Occupant Classification System (OCS)

Your vehicle is equipped with an Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the front passenger seat. The OCS is designed to detect the presence of a properly seated front passenger and determine whether the front passenger air bag should be enabled (can inflate) or not. The driver's front air bag is not affected or monitored by the OCS.

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.
• A warning light located on the instrument panel illuminates the message "PASS AIR BAG OFF", indicating the front passenger air bag system is disabled.
• The air bag warning light on the instrument panel is interconnected with the OCS.

The front passenger seat for adult passengers who are seated correctly and wearing the seat belt properly should not cause the passenger air bag to automatically turn off. However, if the passenger is not seated correctly (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 air bag OFF.

You will find the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator on the center panel. This system determines conditions 1-4 in the following table and activates or deactivates the front passenger air bag based on these conditions.

Always make sure that you and all vehicle passengers are seated correctly and wearing the seat belt properly for the most effective protection from the air bag and seat belt.

The OCS may not function 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 sides of the front seat.
• Placing feet on the instrument panel or resting them in other places that reduce the weight on the front passenger seat.
• Improperly fastening the seat belt.
• Reclining the seatback.
• Wearing thick clothing, such as ski wear, or hip protectors.
• Placing an extra thick cushion on the seat.

Condition and Operation of the Front Passenger Classification System

WARNING

Riding in an incorrect position or loading the front passenger seat when it is unoccupied adversely affects the OCS. To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

• NEVER place heavy objects or an active electronic device on the front passenger seat or in the seatback pocket, or hang any items on the front passenger seatback.

• NEVER place your feet on the front passenger seatback.

• NEVER sit with your hips shifted toward the front of the seat.

• NEVER ride with the seatback reclined when the vehicle is moving.

• NEVER put your feet or legs on the instrument panel.

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

Correct Sitting Position for the OCS

If the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator is illuminated when an adult is seated in the front passenger seat, press the ENGINE START/STOP button to the OFF position and ask the passenger to sit properly (sitting upright with the seatback in the upright position, centered on the seat cushion with the seat belt fastened, legs comfortably extended and feet on the floor). Restart the engine and have the person remain in this position. This will allow the occupant detection system to turn on the passenger's airbag. If the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator is still illuminated, ask the passenger to move to the rear seat.

WARNING

Never allow an adult passenger to ride in the front passenger seat when the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator is illuminated. The airbag will not deploy in a collision while the indicator is illuminated. Have your passenger move to the rear seat.

✽ NOTICE

The "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is turned to the ON position or after the engine is started. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the OCS then classifies the front passenger a few seconds later.

Do not install a child restraint in the front passenger seat

Even if your vehicle is equipped with OCS, never install a child restraint in the front passenger seat. The inflating airbag can forcibly strike the child or child restraint, resulting in serious or fatal injury.

WARNING

• NEVER place a rear-facing or forward-facing child restraint in the front passenger seat of the vehicle.
• The inflating front airbag can forcibly strike the child and cause serious injury or death.
• Always properly secure children in a suitable child restraint in the rear seat of the vehicle.