Kia Seltos: Occupant Detection System (ODS) / Conditions and operation of the front passenger ODS

*1 The system identifies a person of adult size as an adult. If a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat of the Kia Seltos, the system may classify that occupant as a child depending on body size, weight distribution, and seating posture.

*2 Do not allow children to ride in the front passenger seat. If a larger child who has outgrown a CRS sits in the front passenger seat, the system may identify the child as an adult depending on body shape, size, and sitting position.

*3 Never install a Child Restraint System on the front passenger seat of the Kia Seltos.

*4 The PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator may turn on or off when a child above 12 months and up to 12 years old, with or without a CRS, sits in the front passenger seat. This is a normal operating condition of the Occupant Detection System.

WARNING

• Do not install a child restraint seat on the front passenger seat if the seat cushion is wet or soaked with liquid. Moisture may interfere with the Kia Seltos Occupant Detection System and affect proper air bag operation.

• Do not modify the ODS. Any modification may damage the system and prevent it from functioning correctly during a collision.

NOTICE

• Do not use car seat cushions that cover the surface of the front passenger seat, and do not install aftermarket passenger seat heaters.

• After cleaning the interior with steam or detergent, the seat must be dried properly. Check that the PASSENGER AIR BAG "OFF" indicator and the air bag warning light operate normally.

• Any service related to the front passenger seat and the ODS must be performed by an authorized Kia dealership.

• After the passenger seat has been removed or installed for repair, check the normal operation of the PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator and the air bag warning light with a person seated and not seated in the passenger seat.

WARNING

When the PASSENGER AIR BAG "" symbol appears, the passenger air bag system will not operate. If the symbol does not appear, the passenger air bag system will operate when necessary.

NOTICE

Do not modify or replace the front passenger seat. Do not place or attach items such as blankets, front seat covers, aftermarket cushions, or aftermarket seat heaters to the front passenger seat. These items can adversely affect the Occupant Detection System in the Kia Seltos.

WARNING

ODS

Riding in an improper position can negatively affect the ODS and may cause the front passenger air bag to be deactivated. It is important to instruct the front passenger to sit correctly as described in the Kia Seltos owner's manual.

• Do not place a heavy load in the front passenger seatback pocket or on the front passenger seat.

  

• Do not place feet on the front passenger seatback.

  

Never sit with your hips shifted toward the front edge of the seat. This posture can prevent the Kia Seltos Occupant Detection System from correctly reading the front passenger's weight and seating position.

Never excessively recline the front passenger seatback. A reclined position can affect ODS operation and reduce the protection provided by the seat belt and air bag system.

Never place feet on the dashboard. This position is dangerous and may interfere with proper passenger detection and air bag protection.

Never sit on only one side of the front passenger seat. Sitting off-center may cause the Occupant Detection System to classify the passenger incorrectly.

Do not use seat accessories such as thick blankets, cushions, pads, or covers that hide or change the surface of the front passenger seat. These items can interfere with the ODS sensor.

Wet passenger seat:

Do not spill liquid on the front passenger seat. Liquid on the seat cushion may cause the air bag warning light to appear or may lead to ODS malfunction. If liquid is spilled, make sure the seat is completely dried before driving the Kia Seltos.

Proper position 

When an adult is seated in the front passenger seat and the PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator is on, turn the ENGINE START/STOP button to the OFF position and ask the passenger to sit correctly. The passenger should sit upright with the seatback upright, centered on the seat cushion, wearing the seat belt properly, with legs comfortably extended and feet on the floor.

Restart the Kia Seltos and make sure the passenger remains in the proper position. This helps the system detect the occupant correctly and allows the passenger air bag to become available when needed.

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator remains on, have the passenger move to the rear seat.

WARNING

PASSENGER AIR BAG "" light

Do not allow an adult passenger to ride in the front passenger seat when the PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator is illuminated. In this condition, the passenger air bag will not deploy in a collision.

Ask the passenger to reposition correctly in the seat. Improper seating may lead to air bag deactivation and non-deployment during a collision. If the PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator remains illuminated after the passenger sits properly and the vehicle is restarted, have the passenger move to the rear seat because the front passenger air bag will not deploy.

NOTICE

The PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator appears for about 4 seconds after the ENGINE START/STOP button is turned to the ON position and the vehicle is started. If the front passenger seat is occupied, the Occupant Detection System will then classify the front passenger after several more seconds.

• Even though the Kia Seltos is equipped with the ODS, never install a Child Restraint System in the front passenger seat. A deploying air bag can strike a child restraint with great force and cause serious injury or death.

Any child age 13 and under should ride in the rear seat. Children who are too large for child restraints should use the available lap/shoulder belts. Regardless of crash type, children of all ages are safer when properly restrained in the rear seat of the Kia Seltos.

If the ODS is not working correctly, the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) air bag warning light on the instrument panel will appear because the passenger front air bag is connected with the ODS. If there is a malfunction in the ODS, the PASSENGER AIR BAG "" indicator may not illuminate. In that case, the passenger front air bag may inflate in frontal collisions even when there is no occupant in the front passenger seat.

For reliable operation of the Kia Seltos Occupant Detection System, keep the passenger seat dry, uncovered, unmodified, and used only as intended.