Tesla MODEL S 2012 Owner's Manual page 37

Controlling the Passenger Front Airbag
Model S has an occupancy sensor in the front passenger seat that controls the status of the front airbag.
NOTE: The occupancy classification system (OCS) meets the regulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 and
automatically detects when inflating the passenger front airbag would be unnecessary or potentially harmful.
WARNING: Seating an infant in a rear facing child safety seat on a seat equipped with an operational airbag
can cause serious injury or death.
Object Classification
Empty
Object
Rear facing child seat
designed for children up to a
year old
Forward facing child seat
Child in a booster seat
Large child
5th percentile female or
larger (by weight)
*If the passenger airbag status indicator does not match the situation, do not use the seat. The passenger must
ride in a different seat. Contact Tesla Service.
NOTE: It takes approximately six seconds after you power on Model S for the occupant classification system (OCS)
to report accurate status of the front passenger airbag. As a result, when you first power on Model S, even in
situations when it should be OFF because the seat is occupied by a weight of 20 lbs (9 kg) or less, a delay of
approximately six seconds can occur before the touchscreen displays the PASS AIRBAG OFF status. If it fails to do
so, contact Tesla Service and do not seat a child in the front passenger seating position.
To make sure the sensing system can correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate the following:
• Objects lodged under the seat.
• Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large purse).
• Objects wedged between the seat back and seat cushion.
• Cargo interfering with the seat.
• Aftermarket items attached to, or sitting on or between, the seat and occupant including but not limited to
covers, mats, blankets, etc.
These conditions can interfere with the occupancy sensor. If you have eliminated the above possibilities, and the
airbag status is still incorrect, ask passengers to ride in the rear seats and contact Tesla to have the airbag system
checked.
NOTE: The front passenger occupancy sensor affects the operation of the passenger front airbags only. The side
airbags are not affected.
WARNING: If the front passenger airbag is not turning on or off as expected based on the weight thresholds
previously described, contact Tesla immediately.
WARNING: Never seat a child in the front passenger seat. DEATH or SERIOUS INJURY to the child can occur.
Per recommendations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all occupants age 12 and under
must ride in the rear seats.
Seating and Safety Restraints
OCS Passenger Indicator status
Airbag Status*
OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
OFF or ON PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON
OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
OFF PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
OFF or ON PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON
OFF or ON PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF or
PASSENGER AIRBAG ON
ON PASSENGER AIRBAG ON
Airbags
Notes
Depends on material/
contents.
20 lbs (9 kg) or less
35 lbs (16 kg) or less
20-100 lbs (9-45 kg)*
Over approximately 100 lbs
(45 kg)
35