2021 NISSAN LEAF service

WARNING
To ensure proper operation of the front
passenger’s NISSAN Advanced Air Bag
System, please observe the following
items.
• Do not allow a passenger in the rear
seat to push or pull on the seatback
pocket (if so equipped).
• Do not place heavy loads heavier
than 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) on the seatback,
head restraint/headrest or in the
seatback pocket (if so equipped).
• Make sure that there is nothing
pressing against the rear of the seat-
back, such as a child restraint in-
stalled 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 re-
straint does contact the instrument
panel, the system may determine the
seat is occupied and the passenger
air bag and front passenger supple-
mental knee air bag may deploy in a
collision. Also, the front passenger air
bag status light may not illuminate.
For additional information, see “Child
restraints” (P. 1-22).
• 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 in this section, get the
occupant classification system
checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.
• Until you have confirmed with a
dealer that your passenger seat oc-
cupant classification system is work-
ing properly, position the occupants
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 sta-
tus light may illuminate and the
supplemental 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 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 in-
strument panel 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 inflate in certain frontal collisions. Ve-
hicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper front air bag operation.
1-54Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
front passenger air bag status light is illu-
minated (indicating that the front passen-
ger air bag and front passenger supple-
mental knee air bag are 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 front pas-
senger air bag and front passenger
supplemental knee 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 in-
stalled properly, the seat belt is used prop-
erly and the occupant is positioned prop-
erly. 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, 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 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 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 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.
2. Make sure there are no objects on your lap.
1-58Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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
sensor system generally keeps the clas-
sification locked during driving, so it is
important that you confirm that the
front passenger is properly classified
prior to driving. However, the occupant
classification sensor may recalculate the
weight of the occupant under some con-
ditions (both while driving and when
stopped), so front passenger seat occu-
pants should continue 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 occupying
the front passenger seat:
• Occupant is a small adult — the air bag light is functioning as intended. The
front passenger air bag and front pas-
senger supplemental knee air bag are
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, lean-ing against the seatback, and cen-
tered on the seat cushion with his/her
feet comfortably 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 be-
tween 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 during
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 recom-
mended 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.
This may be due to the following condi-
tions that may be interfering with the
weight sensors:
• Small adult or child is not sitting up- right, leaning against the seatback,
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-59

and centered 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 (if so equipped).
• 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 during
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 re-
positioned in the rear seat and the vehicle
should be checked as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified 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 occupant
classification sensor. This can also
affect the operation of the air bag
system and result in serious personal
injury.
1-60Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

•It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for work
on and around the knee air bag. It is
also recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for in-
stallation of electrical equipment.
The SRS wiring harnesses* should
not be modified or disconnected. Un-
authorized electrical test equipment
and probing devices should not be
used on the knee air bag system.
*The SRS wiring harness or connectors
are yellow or orange for easy identification.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the knee air
bag system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this manual.
Seat belt with pretensioner(s)
(front and rear outboard seats)
WARNING
• The pretensioner(s) cannot be re-
used af ter activation. They must be
replaced together with the retractor
and buckle as a unit. •
If the vehicle becomes involved in a
collision but pretensioner(s) are not
activated, be sure to have the preten-
sioner system checked and, if neces-
sary, replaced. It is recommended
that you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer 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 ac-
tivation of the pretensioner(s). Tam-
pering with the pretensioner system
may result in serious personal injury.
• It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for work
around and on the pretensioner sys-
tem. It is also recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for installation of electrical equip-
ment. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices
should not be used on the preten-
sioner system.
• If you need to dispose of the preten-
sioner(s) or scrap the vehicle, it is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for this service.
Incorrect disposal procedures could
cause personal injury. The pretensioner system may activate
with the supplemental air bag system in
certain types of collisions. Working with the
seat belt retractor, the pretensioner(s) help
tighten the seat belt when the vehicle be-
comes involved in certain types of colli-
sions, helping to restrain front and rear out-
board seat occupants.
The pretensioner(s) are encased with the
seat belt retractor and to the seat belt an-
chor affixed to the floor of the vehicle.
These seat belts are used the same way as
conventional seat belts.
When pretensioner(s) activate, smoke is re-
leased and a loud noise may be heard. This
smoke is not harmful and does not indi-
cate a fire. Care should be taken not to
inhale it, as it may cause irritation and
choking. Those with a history of a breath-
ing condition should get fresh air promptly.
Af ter the pretensioner(s’) activation, load
limiters allow the seat belt to release web-
bing (if necessary) to reduce forces against
the chest.
The supplemental air bag warning light
is used to indicate malfunctions in the
pretensioner system. For additional infor-
mation, see “Supplemental air bag warning
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-65

light” (P. 1-66). If the operation of the supple-
mental air bag warning light indicates
there is a malfunction, have the system
checked. It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for this service.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the preten-
sioner system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LABELSSUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHTThe supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin the instrument panel,
monitors the circuits of the Air bag Control
Unit (ACU), satellite sensors, crash zone
sensor, occupant classification sensor, the
supplemental front-impact air bag, front
and rear outboard seat-mounted side-
impact supplemental air bag, roof-
mounted curtain side-impact supplemen-
tal air bag, knee air bag and seat belt
LRS2620
A. Supplemental front-impact air bag system warning labels
SPA1097
1-66Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

pretensioner systems. The monitored cir-
cuits include air bag systems, pretension-
er(s) and all related wiring.
When the power switch is in the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off. This means the system is
operational.
If any of the following conditions occur, the
front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
knee air bag and pretensioner systems
need servicing:
• The supplemental air bag warning lightremains on af ter approximately 7
seconds.
• The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
• The supplemental air bag warning light does not come on at all.
Under these conditions, the front air bag,
side air bag, curtain air bag, knee air bag
and pretensioner systems may not oper-
ate properly. They must be checked and
repaired. It is recommended that you visit
the nearest NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.WARNING
If the supplemental air bag warning
light is on, it could mean that the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag,
knee air bag and/or pretensioner sys-
tems will not operate in an accident. To
help avoid injury to yourself or others,
have your vehicle checked as soon as
possible. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for
this service.
Repair and replacement
procedure
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain air
bags, knee air bags and pretensioner(s) are
designed to activate on a one-time-only
basis. As a reminder, unless it is damaged,
the supplemental air bag warning light will
remain illuminated af ter inflation has oc-
curred. These systems should be repaired
and/or replaced as soon as possible. It is
recommended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for this service.
When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags,
curtain air bags, knee air bags and preten-
sioner(s) and related parts should be
pointed out to the person performing the maintenance. The power switch should al-
ways be in the LOCK position when work-
ing under the hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
• Once a front air bag, side air bag, cur-
tain air bag or knee air bag has in-
flated, the air bag module will not
function again and must be replaced.
Additionally, the activated preten-
sioner(s) must also be replaced. The
air bag module and pretensioner(s)
should be replaced. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for this service. The
air bag modules and pretensioner
system cannot be repaired.
• The front air bag, side air bag, curtain
air bag and knee air bag systems,
and pretensioner system should be
inspected if there is any damage to
the front end or side portion of the
vehicle. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer
for this service.
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-67

•If you need to dispose of a supple-
mental air bag or pretensioner sys-
tem or scrap the vehicle, it is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for this service.
Correct supplemental air bag and
pretensioner system disposal proce-
dures are set forth in the appropriate
NISSAN Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause
personal injury.
• If there is an impact to your vehicle
from any direction, your Occupant
Classification Sensor (OCS) should be
checked. It is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer to
verif y it is still functioning correctly.
The OCS should be checked even if no
air bags deploy as a result of the im-
pact. Failure to verif y proper OCS
function may result in an improper
air bag deployment resulting in in-
jury or death.
1-68Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system