A vehicle arrangement (10) includes a power seat system (14) and an occupant protection system (40). The power seat system (14) includes a seat (18) provided for an occupant (16) and movable relative to a vehicle chassis (20). A motor (24) moves the seat (18) and a sensor (28) senses location of the seat. A seat controller (26) controls the motor (24), and contains a memory (34) for retaining an occupant predefined seat location. A recall switch (e.g., 30) causes movement to the predefined seat location. The protection system (14) includes an actuatable protection device (42), wherein location of the occupant (16) relative to the device is related to seat location. An override portion (72) of a protection system controller (52) automatically positions the seat (18) out of a range of seat locations that places the occupant (16) out of an optimum protection zone. Actuation of a manual override switch (60) permits movement of the seat (18) into the range of seat locations that places the occupant (16) out of the optimum protection zone. Preferably, actuation of the protection device (42) is based upon seat location provided by the seat system (14).

An occupant weight sensing system includes a loading rod, which replaces a seat height adjuster pivot bolt and extends away from a seat height adjuster link. A sensing element is mounted at the opposing end of the loading rod. When force is applied the loading rod acts as a cantilever to transfer radial force to the sensing element. A plurality of strain gages are arranged down the center of the sensing element to provide a measurement of strain on the sensing element. The loading rod flexes to transfer any excessive force to a seat bracket. The sensing element has a low sensitivity to axial forces to avoid requiring additional mechanical components to protect the sensing element.