Occupant Classification System (OCS)

Your vehicle is equipped with an Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the front passenger seat.

Main Components of the Occupant Classification System

• Detection sensor located inside the front passenger seat cushion.
• Electronic system that determines whether the passenger airbag system should be activated or deactivated.
• The indicator light on the instrument panel illuminates the message "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF", indicating that the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• The airbag indicator light on the instrument panel is linked to the OCS.

The OCS detects the presence of a properly seated front passenger and determines whether the front passenger airbag should be enabled (able to inflate) or not.

Its purpose is to help reduce the risk of injury or death from airbag inflation to certain front passenger seat occupants, such as children, by automatically turning the airbag OFF.

For example, if a child restraint of the type specified in the regulations is on the seat, the passenger classification sensor may detect it and turn the airbag OFF.

The front passenger seat for adult passengers who are seated properly and wearing the seat belt correctly should not cause the passenger airbag to be automatically turned OFF. For small adults, it may be turned OFF, however, if the passenger is not seated properly (for example, not sitting upright, sitting on the edge of the seat, or otherwise out of position). This may cause the sensor to turn the airbag OFF.

You will find the "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" indicator on the overhead console. This system determines conditions 1-4 in the following table and enables or disables the front passenger airbag based on these conditions.

Always make sure that you and all vehicle passengers are seated properly and wear the seat belts correctly. The most effective protection is provided by the airbag and seat belt together.

NEVER install a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. If you must install a CRS (child restraint system), always use a forward-facing CRS with a 3-point ALR seat belt and move the front passenger seat as far back as possible. If the PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF indicator does not illuminate after the CRS (child restraint system) is installed, the front passenger airbag may deploy. In that case, you must move the CRS to the rear seat immediately.

The OCS may not operate correctly if the passenger performs actions that may affect the classification system. These include:

• Failing to sit upright.
• Leaning against the door or center console.
• Sitting on the side of the front seat.
• Placing feet on the instrument panel or in other locations that reduce passenger weight on the front seat.
• Improperly fastening the seat belt.
• Reclining the seatback.
• Wearing thick clothing, such as ski wear or hip protectors.
• Installing an additional thick seat cushion.
• Placing electrical devices (for example, a laptop or satellite radio) on the seat with an inverter charger.

Condition and Operation of the Front Passenger Classification System

WARNING

Riding in an improper position or loading the front passenger seat when it is not occupied by a passenger adversely affects the OCS. To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

NEVER place heavy objects on the front passenger seat or seatback, in the seat pocket, or hang any items on the front passenger seat.

NEVER place your feet on the front passenger seatback.

NEVER sit with your hips slid forward on the seat.

NEVER ride with the seatback reclined while the vehicle is moving.

NEVER place your feet on the instrument panel.

NEVER lean against the door or center console, or sit on one side of the front passenger seat.

Do not sit on the passenger seat in heavy or bulky clothing such as ski wear and hip protectors.

Do not use car seat accessories such as thick blankets and cushions that cover the car seat surface.

Do not place electronic devices such as laptops, DVD players, or conductive materials such as water bottles on the passenger seat.

Do not use electronic devices such as laptops and satellite radios that use inverter chargers.

If a large amount of liquid has been spilled on the passenger seat, the airbag warning light may illuminate or malfunction.

Therefore, make sure the seat is completely dry before driving the vehicle.

• Do not place sharp objects on the front passenger seat. They may damage the occupant detection system if they puncture the seat cushion.
• Do not place any objects under the front passenger seat.
• When changing or replacing the seat or seat cover, use only genuine parts. The OCS was designed based on the use of genuine HYUNDAI seats only. Modifying or replacing genuine parts may cause system malfunction and increase the risk of injury in a collision. Any of the above may interfere with the correct operation of the OCS sensor, increasing the risk of injury in an accident.

Correct Sitting Position for the OCS

If the "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" indicator remains illuminated when an adult is seated in the front passenger seat, place the Engine Start/Stop button in the OFF position and ask the passenger to sit properly (sitting upright with the seatback in the vertical position, centered on the seat cushion, with the seat belt fastened, legs comfortably extended, and feet on the floor). Restart the engine and keep the person in this position. This will allow the system to detect the person and enable the passenger airbag. If the "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" indicator is still illuminated, ask the passenger to move to the rear seat.

WARNING

NEVER allow an adult passenger to sit in the front passenger seat when the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator is illuminated. In a collision, the air bag will not deploy if the indicator is illuminated. Have the passenger change seating position. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator remains illuminated after the passenger has repositioned themselves correctly and the vehicle has been restarted, have the passenger move to the rear seat because the air bag will not deploy.

NOTICE

The PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator normally illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop button is turned to the ON position or after the engine is started. However, if the ignition switch or Engine Start/Stop button is turned to the ON position within 3 minutes after the ignition is turned off, the indicator will not illuminate. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the OCS will then classify the front passenger after a few more seconds.

Do not install a child restraint in the front passenger seat

Even if your vehicle is equipped with an OCS, never install a child restraint in the front passenger seat. The deploying air bag can strike the child or child restraint with great force, resulting in serious injury or death.

WARNING

• NEVER place a child restraint in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.
• A deploying front air bag can strike a child with great force, resulting in serious injury or death.
• Always properly secure children in an appropriate child restraint in the rear seat of the vehicle.