to fit

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-19

properly, the booster seat should raise the child
so that the shoulder belt is properly positioned
across the chest and the top, middle portion of
the shoulder. The shoulder belt should not cross
the neck or face and should not fall off the shoul-
der. The lap belt should lie snugly across the
lower hips or upper thighs, not the abdomen. A
booster seat can only be used in seating posi-
tions that have a three-point type seat belt. The
booster seat should fit the vehicle seat and have
a label certifying that it complies with Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or Canadian Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standards. Once the child has
grown so the shoulder belt is no longer on or near
the face and neck and the lap belt can be posi-
tioned properly across the lower hips or upper
thighs use the seat 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

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.

ARS1098

WRS0256

CHILD RESTRAINTS

1-20

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

– 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.

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.

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-21

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 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 system lower anchor locations

WRS0795

1-22

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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.

WRS0829

LATCH lower anchor location

WRS0700

LATCH webbing-mounted attachment

LRS0661

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-23

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

Top tether anchor point locations

The child restraint top tether strap must be used
when installing the child restraint with the LATCH
lower anchor attachments or seat belts. See “In-
stalling top tether strap” later in this section.

If you have any questions when installing a
top tether strap, consult your NISSAN
dealer for details.

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. Pull the flap down

䊊

to allow access to the

anchors

䊊

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

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

LATCH rigid-mounted attachment

LRS0662

WRS0797

LRS0824

1-24

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

3. 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.

4. 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 3

WRS0801

Rear-facing rigid-mounted – step 3

WRS0802

Rear-facing – step 4

LRS0673

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-25

5. After attaching the child restraint, test it be-

fore you place the child in it. Push it from side
to side while holding the child restraint near
the LATCH attachment path. The child re-
straint should not move more than 1 inch (25
mm), from side to side. Try to tug it forward
and check to see if the LATCH attachment
holds the restraint in place. If the restraint is
not secure, tighten the LATCH attachment
as necessary, or put the restraint in another
seat and test it again. You may need to try a
different child restraint or try installing by
using the vehicle seat belt (if applicable).
Not all child restraints fit in all types of ve-
hicles.

6. Check to make sure the child restraint is

properly secured prior to each use. If the
child restraint is loose, repeat steps 2
through 5.

REAR-FACING CHILD RESTRAINT
INSTALLATION USING THE SEAT
BELTS

Rear-facing – step 5

LRS0674

WRS0256

1-26

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WARNING

The three-point seat belt with Automatic
Locking Retractor (ALR) must be used
when installing a child restraint. Failure to
use the ALR mode will result in the child
restraint not being properly secured. The
restraint could tip over or be loose and
cause injury to a child in a sudden stop or
collision. Also, it can change the opera-
tion of the front passenger air bag. See
“Front passenger air bag and status light”
later in this section.

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

Follow these steps to install a rear-facing child
restraint using the vehicle seat belts in the rear
seats:

1. Child restraints for infants must be

used in the rear-facing direction and
therefore must not be used in the front
seat. Position the child restraint on the seat.
Always follow the restraint manufacturer’s
instructions.

2. Route the seat belt tongue through the child

restraint and insert it into the buckle until you
hear and feel the latch engage. Be sure to
follow the child restraint manufacturer’s in-
structions for belt routing.

Rear-facing – step 1

WRS0256

Rear-facing – step 2

WRS0761

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-27

3. Pull the shoulder belt until the belt is fully

extended. At this time, the seat belt retractor
is in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
mode (child restraint mode). It reverts to the
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode
when the seat belt is fully retracted.

4. Allow the seat belt to retract. Pull up on the

shoulder belt to remove any slack in the belt.

5. Remove any additional slack from the seat

belt; press downward and rearward firmly in
the center of the child restraint to compress
the vehicle seat cushion and seatback while
pulling up on the seat belt.

Rear-facing – step 3

LRS0669

Rear-facing – step 4

LRS0670

Rear-facing – step 5

WRS0762

1-28

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

6. After attaching the child restraint, test it be-

fore you place the child in it. Push it from side
to side while holding the child restraint near
the seat belt path. The child restraint should
not move more than 1 inch (25 mm), from
side to side. Try to tug it forward and check
to see if the belt holds the restraint in place.
If the restraint is not secure, tighten the seat
belt as necessary, or put the restraint in
another seat and test it again. You may need
to try a different child restraint. Not all child
restraints fit in all types of vehicles.

7. Check to make sure that the child restraint is

properly secured prior to each use. If the
seat belt is not locked, repeat steps 1
through 6.

After the child restraint is removed and the seat
belt fully retracted, the ALR mode (child restraint
mode) is canceled.

FORWARD-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 forward-facing
child restraint using the LATCH system:

1. Pull the flap down

䊊

to allow access to the

anchors

䊊

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

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

Rear-facing – step 6

WRS0763

LRS0824

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-29

3. 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.

If the child restraint is equipped with a top
tether strap, route the top tether strap and
secure the tether strap to the tether anchor
point. See “Installing top tether strap” in this
section. Do not install child restraints that
require the use of a top tether strap in seat-
ing positions that do not have a top tether
anchor.

4. The back of the child restraint should be

secured against the vehicle seatback.

If the seating position does not have an
adjustable head restraint and it is interfering
with the proper child restraint fit, try another
seating position or a different child restraint.

Forward-facing web-mounted – step 3

WRS0799

Forward-facing rigid-mounted – step 3

WRS0800

1-30

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

5. 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
knee to compress the vehicle seat cushion
and seatback while tightening the webbing
of the anchor attachments.

6. Tighten the tether strap according to the

manufacturer’s instructions to remove any
slack.

7. After attaching the child restraint, test it be-

fore you place the child in it. Push it from side
to side while holding the child restraint near
the LATCH attachment path. The child re-
straint should not move more than 1 inch (25
mm), from side to side. Try to tug it forward
and check to see if the LATCH attachment
holds the restraint in place. If the restraint is
not secure, tighten the LATCH attachment
as necessary, or put the restraint in another
seat and test it again. You may need to try a
different child restraint. Not all child re-
straints fit in all types of vehicles.

8. Check to make sure the child restraint is

properly secured prior to each use. If the
child restraint is loose, repeat steps 2
through 7.

FORWARD-FACING CHILD
RESTRAINT INSTALLATION USING
THE SEAT BELTS

WARNING

Forward-facing – step 5

LRS0671

Forward-facing – step 7

WRS0697

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-31

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 forward-facing
child restraint using the vehicle seat belt in the
rear seats or in the front passenger seat:

1. If you must install a child restraint in

the front seat, it should be placed in a
forward-facing direction only. Move
the seat to the rearmost position. Child
restraints for infants must be used in

the rear-facing direction and, there-
fore, must not be used in the front seat.

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

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

The back of the child restraint should be
secured against the vehicle seatback.

If necessary, adjust or remove the head re-
straint to obtain the correct child restraint fit.
If the head restraint is removed, store it in a
secure place. Be sure to reinstall the
head restraint when the child restraint
is removed. See “Head restraints” in this
section for head restraint adjustment, re-
moval and installation information.

If the seating position does not have an
adjustable head restraint and it is interfering
with the proper child restraint fit, try another
seating position or a different child restraint.

3. Route the seat belt tongue through the child

restraint and insert it into the buckle until you
hear and feel the latch engage. Be sure to
follow the child restraint manufacturer’s in-
structions for belt routing.

If the child restraint is equipped with a top
tether strap, route the top tether strap and
secure the tether strap to the tether anchor
point (rear seat installation only). See “In-
stalling top tether strap” in this section. Do
not install child restraints that require the use
of a top tether strap in seating positions that
do not have a top tether anchor.

Forward-facing (front passenger seat) –

step 1

WRS0699

Forward-facing – step 3

WRS0680

1-32

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

4. Pull the shoulder belt until the belt is fully

extended. At this time, the seat belt retractor
is in the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
mode (child restraint mode). It reverts to
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) mode
when the seat belt is fully retracted.

5. Allow the seat belt to retract. Pull up on the

shoulder belt to remove any slack in the belt.

6. Remove any additional slack from the seat

belt; press downward and rearward firmly in
the center of the child restraint with your
knee to compress the vehicle seat cushion
and seatback while pulling up on the seat
belt.

7. Tighten the tether strap according to the

manufacturer’s instructions to remove any
slack.

Forward-facing – step 4

LRS0667

Forward-facing – step 5

LRS0668

Forward-facing – step 6

WRS0681

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-33

8. After attaching the child restraint, test it be-

9. Check to make sure the child restraint is

properly secured prior to each use. If the
seat belt is not locked, repeat steps 2
through 8.

10. If the child restraint is installed in the front

passenger seat, place the ignition switch in
the ON position. The front passenger air bag
status light

should illuminate. If this

light is not illuminated, see “Front passenger
air bag and status light” in this section.
Move the child restraint to another
seating

position.

Have

the

system

checked by a NISSAN dealer.

After the child restraint is removed and the seat
belt is fully retracted, the ALR mode (child re-
straint mode) is canceled.

Forward-facing – step 8

WRS0698

Forward-facing – step 10

WRS0475

1-34

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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