warning light NISSAN MAXIMA 2012 A35 / 7.G User Guide

The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System has dual
stage inflators. It also monitors information from
the crash zone sensor, the Air Bag Control Unit
(ACU) , seat belt buckle sensors and the occu-
pant classification sensor (pattern sensor) . Infla-
tor operation is based on the severity of a colli-
sion and seat belt usage for the driver. For the
front passenger, the occupant classification sen-
sor 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 un-
belted. Additionally, the front passenger air bag
may be automatically turned OFF under some
conditions, depending on the weight detected on
the passenger seat and how the seat belt is used.
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 inflat-
ing does not indicate improper performance of
the system.
If you have any questions about your air bag
system, please contact NISSAN or your 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 the release of smoke.
This smoke is not harmful and does not indicate a
fire. Care should be taken to not 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 face 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 pas-
senger 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 front 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 or START posi-
tion.
After placing the ignition switch in 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.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-45

Front passenger air bag and status light
WARNING
The front passenger air bag is designed to
automatically turn OFF under some con-
ditions. Read this section carefully to
learn how it operates. Proper use of the
seat, seat belt and child restraints is nec-
essary for most effective protection. Fail-
ure 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 radio. After the ignition switch
is placed in the ONposition, the front passen-
ger air bag status light on the instrument panel
illuminates for about 7 seconds and then turns off
or remains illuminated depending on the front
passenger seat occupied status. The light oper-
ates as follows:
● Unoccupied passenger’s seat: The
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
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 auto-
matically turn OFF when the vehicle is operated
under some conditions as described below in
accordance with 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 auto-
matically turned OFF. Certain sensors are used
to meet the requirements.
One sensor used is the occupant classification
sensor (pattern sensor) . It is in the bottom of the
front passenger seat cushion and is designed to
detect an occupant and objects on the seat by
weight. It works together with seat belt sensors
described later. 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, its weight and the child’s weight can be
detected and cause the air bag to turn OFF. Occu-
pant classification sensor operation can vary de-
pending on the front passenger seat belt sensors.
The front passenger seat belt sensors are de-
signed to detect if the seat belt is buckled. Based
on the weight on the seat detected by the occu-
pant classification sensor, the Advanced Air Bag
System determines whether the front passenger
air bag should be automatically turned OFF as
required by the regulations.
LRS0865
1-46Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

Front passenger seat adult occupants who are
properly seated and using the seat belt as out-
lined in this manual should not cause the passen-
ger air bag to be automatically turned OFF. For
small adults it may be turned OFF, however if the
occupant takes his/her weight off the seat cush-
ion (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. In addition, if the occupant
improperly uses the seat belt in the ALR mode
(child restraint mode) , this could cause the air
bag to be turned 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 chil-
dren 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 and seat belt sensors are
designed to operate as described above to turn
the front passenger air bag OFF for specified
child restraints as required by the regulations.
Failing to properly secure child restraints 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 passen-
ger air bag inflating in a crash instead of beingOFF. 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’s weight 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 au-
tomatically turned OFF with the seat occupied.
The light will not illuminate when the front pas-
senger seat is unoccupied.
If an adult occupant is in the seat but the passen-
ger 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 or not using the seat belt 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 bethat 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 illu-
minate 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. For example, if a
large adult who is sitting in the front passenger
seat exits the vehicle, the passenger air bag
status light will go from OFF to ON for a few
seconds and then to OFF. This is normal system
operation and does not indicate a malfunction.
If a malfunction occurs in the front passenger air bag
system, the supplemental air bag warning
light
, located in the meter and gauges area on
the driver’s side of the instrument panel, will blink.
Have the system checked by a NISSAN dealer.
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-47

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 guidelines to help
reduce the risk of injury to out-of-position occu-
pants.However, all of the information, cau-
tions and warnings in this manual still ap-
ply 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 cer-
tain side collisions.
Vehicle damage (or lack of it) is not always an
indication of proper side air bag and curtain air
bag operation.
When the 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 con-
dition 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 air
bags help to cushion the impact force to the head
of occupants in the front and rear outboard seat-
ing positions. They can help save lives and re-
duce serious injuries. However, an inflating side
air bag 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 seat
passengers 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 bag and
curtain side-impact air bag 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 bag and curtain air bags will deflate
quickly after the collision is over.
The side air bags and curtain air bags op-
erate only when the ignition switch is
placed in the ON or START position.
After placing the ignition switch in 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.
WARNING
●
Do not place any objects near the seat-
back 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.
LRS0259
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-49

The pretensioner is encased within the seat belt
retractor. 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. 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.
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 de-
tails.) If the operation of 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.1. SRS Air Bag Warning Labels (located
on the sun visors)
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.
SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG
WARNING LIGHT
The supplemental air bag warning light,
displaying
in the instrument panel, moni-
tors the circuits for the air bag systems, preten-
sioners and all related wiring.
When the ignition switch is placed in the ON or
START position, the supplemental air bag warn-
ing light illuminates for about 7 seconds and then
turns off. This means the system is operational.
WRS0895LRS0100
Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system1-51

If any of the following conditions occur, the front
air bag, side air bag, curtain air bag and preten-
sioner systems need servicing:● The supplemental air bag warning light re-
mains 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 air bag or pretensioner systems may
not operate properly. They must be checked and
repaired. Take your vehicle to the nearest
NISSAN dealer.
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 preten-
sioner systems will not operate in an ac-
cident. 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 air bags
and pretensioners are designed to inflate on a
one-time-only basis. As a reminder, unless it is
damaged, the supplemental air bag warning light
remains illuminated after inflation has occurred.
Repair and replacement of these supplemental
air bag systems should be done only by a
NISSAN dealer.
When maintenance work is required on the ve-
hicle, the front air bags, side air bags, curtain air
bags, pretensioners and related parts should be
pointed out to the person performing the mainte-
nance. The ignition switch should always be
placed 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 ac-
tivated pretensioner must also be re-
placed. The air bag module and preten-
sioner should be replaced by a NISSAN
dealer. The air bag module and preten-
sioner cannot be repaired. ●
The front air bag, side air bag, curtain
air bag systems and the 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 the supple-
mental air bag or pretensioner systems
or scrap the vehicle, contact a NISSAN
dealer. Incorrect disposal procedures
could cause personal injury.
1-52Safety—Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system

2 Instruments and controls
Instrument panel...................................2-2
Meters and gauges ................................2-3
Speedometer and odometer . . ...................2-4
Tachometer ....................................2-5
Engine coolant temperature gauge ...............2-5
Fuel gauge ....................................2-6
Compass display (if so equipped) ...................2-6
Compass display ...............................2-7
Warning/indicator lights and audible reminders ......2-10
Checking bulbs ............................... 2-10
Warning lights ................................ 2-10
Indicator lights ................................ 2-14
Audible reminders ............................. 2-16
Vehicle information display ......................... 2-17
How to use the vehicle information display .......2-17
Security systems ................................. 2-25
Vehicle security system ......................... 2-25
NISSAN vehicle immobilizer system .............2-26
Windshield wiper and washer switch ...............2-28
Switch operation .............................. 2-28
Rear window and outside mirror (if so equipped)
defroster switch .................................. 2-29
Headlight and turn signal switch. . ..................2-29Xenon headlights (if so equipped)
...............2-29
Headlight control switch ........................ 2-30
Daytime running light system (Canada only) ......2-32
Instrument brightness control ...................2-33
Turn signal switch ............................. 2-33
Fog light switch (if so equipped) ................2-34
Hazard warning flasher switch .....................2-34
Horn ............................................ 2-35
Heated seats (if so equipped) ......................2-35
Climate control seat switch (if so equipped) .........2-36
Heated steering wheel (if so equipped) .............2-37
Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) off switch ...........2-38
Power outlet ..................................... 2-38
Storage ......................................... 2-39
Map pockets .................................. 2-39
Seatback
pockets............................. 2-39
Sunglasses holder ............................. 2-40
Cup holders . . . ............................... 2-40
Glove box .................................... 2-42
Console box .................................. 2-42
Grocery hooks ................................ 2-43
Cargo net (if so equipped) ......................2-43
Windows ........................................ 2-44

1. Side and center vents (P. 4-40)
2. Headlight/fog light (if so equipped)/turnsignal switch (P. 2-29)
3. Steering wheel switch for audio control
and Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone
System (P. 4-112, 4-115) 4. Meters and gauges (P. 2-3)
5. Driver supplemental air bag/horn
(P. 1-37, P. 2-35)
6. Security indicator light (P. 2-25)
7. Cruise control main/set switches
(P. 5-18) 8. Shift paddles (if so equipped) (P. 5-15)
9. Windshield wiper/washer switch
(P. 2-28)
10. Display screen/Navigation system*
(if so equipped) (P. 4-16)
11. Display screen/Navigation system*
controls (if so equipped) (P. 4-16)
12. Front passenger supplemental air bag
(P. 1-51)
13. Glove box (P. 2-42)
14. Display screen (models without
Navigation system) (P. 4-4)
15. Climate controls (models without
Navigation system) (P. 4-41)
16. Audio system controls (models without
Navigation system) (P. 4-47)
17. Front passenger air bag status light
(P. 1-44)
18. Audio system controls (P. 4-47)
19. Climate controls (models with
Navigation system) (P. 4-44)
20. Shift selector (P. 5-11)
21. Hazard warning flasher switch (P. 2-34)
22. Ignition switch (behind the steering
wheel) (P. 5-7)
23. Tilt/telescopic steering wheel controls
(if so equipped) (P. 3-23)
WIC1535
INSTRUMENT PANEL
2-2Instruments and controls

24. Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) OFFswitch (P. 2-38)
Outside mirror controls (P. 3-28)
Heated steering wheel switch
(if so equipped) (P. 2-37)
Trunk lid release switch (P. 3-20)
* Refer to the separate Navigation System Own-
er’s Manual (if so equipped) .
See the page number indicated in paren-
theses for operating details.
1. Tachometer
2. Speedometer
3. Warning/indicator lights
4. Fuel gauge
5. Odometer/twin trip odometer
6. Trip odometer change button 7. Engine coolant temperature gauge
8. Vehicle information display
LIC1381
METERS AND GAUGES
Instruments and controls2-3

FUEL GAUGE
The gauge indicates theapproximatefuel level
in the tank.
The gauge may move slightly during braking,
turning, acceleration, or going up or down hills.
The gauge needle returns to E (Empty) after the
ignition is placed in the OFF position.
The low fuel warning light comes on when the
amount of fuel in the tank is getting low.
Refill the fuel tank before the gauge regis-
ters E (Empty) . The
indicates that the fuel-filler door is
located on the driver’s side of the vehicle.
CAUTION
● If the vehicle runs out of fuel,
the
Malfunction Indicator Light
(MIL) may come on. Refuel as soon as
possible. After a few driving trips,
the
light should turn off. If the
light remains on after a few driving
trips, have the vehicle inspected by a
NISSAN dealer.
● For additional information, see “Mal-
function Indicator Light (MIL)” later in
this section. This unit measures terrestrial magnetism and in-
dicates the heading direction of the vehicle.
With the ignition placed in the ON position, press
the
button as described in the charts be-
low to activate various features of the automatic
anti-glare rearview mirror.
Push and hold
the
button for about: Feature:
(Push button again for about 1 sec-
ond to change settings)
1 second Compass display toggles on/off
8 seconds Compass zone can be changed to
correct false compass readings
10 seconds Compass enters calibration mode
For information about the automatic anti-glare
feature, refer to “Automatic anti-glare rearview
mirror” in the “Pre-driving checks and adjust-
ments” section.LIC1385
COMPASS DISPLAY (if so equipped)
2-6Instruments and controls