sensor TOYOTA AVALON 1998 Owners Manual

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
40
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure
the tab and buckle are locked and
that the seat belt extender is not
twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in
the buckle as this may prevent you
from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
If the seat belt does not function
normally, immediately contact your
Toyota dealer.
—Front seat belt pretensioners
The driver and front passenger ’s seat
belts are equipped with a pretensioner
which is designed to be activated to-
gether with the front airbags in re-
sponse to a severe frontal impact.
When the airbag sensor detects the shock
of a severe frontal impact, the front seat
belt is quickly drawn back in by the re-
tractor so that the belt snugly restrains
the front seat occupants.
The seat belt pretensioners are activated
even with no passenger in the front seat.This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the front seat
belt pretensioners are operating proper-
ly.
This warning light system monitors airbag
sensor assembly, seat belt pretensioner
assembly, warning light, interconnecting
wiring and power sources. (For details,
see ”Service reminder indicators and
warning buzzers” in chapter 1 −5.)
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
41
The seat belt pretensioner system mainly
consists of the following components and
their locations are shown in the illustra-
tion.
1. SRS airbag warning light
2. Airbag sensor assembly
3. Seat belt pretensioner assembly
The seat belt pretensioner is controlled by
the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a safing sen-
sor and airbag sensor. When a seat belt pretensioner is acti-
vated, an operating noise may be heard
and a small amount of smoke
−like gas
may be released. This gas is harmless
and does not indicate that a fire is occur-
ring.
Once the seat belt pretensioner has been
activated, the seat belt retractor remains
locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open
the front seat belt pretensioner as-
semblies, airbag sensor or surround-
ing area or wiring. Doing any of
these may cause sudden operation of
the front seat belt pretensioners or
disable the system, which could re-
sult in serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in serious injuries.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
seat belt pretensioners in some
cases.
 Installation of electronic items such
as a mobile two −way radio, cassette
tape player or compact disc player
 Repairs on or near the front seat
belt retractor assemblies
 Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
 Modification of the front end struc-
ture
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front
end structure or console
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
43
In response to a severe frontal impact,
the SRS airbags work together with the
seat belts to help prevent or reduce injury
by inflating, in order to decrease the likeli-
hood of the driver ’s or front passenger ’s
head or chest directly hitting the steering
wheel or dashboard. The passenger airbag
is activated even with no passenger in the
front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt.CAUTION
A driver or front passenger too close
to the steering wheel or dashboard
during airbag deployment can be
killed or seriously injured. Toyota
strongly recommends that:
The driver sit as far back as pos-
sible from the steering wheel while
still maintaining control of the ve-
hicle.
The front passenger sit as far back
as possible from the dashboard.
All vehicle occupants be properly
restrained using the available seat
belts.This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags
are operating properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system
monitors the airbag sensor assembly, in-
flators, warning light, interconnecting wir-
ing and power sources. (For details, see
”Service remainder indicators and warning
buzzers” in chapter 1 −5.)
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
44
The SRS airbag system is designed to
activate in response to a severe frontal
impact within the shaded area between
the arrows in the illustration.
There may be the case that the SRS air-
bags will not activate with such an impact
in which the occupant wearing the seat
belt correctly would not get serious injury.
The SRS airbags will deploy if the severi-
ty of the impact is above the designed
threshold level, comparable to an approxi-
mate 20 km/h (14 mph) collision when
impacting straight into a fixed barrier that
does not move or deform. If the severity of the impact is below the
above threshold level, the SRS airbags
may not deploy.
However, this threshold velocity will be
considerably higher if the vehicle strikes
an object, such as a parked vehicle or
sign pole, which can move or deform on
impact, or if it is involved in an underride
collision (e.g. a collision in which the nose
of the vehicle ”underrides”, or goes under,
the bed of a truck).
It is possible with collision severity at the
marginal level of airbag sensor detection
and activation that only one of your ve-
hicle’s two airbags will deploy.
For the safety of all occupants, be sure
to always wear seat belts.
Collision from the rear
Collision from the side Vehicle roll−over
The SRS airbags are not designed to
inflate if the vehicle is subjected to a
side or rear impact, if it rolls over, or
if it is involved in a low −speed frontal
collision.
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
45
The SRS airbag system mainly consists of
the following components and their loca-
tions are shown in the illustration.
1. Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
2. Airbag module for passenger (airbag and inflator)
3. Airbag sensor assembly
4. SRS airbag warning light
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor. In a severe frontal impact, sensors detect
deceleration and the system triggers the
airbag inflators. Then a chemical reaction
in the inflators momentarily fills the air-
bags with non
−toxic gas to help restrain
the forward motion of the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
along with non −toxic gas. This does not
indicate a fire. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent
minor skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happen in a
fraction of a second, so the airbags must
inflate with considerable force. While the
system is desi gned to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swellings.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel
hub, dashboard) may be hot for several
minutes, but the airbags themselves will
not be hot. The airbags are designed to
inflate only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the air-
bags may break the windshield as the
vehicle buckles. In vehicles with a pas-
senger airbag the windshield may also be
damaged by absorbing some of the force
of the inflating airbag.
CAUTION
The SRS airbag system is designed
only as a supplement to the prima-
ry protection of the driver side and
front passenger side seat belt sys-
tems. The front seat occupants can
be killed or seriously injured by an
inflating airbag if they do not wear
the available seat belts. During sud-
den braking just before a collision,
an unrestrained driver or front pas-
senger can move forward into direct
contact with or close proximity to
the airbag which may then deploy
during the collision. To obtain maxi-
mum protection in an accident, the
driver and all passengers in the ve-
hicle must wear their seat belts.
Wearing a seat belt during an acci-
dent reduces the chances of death
or serious injuries or being thrown
out of the vehicle. For instructions
and precautions concerning the seat
belt system, see ”Seat belts” in this
chapter.
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
48
Do not put objects or your pets on
or in front of the dashboard or
steering wheel pad that houses the
airbag system. They might restrict
inflation or cause death or serious
injury as they are projected rear-
ward by the force of deploying air-
bags. Likewise, the driver and front
passenger should not hold things in
their arms or on their knees.
Do not modify or remove any wir-
ing. Do not modify, remove, strike
or open any components such as
the steering wheel column cover,
front passenger airbag cover, front
passenger airbag, airbag sensor as-
sembly. Doing any of these may
cause sudden SRS airbag inflation
or disable the system, which could
result in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in death or serious inju-
ries.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following
changes without consulting your
Toyota dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the
SRS airbag system in some cases.
 Installation of electronic items such
as a mobile two −way radio, cassette
tape player or compact disc player
 Modification of the suspension sys-
tem
 Modification of the front end struc-
ture
 Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow,
winches or any other equipment to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front
end structure, console, steering col-
umn, steering wheel or dashboard
near the front passenger airbag
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
50
In response to a severe side impact, the
SRS side airbags work together with the
seat belt to help prevent or reduce injury
by inflating, in order to decrease the im-
pact mainly on the driver’s or front pas-
senger ’s chest. The SRS side airbag on
the passenger seat is activated even with
no passenger in the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt.
CAUTION
SRS side airbags inflate with consid-
erable force. To avoid potential death
or serious injury during inflation of a
side airbag, Toyota strongly recom-
mends that the driver and front pas-
senger;
Wear their seat belt
Remain properly seated with their
back against the seat at all times.
This indicator comes on when the igni-
tion key is turned to the ”ACC” or
”ON” position. It goes off after about
6 seconds. This means the SRS side
airbags are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the air-
bag sensor assembly, inflators, warning
light, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. (For details, see ”Service remind-
er indicators and warning buzzers” in
chapter 1 −5.)The SRS side airbag system may not
inflate if the vehicle is subjected to a
collision from the side at an angle, or
a collision to the side of the vehicle
body other than the passenger compart-
ment shown in the illustration, which
impact is not severe enough for the
passenger compartment.
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
51
There may be the case that the SRS side
airbags will not activate with such an im-
pact in which the occupant wearing the
seat belt correctly would not get serious
injury.
The SRS side airbags are designed to
inflate when the passenger compartment
gets a severe impact from the side.
For the safety of all occupants, be sure
to always wear your seat belt.
The SRS side airbags are not designed
to inflate if the vehicle is rolled over.
If the impact on the body of the passen-
ger compartment is not strong as illus-
trated above, the relevant SRS side airbag
may not inflate.The SRS side airbag system mainly con-
sists of the following components and
their locations are shown in the illustra-
tion.
1. SRS airbag warning light
2. Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
3. Side airbag sensor assembly
4. Airbag sensor assembly
The SRS side airbag system is controlled
by the airbag sensor. The airbag sensor
assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensor.
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
52
In a severe side impact, the side airbag
sensor triggers the side airbag inflators.
Then a chemical reaction in the inflators
momentarily fills the air bags with non−tox-
ic gas to help restrain the forward or lat-
eral motion of the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
along with non −toxic gas. This does not
indicate a fire. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent
minor skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happen in a
fraction of a second, so the airbags must
inflate with considerable force. While the
system is desi gned to reduce serious inju-
ries, it may also cause minor burns or
abrasions and swellings.
Front seats may be hot for several min-
utes, but the airbags themselves will not
be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate
only once.CAUTION
The SRS side airbag system is de-
signed only as a supplement to the
primary protection of the driver
side and front passenger side seat
belt systems. The front seat occu-
pants can be killed or seriously in-
jured by an inflating airbag if they
do not wear the available seat
belts. During sudden braking just
before a collision, an unrestrained
driver or front passenger can move
sideward into direct contact with or
close proximity to the airbag which
may then deploy during the colli-
sion. To obtain 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 re-
duces the chances of death or seri-
ous injuries or being thrown out of
the vehicle. For instructions and
precautions concerning the seat
belt system, see ”Seat belts” in this
chapter.
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 re-
strained. The rear seat is the safest
for infants and children. For in-
structions concerning the installa-
tion of a child restraint system, see
”Child restraint” in this chapter.
Do not allow the child to lean
against the front door or around
the front door even if the child is
seated in the child restraint system.
It is dangerous if the side airbag
inflates and the impact could cause
death or serious injury to the child.
For instructors concerning the
installation of a child restraint sys-
tem, see ”Child restraint” in this
chapter.
ProCarManuals.com

’98 AVALON (USA/CANADA)−U
75
Part 1
OPERATION OF
INSTRUMENTS
AND CONTROLS—
Chapter 1 −4
Lights, Wipers and
Defogger
 Headlights and turn signals
 Emergency flashers
 Instrument panel light control
 Front fog lights
 Interior light
 Front personal lights
 Rear personal lights
 Ignition switch light
 Windshield wipers and washer
 Headlight cleaner
 Rear window and outside rear
view mirror defoggers
HEADLIGHTS
To turn on the following lights: Twist
the headlight/turn signal lever knob.
Position 1—Parking, tail, license plate,
side marker and instrument panel lights
Position 2—Headlights and all of the
above
Position 3 (”AUTO”)—Headlights and/or all
of the above
They automatically turn on or off depend-
ing on the darkness of the surroundings.
Manually twist the knob to the position 2
to turn on the headlights if they are need-
ed immediately when entering a dark tun-
nel, parking structure, etc.The automatic light control sensor is on
the top of the driver’s side instrument
panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument
panel, and/or do not affix anything on the
windshield to block this sensor.
If you feel that the automatic light control
comes into operation too early or too late,
have the sensor adjusted by your Toyota
dealer.
Headlights and turn signals
(with automatic light control
system)
ProCarManuals.com