Page 40 of 588

401-1. For safe use
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag
sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on infor-
mation obtained from the sensors et c. shown in the system compo-
nents diagram above. This informat ion includes crash severity and
occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical reaction in
the inflators quickly fills the airbag s with non-toxic gas to help restrain
the motion of the occupants.
WARNING
■ 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.
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 ped- als 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, 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 by NHTSA above, while
still maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view
of the instrument panel controls.
Page 45 of 588

451-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Slight abrasions, burns, bruising etc., may be sustained from SRS airbags,
due to the extremely high speed deployment (inflation) by hot gases.
● 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, parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof side rails,
may be hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
● The windshield may crack.
■ SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS front airbags)
●The SRS front airbags will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds the
set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to an approximately 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 in the following
situations:
• If the vehicle strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole,
which can move or deform on impact
• If the vehicle is involved in an underride collision, such as a collision in
which the front of the vehicle “underrides”, or goes under, the bed of a
truck
● Depending on the type of collision, it is possible that only the seat belt pre-
tensioners will activate.
● The SRS front airbags for the front pass enger will not activate if there is no
passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the SRS front air-
bags for the front passenger may deploy if luggage is put in the seat, even if
the seat is unoccupied.
Page 50 of 588
501-1. For safe use
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
SRS warning light
“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light
“AIR BAG ON” indicator light
Seat belt reminder light
Front passenger occupant classification
system
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classi-
fication system. This system detects the conditions of the front
passenger seat and activates or deactivates the devices for the
front passenger.
1
2
3
4
Page 51 of 588
511-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
Adult*1
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant classi-
fication system
Indicator/
warning light
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“AIR BAG ON”
SRS warning lightOff
Seat belt reminder light
Off*2
or
flashing
*3
Devices
Front passenger airbag
Activated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Curtain shield airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger knee airbag
Seat cushion airbag in the front passenger sideActivated*2
or
deactivated
*3
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensionerActivated
Page 52 of 588

521-1. For safe use
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
Child*4
■Child restraint system with infant*5
Indicator/
warning light
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”
indicator lights“AIR BAG OFF” or
“AIR BAG ON”
*4
SRS warning lightOff
Seat belt reminder lightOff*2 or
flashing
*3
Devices
Front passenger airbagDeactivated or activated
*4
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
ActivatedCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger knee airbagDeactivated or activated
*4
Seat cushion airbag in the front passenger sideDeactivated or activated
*2, 4
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensionerActivated
Indicator/
warning light
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“AIR BAG OFF”
*6
SRS warning lightOff
Seat belt reminder light
Off*2
or
flashing
*3
Devices
Front passenger airbagDeactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
ActivatedCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger knee airbag
DeactivatedSeat cushion airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensionerActivated
Page 53 of 588
531-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)■
Unoccupied
■There is a malfunction in the system
Indicator/
warning light
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“AIR BAG OFF”
SRS warning light
Off
Seat belt reminder light
Devices
Front passenger airbagDeactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
ActivatedCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger knee airbag
DeactivatedSeat cushion airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensionerActivated
Indicator/
warning light
“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights“AIR BAG OFF”
SRS warning light
On
Seat belt reminder light
Devices
Front passenger airbagDeactivated
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
ActivatedCurtain shield airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger knee airbag
DeactivatedSeat cushion airbag in the front passenger side
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensionerActivated
Page 54 of 588

541-1. For safe use
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
*1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smalleradult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may not recognize him/
her as an adult depending on his/her physique and posture.
*2: In the event the front passenger is wearing a seat belt.
*3: In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.
*4: For some children, child in seat, child in booster seat or child in convertibleseat, the system may not recognize him/her as a child. Factors which may
affect this can be the physique or posture.
*5: Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passengerseat. A forward-facing child restraint system should only be installed on the
front passenger seat when it is unavoidable. ( P. 57)
*6: In case the indicator light is not illuminated, consult this manual on how to
install the child restraint system properly. ( P. 61)
WARNING
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the front passenger occupant
classification system.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●Wear the seat belt properly.
● Make sure the front passenger’s seat belt plate 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, and 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 SRS airbags for the passenger may not activate correctly,
which could cause death or serious injury in the event of a 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 rear passenger seat.
● Do not let a rear passenger 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.
Page 55 of 588

551-1. For safe use
1
For safety and security
PRIUS c_U (OM52F96U)
WARNING
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●Do not recline the front passenger seatback so far that it touches a rear
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 rear seat, return the seat-
back to a position where it does not touch the rear seat. Keep the front
passenger seatback as upright as possible when the vehicle is moving.
Reclining the seatback excessively may lessen the effectiveness of the
seat belt system.
● 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 rear seat, or
if that is not possible, move the front passenger seat fully rearward.
● When it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint system on
the front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front pas-
senger seat in the proper order. ( P. 61)
● 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 rear seat should not contact the
front seatbacks.
● Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion and seat cover, that cov-
ers the seat cushion surface.
● Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat.