Hybrid System-4Hybrid System Overview
The emergency shut-off system is activated
and the high-voltage system automatically
turns off in the following conditions:
.Front and side collisions in which the
air bags are deployed.
. Certain rear collisions.
. Certain INFINITI Direct Response Hy-
brid
®System malfunctions
For the above collisions and the certain
hybrid system malfunctions, the READY to
drive indicator light will turn off. See
“Warning/indicator lights and audible re-
minders” (P.2-10).
The emergency shut-off activates for the
above collisions to minimize risk of an
event that could cause injury or an
accident. If the emergency shut-off system
activates, the hybrid system may not
switched to READY to drive position,
contact an INFINITI retailer. Even if the
ignition switch is switched to READY to
drive position, the system may shut-off
suddenly. Therefore, drive cautiously to the
nearest INFINITI retailer or contact an
INFINITI retailer as soon as possible. To start the INFINITI Direct Response
Hybrid
®System:
1. Depress the brake pedal and place the ignition switch in the ON position when
the transmission is in the P (Park) or N
(Neutral) position (P is recommended).
(For more details, see “Push-button
ignition switch” (P.5-9).)
2. The READY to drive indicator light
flashes, then turns illuminated. (The
hybrid system switched to the READY to
drive mode when the indicator light
illuminates.)
When the READY to drive indicator light
illuminates, the vehicle can be
driven, even if the gasoline engine is not
running.
NOTE:
The gasoline engine starts and stops
automatically. It may stop during low
speed driving, deceleration or when the
vehicle is stopped.
The gasoline engine may automatically
run in the following conditions:
. The level of remaining charge in the
Lithium ion (Li-ion) battery is low. The
engine runs to charge the Li-ion
battery and to provide power to the drive the vehicle.
. The temperature of the engine coolant
is low.
. Based on driving conditions.
. The shift lever is shifted to the P (Park)
position, the driver’ s seat belt is
released and the driver’s side door is
then opened.
The hybrid system operates as follows
based on driving conditions and the Li-ion
battery charge.
STARTING AND SLOW SPEED DRIV-
ING
The vehicle is driven by the electric motor
depending on the available Li-ion battery
charge.
MEDIUM OR HIGH SPEED DRIVING
The system automatically controls the
gasoline engine and electric motor in order
to obtain the optimum fuel mileage and
performance, depending on the driving
situation and available Li-ion battery
charge.
When the remaining battery level is low,
the Li-ion battery is charged by the electric
motor that is driven to generate electric
power while the vehicle is driving.
EMERGENCY SHUT-OFF SYSTEM OPERATION OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM
and as far-away as practical from the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
Always use the seat belts.
. The driver and front passenger seat belt
buckles are equipped with sensors that
detect if the seat belts are fastened. The
Advanced Air Bag System monitors the
severity of a collision and seat belt
usage then inflates the air bags as
needed. 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 sensor
(pattern sensor) that turns the front
passenger air bag OFF under some
conditions. This sensor is only used in
this seat. Failure to be properly seated
and wearing the seat belt can increase
the risk or severity of injury in an
accident. See “Front passenger air bag
and status light” (P.1-44).
. Keep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside the
steering wheel rim could increase the
risk of injury if the front air bag inflates.
SSS0007
SSS0006
SSS0008
SSS0009
Safety —Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-39
operation.
The INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System has
dual stage air bag inflators. The system
monitors information from the crash zone
sensor, the Air bag Control Unit (ACU), seat
belt buckle switches and the occupant
classification sensor (pattern sensor). In-
flator operation is based on the severity of
a collision and seat belt usage for the
driver. For the front passenger, the occu-
pant classification sensor is also moni-
tored. 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 pas-
senger 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 passenger 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”
(P.1-44) for further details.) One front air
bag inflating does not indicate improper
performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your airbag system, contact an INFINITI retailer. If
you are considering modification of your
vehicle due to a disability, you may also
contact an INFINITI retailer. Contact infor-
mation 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 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.
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 INFINITI 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 forceof 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 warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental air
bag warning light will turn off after about
7 seconds if the system is operational.
Safety
—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-43
1-44Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
SSS1085
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 condi-
tions. 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 in an 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 illuminates 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
light 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 out-
lined in this section: The
light
illuminates to indicate that the front
passenger air bag is OFF and will not
inflate in a crash.
. Occupied passenger seat and the pas-
senger meets the conditions outlined in
this section: The
light is OFF to
indicate that the front passenger air
bag is operational. Front passenger air bag:
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF when the vehicle is
operated under some conditions as de-
scribed below as permitted by U.S. regula-
tions. 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 auto-
matically 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 to be seated and wearing
the seat belt properly for the most effective
protection by the seat belt and supple-
mental air bag.
INFINITI recommends that pre-teens and
children be properly restrained in a rear
seat. INFINITI also recommends that appro-
priate child restraints and booster seats be
properly installed in a rear seat. If this is
not possible, 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 restraints 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.1-19) 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 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 occupied. The light will not illuminate
when the front passenger seat is unoccu-
pied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
passenger air bag status light is illumi-
nated (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 passenger air bag status
light is still not illuminated, reposition the
occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
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
INFINITI retailer can check that the system
is OFF by using a special tool. However,
until you have confirmed with your retailer
that your air bag is working properly,
reposition the occupant or child restraint
in a rear seat.
The INFINITI 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.
Safety
—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-45
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 in this Owner’s Man-
ual.
SSS0521
FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-IM-
PACT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG AND
ROOF-MOUNTED CURTAIN SIDE-IM-
PACT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG SYS-
TEMS
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. 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 side-impact 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 in the front
and rear outboard seating positions. 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
Safety
—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-47
SEAT BELTS WITH PRETENSIONERS
(front seats)
WARNING
.The pretensioners cannot be reused after
activation. They must be replaced to-
gether 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 preten-
sioner system checked and, if necessary,
replaced by an INFINITI retailer.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pretensioners. This is to prevent
damage to or accidental activation of the
pretensioner system. Tampering with the
pretensioner system may result in ser-
ious personal injury.
. Work around and on the pretensioners
should be done by an INFINITI retailer.
Installation of electrical equipment
should also be done by an INFINITI
retailer. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices should
not be used on the pretensioner system. .
If you need to dispose of the preten-
sioner or scrap the vehicle, contact an
INFINITI retailer. Correct pretensioner
disposal procedures are set forth in the
appropriate INFINITI 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.1-50). If the
operation of the supplemental air bag
warning light illuminates, have the system
checked by an INFINITI retailer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the seat belt
pretensioners and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner’s Man-
ual.
Safety —Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49
1-50Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
SSS1016
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental
front-impact air bag systems are placed in
the vehicle as shown in the illustration.
SRS air bag
The warning labels*1are located on the
surface of the sun visors.
SPA1097
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits for the air bag
systems, pretensioners and all related
wiring.
When the ignition switch is in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the SRS air bag
systems are operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
air bags and/or pretensioner systems need servicing:
.
The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 sec-
onds.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
. The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the air bags and/
or pretensioner systems may not operate
properly. They must be checked and
repaired. Take your vehicle to the nearest
INFINITI retailer.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light is
on, it could mean that the air bags and/or
pretensioner systems will not operate in an
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle checked by an
INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.