1999 TOYOTA TERCEL Owners Manual

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However, this threshold velocity will be
considerably higher if the vehicle strikes
an object, such as a parked vehicle or
sign pole, which can move or deform on
impact, or if it is involved in an underride
collision (e.g. a collision in which the nose
of the vehicle ºunderridesº, or goes under,
the bed of a truck, etc.).
For the safety of all occupants, be sure
to always wear seat belts.
Collision from the rear
Vehicle rollover
Collision from the side
The SRS airbag is not designed to in-
flate if the vehicle is subjected to a
side or rear impact, if it rolls over, or
if it is involved in a low- speed frontal
collision.
Hitting a curb,
edge of pavement or
hard material
Falling into or
jumping over a
deep hole
Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbag may deploy if a serious
impact occurs to the underside of your
vehicle. Some examples are shown in
the illustration.

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The SRS airbag system mainly consists of
the following components and their loca-
tions are shown in the illustration.1. SRS airbag warning light
2. Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
3. Airbag sensor assembly
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor. In a severe frontal impact, the sensor de-
tects deceleration and the system triggers
the airbag inflator. Then a chemical reac-
tion in the inflator momentarily fills the
airbag with non- toxic gas to help restrain
the forward motion of the driver.
When the airbag inflates, it produces a
fairly loud noise and releases some
smoke and residue along with non- toxic
gas. This does not indicate a fire. This
gas is normally harmless, however, for
those who have delicate skin, it may
cause minor skin irritation. Be sure to
wash off any residue as soon as possible
to prevent minor skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbag happens in a
fraction of a second, so the airbag must
inflate with considerable force. While the
system is desi
gned to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swellings.
The steering wheel hub may be hot for
several minutes, but the airbag itself will
not be hot. The airbag is designed to
inflate only once.
CAUTION
The SRS airbag system is designed
only as a supplement to the primary
protection of the driver side seat belt
system. The driver can be k illed or
seriously injured by an inflating air-
bag if they do not wear the available
seat belts. During sudden braking just
before a collision, an unrestrained
driver can move forward into direct
contact with or close proximity to the
airbag which may then deploy during
the collision. To obtain maximum
protection in an accident, the driver
and all passengers in the vehicle
must wear their seat belts. Wearing a
seat belt during an accident reduces
the chances of death or serious inju-
ries or being thrown out of the ve-
hicle. For instructions and precau-
tions concerning the seat belt system,
see ºSeat beltsº in this chapter.

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42
CAUTION
Do not put objects or your pets on
or in front of the steering wheel
pad. They might restrict inflation or
cause death or serious injury as
they are projected rearward by the
force of a deploying airbag. Like-
wise, the driver should not hold
things in his/her arms or on his/her knees.
Do not modify or remove any wir-
ing. Do not modify, remove, strike
or open any components such as
the steering wheel pad, steering
wheel, column cover or airbag sen-
sor assembly. Doing any of these
may cause sudden SRS airbag infla-
tion or disable the system, which
could result in death or serious in-
jury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious inju-
ries.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting yourToyota dealer. Such changes can interfere with proper operation of the
SRS airbag system in some cases.
Installation of electronic items suchas a mobile two- way radio, cassette
tape player or compact disc player
Modification of the suspension sys-tem
Modification of the front end struc-ture
Attachment of a grille guard (bullbar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment tothe front end
Repairs made on or near the front end structure, console, steering col-
umn, steering wheel

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This SRS airbag system has a service
reminder indicator to inform the driver of
operating problems. If either of the follow-
ing conditions occurs, this indicates a mal-
function of the airbag. Contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle. The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or
ºONº position, or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible:
The SRS airbag has been inflated.
The front part of the vehicle (shaded
in the illustration) was involved in an
accident not of the extent to cause the
SRS airbag to inflate.
The pad section of the steering wheel
(shaded in the illustration) is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables
before contacting your Toyota dealer.
Toyota strongly urges the use of child
restraint systems for children small
enough to use them.
The laws of all fifty states in the U.S.A.
and Canada now require the use of a
child restraint system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAE J1819.
If a child is too large for a child restraint
system, the child s hould sit in the rear
seat and must be restrained using the
vehicle's seat belt. See ºSeat beltsº for
details.
CAUTION
For effective protection in automo-
bile accidents and sudden stops,
children must be properly re-
strained using a seat belt or child
restraint system depending on the
age and size of the child. Holding
a child in your arms is not a sub-
stitute for a child restraint system.
In an accident, the child can be
crushed against the windshield, or
between you and the vehicle's inte-
rior.
Child restraintÐ
ÐChild restraint precautions

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Toyota strongly urges use of a
proper child restraint system which
conforms to the size of the child
and is put on the rear seat. Accord-
ing to accident statistics, the child
is safer when properly restrained in
the rear seat than in the front seat.
Vehicles with a passenger airbag:
Never put a rear- facing child re-
straint system on the front seat. In
the event of an accident, the force
of the rapid inflation of the airbag
can cause death or serious injury if
a rear- facing child restraint system
is put on the front seat.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not put
a forward- facing child restraint sys-
tem on the front seat.A forward- facing child restraint sys-
tem should be allowed to put on
the front seat only when it is un-
avoidable. Always move the seat as
far back as possible, because the
force of a deploying airbag could
cause death or serious injury to the
child.
Make sure that you have complied
with all installation instructions pro-
vided by the child restraint
manufacturer and that the system is
properly secured.
ÐChild restraint system
A child restraint system for a small
child or baby must itself be properly
restrained on the seat with either the
lap belt or the lap portion of the lap/
shoulder belt. You must carefully con-
sult the manufacturer 's instructions
which accompany your child restraint
system.
To provide proper restraint, use a child
restraint system following the manufactur-
er 's instructions about the appropriate age
and size of the child for the child restraint
system.
Install the child restraint system correctly
following the instructions provided by its
manufacturer of the system. General
directions are also provided under the fol-
lowing illustrations.
The child restraint system should be
installed on the rear seat. According to
accident statistics, the child is safer when
properly restrained in the rear seat than
in the front seat.

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CAUTION
Vehicles with a passenger airbag:
Never put a rear- facing child re-
straint system on the front seat. In
the event of an accident, the force
of the rapid inflation of the airbag
can cause death or serious injury if
a rear- facing child restraint system
is put on the front seat.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not put
a forward- facing child restraint sys-
tem on the front seat.
A forward- facing child restraint sys-
tem should be allowed to put on
the front seat only when it is un-
avoidable. Always move the seat as
far back as possible, because the
force of a deploying airbag could
cause death or serious injury to the
child.
After installing the child restraint
system, make sure it is secured in
place following the manufacturer 's
instructions. If it is not restrained
securely, it may cause death or se-
rious injury to the child in the
event of a sudden stop or accident.
When not using the child restraint system,
keep it secured with the seat belt or place
it in the trunk or somewhere other than
the passenger compartment. This will pre-
vent it from injuring passengers in the
event of a sudden stop or accident.
Your vehicle has anchors for securing the
top strap of a child restraint system. The
anchor nuts are welded beneath the sheet
metal to permit installation of an anchor
bracket for a child restraint system.
To install an anchor bracket, use an 8 mm y 30 mm y 1.25 mm coarse thread metric
bolt and a 10 mm (0.4 in.) spacer. Note
that the bolts accompanying many child
restraint systems are not metric. You can
damage the anchor nuts on your vehicle
if you force bolts with different thread into
the anchor nuts.
For instructions about how to install the
anchor bracket, see ºÐTop strap anchors
and locationsº.
If your child restraint system does not
provide any of the necessary parts, you
can purchase the following items from
your Toyota dealer.
CRS installation kit
(Part No.04731- 22012)Ðcontains 1
bolt, 3 types of spacers and 1 locking
clip.
Bolt (Part No.91511- 60830)

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46
Child restraint systems are classified into
the following 3 types depending on the
child's age and size.
(A) Infant seat
(B) Convertible seat
(C) Booster seat
Install the child restraint system following
the instructions provided by its manufac-
turer.
(A) Infant seat
(B) Convertible seat
(C) Booster seat
ÐTypes of child restraint
system

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(A) INFANT SEAT INSTALLATION
An infant seat is used in rear- facing
position only.CAUTION
Do not put a rear- facing child re-
straint system on the rear seat if it
interferes with the lock mechanism of
the front seats. This can cause severe
injury to the child and front passen-
ger in case of sudden braking or a
collision.
1. Run the center lap belt through oraround the infant seat following the
instructions provided by its manufactur-
er and insert the tab into the buckle
taking care not to twist the lap belt.
ÐInstallation with 2- point
type seat belt