Main components of Occupant
Classification System
A detection device located within
the front passenger seat cushion.
Electronic system to determine
whether passenger airbag system
should be activated or deactivated.
A warning light located on the
instrument panel which illuminates
the words "PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF" passenger airbag system is
deactivated.
The instrument panel airbag warn-
ing light is interconnected with the
occupant classification system.If there is no passenger in the front
passenger seat or if the passenger in
the front passenger seat is very light,
(such as a child), the front PASSEN-
GER AIRBAG OFFindicator may illu-
minate.
When this indicator is ON, the front
passenger airbag will not deploy.Always be sure that you and all vehi-
cle occupants are seated and
restrained properly (sitting upright
with the seat in an upright position,
centered on the seat cushion, with
the person's legs comfortably extend-
ed, feet on the floor, and wearing the
safety belt properly) for the most
effective protection by the airbag and
the safety belt.
The OCS may not function proper-
ly if the passenger takes actions
which can defeat the detection sys-
tem. These include:
(1) Failing to sit in an upright position.
(2) Leaning against the door or cen-
ter console.
(3) Sitting towards the sides or the
front of the seat.
(4) Putting legs on the dashboard or
resting them on other locations
which reduce the passenger
weight on the front seat.
(5) Improperly wearing the safety
belt.
(6) Reclining the seat back.KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE3-50
AUTO
AUTO AMB
OFF TEMPMODE
AMB
A/C
A/C
H
M
L
R
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
5BLA450
The location of OCS
warning indicator
BL-ENG (CAN)-3.qxd 7/28/05 5:52 PM Page 50
The "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF"
indicator illuminates after the igni-
tion key is turned to the "ON" posi-
tion or after the engine is started. If
the front passenger seat is unoccu-
pied or is occupied by very small
person, or is occupied by someone
who is improperly seated, the
"PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" indi-
cator will remain illuminated. If the
front passenger seat is occupied by
someone of adult size and body
shape, the "PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF" indicator will turn off after 6
seconds.
If the "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF"
indicator illuminates, the front pas-
senger airbag will not deploy in
either a side or frontal collision.
If the "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF"
indicator is not illuminated, the front
passenger airbag may deploy in
frontal collision.
KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE
3-51
CAUTION
If the "PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF" indicator illuminates or blinks con-
tinuously when a person of adult size sits in the front passenger's
seat , it could be because that person isn't sitting properly in the
seat.If this happens, turn the vehicle off, make sure the seat back is
not reclined, have the passenger center on the seat cushion, with legs
comfortably extended, and the safety belt properly positioned. Restart
the vehicle and have the person remain in this position long enough
to allow the system to detect the person and activate the passenger
airbag.Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant
classification systemCondition detected by
the occupant classifi-
cation system
1. Adult *
1
2. Child*
2or child
restraint system
3. Unoccupied Off
On
OnOff
Off
OffActivated
Deactivated
Deactivated
"PASSENGER AIRBAG
OFF" indicator light
SRS warning lightFront passenger front
airbag and front
passenger side airbag Indicator/Warning light Devices
*1The system detects a person who is generally adult size as an adult, thus allowing the pas-
senger airbag to deploy. When a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may
detect their body shape as that of a child, thus preventing airbag deployment.
*2When 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 body shape or seating
position, thus permitting airbag deployment.
BL-ENG (CAN)-3.qxd 7/28/05 5:52 PM Page 51
