2012 TOYOTA VERSO steering

135 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
VERSO_WE_OM64524EThe main SRS airbag system components are shown. The SRS air-
bag 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.
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.
Vehicles without SRS curtain shield airbags: Parts of the airbag module
(steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as well as the front seats
may be hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
Vehicles with SRS curtain shield airbags: Parts of the airbag module
(steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as well as the front seats,
parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof side rails, may be hot for sev-
eral minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
The windshield may crack.

139 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
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When to contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another
duly qualified and equipped professional
In the following cases, contact any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or
another duly qualified and equipped professional, as soon as possible.
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.
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 (if equipped)
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.
Vehicles with SRS curtain shield air-
bags: The portion of the front, center
and rear pillar garnish, or roof side rail
garnishes containing the curtain shield
airbags inside is scratched, cracked or
otherwise damaged.

140 1-7. Safety information
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CAUTION
SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS 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.
Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 50 - 75 mm (2 - 3 in.)
of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10 in.) 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 250
mm (10 in.) 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 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply
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 above, while still maintaining
control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.

142 1-7. Safety information
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CAUTION
SRS airbag precautions
Vehicles without SRS curtain shield air-
bags: Do not lean against the front
door.
Vehicles with SRS curtain shield air-
bags: Do not lean against the door, the
roof side rail or the front, center and
rear pillars.
Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seats toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.
Do not attach anything to or lean any-
thing against areas such as the dash-
board, steering wheel pad or lower
portion of the instrument panel.
These items can become projectiles
when SRS driver, front passenger and
knee airbags deploy.

144 1-7. Safety information
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CAUTION
SRS airbag precautions
Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
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.
Vehicles without SRS 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 any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer,
or another duly qualified and equipped professional.
Vehicles with SRS curtain shield airbags: If the areas where the SRS
airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and front and rear pillar
garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by any
authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly qualified and
equipped professional.
Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications
without consulting any authorized Toyota dealer or repairer, or another duly
qualified and equipped professional.
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing
death or serious injury.
Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags.
Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel,
instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, center and
rear pillars or roof side rail.
Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the
occupant compartment.
Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kan-
garoo bar etc.).
Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system.
Installation of electronic devices such as RF-transmitter radios or CD play-
ers.

174 2-1. Driving procedures
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Starting on a steep uphill
Multidrive or automatic transmission
Firmly set the parking brake and shift the shift lever to “D” or
“M”.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
Manual transmission
With the parking brake set and the clutch pedal fully
depressed, shift the shift lever to “1”.
Lightly depress the accelerator pedal at the same time as
gradually releasing the clutch pedal.
Release the parking brake. (P. 214)
Hill-Start Assist Control (vehicles with VSC+)
The hill-start assist control allows you to smoothly start off the vehicle on a
steep or slippery uphill incline. (P. 273)
Driving in the rain
Drive carefully when it is raining, because visibility will be reduced, the
windows may become fogged-up, and the road will be slippery.
Drive carefully when it starts to rain, because the road surface will be
especially slippery.
Refrain from high speeds when driving on an expressway in the rain,
because there may be a layer of water between the tires and the road
surface, preventing the steering and brakes from operating properly.

178 2-1. Driving procedures
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CAUTION
When driving the vehicle
On vehicles with a Multidrive or an automatic transmission, do not shift the
shift lever to “P” while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Do not shift the shift lever to “R” while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Do not shift the shift lever to “D” (Multidrive or automatic transmission) or
“1” (manual transmission) while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
Moving the shift lever to “N” while the vehicle is moving will disengage the
engine from the transmission. Engine braking is not available when “N” is
selected.
During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
However, in the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible
to stop the vehicle in the normal way: P. 538
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. (P. 196, 202, 209)
When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.

179 2-1. Driving procedures
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When driving
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CAUTION
When driving the vehicle
Always check that all passengers’ arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
When driving on slippery road surfaces
Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.
After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
When shifting the shift lever (vehicles with a Multidrive or an automatic
transmission)
Be careful not to shift the shift lever with the accelerator pedal depressed.
This may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of the vehicle that may
cause an accident and result in death or serious injury.
When the vehicle is stopped
Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any shift positions other than “P” (Multidrive or automatic
transmission) or “N”, the vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpect-
edly, and may cause an accident.
Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
Vehicles with a Multidrive or an automatic transmission: In order to prevent
accidents due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the
brake pedal while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as
necessary.
If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.