Nissan Sentra B18 (2020-2025) Owner's Manual: Front passenger air bag and status light

WARNING

The front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag in the Nissan Sentra are designed to automatically turn OFF under certain conditions. Carefully read this section to fully understand how this system operates.

Correct use of the seat, seat belt and child restraint systems is essential for maximum protection. Failure to follow all instructions in this Owner’s Manual regarding seats, seat belts and child restraints can increase the risk or severity of injury in the event of a collision.

Status light

The front passenger seat of the Nissan Sentra is equipped with an occupant classification sensor (weight sensor). This sensor automatically controls the activation of the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag based on the detected weight applied to the front passenger seat.

The operational status of the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag (ON or OFF) is shown by the front passenger air bag status light located on the instrument panel.

When the ignition switch is placed in the "ON" position, the front passenger air bag status light illuminates for approximately 7 seconds as part of a system check, and then turns OFF or remains illuminated, depending on the occupancy status of the front passenger seat.

The status light functions as follows:

In addition to occupant weight, certain objects placed on the front passenger seat may also affect the operation of the status light, depending on their weight and how they are positioned on the seat.

Front passenger air bag

The front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag are designed to automatically turn OFF when the Nissan Sentra is operated under specific conditions, as required by U.S. safety regulations.

If the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag are OFF, they will not deploy in a collision.

The driver air bag and the remaining supplemental air bags installed in the vehicle are not controlled by this system and operate independently.

These regulations are intended to reduce the risk of injury or death caused by air bag deployment for certain front passenger occupants, particularly children, by requiring automatic deactivation of the air bag under specific conditions. Multiple sensors are used to ensure compliance.

The occupant classification sensor used in this vehicle functions as a weight sensor. It detects both occupants and objects placed on the front passenger seat. For example, if a child occupies the front passenger seat, the NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System is designed to automatically turn OFF the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag in accordance with applicable regulations. Likewise, if a child restraint specified by regulation is installed, the combined weight of the child and restraint may also cause the air bags to turn OFF.

Adult front passenger occupants who are properly seated and wearing the seat belt as instructed in this manual should not cause the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag to turn OFF. However, for small-stature adults, the system may deactivate the air bags if weight is partially removed from the seat cushion. This can occur if the occupant is not sitting upright, is seated on the edge of the seat, or is otherwise out of the correct seating position. Always remain properly seated and use the seat belt correctly to ensure optimal protection from both the seat belt and air bag systems.

NISSAN recommends that pre-teens and children always be properly restrained in a rear seat whenever possible. Appropriate child restraints and booster seats should also be correctly installed in the rear seating positions of the Nissan Sentra. If this is not possible, the occupant classification sensor is designed to operate as described above, automatically turning OFF the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag for specified child restraints as required by regulation. Failure to properly secure child restraints or to activate the ALR mode may allow the restraint to tip or move during a collision or sudden stop. This could result in the front passenger air bag deploying instead of being turned OFF. For additional details, refer to "Child restraints".

If the front passenger seat is unoccupied, the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag are designed not to deploy in a collision. However, placing heavy objects on the seat may cause air bag deployment due to the detected weight. Other improper conditions, such as a child standing on the seat or two children sharing the seat, may also result in air bag activation. Always ensure that all occupants are properly seated and restrained according to the instructions in this Owner’s Manual.

By observing the front passenger air bag status light, you can determine when the front passenger air bag and the front passenger supplemental knee air bag in the Nissan Sentra are automatically turned OFF.

If an adult occupant is seated in the front passenger seat but the front passenger air bag status light remains illuminated (indicating that the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag are OFF), this may indicate that the occupant is a small adult, is not seated correctly, or is not using the seat belt properly.

If a child restraint must be installed in the front passenger seat of the Nissan Sentra, the front passenger air bag status light may or may not illuminate depending on the size of the child and the specific type of child restraint used. If the status light does not illuminate (indicating that the front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag could deploy in a collision), the child restraint or seat belt may not be used correctly. Ensure that the child restraint is properly installed, the seat belt is correctly fastened, and the occupant is positioned as instructed. If the status light remains off, relocate the occupant or child restraint to a rear seating position.

If the front passenger air bag status light does not illuminate even though the child restraint, seat belt, and occupant appear to be correctly positioned, it is recommended that you take your Nissan Sentra to a NISSAN dealer. A dealer can diagnose the system using special equipment. Until the system has been verified as operating correctly, move the occupant or child restraint to a rear seat for safety.

The NISSAN Advanced Air Bag System and the front passenger air bag status light may require several seconds to recognize a change in front passenger seat conditions. This delay is part of normal system operation and does not indicate a malfunction.

If a malfunction is detected in the front passenger air bag system, the supplemental air bag warning light , located in the meter and gauges area of the instrument panel, will illuminate either steadily or by blinking. Have the system inspected as soon as possible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

Normal operation

For the occupant classification sensor system to accurately classify the front passenger based on weight, the following precautions and steps must be followed:

Precautions

• Ensure that no objects weighing more than 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) are hanging from the seat or placed in the seatback pocket (if equipped).
• Make sure that a child restraint or other object is not pressing against the rear of the seatback.
• Verify that a rear passenger is not pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger seat.
• Confirm that the front passenger seat or seatback is not forced against an object on the seat or floor behind it.
• Check that no objects are placed under the front passenger seat.

Steps

1. Adjust the front passenger seat as described in "Seats". Sit upright with your back against the seatback, centered on the seat cushion, and with both feet resting comfortably on the floor.

2. Make sure there are no objects placed on your lap.

3. Fasten the seat belt as described in "Seat belts". The front passenger seat belt buckle status is monitored by the occupant classification system and is used as an input to determine seat occupancy. Therefore, fastening the seat belt is strongly recommended.

4. Remain seated in this position for at least 30 seconds, allowing the system to classify the front passenger before driving.

5. Confirm proper classification by checking the front passenger air bag status light.

NOTE:

The occupant classification sensor system in this vehicle generally locks the passenger classification during driving. For this reason, it is important to verify that the front passenger is correctly classified before driving. Under certain conditions, the system may recalculate occupant weight while driving or when stopped. Front passenger occupants should continue to remain seated as described above.

Troubleshooting

If you believe the front passenger air bag status light is displaying an incorrect condition:

1. If the status light is ON while an adult is seated in the front passenger seat:

• If the occupant is a small adult, this is normal operation. The front passenger air bag and front passenger supplemental knee air bag are intentionally suppressed.

However, if the occupant is not a small adult, the following conditions may be interfering with the weight sensors:

• The occupant is not seated upright, centered on the seat cushion, or leaning against the seatback with feet properly placed on the floor.
• A child restraint or object is pressing against the rear of the seatback.
• A rear passenger is pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger seat.
• The front seat or seatback is forced against an object on the seat or floor behind it.
• An object is placed under the front passenger seat.
• An object is positioned between the seat cushion and the center console or between the seat cushion and the door.

If the Nissan Sentra is in motion, safely bring the vehicle to a stop as soon as conditions allow. Carefully check and correct any of the conditions listed above. Restart the vehicle and wait at least 1 minute to allow the system to re-evaluate the front passenger seat status.

NOTE:

During this process, an automatic system check will be performed. The front passenger air bag status light will remain illuminated for approximately 7 seconds initially.

If the light remains ON after this period, the front passenger should not ride in that seat, and the vehicle should be inspected as soon as possible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for professional diagnosis and service.

2. If the light is OFF while a small adult, child, or child restraint is occupying the front passenger seat.

This condition may be caused by one or more factors interfering with the occupant classification weight sensors, including the following:

• The small adult or child is not seated upright, leaning against the seatback, and centered on the seat cushion with both feet comfortably extended to the floor.
• The child restraint is not installed correctly, as described in the "Child restraints" section of this Nissan Sentra Owner’s Manual.
• An object weighing more than 9.1 lbs. (4 kg) is hanging on the seat or placed in the seatback pocket (if equipped).
• A child restraint or other object is pressing against the rear of the seatback.
• A rear passenger is pushing or pulling on the back of the front passenger seat.
• The front seat or seatback is forced against an object on the seat or floor behind it.
• An object is placed under the front passenger seat.
• An object is positioned between the seat cushion and the center console.

If the vehicle is moving, safely pull over and stop when conditions permit. Inspect and correct any of the conditions listed above. Restart the Nissan Sentra and wait at least 1 minute to allow the system to complete another classification check.

NOTE:

During this restart, a system check will again be performed. The front passenger air bag status light will remain illuminated for approximately 7 seconds at startup.

If the light remains OFF after this procedure, the small adult, child, or child restraint should be moved to a rear seating position, and the vehicle should be inspected as soon as possible. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer for this service.

3. If the light is OFF when there is no front passenger and no objects on the front passenger seat, this indicates a potential system malfunction. The vehicle should be checked immediately. It is recommended that you visit a NISSAN dealer as soon as possible.

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