2009 TOYOTA RAV4 light

99
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 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 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” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights, front passenger’s seat belt buckle
switch, seat belt pretensioner assemb lies, inflators, interconnecting wiring
and power sources. ( P. 423)
■ 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 windshield may crack.

104 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.

110
1-7. Safety information
Front passenger occupant classification system
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classifica-
tion system. This system detects the conditions of the front passen-
ger seat and activates or deactivates the devices for front passenger.
SRS warning light
Front passenger's seat belt reminder light
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
“AIR BAG ON” indicator light

111
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
Conditions and operation of
the front passenger occupant
classification system
■ Adult*
1
■Child*3 or child restraint system*4
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator lights “AIR BAG
ON”
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger's seat belt reminder light
Flashing*2
Devices Front passenger airbag
Activated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen- ger side
Front passenger's seat belt pretensioner
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator lights “AIR BAG
OFF”*
5
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger's seat belt reminder light Flashing*
2
DevicesFront passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen- ger side Activated
Front passenger's seat belt pretensioner

112 1-7. Safety information
■Unoccupied
■ There is a malfunction in the system
*
1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may rec-
ognize him/her as a child depending on his/her physique and pos-
ture.
*
2: In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.
*
3: When a larger child who has outgrown a child restraint system sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/
her as an adult depending on hi s/her physique or posture.
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator lights Not illumi-
nated
SRS warning light Off
Front passenger's seat belt reminder
light
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen- ger side Activated
Front passenger's seat belt pretensioner Deactivated
Indicator/
warning light “AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indi-
cator lights “AIR BAG
OFF”
SRS warning light On
Front passenger's seat belt reminder light Off
Devices Front passenger airbag
Deactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag in the front passen- ger side Activated
Front passenger's seat belt pretensioner

114 1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant cl assification system precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding front passenger occupant clas-
sification system.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
● Wear the seat belt properly.
● Make sure the front passenger's seat belt tab has not been left inserted
into the buckle before someone sits in the front passenger seat.
● Make sure the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is not illuminated when using
the seat belt extender for the front passenger seat. If the “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator light is illuminated, disconnect the extender tongue from the seat
belt buckle, then reconnect the seat belt. Reconnect the seat belt extender
after making sure the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illuminated. If you
use the seat belt extender while the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illumi-
nated, the front passenger airbag, side airbag on the front passenger side
may not activate correctly, which could cause death or serious injury in the
event of collision.
● Do not apply a heavy load to the front passenger seat or equipment (e.g.
seatback pocket).
● Do not put weight on the front passenger seat by putting your hands or
feet on the front passenger seat seatback from the second seat.
● Do not let a passenger in the second seat lift the front passenger seat with
their feet or press on the seatback with their legs.
● Do not put objects under the front passenger seat.
● Do not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a second
seat. This may cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light to be illuminated,
which indicates that the passenger's airbags will not deploy in the event of
a severe accident. If the seatback touches the second seat, return the
seatback to a position where it does not touch the second seat. Keep the
front passenger seatback as upright as possible when the vehicle is mov-
ing. Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the effectiveness of
the seat belt system.

115
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■
Front passenger occupant cl assification system precautions
● If an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator
light is illuminated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the
passenger to sit up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and
with the seat belt worn correctly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still
remains illuminated, either ask the passenger to move to the second seat,
or if that is not possible, move the front passenger seat fully rearward.
● When it is unavoidable to install the forward-facing child restraint system
on the front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front
passenger seat in the proper order. ( P. 120)
● Do not modify or remove the front seats.
● Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Other-
wise, the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction of the
detection system. In this case, contact your Toyota dealer immediately.
● Child restraint systems installed on the second seat should not contact the
front seatbacks.
● Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers
the seat cushion surface.
● Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.

118 1-7. Safety information
■Selecting an appropriat e child restraint system
● Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child
becomes large enough to properly w ear the vehicle’s seat belt.
● If a child is too large for a child restraint system, sit the child on a rear
seat and use the vehicle's seat belt. ( P. 68)
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child
must be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system
depending on the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is
not a substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be
crushed against the windshield, or between you and the vehicle's interior.
● Toyota strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that con-
forms to the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to acci-
dent statistics, the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat
than in the front seat.
● Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger
seat even if “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illuminated.
In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the front pas-
senger airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child if the rear-fac-
ing child restraint system is installed on the front passenger seat.
● A forward-facing child restraint system may be installed on the front pas-
senger seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that
requires a top tether strap should not be used in the front passenger seat
since there is no top tether strap anchor for the front passenger seat.
Adjust the seatback as upright as possible and always move the seat as
far back as possible even if the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator light is illumi-
nated, because the front passenger airbag could inflate with considerable
speed and force. Otherwise, the child may be killed or seriously injured.