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.
Toyota recommends you to read the provisions in Sec-
tion 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 may
record 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
57
As far as the seat belt extender on the
front passenger side is concerned, do not
fail to disconnect the extender from the
seat belt after the above operation in or-
der to activate the front passenger airbag
correctly when getting into the vehicle
next time.
When not in use, remove the extender
and store in the vehicle for future use.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
Toyota dealer. Do not use the seat
until the seat belt is fixed, because
it cannot protect an adult occupant
or your child from death or serious
injury.
—Seat belt pretensioners
The driver and front passenger seat belt
pretensioners are designed to be acti-
vated in response to a severe frontal
impact or a vehicle rollover
.
When the sensor detects a severe frontal
impact or a vehicle rollover, the front seat
belts are quickly drawn back by the re-
tractor so that the belts snugly restrain
the occupants.
59
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. Front passenger occupant classification system (ECU and sensors)
4. Front passenger ’s seat belt buckle switch
5. Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
6. 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.
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 as-
semblies, airbag sensor or sur-
rounding area or wiring. Failure to
follow these instructions may pre-
vent the seat belt pretensioners
from activating correctly, cause sud-
den operation of the system or dis-
able the system, which could result
in death or serious injury.
Do not use tires or wheels other
than the manufacturer ’s recom-
mended size. Such a use may cause
the curtain shield airbags and seat
belt pretensioners to inflate acci-
dentally, resulting in death or seri-
ous injury. For details, see “Check-
ing and replacing tires” on page
333.
Do not place luggage heavier than
specified on the roof luggage carri-
er. Such luggage may cause the
curtain shield airbags and seat belt
pretensioners to inflate accidentally,
resulting in death or serious injury.
For details, see “Roof luggage car-
rier” on page 228.
Do not modify or change the sus-
pension system. Such changes may
cause the curtain shield airbags to
inflate accidentally, resulting in
death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious inju-
ries. Consult your Toyota dealer
about any repair and modification.
60
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota 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 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, side and curtain shield airbag sensor
assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor
assemblies, driver ’s seat position sensor,
driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front pas-
senger occupant classification system and
indicator light, front passenger ’s seat belt
buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner as-
semblies, inflators, roll sensing of curtain
shield airbags off indicator light, intercon-
necting wiring and power sources. (For
details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 132.)
61
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.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion or remains on for more than 6
seconds or flashes.
The light comes on or starts flashing
while driving.
If any seat belt does not retract or can
not be pulled out due to a malfunction
or activation of the relevant seat belt
pretensioner.
The seat belt pretensioner assembly or
surrounding area has been damaged.
The SRS warning light will come on and
front passenger occupant classification in-
dicator light will indicate “OFF” if there is
a malfunction in the front passenger occu-
pant classification system.
In the following cases, contact your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible:
The front of the vehicle (shaded in the
illustration) was involved in an accident
that was not severe enough to cause
the seat belt pretensioners to operate.
The seat belt pretensioner assembly or
surrounding area is scratched, cracked,
or otherwise damaged.
13c560
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem) front airbags are designed to pro-
vide further protection for the driver
and front passenger in addition to the
primary safety protection provided by
the seat belts.
Your vehicle is equipped with “ADVANCED
AIRBAGS” designed based on US motor
vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The
airbag system controls airbag deployment
power for the driver and front passenger.
The driver airbag system consists of the
driver seat’s position sensor, etc. The
front passenger ’s airbag system consists
of the front passenger occupant classifica-
tion sensor, etc.
SRS airbags—
—SRS driver airbag and front
passenger airbag
64
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. Front passenger occupant classification indicator light
5. Front passenger occupant classification system (ECU and sensors)
6. Front passenger ’s seat belt buckle switch
7. Driver ’s seat belt buckle switch 8. Driver ’s seat position sensor
9. Airbag sensor assembly
10. 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.
66
I13009C
Toyota strongly recommends that all
infants and children be placed in
the rear seat of the vehicle and be
properly restrained.
Do not hold a child on your lap or
in your arms. Use a child restraint
system in the rear seat. For instruc-
tions concerning the installation of
a child restraint system, see “Child
restraint” on page 83.
Do not put anything or any part of
your body on or in front of the
dashboard or steering wheel pad
that houses the front airbag sys-
tem. They might restrict inflation or
cause death or serious injury as
they are projected rearward by the
force of deploying airbags. Like-
wise, the driver and front passenger
should not hold objects in their
arms or on their knees.
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 or airbag
sensor assembly. Doing so may pre-
vent the front airbag system from
activating correctly, cause sudden
activation of the system or disable
the system, which could result in
death or serious injury.
Do not use seat accessory, such as
a cushion or seat cover, that covers
the front seat, or do not modify or
replace the upholstery of the front
seat. Such accessories or changes
may prevent the front passenger
airbag system from activating cor-
rectly, disable the system or cause
the front passenger airbag to inflate
accidentally, resulting 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.
67
If you wish to modify your vehicle for
a person with a physical disability,
consult your Toyota dealer. It may
dangerously interfere with the SRS
front airbags operation.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota 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 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
The 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, side and curtain shield airbag sensor
assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor
assemblies, driver ’s seat position sensor,
driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front pas-
senger occupant classification system and
indicator light, front passenger ’s seat belt
buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner as-
semblies, inflators, roll sensing of curtain
shield airbags off indicator light, intercon-
necting wiring and power sources. (For
details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 132.)
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.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion or remains on for more than 6
seconds or flashes.
The light comes on or starts flashing
while driving.
The SRS warning light will come on and
front passenger occupant classification in-
dicator light will indicate “OFF” if there is
a malfunction in the front passenger occu-
pant classification system.