Occupant Detection System (ODS)

Your vehicle is equipped with an occupant detection system in the front passenger seat.

The occupant detection system is designed to detect the presence of a properly seated front passenger and determine whether the front passenger airbag should be activated (may deploy) or not. Only the front passenger airbag is controlled by the Occupant Detection System.

Do not place anything in front of the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator.

Main Components of the Occupant Detection System

• Sensor located in the front passenger seat cushion.
• An electronic system that determines whether the passenger airbags should be activated or deactivated.
• The indicator located on the instrument panel that illuminates the words PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" means that the front passenger airbag system is deactivated.
• The passenger airbag OFF indicator on the instrument panel is linked to the occupant detection system.

If the front passenger seat is occupied by a person the system determines to be of the proper size, and he or she is seated correctly (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), the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator will turn off and the front passenger airbag may deploy if necessary in a frontal collision.

You will find the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator on the center of the instrument panel. This system detects conditions 1 to 4 in the following table and activates or deactivates the front passenger airbag depending on these conditions.

Always make sure that you and all passengers in the vehicle are seated and properly restrained (sitting upright with the seatback in the vertical position, centered on the seat cushion, legs comfortably extended, feet on the floor, and seat belt fastened) for the most effective protection from the airbag and seat belt.

• The ODS (Occupant Detection System) may malfunction if the occupant performs actions that may interfere with the detection system. These include:

(1) Failing to sit upright.
(2) Leaning against the door or center console.
(3) Sitting on the side or front edge of the seat.
(4) Placing feet on the instrument panel or resting them on other locations that reduce the occupant's weight on the seat.
(5) Improperly fastening the seat belt.
(6) Reclining the seatback.

Status and Operation of the Front Passenger Occupant Detection System

*1 The system recognizes an adult-sized person as an adult. When a small adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as a child depending on his/her build and posture.
*2 Do not allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. When a large child who has outgrown the child restraint system sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an adult depending on his/her build or sitting position.
*3 Never install a child restraint system on the front passenger seat.
*4 The PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator may turn on or off when a child older than 12 months to 12 years (with or without a child restraint system) sits in the front passenger seat. This is a normal condition.

CAUTION

• Do not install a child restraint in the passenger seat when the seat is heavily soaked with any liquid.
• Do not alter or modify the ODS (Occupant Detection System). This may damage the system and prevent it from functioning properly in a collision.

✽ NOTICE

• Do not use seat covers that cover the seat surface and non-genuine passenger seat heaters.
• After cleaning the vehicle interior using steam or cleaning agents, the seat must be thoroughly dried. Afterwards, check that the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator and the airbag warning lights operate normally.
• Any service related to the passenger seat and ODS must be performed at a Kia service center.
• After the passenger seat has been removed or installed for repair, check that the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator and the airbag warning lights operate normally with and without an occupant on the passenger seat.

WARNING – ODS System

Riding in an improper position adversely affects the occupant detection system and may cause the front passenger airbag to be turned off. It is important that the driver instructs the passenger on proper seating positions as described in this manual.

✽ NOTICE

When the "PASS AIR BAG OFF" indicator is illuminated, the front passenger airbag system will not operate. The front passenger airbag system will deploy when necessary if the indicator is not illuminated.

✽ NOTICE

Do not modify or replace the front passenger seat. Do not place or attach anything, such as a blanket, front seat cover, or aftermarket seat heater, on the front passenger seat. This may adversely affect the occupant detection system.

WARNING – ODS System

Riding in an improper position adversely affects the occupant detection system and may cause the front passenger airbag to be turned off. It is important that the driver instructs the passenger on proper seating positions as described in this manual.

- Do not place heavy loads in the front passenger seatback pocket or on the front passenger seat.

- Do not place your feet on the front passenger seatback.

- Never sit with your hips positioned toward the front of the seat.

- Never recline the front passenger seatback excessively.

- Never put your feet on the instrument panel.

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

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

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

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

WARNING. Wet passenger seat.

Do not spill liquids on the passenger seat. Liquid spilled on the passenger seat may cause the airbag warning light to ignite or malfunction. If any liquid is spilled, make sure the seat is completely dry before sitting in the vehicle.

Correct Position

When an adult is seated in the front passenger seat and the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator is illuminated, turn 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 keep the occupant in this position. This allows the system to detect the occupant and enable the passenger airbag.

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator is still illuminated, ask the passenger to move to the rear seat.

WARNING! "AIR BAG OFF" Indicator

Do not allow an adult passenger to sit in the front seat when the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator is illuminated, because the airbag will not deploy in an accident. The driver must instruct the passenger to change position in the seat. An improper position may cause the airbag to be turned off, resulting in the airbag not deploying in a collision. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator remains illuminated after the passenger has taken a proper position and the vehicle has been restarted, the passenger should move to the rear seat because the front passenger airbag will not deploy.

✽ NOTICE

The PASSENGER 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 has started. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the occupant detection sensor then classifies the front passenger after a few more seconds.

• Even if your vehicle is equipped with an occupant detection system, never install a child restraint system on the front passenger seat. Airbag deployment may strike the child with great force, resulting in serious injury or death. Any child 12 years old and under should ride in the rear seat. Children who are too large for child restraints should use the existing lap/shoulder belts. Regardless of the type of accident, children of all ages are safer when properly restrained in the rear seat.
• If the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator remains illuminated when an adult is seated in the front passenger seat and is seated 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), have this person sit in the rear seat.

Any child 12 years old and under should ride in the rear seat. Children who are too large for child restraints should use the existing lap/shoulder belts. Regardless of the type of accident, children of all ages are safer when properly restrained in the rear seat.

If the passenger detection system is not operating properly, the SRS AIR BAG warning light will illuminate because the front passenger air bag is linked to the passenger detection system. If there is a malfunction in the passenger detection system, the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator will not illuminate, and the front passenger air bag will deploy in a frontal collision even if no one is seated in the front passenger seat.