Tesla Model S Owner's Manual page 34

Airbags
Passenger Front Airbag
Model S has an occupancy sensor in the front
passenger seat that controls the status of the
airbags based on the weight of the occupant.
Passenger airbag status displays in the top
right corner of the touchscreen to indicate
whether the airbag will inflate (on) or not
inflate (off) if a collision occurs.
Note: The occupancy sensor system meets the
regulatory requirement of FMVSS 208 and
automatically detects when inflating the
passenger front airbags would be unnecessary
or potentially harmful.
Front passenger seat
occupancy*
Empty
Infant in child safety
seat (up to 20 lbs/
9kg)
Child or small
occupant
(20-100 lbs/9-45 kg)
Heavy object/
occupant
*Values are approximate. Occupants whose
weight is close to the low weight threshold
can cause the status to occasionally turn on
and off depending on seating position and
physique.
If the status shows the airbag as permanently
on, even when the seat is empty and the seat
belt is unbuckled, contact Tesla immediately.
To make sure the sensing system can
correctly detect occupancy status, eliminate
the following:
• Objects lodged under the seat.
34
Passenger airbag
status
OFF
OFF
ON or OFF
ON
• Heavy objects sitting on the seat
(briefcase, large purse).
• Objects wedged between the seat back
and seat cushion.
• Cargo interfering with the seat.
• After market items attached to, or sitting
on, the seat (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 seat's sensing
system affects the operation of the passenger
front and side airbags only. Other passenger
curtain airbag is not affected.
Warning: Never seat a child in a child
safety seat or a booster seat on the front
passenger seat when the airbags are
activated.
Warning: Do not use seat covers on
Model S. Doing so could restrict
deployment of the side air bags if an
accident occurs. It can also reduce the
accuracy of the occupant detection
system.
Model S Owner's Manual