2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER Owners Manual

74 1−7. Safety information
Airbag system components
Front passenger airbag
Curtain shield airbags
Side airbags
Occupant detection system
(ECU and sensors)
Front passenger ’s seat belt
buckle switch
SRS warning light
Curtain shield airbag sen−
sorsSide and curtain shield air−
bag sensors
Driver airbag
Driver ’s seat position sen−
sor
Driver ’s seat belt buckle
switch
AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG
OFF indicator lights
Airbag sensor assembly
Front airbag sensors

75
1−7. Safety information
1
Before driving
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 consists of the driver seat’s position
sensor etc. The front passenger ’s airbag system consists of the front
passenger occupant classification sensor etc.
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 rest rain the motion
of the occupants.
 SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies, curtain shield air−
bag sensor assemblies, driver ’s seat position sensor, driver ’s seat belt
buckle switch, front passenger 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. 332)
 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.

76 1−7. Safety information
 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, even if the seat is unoccupied.
(P. 8 5 )
Operating conditions (side airbags 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. 85)

77
1−7. Safety information
1
Before driving
 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 deploy 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

78 1−7. Safety information
 Types of collisions that may not deploy the SRS airbag
(side airbags and curtain shield airbags)
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system may not activate if the
vehicle is subjected to a collision from the side at certain angles, or a colli−
sion to the side of the vehicle body other than the passenger compartment.
The SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags are not generally designed
to inflate if the vehicle is involved in a frontal or rear collision, if it rolls over,
or if it is involved in a low−speed side collision. Collision from the side to the vehicle
body other than the passenger com−
partment
 Collision from the side at an angle
 Collision from the front
Collision from the rear

Vehicle rollover

79
1−7. Safety information
1
Before driving
 When to contact your Toyota dealer
In the following cases, contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. Do
not disconnect the battery cables before contacting your Toyota dealer.
 Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
 The front of the vehicle is damaged or
deformed, or was involved in an acci−
dent that was not severe enough to
cause the SRS airbags to inflate.
 A portion of a door is damaged or
deformed, or the vehicle was involved
in an accident that was not severe
enough to cause the SRS side airbags
and curtain shield airbags to inflate.
 The pad section of the steering wheel
or dashboard near the front passenger
airbag is scratched, cracked, or other−
wise damaged.
 The surface of the seats with the side
airbag is scratched, cracked or other−
wise damaged.
 The portion of the front pillars, rear pil−
lars or roof side rail garnishes (padding)
containing the curtain shield airbags is
scratched, cracked or otherwise dam−
aged.

80 1−7. Safety information
CAUTION
 SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
 The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
 The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause
death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 2 − 3 in. (50 − 75 mm) of infla−
tion, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) fr
om your driver airbag provides you
with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of
the steering wheel to your breastbone.
If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm)
away now, you can change your driving position in several ways:
Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the
pedals comfortably.
Slightly recline the back of the seat.
Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in.
(250 mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, sim−
ply by reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of
your seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non−slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature.
If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the air−
bag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still
maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the
instrument panel controls.

81
1−7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
 SRS airbag precautions
 The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with considerable force, and
can cause death or serious injury especially if the front passenger is very
close to the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far from the air−
bag as possible with the seatback adjusted, so the front passenger sits
upright.
 Improperly seated and/or restrained
infants and children can be killed or
seriously injured by a deploying airbag. An infant or child who is too small
to use a seat belt should be properly secured using a child restraint sys−
tem. Toyota strongly recommends that all infants and children be placed in
the rear seats of the vehicle and properly restrained. The rear seats are
the safest for infants and children. (
P. 90)
 If the seat belt extender has been con−
nected to the driver ’s seat belt buckle
but the seat belt extender has not also
been fastened to the latch plate of the
driver ’s seat belt, the SRS driver ’s air−
bag system will judge that the driver is
wearing the seat belt even though the
seat belt has not been connected. In
this case, the driver ’s airbag may not
activate correctly in a collision, resulting
in death or serious injury in the event of
collision. Be sure to wear the seat belt
with the seat belt extender.