Other supplemental front-impact
air bag precautions
WARNING
•Do not place any objects on the steering
wheel pad or on the instrument panel.
Also, do not place any objects between
any occupant and the steering wheel or
instrument panel. Such objects may be-
come dangerous projectiles and cause
injury if the front air bags inflate.
•Immediately after inflation, several
front air bag system components will be
hot. Do not touch them; you may se-
verely burn yourself.
•No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the supplemental air bag system. This is
to prevent accidental inflation of the
supplemental air bag or damage to the
supplemental air bag system.
•Do not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle's electrical system, suspen-
sion system or front end structure. This
could affect proper operation of the
front air bag system.
•Tampering with the front air bag system
may result in serious personal injury. Tam-
pering includes changes to the steering
wheel and the instrument panel assembly
by placing material over the steering wheel
pad and above the instrument panel or by
installing additional trim material around
the air bag system.
•Removing or modifying the front pas-
senger seat may affect the function 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 mate-
rial on the seat cushion or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, on the seat that are not specifi-
cally designed to assure proper air bag
operation. Additionally, do not stow any
objects under the front passenger seat
or the seat cushion and seatback. Such
objects may interfere with the proper
operation of the occupant classification
sensor (pressure sensor).
•No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of the seat belt system. This may affect the
front air bag system. Tampering with
the seat belt system may result in seri-
ous personal injury.
•It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for work on and around
the front air bag. It is also recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for
installation of electrical equipment. The
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
wiring harnesses* should not be modi-
fied or disconnected. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the air bag
system.
•A cracked windshield should be replaced
immediately by a qualified repair facil-
ity. 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 appropri-
ate sections in this Owner's Manual.
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-51
dangerous projectiles and cause injury if
a side air bag inflates.
•Right after inflation, several side air bag
and curtain air bag system components
will be hot. Do not touch them; you may
severely burn yourself.
•No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the side air bag and curtain air bag sys-
tems. This is to prevent damage to or
accidental inflation of the side air bag
and curtain air bag systems.
•Do not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system, suspen-
sion system or side panel. This could af-
fect proper operation of the curtain air
bag systems.
•Tampering with the side air bag system
may result in serious personal injury. For
example, do not change the front seats
by placing material near the seatbacks
or by installing additional trim material,
such as seat covers, around the side air
bag.
•It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for work on and around
the front air bag. It is also recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for installation of electrical equipment. The
SRS wiring harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the side air
bag or curtain air bag systems.
Driver and passenger supplemental
knee air bags
The driver's knee air bag deploys under the
steering column, while the passenger's knee
air bag deploys under the glove box. All of the
information, cautions and warnings in this
manual apply and must be followed. The driv-
er's and passenger's knee air bags are trig-
gered together with the front air bag. The
knee 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 fron-
tal impact. They may not inflate in certain
collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper knee air bag operation.
When a knee 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 notto inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly
The knee air bags help to cushion the impact
force on the knees of the driver and front
passenger. They can help reduce serious inju-
ries. However, an inflating knee air bag may
cause abrasions or other injuries. The knee air
bag provides restraint to the lower body.
The knee air bag inflates quickly in order to
help protect the occupants. Because of this,
the force of the knee air bag inflating can
increase the risk of injury if the occupant is
too close to, or is against, this air bag module
during inflation. The knee air bag will deflate
quickly after the collision is over OR the knee
air bag will remain inflated for a short time.
The knee air bags operate only when the ig-
nition switch is placed in the ON position.
After placing the ignition switch in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off a few seconds af-
ter the engine starts if the system is opera-
tional.
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-53
WARNING
•Do not place any objects between the
knee bolster and the driver’s seat. Such
objects may become dangerous projec-
tiles and cause injury if a knee air bag
inflates.
•Right after inflation, the knee air bag
system components will be hot. Do not
touch them; you may severely burn
yourself.
•No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the knee air bag system. This is to pre-
vent damage to or accidental inflation
of the knee air bag system.
•Do not make unauthorized changes to
your vehicle’s electrical system or sus-
pension system. This could affect proper
operation of the knee air bag system.
•Tampering with the knee air bag system
may result in serious personal injury. For
example, do not change the driver knee
bolster or install additional trim material
around the knee air bag.
•It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for work on and around
the front air bag. It is also recommended
that you visit an INFINITI retailer for installation of electrical equipment. The
SRS wiring harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the knee
air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harness or connectors are yellow or orange for easy
identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the knee air bag
system and guide the buyer to the appropri-
ate sections in this manual.
Seat belt with pretensioner(s)
WARNING
•The pretensioner(s) cannot be reused
after activation. They must be replaced
together with the retractor and buckle
as a unit.
•If the vehicle becomes involved in a col-
lision but pretensioner(s) are not acti-
vated, be sure to have the pretensioner
system checked and, if necessary, re-
placed. It is recommended that you visit
an INFINITI retailer for this service.
•No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pretensioner system. This is to pre-
vent damage to or accidental activation
of the pretensioner(s). Tampering with
the pretensioner system may result in
serious personal injury.
•It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for work on and around
the pretensioner system. It is also rec-
ommended that you visit an INFINITI re-
tailer for installation of electrical equip-
ment. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices should
not be used on the pretensioner system.
1-54Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light, dis-
playingin the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits for the air bag systems, pre-
tensioner(s) and all related wiring.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The air bag warning light will
turn off within a few seconds after the engine
is started, if the system is operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag and
pretensioner systems need servicing:
•The supplemental air bag warning light
remains on after approximately 7 seconds.
•The supplemental air bag warning light
flashes intermittently.
•The supplemental air bag warning light
does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag, knee air bag or
pretensioner systems may not operate
properly. They must be checked and re-
paired. It is recommended that you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning light is
on, it could mean that the front air bag, side
air bag, knee air bag, curtain air bag and/or
pretensioner systems will not operate in an
accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle checked as soon
as possible. It is recommended that you
visit an INFINITI retailer for this service.
REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT
PROCEDURE
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain air
bags, knee air bags and pretensioner(s) are
designed to inflate on a one-time-only basis.
As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the
supplemental air bag warning light remains
illuminated after inflation has occurred. These systems should be repaired and/or re-
placed as soon as possible. It is recom-
mended that you visit an INFINITI retailer for
this service.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags, cur-
tain air bags, knee air bags, pretensioner(s)
and related parts should be pointed out to the
person performing the maintenance. The ig-
nition switch should always be in the LOCK
position when working under the hood or
inside the vehicle.
WARNING
•Once a front air bag, side air bag, knee
air bag, or curtain air bag has inflated,
the air bag module will not function
again and must be replaced. Addition-
ally, the activated pretensioner(s) must
also be replaced. The air bag module and
pretensioner(s) should be replaced. It is
recommended that you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service. However, the air
bag module and pretensioner(s) cannot
be repaired.
•The front air bag, side air bag, knee air
bag, curtain air bag systems and the
pretensioner system should be in-
spected if there is any damage to the
front end or side portion of the vehicle. It
SPA1097Z
1-56Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
WARNING
•Never leave children or adults who
would normally require the support of
others alone in your vehicle. Pets should
not be left alone either. They could un-
knowingly activate switches or controls
and inadvertently become involved in a
serious accident and injure themselves.
On hot, sunny days, temperatures in a
closed vehicle could quickly become high
enough to cause severe or possibly fatal
illness to people or animals.
•Properly secure all cargo to help prevent
it from sliding or shifting. Do not place
cargo higher than the seatbacks. In a
sudden stop or collision, unsecured
cargo could cause personal injury.
•To avoid raising the center of gravity
excessively, do not exceed the rated ca-
pacity of the roof rack (if so equipped)
and evenly distribute the load.
EXHAUST GAS (CARBON
MONOXIDE)
WARNING
•Do not breathe exhaust gas; it contains
colorless and odorless carbon monoxide.
Carbon monoxide is dangerous. It can
cause unconsciousness or death.
•If you suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering the vehicle, drive with all win-
dows fully open, and have the vehicle
inspected immediately.
•Do not run the engine in closed spaces
such as a garage.
•Do not park the vehicle with the engine
running for an extended period of time.
•Keep the lift gate closed while driving,
otherwise exhaust gas could be drawn
into the passenger compartment. If you
must drive with the lift gate open, fol-
low these precautions: – Open all the windows.
– Turn the air recirculation switch off
and set the fan control to the highest
level to circulate the air.
•If electrical wiring or other cable con-
nections must pass to a trailer through
the seal ion the lift gate or body, follow the manufacturer's recommendations
to prevent carbon monoxide entry into
the vehicle.
•The exhaust system and body should be
inspected by a qualified mechanic when-
ever: – You suspect that exhaust fumes are
entering into the passenger compart-
ment.
– You notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust system.
– You have had an accident involving
damage to the exhaust system, un-
derbody, or rear of the vehicle.
THREE-WAY CATALYST (IF
EQUIPPED)
The three-way catalyst is an emission control
device installed in the exhaust system. Ex-
haust gas in the three-way catalyst is burned
at high temperatures to help reduce pollut-
ants.
WARNING
•The exhaust gas and the exhaust system
are very hot. Keep people, animals and
flammable materials away from the ex-
haust system components.
PRECAUTIONS WHEN STARTING
AND DRIVING
5-4Starting and driving