2023 INFINITI QX80 Owners Manual

WAB0168X
1. Crash zone sensor
2. Driver and front passenger supplemen-tal knee air bags
3. Supplemental front-impact air bag modules (INFINITI Advanced Air Bags)
4. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag inflators 5. Front seat-mounted side-impact sup-
plemental air bag modules
6. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bags
7. Door satellite sensors
8. Seat belt pretensioners (front seats)
9. Satellite sensors 10. Air bag Control Unit (ACU)
11. Occupant classification sensors
(weight sensors)
12. Occupant classification system control unit
13. Lap outer pretensioners (front seats)
14. Seat belt pretensioners (second row outboard seats)
INFINITI ADVANCED AIR BAG
SYSTEM (front seats)
WARNING
To ensure proper operation of the pas-
senger’s 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.
. Do not place heavy loads heavier
than 9 lbs. (4 kg) on the seatback,
head restraint or in the seatback
pocket.
. Do not store cargo behind the seat
that can press into the seatback.
. Do not position the front passenger
seat so it contacts the rear seat. If the
front seat does contact the rear seat,
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-57

1-58Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
the air bag system may determine a
sensor malfunction has occurred and
the front passenger air bag status
light may illuminate and the supple-
mental air bag warning light may
flash.
. 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
restraint does contact the instrument
panel, the system may determine the
seat is occupied and the passenger air
bag and front passenger knee air bag
may deploy in a collision. Also the
front passenger air bag status light
may not illuminate. See “Child re-
straints” (P.1-30) for information
about installing and using child re-
straints.
. 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 in
accordance with the above descrip-
tion, it is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer to check the pas-
senger seat advanced air bag system. .
Until you have confirmed with your
retailer that your passenger seat
advanced air bag is working properly,
position the occupants in the rear
seating positions.
This vehicle is equipped with the INFINITI
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 passenger supplemental front-
impact air bag is mounted in the instrument
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. Vehicle damage (or lack
of it) is not always an indication of proper
front air bag operation.
The INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System
monitors information from the Air bag
Control Unit (ACU), seat belt buckle sensors
and the occupant classification sensors (weight sensors). Inflator operation is based
on the severity of a collision and seat belt
usage for the driver. For the front passenger,
the occupant classification sensors are also
monitored. Based on information from the
sensors, only one front air bag may inflate in
a crash, depending on the crash severity and
whether the front occupants are belted or
unbelted. Additionally, the front passenger
air bag and front passenger knee air bag may
be automatically turned OFF under some
conditions, depending on the information
provided by the occupant classification
sensors. If the front passenger air bag and
front passenger knee air bag are OFF, the
front passenger air bag status light will be
illuminated (if the seat is unoccupied, the
light will not be illuminated, but the air bag
will be off). (See “Front passenger air bag
and status light” (P.1-59) for further details.)
One front air bag inflating does not indicate
improper performance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, it is recommended you visit an
INFINITI retailer. If you are considering
modification of your vehicle due to a dis-
ability, you may also contact INFINITI.
Contact 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 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.
Front air bags, along with the use of seat
belts, help to cushion the impact force on the
head and chest of the front occupants. They
can help save lives and reduce serious
injuries. However, an inflating front air bag
may cause facial abrasions or other injuries.
Front air bags, other than the driver’s and
front passenger’s knee air bags, do not
provide restraint to the lower body.
Even with INFINITI advanced air bags, seat
belts should be correctly worn and the driver
and 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 increase the risk of
injury if the occupant is too close to, or is
against, the air bag module during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a
collision.
The front 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 supplemental air bag
warning light will turn off after about 7seconds if the system is operational.
SSS0803
Front passenger air bag status light
Front passenger air bag and status
light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag and front
passenger knee air bag are designed to
automatically turn OFF under some
conditions. Read this section 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
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-59

1-60Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
belts and child restraints can increase
the risk or severity of injury in an
accident.
Status light:
The front passenger seat is equipped with
the occupant classification sensors (weight
sensors) that turn the front passenger air
bag and front passenger knee air bag are on
or off depending on the weight applied to
the front passenger seat. The status of the
front passenger air bag and front passenger
knee 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 on the instrument panel illuminates for
about 7 seconds and then turns off or
illuminates depending on the front passen-
ger seat occupied status.
The light operates as follows:
. Unoccupied passenger seat: The
light is OFF and the front passenger air
bag is OFF and will not inflate in a crash.
. Passenger seat occupied by a small adult,
child or child restraint as outlined in this
section: The
light illuminates to
indicate that the front passenger air
bag is OFF and will not inflate in a crash. .
Occupied passenger seat and the pas-
senger meets the conditions outlined in
this section: The
light is OFF to
indicate that the front passenger air bag
and front passenger knee air bag are
operational.
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.1-61)
and “Troubleshooting” (P.1-62) in this sec-
tion.
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 as permitted by U.S. regula-
tions. 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. The occupant classification sensors (weight
sensors) are on the seat cushion frame under
the front passenger seat and are designed to
detect an occupant and objects on the seat.
For example, if a child is in the front
passenger seat, the Advanced Air Bag
System is designed to turn the passenger
air bag OFF in accordance with the regula-
tions. Also, if a child restraint of the type
specified in the regulations is on the seat, the
occupant classification sensors can detect it
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 and front passenger
knee air bag to be automatically turned OFF.
For small adults it may be turned OFF,
however, if the occupant does not sit in the
seat properly (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 sensors
are designed to operate as described above
to turn the front passenger air bag and front
passenger knee air bag OFF for specified
child restraints. Failing to properly secure
child restrains and to use the ALR mode may
allow the restraint to tip or move in an
accident or sudden stop. This can also result
in the passenger air bag and front passenger
knee air bag inflating in a crash instead of
being OFF. (See “Child restraints” (P.1-30)
for proper use and installation.)
If the front passenger seat is not occupied,
the passenger air bag and front passenger
knee air bag are designed not to inflate in a
crash. However, heavy objects placed on the
seat could result in air bag inflation, because
of the object being detected by the occupant
classification sensors. 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 and front passenger knee
air bag are automatically turned OFF with
the seat occupied. The light will not illumi-
nate when the front passenger seat is
unoccupied.If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
front passenger air bag status light is
illuminated (indicating that the air bag and
front passenger knee air bag are OFF), it
could be that the person is a small adult, or is
not sitting on the seat 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
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, the sys-
tem may be sensing an unoccupied seat (in
which case the air bag is OFF). Your
INFINITI retailer can check that the system
is OFF by using a special tool. However, until
you have confirmed with your retailer that
your air bag is working 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. However, if the seat
becomes unoccupied, the front passenger air
bag status light will remain off.
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 will blink. 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.
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-61

1-62Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
.Make sure that there is no object placed
under the front passenger seat.
Steps:
1. Adjust the seat as outlined. (See “Seats” (P.1-3).) 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. (See “Seat belts” (P.1-18).)
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 locks the classification during driv-
ing so it is important that you confirm that
the front passenger is properly classified
prior to driving. Also, the occupant classifi-
cation sensor system may recalculate the
weight of the occupant when the vehicle
comes to a stop (i.e. stop light, stop sign,
etc.), so the front passenger seat occupant
should continue to remain seated as out-
lined above. Troubleshooting:
If you think the front passenger air bag
status light is incorrect:
1. If the light is ON with no front passenger and no objects on the front
passenger seat:
This may be due to the following conditions
that may be interfering with the weight
sensors:
. 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 pressing
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 passen-
ger seat.
. An object placed between the seat
cushion and center console or between
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, it is
recommended that the vehicle be checked
by an INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
2. If the light is ON with an adult occupy- ing the front passenger seat:
. Occupant is a small adult — the front
passenger air bag status light is func-
tioning as intended. The front passenger
air bag and front passenger 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, leaning
against the seatback, and centered on
the seat cushion with his/her feet com-
fortably extended to the floor.
. A child restraint or other object pressing
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 passen-
ger seat.
. An object placed between the seat
cushion and center console or between
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 it is recommended that
the vehicle be checked by an INFINITI
retailer as soon as possible.
3. 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
conditions that may be interfering with
the weight sensors:
. Small adult or child is not sitting upright,
leaning against the seatback, and cen-
tered on the seat cushion with his/her
feet comfortably extended to the floor. .
The child restraint is not properly in-
stalled, as outlined. (See “Child re-
straints” (P.1-30).)
. 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 pressing
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 passen-
ger 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. 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 it is
recommended that the vehicle be checked by an INFINITI retailer as soon as possible.
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.
Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-63

1-64Safety — seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
.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 supplemental air bag system. This
is to prevent accidental inflation of
the supplemental 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.