Hyundai Tucson: Supplemental Restraint System - Airbags / Occupant Classification System (OCS)

Your vehicle is equipped with an Occupant Classification System (OCS) in the front passenger’s seat.

Main components of the Occupant Classification System

• A detection device located within the front passenger seat cushion.
• Electronic system to determine whether the passenger airbag systems should be activated or deactivated.
• An indicator light located on the instrument panel that illuminates the words “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicating the front passenger airbag system is deactivated.
• The instrument panel airbag indicator light is interconnected with the OCS.

The OCS is designed to help detect the presence of a properly seated front passenger and determine if the passenger’s front airbag should be enabled (ready to inflate if required) or not.

The purpose is to help reduce the risk of injury or death from an inflating airbag to certain front passenger seat occupants, such as children, by requiring the airbag to be automatically turned off.

For example, if a Child Restraint System is installed on the seat, the Occupant Classification System can detect it and turn off the front passenger airbag.

Front passenger seat adult occupants who are properly seated and wearing the seat belt properly, should not cause the passenger airbag to be automatically turned off. For smaller adults, it may turn off. However, if the occupant does not sit in the seat properly (for example, not sitting upright, sitting on the edge of the seat, or being out of position), this may cause the sensor to turn the front passenger airbag off.

You can find the “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator on the overhead console panel. This system detects one of the four conditions as described in the following table and activates or deactivates the front passenger airbag based on these conditions.

Always make sure that you and all occupants are seated properly and wearing the seat belt properly for the most effective protection by the airbag and the seat belt.

Condition and operation in the front passenger Occupant Classification 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 on 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.

WARNING

Riding in an improper position or placing weight on the front passenger’s seat when it is unoccupied by a passenger, adversely affects the OCS. To reduce the risk of serious injury or death:

• Never put a heavy load in the front seat or seatback pocket, or hang any items on the front passenger seat.

• Never place your feet on the front passenger seatback.

• Never sit with your hips shifted toward the front of the seat.

• Never ride with the seatback reclined when the vehicle is moving.

• Never place your feet or legs on the dashboard.

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

• Do not sit on the passenger seat wearing heavily padded clothes such as ski wear and hip protector.

• Do not use car seat accessories such as thick blankets and cushions that cover up the car seat surface.

• Do not place electronic devices such as laptops, DVD player, 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 when seated in the front passenger seat.

• Make sure the seat has been completely dried before driving the vehicle. If large quantity of liquid has been spilled on the front passenger seat, the airbag warning light may illuminate or malfunction.
• Do not place sharp objects on the front passenger seat. These may damage the occupant detection system, if they puncture the seat cushion.
• Do not place any items under the front passenger seat.
• When changing or replacing the seat or seat cover, use original items only. The OCS has been developed based on using original HYUNDAI car seats only. Altering or changing the authentic parts may result in system malfunction and increase risk of injury in a collision. Any of the above may interfere with the proper operation of the OCS sensor thereby increasing the risk of an injury in an accident.

Proper seated position for OCS

If the “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator is on when an adult is seated in the front passenger seat, move the ignition switch to the OFF position and ask the passenger to sit 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). Restart the engine and have the person remain in that position. This allows the system to detect the person and to enable the passenger airbag. If the “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator is still on, ask the passenger to move to the rear seat.

WARNING

Never allow an adult passenger to ride in the front passenger seat when the “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated. During a collision, the airbag does not inflate if the indicator is illuminated. If the indicator is illuminated while an adult is seated in the front passenger seat, follow the steps in the previous paragraph to have the passenger reposition themselves in the seat.

If the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator remains illuminated after the passenger sits in the proper seating position, have the passenger sit in the rear seat of the vehicle instead.

Information

The "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator generally illuminates for about 4 seconds after the ignition switch is in the ON or START position. But, if the ignition switch is in the ON or START position within 3 minutes after the engine is turned OFF, the indicator does not illuminate. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the OCS classifies the front passenger after several seconds.

• Do not install a Child Restraint System on the Front Passenger’s Seat