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.1-54)
and “Troubleshooting” (P.1-55).
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.
regulations. 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.
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 Advanced Air Bag
System is designed to turn the passenger airbag OFF in accordance with the regulations.
Also, if a child restraint of the type specified
in the regulations 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 passenger air bag to be automatically
turned OFF. For small adults it may be
turned OFF, however, if the occupant 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 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 sensor
is designed to operate as described above to
turn the front passenger air bag OFF for
specified child restraints as required by the
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 passenger air bag inflating in a crash
instead of being OFF. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “Child restraints” (P.1-22)
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’s weight
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 restrained
properly.
Using the front passenger air bag status
light, you can monitor when the front
passenger air bag is automatically turned
OFF.
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 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, depending on
the size of the child and the type of child
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-53
