Status and Operation of the Front Passenger Occupant Detection System

*1) The system classifies an adult-size 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 body size and posture.
*2) Do not allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. When a small child of the same age sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an infant depending on body size or posture.
*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 from 12 months to 12 years old (with or without a child safety 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.

WARNING – ODS System

Riding in an incorrect position adversely affects the occupant detection system and may cause the front passenger airbag to turn off. It is important that the driver instructs passengers on the correct seating instructions contained 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.

- Do not sit in the front passenger seat wearing soft clothing, such as ski wear or hip protectors.

- 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.

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 a collision. The driver must instruct the passenger to change position in the seat. Incorrect position may cause the airbag to turn off, resulting in the airbag not deploying in a collision. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator remains illuminated after the passenger has taken the correct position and the vehicle is restarted, it is recommended that the passenger move to the rear seat, because the front passenger airbag will not deploy.

✽ 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. Afterward, check the normal operation of the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" and airbag warning lamps.
• 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 purposes, check the normal operation of the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" and airbag warning light with and without a person sitting in the passenger seat.

WARNING – ODS System

Riding in an incorrect position adversely affects the occupant detection system and may cause the front passenger airbag to turn off. It is important that the driver instructs the front passenger on the correct seating instructions as contained in this manual.

✽ NOTICE

When the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator is illuminated, the 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.

✽ NOTICE

The PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the ON position or after the engine is started. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the occupant detection sensor classifies the front passenger after a few more seconds.

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.

WARNING! OCS interference

• Do not place heavy objects or active electronic devices (such as a laptop computer, non-genuine DMB/navigation/satellite audio, video game, MP3 player, etc.) in the front passenger seatback pocket or on the front passenger seat.
• Do not hang any items on the front passenger seatback, such as a seatback table.
• Do not place your feet on the front passenger seatback.
• Do not place any objects under the front passenger seat.
• 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 spill liquids on the seat.

Any of the above may interfere with the proper operation of the OCS sensor, thereby increasing the risk of injury in an accident.

If the occupant detection system does not operate properly, the SRS airbag warning lightilluminates on the instrument panel, because the front passenger airbag is linked to the occupant detection system. If the occupant detection system malfunctions, the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator does not illuminate, and the front passenger airbag will deploy in a frontal collision even if there is no occupant in the front passenger seat.

✽ NOTICE

Air bags can be used only once. Contact an authorized Kia dealer to replace the air bag immediately after deployment.

• 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.