Air Bag Systems: Service Precautions

SRS AIRBAG PRECAUTION

CAUTION:
- The TOYOTA RAV4 is equipped with SRS that includes a driver airbag, front passenger airbag, side airbag and curtain shield airbag. Failure to carry out the service operations in the correct sequence could cause the SRS to unexpectedly deploy during servicing and lead to serious injury. Furthermore, if a mistake is made when servicing the SRS, it is possible that the SRS may fail to operate properly. Before servicing (including removal or installation of parts, inspection or replacement), be sure to read the following section carefully.

- Work must be started at least 90 seconds after the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK position and the negative (-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery. (The SRS is equipped with a backup power source. If work is started within 90 seconds of disconnecting the negative (-) terminal cable from the battery, the SRS may deploy.)

- Do not directly expose the steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly, side airbag assembly, curtain shield airbag assembly, airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensor, side and curtain shield airbag sensor assembly, curtain shield airbag sensor assembly, door airbag sensor assembly or seat position sensor assembly to hot air or flames.

NOTICE:
- Malfunction symptoms of the SRS are difficult to confirm so the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) become the most important source of information when troubleshooting. When troubleshooting the SRS, always check the DTCs before disconnecting the battery.

- In minor collisions where the SRS does not deploy, the steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly, side airbag assembly, curtain shield airbag assembly, airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensor, side and curtain shield airbag sensor assembly, curtain shield airbag sensor assembly and seat position sensor assembly should be inspected before further use of the vehicle.

- Before repairs, remove the airbag sensor if impacts are likely to be applied to the sensor during repairs.

- Never use SRS parts from another vehicle. When replacing parts, use new parts.

- Never disassemble and repair the steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly, side airbag assembly, curtain shield airbag assembly, airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensor, side and curtain shield airbag sensor assembly, curtain shield airbag sensor assembly, door airbag sensor assembly or seat position sensor assembly.

- If the steering wheel pad, front passenger airbag assembly, side airbag assembly, curtain shield airbag assembly, airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensor, side and curtain shield airbag sensor assembly, curtain shield airbag sensor assembly, door airbag sensor assembly or seat position sensor assembly has been dropped, or if there are cracks, dents or other defects in the case, bracket or connector, replace it with new one.

- Use a voltmeter/ohmmeter with high impedance (10 kOhm/V minimum) for troubleshooting the system's electrical circuits.

- Information labels are attached to the periphery of the SRS components. Follow the instructions on the labels.

- After work on the SRS is completed, check the SRS warning light.

- When the negative (-) terminal cable is disconnected from the battery, the memory of the clock and audio system will be canceled. So before starting work, make a record of the contents memorized in the audio memory system. When work is finished, reset the audio systems as they were before and adjust the clock. To avoid erasing the memory in each memory system, never use a backup power supply from outside the vehicle.

- If the vehicle is equipped with a mobile communication system, refer to the applicable service precautions.