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

*1 The system judges 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 physique and posture.
*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 physique 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 12 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 in the front passenger seat when the seat is heavily soaked with any type of liquid.
• Do not alter or remodel 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 or covers that cover up the surface of the seat and aftermarket manufactured passenger seat heaters.
• 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.
• After conducting car interior cleaning using steam or detergent, the seat should be dried properly. Afterward, 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 Kia service center.

WARNING - ODS system

Riding in an improper position or placing items on or under the passenger seat may interfere with the normal operation of the ODS (Occupant Detection System). It is important for the driver to instruct the passenger as to the proper seating instructions as contained in this manual. If the ODS is not operating normally and suppresses air bag deployment during a crash, an occupant can suffer severe personal injury or death.

✽ 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 occupant detection system.

WARNING

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 passenger 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 player, 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 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 onto the front passenger seat, make sure the seat has been completely dried before allowing a passenger to use the seat. Liquid may interfere with the Occupant Detection System's (ODS) ability to suppress or activate airbags, potentially resulting in severe personal injuries or death.

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 to the LOCK 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 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 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 will then classify the front passenger after several more seconds and the illumination will turn off.

• 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 will inflate in frontal impact crashes even if there is no occupant in the front passenger's seat.