INFINITI M 2011 Repair Manual

WARNING
Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental
air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact
supplemental air bags:
●The front seat-mounted side-impact air bags
and roof-mounted curtain air bags ordinarily
will not inflate in the event of a frontal im-
pact, rear impact, rollover 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, side air bags and curtain air
bags are most effective when you are sitting
well back and upright in the seat. The side air
bag and curtain 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 sit-
ting 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
supplemental side air bag inflates, you may
be seriously injured. Be especially careful
with children, who should always be prop-
erly restrained. Some examples of danger-
ous riding positions are shown in the
illustrations.
● Do not use seat covers on the front seat-
backs. They may interfere with supplemen-
tal side air bag inflation.
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1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front air bag modules(INFINITI Advanced Air Bags)
3. Front seat-mounted side-impact supple- mental air bags 4. Occupant classification sensor (pattern
sensor)
5. Occupant classification system control unit
6. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags 7. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact supple-
mental air bag inflators
8. Lap outer pretensioners (if so equipped)
9. Air bag Control Unit (ACU)
10. Satellite sensors
11. Seat belts with pretensioners
INFINITI ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM
(front seats)
This vehicle is equipped with the INFINITI Ad-
vanced 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
front 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 an-
other type of collision are similar to those of a
higher severity frontal impact. They may not
inflate in certain frontal collisions. Vehicle dam-
age (or lack of it) is not always an indication of
proper front air bag operation.
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The INFINITI Advanced Air Bag System has dual
stage air bag inflators. The system monitors
information from the crash zone sensor, the Air
bag Control Unit (ACU), seat belt buckle
switches and the 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 moni-
tored. 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 condi-
tions, 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 illumi-
nated, 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 perfor-
mance of the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, contact an INFINITI retailer. If you are
considering modification of your vehicle due to
a disability, you may also contact an INFINITI
retailer. 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
close to, or is against, the air bag module
during inflation.
The front air bags deflate quickly after a colli-
sion.
The supplemental front air bags operate only
when the ignition switch is in the ON position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning light illu-
minates. The supplemental air bag warning light
will turn off after about 7 seconds if the system is
operational.
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Front passenger air bag and status
light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed to au-
tomatically turn OFF under some conditions.
Read this section carefully to learn how it oper-
ates. Proper use of the seat, seat belt and child
restraints is necessary for most effective pro-
tection. 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 above the ashtray. The light operates
as follows:
●
Unoccupied passenger seat: The
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
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 sec-
tion: 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 sen-
sor) 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 sen-
sor 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.
INFINITI recommends that pre-teens and chil-
dren be properly restrained in a rear seat.
INFINITI also recommends that appropriate
Front passenger air bag status light
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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 re-
straints. Failing to properly secure child re-
straints and to use the 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 instal-
lation.)
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 occu-
pied. 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 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 passen-
ger 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 pas-
senger air bag status light will take a few
seconds to register a change in the passenger
seat status. However, if the seat becomes un-
occupied, the air bag status light will remain
off.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger
air bag system, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing 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 occu-
pant and the steering wheel or instrument
panel. Such objects may become dangerous
projectiles and cause injury if the front air
bags inflate.
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●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 (pat-
tern sensor). This can affect the operation of
the air bag system and result in serious per-
sonal injury.
● Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can dam-
age the seat or occupant classification sen-
sor. 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 air bag sys-
tem. 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 sys-
tem or front end structure. This could affect
proper operation of the front air bag system. ●
Tampering with the air bag system may re-
sult 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 pas-
senger seat may result in serious personal
injury. For example, do not change the front
seats by placing material on the seat cush-
ion 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 an INFINITI retailer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should also be
done by an INFINITI retailer. The Supplemen-
tal Restraint System (SRS) wiring har-
nesses* should not be modified or discon-
nected. Unauthorized electrical test
equipment and probing devices should not
be used on the air bag system.
● A cracked windshield should be replaced im-
mediately 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.
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FRONT SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE-IMPACT
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG AND
ROOF-MOUNTED CURTAIN SIDE-
IMPACT SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
SYSTEMS
The side air bags are located in the outside of
the seatback of the front seats. The curtain air
bags are located in the side roof rails. These
systems are designed to meet voluntary guide-
lines to help reduce the risk of injury to out-of-
position occupants.However, all of the informa-
tion, cautions and warnings in this manual still
apply and must be followed. The side air bags
and curtain 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.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper supplemental side air bag
and curtain side-impact air bag operation.
When side air bags and curtain 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 pelvis of the front occupants. Curtain air
bags help to cushion the impact force to the
head of occupants in the front and rear out-
board seating positions. They can help save
lives and reduce serious injuries. However, an
inflating side air bags and curtain air bags may
cause abrasions or other injuries. Side air bags
and curtain 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 bag. Rear seatpassengers should be seated as far away as
practical from the door finishers and side roof
rails. The side air bags and curtain air bags
inflate quickly in order to help protect the
occupants. Because of this, the force of the side
air bags and curtain 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
air bags will deflate quickly after the collision is
over.
The side air bags and curtain air bags operate
only when the ignition switch is in the ON
position.
After pushing the ignition switch to the ON posi-
tion, the supplemental air bag warning light illu-
minates. The air bag warning light will turn off
after about 7 seconds if the systems are opera-
tional.
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 side air bag inflates.
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●Right after inflation, several side air bags
and curtain 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 side air bag and
curtain air bags. This is to prevent damage to
or accidental inflation of the side air bag and
curtain air bag systems.
● Do not make unauthorized changes to your
vehicle’s electrical system, suspension sys-
tem or side panel. This could affect proper
operation of the side air bag and curtain air
bag systems.
● Tampering with the air bag system may re-
sult in serious personal injury. For example,
do not change the front seats by placing
material near the seatback or by installing
additional trim material, such as seat cov-
ers, around the side air bags. ●
Work around and on the side air bag and
curtain air bag systems should be done by an
INFINITI retailer. Installation of electrical
equipment should also be done by an
INFINITI retailer. The Supplemental Re-
straint 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-impact 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 side air bag and
curtain 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 ac-
tivation. 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 an INFINITI
retailer.
● No unauthorized changes should be made to
any components or wiring of the pretension-
ers. This is to prevent damage to or acciden-
tal activation of the pretensioner system.
Tampering with the pretensioner system
may result in serious personal injury.
● Work around and on the pretensioners
should be done by an INFINITI retailer. Instal-
lation of electrical equipment should also be
done by an INFINITI retailer. Unauthorized
electrical test equipment and probing de-
vices should not be used on the pretensioner
system.
● If you need to dispose of the pretensioner or
scrap the vehicle, contact an INFINITI re-
tailer. Correct pretensioner disposal proce-
dures are set forth in the appropriate
INFINITI 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
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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 seat belt 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 breathing condition should get
fresh air promptly.
After pretensioner activation, load limiters al-
low the seat belt to release webbing (if neces-
sary) to reduce forces against the chest.
The supplemental air bag warning light
is used to indicate malfunctions in the preten-
sioner system. See “SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT” later in this section. If the
supplemental air bag warning light illuminates,
have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
When selling your vehicle, we request that you
inform the buyer about the seat belt pretension-
ers and guide the buyer to the appropriate
sections in this Owner’s Manual.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LABELS
Warning labels about the supplemental front-
impact air bag systems are placed in the vehicle
as shown in the illustration.
SRS air bag
The warning labels1are located on the
surface of the sun visors.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING
LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light, dis-
playing
in the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits of the supplemental front-
impact air bag, front seat-mounted side-impact
supplemental air bag, roof-mounted curtain
side-impact supplemental air bag, and seat belt
pretensioner systems. The monitored circuits
include the Air bag Control Unit (ACU), satellite
sensors, crash zone sensor, occupant classifi-
cation system, front air bag modules, side air
bag modules, curtain air bag modules, preten-
sioner and all related wiring.
When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
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nates 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 air bag and
pretensioner systems need servicing:
●The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains 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 bag, curtain air bag 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 air bag and/or pretensioner sys-
tems 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
PROCEDURE
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain air
bags and pretensioners are designed to acti-
vate on a one-time-only basis. As a reminder,
unless it is damaged, the supplemental air bag
warning light will remain illuminated after infla-
tion 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
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
air bag has inflated, the air bag module will
not function again and must be replaced.
Additionally, the activated pretensioner
must also be replaced. The air bag module
and pretensioner should be replaced by an
INFINITI retailer. The air bag module and pre-
tensioner system cannot be repaired. ●
The front air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag
and the pretensioner system should be in-
spected 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 the supplemental
air bag or pretensioner or scrap the vehicle,
contact an INFINITI retailer. Correct supple-
mental air bag and seat belt pretensioner
system disposal procedures are set forth in
the appropriate INFINITI Service Manual. In-
correct disposal procedures could cause per-
sonal injury.
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