2004 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER airbag

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2004 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM48478U)
Important information about your Toyota
Occupant restraint systems
Toyota encourages you and your family to take the time to
read Section 1−3 of this Owner’s Manual carefully. In
terms of helping you understand how you can receive the
maximum benefit of the occupant restraint systems this
vehicle provides, Section 1 −3 of this Owner ’s Manual is
the most important Section for you and your family to
read.
Section 1 −3 describes the function and operation concern-
ing seats, seat belts, SRS airbags and child restraint sys-
tems of this vehicle and some potential hazards you
should be aware of. These systems work together along
with the overall structure of this vehicle in order to provide
occupant restraint in the event of a crash. The effect of
each system can be enhanced when it is used properly
and together with other systems. No single occupant re-
straint system can, by itself, provide you or your family
with the equal level of restraint which these systems can
provide when used together. That is why it is important for
you and your family to understand the purpose and proper
use of each of these systems and how they relate to each
other.
The purpose of all occupant restraint systems is to help
reduce the possibility of death or serious injury in the
event of a collision. None of these systems, either individ-
ually or together, can ensure that there is no injury in the
event of collision. However, the more you know about
these systems and how to use them properly, the greater
your chances become of surviving an accident without
death or serious injury.
Seat belts provide the primary restraint to all occupants of
the vehicle, and every occupant of the vehicle should wear
seat belts properly at all times. Children should always be
secured in child restraint systems that are appropriate for
their age and size. SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
airbags are, as their names imply, designed to work with,
and be supplemental to, seat belts and are not substitutes
for them. SRS airbags can be very effective in reducing
the risk of head and chest injuries by preventing contact of
the head and chest with interior portions of the vehicle.

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In order to be effective, the SRS airbags must deploy with
tremendous speed. The rapid deployment of the SRS air-
bags makes the SRS airbags themselves potential sources
of serious injury if an occupant is too close to an airbag,
or if an object or some part of his or her body has been
placed between the occupant and the airbag at the time of
deployment. This is just one example of how the instruc-
tions in Section 1−3 of this Owner ’s Manual will help en-
sure proper use of the occupant restraint systems, and
increase the safety they can provide to you and your fami-
ly in the event of an accident.
Toyota recommends you to read the provisions in Section
1 −3 carefully and refer to them as needed during your time
of ownership of this vehicle.New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Toyota limited
warranties:
 New vehicle warranty
 Emission control systems warranty
 Others
For further information, please refer to the “Owner’s
Warranty Information Booklet” or “Owner ’s Manual
Supplement”.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner’s responsibility to make sure that the
specified maintenance is performed. Section 6 gives
details of these maintenance requirements. Also included
in Section 6 is general maintenance. For scheduled
maintenance information, please refer to the “Scheduled
Maintenance Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual Supplement”.

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Spark ignition system of your
To y o t a
The spark ignition system in your Toyota meets all require-
ments of the Canadian Interference −Causing Equipment
Standard.
Installation of a mobile twoway radio system
As the installation of a mobile two −way radio system in
your vehicle could affect electronic systems such as multi-
port fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection
system, electronic throttle control system, cruise control
system, anti −lock brake system, traction control system,
vehicle stability control system, SRS airbag system and
seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to check with your
Toyota dealer for precautionary measures or special in-
structions regarding installation.
Tires and loading on your To y o t a
Underinflated or overinflated tire pressure and the
excess load may result in the deterioration of
steering ability and braking ability, leading to an
accident. Check the tire inflation pressure periodi-
cally and be sure to keep the load limits given in
this Owner ’s Manual. For details about tire inflation
pressure and load limits, see pages 377 and 304.

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Scrapping of your Toyota
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your
Toyota contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is
scrapped with the airbags and pretensioners left as they
are, this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to
have the systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt preten-
sioner removed and disposed of by the qualified service
shop or by your Toyota dealer before you dispose of your
vehicle.
Onpavement and offroad
driving tips
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class. Utility ve-
hicles have a significantly higher rollover rate than other
types of vehicles. This vehicle will handle and maneuver
differently from an ordinary passenger car because it is
designed for off −road use also. In addition, this vehicle
has a higher ground clearance and center of gravity than
that of an ordinary passenger car. This vehicle design fea-
ture causes this type of vehicle to be more likely to rol-
lover. Failure to operate this vehicle correctly may result in
loss of control, accidents or vehicle rollover causing death
or serious injury. Be sure to read “Off −road vehicle precau-
tions” on page 282 in Section 2 and “Off −road driving pre-
cautions” on page 312 in Section 3.

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2004 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM48478U)
1. Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Clock
5. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
6. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger and windshield wiper
de− icer switch
7. Air conditioning controls
8. Car audio
9. “AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
10. Snow mode button 11. Seat heater switches
12. Cigarette lighter
13. “TRAC OFF” switch (two −wheel drive models)
14. Cruise control switch
15. Ignition switch
16. Tilt steering lock release lever
17. Tire pressure warning system reset switch

Vehicles with manual air conditioning controls (view B)

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2004 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM48478U)
1. Headlight, turn signal and front fog
light switches
2. Wiper and washer switches
3. Emergency flasher switch
4. Clock
5. Front passenger ’s seat belt reminder light
6. Air conditioning controls and multi −information display
7. Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger and windshield wiper
de− icer switch
8. Car audio
9. “AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
10. Snow mode button
11. Seat heater switches
12. Cigarette lighter
13. “TRAC OFF” switch (two −wheel drive models)
14. Cruise control switch
15. Ignition switch
16. Tilt steering lock release lever
17. Tire pressure warning system reset switch

Vehicles with automatic air conditioning controls (view B)

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2004 HIGHLANDER from Aug. ’03 Prod. (OM48478U)
∗
1: For details, see “Service reminder indicators and warning
buzzers” on page 129 in Section 1 −6.
∗
2: If this light flashes, see “Cruise control” on page 159 in
Section 1 −7.Cruise control indicator light
∗
2
Overdrive −off indicator light
Slip indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
Automatic transmission indicator lights
Snow mode indicator light
Traction control system off indicator light
Headlight high beam indicator light
or Engine oil replacement reminder light
∗
1
(for vehicles sold in U.S.A.)
“AIRBAG ON” indicator light
“AIRBAG OFF” indicator light

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OPERATION OF INSTRUMENTS AND
CONTROLS
Occupant restraint systems
Seats 36
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Front seats 36
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Rear seats 40
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Flattening seatbacks 49
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Seat heaters 52
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Head restraints 53
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Armrests 54
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Seat belts 54
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SRS airbags 66
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Child restraint 85
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SECTION 1 3