Occupant Classification System
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 seat | OCS indicator light status | Passenger'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
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
Classification of adult
- 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.
- 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
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.
- 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
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 Care Center
1 Volvo Drive
P.O. Box 914
Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647
1-800-806-2504
In Canada:
Polestar Automotive Canada Inc.
9130 Leslie Street, Suite 101
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 0B9
1-800-806-2507
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.