2008 TOYOTA FJ CRUISER steering

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.

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.

83
1−7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
 SRS airbag precautions
 Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side
airbags inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags.
Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS air−
bag components shown on P. 74.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
 Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air−
bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a
door or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do
so. Wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
 If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel
pad and front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have
them replaced by your Toyota dealer.
 Do not attach anything to or lean any−
thing against areas such as the dash−
board or steering wheel pad.
These items can become projectiles
when SRS driver and front passenger
airbags deploy.
 Do not attach anything to areas such as
the door, windshield glass, side door
glass, front and rear pillars, roof side
rail or assist grip.
 Do not hang coat hangers or other hard
objects on the coat hooks. All of these
items could become projectiles and
seriously injure or kill you, should the
SRS curtain shield airbag deploy.

84 1−7. Safety information
CAUTION
 Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications
without consulting your Toyota dealer.
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing
death or serious injury.
 Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags.

Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel,
instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front and rear pil−
lars or roof side rails.
 Repairs or modifications of the front
fender, front bumper, or side of the
occupant compartment.
Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kan−
garoo bar etc.).
 Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system.
Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two−way radios or CD
players.
 Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability.

106 2−1. Driving procedures
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as
gradually releasing the clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake.
 Driving in the rain
 Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged−up, and the road will be slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
 Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.
 Breaking in your new Toyota
To extend the life of the vehicle, the following precautions are recommended
to observe:
 For the first 200 miles (300 km):
Avoid sudden stops.
For the first 500 miles (800 km):
Do not tow a trailer.
 For the first 1000 miles (1600 km):
Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
Avoid sudden acceleration.
Do not drive continuously in the low gears.
Do not drive at a constant speed for extended periods.
 Drumin disc type parking brake system
Your vehicle has a drum−in−disc type parking brake system. This type of
brake system needs bedding−down of the brake shoes periodically or when−
ever the parking brake shoes and/or drum are replaced. Have your Toyota
dealer perform the bedding down.
 Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. (
P. 364)

107
2−1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
 Normal characteristics after turning off the engine
Approximately five hours after the engine is turned off, you may hear sound
coming from under the vehicle for several minutes. This is the sound of a
fuel evaporation leakage check and, it does not indicate a malfunction.
CAUTION
 When starting the vehicle
Vehicles with an automatic transmission, always keep your foot on the brake
pedal while stopped with the engine running. This prevents the vehicle from
creeping.
 When driving the vehicle
 Do not drive if you are unfamiliar with the location of the brake and accel−
erator pedals to avoid depressing the wrong pedal.
Accidentally depressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake pedal
will result in sudden acceleration that may lead to an accident that could
result in death or serious injury.
 Do not drive the vehicle over or stop the vehicle near flammable materials.
The exhaust system and exhaust gases can be extremely hot. This may
cause a fire if there is any flammable material nearby.
 Vehicles with an automatic transmission, do not let the vehicle roll back−
wards while the shift lever is in a driving position, or roll forward while the
shift lever is in R.
Doing so may cause the engine to stall or lead to poor brake and steering
performance, resulting in an accident or damage to the vehicle.
 If the smell of exhaust is noticed inside the vehicle, open the windows and
check that the back door and glass hatch are closed. Large amounts of
exhaust in the vehicle can cause driver drowsiness and an accident,
resulting in death or a serious health hazard. Have the vehicle inspected
by your Toyota dealer immediately.
 Do not under any circumstances shift the shift lever to P, R or N (automatic
transmission) or R (manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can cause significant damage to the transmission system and
may result in a loss of vehicle control.

108 2−1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
 When driving the vehicle
 Do not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to
an accident.
 Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if
the engine is not running.
 Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (
P. 1 1 8120)
When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
 Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
 Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod−
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.

Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per−
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high−
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high−speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.