Tesla Model 3: Ensuring Accurate Occupant
Classification
To help ensure an occupant in the front
passenger seat can be accurately classified,
the passenger must:
- Wear a seat belt.
- Sit upright on the center of the seat
cushion, with shoulders resting against the
seat back and legs extended comfortably
in front with feet on the floor.
- Remain positioned on the seat cushion
and not lift their weight off the seat (for
example, by pushing their feet against the
floor or pressing on the center console or
armrest to lift up).
- Never wear thick, wet, or bulky clothing
(such as ski wear or padded clothing).
In addition to the items listed above, the
following situations can interfere with the
accuracy of the occupant classification
system:
- Placing a radio transmitter (for example, a
hunting radio or walkie-talkie) on the front
passenger seat.
- Placing an AC/DC inverter, or a device
that is being powered by the inverter (for
example, a cell phone, tablet, or
computer) on the front passenger seat
cushion.
- Placing liquid (such as a bottled drink) or
food containers on a car seat when a child
seat is present.
- Incorrectly placing a child safety seat so
that the entire lower section is not
positioned against the seat cushion.
- Objects lodged under the seat or wedged
between the seat back and cushion.
- Heavy objects sitting on the seat
(briefcase, large purse).
- Cargo interfering with the seat.
- Aftermarket items attached to or placed
between the seat and the occupant, such
as 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, instruct passengers to ride in the
rear seats and contact Tesla to have the airbag
system checked.
Note: Tesla follows NHTSA (National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration) recommendations that all occupants age 12
and under must ride in a rear seating position.
Note: The front passenger occupancy sensor
affects the operation of the passenger front
airbags only. The side airbags are not affected.
Warning: Failure to follow the above
instructions can adversely affect the
Occupant Classification System (OCS)
which can cause serious injury or death.
Warning: If the front passenger airbag is
not turning on or off as expected, do not
seat a passenger in the front passenger
seat. Contact Tesla Service.
Warning: To ensure accuracy of the
occupant detection system, do not make
any modifications to the front passenger
seat.
Warning: Do not use seat covers on Model
3. Doing so could restrict deployment of
the seat-mounted side air bags if a
collision occurs. It can also reduce the
accuracy of the occupant classification
system.
Examples of Correct and Incorrect Seating Positions
Correct seating position:

Incorrect seating position - the passenger's
feet must be on the floor:

Incorrect seating position - the passenger
must not slide forward on the seat cushion:

Incorrect seating position - the passenger
must not recline the backrest to a laying down
position when the vehicle is moving:

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How Speed Assist Works
Model 3 displays a speed limit on the
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you are warned when you exceed the speed
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