• The seat belts and the front air bagsare most effective when you are sit-
ting well back and upright in the seat
with both feet on the floor. The front
air bags inflate with great force.
Even with the NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System, if you are unrestrained,
leaning forward, sitting sideways 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 practi-
cal from the steering wheel or in-
strument 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
inflates the air bags as needed. Fail-
ure to properly wear seat belts can
increase the risk or severity of injury
in an accident. • The front passenger seat is
equipped with occupant classifica-
tion sensor (weight sensor) that
turns the front passenger air bag
OFF under some conditions. This
sensor is only used in this seat. Fail-
ure to be properly seated and wear-
ing the seat belt can increase the
risk or severity of injury in an acci-
dent. For additional information, re-
fer 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 in-
crease the risk that they are injured
if the front air bag inflates.
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-45
NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
(front seats)
1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front-impact air bagmodules
3. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag modules
4. Occupant classification sensor (weight sensor)
5. Occupant classification system control unit
6. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag inflators
7. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag modules
8. Satellite sensors
9. Seat belt with pretensioner(s) (front seats)
10. Air bag Control Unit (ACU)
11. Door sensors
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49
not inflate in certain frontal collisions. Ve-
hicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper front air bag operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
monitors information from the crash zone
sensor and the Air bag Control Unit (ACU).
Inflator operation is based on the severity
of a collision and seat belt usage for the
driver. For the front passenger, the occu-
pant classification sensor is also moni-
tored. Based on information from the sen-
sor, only one front air bag may inflate in
a crash, depending on the crash severity.
Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned OFF under
some conditions, depending on the weight
detected on the passenger seat and how
the seat belt is used. If the front passenger
air bag is OFF, the passenger air bag status
light will be illuminated. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Front passenger 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 certified LEAF dealer to ob-tain information about the system. If you
are considering modification of your ve-
hicle due to a disability, you may also con-
tact NISSAN. Contact information is con-
tained in the front of this Owner’s Manual.
When a front 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 not to 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 head 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 do not provide re-
straint 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 protectthe 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 air bag mod-
ule during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly af ter a
collision.
The front air bags operate only when the
power switch is in the ON position.
Af ter the power switch is placed 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.
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-51
Front passenger air bag and status
light:
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is de-
signed to automatically turn OFF un-
der 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 protection. Failure to follow
all instructions in this manual concern-
ing 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 power switch is placed in the “ON”
position, the front passenger air bag status
light on the instrument panel illuminates
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 DESCRIPTIONPASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS
LIGHT () RESULT 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
1-52Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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, refer to “Normal
operation” and “Troubleshooting” in this
section.
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 theseat 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 sensors 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 regulations. Failing to properly
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 front passenger air bag
inflating in a crash instead of being OFF. For
additional 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 be-
ing detected by the occupant classification
sensor. 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.
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-53
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
front passenger air bag status light is not
illuminated (indicating 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 occupant is positioned
properly. If the front passenger air bag sta-
tus light is still not illuminated, reposition
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 certified LEAF dealer. A NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer can check system
status by using a special tool. However, un-
til you have confirmed with a NISSAN certi-
fied LEAF 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 air
bag warning light
, located in the
meter 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 cer-
tified LEAF 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 the 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.
1-54Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
2. Make sure there are no objects on yourlap.
3. Fasten the seat belt as outlined in the “Seat belts” section of this manual. Front
passenger seat belt buckle status is
monitored by the occupant classifica-
tion system, and is used as an input to
determine occupancy status. So, it is
highly recommended that the front pas-
senger 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 checking the front passenger air bag status light.
NOTE:
This vehicle’s occupant classification sen-
sor system generally keeps the classifica-
tion locked during driving, so it is impor-
tant that you confirm that the front
passenger is properly classified prior to
driving. However, the occupant classifica-
tion sensor may recalculate the weight of
the occupant under some conditions (both
while driving and when stopped), so front
passenger seat occupants should con-
tinue to remain seated as outlined above.
Troubleshooting:
If you think the front passenger air bag
status light is incorrect:
1. If the light is ON with an adult occupyingthe front passenger seat:
• Occupant is a small adult — the air bag light is functioning as intended. The
front passenger air bag is suppressed.
However, if the occupant is not a small
adult, then this may be due to the fol-
lowing conditions that may be interfer-
ing with the weight sensors:
• Occupant is not sitting upright, leaning against the seatback, and centered on
the seat cushion with his/her feet com-
fortably extended to the floor.
• A child restraint or other object press- ing against the rear of the seatback.
• A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger seat.
• Forcing the front seat or seatback against an object on the seat or floor
behind it.
• An object placed under the front pas- senger seat. • An object placed between the seat
cushion and center console or between
the seat cushion and the door.
If the vehicle is moving, please come to a
stop when it is safe to do so. Check and
correct any of the above conditions. Re-
start the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE:
A system check will be performed dur-
ing which the front passenger air bag
status light will remain lit for about
7 seconds initially. If the light is still ON af ter this, the person
should be advised not to ride in the front
passenger seat and the vehicle should
be checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for this service.
2. If the light is OFF with a small adult, child or child restraint occupying the front
passenger seat.
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-55
This may be due to the following condi-
tions that may be interfering with the
weight sensors:
• Small adult or child is not sitting upright, leaning against the seatback, and cen-
tered on the seat cushion with his/her
feet comfortably extended to the floor.
• The child restraint is not properly in- stalled, as outlined in the “Child re-
straints” section of this manual.
• An object weighting over 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) hanging on the seat or placed in the
seatback pocket.
• A child restraint or other object press- ing against the rear or the seatback.
• A rear passenger pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger seat.
pushing or pulling on the seatback of
the front passenger seat.
• Forcing the front seat or seatback against an object on the seat or floor
behind it.
• An object placed under the front pas- senger seat.
• An object placed between the seat cushion and center console. If the vehicle is moving, please come to a
stop when it is safe to do so. Check and
correct any of the above conditions. Re-
start the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE:
A system check will be performed dur-
ing which the front passenger air bag
status light will remain lit for about
7 seconds initially.
If the light is still OFF af ter this, the small
adult, child or child restraint should be
repositioned in the rear seat and the
vehicle should be checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for
this service.
3. If the light is OFF with no front passenger and no objects on the front passenger
seat the vehicle should be checked as
soon as possible. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer for this service.
Other supplemental front-impact air
bag precautions:
WARNING
• Do not place any objects on the steering wheel pad or on the instru-
ment panel. Also, do not place any
objects between any occupant and
the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles and cause in-
jury if the front air bags inflate.
• 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 occupant classification sen-
sor (weight 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 occu-
pant classification sensor. This can
also affect the operation of the air
bag system and result in serious
personal injury.
1-56Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system