2009 TOYOTA MATRIX Owners Manual

65
1
1-7. Safety information
Before driving
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 and front passenger airbag
Can help protect the head and chest of the driver and front pas-
senger from impact with interior components.
Side and curtain shield airbags (if equipped)
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.

66 1-7. Safety information
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 power 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.Front airbag sensors
Front passenger occupant
classification system (ECU
and sensors)
Side and curtain shield air-
bag sensors (if equipped)
Front passenger airbag
Side airbags (if equipped)
Curtain shield airbags (if
equipped)
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR
BAG OFF” indicator lightsSRS warning light
Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch
Airbag sensor assembly
Curtain shield airbag sen-
sors (if equipped)
Driver airbag
Driver’s seat belt buckle
switch
Driver’s seat position sen-
sor

67 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
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.

68 1-7. Safety information
■SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, side and curtain shield airbag sensors (if equipped), curtain shield
airbag sensors (if equipped), 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, interconnect-
ing wiring and power sources. (→P. 353)
■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. 77)

69 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
Side airbags and curtain shield airbags (if equipped)
●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. Depending on the conditions and type of accident, there are
times when the curtain shield airbags may deploy (inflate) in a front
impact.
●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. 77)
■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 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

70 1-7. Safety information
■Types of collisions that may not deploy the SRS side airbags and cur-
tain shield airbags (if equipped)
The SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbag system may not activate if
the vehicle is subjected to a collision from the side at certain angles, or a col-
lision 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 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 rear
●Vehicle rollover

71 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.
●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.
●The pad section of the steering wheel
or dashboard near the front passenger
airbag cover is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.
●Side airbags: The surface of the seats
with the side airbag is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
●Curtain shield airbags: The portion of
the front pillars, rear pillars or roof side
rail garnishes (padding) containing the
curtain shield airbags inside is
scratched, cracked or otherwise dam-
aged.

72 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 the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm)
of inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro-
vides 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.