2023 HYUNDAI SANTA FE HYBRID Owners Manual

03
3-51
During a moderate to severe frontal
collision, sensors will detect the
vehicle’s rapid deceleration. If the rate of
deceleration is high enough, the control
unit will inflate the front air bags, at the
time and with the force needed.
The front air bags help protect the driver
and front passenger by responding to
frontal impacts in which seat belts alone
cannot provide adequate restraint. When
needed, the side air bags help provide
protection in the event of a side impact
or rollover by supporting the side upper
body area.

[Air bags are activated (able to
inflate if necessary) only when the
Engine Start/Stop button is in the
ON or START position, and it can be
activated within about 3 minutes after
the engine is turned off.

[ Air bags inflate in the event of certain
frontal or side collisions to help
protect the occupants from serious
physical injury.

[ There is no single speed at which the
air bags will inflate. Generally, air bags
are designed to inflate based upon the
severity of a collision and its direction.
These two factors determine whether
the sensors produce an electronic
deployment/inflation signal.

[ The front air bags will completely
inflate and deflate in an instant. It is
virtually impossible for you to see the
air bags inflate during an accident. It is
much more likely that you will simply
see the deflated air bags hanging out
of their storage compartments after
the collision.
[
In addition to inflating in serious side
collisions, vehicles equipped with a
rollover sensor, side and/or curtain air
bags will inflate if the sensing system
detects a rollover.
When a rollover is detected, curtain
air bags will remain inflated longer to
help provide protection from ejection,
especially when used in conjunction
with the seat belts. (if equipped with a
rollover sensor)

[ To help provide protection, the air
bags must inflate rapidly. The speed
of air bag inflation is a consequence
of extremely short time in which
to inflate the air bag between the
occupant and the vehicle structures
before the occupant impacts those
structures. This speed of inflation
reduces the risk of serious or
lifethreatening injuries and is thus a
necessary part of air bag design.
However, the rapid air bag inflation
can also cause injuries which can
include facial abrasions, bruises and
broken bones because the inflation
speed also causes the air bags to
expand with a great deal of force.

[ There are even circumstances under
which contact with the air bag can
cause fatal injuries, especially if the
occupant is positioned excessively
close to the air bag.
You can take steps to reduce the risk
of being injured by an inflating air bag.
The greatest risk is sitting too close to
the air bag. An air bag needs about 10
in. (25 cm) of space to inflate. NHTSA
recommends that drivers allow at least
10 in. (25 cm) between the center of the
steering wheel and the chest.

Seats & Safety System3-52
WARNING
To reduce the risk of serious injury or
death from an inflating air bag, take the
following precautions:

[ NEVER place a child restraint in
the front passenger seat. Always
properly restrain children under age
13 in the rear seats of the vehicle.

[ Adjust the front passenger’s and
driver's seats as far to the rear as
possible while maintaining you to
maintain full control of the vehicle.

[ Hold the steering wheel with
hands at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock
positions.

[ Never place anything or anyone
between the air bag and the seat
occupant.

[ Do not allow the front passenger
to place their feet or legs on the
dashboard.
„Driver’s front air bag (1)
ODN8039077L
When the SRSCM detects a sufficiently
severe impact to the front of the vehicle,
it will automatically deploy the front air
bags.
„Driver’s front air bag (2)
ODN8039078L
Upon deployment, tear seam molded
directly into the pad cover will separate
under pressure from the expansion of the
air bags. Further opening of the covers
allows full inflation of the air bags.
A fully inflated air bag, in combination
with a properly worn seat belt, slows the
driver’s or the front passenger’s forward
motion, reducing the risk of head and
chest injury.

03
3-53
„Driver’s front air bag (3)
ODN8039079L
„Passenger’s front air bag
ODN8039080L
After complete inflation, the air bag
immediately starts deflating, enabling
the driver to maintain forward visibility
and the ability to steer or operate other
controls.
WARNING
To prevent objects from becoming
dangerous projectiles when the
passenger’s air bag inflates:

[Do not install or place any objects
(drink holder, CD holder, stickers,
etc.) on the front passenger’s panel
above the glove box where the
passenger’s air bag is located.

[ Do not install a container of liquid
air freshener near the instrument
cluster or on the instrument panel
surface.
What to Expect after an Air Bag
Inflates
After a frontal or side air bag inflates, it
will deflate very quickly. Air bag inflation
will not prevent the driver from seeing
out of the windshield or being able
to steer. Curtain air bags may remain
partially inflated for some time after they
deploy.
WARNING
After an air bag inflates, take the
following precautions:

[Open your windows and doors as
soon as possible after impact to
reduce prolonged exposure to the
smoke and powder released by the
inflating air bag.

[ Do not touch the air bag storage
area’s internal components
immediately after an air bag has
inflated. The parts that come into
contact with an inflating air bag may
be very hot.

[ Always wash exposed skin areas
thoroughly with cold water and mild
soap.

[ An authorized HYUNDAI dealer
replace the air bag immediately after
deployment. Air bags are designed to
be used only once.

Seats & Safety System3-54
Noise and smoke from inflating air
bag
When the air bags inflate, they make a
loud noise and may produce smoke and
powder in the air inside of the vehicle.
This is normal and is a result of the
ignition of the air bag inflator. After the
air bag inflates, you may feel substantial
discomfort in breathing because of the
contact of your chest with both the seat
belt and the air bag, as well as from
breathing the smoke and powder. The
powder may aggravate asthma for some
people. If you experience breathing
problems after an air bag deployment,
seek medical attention immediately.
Though the smoke and powder are
nontoxic, they may cause irritation to
the skin, eyes, nose, throat, etc. If this is
the case, wash and rinse with cold water
immediately and seek medical attention
if the symptoms persist.
Occupant Classification System
(OCS)
OTMPH031013N
Your vehicle is equipped with an
Occupant Classification System (OCS) in
the front passenger’s seat.

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3-55
Main components of the Occupant
Classification System

[A detection device located within the
front passenger seat cushion.

[ Electronic system to help 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 help 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 smaller adults it may turn
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 overhead console
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 thick clothes like ski wear or
hip protection wear.

[ Putting an additional thick cushion on
the seat.

[ Putting electrical devices (for example
notebook, satellite radio) on the seat
with inverter charging.

Seats & Safety System3-56
Condition and operation in the front passenger Occupant Classification System
Condition detected by the
occupant classification system Indicator/Warning light Devices
“PASSENGER
AIR BAG OFF”
indicator light SRS warning
light Front
passenger air bag
1. Adult*1Off OffActivated
2. Infant*2 or child restraint
system with 12 months old *3 *4On Off Deactivated
3. UnoccupiedOnOff Deactivated
4. Malfunction in the systemOff OnActivated
*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.

03
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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:
OHI038163

[NEVER put a heavy load in the front seat or seatback
pocket, or hang any items on the front passenger
seat.
OHI038156

[NEVER place your feet on the front passenger
seatback.
OHI038155

[NEVER sit with your hips shifted towards the front of
the seat.
OHI038157

[NEVER ride with the seatback reclined when the
vehicle is moving.
OHI039192N

[NEVER place your feet or legs on the dashboard.

Seats & Safety System3-58
OHI038158

[ NEVER lean on the door or center console or sit on
one side of the front passenger seat.
OJX1039069

[Do not sit on the passenger seat wearing heavily
padded clothes such as ski wear and hip protector.
OJX1039070

[Do not use car seat accessories such as thick blankets
and cushions which cover up the car seat surface.
OJX1039071

[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.
OJX1039072

[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 use genuine Hyundai parts 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.