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Knowing your vehicle
Main components of occupant
classification system A detection device located withinthe front passenger seat cushion.
Electronic system to determine whether passenger air bag sys-
tems (both front and side) should
be activated or deactivated.
A warning light located on the instrument panel which illuminates
the words “PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF” indicating the front passen-
ger air bag system is deactivated.
The instrument panel air bag warn- ing light is interconnected with the
occupant classification system. 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
extended, feet on the floor, and wear-
ing the safety belt properly) for the
most effective protection by the air
bag 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 posi- tion.
(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. The “PASSENGER AIR BAG 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’s seat is occu-
pied by very small person, the
“PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator will remain illuminated. If the
front passenger’s seat is occupied
by a person of adult size, the “PAS-
SENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator
will turn off after 4 seconds.
If the front passenger's seat is unoccupied, the “PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF” indicator will turn
on, and the front passenger's
airbag will not deploy in frontal
crashes.
If the “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF” indicator illuminates, the front
passenger’s airbag will not deploy
in frontal crashes.
If the front passenger’s seat is occupied by a person of adult size,
the “PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF”
indicator is not illuminated and the
front passenger’s airbag will deploy
in frontal crashes.
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CAUTION
If the “PASSENGER AIR BAG
OFF” indicator illuminates orblinks continuously when a per-son of adult size sits in the frontpassenger’s seat, it could bebecause that person isn’t sittingproperly in the seat.
If this happens, turn the vehicleoff, place the seat back in thefull upright position, sit uprightin the seat, centered on the seatcushion, with legs comfortablyextended. Restart the vehicleand have the person remain inthis position for about 1 minute.This will allow the system todetect the person and enablethe passenger’s airbag.
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant
classification systemCondition detected by
the occupant classifi- cation system
1. Adult *
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2. Child *
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3. Unoccupied
4. There is a malfunc- tion in the system Off
On
On
On Off
Off
Off
On Activated
Deactivated
Deactivated
Deactivated
"PASSENGER AIR
BAG OFF" indicator light
Airbag warning light Front passenger
airbag
Indicator/Warning light Devices
*1The 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.
*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 physique or posture.
