Page 124 of 772
124 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
While driving
Observe the following precautions.
Failing to do so may result in loss of control of the vehicle and cause an acci-
dent, resulting in death or serious injury.
Do not adjust the mirrors.
Do not drive with the mirrors folded back.
Both the driver and passenger side mirrors must be extended and properly
adjusted before driving.
When a mirror is moving
To avoid injury and mirror malfunction, be careful not to get your hand
caught by the moving mirror.
When the mirror defoggers are operating
Do not touch the rear view mirror surfaces, as they can become very hot and
burn you.
NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror
Do not operate the control or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray de-icer to
free the mirror.
Page 154 of 772
154
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
1-7. Safety information
Correct driving posture
Drive with a good posture as follows:
Sit upright and well back in
the seat. (P. 9 8 )
Adjust the position of the
seat forward or backward to
ensure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed to the extent
required. (P. 98)
Adjust the seatback so that
the controls are easily oper-
able.
Adjust the tilt and telescopic
positions of the steering
wheel downward so the air-
bag is facing your chest.
(P. 116)
Lock the head restraint in
place with the center of the
head restraint closest to the
top of your ears. (P. 106)
Wear the seat belt correctly.
(P. 108)
Page 158 of 772

158 1-7. Safety information
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)The 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.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator)
as well as the front seats, front pillar and roof side rail, may be hot for
several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
The windshield may crack.
Operating 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 an approxi-
mately 20 - 30 km/h [12 - 18 mph] 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.
Page 162 of 772
162 1-7. Safety information
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
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
pillar garnish, or roof interior containing
the curtain shield airbags inside is
scratched, cracked or otherwise dam-
aged.
Page 163 of 772

163 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
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.
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.
Page 165 of 772
165 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
SRS airbag precautions
Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, center and rear pil-
lars.
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.
Page 167 of 772

167 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
CAUTION
SRS airbag precautions
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.
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.
Page 197 of 772

197 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
AVENSIS_EE (OM20B44E)
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.
The parking brake will automatically release. (P. 237)
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.
Engine speed while driving (vehicles with Multidrive or automatic
transmission)
In the following conditions, the engine speed may become high while driving.
This is due to automatic up-shifting control or down-shifting implementation
to meet driving conditions. It does not indicate sudden acceleration.
The vehicle is judged to be driving uphill or downhill
When the accelerator pedal is released
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3