INFINITI FX 2012 Repair Manual

1-42Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
SSS0903
1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front-impact air bag
modules
3. Front seat-mounted side-impact sup- plemental air bag modules
4. Occupant classification sensors (weight sensors) 5. Occupant detection 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. Air bag Control Unit (ACU)
9. Satellite sensors
10. Seat belt pretensioners
INFINITI ADVANCED AIR BAG SYS-
TEM (front seats)
WARNING
To ensure proper operation of the passen-
ger’
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. (4kg) on the seatback, head re-
straint or in the seatback pocket.
. Do not store luggage behind the seat
that can press into the seatback.
. 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 description,
please take your vehicle to your INFINITI
retailer to check the passenger seat
advanced air bag system.

.Until you have confirmed with your
retailer that your passenger seat ad-
vanced 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
designed to meet certification require-
ments 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 instru-
ment 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 opera-
tion.
The INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System has dual stage air bag inflators. The system
monitors information from the Air bag
Control Unit (ACU), seat belt buckle sen-
sors and the occupant classification sen-
sors (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 may be automatically turned OFF
under some conditions, depending on the
information provided by the occupant
classification sensors. If the front passen-
ger 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” (P.1-44) 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 INFINITI or an INFINITI
retailer. If you are considering modification of your vehicle due to a disability, 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 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
Safety
—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-43

1-44Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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 warn-
ing light illuminates. The supplemental air
bag warning light will turn off after about
7 seconds if the system is operational.
SSS0676
Front passenger air bag status light
Front passenger air bag and status
light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF under some condi-
tions. 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 under the climate controls.
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 operates depending on the
front passenger 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 out-
lined 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 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 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 Ad-
vanced 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 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 to be auto-
matically 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 supple-
mental air bag.
INFINITI recommends that pre-teens and
children be properly restrained in a rear
seat. INFINITI also recommends that appro-
priate 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 de-
scribed above to turn the front passenger
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 inflating in a crashinstead of being OFF. (See
“Child re-
straints” (P.1-20) 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
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 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 unoccu-
pied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the
passenger air bag status light is illumi-
nated (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
Safety —Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-45

1-46Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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 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 passenger air bag status
light is still 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
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
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 supplemen-
tal air bag warning light
, located in the
meter and gauges area will blink. Have the
system checked by an INFINITI retailer.
Other supplemental front-impact
air bag precautions
WARNING
. 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 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 perso-
nal injury. .
Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can
damage the seat or occupant classifica-
tion 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 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, suspen-
sion system or front end structure. This
could affect proper operation of the front
air bag system.
. Tampering with the air bag system may
result in serious personal injury. Tamper-
ing includes changes to the steering
wheel and the instrument panel assem-
bly 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 pas-
senger seat may affect the function 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 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 pas-
senger seat or the seat cushion and
seatback. Such objects may interfere
with the proper operation of the occu-
pant classification 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.
. Work on and around the front air bag
system should be done by an INFINITI
retailer. Installation of electrical equip- ment should also be done by an INFINITI
retailer. 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 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 Man-
ual.SSS0521
FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-IM-
PACT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG AND
ROOF-MOUNTED CURTAIN SIDE-IM-
PACT AND ROLLOVER SUPPLEMEN-
TAL 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 out-of-
position occupants. However, all of the
information, cautions and warnings in this
manual still apply and must be followed.
Safety —Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-47

1-48Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
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. 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. In a rollover, the curtain and
rollover air bags on both sides are
designed to inflate. Under both side-
impact and rollover situations, the curtain
air bags will remain inflated for a short
period of time.
The side air bags and curtain and rollover
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 warn-
ing 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 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 bags. 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, suspen-
sion 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 seat by
placing material near the seatback 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 an INFINITI retailer.
Installation of electrical equipment
should also be done by an INFINITI
retailer. 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 air bag or curtain and rollover
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)
WARNING
.
The pretensioners cannot be reused after
activation. They must be replaced to-
gether 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 preten-
sioner system checked and, if necessary,
replaced by an INFINITI retailer.
. No unauthorized changes should be
made to any components or wiring of
the pretensioner system. This is to
prevent damage to or accidental activa-
tion 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 an INFINITI retailer. Installation of electrical equip-
ment should also be done by an INFINITI
retailer. 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 an INFINITI
retailer. Correct pretensioner disposal
procedures are set forth in the appro-
priate INFINITI Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause perso-
nal 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 it 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 breath-
Safety —Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49

1-50Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system
ing 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” (P.1-50) for more
details.) If the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light indicates there is a malfunction,
have the system checked by an INFINITI
retailer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that
you inform the buyer about the preten-
sioner system and guide the buyer to the
appropriate sections in this Owner’s Man-
ual.
SSS1016
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental
front-impact air bag system are placed in
the vehicle as shown in the illustration.
SRS air bag
The warning labels*1are located on the
surface of the sun visors.
SPA1097
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displayingin 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 cir-
cuits include the Air bag Control Unit (ACU),
satellite sensors, crash zone sensor, occu-
pant classification system front air bag
modules, side air bag modules, curtain
and rollover air bag modules, preten-

sioners 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 approximately 7 seconds
after the ignition switch is pushed to
the ON position.
. 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 bags, and curtain and rollover air
bags or pretensioner systems may not
operate properly. They must be checked
and repaired. Take your vehicle to the
nearest INFINITI retailer.
WARNING
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
retailer as soon as possible.
REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT PROCE-
DURE
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 an INFINITI
retailer. When maintenance work is required on the
vehicle, the front air bags, side air bags,
curtain and rollover air bags, pretensioners
and related parts should be pointed out to
the person conducting the maintenance.
The ignition switch should always be in the
LOCK position when working under the
hood or inside the vehicle.
WARNING
.
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. Addition-
ally, the activated pretensioners must
also be replaced. The air bag module and
pretensioner should be replaced by an
INFINITI retailer. The air bag module and
pretensioner system cannot be repaired.
. The front air bag, side air bag, curtain
and rollover air bag and the pretensioner
should be inspected by an INFINITI
retailer 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 an INFINITI retailer.
Correct supplemental air bag and pre-
Safety —Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-51