2021 NISSAN LEAF light

Front passenger air bag and status
light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag and front
passenger supplemental knee air bag
are designed to automatically turn OFF
under some conditions. Read this sec-
tion 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 increase the risk or se-
verity 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 and front passenger supplemental
knee air bag on or off depending on the
weight applied to the front passenger seat.
The status of the front passenger air bag
and front passenger supplemental knee
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 AND FRONT PASSENGER
SUPPLEMENTAL KNEE 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
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, see “Normal op-
eration” (P. 1-58) and “Troubleshooting”
(P. 1-59).
LRS2980
1-56Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Front passenger air bag
The front passenger air bag and front pas-
senger supplemental knee air bag are de-
signed to automatically turn OFF when the
vehicle is operated under some conditions
as described below in accordance with U.S.
regulations. If the front passenger air bag
and front passenger supplemental knee
air bag are 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 front passenger air bag and front
passenger supplemental knee air bag to
be automatically turned OFF. Certain sen-
sors 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 NISSAN Ad-
vanced Air Bag System is designed to turn
the front passenger air bag and front pas-
senger supplemental knee air bag OFF in
accordance with the regulations. Also, if a
child restraint of the type specified in the
regulations is on the seat, its weight andthe child’s weight can be detected and
cause the front passenger air bag and
front passenger supplemental knee 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 and
front passenger supplemental knee 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 sensors to turn the front
passenger air bag and front passenger
supplemental knee 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.
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 and front passenger supplemental
knee air bag OFF for specified child re-
straints 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 and front passenger supplemental
knee air bag inflating in a crash instead of
being OFF. For additional information, see
“Child restraints” (P. 1-22).
If the front passenger seat is not occupied,
the front passenger air bag and front pas-
senger supplemental knee air bag are de-
signed not to inflate in a crash. However,
heavy objects placed on the seat could re-
sult in air bag inflation, because of the ob-
ject’s weight being detected by the occu-
pant classification sensor. Other
conditions could also result in air bag infla-
tion, such as if a child is standing on the
seat, or if two children are on the seat, con-
trary to the instructions in this manual. Al-
ways be sure that you and all vehicle occu-
pants are seated and restrained properly.
Using the front passenger air bag status
light, you can monitor when the front pas-
senger air bag and front passenger
supplemental knee air bag are automati-
cally turned OFF.
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-57

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

Front and rear outboard
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 and rear
outboard seats. The curtain air bags are
located in the side roof rails.All of the in-
formation, cautions, and warnings in this
manual apply and must be followed. The
side air bags and curtain air bags are de-
signed to inflate in higher severity side col- lisions, although they may inflate if the
forces in another type of collision are simi-
lar 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.
The curtain air bags are also designed to
inflate in certain types of rollover collisions
or near rollovers. As a result, certain vehicle
movements (for example, during severe
off-roading) 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 the 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 pelvic area of the front and
rear outboard occupants. Curtain air bags
help to cushion the impact force to the
head of occupants in the front and rear
outboard seating positions. They can help
save lives and reduce serious injuries. How-
ever, side air bags and curtain air bags 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, front passenger and rear
outboard occupants seated upright as far
as practical away from the side air bags.
Rear seat passengers should be seated as
far away as practical from the door finish-
ers and side roof rails. The side air bags and
curtain air bags inflate quickly in order to
help protect the occupants in the outboard
seating positions. 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. The side
air bags and curtain air bags will deflate
quickly af ter the collision is over.
The side air bags and curtain air bags
operate only when the power switch is in
the ON position.
Af ter turning the power switch to the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental
LRS3142
1-62Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

air bag warning light will turn off af ter
about 7 seconds if the systems are
operational.
WARNING
• Do not place any objects near the
seatback of the front and rear seats.
Also, do not place any objects (an
umbrella, bag, etc.) between the front
and rear door finishers and the front
and rear seats. Such objects may be-
come dangerous projectiles and
cause injury if a side air bag inflates.
• Right af ter inflation, several side air
bag and curtain air bag system com-
ponents 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 side air bag and curtain air bag
systems. 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 side air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal
injury. For example, do not change
the front and rear seats by placing
material near the seatbacks or by in-
stalling additional trim material,
such as seat covers, around the side
air bag.
• It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for work
around and on the side air bag and
curtain air bag systems. It is also rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
certified LEAF dealer for installation
of electrical equipment. The Supple-
mental Restraint System (SRS) wiring
harnesses* should not be modified or
disconnected. Unauthorized electri-
cal test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the side
air bag and curtain supplemental air
bag systems.
*The SRS wiring harness connectors are
yellow and orange for easy identification.
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.
Driver and passenger
supplemental knee air bag
The knee air bag is located in the knee
bolster, on the driver’s and passenger’s
side. All of the information, cautions and
warnings in this manual apply and must
be followed. The knee air bag is designed
to inflate in higher severity frontal collisions,
although it may inflate if the forces in an-
other type of collision are similar to those of
a higher severity frontal impact. It may not
inflate in certain collisions.
LRS2599
Driver’s side
Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-63

Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always
an indication of proper knee air bag
operation.
When the knee 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.The knee air bag helps to cushion the im-
pact force on the knees of the driver and
passenger. It can help reduce serious inju-
ries. However, an inflating knee air bag may
cause abrasions or other injuries. The knee
air bag provides restraint to the lower body.
The knee air bag inflates quickly in order to
help protect the occupants. Because of
this, the force of the knee air bag inflating
can increase the risk of injury if the occu-
pant is too close to, or is against, this air bag
module during inflation. The knee air bag
will deflate quickly af ter the collision is over
OR the knee air bag will remain inflated for
a short time.
The knee air bag operates only when the
power switch is placed in the ON
position.
Af ter placing the power switch in the ON
position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental
air bag warning light will turn off af ter
about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
WARNING
• Do not place any objects between the
knee bolster and the driver’s or pas-
senger’s seat. Such objects may be-
come dangerous projectiles and
cause injury if a knee air bag inflates.
• Right af ter inflation, the knee 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 knee air bag system. This is to
prevent damage to or accidental in-
flation of the knee air bag system.
• Do not make unauthorized changes
to your vehicle's electrical system or
suspension system. This could affect
proper operation of the knee air bag
system.
• Tampering with the knee air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal
injury. For example, do not change
the driver or passenger knee bolster
or install additional trim material
around the knee air bag.
LRS3250
Passenger’s side
1-64Safety–Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system