2018 NISSAN LEAF sensor

1. Supplemental air bags (P. 1-42)
2. Occupant classification sensor
(weight sensor) (P. 1-42)
3. Head restraints/headrests (P. 1-5)
4. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact
and rollover supplemental air bag
(P. 1-42)
5. Front seat belt with pretensioner(s)
and shoulder height adjuster
(P. 1-10, 1-42)
6. Top tether anchor (located on
seatback) (P. 1-21)
7. LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers
for CHildren) (P. 1-21)
8. Rear seats (P. 1-2) 9. Front seat side-mounted side-
impact supplemental air bags
(P. 1-42)
10. Front seats (P. 1-2) 11. Driver supplemental knee air bag
(P. 1-42)
Refer to the page number indicated in
parentheses for operating details.
LIC3960
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS AND CHILD
RESTRAINTS
0-2Illustrated table of contents

WARNING
∙ The front air bags ordinarily will notinflate in the event of a side impact,
rear impact, rollover, or lower severity
frontal collision. Always wear your
seat belts to help reduce the risk or
severity of injury in various kinds of
accidents
∙ The front passenger air bag will not inflate if the passenger air bag status
light is lit or if the front passenger seat
is unoccupied. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Front passenger air
bag and status light” in this section. ∙ The seat belts and the front air bags
are most effective when you are sit-
ting well back and upright in the seat.
The front air bags inflate with great
force. Even with the NISSAN Advanced
Air Bag System, if you are unre-
strained, leaning forward, sitting side-
ways or out of position in any way, you
are at greater risk of injury or death in
a crash. You may also receive serious
or fatal injuries from the front air bag
if you are up against it when it inflates.
Always sit back against the seatback
and as far away as practical from the steering wheel or instrument panel.
Always properly use the seat belts.
∙ The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles are equipped with sen-
sors that detect if the seat belts are
fastened. The NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System monitors the severity of a
collision and seat belt usage, then in-
flates the air bags as needed. Failure
to properly wear seat belts can in-
crease the risk or severity of injury in
an accident.
∙ The front passenger seat is equipped with an occupant classification sen-
sor (weight sensor) that turns the
front passenger air bag OFF under
some conditions. This sensor is only
used in this seat. Failure to be properly
seated and wearing the seat belt can
increase the risk or severity of injury in
an accident. For additional informa-
tion, refer to “Front passenger air bag
and status light” in this section.
∙ Keep hands on the outside of the steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when the
front air bag inflates.
WRS0031
1-44Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
(front seats)
1. Supplemental front-impact air bagmodules
2. Air bag Control Unit (ACU)
3. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags
4. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bags
5. Side satellite sensors
6. Seat belt with pretensioner(s) (front seats)
7. Front door satellite sensor (driver’s side shown; front passenger side similar)
8. Occupant classification sensor (weight sensor — located in front passenger
cushion frame)
9. Driver supplemental knee air bag
10. Crash zone sensor
LRS3064
1-50Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

WARNING
To ensure proper operation of the pas-
senger’s NISSAN Advanced Air Bag Sys-
tem, please observe the following
items.
∙ Do not allow a passenger in the rearseat to push or pull on the seatback
pocket.
∙ Do not place heavy loads heavier than 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) on the seatback, head
restraint/headrest or in the seatback
pocket.
∙ Make sure that there is nothing press- ing against the rear of the seatback,
such as a child restraint installed in
the rear seat or an object stored on
the floor.
∙ Make sure that there is no object placed under the front passenger
seat.
∙ Make sure that there is no object placed between the seat cushion and
center console or between the seat
cushion and the door. ∙ If a forward-facing child restraint is
installed in the front passenger seat,
do not position the front passenger
seat so the child restraint contacts the
instrument panel. If the child restraint
does contact the instrument panel,
the system may determine the seat is
occupied and the passenger air bag
may deploy in a collision. Also the
front passenger air bag status light
may not illuminate. For additional in-
formation, refer to “Child restraints” in
this section.
∙ 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
described later in this section, get the
occupant 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 properly, position the occu-
pants in the rear seating positions. ∙ Do not position the front passenger
seat so it contacts the rear seat. If the
front 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 supple-
mental air bag warning light may
flash.
This vehicle is equipped with the NISSAN
Advanced Air Bag System for the driver and
front passenger seats. This system is de-
signed to meet certification requirements
under U.S. regulations. It is also permitted in
Canada. All of the information, cautions
and warnings 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 in-
flate in certain frontal collisions. Vehicle
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-51

damage (or lack of it) is not always an indi-
cation of proper front air bag system op-
eration.
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 classifi-
cation sensor (weight sensor). Inflator op-
eration is based on the severity of a colli-
sion and seat belt usage for the driver. For
the front passenger, the occupant classifi-
cation sensors are also monitored. Based
on information from the sensors, only one
front air bag may inflate in a crash, depend-
ing on the crash severity and whether the
front occupants are belted or unbelted. Ad-
ditionally, 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 pas-
senger air bag is OFF, the front passenger
air bag status light will be illuminated. For
additional information, refer to “Front pas-
senger air bag and status light” in this sec-
tion. One front air bag inflating does not
indicate improper performance of the sys-
tem.If you have any questions about your air
bag system, it is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer. If you are considering
modification of your vehicle due to a dis-
ability, you may also contact NISSAN. Con-
tact 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 re-
lease 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 irrita-
tion 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 seri-
ous injuries. However, an inflating front air
bag may cause facial abrasions or other
injuries. Front air bags, other than the driv-
er’s knee air bag, do not provide restraint to
the lower body.
Even with NISSAN Advanced 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 in-
crease 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 af ter a
collision.
The front air bags operate only when the
ignition switch is placed in the ON posi-
tion.
Af ter placing the ignition switch in the
ON position, the supplemental air bag
warning light illuminates. The supple-
mental air bag warning light will turn off
af ter about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
1-52Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Front passenger air bag and status light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed
to automatically turn OFF under some
conditions. Read this section carefully
to learn how it operates. Proper use of
the seat, seat belt and child restraints is
necessary for most effective protec-
tion. Failure to follow all instructions in
this manual concerning the use of
seats, seat belts and child restraints can
increase the risk or severity of injury in
an accident.Status light
The front passenger seat is equipped with
an occupant classification sensor (weight
sensor) that turns the front passenger air
bag on or off depending on the weight ap-
plied to the front passenger seat. The sta-
tus of the front passenger air bag (ON or
OFF) is indicated by the front passenger air
bag status light
which is located on
the instrument panel.
Af ter the ignition switch is placed in the
"ON" position, the front passenger air bag
status light on the instrument panel illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns
off or remains illuminated depending on
the front passenger seat occupied status.
The light operates as follows:
CONDITION DESCRIPTION PASSENGER AIR BAG
STATUS LIGHT () FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS
Empty Empty front passenger seat ON (illuminated) INHIBITED
Nobody/Somebody Bag or Child or Child Restraint or
Small Adult in front passenger seat ON (illuminated)
INHIBITED
Adult Adult in the front passenger seat OFF (dark) ACTIVATED
In addition to the above, certain objects
placed on the front passenger seat may
also cause the light to operate as de-
scribed above depending on their weight.For additional information related to the
normal operation and troubleshooting of
this occupant classification sensor system,
please refer to “Normal operation” and
“Troubleshooting” in this section.
LRS0865
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-53

Front passenger air bag
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF when the vehicle is
operated under some conditions as de-
scribed below in accordance with U.S. regu-
lations. If the front passenger air bag is OFF,
it will not inflate in a crash. The driver air bag
and other air bags in your vehicle are not
part of this system.
The purpose of the regulation is to help
reduce the risk of injury or death from an
inflating air bag to certain front passenger
seat occupants, such as children, by requir-
ing the air bag to be automatically turned
OFF. Certain sensors are used to meet the
requirements.
The occupant classification sensor in this
vehicle is a weight sensor. It is designed to
detect an occupant and objects on the
seat by weight. For example, if a child is in
the front passenger seat, the NISSAN Ad-
vanced Air Bag System is designed to turn
the front passenger air bag OFF in accor-
dance with the regulations. Also, if a child
restraint of the type specified in the regula-
tions is on the seat, its weight and the
child’s weight can be detected and cause
the air bag to turn OFF.Front passenger seat adult occupants who
are properly seated and using the seat belt
as outlined in this manual should not
cause the front passenger air bag to be
automatically turned OFF. For small adults
it may be turned OFF, however if the occu-
pant 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 supple-
mental air bag.
NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and
children be properly restrained in a rear
seat. NISSAN also recommends that ap-
propriate child restraints and booster
seats be properly installed in a rear seat. If
this is not possible, the occupant classifica-
tion sensor is designed to operate as de-
scribed above to turn the front passenger
air bag OFF for specified child restraints as
required by the regulations. Failing to prop-
erly secure child restraints and to use the
ALR mode may allow the restraint to tip or
move in a collision or sudden stop. This can
also result in the passenger air bag inflat-
ing in a crash instead of being OFF. Foradditional information, refer to “Child re-
straints” in this section.
If the front passenger seat is not occupied,
the front 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 of the object’s weight de-
tected by the occupant classification sen-
sor. 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 this
manual. Always be sure that you and all
vehicle occupants are seated and re-
strained properly.
Using the front passenger air bag status
light, you can monitor when the front pas-
senger air bag is automatically turned OFF.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
front passenger air bag status light is illu-
minated (indicating that the air bag is OFF),
it could be that the person is a small adult,
or is 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 front passenger air bag status
light may or may not be illuminated, de-
pending on the size of the child and the
type of child restraint being used. If the air
1-54Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

bag status light is not illuminated (indicat-
ing that the air bag might inflate in a crash),
it could be that the child restraint or seat
belt is not being used properly. Make sure
that the child restraint is installed properly,
the seat belt is used properly and the occu-
pant is positioned properly. If the air bag
status light is still not illuminated, reposi-
tion the occupant or child restraint in a rear
seat.
If the front passenger air bag status light
will not illuminate even though you believe
that the child restraint, the seat belts and
the occupant are properly positioned, it is
recommended that you take your vehicle
to a NISSAN dealer. A NISSAN dealer can
check system status by using a special
tool. However, until you have confirmed
with a dealer that your air bag is working
properly, reposition the occupant or child
restraint in a rear seat.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System and
front passenger air bag status light will
take a few seconds to register a change in
the front passenger seat status. This is nor-
mal system operation and does not indi-
cate a malfunction.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passen-
ger air bag system, the supplemental airbag warning light, located in the me-
ter and gauges area of the instrument
panel, will be illuminated (blinking or
steadily lit). Have the system checked. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service.
Normal operation
In order for the occupant classification
sensor system to classif y the front passen-
ger based on weight, please follow the pre-
cautions and steps outlined below:
Precautions
∙ Make sure that there are no objects weighing over 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) hanging on
the seat or placed in the seatback
pocket.
∙ Make sure that a child restraint or other object is not pressing against the rear
of the seatback.
∙ Make sure that a rear passenger is not pushing or pulling on the back of the
front passenger seat.
∙ Make sure that the front passenger seat or seatback is not forced back
against an object on the seat or floor
behind it. ∙ Make sure that there is no object placed
under the front passenger seat.
Steps 1. Adjust the seat as outlined in the “Seats” section of this manual. Sit upright, lean-
ing against the seatback, and centered
on the seat cushion with your feet com-
fortably extended to the floor.
2. Make sure there are no objects on your lap.
3. Fasten the seat belt as outlined in the “Seat belts” section of this manual.
Front passenger seat belt buckle sta-
tus is monitored by the occupant clas-
sification system, and is used as an in-
put to determine occupancy status. So,
it is highly recommended that the front
passenger fasten their seat belt.
4. Remain in this position for 30 seconds allowing the system to classif y the
front passenger before the vehicle is
put into motion.
5. Ensure proper classification by check- ing the front passenger air bag status
light.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-55