Understanding the BRZ/FR-S/86 Occupant Detection Sensor
 

Hey guys,

I just began training as a sales rep for a Subaru dealer, and I remember reading a few people complaining about the ODS (Occupant Detection System) for the passenger seat being too sensitive. While I have not experienced this first-hand, I just thought I'd share this tip that I got in my training, so that you can all understand how the sensor works and why it does what it does. Have a look:

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August 2012
Understanding Occupant Detection System (ODS) on Impreza & BRZ
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, require the use of an Occupant Detection System (ODS). This system is designed to determine if a person is seated in the front passenger seat*, and, more importantly, if the person is of adequate size to be protected in the event of the deployment of the front passenger seat airbag (SRS) in a moderate to severe frontal collision.
Most Occupant Detection Systems measure the weight of the front seat passenger, to determine if the front passenger seat airbag should deploy.
All 2012 and 2013 Impreza and 2013 BRZ models use a new type of Occupant Detection System called Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor ODS. This system does not use weight to determine whether to turn the Occupant Detection System ON and OFF. It is important that you understand the operation of this system so that you can explain its operation and precautions to your customers.
Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor ODS uses electrostatic capacitance to determine passenger airbag status. Electrostatic capacitance represents a material’s capability of storing an electrical charge. Have you ever been shocked when walking across a carpeted floor and touching a doorknob? This demonstrates your ability to store an electrical charge in your body.
When anyone is seated or when anything is placed on the front passenger seat, there is a change to that capacitance value. This change in capacitance value is what the Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor ODS uses to determine whether the front passenger seat airbag (SRS) will be ON or OFF.
Everything that is placed on the seat will affect a change in capacitance value. The system can determine whether to change the OFF status of an airbag to ON depending on what is on the passenger seat which in turn causes a change in capacitance value. Some examples:

• A proper sized passenger will change the OFF status of an airbag to ON
• Plastic, metals and other substances, even if at a heavy weight, will not change the OFF status of an airbag
• A false electrical charge, for example, those caused by laptops that are processing data, cellphones that are on or even an electric device connected to a car charger can cause the airbag status to switch to ON
• When water or anything with high moisture content is spilled on the front passenger seat cushion, the airbag is designed to remain OFF until the seat cushion is dry. This will also be the case if the passenger has moisture on their clothing, such as rain-soaked pants or rain gear. In each of these situations, the airbag status may remain OFF even if a passenger is seated

Presentation tips to share with your customers:

• “The Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor ODS on 2012 and 2013 Impreza and 2013 BRZ models uses a low level electrical charge to determine what is on the front passenger seat. (Explain to the customer that this low level charge will not result in an electrical shock)
• Advise the passenger not to sit in the front passenger seat if the seat cushion is wet or if their clothing is wet
• The best way to ensure proper operation is to keep everything off the front passenger seat except a passenger
• For more detailed information, stress to your customer the importance of reading and understanding the Owner Manual

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Hope this helps, guys and gals!

That explains why my iPhone turns the airbag on when laying on the seat. Interesting technology

thanks for this littl blurp, explains a lot

Am I the only one who thinks that's ridiculous? "Honey its raining, the airbag won't work, get in the trunk!"

yeah I'm not a fan .. especially considering how Heavy these seats are

does that really mean no airbags for passengers when it is raining?

wouldn't that be a big liability issue for Subaru/Scion?

So to keep my phone from setting it off, I need a seat condom, or a spray bottle to keep the seat damp :lol:

Great post :bellyroll:

This is stupid, should've stuck with existing technology that already WORKED.

Don't fix what isn't broken.

Must be a radioactive banana I put on my seat that set the thing off.

Im going to have to agree with this, Im sure there is some reasoning which makes this new technology useful. But I cant think of one thing, everyone and their mother uses a smart phone, and quite often I drive to work with my ipad on the passenger seat of my car.

It could be cost-savings; that's the only legitimate excuse I can think. Otherwise, the customer is getting the bad end of this.

We constantly have problems with the old set up right now. People that are heavy set, and people that carry a ton of crap on the passenger seat generally set off the airbag light.

There's too many variables in the "New" setup.

I'm sure there we be some recall on this anyway.

By "set off" you mean turn on?