2020 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 parts. The use of
counterfeit replacement air bags or used or salvaged air bags is a potential serious
safety problem and may not provide the same level of protection in a crash.
