Spectra Occupant Classification System (OCS) (BOD028)

SPECTRA OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS)

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

SUBJECT

SPECTRA OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) 

Advanced Air Bag Occupant Classification Systems (OCS) have become more common on Kia vehicles sold in the United States. Since OCS was first introduced on the 2004 LD Spectra, some customers may be unfamiliar with how the OCS operates. This Technical Service Bulletin provides OCS background and technical information to Kia retailers so they are better prepared to discuss OCS.

The 2004 LD Spectra with the Occupant Classification System (advanced air bags) is the first Kia vehicle available that meets the advanced air bag requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208. The Federal Standard is intended to reduce the risk of serious air bag induced injuries, particularly for small adults and young children. The OCS complies with FMVSS 208 by detecting the presence of a passenger in the front passenger seat and automatically turning OFF the right side air bags for lightweight or out-of-position occupants.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• The OCS is designed to detect the presence of a properly seated occupant (sitting upright with the seat in an upright position, centered on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended) and determine if the passenger's air bags and seat belt pre-tensioners should be enabled or not.
• The New Spectra OCS is a pattern and weight recognition sensor. The sensor not only estimates the weight, but also monitors the number of activated cells, makes calculations (based on size and location) and determines if the front passenger air bags should be enabled or not.
• The OCS force sensor resistor (FSR) cells are located in the front passenger seat. The FSR's resistance values decrease with increasing activated cells. When a predetermined number of these cells have been detected, the Passenger Air bag (PAB) [including the Passenger Side Air Bag (PSAB) and Passenger Side Seat Belt Pretensioner (PSBT)] circuitry is activated and the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" lamp is turned off.
• It is important to note that weight alone cannot be used as criterion for evaluating the functionality of the OCS. If the OCS senses the seat is occupied by someone of lightweight or the passenger is out-of-position the system will illuminate the "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF" lamp.
• When a passenger of appropriate size is seated in the proper position, the indicator lamp will turn off. A momentary illumination of the lamp with a passenger in the right front seat may indicate the system briefly sensed less weight in the seat than the specification, or the passenger was temporarily out-of-position, and does not necessarily indicate a malfunction of the system.
• For small stature adults, the passenger sensing system may turn off the passenger's air bags, depending on the person's seating posture and body build. If this happens, turn the vehicle off, place the seat back in the full upright position; sit upright in the seat, centered on the seat cushion, with legs comfortably extended. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about 30 seconds. This will allow the system to detect the person and enable the passenger's air bags.
• The OCS lamp may illuminate for tall and lightweight adults when their legs are pulled close to the cushion. The person should sit upright, not leaning or reclining and comfortably extending their legs to make contact with the seat cushion.
• There may be a few seconds delay for the OCS light to turn on or off.
• Temperature may slightly affect the seat material and sensing characteristics of the OCS.
• Aftermarket equipment, such as seat covers, must NOT be used because it can affect how the OCS system operates.