
2017 INFINITI Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide                                         1 
  
 
 
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AIR BAGS 
Air bags are a supplemental restraint system designed to enhance the protection provided by the 
seat belt system during certain types of collisions. Supplemental driver and front passenger air 
bags, side-impact air bags, and curtain side-impact air bags are standard on all 2017 INFINITI 
vehicles. On some INFINITI vehicles, the curtain side-impact air bags are also equipped with a 
rollover sensing function. In addition, driver and passenger supplemental knee airbags are 
equipped on some vehicles: these air bags inflate in conjunction with the front air bags in certain 
collisions.  See your vehicle owner’s manual for information about your air bag systems. 
 
Please remember always to wear your seat belt, and never use a rear-facing child restraint in the 
front passenger seat. See page 12 of this guide for important information about child restraint 
use. 
 
FASTER THAN THE EYE CAN BLINK 
In a collision, a lot can happen in just one second. It takes a short time for the system to decide 
to deploy. At 0.01 seconds, a front air bag begins to inflate. At 0.04 seconds, it is fully inflated. 
By 0.1 seconds, it has done its job and is deflating. Considering the speed of these events, it is 
not surprising that many people involved in a frontal collision do not initially realize that their air 
bags inflated.  
 
 
0.01 SECONDS INFLATING BEGINS 0.04 SECONDS AIR BAG IS INFLATED 0.1 SECONDS DEFLATING BEGINS
 
AIR BAG PROTECTION  

2017 INFINITI Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide                                         2 
THE INFINITI ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM 
All 2017 INFINITI vehicles are equipped with the INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) for the 
driver and front passenger seats. 
Typically, this system incorporates dual-stage inflators*, and 
monitors information from various crash sensors, the front seat belt buckle sensors, and the 
occupant classification sensor. 
 
The front passenger air bag may be automatically turned OFF under some conditions, depending 
on the weight detected by the occupant classification sensors in the passenger seat. The front 
passenger air bag status light indicates whether the passenger air bag is ON or OFF.  Operation 
of the light may vary by vehicle model, see the vehicle owner’s manual for more information 
about your specific system.  
 
The front passenger air bag status light does not indicate a malfunction of the front passenger air 
bag. If the front passenger air bag status light is illuminated while an adult occupies the seat, 
the occupant may need to shift his or her seating position so the system can turn ON the front 
passenger air bag and turn OFF the status light. See your owner’s manual for proper seating 
positions. 
 
Remember, all air bags are supplemental restraint systems. You must properly use seat belts 
and child restraints, as explained in the vehicle owner’s manual and your child restraint 
manufacturer’s instructions.   
 
THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF AN AIR BAG: YOUR SEAT BELT 
Your chances of surviving a collision will improve greatly if one simple piece of advice is  
followed: always wear your seat belt.  Do not count on just the air bags for occupant protection; 
they are merely a 
supplemental restraint system.  
 
Seat belts help to protect the occupants of your vehicle during collisions in which the air bags 
are not designed to activate. In addition, in situations where the air bags are activated, seat 
belts enhance their effectiveness and can help reduce the risk of injury from an inflating air bag. 
Seat belts will also help protect the occupants of your vehicle during multiple-impact collisions, 
while the air bags work only one time if a collision is severe enough to activate them. Please see 
the SEAT BELT SAFETY and CHILD SAFETY sections of this guide and the vehicle owner’s manual 
for more information.
 
 
*Dual-stage inflators vary the inflation rate based on the severity of the collision (for example, less forceful  
 
 inflation for moderate impacts and a higher inflation force for more severe impacts). In addition, based on     
 
  information from the seat belt buckle sensors that detect whether the seat belts are fastened, the  
 
 deployment of the front air bags is adjusted. Only one front air bag may inflate in a crash, depending on  
 
 the severity of the crash and whether the front occupants are belted or unbelted. 
 
  

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EFFECTIVE USE OF SEAT BELTS AND AIR BAGS 
 
 
 
Seat belts and supplemental air bags are most effective when vehicle occupants are sitting 
upright and well back in the seat with both feet on the floor. Keep in mind that air bags inflate 
with great force. Being unrestrained, leaning forward, sitting sideways, or being out of position in 
any way puts you at a greater risk of injury or death in a crash. You may also receive serious or 
fatal injuries from the air bag system if you are up against it when it inflates. Always sit back 
against the seatback with both feet on the floor and as far away as practical from the steering 
wheel or instrument panel and always wear your seat belt. Please see the SEAT BELT SAFETY 
section of this guide and the vehicle owner’s manual for more information. 
 
HOW THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM WORKS 
 
The front passenger seat is equipped with an Occupant Classification Sensor that turns the front 
passenger air bag OFF under some conditions.   The occupant classification sensor detects an 
occupant and objects on the seat by weight.  For example, if a child is in the front passenger 
seat, the Advanced Air Bag System  may turn the passenger air bag OFF in accordance with U.S. 
regulations. In addition, if a child restraint of the type specified in the regulations is on the seat, 
the occupant classification sensors can detect it and cause the air bag to turn OFF.  See the  

2017 INFINITI Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide                                         4 
vehicle owner’s manual for more information about the specific occupant classification system 
type in your vehicle.  The occupant classification sensor is only used in the front passenger seat. 
Failure to be properly seated and wearing the seat belt can increase the risk or severity of injury 
in an accident.
 
Front passenger seat adult occupants who are properly seated and using the seat belt as 
outlined in the vehicle’s owner manual should not cause the passenger air bag to be 
automatically turned OFF. However if the occupant takes his/her weight off the seat cushion  (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 
supplemental air bag.  Nissan recommends that pre-teens and children be properly restrained in 
the rear seat. 
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 the 
occupant classification sensor detects the weight.  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 the vehicle’s owner’s manual. 
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 not sitting on the seat 
properly or not using the seat belt 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.  
Always make sure that the child restraint is installed properly, the seat belt is being used 
properly and the occupant is positioned properly. See the vehicle owner’s manual for more 
information about the specific occupant classification system type in your vehicle.  If necessary, 
your INFINITI retailer can check the system by using a special tool.  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.    This is normal system operation and does not 
indicate a malfunction.   
 
  

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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  

2017 INFINITI Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide                                         12 
OTHER SPECIFICS ABOUT SIDE-IMPACT, CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT, AND CURTAIN  
SIDE-IMPACT/ROLLOVER AIR BAG SYSTEMS 
 
Do not allow anyone sitting in the front seat to extend his or her hand out the window or lean 
against the door. 
 When sitting in the rear, do not hold onto the seatbacks of the front seats, hang anything 
from the head restraint or push or pull on the seatback pocket as this may interfere with the 
proper operation of the air bag systems. Be especially careful with children, who should 
always be properly seated and restrained in the rear seat. 
 Do not allow anyone to place their hand, leg or face near the side-impact air bag modules on 
the seatbacks of the front seats or near the curtain side-impact air bag modules in the roof 
rails or in the front door panels. 
 Curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are designed to inflate not only in rollovers, but also in 
certain near rollover situations. As a result, certain vehicle movements (for example, during 
severe off-road driving) may cause these air bags to inflate. 
 See the vehicle owner's manual for other important safety information about side-impact, 
curtain side-impact, and curtain side-impact/rollover air bag systems and how your vehicle is 
equipped. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
WHENEVER A CHILD IS IN YOUR VEHICLE 
The risk of serious or fatal injury to children in automobile collisions can be reduced with a 
properly installed child restraint. Before you install a child restraint in your vehicle, please 
consult the vehicle owner’s manual and the child restraint manufacturer’s instructions for proper 
installation.  
Child restraints for infants must be used in a rear-
facing direction and therefore must never be used in 
the front seat. An inflating front passenger air bag 
could seriously injure or kill your child. According to 
statistics, children are safer when properly restrained 
in the rear seat than in the front seat. INFINITI and the 
federal government recommend that children 12 and 
under should ride in the rear seat, properly secured in 
child restraints, booster seats, or seat belts, according 
to their size. 
CHILD SAFETY  

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If you must install a forward-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat, move the 
passenger seat to the rearmost position. See the vehicle owner’s manual for details and 
additional important information. 
 
CHILD RESTRAINTS FOR INFANTS AND SMALL CHILDREN 
Infants and small children should always be placed in an appropriate child restraint while riding 
in the vehicle. Failure to use a child restraint can result in serious injury or death. 
 
Children and infants should never be carried on your 
lap. It is not possible for even the strongest adult to 
resist the forces of a severe collision. The child could 
be crushed between the adult and parts of the 
vehicle. Also, do not put the same seat belt around 
both your child and yourself, or another child. 
 
Always install the child restraint properly, and check 
that it is securely held in place by the vehicle’s seat 
belt or LATCH system (if so equipped). An improperly 
installed child restraint could lead to serious injury 
or death in a collision. See the vehicle owner’s manual and your child restraint manufacturer’s 
instructions for complete details. 
 
Child restraints specially designed for infants and small children are offered by several 
manufacturers. When selecting any child restraint, keep the following points in mind: 
 
1. The LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) is a universal child restraint 
system. This system – which may also be referred to as the ISOFIX or ISOFIX compatible 
system – allows the child restraint to be installed into the vehicle without the use of seat 
belts. Both the vehicle and child restraint must have LATCH system capabilities. 
 
2. Choose only a restraint with a label certifying that it complies with Federal Motor Vehicle 
Safety Standard 213. 
 
3. Always make sure the child restraint is appropriate for the age and size of your infant or 
small child.  Remember that as your child grows you will need to replace the child restraint. 
  

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4. Check the child restraint in your vehicle to be sure it is compatible with the vehicle’s seat 
and seat belt system. 
5. If the child restraint is compatible with your vehicle, place your child in the child restraint 
and check, the various adjustments to be sure the child restraint is compatible with your 
child. Always follow all recommended procedures. 
 
All U.S. states require that infants and small children be restrained in a certified child restraint at 
all times while the vehicle is being operated. 
 
THE LATCH SYSTEM (LOWER ANCHORS AND TETHERS FOR CHILDREN) 
Most 2017 INFINITI vehicles are equipped with universal child restraint lower anchors and top 
tether anchors for the installation of child restraints equipped with LATCH attachments. With this 
system, you do not have to use a vehicle seat belt to secure the child restraint. Instead, special 
anchor points are utilized to install the child restraint, provided it is compatible with the LATCH 
system. See the vehicle owner’s manual for details and additional important information. 
 
SNUG KIDS™ 
The first of its kind, Snug Kids is our online guide to 
selecting a child restraint seat for your INFINITI vehicle. 
Our certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians have 
evaluated numerous child restraint seats and have compiled their findings to create the Snug 
Kids
TM Child Safety Seat Fit Guides. These guides also include important tips on correct 
installation procedures. Visit www.INFINITIUSA.com/snugkids to view or download 
the latest guide information for finding a child restraint system that is right for your INFINITI 
vehicle. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you are wearing a properly adjusted seat belt, your chances of being injured or killed in a 
collision and/or the severity of injury may be greatly reduced. INFINITI strongly encourages you 
and all of your passengers to buckle up every time you drive, even if your seating position  
includes a supplemental air bag system. Most States require that seat belts be worn at all times, 
when a vehicle is being driven.  
SEAT BELT SAFETY