How does the passenger sensing system work and what does it control?

The passenger sensing system uses sensors built into the right front passenger's seat and safety belt to detect the presence and size of an occupant and determine whether the right front passenger's frontal airbag and seat-mounted side impact airbag should be enabled or disabled. The passenger airbag status indicator on the overhead console will display either ON or OFF after the system check is complete when the ignition is turned to RUN or START. The driver's airbags are not part of the passenger sensing system. Even when the system is designed to turn off the airbag, it is not fail-safe, so rear-facing child restraints should always be placed in the rear seat. (Page 81)