•The front passenger seat is equipped
with an occupant classification sen-
sor (weight sensors) that turns the
front passenger air bag OFF under
some conditions. This sensor is only
used in this seat. Failure to be prop-
erly seated and wearing the seat belt
can increase the risk or severity of
injury in an accident. For additional
information, see “Front passenger air
bag and status light” in this section.
• Keep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when
the front air bag inflates.
ARS1133
or instrument panel. Always properly
use the seat belts.
• The driver and front passenger seat
belt buckles are equipped with sen-
sors that detect if the seat belts are
fastened. The NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System monitors the severity of
a collision and seat belt usage, then
inflates the air bags as needed. Fail-
ure to properly wear seat belts can
increase the risk or severity of injury
in an accident.
• The front passenger seat is equipped
with an occupant classification sen-
sor (weight sensors) that turns the
front passenger air bag OFF under
some conditions. This sensor is only
used in this seat. Failure to be prop-
erly seated and wearing the seat belt
can increase the risk or severity of
injury in an accident. For additional
information, see “Front passenger air
bag and status light” (P. 1-80).
• Keep hands on the outside of the
steering wheel. Placing them inside
the steering wheel rim could increase
the risk that they are injured when
the front air bag inflates.
ARS1133
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-73
under U.S. regulations. It is also permitted in
Canada.However, all of the information,
cautions and warnings in this manual
still 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
dashboard 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 in-
flate in certain frontal collisions. Vehicle
damage (or lack of it) is not always an indi-
cation of proper front air bag system
operation.
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System
monitors information from the crash zone
sensor and the Air bag Control Unit (ACU).
Inflator operation is based on the severity
of a collision and seat belt usage for the
driver. For the front passenger, the occu-
pant classification sensor is also moni-
tored. Based on the information from the
sensor, only one front air bag may inflate in
a crash, depending on the crash severity.
Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned OFF under some conditions, depending on the weight
detected on the front passenger seat and
how the seat belt is used. If the front pas-
senger air bag is OFF, the front passenger
air bag status light will be illuminated (if the
seat is unoccupied, the light will not be illu-
minated, but the air bag will be off ). For
additional information, see “Front passen-
ger air bag and status light” (P. 1-80). One
front air bag inflating does not indicate im-
proper performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air
bag system, it is recommended that you
visit a NISSAN dealer to obtain information
about the system. If you are considering
modification of your vehicle due to a dis-
ability, you may also contact NISSAN. Con-
tact information is contained in the front of
this Owner's Manual.
When a front air bag inflates, a fairly loud
noise may be heard, followed by the re-
lease of smoke. This smoke is not harmful
and does not indicate a fire. Care should be
taken to not inhale it, as it may cause irrita-
tion and choking. Those with a history of a
breathing condition should get fresh air
promptly.
Front air bags, along with the use of seat
belts, help to cushion the impact force on
the face and chest of the front occupants.They can help save lives and reduce seri-
ous injuries. However, an inflating front air
bag may cause facial abrasions or other
injuries. Front air bags do not provide re-
straint to the lower body.
Even with NISSAN Advanced Air Bags, seat
belts should be correctly worn and the
driver and front 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 in-
crease the risk of injury if the occupant is
too close to, or is against, the front air bag
module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly af ter a
collision.
The front air bags operate only when the
ignition switch is in the ON or START
position.
Af ter placing the ignition switch in the
ON position, the supplemental air bag
warning light illuminates. The supple-
mental air bag warning light will turn off
af ter about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-79
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 air bag status light
is located near the climate controls.
Af ter the ignition switch is placed in the
"ON" position, the front passenger air bag
status light on the instrument panel illumi-
nates for about 7 seconds and then turns
off or remains illuminated depending on
the front passenger seat occupied status.
The light operates as follows:
• Unoccupied front passenger's seat: The
light is ON and the front passenger
air bag is OFF and will not inflate in a
crash.
• Front passenger's seat occupied by a small adult, child or child restraint as out-
lined in this section: The
light illumi-
nates to indicate that the front passen-
ger air bag is OFF and will not inflate in a
crash.
• Occupied front passenger seat and the passenger meet the conditions outlined
in this section: The
light is OFF to
indicate that the front passenger air bag
is operational. 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. regu-
lations. 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 requir-
ing 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 up to
the approximate size and weight of a one
year old is properly restrained in the front
passenger seat, the NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System is designed to turn the front
passenger air bag and front passenger
supplemental knee air bag OFF. For a prop-
erly restrained child who is larger than the
approximate size and weight of a one year
old, the front passenger air bag may or
LRS3091
1-80Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
may not be automatically turned OFF, de-
pending on the size of the child and the
type of child restraint being used. Af ter in-
stalling the child restraint and positioning
the child, place the ignition switch in the ON
position: if the front passenger air bag sta-
tus light is illuminated, the front passenger
air bag and front passenger supplemental
knee air bag are OFF. If the front passenger
air bag status light is not illuminated, the air
bag will inflate in a crash.
The front passenger seat belt sensors are
designed to detect if the seat belt is buck-
led and the amount of tension on the seat
belt, such as when it is in the Automatic
Locking Retractor (ALR) mode (child re-
straint mode). Based on the weight on the
seat detected by the occupant classifica-
tion sensor and the belt tension detected
on the seat belt, the NISSAN Advanced Air
Bag System determines whether the front
passenger air bag should be automatically
turned OFF as required by the regulations.
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 to be
automatically turned OFF. For small adults
it may be turned OFF, however, if the occu-
pant does not sit in the seat properly (forexample, 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.
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 OFF for specified child restraints as
required by the regulations. Failing to prop-
erly 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 information, see “Child
restraints” (P. 1-28).
If the front passenger seat is not occupied,
the front 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 de-
tected by the occupant classification sen-sor. 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 re-
strained properly.
Using the front passenger air bag status
light, you can monitor when the front pas-
senger 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 illu-
minated (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, de-
pending on the size of the child and the
type of child restraint being used. If the air
bag status light is not illuminated (indicat-
ing 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,
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-81
inflate if the forces in another type of colli-
sion are similar to those of a higher severity
impact. They are designed to inflate on the
side where the vehicle is impacted. They
may not inflate in certain side collisions.
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-
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 occu-
pants. Curtain air bags help to cushion the
impact force to the head of occupants in
the front and rear outboard seating posi-
tions. They can help save lives and reduceserious injuries. However, an inflating side
air bag or curtain air bag may cause abra-
sions 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 up-
right 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. Be-
cause of this, the force of the side air bag
and curtain air bag inflating can increase
the risk of injury if the occupant is too close
to, or is against, these air bag modules dur-
ing inflation. The side air bag will deflate
quickly af ter the collision is over.
The curtain air bags will remain inflated for
a short time.
The side air bags and curtain air bags
operate only when the ignition switch is
in the ON or START position.
Af ter placing the ignition switch in the
ON position, the supplemental air bag
warning light illuminates. The supple-
mental air bag warning light will turn off
af ter about 7 seconds if the system is
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 fin-
isher and the front seat. Such objects
may become 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 curtain air bag systems.
1-84Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
•Tampering with the side air bag sys-
tem may result in serious personal
injury. For example, do not change
the front seats by placing material
near the seatbacks or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat
covers, around the side air bag.
• It is recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for work on and
around the side air bag and curtain
air bag. It is also recommended that
you visit a NISSAN dealer for installa-
tion of electrical equipment. The SRS
wiring harnesses* should not be
modified or disconnected. Unauthor-
ized electrical test equipment and
probing devices should not be used
on the side air bag or curtain air bag
systems.
* 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 side air bag
and curtain air bag systems and guide the
buyer to the appropriate sections in this
Owner's Manual.
Driver and front passenger
supplemental knee air bag
The knee air bag is located below the
steering column on the driver’s side, and in
the knee bolster on the front 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. 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.
LRS3423
Driver’s side
LRS3436
Passenger’s side
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-85
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 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 dealer for work on and
around the pretensioner system. It is
also recommended that you visit a
NISSAN dealer for installation of elec-
trical equipment. Unauthorized elec-
trical test equipment and probing
devices should not be used on the
pretensioner system.
• If you need to dispose of the preten-
sioner(s) or scrap the vehicle, it is rec-
ommended that you visit a NISSAN
dealer for this service. Incorrect dis-
posal procedures could cause per-
sonal 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 seat
occupants.
The pretensioner(s) are encased within the
seat belt retractor. 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 (if so equipped) allow the seat belt
to release webbing (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
light" (P. 1-88). 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 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.
Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-87