2005 Scion tC Owner's Manual - Page 11

SAFETY AND EMERGENCY FEATURES •The driver and front passenger airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) is designed only as a supplement to the primary protection of the seat belt systems of the driver and front passenger. The front seat occupants are particularly susceptible to injury if they do not wear their seat belts; when sudden braking or a collision occurs, they may be thrown forward. To obtain maximum protection in an accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle should always wear their seat belts when driving because serious injuries or death can result to unrestrained occupants. For instructions and precautions concerning the seat belt system, see "Seat belts" in the Owner's Manual. •Scion strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system on the rear seat that conforms to the size of the child. According to accident statistics, a child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat. •Never use a rear-facing child restraint system in the front seat. The force of the rapid inflation of the passenger airbag can cause severe injury or death to a child. •Unless it is unavoidable, do not install a forwardfacing child restraint system on the front seat. If you must install a forward-facing child restraint system on the front seat, move the seat as far back as possible. •Make sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided by the child restraint manufacturer and the system is properly secured. •The SRS side and side curtain airbags (optional) are designed to deploy in certain types of severe side impact collisions. In all other collisions, the side and side curtain airbags will not deploy. For instructions and precautions, see your Owner's Manual. •Do not lean against the side doors when the vehicle is in use. The side and side curtain airbags inflate with considerable speed and force. Death or serious injury could result. •Do not modify, cover or replace the surface of the front seats. Such changes could disable the system or prevent the airbags from activating correctly, resulting in death or serious injury. 16