Acura NSX (2017 year). Manual - part 4

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Airbags

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Side Airbags

Safe Driving

Side Airbags

The side airbags help protect the torso and pelvis of the driver or a passenger during 
a moderate-to-severe side impact.

The side airbags are housed in the outside 
edge of the driver’s and passenger’s seat-
backs.

Both are marked SIDE AIRBAG.

When the sensors detect a moderate-to-
severe side impact, the control unit signals the 
side airbag on the impact side to immediately 
inflate.

■

Housing Locations

1

Side Airbags

Make sure you and your passenger always sit upright. 
Leaning into the path of a side airbag can prevent the 
airbag from deploying properly and increases your 
risk of serious injury.

Do not attach accessories on or near the side airbags. 
They can interfere with the proper operation of the 
airbags, or hurt someone if an airbag inflates.

Do not cover or replace the seat-back covers without 
consulting an authorized Acura NSX dealer.
Improperly replacing or covering seat-back covers can 
prevent your side airbags from properly deploying 
during a side impact.

Housing 
Location

■

Operation

When 
inflated

Side 
Airbag

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Airbags

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Side Airbags

Safe Driving

■

When a side airbag deploys with little or no visible damage

Because the airbag system senses sudden acceleration, a strong impact to the side 
of the vehicle’s framework can cause a side airbag to deploy. In such cases, there 
may be little or no damage, but the side impact sensors detected a severe enough 
impact to deploy the airbag.

■

When a side airbag may not deploy, even though visible damage appears 
severe

It is possible for a side airbag to not deploy during an impact that results in 
apparently severe damage. This can occur when the point of impact was toward the 
far front or rear of the vehicle, or when the vehicle’s crushable body parts absorbed 
most of the crash energy. In either case, the side airbag would not have been 
needed nor provided protection even if it had deployed.

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Airbags

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Side Curtain Airbags

Safe Driving

Side Curtain Airbags

The side curtain airbags help protect the heads of the driver and any passengers 
during a moderate-to-severe side impact. The side curtain airbags equipped in this 
vehicle are also designed to help reduce the likelihood of partial and complete 
ejection of vehicle occupants through side windows in crashes, particularly rollover 
crashes.

The side curtain airbags are located in the 
ceiling above the side windows on both sides 
of the vehicle.

The side curtain airbag is designed to deploy 
in a rollover or a moderate-to-severe side 
impact.

■

Housing Locations

1

Side Curtain Airbags

If the SRS control unit senses that your vehicle is 
about to rollover, it immediately deploys both side 
curtain airbags and activates both seat belt 
tensioners.

If the impact is on the passenger’s side, the 
passenger’s side curtain airbag will inflate even if 
there is no occupant on that side of the vehicle.

To get the best protection from the side curtain 
airbags, occupants should wear their seat belts 
properly and sit upright and well back in their seats.

Do not attach any objects to the side windows or roof 
pillars as they can interfere with the proper operation 
of the side curtain airbags.

Side Curtain Airbag Storage

■

Operation

Deployed Side Curtain Airbag

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Airbags

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Airbag System Indicators

Safe Driving

■

When side curtain airbags deploy in a frontal collision

One or both side curtain airbags may also inflate in a moderate-to-severe angled 
frontal collision.

Airbag System Indicators

If a problem occurs in the airbag system, the SRS indicator will come on and a 
message appears on the multi-information display.

■

When the power mode is set to ON

The indicator comes on for a few seconds, 
then goes off. This tells you the system is 
working properly.

If the indicator comes on at any other time, or does not come on at all, have the 
system checked by an authorized Acura NSX dealer as soon as possible. If you don’t, 
your airbags and seat belt tensioners may not work properly when they are needed.

■

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

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Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Indicator

3

WARNING

Ignoring the SRS indicator can result in 
serious injury or death if the airbag systems 
or tensioners do not work properly.

Have your vehicle checked by an 
authorized Acura NSX dealer as soon as 
possible if the SRS indicator alerts you to a 
possible problem.

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Airbags

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Airbag System Indicators

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Safe Driving

■

When the passenger airbag off 
indicator comes on

The indicator comes on to alert you that the 
passenger’s front airbag has been turned off.
This occurs when the weight sensors detect 
about 65 lbs (29 kg) or less, the weight of an 
infant or small child, on the seat.

Your vehicle is not recommended for child passengers. Never put a rear-facing child 
seat in this vehicle.
If you decided to disregard our recommendations and transport a small child, they 
should be properly restrained.

2 Child Safety P. 58

Objects placed on the seat can also cause the indicator to come on.

If the passenger seat is empty, the passenger’s front airbag will not deploy and the 
indicator will not come on.

■

Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

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Passenger Airbag Off Indicator

To ensure the passenger is detected properly, 
confirm that:

•

There is no object pressing against the rear of the 
seat-back.

•

The passenger’s seat or seat-back is not forced 
back against the rear wall of the vehicle.

•

There is no object placed under or beside the 
passenger’s seat.

•

The occupant is sitting in an upright position and 
the seat back is not excessively reclined.

•

The occupant is not leaning against the door or 
center console.

•

The occupant’s feet are placed on the floor in front 
of them.

•

There are no objects hanging from the passenger’s 
seat.

The passenger airbag off indicator may come on and 
go off periodically if the total weight on the seat is 
near the airbag cutoff threshold.

Have your vehicle checked by an authorized Acura 
NSX dealer as soon as possible if:

•

All of the above conditions are met, and the 
indicator comes on with an adult riding there.

•

All of the above conditions are met, and the 
indicator goes off with a small child riding there. 
(See Child Safety.)

•

If the seat is empty and the indicator is on.

Do not allow an adult passenger to ride in the seat 
when the indicator is on.

U.S.

Canada

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Airbags

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Airbag Care

Safe Driving

Airbag Care

You do not need to, and should not, perform any maintenance on or replace any 
airbag system components yourself. However, you should have your vehicle 
inspected by an authorized Acura NSX dealer in the following situations:

■

When the airbags have deployed

If an airbag has inflated, the control unit and other related parts must be replaced. 
Similarly, once an automatic seat belt tensioner has been activated, it must be 
replaced.

■

When the vehicle has been in a moderate-to-severe collision

Even if the airbags did not inflate, have an authorized Acura NSX dealer inspect the 
following: the weight sensors in the passenger’s seat, seat belt tensioners, and each 
seat belt that was worn during the crash.

■

Do not remove or modify a seat without consulting an authorized Acura 
NSX dealer

This would likely disable or affect the proper operation of the weight sensors in the 
passenger’s seat. If it is necessary to remove or modify a seat to accommodate a 
person with disabilities, contact an authorized Acura NSX dealer, or for U.S. vehicles, 
Acura Client Service at 1-800-382-2238 and for Canadian vehicles, Acura Client 
Service at 1-888-9-ACURA-9.

1

Airbag Care

We recommend against the use of salvaged airbag 
system components, including the airbag, tensioners, 
sensors, and control unit.

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Safe Driving

Child Safety

Protecting Child Passengers

Each year, many children are injured or killed in vehicle crashes because they are 
either unrestrained or not properly restrained. In fact, vehicle crashes are the 
number one cause of death of children ages 12 and under.

To reduce the number of child deaths and injuries, every state, Canadian province 
and territory requires that children be properly restrained when they ride in a vehicle.

Since this vehicle does not have a back seat, we recommend that you do not 
carry a child, age 12 or under, as a passenger. This is because:
• An inflating front or side airbag can injure or kill a child sitting in the passenger’s 

seat.

• A child in the passenger’s seat is more likely to interfere with the driver’s ability to 

safely control the vehicle.

• Statistics show that children of all sizes and ages are safer when they are properly 

restrained in a rear seat. Because this vehicle does not have a rear seat, we 
recommend that you do not carry a child age 12 or under in this vehicle.

1

Protecting Child Passengers

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 
and Transport Canada recommend that all children 
ages 12 and under be properly restrained in a rear 
seat. Some states or provinces/territories have laws 
restricting where children may ride.

Never put a rear-facing child seat in this vehicle.

3

WARNING

Children who are unrestrained or 
improperly restrained can be seriously 
injured or killed in a crash.

Any child too small for a seat belt should be 
properly restrained in a child seat. A larger 
child should be properly restrained with a 
seat belt, using a booster seat if necessary.

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Child Safety

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Protecting Child Passengers

Safe Driving

• Any child who is too small to wear a seat belt correctly must be restrained in an 

approved child seat that is properly secured to the vehicle using the lap belt 
portion of the lap/shoulder belt.

• Never hold a child on your lap because it is impossible to protect them in the 

event of a collision.

• Never put a seat belt over yourself and a child. During a crash, the belt would 

likely press deep into the child and cause serious or fatal injuries.

• Never let two children use the same seat belt. Both children could be very 

seriously injured in a crash.

• Do not allow children to operate the doors, windows or seat adjustments.

• Do not leave children in the vehicle unattended, especially in hot weather when 

the inside of the vehicle can get hot enough to kill them. They could also activate 
vehicle controls causing it to move unexpectedly.

1

Protecting Child Passengers

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle 
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

To remind you of the passenger’s front airbag 
hazards and child safety, your vehicle has warning 
labels on the dashboard (U.S. models) and on the 
front visors. Please read and follow the instructions 
on these labels.

2 Safety Labels P. 68

3

WARNING

Allowing a child to play with a seat belt or 
wrap one around their neck can result in 
serious injury or death.

Instruct children not to play with any seat 
belt.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

Safety of Infants and Small Children

An infant must be properly restrained in a rear-facing, reclining child seat until the 
infant reaches the seat manufacturer’s weight or height limit for the seat, and the 
infant is at least one year old. Because rear-facing child seats should not be 
used in this vehicle, you should never carry an infant in this vehicle.

■

Protecting Infants

1

Protecting Infants

Rear-facing child seats should never be installed in a 
forward facing position.

3

WARNING

Placing a rear-facing child seat in the 
passenger’s seat can result in serious injury 
or death during a crash.

Never install a rear-facing child seat in this 
vehicle.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

Since this vehicle does not have a back seat, we recommend that you do not carry a 
child, age 12 or under, as a passenger.

This is because placing a forward-facing child seat in the passenger’s seat can be 
hazardous, even with advanced front airbags that automatically turn the 
passenger’s front airbag off.

If you choose to ignore our warnings and transport a small child in this vehicle, be 
sure to move the passenger seat as far to the rear as possible, and follow the 
instructions and guidelines in the following pages.

■

Protecting Smaller Children

1

Protecting Smaller Children

Educate yourself about the laws and regulations 
regarding child seat use where you are driving, and 
follow the child seat manufacturer’s instructions.

A child seat must be secured to the vehicle with the 
lap part of a lap/shoulder belt. A child whose seat is 
not properly secured to the vehicle can be 
endangered in a crash.

3

WARNING

Placing a forward-facing child seat in the 
passenger’s seat can result in serious injury 
or death if the front airbag inflates.

If you must place a forward-facing child 
seat in passenger’s seat, move the vehicle 
seat as far back as possible, and properly 
restrain the child.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

■

Important consideration when selecting a child seat

Make sure the child seat meets the following three requirements:
• The child seat is the correct type and size for the child.
• The child seat is the correct type for the seating position.
• The child seat is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 or 

Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.

■

Selecting a Forward-facing Child Seat

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

Safe Driving

1. Move the passenger seat to the rearmost 

position.

2. Place the child seat on the passenger seat.
3. Route the seat belt through the child seat 

according to the seat manufacturer’s 
instructions, and insert the latch plate into 
the buckle.

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Insert the latch plate fully until it clicks.

4. Slowly pull the shoulder part of the belt all 

the way out until it stops. This activates the 
lockable retractor.

5. Let the seat belt completely wind up into 

the retractor, then try to pull it out to make 
sure the retractor is locked.

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If you are able to pull the shoulder belt 
out, the lockable retractor is not 
activated. Pull the seat belt all the way 
out, and repeat steps 3 – 5.

6. Grab the shoulder part of the seat belt near 

the buckle, and pull up to remove any slack 
from the lap part of the belt.

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When doing this, place your weight on 
the child seat and push it into the vehicle 
seat.

■

Installing a Child Seat

1

Installing a Child Seat

A child seat must be secured to the vehicle with the 
lap part of a lap/shoulder belt.

For your child’s safety, when using a child seat 
installed using the vehicle’s seat belt system, check 
that the seat is properly secured to the vehicle.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Infants and Small Children

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Safe Driving

7. Make sure the child seat is firmly secured by 

rocking it forward and back and side to 
side; little movement should be felt.

A tether anchorage point is provided behind 
the passenger seat. A child seat with a tether 
can be installed, so long as the base of the 
child seat is secured using a seat belt.

1. Move the seat forward.

2 Adjusting the Seat Positions P. 144

2. Route the tether strap through the hole 

between head restraint and seat-back. 
Make sure the strap is not twisted.

3. Secure the tether strap hook to the anchor.
4. Tighten the tether strap as instructed by the 

child seat manufacturer.

5. Move the seat to the rearmost position.

1

Installing a Child Seat

A child seat that is not properly secured will not 
adequately protect a child in a crash and may cause 
injury to the child or another vehicle occupant.

To deactivate a lockable retractor, release the buckle 
and allow the seat belt to wind up all the way.

■

Adding Security with a Tether

1

Adding Security with a Tether

Since a tether can provide additional security to the 
lap/shoulder seat belt installation, we recommend 
using a tether whenever one is available.

Tether 
Anchorage 
Point

Tether Strap Hook

Anchor

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Child Safety

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Safety of Larger Children

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Safe Driving

Safety of Larger Children

Since this vehicle does not have a back seat, we recommend that you do not 
carry a child age 12 or under as a passenger. This is because children who 
have outgrown child seats are also at risk of being injured or killed by an 
inflating passenger’s front airbag. If a larger child must ride in this vehicle, the 
information in the following pages provides guidelines to help you decide when a 
given child may ride in this vehicle, and how to properly protect the child.

When a child is too big for a child seat, secure the child in the passenger’s seat using 
the lap/shoulder seat belt. Have the child sit upright and all the way back, then 
answer the following questions.

■

Checklist

• Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over 

the edge of the seat?

• Does the shoulder belt cross between the 

child’s neck and arm?

• Is the lap part of the seat belt as low as 

possible, touching the child’s thighs?

• Will the child be able to stay seated like this 

for the whole trip?

If you answer yes to all these questions, the child is ready to wear the lap/shoulder 
seat belt correctly. If you answer no to any question, the child needs to ride on a 
booster seat until the seat belt fits properly without a booster seat.

■

Protecting Larger Children

■

Checking Seat Belt Fit

1

Safety of Larger Children

3

WARNING

Allowing a child age 12 or under to sit in 
the vehicle can result in injury or death if 
the passenger’s front airbag inflates.

If a larger child must ride in the vehicle, 
move the vehicle seat as far to the rear as 
possible, have the child sit up properly and 
wear the seat belt properly, using a booster 
seat if needed.

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Child Safety

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Safety of Larger Children

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Safe Driving

If a lap/shoulder seat belt cannot be used 
properly, position the child in a booster seat in 
the passenger’s seating position. For the 
child’s safety, check that the child meets the 
booster seat manufacturer’s 
recommendations.

If you decide that a child can safely ride in this vehicle:
• Make sure you read and fully understand the instructions and safety information 

in this manual.

• Move the passenger seat as far back as possible.
• Have the child sit upright and well back in the seat.
• Check that the seat belt is properly positioned so that the child is secure in the 

seat.

■

Monitoring a child passenger

We strongly recommend that you keep an eye on a child passenger. Even older, 
more mature children sometimes need to be reminded to fasten their seat belts and 
sit up properly.

■

Booster Seats

1

Booster Seats

When installing a booster seat, make sure to read the 
instructions that came with it, and install the seat 
accordingly.
There are high- and low-type booster seats. Choose a 
booster seat that allows the child to wear the seat 
belt correctly.

Some U.S. states, and Canadian provinces and 
territories require children to use a booster seat until 
they reach a given age or weight (e.g. six years or 60 
lbs). Be sure to check current laws in the state or 
province, or territory where you intend to drive.

■

Protecting Larger Children-Final Checks

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Safe Driving

Exhaust Gas Hazard

Carbon Monoxide Gas

The engine exhaust from this vehicle contains carbon monoxide, a colorless, 
odorless, and highly toxic gas. As long as you properly maintain your vehicle, carbon 
monoxide gas will not get into the interior.

■

Have the exhaust system inspected for leaks whenever

• The exhaust system is making an unusual noise.
• The exhaust system may have been damaged.
• The vehicle is raised for an oil change.

1

Carbon Monoxide Gas

An enclosed area such as a garage can quickly fill up 
with carbon monoxide gas.
Do not turn the power system on with the garage 
door closed. Even when the garage door is open, 
drive out of the garage immediately after turning the 
power system on.

3

WARNING

Carbon monoxide gas is toxic.

Breathing it can cause unconsciousness and 
even kill you.

Avoid any enclosed areas or activities that 
expose you to carbon monoxide.

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