2010 TOYOTA PRIUS Owners Manual

113
1
1-8. Safety information
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
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/front passenger airbag 
Can help protect the head and ches t of the driver and front pas-
senger from impact with interior components.
Knee airbag 
Can help provide driver protection.

114 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Side and curtain shield airbags
Side airbag
Can help protect the torso of the front seat occupants.
Curtain shield airbag 
Can help protect primarily the head of front and rear outboard
occupants.

115
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
Airbag system components
Front passenger airbag
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG
OFF” indicator lights
Side airbag
Curtain shield airbag
Occupant detection sensor
Curtain shield airbag sensor
SRS warning light
Driver airbag Side and curtain shield airbag
sensor
Driver’s seat belt buckle
switch
Driver’s seat position sensor
Knee airbag
Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch
Front airbag sensor
Airbag sensor assembly

116 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.Your vehicle is equipped with “ADVANCED AIRBAGS” designed
based on US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The air-
bag system controls airbag deploym
ent power for the driver and front
passenger. The driver airbag system consists of the driver seat’s
position sensor etc. The front pass enger’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 hel p restrain the motion
of the occupants.
■ 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.
● For Safety Connect subscribers, if the SRS airbags deploy or in the event
of a severe rear-end collision, the system is designed to send an emer-
gency call to the response center, notifying them of the vehicle’s location
(without needing to push the “SOS” button) and an agent will attempt to
speak with the occupants to ascertain the level of emergency and assis-
tance required. If the occupants are unable to communicate, the agent
automatically treats the call as an emergency and helps to dispatch the
necessary emergency services. ( P. 395)

117
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
SRS airbag deployment conditions (front airbags)
● The SRS front airbag will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds
the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to a 12 - 18 \
mph
[20 - 30 km/h] frontal collision with a fixed wall 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 airbags will not activate, if there is no passen-
ger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the front passenger air-
bag may deploy if luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is fastened,
even if the seat is unoccupied. ( P. 126)
■ SRS airbag deployment conditions (side and curtain shield airbags)
The SRS side and curtain shield airbags will deploy in the event of an impact
that exceeds the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to the
impact force produced by a 3300 lb. [1500 kg] vehicle colliding with the vehi-
cle cabin from a direction perpendicular to the vehicle orientation at a speed
of 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30 km/h]).

118 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■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 de ploy 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.
● 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

119
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■
Types of collisions that may not deploy the SRS airbag 
(side and curtain shield airbags)
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 generally not 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.
●Collision from the side to the vehicle
body other than the passenger com-
partment
● Collision from the side at an angle
●Collision from the front
● Collision from the rear
● Vehicle rollover

120 1-8. Safety information
PRIUS_U (OM47668U) U.S.A.
■When to contact your Toyota dealer
In the following cases, contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. Do
not disconnect the 12 volt 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 the vehicle was involved
in an accident that was not severe
enough to cause the SRS airbags to
inflate.
● A portion of the doors 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,
dashboard near the front passenger air-
bag or lower portion of the instrument
panel 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, center and rear
pillars or roof side rail garnishes (pad-
ding) containing the curtain shield air-
bags inside is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.