Page 65 of 274

'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
612001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ªACCº or
ªONº position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the SRS side
airbags are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, side airbag sensors, front seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning
light, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. (For details, see ªService remind-
er indicators and warning buzzersº in Sec-
tion 1±5.)The SRS side airbag system may not
activate if the vehicle is subjected to a
collision from the side at certain
angles, or a collision to the side of the
vehicle body other than the passenger
compartment as shown in the illustra-
tion.
The SRS side airbags are designed to
inflate when the passenger compartment
area suffers a severe impact from the
side.
For the safety of all occupants, always
wear your seat belts properly.
Collision from the rear
Collision from the front Vehicle rollover
The SRS side airbags are not designed
to inflate if the vehicle is involved in a
front or rear collision, if it rolls over,
or if it is involved in a low±speed side
collision.
Page 66 of 274

'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
622001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
The SRS side airbag system consists
mainly of the following components, and
their locations are shown in the illustra-
tion.1. SRS warning light
2. Door side airbag sensor assemblies
3. Side airbag modules (airbag and inflator)
4. Side airbag sensors
5. Airbag sensor assembly
The SRS side airbag system is controlled
by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a safing sen-
sor and airbag sensor. In a severe side impact, the side airbag
sensor triggers the side airbag inflators.
Then a chemical reaction in the inflators
quickly fills the air
bags with non±toxic gas
to help restrain the lateral motion of the
occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
and residue along with non±toxic gas. This
does not indicate a fire. This gas is nor-
mally harmless; however, for those who
have delicate skin, it may cause a minor
skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent
any potential skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a
fraction of a second, so the airbags 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 swelling.
Front seats may be hot for several min-
utes, but the airbags themselves will not
be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate
only once.
CAUTION
The SRS side airbag system is de-
signed only as a supplement to the
primary protection of the driver
side and front passenger side seat
belt systems. To ensure maximum
protection in an accident, the driver
and all passengers in the vehicle
must wear their seat belts properly.
Wearing a seat belt properly during
an accident reduces the chances of
death or serious injury or being
thrown out of the vehicle. For
instructions and precautions con-
cerning the seat belt system, see
ªSeat beltsº in this section.
Page 68 of 274

'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
642001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Do not use accessories for the
seats which cover the parts where
the side airbags inflate. Such acces-
sories may prevent the side airbags
from activating correctly, causing
death or serious injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats
or upholstery of the front seats
with the side airbags. Such changes
may disable the system or cause
the side airbags to inflate acciden-
tally, resulting in death or serious
injury. Consult your Toyota dealer if
you consider modifications of this
kind.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious injury.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting yourToyota dealer. Such changes caninterfere with proper operation of the
SRS side airbag system in somecases.
Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile two±way radio,cassette tape player or compactdisc player
Modification of the suspension sys-tem
Modification of the side structure ofthe passenger compartment
Repairs made on or near the con-sole or front seat
This SRS side airbag system has a
service reminder indicator to inform the
driver of operating problems. If either of
the following conditions occurs, this
indicates a malfunction of the airbags.
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 ªACCº or
ªONº position, or the light remains on.
The light comes on or flashes while
driving.
Page 74 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
702001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure
the tab and buckle are locked and
that the lap and shoulder portions
of the belt are not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in
the buckle as this may prevent you
from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
If the seat belt does not function
normally, it cannot protect your
child from injury. Contact your
Toyota dealer immediately. Do not
use the seat until the seat belt is
fixed.
2. Fully extend the shoulder belt to put itin the lock mode. When the belt is
then retracted even slightly, it cannot
be extended.
To hold the infant seat securely, make
sure the belt is in the lock mode before
letting the belt retract.3. While pressing the infant seat firmly against the seat cushion and seatback,
let the shoulder belt retract as far as
it will go to hold the infant seat secure-
ly.
Page 77 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
732001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
1. Run the lap and shoulder belt throughor around the convertible seat following
the instructions provided by its
manufacturer and insert the tab into
the buckle taking care not to twist the
belt. Keep the lap portion of the belt
tight.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure
the tab and buckle are locked and
that the lap and shoulder portions
of the belt are not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in
the buckle as this may prevent you
from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
If the seat belt does not function
normally, it cannot protect your
child from injury. Contact your
Toyota dealer immediately. Do not
use the seat until the seat belt is
fixed.
2. Fully extend the shoulder belt to put itin the lock mode. When the belt is
then retracted even slightly, it cannot
be extended.
To hold the convertible seat securely,
make sure the belt is in the lock mode
before letting the belt retract.
Page 84 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
802001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do notoperate the control or scrap the mir-ror face. Use a spray de±icer to freethe mirror.
Adjust the mirror so that you can just
see the rear of your vehicle in the mir-
ror.
To reduce glare from the headlights of
the vehicle behind you during night
driving, operate the lever on the lower
edge of the mirror.
Daylight drivingÐLever at position 1
The reflection in the mirror has greater
clarity at this position.
Night drivingÐLever at position 2
Remember that by reducing glare you also
lose some rear view clarity.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the
vehicle is moving. It may cause the
driver to mishandle the vehicle and
an accident may occur resulting in
death or serious injuries.
Anti±glare inside rear view
mirror
Page 85 of 274

'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
812001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
Adjust the mirror so that you can just
see the rear of your vehicle in the mir-
ror.
This function is designed to reduce
glare from the headlights of the vehicle
behind you during night driving.
When the ignition key is inserted and
turned on, the inside rear view mirror al-
ways turns on in the ªAUTOº mode.
The ªAUTOº indicator illuminates to show
you that the function is on.
In ªAUTOº mode, if the mirror detects light
from the headlights of the vehicle behind
you, the mirror surface darkens slightly to
reduce the reflected light.To turn off the automatic function, press
the switch on the ªOFFº side.
To turn on the automatic function again,
press the switch on the ªAUTOº side.
Adjust it before driving so that the rear
view is in the best condition.
When the outside air temperature is low,
it may take little longer for the mirror to
darken in response to the detection of
headlights.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the
vehicle is moving. It may cause the
driver to mishandle the vehicle and
an accident may occur resulting in
personal injuries.
Sun visorsÐ
Convertible without garage door opener
and coupe
Convertible with garage door opener
Auto anti±glare inside rear
view mirror
Page 86 of 274
'01 SOLARA_U (L/O 0009)
822001 MY SOLARA (OM33527U)
To block out glare, move the sun visor.
To block out glare from the frontÐSwing
down the sun visor (position 1).
To block out glare from the sideÐSwing
down the sun visor, remove it from the
hook and swing it to the lateral side (posi-
tion 2).
If glare comes from obliquely behind you,
extend the plate at the end of the visor
(to position 3 or 4).
CAUTION
Do not extend the plate at the end of
the sun visor when the visor is in the
position 1. It can cover the anti±glare
inside rear view mirror and obstruct
the rear view.
ÐVanity mirrors
To use the vanity mirrors, swing down
the sun visor and open the cover.
On some models, the vanity light comes
on when you open the cover.