422004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
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 non−tox-
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 non −toxic 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.
432004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
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.
442004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
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 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 (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.
462004 MR2 from Feb. ’04 Prod. (OM17518U)
The indicator comes on when the passen-
ger airbag system is off.
To check the airbag cut−off 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 on off 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
on off 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.
Child restraint—
—Child restraint precautions