Nissan Qashqai e-POWER 2023 Owners Manual

4.7.2.1. Automatic front-passenger air bag deactivation system (where fitted)

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Depending on vehicle specification, the vehicle may be equipped with an automatic front-passenger front air bag deactivation system.

The front passenger air bag is 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 belts and child restraints can increase the risk or severity of injury in an accident.

In order to recognise a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat, the automatic front-passenger front air bag deactivation system categorises the person in the front passenger seat using an occupant classification sensor. Depending on that result, the front-passenger front air bag is either enabled or disabled. If a NISSAN recommended child restraint system is fitted to the front passenger seat, the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF>image indicator light must light up after the system self-test and remain lit. The front passenger front air bag is disabled.

The occupant classification sensor in this vehicle is designed to detect the type of occupant or objects on the seat. For example, if an approved child restraint on the seat, it can be detected together with the child 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 automatically cause the passenger air bag to be turned ON. However, if the occupant is not sitting correctly on 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 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 appropriate child restraints and booster seats be properly 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 OFF for NISSAN recommended child restraints. Failing to properly secure child restraints may allow the restraint to tip or move in an accident or sudden stop. This can also result in the passenger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being OFF. (See

for proper use and installation.)

If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the passenger 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 way the object is 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 or more children are on the seat, if the seat is wet, or if an electrical device is 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 <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> image light is illuminated (indicating that the front passenger air bag is OFF), it could be that the person is not sitting on the seat properly. If a seat cover or additional cushion is used, this may also prevent the occupant classification sensor from detecting an adult correctly.

If a child restraint must be used in the front seat, the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> image indicator light may or may not be illuminated, depending on the size of the child and the type of child restraint being used. If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> ${1} light is not illuminated (indicating 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 <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> ${1} light is not illuminated, reposition the occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.

If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> image 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 dealer or qualified workshop. A NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop can check the system status by using a special tool. However, until you have confirmed with your dealer that your air bag is working properly, reposition the occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.

The air bag system and front passenger air bag status lights will take a few seconds to register a change in the passenger seat status. This is normal system operation and does not indicate a malfunction.

If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air bag system, the supplemental air bag warning light image, located in the meters and gauges area, will illuminate (blinking or steadily lit). Also, if the seat is wet and the system cannot work correctly, the system will deactivate the passenger air bag temporarily and illuminate the supplemental air bag warning light until seat is dry. Have the system checked. It is recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop for this service.

Normal operation

In order for the occupant classification sensor system to classify the front passenger, please follow the precautions and steps outlined below:

Precautions

  • 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.

  • Make sure the seat is dry.

  • Make sure no electrical devices are placed on the seat.

  • Make sure additional non-genuine seat covers or cushions are not used on the front passenger seat.

  • Make sure the occupant of the seat is not wearing heavily padded clothing items.

  • Make sure there are no sharp objects on the seat that could cut the cover and damage the sensor.

Steps

  1. Adjust the seat as outlined. (See

    .) Sit upright, leaning against the seatback, and centred on the seat cushion with your feet comfortably extended to the floor.
  2. Make sure there are no objects on your lap.

  3. Fasten the seat belt as outlined. (See

    .) Front passenger seat belt buckle status is monitored by the occupant classification system, and is used as an input to determine occupancy status. So, it is highly recommended that the front passenger fastens their seat belt.
  4. Remain in this position for several 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.

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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. However, the occupant classification sensor system may recalculate the classification 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.

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If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> image indicator light is lit, the front-passenger front air bag is disabled. It will not be deployed in the event of an accident and cannot perform its intended protective function. A person in the front passenger seat could then, for example, come into contact with the vehicle's interior, especially if the person is sitting too close to the dashboard. This poses an increased risk of injury or even fatal injury.

When the front-passenger seat is occupied, always make sure that:

  • The classification of the person in the front passenger seat is correct and that the front passenger front air bag is enabled or disabled in accordance with the person in the front passenger seat.

  • The front-passenger seat has been moved back as far back as possible.

  • The person is seated correctly.

If you secure a child on the front passenger seat in a rearward-facing child restraint system and the <PASSENGER AIR BAG ON>image indicator lights up, the passenger's air bag could be deployed in the event of an accident. The child could be struck by the air bag. There is an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal. In this case, always ensure that the passenger's air bag is disabled. The <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> image indicator must light up.

Troubleshooting

If you think the front passenger air bag status light is incorrect:

  • If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> image light is lit with an adult occupying the front passenger seat:

This may be due to the following conditions that may be interfering with the occupant classification sensors:

  • Occupant is not sitting upright, leaning against the seatback, and centred on the seat cushion with his/her feet comfortably extended to the floor.

  • A child restraint or other object pressing against the rear of the seatback.

  • The seat is wet or damp.

  • An electrical device like a smartphone or tablet PC is placed on the seat.

  • Non-genuine seat covers or cushions are used on the front passenger seat.

  • The occupant of the seat is wearing heavily padded clothing items.

  • 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 passenger seat.

  • An object placed between the seat cushion and centre 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.

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A system check will be performed during which the front passenger air bag status lights will remain lit for about 7 seconds initially.

If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> image light is still lit 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 a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop for this service.

  • If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG ON> light image is lit with a child restraint occupying the front passenger seat.

This may be due to the following conditions that may be interfering with the occupant classification sensors:

  • The child restraint is not properly installed, as outlined. (See

    .)
  • 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.

  • The seat is wet or damp.

  • An electrical device like a smartphone or tablet PC is placed on the seat

  • Forcing the front seat or seatback against 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 centre console.

  • The front passenger seat head restraint 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.

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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 <PASSENGER AIR BAG ON>image light is still lit after this, the child restraint should be repositioned in the rear seat and it is recommended that the vehicle should be checked by a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop as soon as possible.

  • If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG ON> image light is lit with no front passenger and no objects on the front passenger seat, the vehicle should be checked as soon as possible. It is recommended you visit a NISSAN dealer or qualified workshop for this service.
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