2008 TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK Owners Manual

81
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
n
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.
n 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.
l Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or
hard surface
l Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
l Landing hard or vehicle falling
lCollision from the side
l Collision from the rear
l Vehicle rollover

82 1-7. Safety information
nTypes of collisions that may not deploy the SRS airbag
(side airbags and curtain shield airbags [if equipped])
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.
lCollision from the side to the vehicle
body other than the passenger com-
partment
l Collision from the side at an angle
lCollision from the front
l Collision from the rear
l Vehicle rollover

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1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
n
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.
lAny of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
lThe 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.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: 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.
l The pad section of the steering wheel
or dashboard near the front passenger
airbag is scratched, cracked, or other-
wise damaged.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: The surface of the seats
with the side airbag is scratched,
cracked or otherwise damaged.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: The portion of the front
pillars, rear pillars or roof side rail gar-
nishes (padding) containing the curtain
shield airbags inside is scratched,
cracked or otherwise damaged.

84 1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
lThe 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.
l 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 thepedals 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.

85
1-7. Safety information
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Before driving
CAUTION
n
SRS airbag precautions
lThe 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.
l 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. 94)
lIf 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.

86 1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
lDo not sit on the edge of the seat or
lean against the dashboard.
l Do not allow a child to sit on the knees
of a front passenger while the vehicle is
moving.
l Do not drive the vehicle while the driver
or passenger has items resting on their
knees.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: Do not lean against the
door, the roof side rail or the front, side
and rear pillars.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: Do not allow anyone to
kneel on the passenger seat toward the
door or put their head or hands outside
the vehicle.

87
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
n
SRS airbag precautions
lVehicles with side airbags: Do not use seat accessories which cover the
parts where the SRS side airbags inflate as they may interfere with infla-
tion of the airbags.
l Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS air-
bag components shown on P. 78.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
l Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
l 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.
l Vehicles with curtain shield airbags: If the areas where the SRS airbags
are stored, such as the steering w heel pad and front and rear pillar gar-
nishes, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by your Toyota
dealer.
l Vehicles without curtain shield airbags: If the areas where the SRS airbags
are stored, such as the steering wheel pad are damaged or cracked, have
them replaced by your Toyota dealer.
lDo 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.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: 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.

88 1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nModification 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.
l Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags.
l Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel,
instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear
pillars or roof side rail.
l Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the
occupant compartment.
l Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kan-
garoo bar etc.).
l Modifications to the vehicle's suspension system.
l Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD
players.
l Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability.