[Tcoat]

Don't put electronic or "moist" items on the seat and it won't go off.

To: Service Managers, Service Advisors
From: Subaru of America, Inc., Fixed Operations Training and Recognition Department
Date: August 1, 2012

Subj: Important information regarding the Occupant Detection System (ODS) on
Impreza and 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 door knob? 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 has the potential to 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 raingear. In each of these
situations, the airbag status may remain OFF even if a passenger is seated.
Subject information for customers:
 “The Electrostatic Capacitance Sensor ODS on 2012 and 2013 Impreza and 2013 BRZ models uses
an electric charge to determine what is on the front passenger seat. (To assure the customer that
they will not get shocked, use the static electricity and touching the door knob example)
 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
By reading the Owner Manual, your understanding of how this system functions directly affects how
confidently you will be able to discuss this ODS system to your customers. For more detailed information
on this and other types of Occupant Detection systems used in other model year Subaru vehicles, please
click on this link to register and attend a web based technical overview: technician training video.
*Passengers seated in the front of the vehicle must meet all State and Federal regulations according to
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208. Never install a child seat or booster seat in the front of the
vehicle. See Owner Manual for more detail.
Cc: DPSMs, RSOM