NISSAN 2012 Versa Hatchback - Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide - Manual (Page 9)

2012 NISSAN Consumer Safety & Air Bag Information Guide 8
SIDE-IMPACT, CURTAIN SIDE-IMPACT, AND CURTAIN SIDE-
IMPACT/ROLLOVER AIR BAG SYSTEMS
Supplemental side-impact air bags, curtain side-impact air bags, and curtain side-
impact/rollover air bags are available on many 2012 NISSAN vehicles. Side-impact air
bags (if so equipped) are located on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats. Curtain
side-impact air bags (if so equipped) and curtain side-impact/rollover air bags (if so
equipped) are located in the left and right side roof rails or in the upper part of the front
door panels.
Side-impact air bags and curtain side-impact air bags are designed to inflate in higher-
severity side collisions, on the side where the vehicle is impacted. However, they may
inflate if the forces in another type of collision are similar to those of a higher-severity side-
impact. Curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are designed to inflate in certain types of
side-impact collisions and rollovers.
Curtain side-impact air bags and curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are different mainly
in their sensing systems: curtain side-impact air bags are activated primarily in a lateral
collision, whereas curtain side-impact/rollover air bags are activated in either a lateral
collision or a rollover. Since a rollover event lasts longer than a side-impact event, curtain
side-impact/rollover air bags are designed to remain inflated longer than curtain side-
impact air bags.
Side-impact air bags and curtain side-impact air bags, along with the use of seat belts,
help to cushion the impact force to the head and chest of the front occupants. In most
NISSAN vehicles, curtain side-impact air bags also help to cushion the impact force to the
head of rear outboard-seated occupants. These air bags can help save lives and reduce
serious injury. However, an inflating side-impact air bag, curtain side-impact air bag, or
curtain side-impact/rollover air bag may cause abrasions or other injuries.
Seat belts should be worn correctly and vehicle occupants seated upright. Side impact air
bags, curtain side-impact air bags, and curtain side-impact/rollover air bags inflate quickly
in order to help protect the occupants. The force of an 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.
Like front air bags, an inflated side-impact air bag as well as an inflated curtain side-impact
air bag will deflate soon after the collision is over. As noted above, an inflated curtain side-
impact/rollover air bag will remain inflated for a short time afterward. See REPLACING
THE AIR BAGS earlier in this guide.