KIA Soul EV (2018 year). Manual — part 7

Safety features of your vehicle

32

3

Securing a child restraint seat with
child seat lower anchor system

Some child seat manufacturers
make child restraint seats that are
labeled as LATCH or LATCH-com-
patible child restraint seats. LATCH
stands for "Lower Anchors and
Tethers for Children". These seats
include two rigid or webbing mount-
ed attachments that connect to two
LATCH anchors at specific seating
positions in your vehicle. This type of
child restraint seat eliminates the
need to use seat belts to attach the
child seat in the rear seats.

Child restraint symbols are located
on the left and right 2nd row seat
backs to indicate the position of the
lower anchors for child restraints.

Install the child restraint seat fully
rearward against the seatback with
the seatback reclined two positions
from the most upright latched posi-
tion.

OPS034059N

OXM039060N

Lower Anchor

Lower Anchor

Position Indicator

WARNING

- Unused rear

seatbelts

Always fasten the seatbelts
behind the child restraint seat
when they are not used to
secure the child seat. Failure to
do so may result in child stran-
gulation.

3 33

Safety features of your vehicle

LATCH anchors have been provided
in your vehicle. The LATCH anchors
are located in the left and right out-
board rear seating positions. Their
locations are shown in the illustra-
tion. There is no LATCH anchor pro-
vided for the center rear seating
position.
The LATCH anchors are located
between the seatback and the seat
cushion of the 2nd row seat left and
right outboard seating positions.
Follow the child seat manufacturer’s
instructions to properly install child
restraint seats with LATCH or
LATCH-compatible attachments.

Once you have installed the LATCH
child restraint, assure that the seat is
properly attached to the LATCH and
tether anchors.
Also, test the child restraint seat
before you place the child in it. Tilt
the seat from side to side. Also try to
tug the seat forward. Check to see if
the anchors hold the seat in place.

✽

✽

NOTICE

The recommended weight for the
LATCH system is under 65 lb (30
kg).
How to calculate the child restraint
weight :
Child restraint weight =

65 lb (30 kg) - Child weight

OXM039036N

WARNING

- LATCH lower

anchors

Never attempt to attach a
LATCH equipped seat in the
center seating position. LATCH
lower anchors are only to be
used with the left and right rear
outboard seating positions. You
may damage the anchors or the
anchors may fail and break in a
collision.

Safety features of your vehicle

34

3

(1) Driver’s front air bag
(2) Passenger’s front air bag
(3) Side air bag
(4) Curtain air bag

Even in vehicles with air bags, you
and your passengers must always
wear the safety belts provided in
order to minimize the risk and sever-
ity of injury in the event of a collision
or rollover.

AIR BAG - ADVANCED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM

❈

The actual air bags in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.

OAM032026

3 35

Safety features of your vehicle

How does the air bag system
operate

• Air bags are activated (able to

inflate if necessary) only when the
POWER button is turned to the ON
or the vehicle is in the ready (

)

mode.

• The appropriate air bags inflate

instantly in the event of a serious
frontal collision or side collision in
order to help protect the occupants
from serious physical injury.

• There is no single speed at which

the air bags will inflate.
Generally, air bags are designed to
inflate based upon the severity of a
collision and its direction. These
two factors determine whether the
sensors produce an electronic
deployment/ inflation signal.

• Air bag deployment depends on a

number of factors including vehicle
speed, angles of impact and the
density and stiffness of the vehi-
cles or objects which your vehicle
hits in the collision. The determin-
ing factors are not limited to those
mentioned above.

• The front air bags will completely

inflate and deflate in an instant.
It is virtually impossible for you to
see the air bags inflate during an
accident.
It is much more likely that you will
simply see the deflated air bags
hanging out of their storage com-
partments after the collision.

• In addition to inflating in serious

side collisions, side and/or curtain
air bags will inflate if the sensing
system detects a rollover.

• When a rollover is detected, cur-

tain air bags will remain inflated
longer to help provide protection
from ejection, especially when
used in conjunction with the seat
belts.

• In order to help provide protection,

the air bags must inflate rapidly.
The speed of the air bag inflation is
a consequence of extremely short
time in which to inflate the air bag
between the occupant and the
vehicle structures before the occu-
pant impacts those structures. This
speed of inflation reduces the risk
of serious or life-threatening
injuries and is thus a necessary
part of the air bag design.
However, air bag inflation can also
cause injuries which can include
facial abrasions, bruises and bro-
ken bones because the inflation
speed also causes the air bags to
expand with a great deal of force.

• There are even circumstances

under which contact with the
steering wheel or passenger air
bag can cause fatal injuries,
especially if the occupant is
positioned excessively close to
the steering wheel or passenger
air bag.

Safety features of your vehicle

36

3

Noise and smoke

When inflated, the air bags make a
loud noise and leave smoke and
powder in the air inside the vehicle.
This is normal and is a result of the
ignition of the air bag inflator. After
the air bag inflates, you may feel sub-
stantial discomfort in breathing due
to the contact of your chest with both
the seat belt and the air bag, as well
as from breathing the smoke and
powder. Open your doors and/or
windows as soon as possible after
impact in order to reduce discom-
fort and prevent prolonged expo-
sure to the smoke and powder.
Though smoke and powder are non-
toxic, it may cause irritation to the
skin (eyes, nose and throat, etc). If
this is the case, wash and rinse with
cold water immediately and consult a
doctor if the symptom persists.

WARNING

- Hot compo-

nents

Do not touch the air bag storage
area's internal components
immediately after airbag infla-
tion. The air bag related parts in
the steering wheel, instrument
panel and the roof rails above
the front and rear doors are
very hot. Hot components can
result in burn injuries.
Do not install or place any
accessories near air bag
deployment areas, such as the
instrument panel, windows, pil-
lars, and roof rails.

WARNING

- Airbag infla-

tion

Sit as far back as possible from
the steering wheel while still
maintaining comfortable con-
trol of your vehicle. A distance
of at least 10" from your chest
to the steering wheel is recom-
mended. Failure to do so can
result in airbag inflation injuries
to the driver.

3 37

Safety features of your vehicle

Do not install a child restraint on
the front passenger’s seat.

Never place a rear-facing child
restraint in the front passenger’s
seat. If the air bag deploys, it would
impact the rear-facing child restraint,
causing serious or fatal injury.
In addition, do not place front-facing
child restraints in the front passen-
ger’s seat either. If the front passen-
ger air bag inflates, it could cause
serious or fatal injuries to the child.

Air bag warning light

The purpose of air bag warning light
in your instrument panel is to alert
you of a potential problem with your
air bag system, which could include
your side and/or curtain air bags
used for rollover protection.

1JBH3051

W7-147

WARNING

- Air bag

deployment

When children are seated in the
rear outboard seats of a vehicle
equipped with side and/or cur-
tain air bags, install the child
restraint system as far away
from the door side as possible.
Inflation of the side and/or cur-
tain air bags could impact the
child.

Safety features of your vehicle

38

3

When the POWER button is turned
ON, the warning light should illumi-
nate for approximately 6 seconds,
then go off. Have the system
checked by an authorized Kia dealer-
ship if:
• The light does not turn on briefly

when you turn the POWER button
ON.

• The light stays on after illuminating

for approximately 6 seconds.

• The light comes on while the vehi-

cle is in motion.

• The light blinks when the POWER

button is in ON position.

SRS components and functions

The SRS consists of the following
components:
1. Driver's front air bag module
2. Passenger's front air bag module
3. Side air bag modules
4. Curtain air bag modules
5. Retractor pre-tensioner assemblies
6. Air bag warning light
7. SRS control module (SRSCM)/

Rollover sensor

8. Front impact sensors
9. Side impact sensors

10. PASSENGER “AIR BAG OFF”

indicator (Front passenger’s seat
only)

11. Occupant detection system

(Front passenger’s seat only)

12. Driver’s and front passenger’s

seat belt buckle sensors

13. Emergency fastening device

(EFD)

14. Side pressure impact sensor

The SRSCM continually monitors all
SRS components while the POWER
button is ON to determine if a crash
impact is severe enough to require
air bag deployment or pre-tensioner
seat belt deployment.

,

,

,

OPSE034036N/Q

,

3 39

Safety features of your vehicle

If the air bag warning light illuminat-
ed for more than, 6 seconds after the
POWER button is turned on, or of it
illuminates during vehicle operation,
an SRS component may not be func-
tioning properly and you should have
your vehicle checked by an author-
ized Kia dealer.

If any of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
in the air bag system. Have an
authorized Kia dealer inspect the air
bag system as soon as possible.
• The light does not turn on briefly

when you turn the POWER button
ON.

• The light stays on after illuminating

for approximately 6 seconds.

• The light comes on while the vehi-

cle is in motion.

• The light blinks when the POWER

button is in ON position.

The front air bag modules are locat-
ed both in the center of the steering
wheel and in the front passenger's
panel above the glove box. When the
SRSCM detects a sufficiently severe
impact to the front of the vehicle, it
will automatically deploy the front air
bags.

W7-147

B240B01L

Driver’s front air bag (1)

Safety features of your vehicle

40

3

Upon deployment, tear seams mold-
ed directly into the pad covers will
separate under pressure from the
expansion of the air bags. Further
opening of the covers then allows full
inflation of the air bags.

A fully inflated air bag, in combina-
tion with a properly worn seat belt,
slows the driver's or the passenger's
forward motion, reducing the risk of
head and chest injury.

After complete inflation, the air bag
immediately starts deflating, enabling
the driver to maintain forward visibility
and the ability to steer or operate
other controls.

B240B02L

Driver’s front air bag (2)

B240B03L

Driver’s front air bag (3)

B240B05L

Passenger’s front air bag

WARNING

- Air bag

obstructions

Do not install or place any
accessories on the steering
wheel, instrument panel, or on
the front passenger's panel
above the glove box in a vehi-
cle. Such objects may become
dangerous projectiles if the air
bag deploys.

3 41

Safety features of your vehicle

• If an air bag deploys, there may be

a loud noise followed by a fine dust
released in the vehicle. These con-
ditions are normal and are not haz-
ardous - the air bags are packed in
this fine powder. The dust generat-
ed during air bag deployment may
cause skin or eye irritation as well
as aggravate asthma for some per-
sons. Always wash all exposed
skin areas thoroughly with cold
water and a mild soap after an
accident in which the air bags were
deployed.

• The SRS can function only when

the POWER button is in the ON
position. If the SRS air bag warning
light does not illuminate, or contin-
uously remains on after illuminat-
ing for about 6 seconds when the
POWER button is turned to the ON
position, or after the vehicle is in
the ready (

) mode, comes on

while driving, the SRS is not work-
ing properly. If this occurs, have
your vehicle immediately inspected
by an authorized Kia dealer.

✽

✽

NOTICE

Before you replace a fuse or discon-
nect a battery terminal, turn the
vehicle off. Never remove or replace
the air bag related fuse(s) when the
POWER button is in the ON posi-
tion. Failure to heed this warning
will cause the SRS air bag warning
light to illuminate.

Occupant Detection System
(ODS)

Your vehicle is equipped with an
occupant detection system in the
front passenger's seat.
The occupant detection system is
designed to detect the presence of a
properly-seated front passenger and
determine if the passenger's front air
bag should be enabled (may inflate)
or not. Only the front passenger front
air bag is controlled by the Occupant
Detection System.
Do not put anything in front of the
passenger air bag

indicator.

WARNING

- Flying objects

Do not place any objects (an
umbrella, bag, etc.) between the
front door and the front seat.
Such objects may become dan-
gerous projectiles if the side
airbag inflates.

OPSE035035N

Safety features of your vehicle

42

3

Main components of the occu-
pant detection system

• A detection device located within

the front passenger seat cushion.

• An electronic system which deter-

mines whether the passenger air
bag systems should be activated
or deactivated.

• A indicator light located on the

instrument panel which illuminates
the words PASSENGER AIR BAG
“OFF” indicating the front passen-
ger air bag system is deactivated.

• The instrument panel air bag warn-

ing light is interconnected with the
occupant detection system.

If the front passenger seat is occupied
by a person that the system deter-
mines to be of appropriate size, and
he/she sits properly (sitting upright
with the seatback in an upright posi-
tion, centered on the seat cushion with
their seat belt on, legs comfortably
extended and their feet on the floor),
the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF”
indicator will turn off and the front pas-
senger's air bag will be able to inflate,
if necessary, in frontal crashes.
You will find the PASSENGER AIR
BAG “OFF” indicator on the center
facia panel. This system detects the
conditions 1~4 in the following table
and activates or deactivates the front
passenger air bag based on these
conditions.
Always be sure that you and all vehicle
occupants are seated and restrained
properly (sitting upright with the seat in
an upright position, centered on the
seat cushion, with the person’s legs
comfortably extended, feet on the floor,
and wearing the safety belt properly)
for the most effective protection by the
air bag and the safety belt.

• The ODS (Occupant Detection

System) may not function properly if
the passenger takes actions which
can defeat the detection system.
These include:

(1) Failing to sit in an upright position.
(2) Leaning against the door or cen-

ter console.

(3) Sitting towards the sides or the

front of the seat.

(4) Putting legs on the dashboard or

resting them on other locations
which reduce the passenger
weight on the front seat.

(5) Improperly wearing the safety

belt.

(6) Reclining the seat back.
(7) Wearing a thick cloth like ski wear

or hip protection wear.

(8) Put on the seat an additional thick

cushion.

3 43

Safety features of your vehicle

✽

✽

NOTICE

Do not modify or replace the front
passenger seat. Don't place anything
on or attach anything such as a blan-
ket, front seat cover or after market
seat heater to the front passenger
seat. This can adversely affect the
occupant detection system.

Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant detection
system

*

1

: The ODS system uses a field to evaluate a person's size to determine whether the

air bag should deploy. It is possible for a child to be detected and activate the ODS,
thus allowing the air bag to deploy. To maximize safety, do not allow children to ride
in the front passenger seat.

*

2

: Never install a child restraint system on the front passenger seat.

Condition detected by the

occupant detection

system

1. Adult or child*

1

2. Child restraint system*

2

3. Unoccupied

4. There is a malfunction

in the system

Off

On

On

Off

Off

Off

Off

On

Activated

Deactivated

Deactivated

Activated

"PASSENGER AIR

BAG OFF" indicator

light

SRS warning light

Front passenger

air bag

Indicator/Warning light

Devices

WARNING

- ODS System

Riding in an improper position
adversely affects the Occupant
Detection System and may
result in the deactivation of the
front passenger airbag. It is
important for the driver to
instruct the passenger as to the
proper seating instructions as
contained in this manual.

(Continued)

Safety features of your vehicle

44

3

1KMN3663

1KMN3664

1KMN3665

- Never sit with hips shifted

towards the front of the seat.

- Never lean on the door or cen-

ter console.

- Never sit on one side of the

front passenger seat.

- Never place feet on the dash-

board.

OVQ036013N

1KMN3662

- Never put a heavy load or an

active electronic device on
the front passenger seat or
seatback pocket.

- Never excessively recline the

front passenger seatback.

OVQ036014N

- Never place feet on the front

passenger seatback.

(Continued)

3 45

Safety features of your vehicle

When an adult is seated in the front
passenger seat, if the PASSENGER
AIR BAG “OFF” indicator is on, turn
the vehicle off and ask the passen-
ger to sit properly (sitting upright with
the seat back in an upright position,
centered on the seat cushion with
their seat belt on, legs comfortably
extended and their feet on the floor).
Restart the vehicle and have the per-
son remain in that position. This will
allow the system to detect the person
and to enable the passenger air bag.

If the PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF”
indicator is still on, ask the passen-
ger to move to the rear seat.

✽

✽

NOTICE

The PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF”
indicator illuminates for about 4 sec-
onds after the POWER button is
turned to the ON position or after
the vehicle is in the ready (

)

mode. If the front passenger seat is
occupied, the occupant detection
sensor will then classify the front
passenger after several more sec-
onds.

B990A01O

Proper position

WARNING

- “AIR BAG

OFF” light

Do not allow an adult passenger
to ride in the front seat when the
PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF”
indicator is illuminated, because
the air bag will not deploy in the
event of a crash.

The driver

must instruct the passenger to
reposition himself in the seat.
Failure to properly position
yourself may lead to air bag
deactivation resulting in air bag
non-deployment in a collision. If
the PASSENGER AIR BAG
“OFF” indicator remains illumi-
nated after the passenger repo-
sitions themselves properly and
the car is restarted, it is recom-
mended that passenger move to
the rear seat because the pas-
senger's front air bag will not
deploy.

Safety features of your vehicle

46

3

Any child age 12 and under should
ride in the rear seat. Children too
large for child restraints should use
the available lap/shoulder belts. No
matter what type of crash, children of
all ages are safer when restrained in
the rear seat.
If the occupant detection system is
not working properly, the SRS air
bag warning light on the instrument
panel will illuminate because the
passenger's front air bag is connect-
ed with the occupant detection sys-
tem. If there is a malfunction of the
occupant detection system, the PAS-
SENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indicator
will not illuminate and the passen-
ger's front air bag will inflate in frontal
impact crashes even if there is no
occupant in the front passenger's
seat

Driver's and passenger's front
air bag

Your vehicle is equipped with an
Advanced Supplemental Restraint
(Air Bag) System and lap/shoulder
belts at both the driver and passen-
ger seating position.

The indication of the system's pres-
ence are the letters "AIR BAG"
embossed on the air bag pad cover
on the steering wheel and the pas-
senger's side front panel pad above
the glove box.

The SRS consists of air bags
installed under the pad covers in the
center of the steering wheel and the
passenger's side front panel above
the glove box.
The purpose of the SRS is to provide
the vehicle's driver and/or the front
passenger with additional protection
than that offered by the seat belt sys-
tem alone in case of a frontal impact
of sufficient severity. The SRS uses
sensors to gather information about
the driver's and front passenger's
seat belt usage and impact severity.
The seat belt buckle sensors deter-
mine if the driver and front passen-
ger's seat belts are fastened.

OPS033021

OPS033022

Driver’s front air bag

Passenger’s front air bag

3 47

Safety features of your vehicle

These sensors provide the ability to
control the SRS deployment based on
whether or not the seat belts are fas-
tened, and how severe the impact is.

The advanced SRS offers the ability
to control the air bag inflation with
two levels. A first stage level is pro-
vided for moderate-severity impacts.
A second stage level is provided for
more severe impacts.

The passenger’s front air bag is
designed to help reduce the injury of
children sitting close to the instru-
ment panel in low speed collisions.
However, children are safer if they
are restrained in the rear seat.

According to the impact severity and
seat belt usage, the SRSCM (SRS
Control Module) controls the air bag
inflation. Failure to properly wear
seat belts can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.

Additionally, your vehicle is equipped
with an occupant detection system in
the front passenger's seat. The occu-
pant detection system detects the
presence of a passenger in the front
passenger's seat and will turn off the
front passenger's air bag under cer-
tain conditions. For more detail, see
"Occupant detection system" in this
section.

WARNING

- Modification

Modification to the seat struc-
ture can cause the air bag to
deploy at a different level than
should be provided.

WARNING

- Replacement/

modifications

The front passenger seat, dash-
board or door should not be
replaced except by an authorized
Kia dealer using original Kia parts
designed for this vehicle and
model. Any other such replace-
ment or modification could
adversely affect the operation of
the occupant detection system
and your advanced air bags.

CAUTION

- Seat Track

Sensor

Do not place any objects under-
neath the front seats as they
could damage the seat track
position sensor or interfere with
the occupant detection system.