2020 INFINITI QX80 Owner's Manual

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 INFINITI advanced air bags, seat
belts should be correctly worn and the driver
and 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 air bag module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a
collision.
The front air bags operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ON position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7
seconds if the system is operational.
SSS1099
Front passenger air bag status light
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 protection.
Failure to follow all instructions in this
manual concerning the use of seats, seat
belts and child restraints can increasethe risk or severity of injury in an
accident.
Status light:
The front passenger seat is equipped with
the occupant classification sensors (weight
sensors) that turn the front passenger air
bag on or off depending on the weight
applied to the front passenger seat. The
status 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. After the ignition switch is
placed in the ON position, the front passen-
ger air bag status light on the instrument
panel illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off or illuminates depending on
the front passenger seat occupied status.
The light operates as follows:
. Unoccupied passenger seat: The
light is OFF and the front passenger air
bag is OFF and will not inflate in a crash.
. Passenger seat occupied by a small adult,
child or child restraint as outlined in this
section: The
light illuminates to
indicate that the front passenger air
bag is OFF and will not inflate in a crash.
. Occupied passenger seat and the pas-
senger meets the conditions outlined in
this section: The
light is OFF to
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-59

1-60Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
indicate that the front passenger air bag
is operational.
In addition to the above, certain objects
placed on the front passenger seat may also
cause the light to operate as described
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” (P.1-61)
and “Troubleshooting” (P.1-61) in this sec-
tion.
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 as permitted by U.S. regula-
tions. 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 requiring
the air bag to be automatically turned OFF.
The occupant classification sensors (weight
sensors) are on the seat cushion frame under
the front passenger seat and are designed to
detect an occupant and objects on the seat.
For example, if a child is in the front passenger seat, the Advanced Air Bag
System is designed to turn the passenger
air bag OFF in accordance with the regula-
tions. Also, if a child restraint of the type
specified in the regulations is on the seat, the
occupant classification sensors can detect it
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 passenger air bag to be automatically
turned OFF. For small adults it may be
turned OFF, however, if the occupant does
not sit in the seat properly (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 supplemental air bag.
INFINITI recommends that pre-teens and
children be properly restrained in a rear seat.
INFINITI also recommends that appropriate
child restraints and booster seats be prop-
erly installed in a rear seat. If this is not
possible, the occupant classification sensors
are designed to operate as described above
to turn the front passenger air bag OFF for
specified child restraints. Failing to properly
secure child restrains and to use the ALR
mode may allow the restraint to tip or move
in an accident or sudden stop. This can also
result in the passenger air bag inflating in a
crash instead of being OFF. (See “Child
restraints” (P.1-30) for proper use and
installation.)
If the front passenger seat is not occupied,
the 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 being de-
tected by the occupant classification sen-
sors. 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 restrained prop-
erly.
Using the front passenger air bag status
light, you can monitor when the front
passenger air bag is automatically turned
OFF with the seat occupied. The light will
not illuminate when the front passenger seat
is unoccupied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
front passenger air bag status light is
illuminated (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.
If a child restraint must be used in the front
seat, the front passenger air bag status light

may or may not be illuminated, depending 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 (in-
dicating 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 status 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, the sys-
tem may be sensing an unoccupied seat (in
which case the air bag is OFF). Your
INFINITI retailer can check that the system
is OFF by using a special tool. However, until
you have confirmed with your retailer that
your air bag is working properly, reposition
the occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.
The INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System and
front passenger air bag status light will take
a few seconds to register a change in the
passenger seat status. However, if the seat
becomes unoccupied, the front passenger air
bag status light will remain off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passen-
ger air bag system, the supplemental air bagwarning light, located in the meter and
gauges area will blink. Have the system
checked. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for this service.
Normal operation:
In order for the occupant classification
sensor system to classify the front passen-
ger based on weight, please follow the
precautions 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. (See “Seats” (P.1-3).) Sit upright, leaning against the
seatback, and centered on the seat
cushion with your feet comfortably ex-
tended to the floor. 2. Make sure there are no objects on your
lap.
3. Fasten the seat belt as outlined. (See “Seat belts” (P.1-17).)
4. Remain in this position for 30 seconds allowing the system to classify 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 sensor
system locks the classification during driv-
ing so it is important that you confirm that
the front passenger is properly classified
prior to driving. Also, the occupant classifi-
cation sensor system may recalculate the
weight of the occupant when the vehicle
comes to a stop (i.e. stop light, stop sign,
etc.), so the front passenger seat occupant
should continue to remain seated as out-
lined above.
Troubleshooting:
If you think the front passenger air bag
status light is incorrect: 1. If the light is ON with no front passenger and no objects on the front
passenger seat:
This may be due to the following conditions
that may be interfering with the weight
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-61

1-62Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
sensors:
.An object weighing over 9.1 lbs (4 kg)
hanging on the seat or placed in the
seatback pocket.
. A child restraint or other object pressing
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 passen-
ger 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. Restart
the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still ON after this, it is
recommended that the vehicle be checked
by an INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
2. If the light is ON with an adult occupy- ing the front passenger seat: .
Occupant is a small adult — the front
passenger air bag status light is func-
tioning 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 following
conditions that may be interfering 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 pressing
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 passen-
ger 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. Restart
the vehicle and wait 1 minute. NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still ON after this, the person
should be advised not to ride in the front
passenger seat and it is recommended that
the vehicle be checked by an INFINITI
retailer as soon as possible.
3. If the light is OFF with a small adult, child or child restraint occupying the
front passenger seat.
This may be due to the following
conditions 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. (See “Child re-
straints” (P.1-30).)
. An object weighing over 9.1 lbs (4 kg)
hanging on the seat or placed in the
seatback pocket.
. A child restraint or other object pressing
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 passen-
ger 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. Restart
the vehicle and wait 1 minute.
NOTE:
A system check will be performed during
which the front passenger air bag status
light will remain lit for about 7 seconds
initially.
If the light is still OFF after this, the small
adult, child or child restraint should be
repositioned in the rear seat and it is
recommended that the vehicle be checked
by an INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.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 sensors
(weight sensors). 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 occupant
classification sensors. This can also
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious personal
injury. .
Immediately after inflation, several
front 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 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,
suspension system or front end struc-
ture. This could affect proper opera-
tion of the front air bag system.
. Tampering with the air bag system
may result in serious personal injury.
Tampering 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
passenger seat may affect the func-
tion 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,
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-63

1-64Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
do not change the front seats by
placing material on the seat cushion
or by installing additional trim mate-
rial, such as seat covers, on the seat
that is not specifically 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 classifica-
tion sensors.
. 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 serious personal injury.
. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for work on and
around the front air bag. It is also
recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for installation of electrical
equipment. The Supplemental Re-
straint System (SRS) wiring har-
nesses* should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electrical
test equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the air bag
system. .
A cracked windshield should be re-
placed immediately by a qualified
repair facility. A cracked windshield
could affect the function of the
supplemental air bag system.
* The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identifica-
tion.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the front air bag
system and guide the buyer to the appro-
priate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SSS1092
FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-
IMPACT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR
BAG AND ROOF-MOUNTED
CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT AND
ROLLOVER SUPPLEMENTAL AIR
BAG SYSTEMS
The side air bags are located in the outside
of the seatback of the front seats. The
curtain air bags are located in the side roof
rails. All of the information, cautions and
warnings in this manual apply and must be
followed. The side air bags and curtain air
bags are designed to inflate in higher
severity side collisions, although they may

inflate if the forces in another type of
collision are similar to those of a higher
severity side impact. They are designed to
inflate on the side where the vehicle is
impacted. They may not inflate in certain
side collisions on the side where the vehicle is
impacted.
Curtain air bags are also designed to inflate
in certain types of rollover collisions or near
rollovers. As a result, certain vehicle move-
ments (for example, during severe off road-
ing) may cause the curtain air bags to inflate.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always
an indication of proper side air bag and
curtain air bag operation.
When side air bags and curtain air bags
inflate, 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 irritation and choking. Those with
a history of a breathing condition should get
fresh air promptly.
Side air bags, along with the use of seat
belts, help to cushion the impact force on the
chest and pelvis of the front occupants.
Curtain air bags help to cushion the impact
force to the head of occupants in the front
and rear (2nd and 3rd) outboard seating
positions. They can help save lives and
reduce serious injuries. However, an inflatingside air bag or curtain air bag may cause
abrasions or other injuries. Side air bags and
curtain air bags do not provide restraint to
the lower body.
The seat belts should be correctly worn and
the driver and passenger seated upright as
far as practical away from the side air bag.
Rear seat passengers should be seated as far
away as practical from the door finishers
and side roof rails. The side air bags and
curtain air bags inflate quickly in order to
help protect the occupants. Because of this,
the force of the side air bags and curtain air
bags inflating can increase the risk of injury if
the occupant is too close to, or is against,
these air bag modules during inflation. In a
rollover, the curtain air bags on both sides
are designed to inflate. Under both side-
impact situations, the curtain air bags will
remain inflated for a short period of time.
The side air bags and curtain air bags
operate only when the ignition switch is in
the ON position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates. The air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the
systems are operational.
WARNING
.
Do not place any objects near the
seatback of the front seats. Also, do
not place any objects (an umbrella,
bag, etc.) between the front door
finisher and the front seat. Such
objects may become dangerous pro-
jectiles and cause injury if side air bag
inflates.
. Right after inflation, several side air
bags and curtain air bag system
components will be hot. Do not touch
them; you may severely burn your-
self.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
side air bag and curtain air bags. 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,
suspension system or side panel. This
could affect proper operation of the
side air bag and curtain air bag
systems.
. Tampering with the air bag system
may result in serious personal injury.
For example, do not change the front
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-65

1-66Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
seats by placing material near the
seatback or by installing additional
trim material, such as seat covers,
around the side air bags.
. Removing or modifying the front
passenger seat may affect the func-
tion of the air bag system and result
in serious personal injury.
. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for work on and
around the side air bag and curtain
air bag. It is also recommended you
visit an INFINITI retailer for installa-
tion of electrical equipment. The
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) wiring harnesses* should not
be modified or disconnected. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the side-impact air bag
system.
* The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identifica-
tion.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the side air bag
and curtain air bag systems and guide the
buyer to the appropriate sections in this
Owner’s Manual.SEAT BELTS WITH PRETEN-
SIONERS (front seats)
WARNING
. The pretensioners cannot be reused
after activation. They must be re-
placed together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit.
. If the vehicle becomes involved in a
collision but a pretensioner is not
activated, be sure to have the pre-
tensioner system checked and, if
necessary, replaced. It is recom-
mended 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
prevent damage to or accidental
activation of the pretensioners. Tam-
pering with the pretensioner system
may result in serious personal injury.
. It is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for work on and
around the pretensioner system. It is
also recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer for installation of
electrical equipment. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and probing devices should not be used on the
pretensioner system.
. If you need to dispose of a preten-
sioner or scrap the vehicle, it is
recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer for this service. Correct pre-
tensioner disposal procedures are set
forth in the appropriate INFINITI
Service Manual. Incorrect disposal
procedures could cause personal in-
jury.
The pretensioner system may activate with
the supplemental air bag system in certain
types of collisions. Working with the seat
belt retractor, it helps tighten the seat belt
when the vehicle becomes involved in certain
types of collisions, helping to restrain front
seat occupants.
The pretensioner is encased with the seat
belt retractor and buckle anchor. These seat
belts are used the same way as conventional
seat belts.
When a pretensioner activates, smoke is
released and a loud noise may be heard. The
smoke is not harmful, and it does not
indicate a fire. Care should be taken not to
inhale it as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breathing
condition should get fresh air promptly.