Hyundai Elantra: Occupant Classification System (OCS) / Main components of the Occupant Classification System

• A detection device located within the front passenger seat cushion.
• Electronic system to determine 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" indicating the front passenger air bag system is deactivated.
• The instrument panel air bag indicator light is interconnected with the OCS.

The OCS is designed to detect the presence of a properly-seated front passenger and determine if the passenger's front air bag should be enabled (may inflate) or not.

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

For example, if a child restraint of the type specified in the regulations is on the seat, the occupant classification sensor can detect it and cause the air bag to turn OFF.

Front passenger seat adult occupants who are properly seated and wearing the seat belt properly, should not cause the passenger air bag to be automatically turned OFF. For small adults it may be turned OFF, however, if the occupant does not sit in the seat properly (for example, by not sitting upright, by sitting on the edge of the seat, or by otherwise being out of position), this could cause the sensor to turn the air bag OFF.

You will find the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator on the center fascia 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 properly and wearing the seat belt properly for the most effective protection by the air bag and the seat belt.

The OCS may not function properly if the passenger takes actions which can affect the classification system. These include:

• Failing to sit in an upright position.
• Leaning against the door or center console.
• Sitting towards the sides of the front of the seat.
• Putting their legs on the dashboard or resting them on other locations which reduce the passenger weight on the front seat.
• Wearing the seat belt improperly.
• Reclining the seatback.
• Wearing a thick cloth like ski wear or hip protection wear.
• Putting an additional thick cushion on the seat.
• Putting electrical devices (e.g. notebook, satellite radio) on the seat with inverter charging.

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 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.

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 towards 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 which 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 passenger seat.

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

• If large quantity of liquid has been spilled on the passenger seat, the air bag warning light may illuminate or malfunction.

Therefore, make sure the seat has been completely dried before driving the vehicle.

• 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 when in collision. Any of the above could 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, place the ignition switch in the LOCK/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

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 air bag will not inflate if the indicator is illuminated. Have your passenger reposition himself in the seat. If the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator remains illuminated after the passenger repositions himself properly and the vehicle is restarted, have the passenger move to the rear seat because the air bag will not inflate.

NOTICE

The "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" indicator illuminates for approximately 4 seconds after the ignition switch is in the ON position or after the engine is started. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the OCS will then classify the front passenger after several more seconds.