2023 INFINITI Q50 Owners Manual

Status light:
The front passenger seat is equipped with an
occupant classification sensors (weight sen-
sors) 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 passenger air bag status
light illuminates for about 7 seconds and
then turns off or remains illuminated de-
pending on the front passenger seat occu-
pied status. The light operates as follows:
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1-52Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
CONDITIONDESCRIPTIONPASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS LIGHT
() FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG STATUS
Empty Empty front passenger seat ON
(illuminated) INHIBITED
Nobody/Somebody Bag or Child or Child Restraint or Small
Adult in the 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 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
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1-54Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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, it is re-
commended that you take your vehicle to an
INFINITI retailer. An INFINITI retailer can
check the system status by using a special
tool. However, until you have confirmed
with your retailer that your air bag is work-
ing 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. This is normal system
operation and does not indicate a malfunc-
tion.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passen-
ger air bag system, the supplemental air bag
warning light
, located in the meter and
gauges area of the instrument panel, will be illuminated (blinking or steadily lit). 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.
. Make sure that the front passenger seat
head restraint does not contact the roof
when adjusting the front passenger seat.
Steps
1. Adjust the seat as outlined in “Seats” (P.1-2). 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 in “Seat belts” (P.1-12). Front passenger seat belt
buckle status is monitored by the occu-
pant classification sensor system, and is
used as an input to determine occupancy
status. So, it is highly recommended that
the front passenger fastens his/her seat
belt.
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 generally keeps the classification
locked during driving, so it is important that
you confirm that the front passenger is
properly classified prior to driving. How-
ever, the occupant classification sensor may
recalculate the weight of the occupant
under some conditions (both while driving
and when stopped), so the front passenger
seat occupant 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 occupyingthe front passenger seat:
.Occupant is a small adult - the air bag
status light is functioning as intended.
The front passenger air bag is sup-
pressed.
However, if the occupant is not a small
adult, then this may be due to the
following conditions that may be inter-
fering 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 onthe back of the front passenger seat.
.Forcing the front seat or seatbackagainst an object on the seat or floor
behind it.
.An object placed under the front
passenger 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.
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 the vehicle
should be checked as soon as possible. It
is recommended you visit an INFINITI
retailer 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 sittingupright, leaning against the seatback,
and centered on the seat cushion with
his/her feet comfortably extended to
the floor.
.The child restraint is not properly
installed as outlined in “Child re-
straints” (P.1-22).
.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 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 seatbackagainst an object on the seat or floor
behind it.
.An object placed under the frontpassenger seat.
.An object placed between the seat
cushion and center console.
.The front passenger seat head re-straint contacting the roof.
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 the
vehicle should be checked by an INFINITI
retailer as soon as possible.
3. If the light is OFF with no front passen- ger and no objects on the front passen-
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1-56Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ger seat, the vehicle should be checked
as soon as possible. It is recommended
you visit an INFINITI retailer 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 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 air bag system. This is to prevent
accidental inflation of the supple-
mental 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,
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.
SSS0521
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 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 may cause the curtain air bags to
inflate.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always
an indication of proper supplemental side air
bag and curtain side-impact air bag opera-
tion.
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 of the front occupants. Curtain air
bags help to cushion the impact force to the
head of occupants in the front and rear
outboard seating positions in all rows. They
can help save lives and reduce serious
injuries. However, an inflating side air bags
and curtain air bags may cause abrasions or
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1-58Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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. The
side air bag will deflate quickly after the
collision is over.
The curtain air bag 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 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 seats by placing material near the
seatback or by installing additional
trim material, such as seat covers,
around the side air bags.
. 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.