2017 INFINITI Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 5
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.
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
