Toyota Highlander (2018 year). Manual - part 7

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1-1. For safe use

SRS airbags

The SRS airbags inflate when the vehicle is subjected to certain
types of severe impacts that may cause significant injury to the
occupants. They work together with the seat belts to help reduce
the risk of death or serious injury.

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1-1. For safe use

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SRS front airbags

SRS driver airbag/front passenger airbag
Can help protect the head and chest of the driver and front pas-
senger from impact with interior components

SRS driver’s knee airbag 
Can help provide driver protection

SRS seat cushion airbag 
Can help restrain the front passenger

◆

SRS side and curtain shield airbags

SRS side airbags
Can help protect the torso of the front seat occupants

SRS curtain shield airbags
● Can help protect primarily the head of occupants in the outer

seats

● Can prevent the occupants from being thrown from the vehicle

in the event of vehicle rollover

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2

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4

5

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1-1. For safe use

SRS airbag system components

Front passenger airbag

Curtain shield airbags

Side impact sensors (front
doors)

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG
OFF” indicator lights

Seat belt pretensioners and
force limiters

Side airbags

Seat cushion airbag

SRS warning light

Driver airbag

Side impact sensors (rear)

Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch

Driver’s seat position sensor

Driver’s seat belt buckle
switch

Driver’s knee airbag

Front passenger occupant
classification system (ECU
and sensors)

Front impact sensors

Airbag sensor assembly

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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 etc. shown in the system compo-
nents diagram above. This information includes crash severity and
occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical reaction in
the inflators quickly fills the airbags 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.