warning INFINITI QX 2011 Service Manual

WARNING
Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental
air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact
and rollover supplemental air bags:
●The side-impact supplemental air bags ordi-
narily will not inflate in the event of a front
impact, rear impact, rollover, or lower sever-
ity side collision. Always wear your seat
belts to help reduce the risk or severity of
injury in various kinds of accidents. ●
The curtain side-impact and rollover supple-
mental air bags ordinarily will not inflate in
the event of a front 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 bags and curtain and rollover
air bags inflate with great force. Do not allow
anyone to place their hand, leg or face near the
side air bags 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 ex-
amples 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 bags inflates, you may be seriously
injured. Be especially careful with children,
who should always be properly restrained.
Some examples of dangerous riding posi-
tions are shown in the illustrations.
● Do not use seat covers on the front seat-
backs. They may interfere with side air bags
inflation.
SSS0140
SSS0162
SSS0159
1-54Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

1. Crash zone sensor
2. Supplemental front-impact air bag mod-ules (INFINITI Advanced Air Bags)
3. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bag inflators 4. Front seat-mounted side-impact supple-
mental air bag modules
5. Roof-mounted curtain side-impact and rollover supplemental air bags
6. Seat belt pre-tensioners 7. Satellite sensors
8. Buckle pretensioners
9. Diagnosis sensor unit
10. Occupant classification sensors (weight
sensors)
11. Occupant classification system control unit
INFINITI ADVANCED AIR BAG SYSTEM
(front seats)
WARNING
To ensure proper operation of the passenger’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.
(4 kg) on the seatback, head restraint or in
the seatback pocket.
● Do not store cargo behind the seat that can
press into the seatback.
SSS1098
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-55

●Do not position the front passenger seat so it
contacts the rear seat. If the front seat does
contact the rear seat, the air bag system may
determine a sensor malfunction has oc-
curred and the front passenger air bag sta-
tus light may illuminate and the supplemen-
tal air bag warning light may flash.
● If a forward facing child restraint is installed
in the front passenger seat, do not position
the front passenger seat so the child re-
straint contacts the instrument panel. If the
child restraint does contact the instrument
panel, the system may determine the seat is
occupied and the passenger air bag may de-
ploy in a collision. Also the front passenger
air bag status light may not illuminate. See
“CHILD RESTRAINTS” earlier in this section
for information about installing and using
child restraints.
● 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 advanced air bag is
working properly, position the occupants in
the rear seating positions.
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
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, al-
though 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 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 sensors and the occupant
classification sensors (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 un-
belted. Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned OFF under some
conditions, depending on the information pro-
vided by the occupant classification sensors. If
the front passenger air bag is OFF, the passen-
ger 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.
1-56Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint 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 canincrease 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 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.
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.
Front passenger air bag status light
SSS1099
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-57

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
passenger 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. ●
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 opera-
tion of the air bag system and result in seri-
ous personal injury.
● Do not use water or acidic cleaners (hot
steam cleaners) on the seat. This can dam-
age the seat or occupant classification sen-
sors. 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 supplemen-
tal air bag system. This is to prevent acciden-
tal 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.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-59

●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 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. 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.
*1.The SRS wiring harness connectors are yellow and orange for easy identifica-
tion.
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 out-of-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
SSS1092
1-60Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

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. As a result, certain vehicle
movements (for example, during severe off
roading) may cause the curtain and rollover air
bags to inflate.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper side air bag and curtain
and rollover air bag operation.
When 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 pelvis of the front occupants. Curtain and
rollover air bags help to cushion the impact
force to the head of occupants in the front andrear (2nd and 3rd) outboard seating positions.
They can help save lives and reduce serious
injuries. However, an inflating side air bags and
curtain and rollover air bags may cause abra-
sions 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 bag. 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. The side air bags
will deflate quickly after the collision is over.
The curtain and rollover air bag will remain
inflated for a while.
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 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.
● Right after inflation, several side air bags
and curtain and rollover air bag system com-
ponents 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 and rollover air bags. This is to pre-
vent 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 sys-
tem or side panel. This could affect proper
operation of the side air bag and curtain and
rollover air bag systems.
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-61

●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 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 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.
*1.The SRS wiring harness connectors are yellow and orange for easy identifica-
tion.
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 ac-
tivation. They must be replaced together
with the retractor and buckle as a unit.
● If the vehicle becomes involved in a frontal,
side impact and rollover collision but a pre-
tensioner is not activated, be sure to have
the pretensioner system checked and, if nec-
essary, replaced by an INFINITI retailer.
● No unauthorized changes should be made to
any components or wiring of the preten-
sioner system. This is to prevent damage to
or accidental activation of the pretension-
ers. Tampering with the pretensioner sys-
tem may result in serious personal injury.
● Work around and on the pretensioner sys-
tem should be done by an INFINITI retailer.
Installation of electrical equipment should
also be done by an INFINITI retailer. Unau-
thorized electrical test equipment and prob-
ing devices should not be used on the pre-
tensioner system. ●
If you need to dispose of a 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 pre-tensioner system activates when any of
the air bags deploy. 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 occu-
pants.
The pretensioner is encased with the seat belt
retractor and buckle anchor. These seat belts
are used the same way as conventional seat
belts.
When a pretensioner activates, smoke is re-
leased 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.
1-62Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

If any abnormality occurs in the pretensioner
system, the supplemental air bag warning light
will not come on, will flash intermittently
or will turn on for 7 seconds and remain on after
the ignition switch has been pushed to the ON
position. In this case, the pretensioner system
may not function properly. They must be
checked and repaired. Take your vehicle to the
nearest INFINITI retailer.
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 front-
impact air bag system 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-
playingin 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 and rollover supplemental air bag,
and seat belt pretensioner systems. The moni-
tored circuits include the Air bag Control Unit
(ACU), satellite sensors, crash zone sensor,
occupant classification system front air bag
modules, side air bag modules, curtain and
rollover air bag modules, pretensioners, front
passenger air bag status light and all related
wiring.
SSS1016SPA1097
Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-63

When the ignition switch is in the ON position,
the supplemental air bag warning light illumi-
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 and rollover
air bag and pretensioner systems need servic-
ing:
●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 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 preten-
sioner 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
PROCEDURE
The front air bags, side air bags, curtain and
rollover air bags and pretensioners are de-
signed to activate on a one-time-only basis. As
a reminder, unless it is damaged, the supple-
mental air bag warning light will remain illumi-
nated 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. Additionally, the activated preten-
sioner 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 supple-
mental air bag and pretensioner system dis-
posal procedures are set forth in the appro-
priate INFINITI Service Manual. Incorrect
disposal procedures could cause personal
injury.
1-64Safety — Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system