@JAWX I was looking for a solution to this exact problem and this site came up during my web search. I had previously and happily owned an Outback but my new car is from another company. Both of us suffer from sciatica and we both use specialty pillows when driving. I used heavy duty foil in wife's cushion and had her sit in passenger seat. NO PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF MESSAGE! We are thrilled this simple trick worked. We have not taken a ride yet but it seems likely the fix is in. Thanks for this very useful tip. Bob & Claudia, FL
2018 - Passenger airbag off with personal seat cushion? - SOLVED!
When my 130 lb wife rides in the passenger seat of our 2018 Forester Premium, she needs a personal seat cushion. Using the cushion, the sensor does not read her electrical conductivity, and turns off the airbag. She doesn't want to ride without an airbag, so she must always drive when we are together (unless she rides in the back!) The technician at Lancaster Subaru checked with the Company and told us there was no fix for this, and we were prepared to purchase a new 2019 model with softer seats, although we have only 3500 miles on this vehicle.
My son-in-law consulted a local forum which claimed that the newer vehicles use electrical conductivity to determine if a sizable adult is sitting in the passenger seat, rather than weight. He suggested using a 12" x 15" piece of aluminum foil inside the personal seat cushion (unzipped and placed in the bottom of the cushion, next to the seat) to provide capacitance to the sensor. Interestingly, this solution works perfectly for us, and I can drive again, without buying a new Subaru! Since it is entirely passive, it should not affect the operation of the switch or defeat the intent of the airbag-off for children in the front seat. The cushion is reserved ONLY for my wife, who even takes it into restaurants and hard-chair establishments. No problem there except for a faint crinkling upon sitting down. has anyone else tried this?
My son-in-law consulted a local forum which claimed that the newer vehicles use electrical conductivity to determine if a sizable adult is sitting in the passenger seat, rather than weight. He suggested using a 12" x 15" piece of aluminum foil inside the personal seat cushion (unzipped and placed in the bottom of the cushion, next to the seat) to provide capacitance to the sensor. Interestingly, this solution works perfectly for us, and I can drive again, without buying a new Subaru! Since it is entirely passive, it should not affect the operation of the switch or defeat the intent of the airbag-off for children in the front seat. The cushion is reserved ONLY for my wife, who even takes it into restaurants and hard-chair establishments. No problem there except for a faint crinkling upon sitting down. has anyone else tried this?
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@JAWX I'm so happy, this totally worked. We have a 2020 Kia Sportage and had the same issue with my wife needing a cushion to set on, I read this and tried it......thanks for the information....
Definitely going to try this, as I am in the exact same situation, I need a cushion but don't want to always be the driver!When my 130 lb wife rides in the passenger seat of our 2018 Forester Premium, she needs a personal seat cushion. Using the cushion, the sensor does not read her electrical conductivity, and turns off the airbag. She doesn't want to ride without an airbag, so she must always drive when we are together (unless she rides in the back!) The technician at Lancaster Subaru checked with the Company and told us there was no fix for this, and we were prepared to purchase a new 2019 model with softer seats, although we have only 3500 miles on this vehicle.
My son-in-law consulted a local forum which claimed that the newer vehicles use electrical conductivity to determine if a sizable adult is sitting in the passenger seat, rather than weight. He suggested using a 12" x 15" piece of aluminum foil inside the personal seat cushion (unzipped and placed in the bottom of the cushion, next to the seat) to provide capacitance to the sensor. Interestingly, this solution works perfectly for us, and I can drive again, without buying a new Subaru! Since it is entirely passive, it should not affect the operation of the switch or defeat the intent of the airbag-off for children in the front seat. The cushion is reserved ONLY for my wife, who even takes it into restaurants and hard-chair establishments. No problem there except for a faint crinkling upon sitting down. has anyone else tried this?
I have a concern about what you have written here though I appreciate the information greatly - I have no doubts that the aluminum foil prevents the air bag "off" warning light from displaying. Here is my question and I hope you can give me some piece of mind for my personal cushion-using passenger wife: How do you know that the air bag is ready to perform if needed? Can you be sure that the foil is not simply causing the warming light to not come on (and the air bag might nonetheless stlll be turned off? Is there any way that can be tested short of an accident?When my 130 lb wife rides in the passenger seat of our 2018 Forester Premium, she needs a personal seat cushion. Using the cushion, the sensor does not read her electrical conductivity, and turns off the airbag. She doesn't want to ride without an airbag, so she must always drive when we are together (unless she rides in the back!) The technician at Lancaster Subaru checked with the Company and told us there was no fix for this, and we were prepared to purchase a new 2019 model with softer seats, although we have only 3500 miles on this vehicle.
My son-in-law consulted a local forum which claimed that the newer vehicles use electrical conductivity to determine if a sizable adult is sitting in the passenger seat, rather than weight. He suggested using a 12" x 15" piece of aluminum foil inside the personal seat cushion (unzipped and placed in the bottom of the cushion, next to the seat) to provide capacitance to the sensor. Interestingly, this solution works perfectly for us, and I can drive again, without buying a new Subaru! Since it is entirely passive, it should not affect the operation of the switch or defeat the intent of the airbag-off for children in the front seat. The cushion is reserved ONLY for my wife, who even takes it into restaurants and hard-chair establishments. No problem there except for a faint crinkling upon sitting down. has anyone else tried this?
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
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