2013 Nissan Sentra Owner's Manual - Page 61

Status light The front passenger air bag status light is located above the audio controls. After the ignition switch is placed in the ЉONЉ position, the front passenger 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 operates as follows: is ● Unoccupied passenger's seat: The 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 illuminates to indicate section: The that the front passenger air bag is OFF and will not inflate in a crash. ● Occupied passenger seat and the passenger meet the conditions outlined in this secis OFF to indicate that tion: The light 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 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 automatically turned OFF. Certain sensors are used to meet the requirements. 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 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 sensors can detect it and cause the air bag to turn OFF. The front passenger seat belt sensor is designed to detect if the seat belt is buckled. Based on the weight on the seat detected by the occupant classification sensor and the buckle state, the Advanced Air Bag System determines whether the front passenger air bag should be automatically turned OFF as required by the regulations. Front passenger seat adult occupants who are properly seated and using the seat belt as outlined 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 cushion (for example, by not sitting upright, by sitting on an edge of the seat, or by otherwise being out of position), this could cause the sensor to turn the air bag OFF. Always be sure to be seated and wearing the seat belt properly for the most effective protection by the seat belt and supplemental air bag. NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and children be properly restrained in a rear seat. NISSAN also recommends that appropriate child restraints and booster seats be properly installed in a rear seat. If this is not possible, the occupant classification sensor 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 passenger air bag inflating in a crash instead of being OFF. See "Child restraints" earlier in this section for proper use and installation. If the front passenger seat is not occupied the passenger air bag is designed not to inflate in a crash. However, heavy objects placed on the seat could result in air bag inflation, because of 1-44 Safety-Seats, seat belts and supplemental restraint system