2012 NISSAN 370Z COUPE belt

1-34Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
bag Control Unit (ACU), seat belt buckle
switches and the occupant 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 severity 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 classifica-
tion sensor. If the front passenger air bag is OFF,
the passenger air bag status light will be
illuminated (if the seat is unoccupied, the light
will not be illuminated, but the air bag will be off) .
(See “Front passenger air bag and status light”
(P.1-35) 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 a NISSAN dealer. If you are
considering modification of your vehicle due to a
disability, you may also contact a NISSAN
dealer. 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.
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 front air bags inflate quickly in order
to help protect the front occupants. 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 front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
The supplemental front air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.

SSS0988
Front passenger air bag status light
Front passenger air bag and status light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed
to automatically turn OFF under some
conditions. Read this section carefully
to learn how it operates. Proper use of
the seat, seat belt and child restraints is
necessary for most effective protection.
Failure to follow all instructions in this
manual concerning the use of seats,
seat belts and child restraints can
increase the risk or severity of injury inan accident.
Status light:
The front passenger air bag status light
is
located on the instrument panel. After the
ignition switch is placed in the ON position,
the front passenger air bag status light illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns off or
illuminates depending on the front passenger
seat occupied status. The light operates as
follows:
. Unoccupied passenger seat: The
is
OFF and the front passenger air bag is OFF
and will not inflate in a crash.
. Passenger seat occupied by a small adult,
child or child restraint as outlined in this
section: The
illuminates to indicate that
the front passenger air bag is OFF and will
not inflate in a crash.
. Occupied passenger seat and the passen-
ger meets the conditions outlined in this
section: The light
is OFF to indicate
that the front passenger air bag is opera-
tional.
Front passenger air bag:
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF when the vehicle is
operated under some conditions as described below as permitted by 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
sensor) 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
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-35

1-36Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
sensor to turn the air bag OFF. Always be sure
to be 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
restraints. Failing to properly secure child
restrains and to use the ALR 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” (P.1-18) for proper use and installa-
tion.)
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
occupants 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 front
passenger 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 passenger 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 properly and the
occupant is positioned properly. If the passen-
ger 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). Your 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 transporta child in this vehicle.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System and
passenger air bag status 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-impact 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
injury if the front air bag inflates.
. Do not place objects with sharp
edges on the seat. Also, do not
place heavy objects on the seat that

will leave permanent impressions in
the seat. Such objects can damage
the seat or occupant classification
sensor (pattern sensor) . This can
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious perso-
nal injury.
. Do not use water or acidic cleaners
(hot steam cleaners) on the seat.
This can damage the seat or occu-
pant 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 air bag system. This is to
prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage 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 front air bag sys- tem.
. Tampering with the front air bag
system may result in serious perso-
nal injury. Tampering includes
changes to the steering wheel and
the instrument panel assembly by
placing material over the steering
wheel pad and above the instrument
panel or by installing additional trim
material around the air bag system.
. Removing or modifying the front
passenger seat may affect the func-
tion of the air bag system and result
in serious personal injury.
. Modifying or tampering with the
front passenger seat may result in
serious personal injury. For exam-
ple, do not change the front seats by
placing material on the seat cushion
or by installing additional trim ma-
terial, such as seat covers, on the
seat that is not specifically designed
to assure proper air bag operation.
Additionally, do not stow any ob-
jects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback.
Such objects may interfere with the
proper operation of the occupant
classification sensor. .
No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the seat belt system. This may
affect the front air bag system.
Tampering with the seat belt system
may result in serious personal in-
jury.
. Work on and around the front air
bag system should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of elec-
trical equipment should also be
done by a NISSAN dealer. The
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) wiring harnesses* should not
be modified or disconnected. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the air bag system.
. A cracked windshield should be
replaced immediately by a qualified
repair 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 identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the front air bag system
and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-37

1-38Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
in this Owner’s Manual.
SSS0982
FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-IM-
PACT AND ROOF/DOOR-MOUNTED
CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT SUPPLEMEN-
TAL AIR BAG SYSTEMS
The side air bags are located in the outside of
the seatback of the front seats. The curtain air
bags are located in the side roof rails (Coupe) or
upper side of the door trim (Roadster) . These
systems are designed to meet voluntary guide-
lines to help reduce the risk of injury to out-of-
position occupants.However, all of the
information, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
The side air bags and curtain air bags are
designed to inflate in higher severity side collisions, although they may inflate if the forces
in another type of collision are similar to those of
a higher severity side impact. They are designed
to inflate on the side where the vehicle is
impacted. They may not inflate in certain side
collisions on the side where the vehicle is
impacted.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper supplemental side air bag
and curtain air bag operation.
When side air bags and curtain air bags inflate, a
fairly loud noise may be heard, followed by
release of smoke. This smoke is not harmful and
does not indicate a 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.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force on the chest
and pelvis of the front occupants. Curtain air
bags help to cushion the impact force to the
head of occupants. They can help save lives and
reduce serious injuries. However, an inflating
side air bags and curtain air bags may cause
abrasions or other injuries. Side air bags and
curtain air bags do not provide restraint to the
lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and passenger seated upright as far as

practical away from the side air bag, and seated
as far away as practical from the door finishers
and side roof rails. The side air bags and curtain
air bags inflate quickly in order to help protect
the out-of-position occupants. Because of this,
the force of the side air bags and curtain air
bags inflating can increase the risk of injury if the
occupant is too close to, or is against, these air
bag modules during inflation. The side air bags
and curtain air bags will deflate quickly after the
collision is over.
The side air bags and curtain air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
systems are operational.
WARNING
.Do not place any objects near the
seatback of the front seats. Also, do
not place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door
finisher and the front seat. Such
objects may become dangerous
projectiles and cause injury if a side air bag inflates.
. Right after inflation, several side air
bags and curtain 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 side air bag and curtain air bag
systems. This is to prevent acciden-
tal inflation of the side air bag and
curtain air bag or damage to side air
bag and curtain air bag systems.
. Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle’s electrical system,
suspension system or side panel.
This could affect proper operation
of the side air bag and curtain air
bag systems.
. Tampering with the air bag system
may result in serious personal in-
jury. For example, do not change the
front seats by placing material near
the seatback or by installing addi-
tional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bags.
. Work around and on the side air bag
and curtain air bag systems should be done by a NISSAN dealer. In-
stallation of electrical equipment
should also be done by a NISSAN
dealer. The SRS wiring harnesses*
should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the side-
impact air bag system.
*
The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the side air bag and
curtain air bag systems and guide the buyer to
the appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SEAT BELTS WITH PRETENSIONERS
(front seats)
WARNING
.The pretensioners cannot be reused
after activation. They must be re-
placed together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.
. If the vehicle becomes involved in a
collision but a pretensioner is not
activated, be sure to have the pre-
tensioner system checked and, if
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-39

1-40Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
necessary, replaced by a NISSAN
dealer.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring
of the pretensioner system. This is
to prevent damage to or accidental
activation of the pretensioners.
Tampering with the pretensioner
system may result in serious perso-
nal injury.
. Work around and on the preten-
sioner system should be done by a
NISSAN dealer. Installation of elec-
trical equipment should also be
done by a NISSAN dealer. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the pretensioner system.
. If you need to dispose of the
pretensioner or scrap the vehicle,
contact a NISSAN dealer. Correct
pretensioner disposal procedures
are set forth in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause
personal injury.
The pretensioner system may activate with the
supplemental air bag system in certain types of collisions. Working with the seat belt retractor, it
helps tighten the seat belt when the vehicle
becomes involved in certain types of collisions,
helping to restrain front seat occupants.
The pretensioner is encased with the seat belt
retractor. These seat belts are used the same
way as conventional seat belts.
When a pretensioner seat belt activates, smoke
is released and a loud noise may be heard. The
smoke is not harmful, and it does not indicate a
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.
After pretensioner activation, load limiters allow
the seat belt to release webbing (if necessary) to
reduce forces against the chest.
The supplemental air bag warning light
is
used to indicate malfunctions in the pretensioner
system. (See “Supplemental air bag warning
light” (P.1-41) for more details.) If the supple-
mental air bag warning light indicates there is a
malfunction, have the system checked by a
NISSAN dealer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the seat belt preten-
sioners and guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SSS1016
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front-
impact air bag are placed in the vehicle as
shown in the illustration.
*1SRS air bag
The warning labels are located on the surface of
the sun visors.

SPA1097
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light, display-
ing
in the instrument panel, monitors the
circuits of the supplemental front-impact air bag,
front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental
air bag, roof-mounted (Coupe models) or door-
mounted (Roadster models) curtain side-impact
supplemental air bag, and seat belt pretensioner
systems. The monitored circuits include the air
bag systems, pretensioners and all related
wiring.
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns off. This means the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag and
pretensioner systems need servicing:
.
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on approximately 7 seconds after
the ignition switch is pushed to the ON
position.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
. The supplemental air bag warning light does
not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag, side air
bag, curtain air bag or pretensioner systems may
not operate properly. They must be checked and
repaired. Take your vehicle to the nearest
NISSAN dealer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag
and/or pretensioner systems will not
operate in an accident. To help avoid
injury to yourself or others, have your
vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as
soon as possible.
REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PRO-
CEDURE
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain air bags
and pretensioners are designed to activate on a
one-time-only basis. As a reminder, unless it is
damaged, the supplemental air bag warning light
will remain illuminated after inflation has oc-
curred. Repair and replacement of these sys-
tems should be done only by a NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags, curtain
air bags, pretensioners and related parts should
be pointed out to the person conducting the
maintenance. The ignition switch should always
be in the LOCK position when working under
the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
. Once a front air bag, side air bag, or
curtain air bag has inflated, the air
bag module will not function again
and must be replaced. Additionally,
the activated pretensioner must
also be replaced. The air bag mod-
ule and pretensioner system should
be replaced by a NISSAN dealer.
The air bag module and preten-
sioner system cannot be repaired.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-41