●Confirm the operating condition with
the front passenger air bag status light.
● If you notice that the front passenger air
bag status light is not operating as de-
scribed later in this section, get the oc-
cupant classification system checked. It
is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for this service.
● Until you have confirmed with a dealer
that your front passenger seat occupant
classification system is working prop-
erly, position the occupants in the rear
seating positions.
This vehicle is equipped with the NISSAN Ad-
vanced Air Bag System for the driver and front
passenger seats. This system is designed to
meet certification requirements under U.S. regu-
lations. It is also permitted in Canada. However,
all of the information, cautions and warn-
ings in this manual still apply and must be
followed.
The driver supplemental front-impact air bag is
located in the center of the steering wheel. The
front passenger supplemental front-impact air
bag is mounted in the dashboard above the glove
box. The front air bags are designed to inflate in
higher severity frontal collisions, although they
may inflate if the forces in another type of collision
are similar to those of a higher severity frontal impact. They may not inflate in certain frontal
collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not
always an indication of proper front air bag sys-
tem operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System monitors
information from the crash zone sensor, the Air
bag Control Unit (ACU) , seat belt buckle sensors
and occupant classification sensor (weight sen-
sor) . Inflator operation is based on the severity of
a collision and seat belt usage for the driver. For
the front passenger, the occupant classification
sensors are also monitored. Based on informa-
tion 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 weight de-
tected on the front passenger seat and how the
seat belt is used. If the front passenger air bag is
OFF, the front 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) .
For additional information, refer to “Front passen-
ger air bag and status light” in this section. One
front air bag inflating does not indicate improper
performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, it is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer. If you are considering modifica-
tion of your vehicle due to a disability, you may
also contact NISSAN. 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 the release of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a
fire. Care should be taken to not 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 face 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 air bags, seat belts should be
correctly worn and the driver and front 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 front air bag module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a collision.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-47
