Tesla MODEL S 2012 Owner's Manual page 38

Airbags
WARNING: Do not use seat covers on Model S. Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-mounted side
air bags if a collision occurs. It can also reduce the accuracy of the occupant detection system, if equipped.
Ensuring Accurate Occupant
Classification
To help ensure an occupant in the front passenger seat
can be accurately classified, the passenger must:
• Wear a seat belt.
• Sit upright on the center of the seat cushion, with
shoulders resting against the seat back and legs
extended comfortably in front with feet on the floor.
See Examples of Correct and Incorrect Seating
Positions on page 36.
• Remain positioned on the seat cushion and not lift
their weight off the seat (for example, by pushing
their feet against the floor or pressing on the center
console or armrest to lift up).
• Never wear thick, wet, or bulky clothing (such as ski
wear or padded clothing).
In addition to the items listed above, the following
situations can interfere with the accuracy of the
occupant classification system:
• Placing a radio transmitter (for example, a hunting
radio or walkie-talkie) on the front passenger seat.
• Placing an AC/DC inverter, or a device that is being
powered by the inverter (for example, a cell phone,
tablet, or computer) on the front passenger seat
cushion.
• Placing liquid (such as a bottled drink) or food
containers on a car seat when a child seat is present.
• Objects lodged under the seat or wedged between
the seat back and cushion.
• Heavy objects sitting on the seat (briefcase, large
purse).
• Cargo interfering with the seat.
• Aftermarket items attached to or placed between the
seat and the occupant, such as 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, instruct
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: Tesla follows NHTSA (National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
recommendations that all occupants age 12 and
under must ride in a rear seating position.
36
WARNING: Failure to follow the above instructions
can adversely affect the Occupant Classification
System (OCS) which can cause serious injury or
death.
WARNING: If the front passenger airbag is not
turning on or off as expected, do not seat a
passenger in the front passenger seat. Contact
Tesla Service.
WARNING: To ensure accuracy of the occupant
detection system, do not make any modifications
to the front passenger seat.
WARNING: Do not use seat covers on Model S.
Doing so could restrict deployment of the seat-
mounted side air bags if a collision occurs. It can
also reduce the accuracy of the occupant
classification system.
Examples of Correct and Incorrect
Seating Positions
Correct seating position:
Incorrect seating position - the passenger's feet must be
on the floor:
MODEL S Owner's Manual