2008 TOYOTA CAMRY Owners Manual

81
1
1-6. Theft deterrent system
Before driving
Theft prevention labels (for U.S.A.)
These labels are attached to
the vehicle to reduce vehicle
theft by facilitating the tracing
and recovery of parts from sto-
len vehicles. Do not remove
under penalty of law.

82
1-7. Safety information
Correct driving posture
Drive in a good posture as follows:
Sit upright and well back in
the seat. (P. 4 9 )
Adjust the position of the
seat forward or backward to
ensure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed to the extent
required. ( P. 49)
Adjust the seatback so that
the controls are easily oper-
able.
Adjust the tilt and telescopic
positions of the steering
wheel downward so the air-
bag is facing your chest.
(  P. 63)
Lock the head restraint in
place with the center of the
head restraint closest to the
top of your ears. ( P. 53)
Wear the seat belt correctly.
(  P. 55)

83
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■
While driving
●Do not adjust the position of the driver's seat while driving.
Doing so could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
● Do not place a cushion between the driver or passenger and the seatback.
A cushion may prevent correct posture from being achieved, and reduce
the effectiveness of the seat belt and head restraint, increasing the risk of
death or serious injury to the driver or passenger.
● Do not place anything under the front seats.
Objects placed under the front seats may become jammed in the seat
tracks and stop the seat from locking in place. This may lead to an acci-
dent. The adjustment mechanism may also be damaged.
■ Adjusting the seat position
●Take care when adjusting the seat position to ensure that other passen-
gers are not injured by the moving seat.
● Do not put your hands under the seat or near the moving parts to avoid
injury.
Fingers or hands may become jammed in the seat mechanism.

84
1-7. Safety information
SRS airbags
The SRS airbags inflate when the vehicle is subjected to certain
types of severe impacts that may cause significant injury to the
occupants. They work together with the seat belts to help reduce the
risk of death or serious injury.
Front airbags
Driver airbag/front passenger airbag
Can help protect the head and ches t of the driver and front pas-
senger from impact with interior components.
Driver knee airbag
Can help protect the knees of the driver.
Side and curtain shield airbags
Side airbags
Can help protect the torso of the front seat occupants.
Curtain shield airbags
Can help protect primarily the head of occupants in the outer
seats.

85
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
Airbag system components
Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag sys-
tem controls airbag deployment po wer for the driver and front pas-
senger. The driver airbag system cons ists of the driver seat's position
sensor etc. The front passenger's ai rbag system consists of the front
passenger occupant classification sensor etc. Front airbag sensors
Occupant detection system
(ECU and sensors)
Side and curtain shield air-
bag sensors
Front passenger airbag
Side airbags
Curtain shield airbags
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR
BAG OFF” indicator lights
SRS warning light
Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch
Airbag sensor assembly
Curtain shield airbag sen-
sors
Driver airbag
Driver’s seat position sen-
sor (with power seat)
Driver’s seat belt buckle
switch
Driver’s seat position sen-
sor (with manual seat)
Knee airbag

86 1-7. Safety information
The main SRS airbag system components are shown above. The
SRS airbag system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The
airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and an airbag
sensor.
In certain types of severe frontal or side impacts, the SRS airbag sys-
tem triggers the airbag inflators. A chemical reaction in the inflators
quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the motion
of the occupants.

87
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
■
SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, side and curtain shield airbag sensors, curtain shield airbag sen-
sors, driver's seat position sensor, driver's seat belt buckle switch, front pas-
senger occupant classification system, “AIR BAG ON” indicator light, “AIR
BAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger's seat belt buckle switch, seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. ( P. 382)
■ If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying
(inflating) SRS airbag.
● A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
● Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator)
as well as the front seats, and parts of the front and rear pillars and roof
side rail, may be hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be
hot.
● The front windshield may crack.
■ Operating conditions (front airbags)
●The SRS front airbags will deploy if the severity of the frontal impact is
above the designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate 15
mph (25 km/h) collision when the vehicle impacts straight into a fixed bar-
rier 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
vehicle is very close to the designed threshold level, the SRS front air-
bags and the seat belt pretensioners may not activate together.
● The SRS front passenger airbag will not activate if there is no passenger
sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the front passenger airbag
may deploy if luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is fastened, even
if the seat is unoccupied. ( P. 9 6 )

88 1-7. Safety information
■Operating conditions (side airb ags and curtain shield airbags)
● The SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags are designed to inflate
when the passenger compartment is subjected to a severe impact from
the side.
● The SRS side airbag on the passenger seat will not activate if there is no
passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the side airbag
on the passenger seat may deploy if luggage is put in the seat, even if
the seat is unoccupied. ( P. 96)
■ Conditions under which the SRS airbags may deploy (inflate), other
than a collision
The SRS front airbags may also deploy if a serious impact occurs to the
underside of your vehicle. Some examples are shown in the illustration.
■ Types of collisions that may not depl oy the SRS airbag (front airbags)
The SRS front airbags are generally not designed to inflate if the vehicle is
involved in a side or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is involved in a low-
speed frontal collision. But, whenever a collision of any type causes suffi-
cient forward deceleration of the vehicle, deployment of the SRS front air-
bags may occur.
● Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or
hard surface
● Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
● Landing hard or vehicle falling
●Collision from the side
● Collision from the rear
● Vehicle rollover