Kia Forte: Occupant Detection System (ODS) / Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant detection system

CAUTION

• Do not install a child restraint seat in the 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 its proper function in a collision.

✽ NOTICE

• Do not use car seat cushions that cover up the surface of the seat and aftermarket manufactured passenger seat heaters.
• After conducting car interior using steam or detergents, the seat should be dried properly. Afterward, check for normal operation of the “PASS 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 “PASS 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 Occupant Detection System and may result in the deactivation of the front passenger airbag. It is important for the driver to instruct the front passenger as to the proper seating instructions as contained in this manual.

✽ NOTICE

When the “PASS 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 occupant detection system.

WARNING - ODS System

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

- 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.
- 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 passenger seat.

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

WARNING - Wet Passenger Seat

Do not spill liquid on 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 Engine Start/Stop button to the OFF position and ask the passenger to 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 their feet on the floor). Restart the engine and have the person remain 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, ask the passenger to move to the rear seat.

WARNING - “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 crash. The driver must instruct the passenger to reposition himself in the seat. Failure to properly position yourself 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 the passenger repositions themselves properly and the car is restarted, it is recommended that the passenger move to the rear seat because the passenger's front air bag will not deploy.

✽ NOTICE

The PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator illuminates for about 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 occupant detection sensor will then classify the front passenger after several more seconds.

• Even though your vehicle is equipped with the occupant detection system, never install a child restraint system in the front passenger's seat. A deploying air bag can forcefully strike a child resulting in serious injuries or death. Any child age 12 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 crash, 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 and he/she sits properly (sitting upright with the seatback in an upright position, centered on the seat cushion with their seat belt on, legs comfortably extended and their feet on the floor), have that person sit in the rear seat.

Any child age 12 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 crash, children of all ages are safer when restrained in the rear seat.

If the occupant detection system is not working properly, the SRS air bag warning light on the instrument panel will illuminate because the passenger's front air bag is connected with the occupant detection system. If there is a malfunction of the occupant detection system, the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator will not illuminate and the passenger's front air bag may inflate in frontal impact crashes even if there is no occupant in the front passenger's seat.