4.5.2.1. Supplemental front-impact air bag system

The driver's supplemental front-impact air bag is located at the centre of the steering wheel. The passenger’s supplemental front-impact air bag is located at the instrument panel above the glove box.

The supplemental front-impact air bag system is designed to inflate in higher severity frontal collisions, although it may inflate if the forces in another type of collision are similar to those of a higher severity frontal impact. It may not inflate in certain frontal collisions. Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an indication of proper supplemental front-impact air bag system operation.

Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat without ensuring that the front passenger air bag is deactivated. The vehicle is equipped with an automatic front-passenger front air bag deactivation system. The <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> indicator must be lit. In a frontal collision, supplemental front impact air bags inflate with great force. An inflating supplemental front-impact air bag could seriously injure or kill your child.

The front passenger seat is equipped with occupant classification sensor that turns the front passenger air bag on or off depending on the type of occupant or object detected on the front passenger seat. The status of the front passenger air bag (ON or OFF) is indicated by the front passenger air bag status lights <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> and <PASSENGER AIR BAG ON> which are located on the roof console.

After the power switch is placed in the "ON" position, the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> and <PASSENGER AIR BAG ON> indicator lights must light up simultaneously for approximately 7 seconds.

The indicator lights display the status of the front passenger front air bag:

* If an approved child restraint system is not being used, the passenger air bag may be active ( illuminated).

In addition to the above, certain objects placed on the front passenger seat may also cause the light to operate as described above.

For additional information related to the normal operation and troubleshooting of this occupant classification sensor system, please refer to “Troubleshooting” later in this section.

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 recognize a child restraint system on the front-passenger seat, the automatic front-passenger front air bag deactivation system categorizes 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> 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 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 appropriate child restraints and booster seats be properly 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 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 “Child restraints” later in this section 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 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, 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> indicator 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> 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> 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 , 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:

Steps:

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.

If the <PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF> 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:

If you secure a child on the front passenger seat in a rearward-facing child restraint system and the <PASSENGER AIR BAG ON> 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> indicator must light up.

Troubleshooting:

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

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

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.

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> 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.

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

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.

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> 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.