2003 TOYOTA MR2 SPYDER Owners Manual

402003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
The SRS airbags are designed to deploy
in severe (usually frontal) collisions
where the magnitude and duration of
the forward deceleration of the vehicle
exceeds the designed threshold level.
The SRS airbags will deploy if the severi-
ty of the impact is above the designed
threshold level, comparable to an approxi-
mate 25 km/h (15 mph) collision when the
vehicle has the impact straight into a fixed
barrier that does not move or deform.
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 the vehicle is involved in an
underride collision (e.g. a collision in
which the front of the vehicle “underrides”,
or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
It is possible that in some collisions
where the forward deceleration of the ve-
hicle is very close to the designed thresh-
old level, the SRS airbags and the seat
belt pretensioners may not activate togeth-
er.
Always wear your seat belts properly.
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TABLE 1: A PASSENGER RISK GROUP
Infant. An infant (less than 1 year old) who must ride in the front seat because:
Child age 1 to 12. A child age 1 to 12 must ride in the front seat because:
Medical condition. A passenger has a medical condition which according to his or
her physician:
Causes the passenger airbag to pose a special risk for the passenger: and
Makes the potential harm from the passenger airbag in a crash greater than the
potential harm from turning off the airbag and allowing the passenger, even if
belted, to hit the dashboard, or windshield in a crash.
For more detailed information concerning about the passenger risk group, please
contact NHTSA at 18004249393.
Vehicle has no rear seat:
Although children ages 1 to 12 ride in the rear seat(s) whenever possible,
children ages 1 to 12 sometimes must ride in the front because no space is
available in the rear seat(s) of vehicle; or
The child has a medical condition which, according to the child’s physician,
makes it necessary for the child to ride in the front seat so that the driver can
constantly monitor the child’s condition.
Vehicle has no rear seat;
Vehicle has a rear seat too small to accommodate a rearfacing infant seat; or
The infant has a medical condition which, according to the infant’s physician,
makes it necessary for the infant to ride in the front seat so that the driver can
constantly monitor the child’s condition.

412003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SC13014a
Collision from the rear
Collision from the side Vehicle rollover
The SRS airbags are generally not de-
signed to inflate if the vehicle is in-
volved in a side or rear collision, if it
rolls over, or if it is involved in a low
speed frontal collision. But, when ever a
collision of any type causes sufficient
forward deceleration of the vehicle, de-
ployment of the SRS airbags may oc-
cur.
SB13077
Hitting a curb, edge
of pavement or hard
surface Falling into or
jumping over
a deep hole
Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbags may also deploy if a
serious impact occurs to the underside
of your vehicle. Some examples are
shown in the illustration.
SB13094a
The SRS airbag system consists mainly of
the following components, and their loca-
tions are shown in the illustration. 1. Front airbag sensor
2. SRS warning light
3. Airbag module for passenger (airbag and inflator)
4. Airbag sensor assembly
5. Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.
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422003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
The airbag sensors constantly monitor the
forward deceleration of the vehicle. If an
impact results in a forward deceleration
beyond the designed threshold level, the
system triggers the airbag inflators. At this
time a chemical reaction in the inflators
very quickly fills the airbags with nontox-
ic gas to help restrain the forward motion
of the occupants. The airbags then quickly
deflate, so that there is no obstruction of
the driver ’s vision should it be necessary
to continue driving.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a
loud noise and release some smoke and
residue along with nontoxic gas. This
does not indicate a fire. This smoke may
remain inside the vehicle for some time,
and may cause some minor irritation to
the eyes, skin or breathing. Be sure to
wash off any residue as soon as possible
to prevent any potential skin irritation with
soap and water. If you can safely exit
from the vehicle, you should do so imme-
diately. 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, primarily to the head and chest, it
may also cause other, less severe injuries
to the face, chest, arms and hands. These
are usually in the nature of minor burns
or abrasions and swelling, but the force of
a deploying airbag can cause more seri-
ous injuries, especially if an occupant’s
hands, arms, chest or head is in close
proximity to the airbag module at the time
of deployment. This is why it is important
for the occupant to: avoid placing any
object or part of the body between the
occupant and the airbag module; sit
straight and well back into the seat; wear
the available seat belt properly; and sit as
far as possible from the airbag module,
while still maintaining control of the ve-
hicle.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel
hub, airbag cover and inflator) may be hot
for several minutes after deployment, so
do not touch! The airbags inflate only
once. The windshield may be damaged by
absorbing some of the force of the inflat-
ing airbag.CAUTION
The driver or passenger who is too
close to the steering wheel or dash-
board during airbag deployment can
be killed or seriously injured. Toyota
strongly recommends that:
The driver sit as far back as pos-
sible from the steering wheel while
still maintaining control of the ve-
hicle.
The passenger sit as far back as
possible from the dashboard.
All vehicle occupants be properly
restrained using the available seat
belts.
For instructions and precautions con-
cerning the seating position, see
“—Seat precautions” on page 28.
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432003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
SB13053
Do not sit on the edge of the seat
or lean against the dashboard when
the vehicle is in use, since the pas-
senger airbag could inflate with
considerable speed and force. Any-
one who is up against, or very
close to, an airbag when it inflates,
can be killed or seriously injured.
Sit up straight and well back in the
seat, and always use your seat belt
properly.
SB13054
Do not allow a child to stand up or
kneel on the passenger seat, since
the passenger airbag could inflate
with considerable speed and force.
Otherwise, the child may be killed
or seriously injured.
Do not hold a child on your lap or
in your arms. Use a child restraint
system in the seat. For instructions
concerning the installation of a
child restraint system, see “Child
restraint—” on page 46.
SB13055
Do not put anything or any part of
your body on or in front of the
dashboard or steering wheel pad
that houses the airbag system. They
might restrict inflation or cause
death or serious injury as they are
projected rearward by the force of
deploying airbags. Likewise, the
driver and passenger should not
hold objects in their arms or on
their knees.
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442003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
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, dashboard
near the passenger airbag, passen-
ger airbag cover, passenger airbag
or airbag sensor assembly. Doing
so may prevent the airbag system
from activating correctly, cause sud-
den activation of the system or dis-
able the system, which could result
in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious injury.
Consult your Toyota dealer about any
repair and modification.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can in-
terfere with proper operation of the
SRS airbag system in some cases.
 Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile twoway 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 (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front end structure, con-
sole, steering column, steering
wheel or dashboard near the pas-
senger airbag
SB13102a
This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the “ON” position.
It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS airbags are operating
properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wir-
ing and power sources. (For details, see
“Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 77.)
If any of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction of the airbags
or seat belt pretensioners. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible.
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452003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
When the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position, the light does not come
on, remains on or flashes.
The light comes on or starts flashing
while driving.
SB13067a
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible:
The SRS airbags have been inflated.
The front of the vehicle (shaded in the
illustration) was involved in an accident
that was not severe enough to cause
the SRS airbags to inflate.
The pad section of the steering wheel
or passenger airbag cover (shaded in
the illustration) is scratched, cracked,
or otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables
before contacting your Toyota dealer.
SB13106a
Indicator light
This onoff switch is designed to dis-
able the passenger airbag in order to
allow usage, if necessary, of a member
of a passenger risk group identified in
TABLE 1 (on page 40) is occupying the
passenger seating position (For details,
see “SRS driver airbag and passenger
airbag” on page 37 in this Section.)
Operate onoff switch as follows:
Insert key into the keyhole and turn it in
the glove box.
To turn passenger airbag on: Turn the key
clockwise to the “ON” position.
To turn passenger airbag off: Turn the key
counterclockwise to the “OFF” position.
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Passenger airbag manual
onoff switch

462003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
The indicator comes on when the passen-
ger airbag system is off.
To check the airbag cutoff system status,
turn the ignition switch to the “ON” posi-
tion. The “AIRBAG” warning light and the
“OFF” indicator light should go on for
approximately 4 seconds. If the airbag
switch is turned off, the “OFF” indicator
will continue to illuminate, and if the air-
bag switch is turned on, the “OFF” indica-
tor will not illuminate.CAUTION
Make sure that the indicator light is
off.
Do not turn off the passenger air-
bag manual onoff switch except
when a member of a passenger risk
group identified in TABLE 1 (on
page 40) is occupying the passen-
ger seating position.
When the passenger airbag manual
onoff switch is turned off, the pas-
senger airbag will not inflate in a
collision and turning off the pas-
senger airbag can reduce the occu-
pant protection which your vehicle
safety systems can provide to you
in certain accidents and increase
the likelihood of serious personal
injuries.
For details, see “SRS driver airbag
and passenger airbag” on page 37 in
this Section.
Toyota strongly urges the use of ap-
propriate child restraint systems for
children.
The laws of all 50 states in the U.S.A.
now require the use of a child restraint
system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAEJ1819.
CAUTION
For effective protection in automo-
bile accidents and sudden stops, a
child must be properly restrained,
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 substitute for a
child restraint system. In an acci-
dent, the child can be crushed
against the windshield, or between
you and the vehicle’s interior.
Toyota strongly urges use of a
proper child restraint system that
conforms to the size of the child.
03 07.07
Child restraint—
—Child restraint precautions

472003 MR2 from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM17511U)
Never install infant or child age 1
to 12 in a passenger risk group on
the passenger seat with the passen-
ger airbag manual onoff switch in
the “ON” position. In the event of
an accident, the force of the rapid
inflation of the passenger airbag
can cause death or serious injury
to the child.
If you must install infant or child
age 1 to 12 in a passenger risk
group on the passenger seat, make
sure the passenger airbag manual
onoff switch is in the “OFF”
position and that the indicator light
is on. (For details, see “SRS driver
airbag and passenger airbag” on
page 37 in this Section.Do not use the seat belt extender
when installing a child restraint
system on the passenger seat. If
installing a child restraint system
with the seat belt extender con-
nected to the seat belt, the seat
belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause
death or serious injury to the child
or other passenger in the event of
collision.
Make sure you have complied with
all installation instructions provided
by the child restraint manufacturer
and that the system is properly se-
cured. If it is not secured properly,
it may cause death or serious injury
to the child in the event of a sud-
den stop or accident.
—Child restraint system
A child restraint system for a small
child or baby must be properly re-
strained on the seat with the lap por-
tion of the lap/shoulder belt. You must
carefully consult the manufacturer ’s in-
structions which accompany the 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. General directions are also
provided under the following illustrations.
When not using the child restraint system,
keep it secured with the seat belt or place
it in somewhere other than the passenger
compartment. This will prevent it from in-
juring passenger in the event of a sudden
stop or accident.
03 07.07