2008 TOYOTA PRIUS steering wheel

61
1-4. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Seat adjustment
Do not recline the seat more than necessary when the vehicle is in motion to
reduce the risk of sliding under the lap belt. If the seat is too reclined, the lap
belt may slide past the hips and apply restraint forces directly to the abdo-
men or your neck may contact the shoulder belt, increasing the risk of death
or serious injury in the event of an accident.
■ After returning the seatback to the upright position
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so may result in death or
serious injury.
Check that the seat belts are not twisted or caught under the seat.

62
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Head restraints
■Adjusting the height of the head restraints
■ Adjusting the center rear seat head restraint
Always raise the head restraint one level from the stowed position when
using.
■ Vertical adjustment
Vertical adjustment
Push and hold the lock release
button when lowering the head
restraint.
Removal
Grip head restraint and remove
while holding the lock release
button.
Lock
release
button
Make sure that the head restraints are
adjusted so that the center of the head
restraint is closest to the top of your ears.

63
1-4. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
■Head restraint precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the head restraints. Failure to
do so may result in death or serious injury.
● Use the head restraints designed for each respective seat.
● Adjust the head restraints to the correct position at all times.
● Do not drive with the head restraints removed.

64
1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Seat belts
Make sure that all occupants are wearing their seat belts before driv-
ing the vehicle.
■Correct use of the seat belts
●Extend the shoulder belt so
that it comes fully over the
shoulder, but does not
come into contact with the
neck or slide off the shoul-
der.
● Position the lap belt as low
as possible over the hips.
● Adjust the position of the
seatback. Sit up straight
and well back in the seat.
● Do not twist the seat belt.
■ Fastening and releasing the seat belt
Fastening the belt
Push the tab into the buckle
until a clicking sound is heard.
Releasing the belt
Press the release button.
Release
button

65
1-4. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
Seat belt pretensioners (front seats)
The pretensioner helps the seat
belt to quickly restrain the occu-
pant by retracting the seat belt
when the vehicle is subjected to
certain types of severe frontal
collision.
The pretensioner may not acti-
vate in the event of a minor frontal
impact, a side impact or a rear
impact.
■Adjusting the height of the belt (front seats)
Down
Up
Move the height adjuster up
and down as needed until you
hear a click.

66 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■Emergency locking retractor (ELR)
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on impact. It may also
lock if you lean forward too quickly. A slow, easy motion will allow the belt to
extend, and you can move around fully.
■ Automatic locking retractor (ALR)
When a passenger’s shoulder belt is completely extended and then
retracted even slightly, the belt is locked in that position and cannot be
extended. This feature is used to hold the child restraint system (CRS) firmly.
To free the belt again, fully retract the belt and then pull the belt out once
more. ( P. 110)
■ Pregnant women
Obtain medical advice and wear the seat
belt in the proper way. ( P. 64)
Women who are pregnant should position
the lap belt as low as possible over the
hips in the same manner as other occu-
pants. Extend the shoulder belt com-
pletely over the shoulder and position the
belt across the chest. Avoid belt contact
over the rounding of the abdominal area.
If the seat belt is not worn properly, not
only a pregnant woman, but also the fetus
could suffer death or serious injury as a
result of sudden braking or a collision.

67
1-4. Adjustable components (s
eats, mirrors, steering wheel)
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
■People suffering illness
Obtain medical advice and wear the seat belt in the proper way. ( P. 64)
■ Child seat belt usage
The seat belts of your vehicle were principally designed for persons of adult
size.
● Use a child restraint system appropriately for the child, until the child
become large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt. ( P. 107)
● When the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s
seat belt, follow the instructions on P. 64 regarding seat belt usage.
■ Replacing the belt after the pretensioner has been activated
If the vehicle is involved in multiple collisions, the pretensioner will active for
the first collision, but will not active for the second or subsequent collisions.
■ Seat belt extender
If your seat belts cannot be fastened
securely because they are not long
enough, a personalized seat belt
extender is available from your Toyota
dealer free of charge.

68 1-4. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
PRIUS_U_(L/O_0802)
CAUTION
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of injury in the event of
sudden braking or an accident. Failing to do so may cause death or serious
injury.
■Wearing a seat belt
● Ensure that all passengers wear a seat belt.
● Always wear a seat belt properly.
● Each seat belt should be used by one person only. Do not use a seat belt
for more than one person at the same time, including children.
● Children should be seated in the rear seat and always use a seat belt and/
or an appropriate child restraint system.
● Do not recline the seat any more than necessary to achieve a proper seat-
ing position. The seat belt is most effective when the occupants are sitting
up straight and well back in the seats.
● Do not wear the shoulder belt under your arm.
● Always wear your seat belt low and snug across your hips.
■ Seat belt damage and wear
● Do not damage the seat belts by allowing the belt, plate or buckle to be
jammed in the door.
● Inspect the seat belt system periodically. Check for cuts, fraying, and loose
parts. Do not use a damaged seat belt until it is replaced. Damaged seat
belts cannot protect an occupant from injury.
● Ensure that the belt and tab are locked and the belt is not twisted. If the
seat belt does not function correctly, immediately contact your Toyota
dealer.
● Replace the seat assembly, including the belts, if your vehicle has been
involved in a serious accident, even if there is no obvious damage.
● Do not attempt to install, remove, modify, disassemble or dispose of a seat
belt. Have any necessary repairs carried out by your Toyota dealer. Inap-
propriate handling of the pretensioner may cause it to activate or operate
improperly and may cause death or serious injury.