2003 Toyota 4Runner Owners Manual - Page 428

'03 4Runner_U (L/O 0211) The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensor. In a severe side impact, the side and curtain shield airbag sensor and/or the curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the side airbag and curtain shield airbag inflators and/or the curtain shield airbag inflators. At this time a chemical reaction in the inflators quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the lateral motion of the occupants. When the airbags inflate, they produce a fairly loud noise and release some smoke and residue along with non-toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. This gas is normally harmless; however, for those who have delicate skin, it may cause a minor skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent any potential skin irritation. Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a second, so the airbags must inflate with considerable force. While the system is designed to reduce serious injuries, it may also cause minor burns or abrasions and swelling. Front seats as well as parts of the front pillar, and roof side may be hot for several minutes, but the airbags themselves will not be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate only once. D Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and children can be killed or seriously injured by a deploying airbag. An infant or child who is too small to use a seat belt should be properly secured using a child restraint system. Toyota strongly recommends that all infants and children be placed in the rear seat of the vehicle and properly restrained. The rear seat is the safest for infants and children. For instructions concerning the installation of a child restraint system, see "Child restraint" on page 72 in this section. CAUTION D The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system is designed only as a supplement to the primary protection of the driver side, and front and rear outside passenger side seat belt systems. To ensure maximum protection in an accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts. Wearing a seat belt during an accident reduces the chances of death or serious injury or being thrown out of the vehicle. For instructions and precautions concerning the seat belt system, see "Seat belts" on page 50 in this section. 68 2003 4RUNNER from Oct. '02 Prod. (OM35804U)