Precautions on Supplemental Restraint System

This Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) section contains important information concerning the following systems:
- Driver and passenger supplemental frontimpact air bag (NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System)
- Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag
- Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag
- Seat belt with pretensioner

Supplemental front-impact air bag system:
The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System can help cushion the impact force to the head and chest of the driver and front passenger in certain frontal collisions.

Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag system: This system can help cushion the impact force to the chest and pelvis areas of the driver and front passenger in certain side impact collisions. The side air bags are designed to inflate on the side where the vehicle is impacted.

Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag system: This system can help cushion the impact force to the head of occupants in front and rear outboard seating positions in certain side impact or rollover collisions. In a side impact, the curtain and rollover air bags are designed to inflate on the side where the vehicle is impacted. In a rollover both curtain and rollover air bags are designed to inflate and remain inflated for a short period of time.

These supplemental restraint systems are designed to supplement the crash protection provided by the driver and passenger seat belts and are not a substitute for them. Seat belts should always be correctly worn and the occupant seated a suitable distance away from the steering wheel, instrument panel and door finishers. (See “Seat belts” earlier in this section for instructions and precautions on seat belt usage.)

The supplemental air bags operate only when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

After turning 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 7 seconds if the systems are operational.

- The front air bags ordinarily will not inflate in the event of a side impact, rear impact, rollover, or lower severity frontal collision. Always wear your seat belts to help reduce the risk or severity of injury in various kinds of accidents.

- The front passenger air bag will not inflate if the passenger air bag status light is lit or if the front passenger seat is unoccupied. See “Front passenger air bag and status light” later in this section.

- The seat belts and the front air bags are most effective when you are sitting well back and upright in the seat with both feet on the floor. The front air bags inflate with great force. Even with the NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System, if you are unrestrained, leaning forward, sitting sideways or out of position in any way, you are at greater risk of injury or death in a crash. You may also receive serious or fatal injuries from the front air bag if you are up against it when it inflates. Always sit back against the seatback and as far-away as practical from the steering wheel or instrument panel. Always use the seat belts.

- The driver and front passenger seat belt buckles are equipped with sensors that detect if the seat belts are fastened. The Advanced Air Bag System monitors the severity of a collision and seat belt usage then inflates the air bags as needed.

Failure 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 sensor (pattern sensor) that turns the front passenger air bag OFF under some conditions. This sensor is only used in this seat.

Failure to be properly seated and wearing the seat belt can increase the risk or severity of injury in an accident. See “Front passenger air bag and status light” later 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 if the front air bag inflates.

- Never let children ride unrestrained or extend their hands or face out of the window. Do not attempt to hold them in your lap or arms. Some examples of dangerous riding positions are shown in the illustrations.

- Children may be severely injured or killed when the front air bags, side air bags or curtain and rollover air bags inflate if they are not properly restrained. Pre-teens and children should be properly restrained in the rear seat, if possible.

- Even with the NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System, never install a rearfacing child restraint in the front seat. An inflating front air bag could seriously injure or kill your child.

See “Child restraints” earlier in this section for details.

Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bags:
- The side air bags and curtain and rollover air bags ordinarily will not inflate in the event of a frontal impact, rear impact or lower severity side collision. Always wear your seat belts to help reduce the risk or severity of injury in various kinds of accidents.

- The seat belts, the side air bags and curtain and rollover air bags are most effective when you are sitting well back and upright in the seat.

The side air bag and curtain and rollover air bag inflate with great force. Do not allow anyone to place their hand, leg or face near the side air bag on the side of the seatback of the front seat or near the side roof rails. Do not allow anyone sitting in the front seats or rear outboard seats to extend their hand out of the window or lean against the door. Some examples of dangerous riding positions are shown in the previous illustrations.

- When sitting in the rear seat, do not hold onto the seatback of the front seat. If the side air bag inflates, you may be seriously injured. Be especially careful with children, who should always be properly restrained.

Some examples of dangerous riding positions are shown in the illustrations.

- Do not use seat covers on the front seatbacks. They may interfere with side air bag inflation.

NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System (front seats)

NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System (front seats)

1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front-impact air bag modules
3. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag modules
4. Occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor)
5. Occupant classification system control unit
6. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bags
7. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag inflators
8. Lap outer pretensioners
9. Seat belt with pretensioners
10. Satellite sensors
11. Air bag Control Unit (ACU)

This vehicle is equipped with the NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System for the driver and front passenger seats. This system is designed to meet certification requirements 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 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 NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System has dual stage air bag inflators. The system monitors information from the crash zone sensor, satellite sensor, Air bag Control Unit (ACU), seat belt buckle sensors and occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor). Inflator operation is based on the severity of a collision and seat belt usage for the driver. For the front passenger, the occupant classification sensor is 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 may be automatically turned OFF under some conditions, depending on the information provided by the occupant classification sensor. If the front passenger air bag is OFF, the 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” later in this section 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, contact NISSAN or a NISSAN dealer. If you are considering modification of your vehicle due to a disability, you may also contact NISSAN. 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 do not provide restraint to the lower body.

Even with NISSAN 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 will deflate quickly after a collision.

The front air bags operate only when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

After turning 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 7 seconds if the system is operational.

Front passenger air bag and status light

Front passenger air bag status light

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.

Status light:

The front passenger air bag status light is located on the instrument panel below the air conditioner controls. 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’s 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 passenger meets 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 described below as permitted by 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.

The occupant classification sensor (pattern sensor) is in the front passenger seat cushion and is 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 regulations.

Also, if a child restraint of the type specified in the regulations is on the seat, the occupant classification sensor 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 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.

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 specified child restraints. Failing to properly secure child restraints and to use the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode (child restraint mode) 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” earlier in this section 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 being 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 passenger air bag status light, you can monitor when the front passenger 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 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.

If a child restraint must be used in the front seat, the 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 air bag status 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 air bag status light is not illuminated, reposition the occupant or child restraint in a rear seat.

If the 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 system may be sensing an unoccupied seat (in which case the air bag is OFF). Your NISSAN dealer can check that the system is OFF 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 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 air bag status light will remain off.

If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air bag system, the supplemental air bag warning light , located in the meter and gauges area, will blink. Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.

Other supplemental front-impact air bag precautions

- Do not place any objects on the steering wheel pad or on the instrument 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 injury if the front air bag inflates.

- 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 sensor (pattern sensor). 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 sensor. 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 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 structure. This could affect proper operation of the front air bag sys- tem.

- Tampering with the supplemental 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.

- 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 material, 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 classification sensor.

- 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.

- Work on and around the front air bag system should be done by a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical equipment should also be done by a NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) wiring harnesses* 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 replaced 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 identification.

When selling your vehicle, we request that you inform the buyer about the front air bag system and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.

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 and rollover air bags are located in the side roof rails.

These systems are designed to meet voluntary guidelines to help reduce the risk of injury to outof- position occupants. However, all of the information, cautions and warnings in this manual still apply and must be followed. The side air bags and curtain and rollover 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 side impact. They are designed to inflate on the side where the vehicle is impacted. They may not inflate in certain side collisions on the side where the vehicle is impacted. Curtain and rollover air bags are also designed to inflate in certain types of rollover collisions or near rollovers.

Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an indication of proper side air bag and curtain and rollover air bag operation.

When the side air bags and curtain and rollover 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 occupants. Curtain and rollover air bags help to cushion the impact force to the head of occupants in the front and rear outboard seating positions. They can help save lives and reduce serious injuries. However, side air bags and curtain and rollover air bags may cause abrasions or other injuries. Side air bags and curtain and rollover 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 bags. 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 and rollover air bags inflate quickly in order to help protect the occupants in the outboard seating positions.

Because of this, the force of the side air bags and curtain and rollover 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 bags and curtain and rollover air bags will deflate quickly after the collision is over.

The side air bags and curtain and rollover air bags operate only when the ignition switch is in the ON position.

After turning 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 7 seconds if the systems are operational.

- 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 projectiles and cause injury if a side air bag inflates.

- Right after inflation, several side air bag and curtain and rollover 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 side air bag and curtain and rollover air bag systems. This is to prevent damage to or accidental inflation of the side air bag and curtain and rollover 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 and rollover air bag systems.

- Tampering with the side air bag system 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.

- Work around and on the side air bag and curtain and rollover air bag systems should be done by a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical equipment should also be done by a NISSAN dealer. The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) wiring harnesses* should not be modified or disconnected. Unauthorized electrical test equipment and probing devices should not be used on the side air bag and curtain and rollover supplemental air bag systems.

* The SRS wiring harness connectors are yellow and orange for easy identification.

When selling your vehicle, we request that you inform the buyer about the side air bag and curtain and rollover air bag systems and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.

Seat belts with pretensioners (front seats)

- The pretensioners cannot be reused after activation. They must be replaced together with the retractor and buckle as a unit.

- If the vehicle becomes involved in a collision but a pretensioner is not activated, be sure to have the pretensioner system checked and, if necessary, replaced by a NISSAN dealer.

- No unauthorized changes should be made to any components or wiring of the pretensioner system. This is to prevent damage to or accidental activation of the pretensioners.

Tampering with the pretensioner system may result in serious personal injury.

- Work around and on the pretensioner system should be done by a NISSAN dealer. Installation of electrical equipment should also be done by a NISSAN dealer. Unauthorized electrical test equipment and probing devices should not be used on the pretensioner system.

- If you need to dispose of a pretensioner or scrap the vehicle, contact a NISSAN dealer. Correct pretensioner disposal procedures are set forth in the appropriate NISSAN Service Manual. Incorrect disposal procedures could cause personal injury.

The pretensioner system may activate with the supplemental air bag system in certain types of collisions. Working with the seat belt retractor, it helps tighten the seat belt when the vehicle becomes involved in certain types of collisions, helping to restrain front seat occupants.

The pretensioner is encased with the seat belt retractor. These seat belts are used the same way as conventional seat belts.

When a pretensioner activates, smoke is released and a loud noise may be heard. The 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.

After pretensioner activation, load limiters 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. (See "SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT" in this section for more details.) If the supplemental air bag warning light indicates there is a malfunction, have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.

When selling your vehicle, we request that you inform the buyer about the pretensioner system and guide the buyer to the appropriate sections in this Owner’s Manual.

Supplemental air bag warning labels

Warning labels about the supplemental frontimpact air bag systems are placed in the vehicle as shown in the illustration.

1 SRS air bag

The warning labels are located on the surface of the sun visors.

Supplemental air bag warning light

The supplemental air bag warning light, displaying in the instrument panel, monitors the circuits of the supplemental front-impact air bag, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bag, roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag and seat belt pretensioner systems. The monitored circuits include Air bag Control Unit (ACU), crash zone sensor, satellite sensors, occupant classification system, front air bag modules, side air bag modules, curtain and rollover air bag modules, pretensioners and all related wiring.

When the ignition switch is in the ON position, the supplemental air bag warning light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then turns off.

This means the system is operational.

If any of the following conditions occur, the front air bag, side air bag, curtain and rollover air bag and pretensioner systems need servicing:
- The supplemental air bag warning light remains on after approximately 7 seconds.

- The supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.

- The supplemental air bag warning light does not come on at all.

Under these conditions, the front air bag, side air bag, curtain and rollover air bag and pretensioner systems may not operate properly. They must be checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to the nearest NISSAN dealer.

If the supplemental air bag warning light is on, it could mean that the front air bag, side air bag, curtain and rollover air bag and/or pretensioner systems will not operate in an accident. To help avoid injury to yourself or others, have your vehicle checked by a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

Repair and replacement procedure

The front air bags, side air bags, curtain and rollover air bags and pretensioners are designed to activate on a one-time-only basis. As a reminder, unless it is damaged, the supplemental air bag warning light will remain illuminated after inflation has occurred. Repair and replacement of these systems should be done only by a NISSAN dealer.

When maintenance work is required on the vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags, curtain and rollover air bags and pretensioners and related parts should be pointed out to the person performing the maintenance. The ignition switch should always be in the LOCK position when working under the hood or inside the vehicle.

- Once a front air bag, side air bag or curtain and rollover air bag has inflated, the air bag module will not function again and must be replaced. Additionally, the activated pretensioners must also be replaced.

The air bag module and pretensioner system should be replaced by a NISSAN dealer. The air bag modules and pretensioner system cannot be repaired.

- The front air bag, side air bag and curtain and rollover air bag systems, and pretensioner system should be inspected by a NISSAN dealer if there is any damage to the front end or side portion of the vehicle.

- If you need to dispose of a supplemental air bag or pretensioner, or scrap the vehicle, contact a NISSAN dealer. Correct supplemental air bag and pretensioner system disposal procedures are set forth in the appropriate NISSAN Service Manual.

Incorrect disposal procedures could cause personal injury.