Nissan Versa Hatchback (2012 year). Instruction

WARNING

● 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 properly. See “Precau-
tions on seat belt usage” later in this
section.

● After adjustment, gently rock in the seat

to make sure it is securely locked.

● Do not leave children unattended inside

the vehicle. They could unknowingly ac-
tivate switches or controls. Unattended
children could become involved in seri-
ous accidents.

● The seatback should not be reclined

any more than needed for comfort. Seat
belts are most effective when the pas-
senger sits well back and straight up in
the seat. If the seatback is reclined, the
risk of sliding under the lap belt and
being injured is increased.

CAUTION

When adjusting the seat positions, be
sure not to contact any moving parts to
avoid possible injuries and/or damage.

FRONT MANUAL SEAT
ADJUSTMENT

ARS1152

SEATS

1-2

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Forward and backward

Pull the lever up and hold it while you slide the
seat forward or backward to the desired position.
Release the lever to lock the seat in position.

Reclining

To recline the seatback, pull the lever up and lean
back. To bring the seatback forward, pull the lever
up and lean your body forward. Release the lever
to lock the seatback in position.

The reclining feature allows adjustment of the
seatback for occupants of different sizes for
added comfort and to help obtain proper seat
belt fit. See “Precautions on seat belt usage” later
in this section. Also, the seatback can be reclined
to allow occupants to rest when the vehicle is
stopped and the transmission is in P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position with the parking brake fully
applied.

Seat lifter (if so equipped for driver’s
seat)

Pull up or push down the adjusting lever to adjust
the seat height until the desired position is
achieved.

WRS0692

WRS0693

WRS0694

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-3

FOLDING REAR SEAT

䊊

Remove the cargo cover from the rear seat-
back.

䊊

Pull the knob

䊊

to fold each seatback

down.

WARNING

● Never allow anyone to ride in the cargo

area or on the rear seat when it is in the
fold-down position. Use of these areas
by passengers without proper restraints
could result in serious injury in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.

● Properly secure all cargo with ropes or

straps to help prevent it from sliding or
shifting. Do not place cargo higher than
the seatbacks. In a sudden stop or col-
lision, unsecured cargo could cause
personal injury.

● When returning the seatbacks to the

upright position, be certain they are
completely secured in the latched posi-
tion. If they are not completely secured,
passengers may be injured in an acci-
dent or sudden stop.

Center armrest (if so equipped)

Pull the armrest down until it is horizontal.

WRS0758

WRS0755

1-4

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

HEAD RESTRAINTS

WARNING

Head restraints supplement the other ve-
hicle safety systems. They may provide
additional protection against injury in cer-
tain rear end collisions. Adjust the head
restraints properly, as specified in this
section.

Check

the

adjustment

after

someone else uses the seat. Do not attach
anything to the head restraint stalks or
remove the head restraint. Do not use the
seat if the head restraint has been re-
moved. If the head restraint was removed,
reinstall and properly adjust the head re-
straint before an occupant uses the seat-
ing position. Failure to follow these in-
structions can reduce the effectiveness of
the head restraints. This may increase the
risk of serious injury or death in a
collision.

The illustration shows the seating positions
equipped with head restraints. All of the head
restraints are adjustable.

䉱 Indicates the seating position is equipped with
a head restraint.

+ Indicates the seating position is not equipped
with a head restraint.

Components

1. Head restraint

2. Adjustment notches

3. Lock knob

4. Stalks

LRS2000

LRS0887

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-5

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.

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.

LRS0890

LRS0891

SPA1025

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-7

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

1-8

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-9

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

1-10

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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

● 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.

● Do not allow children to play with the

seat belts. Most seating positions are
equipped with Automatic Locking Re-
tractor (ALR) mode seat belts. If the
seat belt becomes wrapped around a
child’s neck with the ALR mode acti-
vated, the child can be seriously injured
or killed if the seat belt retracts and
becomes tight. This can occur even if
the vehicle is parked. Unbuckle the seat
belt to release the child. If the seat belt
cannot be unbuckled or is already un-
buckled, release the child by cutting the
seat belt with a suitable tool (such as a
knife or scissors) to release the seat
belt.

Fastening the seat belts

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

section.

Manual front seat shown

WRS0692

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-11

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 dur-

ing 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 re-
tractor.

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 ten-
sion. It can also change the operation of
the front passenger air bag. See “Front
passenger air bag and status light” later in
this section.

WRS0137

WRS0138

1-12

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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.

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.

WRS0139

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-13

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.

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.

LRS0242

1-14

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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 fitting 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 the “Child restraints” 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. Forward-
facing child restraints are available for children
who outgrow rear-facing child restraints and are
at least 1 year old. 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

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-15

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

1-16

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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

Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1-17

Nissan Versa Hatchback (2012 year). Instruction - part 2