
How the Occupant Classification System (OCS)
System Works
The Occupant Classification System (OCS) will classify
an occupant in the front passenger seat into a size
category based on sensor readings from within the seat
cushion. Occupants should try to remain in a normally
seated position. If the occupant's weight is transferred to
another object in the vehicle (i.e. feet on the dashboard),
the OCS may not be able to properly approximate
occupant size. Furthermore, the occupant size may ap-
pear to increase or decrease due to objects hanging on the
seat, other passengers pushing on the seat, or objects
lodged underneath the seat. If there is a rapid change in
temperature or humidity, the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate occupant size. If your seat includ-
ing your trim cover and cushion needs to be serviced in
any way, take the vehicle to your authorized dealer. Only
manufacturer approved seat accessories may be used. If
there is a fault present in the system, the AIRBAGwarning light will light indicating that you should take
the vehicle to an authorized dealer. In the presence of an
occupant in the passenger seat, if both the Passenger
Airbag Disable (PAD) indicator light (located in the
center console) and AIRBAG warning light (located in
the instrument cluster) are illuminated the airbag will be
disabled. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) will
not allow front airbag deployment in the event of a
collision for occupants classified into the empty or child
size categories. The PAD indicator light will illuminate
indicating that the Passenger Airbag is OFF when the
OCS has determined that the occupant size category is a
child. Also, when the seat is empty or an object that
weighs less than a predetermined threshold is placed on
the seat, the light will remain OFF. (The PAD indicator
light is an amber light located in the center console.) For
almost all sizes of properly seated adults, the passenger
frontal airbag will be enabled in the event of a collision.
For small teenagers and some small adults, depending on
44 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

size, the airbag may or may not be enabled in the event
of a collision. Both drivers and passengers should always
use the PAD indicator light as an indication if the front
passenger is properly positioned or not. If the PAD
indicator light comes on when an adult is in the passen-
ger seat, have the passenger re-position themselves in the
seat until the light goes out. Remember, if the PAD
indicator light is illuminated the passenger front airbag
will not inflate. For most children properly seated on the
front seat and most properly installed child restraint
systems, the airbag will be disabled and the PAD indica-
tor light will be on. However, under certain conditions
even with the child restraint system has been installed
properly, the PAD indicator light may not be on even
though the air bag is disabled. This can occur if the child
restraint is lighter than the threshold weight necessary to
turn the PAD indicator light on. If this happens to you,
you can check to ensure the airbag is disabled by
performing the following simple procedure. Place theignition key in the RUN position and apply downward
pressure to the child restraint on the surface that the child
will be sitting on. Slowly count to 10 and watch the PAD
indicator light. The PAD indicator light should turn on.
When you release the pressure, the PAD indicator light
may stay on or may turn off but the airbag is disabled. If
at all possible, place children 12 years and younger in a
back seat.
The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
²Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
²Do not modify the front seat center console or center
position seat in any way.
²Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired.
²Always use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 45
2

²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopart.
²At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fas-
tener be modified or replaced with any part except
those which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/
Mopart.
How the Occupant Classification Module (OCM)
Works
The Occupant Classification Module (OCM) is located
beneath the passenger seat. The OCM classifies the
occupant into one of three size categories based on the
input from the Bladder Assembly and a Belt Tension
Sensor. The size categories include empty, child, and
adult. The OCM sends the Occupant Classification to theORC to determine if a front passenger airbag is allowed.
If a fault is present, the AIRBAG warning light is illumi-
nated.
How the Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD)
Indicator Light Works
The Passenger Airbag Disabled (PAD) Indicator Light
indicates to the driver and passenger when the airbag is
turned OFF. In the presence of a properly seated occu-
pant, when the PAD indicator light is illuminated, the
airbag is OFF. Also, when the Occupant Classification
System detects either an empty seat or a weight less than
the predetermined threshold, the ORC will not illuminate
the PAD indicator light even though the airbag is turned
OFF.
How the Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) Works
The Belt Tension Sensor (BTS) is located at the outboard
passenger lap belt anchor. The BTS creates a signal based
on outboard lap belt tension. This signal is sent to the
46 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:When using certain types of child seats, the
passenger airbag light will remain off even though the
passenger front airbags are disabled.
It is always recommended to turn off the passenger front
air bags using the passenger front airbags on/off switch
located at the right end of the instrument panel when the
passenger is:
²an infant (less than 1 year old),
²a child, age 1 to 12,
²an adult with a medical condition which makes pas-
senger airbag inflation (deployment) a greater risk for
the passenger than the risk of hitting the dashboard
(instrument panel) or windshield in a crash.
The on/off switch is accessible by opening the passenger
door.If the airbag is turned off when there is any other
occupant at that position, the supplemental restraint
provided by the airbag will not be available.
To turn OFF the passenger front airbag, use the on/off
switch located on the instrument panel.
48 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

NOTE:When the passenger airbag is turned off, the
yellow airbag off light will illuminate.
To Shut Off the Passenger Airbag:
²Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key clockwise, and remove the key from the switch.
This will shut off the passenger front airbag.
²The air bag will remain off until the switch is turned
back to the ON position.
²The switch does NOT turn off the side airbag.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 49
2

To Turn On the Passenger Airbag:
²Place the ignition key in the on/off switch, turn the
key counterclockwise, and remove the key from the
switch. This will turn on the passenger airbag. The
Passenger Airbag Off light on the console will turn off,
or will not be illuminated when the ignition is turned
to the ON position.
WARNING!
The airbag may malfunction and serious injury could
result if key is left in the airbag shut off switch.
Always remove the key.
Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Unapproved modifications or service procedures to
the front passenger seat assembly, its related compo-
nents, or seat cover may inadvertently change the
airbag deployment in case of a frontal crash. This
could result in death or serious injury to the front seat
passenger if the vehicle is involved in an accident. A
modified vehicle may not comply with required Fed-
eral Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
²You need proper knee impact protection in a collision.
Do not mount or locate any aftermarket equipment on
or behind the knee impact blocker.
²You can be injured if you are too close to either airbag
cover when the airbags inflate. It is dangerous to try
to repair any part of the airbag system yourself. Don't
try to repair the airbag system. Be sure to tell anyone
who works on your vehicle that it has airbags.
50 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

The following requirements must be strictly adhered to:
²Do not modify the front passenger seat assembly or
components in any way.
²Do not modify the front seat center console or center
position seat in any way.
²Do not use prior or future model year seat covers not
designated for the specific model being repaired.
²Always use the correct seat cover specified for the
vehicle.
²Do not replace the seat cover with an aftermarket seat
cover.
²Do not add a secondary seat cover other than those
approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopart.
²At no time should any supplemental restraint system
(SRS) component or SRS related component or fastenerbe modified or replaced with any part except those
which are approved by DaimlerChrysler/Mopart.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready for
your protection in case of a collision. While the
airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is
designed to be maintenance free, if any of the
following occurs, have an authorized dealer service the
system immediately.
²The AIRBAG light does not come on or flickers during
the four seconds when the ignition switch is first
turned on.
²The light remains on or flickers after the four second
interval.
²The light flickers or comes on and remains on while
driving.
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

²To avoid drawing exhaust gases into the vehicle, close
the rear liftgate/decklid while driving. However, if for
some reason it must remain open, close all windows.
Adjust the heating or cooling system to force outside
air into the vehicle. Set the blower at high speed.
Safety Checks You Should Make Inside the
Vehicle
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically, checking for
cuts, frays and loose parts. Damaged parts must be
replaced immediately. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
Seat belt assemblies must be replaced after an accident if
they have been damaged (bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding seat belt or
retractor condition, see your authorized dealer.
Airbag Light
The light should come on and remain on for
four seconds as a bulb check when the ignition
switch is first turned ON. If the bulb is not lit
during starting, have it replaced. If the light
stays on or comes on while driving, have the system
checked by an authorized dealer.
Defrosters
Check operation by pressing the A/C control button,
selecting the defrost mode and placing the blower control
on high speed. You should be able to feel the air directed
against the windshield. See your authorized dealer for
service if your defroster is inoperable.
62 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE