iv
In order to be effective, the SRS airbags must deploy
with tremendous speed. The rapid deployment of the
SRS airbags makes the SRS airbags themselves poten-
tial 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 exam-
ple of how the instructions in Section 1−3 of this Own-
er ’s Manual will help ensure proper use of the occupant
restraint systems, and increase the safety they can pro-
vide to you and your family in the event of an accident.
Scion 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.Event data recorder
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control
certain aspects of your vehicle. These computers assist
in driving and maintaining optimal vehicle performance.
Besides storing data useful for troubleshooting, there is
a system to record data in a crash or a near car crash
event. This is called an Event Data Recorder (EDR).
The SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In
a crash or a near car crash event, this device records
some or all of the following information:
Engine speed
Whether the brake pedal was applied or not
Vehicle speed
To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
Position of the transmission selector lever
Whether the driver and front passenger wore the
seat belts or not
Driver ’s seat position
Front passenger ’s occupant classification
36
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure
the tab and buckle are locked and
that the lap and shoulder portions
of the belt and the seat belt extend-
er 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, immediately contact your
Scion dealer. Do not use the seat
until the seat belt is fixed, because
it cannot protect an adult occupant
or your child from injury.
—Seat belt pretensioners
Both front seats are equipped with seat
belt pretensioners and are designed to
be activated in response to a severe
frontal impact.
When the sensor detects a severe frontal
impact, the front seat belts are quickly
drawn back by the retractors so that the
belts snugly restrain the occupants.
The seat belt pretensioners are activated
even with no passenger in the front seat.
The seat belt pretensioners and SRS air-
bags may not operate together in all colli-
sions.The seat belt pretensioner system con-
sists mainly of the following components,
and their locations are shown in the il-
lustration.1. Front airbag sensors
2. SRS warning light
3. Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
4. Airbag sensor assembly
The seat belt pretensioners are controlled
by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a safing sen-
sor and airbag sensor.
37
When the seat belt pretensioners are acti-
vated, an operating noise may be heard
and a small amount of non−toxic gas may
be released. This does not indicate that
a fire is occurring. This gas is normally
harmless.
Once the seat belt pretensioners have
been activated, the seat belt retractors
remain locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open
the seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
airbag sensor or surrounding area or
wiring. Failure to follow these instruc-
tions may prevent the seat belt pre-
tensioners from activating correctly,
cause sudden operation of the system
or disable the system, which could
result in death or serious injury. Con-
sult your Scion dealer about any re-
pair and modification.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Scion dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
seat belt pretensioners in some
cases.
Installation of electronic devices
such as a mobile two way radio,
cassette tape player or compact
disc player
Repairs on or near the front seat
belt retractor assemblies
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 or con-
sole
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 seat belt pretensioners are
operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, driver ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s
seat belt buckle switch, passenger ’s seat
belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring and power sources. (For
details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 77.)
41
13B042a
The SRS front airbag system consists
mainly of the following components, and
their locations are shown in the illustra-
tion.
1. Front airbag sensors
2. SRS warning light
3. Airbag module for front passenger (airbag and inflator)
4. Driver ’s seat belt buckle switch
5. Passenger ’s seat belt buckle switch
6. Driver ’s seat position sensor
7. Airbag sensor assembly
8. Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator) The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.
The front airbag sensors constantly moni-
tor the forward deceleration of the vehicle.
If an impact results in a forward decelera-
tion beyond the designed threshold level,
the system triggers the airbag inflators. At
this time a chemical reaction in the inflat-
ors very quickly fills the airbags with non
−
toxic gas to help restrain the forward mo-
tion of the occupants. The front 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.
44
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 front passenger airbag,
front passenger airbag cover, front
passenger airbag or airbag sensor
assembly. Doing so may prevent the
front airbag system from activating
correctly, cause sudden activation
of the system or disable the sys-
tem, which could result in death or
serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious injury.
Consult your Scion dealer about any
repair and modification.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Scion dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
SRS front 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 front
passenger airbag
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 front airbags are oper-
ating properly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, driver ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s
seat belt buckle switch, passenger ’s seat
belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring and power sources. (For
details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 77.)
79
(a) Brake System Warning Light
This light comes on in the following cases
when the ignition key is in the “ON” posi-
tion.
When the parking brake is applied...
This light comes on for a few seconds
when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position even after the parking brake
is released.
When the brake fluid level is low...
CAUTION
It is dangerous to continue driving
normally when the brake fluid level is
low.
Have your vehicle checked at your
Scion dealer in the following cases:
The light does not come on even if the
parking brake is applied when the igni-
tion key is in the “ON” position.
The light does not come on even if the
ignition key is turned on with the park-
ing brake released.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If either of the following conditions
occurs, immediately stop your vehicle
at a safe place and contact your
Scion dealer.
The light does not turn off even
after the parking brake is released
while the engine is running.
In this case, the brakes may not
work properly and your stopping
distance will increase. Depress the
brake pedal firmly and bring the ve-
hicle to an immediate stop.
The brake system warning light re-
mains on together with the “ABS”
warning light.
In this case, not only the anti lock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely un-
stable during braking.
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to
buckle up the driver’s seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” or “START” position, the reminder
light and buzzer come on if the driver’s
seat belt is not fastened. Unless the driv-
er fastens the belt, the light continues
flashing and 5 beeps sound.
(c) Front Passenger ’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
The light acts as a reminder to have the
front passenger buckle up the seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” or “START” position, the reminder
light comes on if a passenger sits in the
front passenger seat and does not fasten
the seat belt. Unless the front passenger
fastens the belt, the light continues flash-
ing.
If luggage or other load is placed on the
front passenger seat, depending on its
weight and how it is placed on the seat,
built −in sensors in the seat cushion may
detect the pressure, causing the reminder
light to flash.
82
(i) “ABS” Warning Light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti−
lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if the
systems malfunction, the light comes on
again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system, the brake assist
system, the traction control system and
the vehicle stability control system do not
operate, but the brake system still oper-
ates conventionally.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti −lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels could lock up during
a sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the components moni-
tored by the warning light system.
Contact your Scion dealer as soon as
possible to service the vehicle.When the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position, the light does not come
on or remains on.
The light comes on while you are driv-
ing.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warn-
ing light, immediately stop your ve-
hicle at a safe place and contact your
Scion dealer.
In this case, not only the anti lock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unsta-
ble during braking.
(j) Open Door Warning Light
This light remains on until all the side
doors and back door are completely
closed. (k) SRS Warning Light
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 front airbags and seat
belt pretensioners are operating proper-
ly.
This warning light system monitors the
airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sen-
sors, driver ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s
seat belt buckle switch, passenger ’s seat
belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, inter-
connecting wiring and power sources.
If any of the following conditions occurs,
this indicates a malfunction of the airbags
or seat belt pretensioners. Contact your
Scion dealer as soon as possible.
When the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position, the light does not come
on or remains on for more than about
6 seconds or flashes.
The light comes on or starts flashing
while you are driving.