2016 INFINITI Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 5
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. For example, if a large adult who is sitting in
the passenger seat exits the vehicle, the passenger air bag status light will go from OFF to ON for
a few seconds and then to OFF. This is normal system operation and does not indicate a
malfunction. The passenger air bag status light will not illuminate when the front passenger seat
is unoccupied.
HOW AND WHEN FRONT AIR BAGS WORK
While the inner workings of a supplemental front air bag system are complicated, understanding
what makes the front air bags deploy is rather easy:
the vehicle’s front air bag sensor system is
designed to detect rapid deceleration usually associated with moderate to severe frontal
collisions within a limited range of angles
. Air bags are designed not to deploy in low-severity
collisions. The vehicle’s deceleration rate is related to various factors, such as speed of the
vehicles involved, the weight and stiffness of the vehicles/objects involved, contact locations,
and the angle of impact, to name a few. Once the sensor system is activated, the front air bags
inflate with a harmless gas almost instantly.
The front air bags will not usually activate in side-impact collisions, rear-end collisions, rollovers,
while driving on rough roads, or during hard braking. However, deceleration rates in some
situations can be similar to those found in frontal impacts and may result in front air bag
activation.
WHEN THE FRONT AIR BAGS INFLATE
Please remember, for the supplemental front air bags to be most effective, you must always
buckle up and sit at a suitable distance back to allow room for the air bags to inflate. For the
front air bags to do their job, they must inflate with great force. As mentioned earlier in this
guide, this may cause serious or even fatal injury if, for example, you are unrestrained, out of
position in any way, sitting or leaning too close to the steering wheel or dashboard during
inflation. Even when seated properly, there is a possibility of injury from an inflating front air bag.
This usually consists of minor skin abrasions or burns, but may be more serious. Overall, these
injuries are minimal compared to the injuries the front air bags are designed to prevent. When a
front air bag inflates, a fairly load noise may be heard, followed by the 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 temporary irritation and choking. Those with a history of a breathing condition should get
fresh air promptly.
REPLACING THE AIR BAGS
Air bags are not reusable. After a collision in which your air bags have activated, have the
respective air bag system inspected and replaced by your INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
2016 INFINITI Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 6
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has expressed concern regarding
reports of counterfeit replacement air bags installed in vehicles. Visit www.nhtsa.gov for more
information. INFINITI recommends the replacement of air bags by your INFINITI retailer to ensure
that you receive new original equipment replacement parts. Counterfeit replacement air bags
may not be made to the standards of quality, reliability and durability of Genuine INFINITI
parts. The use of counterfeit replacement air bags or used or salvaged air bags is a potential
serious safety problem and may not provide the same level of protection in a crash.
OTHER SPECIFICS ABOUT AIR BAGS
Do not position the front passenger seat so it contacts the rear seat. If the front passenger
seat does contact the rear seat, the air bag system may determine a sensor malfunction has
occurred and the front passenger air bag status light may illuminate and the supplemental air
bag warning light may flash.
If the supplemental air bag warning light in the instrument panel continues to remain ON or
flashes after you start the vehicle, see your INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
After inflation, air bag components are hot, so avoid contact.
Do not place objects on or near the steering wheel or instrument panel where the air bags
inflate.
Never install a rear-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat of a vehicle.
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
the occupant classification 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 sensors. This can also affect the operation 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 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 assure proper air bag operation. Additionally, do not stow any objects under the
front passenger seat, or on the seat cushion, or store luggage behind the seat that may
contact the seatback, or hang heavy objects from the seatback, or the seatback pocket. Such
objects may interfere with the proper operation of the occupant classification sensor.
See the vehicle owner’s manual for other important information on safety, seats, seat belts,
and the supplemental restraint system. WELL BACK AND UPRIGHT
