KIA Soul (2019 year). Manual — part 4

3 43

Safety features of your vehicle

How does the air bag system
operate

• Air bags are activated (able to

inflate if necessary) only when the
ignition switch is turned to the ON
or START position.

• 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.

• In normal conditions, the airbag is

designed to deploy based on the
angle and intensity of the collision.
These two factors are crucial ele-
ments for deciding whether to trans-
mit airbag deployment signal.

• The airbag will deploy based on

angle and intensity of the collision.
It will not deploy in every crash or
collision situations

• 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

44

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.

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.

WARNING

Do not install or place any
accessories near air bag
deployment areas, such as the
instrument panel, windows, pil-
lars, and roof rails. Such objects
may become dangerous projec-
tiles if the airbag inflates.

3 45

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. If the front passenger 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

46

3

When the ignition switch 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 ignition 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 ignition

switch 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 ignition
switch is ON to determine if a crash
impact is severe enough to require
air bag deployment or pre-tensioner
seat belt deployment.

OPS034060N/Q

,

,

,

,

3 47

Safety features of your vehicle

If the air bag warning light illuminat-
ed for more than 6 seconds after the
ignition is turned on, or of it illumi-
nates 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 ignition 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 ignition

switch 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

48

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 49

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 ignition switch 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
ignition switch is turned to the ON
position, or after the engine is
started, comes on while driving,
the SRS is not working 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 igni-
tion switch to the LOCK position and
remove the ignition switch. Never
remove or replace the air bag related
fuse(s) when the ignition switch is in
the ON position. 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.

OPS033020

Safety features of your vehicle

50

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 occu-
pied by a person that the system
determines to be of appropriate size,
and he/she sits properly (sitting
upright with the seatback in an
upright position, 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 passenger'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 vehi-
cle 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 wear-
ing 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) Placing on the seat an additional

thick cushion.

3 51

Safety features of your vehicle

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.

- Do not place heavy loads in

the front passenger seatback
pocket or on the front passen-
ger seat.

(Continued)

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.

✽

✽

NOTICE

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

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

OVQ036013N

Safety features of your vehicle

52

3

(Continued)

- Do not place feet on the front

passenger seatback.

- Never sit with hips shifted

towards the front of the seat.

(Continued)

(Continued)

- Never excessively recline the

front passenger seatback.

- Never place feet on the dash-

board.

(Continued)

(Continued)

- Never lean on the door or cen-

ter console.

- Never sit on one side of the

front passenger seat.

(Continued)

OVQ036014N

1KMN3662

1KMN3663

1KMN3665

1KMN3664

3 53

Safety features of your vehicle

(Continued)

- Do not use car seat acces-

sories such as thick blankets
and cushions which cover up
the car seat surface.

(Continued)

OQLA035100

(Continued)

- Do not put an electronic

device (ex. Laptop computer,
after market DMB, navigation,
satellite audio, video game
machine, MP3, AC inverter,
etc.) in the front passenger
seatback pocket or on the
front passenger seat.

(Continued)

OJFA035102

(Continued)

- Wet Passenger Seat:

Do not spill liquid in the pas-
senger seat. Spilled liquid on
the passenger seat may cause
the air bag warning light to illu-
minate or malfunction. If any
liquid is spilled, make sure the
seat has been completely dried
before driving the vehicle.

OJFA035103

Safety features of your vehicle

54

3

When an adult is seated in the front
passenger seat, if the PASSENGER
AIR BAG “OFF” indicator is on, turn
the ignition switch to the LOCK posi-
tion and ask the passenger 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 engine and have the person
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.

B990A01O

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 reposi-
tion himself in the seat. Failure
to properly position yourself
may lead to air bag deactivation
resulting in air bag non-deploy-
ment in a collision. If the PAS-
SENGER AIR BAG “OFF” indica-
tor remains illuminated after the
passenger repositions them-
selves properly and the car is
restarted, it is recommended
that passenger move to the rear
seat because the passenger's
front air bag will not deploy.

Proper position

3 55

Safety features of your vehicle

✽

✽

NOTICE

The PASSENGER AIR BAG “OFF”
indicator illuminates for about 4 sec-
onds after the ignition switch is
turned to the ON position or after
the engine is started. If the front
passenger seat is occupied, the occu-
pant detection sensor will then clas-
sify the front passenger after several
more seconds.

✽

✽

NOTICE

Air bags can only be used once -
have an authorized Kia dealer
replace the air bag immediately
after deployment.

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.

✽

✽

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 covers or after market
seat heater to the front passenger
seat. This can adversely affect the
occupant detection system.

If the occupant detection system is
not working properly, the SRS air bag
warning light on the instrument panel
will illuminate because the passen-
ger's front air bag is connected with
the occupant detection system. If
there is a malfunction of the occupant
detection system, the PASSENGER
AIR BAG “OFF” indicator will not illu-
minate and the passenger's front air
bag will inflate in frontal impact crash-
es even if there is no occupant in the
front passenger's seat

Safety features of your vehicle

56

3

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

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.

WARNING

- Modification

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

3 57

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 pres-
ence of a passenger in the front pas-
senger's seat and will turn off the front
passenger's air bag under certain con-
ditions. For more detail, see "Occupant
detection system" in this section.
Modification to the seat structure can
cause the air bag to deploy at a dif-
ferent level than should be provided.

Manufacturers are required by gov-
ernment regulations to provide a
contact point concerning modifica-
tions to the vehicle for persons with
disabilities, which modifications may
affect the vehicle’s advanced air bag
system. That contact is Kia’s toll-free
Customer Assistance center at 1-
800-333-4Kia. However, Kia does
not endorse nor will it support any
changes to any part or structure of
the vehicle that could affect the
advanced air bag system, including
the occupant detection system.

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.

Safety features of your vehicle

58

3

Advanced air bags are combined with
pre-tensioner seat belts to help pro-
vide enhanced occupant protection in
frontal crashes. Front air bags are not
intended to deploy in collisions in
which sufficient protection can be pro-
vided by the pre-tensioner seat belt.

Front air bags are not intended to
deploy in side-impact, rear-impact or
rollover crashes. In addition, front air
bags will not deploy in frontal crash-
es below the deployment threshold.

OEP036096N

OVQ036018N

1VQA2091

Rear impact

Side impact

Rollover

WARNING

- SRS Wiring

Do not tamper with or discon-
nect SRS wiring or other com-
ponents of the SRS system.
Doing so could result in injury,
due to accidental deployment of
the air bags or by rendering the
SRS inoperative.

WARNING -

No attaching
objects

No objects (such as crash pad
cover, cellular phone holder,
cup holder, perfume or stickers)
should be placed over or near
the air bag modules on the
steering wheel,

instrument

panel, windshield glass, and the
front passenger's panel above
the glove box. Such objects
could cause harm if the vehicle
is in a crash severe enough to
cause the air bags to deploy.