Occupant Detection System (ODS)

Your vehicle is equipped with an ODS in the front passenger's seat.

The ODS is designed to detect the presence of a properly seated front passenger and determine if the passenger's front air bag should be activated (may inflate) or not. Only the front passenger’s air bag is controlled by the ODS.

Do not put anything that blocks the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator.

Main components of the ODS

An detection device located within the front passenger seat cushion.
An electronic system which determines whether the passenger air bag systems should be activated or deactivated.
An indicator light located on the instrument panel which illuminates the words PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicates the front passenger air bag system is deactivated.
The instrument panel air bag warning light is connected to the occupant detection system.

If the front passenger seat is occupied by a person that the system determines to be of appropriate size, and is seated properly (upright with the seatback in an upright position, centered on the seat cushion with their seat belt on, legs comfortably extended and feet on the floor), the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator will turn off and the front passenger's air bag will be able to inflate, if necessary, in frontal crashes.

You will find the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator on the center instrument panel. This system detects the conditions 1 ~ 4 in the following table and activates or deactivates the front passenger air bag based on these conditions.

Always be sure that you and all vehicle occupants are seated and restrained properly (sitting upright with the seat in an upright position, centered on the seat cushion, legs comfortably extended, feet on the floor, and wearing the seat belt properly) for effective protection.

The ODS may not function properly if the passenger takes actions which can defeat the detection system. These include:
1. Failing to sit in an upright position.
2. Leaning against the door or center console.
3. Sitting towards the sides or the front of the seat.
4. Putting legs on the dashboard or resting them on other locations which reduce the passenger weight on the front seat.
5. Improperly wearing the seat belt.
6. Reclining the seat back.

Condition and operation in the front passenger ODS

Condition detected by the occupant classification system	Indicator/Warning light		Devices
Condition detected by the occupant classification system	“PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator light	SRS warning light	Front passenger air bag
1. Adult^*1	Off	Off	Activated
2. Child restraint system with child under 12 months old^2^3^*4	On	Off	Deactivated
3. Unoccupied	On	Off	Deactivated
4. Malfunction in the system	Off	On	Activated

* 1. The system determines a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as a child depending on his/her size or sitting position.

* 2. Do not allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. When a larger child who has outgrown a child restraint system sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an adult depending upon his/her size 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 above 12 months to 13 years old (with or without child restraint system) sits in the front passenger seat. This is a normal condition.

CAUTION

Do not install a child restraint seat on the passenger seat when it is soaked with liquid.
Do not modify the ODS. This may damage the system and prevent its proper function in a collision.

NOTICE

Do not use car seat cushions or aftermarket seat heaters that cover the surface of the seat.
After cleaning the interior with steam or detergent, the seat should be thoroughly dried. Check for normal operation of the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” and air bag warning lights.
Any service related to the passenger seat and the ODS must be done at a Kia service center.
After the passenger seat has been removed or installed for repair purposes, check for normal operation of the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF and air bag warning lights with a person seated or not seated in the passenger seat.

WARNING

ODS System

Riding in an improper position adversely affects the ODS and may result in the deactivation of the front passenger airbag. It is important for the driver to instruct the passenger as to the proper seating instructions as contained in this manual.

NOTICE

When the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF symbol is illuminated, the passenger air bag system will not operate. The passenger air bag system will operate when necessary if the symbol is not illuminated.

NOTICE

Do not modify or replace the front passenger seat. Don't place anything on or attach anything such as a blanket, front seat cover or after market seat heater to the front passenger seat. This can adversely affect the ODS.

WARNING

ODS System

Do not place a heavy load in the front passenger seatback pocket or on the front passenger seat.
Do not place feet on the front passenger seatback.
Never sit with hips shifted towards the front of the seat.
Never excessively recline the front passenger seatback.
Never place feet on the dashboard.
Do not use car seat accessories such as thick blankets and cushions which cover up the car seat surface.
Never lean on the door or center console.
Do not sit with your weight excessively skewing to the left or right on the front passenger seat.
Do not place electronic devices such as laptops or DVD players or heavy objects such as a large quantity of water bottles on the passenger seat.
Wet Passenger Seat

Do not spill liquid in the passenger seat. Spilled liquid on the passenger seat may cause the air bag warning light to illuminate or malfunction. If any liquid is spilled, make sure the seat has been completely dried before driving the vehicle.

Proper position

When an adult is seated in the front passenger seat, if the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator is on, turn the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button to the OFF position and have the passenger sit properly (sitting upright with the seat back in an upright position, centered on the seat cushion with their seat belt on, legs comfortably extended and feet on the floor). Restart the engine and ensure the passenger remains in that position. This will allow the system to detect the person and to enable the passenger air bag.

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator is still on, have the passenger to move to the rear seat.

WARNING

PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF light

Do not allow an adult passenger to ride in the front seat when the PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator is illuminated because the air bag will not deploy in the event of a collision. Have the passenger reposition in the seat. Failure to properly position may lead to air bag deactivation resulting in air bag non-deployment in a collision. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator remains illuminated after repositioned properly and the vehicle is restarted, have the passenger move to the rear seat because the front air bag will not deploy.

NOTICE

The PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator illuminates for about 4 seconds after the ignition switch or ENGINE START/STOP button is turned to the ON position or after the engine is started. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the occupant detection sensor will then classify the front passenger after several more seconds.

Even though your vehicle is equipped with ODS, never install a CRS in the front passenger's seat. A deploying air bag can forcefully strike a child resulting in serious injuries or death. Any child age 13 and under should ride in the rear seat. Children too large for child restraints should use the available lap/shoulder belts. No matter what type of collision, children of all ages are safer when restrained in the rear seat.
If the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator is illuminated when the front passenger's seat is occupied by an adult sitting properly, have that person sit in the rear seat.

If there is a malfunction of the ODS the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator will not illuminate and the passenger's front air bag will inflate in frontal impacts even if there is no occupant in the front passenger's seat.