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 on the front passenger seat when the seat is heavily soaked with any type of 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 cushions or covers that cover the seat surface or heated seats and non-genuine passenger seats.
• After the passenger seat has been removed or installed for repair purposes, check for normal operation of the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator and the airbag warning light with a person sitting or not sitting on the passenger seat.
• After cleaning the vehicle interior using steam or cleaning agents, the seat must be thoroughly dried. Then check that the "PASSENGER 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.

WARNING - ODS System

Sitting in an incorrect position or placing objects on or under the passenger seat may interfere with normal operation of the ODS (Occupant Detection System). It is important for the driver to instruct the passenger on proper seating position, as described in this manual. If the ODS does not operate normally and suppresses airbag deployment during a crash, the passenger may suffer serious injury or death.

✽ NOTICE

When the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator is illuminated, the passenger airbag system will not operate. The 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

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 place your feet on the instrument panel.

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

- 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 front passenger seat. Liquid spilled on the passenger seat may cause fire or malfunction of the airbag warning light. If any liquid is spilled on the front passenger seat, make sure the seat is completely dry before allowing a passenger to use it. Liquid may interfere with the ability of the Occupant Detection System (ODS) to suppress or activate the airbags, potentially resulting in serious injury or death.

Correct Position

When an adult is seated in the front passenger seat and the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator is illuminated, turn the ignition key to the LOCK position and ask the passenger to sit properly (upright with the seatback in the vertical position, seated on the seat cushion with the seat belt fastened, legs comfortably extended and feet on the floor). Restart the engine and leave the person 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 ignition key is turned to the ON position or after the engine is started. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the occupant detection sensor will classify the front passenger after a few more seconds, and the indicator will turn off.

• 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.