2007 NISSAN 350Z sensor

1. Supplemental front-impact air bags
(Page 1-28)
2. Supplemental curtain side-impact air bags*
(P.1-28)
3. Seat belts (P.1-10)
4. Seats (P.1-2)
— Child restraints (P.1-17)
5. Head restraints (P.1-9)
6. Child restraint anchor point* (for top tether
strap child restraint) (P.1-24)
7. Occupant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor)
— Advanced air bag system (P.1-35)
8. Supplemental side air bags* (P.1-28)
9. Pre-tensioner seat belt system (P.1-41)
*: if so equipped
SSI0255
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS AND
CHILD RESTRAINTS0-2
Illustrated table of contents


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ward, sitting sideways or out of posi-
tion in any way, you are at greater
risk of injury or death in a crash. You
may also receive serious or fatal in-
juries from the supplemental front air
bag if you are up against it when it
inflates. Always sit back against the
seatback and as far away as practical
from the steering wheel or instru-
ment panel. Always use the seat
belts.

The driver and front passenger seat
belt buckles are equipped with sen-
sors that detect if the seat belts are
fastened. The advanced air bag sys-
tem monitors the severity of a colli-
sion and seat belt usage then inflates
the air bags. Failure to properly wear
seat belts can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.

The front passenger seat is equipped
with an occupant classification sen-
sor (pattern sensor) that turns the
front passenger air bag OFF under
some conditions. This sensor is onlyused in this seat. Failure to be prop-
erly seated and wearing the seat belt
can increase the risk or severity of
injury in an accident. See “Front Pas-
senger air bag and status light” later
in this section.

Keep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when
the supplemental front air bag in-
flates.
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out of the window or lean against the
door. Some examples of dangerous
riding positions are shown in the pre-
vious illustrations.

Do not use seat covers on the front
seatbacks. They may interfere with
supplemental side air bag inflation.
1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front air bag modules
3. Supplemental curtain side-impact air bag
modules (if so equipped for Coupe models)4. Occupant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor)
5. Occupant classification system control unit
6. Supplemental side air bag modules (if so
equipped)
SSS0162
SSS0680
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7. Diagnosis sensor unit
8. Satellite sensors
9. Seat belt pre-tensioner retractorNISSAN advanced air bag systemThis vehicle is equipped with the NISSAN ad-
vanced air bag system for the driver and front
passenger seats. This system is designed to
meet certification requirements under U.S. regu-
lations. It is also permitted in Canada.However,
all of the information, cautions and warn-
ings in this manual still apply and must be
followed.
The driver supplemental front air bag is located
in the center of the steering wheel. The front
passenger supplemental front air bag is
mounted in the instrument panel. The supple-
mental front air bags are designed to inflate in
higher severity frontal collisions, although they
may inflate if the forces in another type of
collision are similar to those of a higher severity
frontal impact. They may not inflate in certain
frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is
not always an indication of proper supplemental
air bag system operation.
The NISSAN advanced air bag system has dual
stage air bag inflators. It also monitors informa-
tion from the crash zone sensor, the diagnosis
sensor unit, seat belt buckle sensors and theoccupant classification sensor (pattern sensor).
Inflator operation is based on the severity of a
collision and seat belt usage for the driver. For
the front passenger, the occupant classification
sensor is also monitored. Based on information
from the sensors, only one front air bag may
inflate in a crash, depending on the crash sever-
ity and whether the front occupants are belted or
unbelted. Additionally, the front passenger air
bag may be automatically turned OFF under
some conditions, depending on the information
provided by the occupant classification sensor. If
the front passenger air bag is OFF, the passen-
ger air bag status light will be illuminated (if the
seat is unoccupied, the light will not be illumi-
nated, but the air bag will be off.). See “Front
passenger air bag and status light” later in this
section for further details. One front air bag
inflating does not indicate improper performance
of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, contact NISSAN or a NISSAN dealer. If
you are considering modifications of your vehicle
due to a disability, you may also contact NIS-
SAN. Contact information is contained in the
front of this Owner’s Manual.
When a front air bag inflates, a fairly loud noise
may be heard, followed by release of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful and does not indicatea fire. 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 front air bags, along with the use
of seat belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the head and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious injuries.
However, an inflating front air bag may cause
facial abrasions or other injuries. Front air bags
do not provide restraint to the lower body.
Even with NISSAN advanced air bags, 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. The supplemental front air bags inflate
quickly in order to help protect the front occu-
pants. Because of this, the force of the front air
bag inflating can increase the risk of injury if the
occupant is too close to, or is against, the air bag
module during inflation.
The air bag will deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
or START position.
After turning the ignition key to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
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below in accordance with U.S. regulations. If the
front passenger air bag is OFF, it will not inflate
in a crash. The driver air bag and other air bags
in your vehicle are not part of this system.
The purpose of the regulation is to help reduce
the risk of injury or death from an inflating air bag
to certain front passenger seat occupants, such
as children, by requiring the air bag to be
automatically turned OFF.
The occupant classification sensor (pattern sen-
sor) is in the front passenger seat cushion and is
designed to detect an occupant and objects on
the seat. For example, if a child is in the front
passenger seat, the advanced air bag system is
designed to turn the passenger air bag OFF in
accordance with the regulations. Also, if a child
restraint of the type specified in the regulations
is on the seat, the occupant classification sensor
can detect it and cause the air bag to turn OFF.
Front passenger seat adult occupants who are
properly seated and using the seat belt as
outlined in this manual should not cause the
passenger air bag to be automatically turned
OFF. For small adults it may be turned OFF,
however, if the occupant does not sit in the seat
properly (for example, by not sitting upright, by
sitting on an edge of the seat, or by otherwise
being out of position), this could cause the
sensor to turn the air bag OFF. Always be sure tobe seated and wearing the seat belt properly for
the most effective protection by the seat belt and
supplemental air bag.
The occupant classification sensor is designed
to operate as described above to turn the front
passenger air bag OFF for specified child re-
straints as required by the regulations. Failing to
properly secure child restrains and to use the
automatic locking mode (child restraint mode)
may allow the restraint to tip or move in an
accident or sudden stop. This can also result in
the passenger air bag inflating in a crash instead
of being OFF. See “Child restraints” earlier in
this section for proper use and installation.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the
passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because of
the object being detected by the occupant
classification sensor. Other conditions could
also result in air bag inflation, such as if a child is
standing on the seat, or if two children are on the
seat, contrary to the instructions in this manual.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle occu-
pants are seated and restrained properly.
Using the passenger air bag status light, you can
monitor when the front passenger air bag is
automatically turned OFF with the seat occu-
pied. The light will not illuminate when the frontpassenger seat is unoccupied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
passenger air bag status light is illuminated
(indicating that the air bag is OFF), it could be
that the person is a small adult, or is not sitting
on the seat properly.
If a child restraint must be used in the front seat,
the passenger air bag status light may or may not
be illuminated, depending on the size of the child
and the type of child restraint being used. If the
air bag status light is not illuminated (indicating
that the air bag might inflate in a crash), it could
be that the child restraint or seat belt is not being
used properly. Make sure that the child restraint
is installed properly, the seat belt is used prop-
erly and the occupant is positioned properly. If
the air bag status light is still not illuminated, try
a different child restraint.
If the passenger air bag status light will not
illuminate even though you believe that the child
restraint, the seat belts and the occupant are
properly positioned, the system may be sensing
an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is
OFF). A NISSAN dealer can check that the
system is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your dealer that
your air bag is working properly, do not transport
a child in this vehicle.
The air bag system and passenger air bag status
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light will take a few seconds to register a change
in the passenger seat status. However, if the
seat becomes unoccupied, the air bag status
light will remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air
bag system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges
area, will blink. Have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
Other supplemental front air bag
precautions
WARNING

Do not place any objects on the
steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause in-
jury if the supplemental front air bag
inflates.

Do not place objects with sharp
edges on the seat. Also, do not place
heavy objects on the seat that willleave permanent impressions in the
seat. Such objects can damage the
seat or occupant classification sen-
sor (pattern sensor). This can affect
the operation of the air bag system
and result in serious personal injury.

Do not use water or acidic cleaners
(hot steam cleaners) on the seat. This
can damage the seat or occupant
classification sensor. This can also
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious personal
injury.

Immediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will
be hot. Do not touch them; you may
severely burn yourself.

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 dam-
age to the supplemental air bag
system.
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 front
air bag system.

Tampering with the supplemental
front air bag system may result in
serious personal injury. Tampering
includes changes to the steering
wheel and the instrument panel as-
sembly by placing material over the
steering wheel pad and above the
instrument panel or by installing ad-
ditional trim material around the air
bag system.

Modifying or tampering with the front
passenger seat may result in serious
personal injury. For example, do not
change the front seats by placing
material on the seat cushion or by
installing additional trim material,
such as seat covers, on the seat that
are not specifically designed to as-
sure proper air bag operation. Addi-1-38
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tionally, do not stow any objects un-
der the front passenger seat or the
seat cushion and seatback. Such ob-
jects may interfere with the proper
operation of the occupant classifica-
tion sensor.

No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the seat belt system. This may affect
the supplemental front air bag sys-
tem. Tampering with the seat belt
system may result in serious per-
sonal injury.

Work on and around the supplemen-
tal front air bag system should be
done by a NISSAN dealer. Installa-
tion of electrical equipment should
also be done by a NISSAN dealer.
The Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) wiring should not be modified
or disconnected. Unauthorized elec-
trical test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the air
bag system.

A cracked windshield should be re-placed immediately by a qualified re-
pair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect the function of the
supplemental air bag system.

The SRS wiring harness connectors
are yellow and orange for easy iden-
tification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the supplemental front air
bag system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
Supplemental side air bag and curtain
side-impact air bag system (if so
equipped)This section includes the information about both
the supplemental side air bag system
Aand the
supplemental curtain side-impact air bag system
B. Curtain side-impact air bags are not avail-
able on Roadster models.
The supplemental side air bags are located in
the outside of the seatback of the front seats.
The supplemental curtain side-impact air bags
are located in the side roof rails. These systems
are designed to meet voluntary guidelines to
help reduce the risk of injury to out-of-position
SSS0209A
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SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHTThe supplemental air bag warning light, display-
ing
in the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits of the supplemental front air bag,
supplemental side air bag (if so equipped) and
curtain side-impact air bag (if so equipped for
Coupe models) systems, and pre-tensioner seat
belt. The circuits monitored by the air bag warn-
ing light are the diagnosis sensor unit, crash
zone sensor, satellite sensors, front air bag
modules, side air bag modules, curtain side-
impact air bag modules, pre-tensioner seat belt
and all related wiring.After turning the ignition key to the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates. The supplemental air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
supplemental front air bag, supplemental side air
bag and curtain side-impact air bag systems,
and pre-tensioner seat belt need servicing:

The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains on after approximately 7 seconds.

The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.

The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the supplemental front
air bags, supplemental side air bags, curtain
side-impact air bags and/or pre-tensioner seat
belt may not operate properly. They must be
checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to a
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that thesupplemental front air bag, supplemen-
tal side air bag, curtain side-impact air
bag systems and/or pre-tensioner seat
belt systems will not operate in an acci-
dent. To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle checked by a
NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.
Repair and replacement procedureThe supplemental front air bags, supplemental
side air bags (if so equipped), curtain side-
impact air bags (if so equipped for Coupe
models) and pre-tensioner seat belt are de-
signed to inflate on a one-time-only basis. As a
reminder, unless it is damaged, the supplemen-
tal air bag warning light will remain illuminated
after inflation has occurred. Repair and replace-
ment of these systems should be done only by a
NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the supplemental front air bags, side air
bags, curtain side-impact air bags, related parts
and pre-tensioner seat belt should be pointed
out to the person conducting the maintenance.
The ignition key should always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or inside
the vehicle.
SPA1097
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