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Occupant Classification System

The Occupant Classification System (OCS) is designed to meet the regulatory requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208 and is designed to disable (will not inflate) the passenger's side front airbag under certain conditions.
PS-2007-Safety–Overhead console passenger airbag off
OCS indicator light.

The front airbag on the passenger side is either activated or deactivated depending on the classification of the passenger in the front passenger seat.

Polestar follows NHTSA's recommendations and recommends that ALL children up to age 12 sit in the rear seat and are secured appropriately for their height and weight. This is very strongly recommended for children sitting in rear-facing child seats.

Classification of passengers in the front passenger seatOCS indicator light statusPassenger's side front airbag status
The passenger is classified as an adult.OCS indicator light is not lit.Activated
The passenger is classified as a small child in a forward-facing child seat.The OCS indicator light is lit or not lit depending on several parameters that determine the most suitable status.Enabled or disabled depending on several parameters that determine the most suitable status.
The passenger is classified as a small child in a rear-facing child seat.OCS indicator light is lit.Deactivated
The passenger seat is empty.OCS indicator light is lit.Deactivated

Occupant Classification System function

OCS works in combination with sensors in the front passenger seat. The sensors are designed to detect the presence of, and classify, a properly seated occupant and determine if the passenger's side front airbag should be enabled (may inflate) or disabled (will not inflate).

The OCS uses an indicator lamp with the text PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF, which will illuminate and stay on to remind you that the passenger's side front airbag is disabled. The indicator light with the text PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF is located in the ceiling console, near the bracket for the rearview mirror.

Always make sure that the indicator light status shows the correct classification, both before and while driving, when the front passenger seat is occupied.

 Note

When the ignition is switched on, the OCS indicator light will illuminate for several seconds while the system performs a self-diagnostic test. The indicator light will then go out or remain illuminated, depending on the classification of the occupant of the front passenger seat.
PS-1926-Airbag warning symbol

If a malfunction is detected in the system, the OCS indicator light will remain illuminated and the SRS warning symbol will be shown in the instrument panel along with a text message.

 Warning

If a fault in the system is detected and indicated as described, be aware that the passenger's side front airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. In this case, have the airbag system and the Occupant Classification System checked by a workshop as soon as possible.

Classification of adult

To help ensure accurate classification when a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger seat, the passenger must:
  • be wearing their seat belt
  • be sitting normally in the seat, in the center of the seat cushion
  • be sitting upright in the seat with their shoulders against the backrest
  • have their legs comfortably extended with their feet on the floor.
PS-2007-Safety–Occupant Classification System correct seating
Correct seating position.
PS-2007-Safety–Occupant Classification System incorrect seating 1
Example of incorrect seating position – the passenger must not have slid forward on the seat cushion.
PS-2007-Safety–Occupant Classification System incorrect seating 2
Example of incorrect seating position – the passenger must be seated with their feet on the floor.
PS-2007-Safety–Occupant Classification System incorrect seating 3
Example of incorrect seating position – the passenger must not fold the backrest to a lying position.
Remember the following when an adult is sitting in the front passenger seat:
  • The passenger must never get up from the seat cushion using the armrest in the door or center console, by pushing their feet against the floor or by pushing against the backrest.
  • The passenger must never sit on the side of the seat cushion, slide forward on the seat cushion or fold the backrest to a lying position.
  • The passenger must never sit on the seat wearing wet or thick clothing, e.g. ski wear or padded garments.
  • Never place any objects between the passenger and the seat cushion, such as pillows, heating blankets or ordinary blankets, seat liners or mats.
  • Never place a radio transmitter (e.g. hunting radio or walkie-talkie) or device that is being charged (e.g. cellular phone, tablet or computer) on or under the seat cushion. Never let anyone sitting on the passenger seat use a radio transmitter or device that is being charged.

 Warning

Not following the above recommendations could adversely affect the functioning of the Occupant Classification System, which could lead to serious personal injury or even death.

If a person of adult size is sitting in the front passenger's seat and the OCS indicator light is on, it is possible that the person isn't sitting properly in the seat.

If this happens, turn off the vehicle and ask the person to follow the above instructions for accurate classification. Restart the vehicle and have the person remain in this position for about two minutes. This will allow the system to detect that person and enable the passenger's frontal airbag.

If the OCS indicator light remains on even after this, the person should be advised to ride in the rear seat.

This may indicate restrictions in the OCS classification ability, such as that the person is too light to be classified as an adult. It does not necessarily indicate an OCS error.

Classification of child

Polestar follows NHTSA's recommendations and recommends that ALL children up to and including 12 years of age sit in the rear seat. This is very strongly recommended for children sitting in rear-facing child seats.

If a child in a child seat is placed on the front passenger seat, the child seat must be installed according to the manufacturer's instructions to help ensure accurate classification.

Remember the following if a child in a child seat sits in the front passenger seat:
  • Never place any items or extras on the passenger seat, between the child seat and the seat cushion, or near the seat cushion.
  • Never place a radio transmitter (e.g. hunting radio or walkie-talkie) or device that is being charged (e.g. cellular phone, tablet or computer) on the seat cushion. Never let anyone sitting on the passenger seat use a radio transmitter or device that is being charged.
  • Never place wet clothing or fluids on the passenger seat.
  • Always correctly position the child seat so that the entire lower section of the child seat rests against the seat cushion.
  • Always place a front-facing child seat as far back as possible against the backrest.

 Warning

Not following the above recommendations could adversely affect the functioning of the Occupant Classification System, which could lead to serious personal injury or even death.

Modifications

If you are considering modifying your vehicle in any way to accommodate a disability, for example by altering or adapting the driver's or front passenger's seat(s) and/or airbag systems, please contact Polestar Customer Support or:

In the USA:

Polestar Automotive USA Inc.

Customer Support

777 MacArthur Blvd

Mahwah, New Jersey 074730

1-800-806-2504

www.polestar.com/us

In Canada:

Polestar Automotive Canada Inc.

9130 Leslie Street, Suite 101

Richmond Hill, ON L4B 0B9

1-800-806-2507

www.polestar.com/ca

 Warning

Never try to open, remove or repair any components in the OCS system. Contact Polestar Customer Support. Incorrectly performed repairs to the OSC system could impair function and lead to serious injury.

The front passenger's seat should not be modified in any way. This could affect the function of the OSC system.

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