Kia K900: 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 smaller child than the same age sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an infant depending on his/her physique 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 above 12 months to 12 years old (with or without child restraint system) sits in the front passenger seat. This is a normal condition.\

WARNING

ODS system

Riding in an improper position adversely affects the occupant detection system (ODS) and may result in the deactivation of front passenger air bag. It is important for the driver to instruct the passenger as to the proper seating instructions as contained in this manual.

Never put a heavy load in the front passenger seat.

Never place the feet on the front passenger seatback.

Never sit with the hips shifted towards the front of the seat.

Never excessively recline the front passenger seatback.

Never place the feet on the dashboard.

• Never lean on the door or center console.
• Never sit on one side of the front passenger seat.

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 and 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.

WARNING

• Do not put a heavy load or an electronic device (ex. laptop computer, after market DMB, navigation, satellite audio, video game machine, MP3, AC inverter and etc.) and sitting mat in the front passenger seatback pocket or on the front passenger seat. Do not hang onto the front passenger seat. Do not hang any items such as seatback table on the front passenger seatback. Do not place feet on the front passenger seatback. Do not place any items under the front passenger seat. Any of these could interfere with proper sensor operation or turn on the air bag warning light.
• Do not place sharp objects on the front passenger seat. These may damage the occupant detection system, if they puncture the seat cushion.
• Air bags can only be used once – have an authorized K900 Kia dealer replace the air bag immediately after deployment.
• The occupant detection system may not work properly if water, coffee or any other liquid including rain gets on the seat. Keep the front seat dry at all times.

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.

✽ NOTICE

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

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.