dashboard TOYOTA CAMRY 1996 Owners Manual

36

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.
CAUTION!
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint Sys-
tem) airbags are designed to provide
further protection to the driver and
front passenger when added to the pri-
mary protection provided by the seat
belts.
In response to a severe frontal impact, the
SRS airbags work together with the seat
belts to prevent or reduce injury by inflat-
ing, in order to decrease the likelihood of
the driver's or front passenger's head or
chest directly hitting the steering wheel or
dashboard. The passenger airbag is acti-
vated even with no passenger in the front
seat.This indicator comes on when the
ignition key is turned to the ACCº or
ONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS airbags
are operating properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system
monitors the front airbag sensors, center
airbag sensor assembly, inflators, warn-
ing light, interconnecting wiring and power
sources.
SRS airbags
ProCarManuals.com

38
The center airbag sensor assembly con-
sists of a safing sensor and center 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 nitrogen gas to help
restrain the forward motion of the occu-
pants.When the airbags inflate, they produce a
fairly loud noise and release some smoke
along with the nitrogen gas. This is not
harmful and 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 designed 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 them-
selves will not be hot. The airbags are de-
signed to inflate only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the air-
bags may break the windshield as the ve-
hicle buckles. In vehicles with a passen-
ger airbag the windshield may also be
damaged by absorbing some of the force
of the inflating airbag.
CAUTION!

The SRS airbag system is de-
signed only as a supplement to
the primary protection of the seat
belt systems of the driver and
front passenger. The front seat oc-
cupants are particularly suscepti-
ble to injury if they do not wear
their seat belts; when sudden
braking or a collision occurs, they
may be thrown forward. To obtain
further protection in an accident,
the driver and all passengers in
the vehicle should always wear
their seat belts when driving. For
instructions and precautions con-
cerning the seat belt system, see
Seat beltsº in this chapter.

A baby or small child who is too
small to use a seat belt should be
properly secured in a rear seat us-
ing a child restraint system.
ProCarManuals.com

39

Do not use a rear-facing child re-
straint system in the front seat be-
cause the force of the rapid infla-
tion of the passenger airbag may
cause severe injury to the child.
Vehicles with a passenger airbag
display a caution label on the pas-
senger side instrument panel as
shown above to remind you not to
install a rear-facing child restraint
system on the front seat.
When using a forward-facing
child restraint system in the front
seat, the seat must be moved as far
back as possible. For instructions
concerning the installation of a
child restraint system, see Child
restraintº in this chapter.
Do not sit on the edge of the seat
or lean over the dashboard when
the vehicle is in use. The airbags
inflate with considerable speed
and force; you may be severely in-
jured. Sit up straight and well back
in the seat, and always use your
seat belt.
ProCarManuals.com

40

Do not allow a child to stand up, or
to kneel on the front passenger
seat. The airbag inflates with con-
siderable speed and force; the
child may be severely injured.

Do not hold a child on your lap or
in your arms. Use a child restraint
system in the rear seat. For in-
structions concerning the instal-
lation of a child restraint system,
see Child restraintº in this chap-
ter.
Do not put objects on or in front of
the dashboard or steering wheel
pad that houses the airbag sys-
tem. They might restrict inflation
or cause personal injury as they
are projected rearward.

Do not modify, remove or open any
component or wiring, such as the
steering wheel, column cover, front
passenger airbag cover, front pas-
senger airbag, center airbag sensor
assembly or front airbag sensors.
Doing any of these may cause sud-
den SRS airbag inflation or disable
the system, which could result in
personal injury.
Failure to follow these instructions
can result in severe injuries.
ProCarManuals.com

41
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
system
Modification of the front end
structure
Attachment of a grille guard (bull
bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow-
plow, winches or any other equip-
ment to the front end
Repairs made on or near the front
fenders, front and rear console,
steering column, steering wheel
or dashboard near the front pas-
senger 's airbag
NOTICE
This SRS airbag system has a service re-
minder indicator to inform the driver of op-
erating problems. If either of the following
conditions occurs, this indicates a mal-
function of the airbags. Contact your To-
yota dealer as soon as possible to service
the vehicle.

The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the ACCº or
ONº position, or remains on.

The light comes on while driving.In the following cases, contact your Toyo-
ta dealer as soon as possible:

The SRS airbags have been inflated.

The front part of the vehicle (shaded in
the illustration) was involved in an ac-
cident not of the extent to cause the
SRS airbags to inflate.

The pad section of the steering wheel
or front passenger airbag cover
(shaded in the illustration) is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
ProCarManuals.com

78Multipath: Because of the reflection
characteristics of FM, direct and re-
flected signals may reach the antenna
at the same time (a phenomenon
called multipath reception) and cancel
each other out. As a vehicle moves
through these electronic dead spots,
the listener may hear a momentary
flutter or lose reception.
Station swapping: When two FM sta-
tions are close to each other, and an
electronic dead spot, such as is
caused by static or multipath recep-
tion, interrupts the original signal,
sometimes the stronger second signal
is picked up automatically until the
original one returns. This swapping
can also occur as you drive away from
the selected station and approach
another station with a stronger signal.
On models with a power antenna, the an-
tenna automatically extends to its full
height when the radio and ignition are
turned on.
To lower the power antenna, turn off the
audio system by pushing PWR VOLº, or
turn the ignition key to LOCKº.
On some models, the power antenna au-
tomatically retracts when the radio mode
is switched off to turn on the cassette tape
player or compact disc player.Before extending the power antenna,
confirm that no one is close enough to get
injured by it.
To prevent damage to the antenna,
make sure it is retracted before
running your vehicle through an
automatic car wash.
NOTICE
CASSETTE TAPE PLAYER
Use only undamaged cassette tapes of
good quality. Avoid using tapes with a
total playing time longer than 90 min-
utes.
Using damaged tapes will cause trouble
with the tape player. Longer tapes are not
recommended because of their thinness.
Before inserting a cassette, make sure
the tape is not slack and that the label
is firmly stuck on the shell.
Wind the tape firmly by turning the hub
with a pencil or the like.
Be careful not to touch the exposed tape
surface.
When not in use, take the cassette out
of the player, put it back into its case
and store it away from dust, magnets
and direct sunlight.
Leaving cassettes on the dashboard in
the sun could damage your tapes.Keep the playback head, capstan and
pinch roller clean.
Remove tape coating residue accumu-
lated on the head, capstan and pinch roll-
er once or twice a month. A cleaning tape
is available on the market.
Do not oil any part of the player and
do not insert anything other than
cassette tapes into the slot, or the
tape player may be damaged.
NOTICE
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79
COMPACT DISC PLAYER
Use only Compact Discs labeled as
shown, having no dirt, damage or
warp.
Never attempt to disassemble or oil
any part of the player unit. Do not in-
sert any object other than a Disc into
the slot.
Remember there are no user-serviceable
parts inside.
Do not put fingerprints, stickers,
scratches or pen marks on the sur-
faces of the Disc.
Hold the Disc only on the edge or center
hole.A new disc may have rough edges on
its inner and outer perimeter. Remove
the rough edges by pressing the side
of a ball-point pen or pencil against
the inner and outer perimeter of the
Disc as shown.
If you continue to play a Disc with rough
edges, flakes will fall on to the signal side
of the Disc and cause sound skipping or
other problems.When not in use, take the Disc out of
the player, put it back into its case and
store it away from dust, heat, damp
and direct sunlight.
Leaving Discs on the dashboard in the
sun may damage or warp them.
If the Disc gets dirty, wipe it clean with
a soft cloth, wiping radially out from
the center.
Do not use a conventional record cleaner
or anti-static record preservative.
Compact Disc players use invisible
laser beam which could cause haz-
ardous radiation exposure if di-
rected outside the unit. Be sure to
operate the player correctly as
instructed.CAUTION
!
ProCarManuals.com

11 0For detailed information on air flow control
including other settings, see (f) Air flow
selectionº.
4. Turn the fan speed control knob any-
where except the OFFº position.
5. Press in the air conditioning on-off but-
ton.
(d) Ventilation
1. Turn the temperature control knob at
the LOW position.
2. Move the air intake control lever to the
OUTSIDE AIR position.
3. Turn the air flow control knob to the
FACE position.
For detailed information on air flow control
including other settings, see (f) Air flow
selectionº.
4. Turn the fan speed control knob any-
where except the OFFº position.
5. Leave the air conditioning on-off but-
ton in the OFF position.
(e) Windshield defogging and defrost-
ing
To remove interior fog on the windshield:
1. Turn the temperature control knob to
any position.
2. Move the air intake control lever to the
OUTSIDE AIR position.3. Turn the air flow control knob to the
WINDSHIELD position.
For detailed information on air flow con-
trol, see (f) Air flow selectionº.
4. Turn the fan speed control knob any-
where except the OFFº position.
5. Press in the air conditioning on-off but-
ton.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the
windshield:
1. Turn the temperature control knob to
the HIGH position.
2. Move the air intake control lever to the
OUTSIDE AIR position.
3. Turn the air flow control knob to the
WINDSHIELD position.
For detailed information on air flow con-
trol, see (f) Air flow selectionº.
4. Turn the fan speed control knob to the
HIº position.
5. Leave the air conditioning on-off but-
ton in the OFF position.
(f) Air flow selection
FACE positionÐThis position directs the
air flow to face level.BI-LEVEL positionÐThis position directs
the air flow to face level and the floor. Ex-
cept in ventilation, the air to the floor is
slightly warmer than that to face level.
FLOOR positionÐThis position directs air
flow mostly to the floor.
FLOOR/WINDSHIELD position Ð This
position directs the air flow to the wind-
shield as well as the floor.
WINDSHIELD positionÐThis position di-
rects air flow mostly to the windshield and
front side windows.
Do not use the WINDSHIELD position
during cooling operation in extremely hu-
mid weather. The difference between the
temperature of the outside air and that of
the windshield could cause the outer sur-
face of the windshield to fog up, blocking
your vision.
(g) Operating tips

Be sure the air inlet grilles in front of the
windshield are not blocked by leaves
or other obstructions.

If air flow control is not satisfactory,
check the dashboard vents. (See
Side ventsº or Lower ventº after
Heater controlsº.)ProCarManuals.com

11 5 For detailed information on air flow control
including other settings, see (f) Air flow
selectionº.
4. Press in any fan speed control button
except the OFFº button.
5. Press in the air conditioning on-off but-
ton.
(d) Ventilation
1. Turn the temperature control knob at
the LOW position.
2. Set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode of the
air intake control buttons.
3. Press in the FACE button of the air flow
control buttons.
For detailed information on air flow control
including other settings, see (f) Air flow
selectionº.
4. Turn the fan speed control knob any-
where except the OFFº position.
5. Leave the air conditioning on-off but-
ton in the OFF position.
(e) Windshield defogging and defrost-
ing
To remove interior fog on the windshield:
1. Turn the temperature control knob to
any position.
2. Set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode of the
air intake control buttons.3. Press in the WINDSHIELD button of
the air flow control buttons.
For detailed information on air flow con-
trol, see (f) Air flow selectionº.
4. Turn the fan speed control knob any-
where except the OFFº position.
5. Press in the air conditioning on-off but-
ton.
To remove frost or exterior fog on the
windshield:
1. Turn the temperature control knob to
the HIGH position.
2. Set to the OUTSIDE AIR mode of the
air intake control buttons.
3. Press in the WINDSHIELD button of
the air flow control buttons.
For detailed information on air flow con-
trol, see (f) Air flow selectionº.
4. Turn the fan speed control knob to the
HIº position.
5. Leave the air conditioning on-off but-
ton in the OFF position.
(f) Air flow selection
FACE buttonÐThis button directs the air
flow to face level.
BI-LEVEL buttonÐThis button directs
the air flow to face level and the floor. Ex-
cept in ventilation, the air to the floor is
slightly warmer than that to face level.FLOOR buttonÐThis button directs air
flow mostly to the floor.
FLOOR/WINDSHIELD buttonÐThis but-
ton directs air flow to the windshield as well
as the floor.
WINDSHIELD buttonÐThis button di-
rects air flow mostly to the windshield and
front side windows.
Do not use the WINDSHIELD button dur-
ing cooling operation in extremely humid
weather. The difference between the tem-
perature of the outside air and that of the
windshield could cause the outer surface
of the windshield to fog up, blocking your
vision.
(g) Operating tips

Be sure the air inlet grilles in front of the
windshield are not blocked by leaves
or other obstructions.

If air flow control is not satisfactory,
check the dashboard vents. (See
Side ventsº or Lower ventº after
Heater controlsº.)

To help cool down the interior after
parking in the hot sun, drive for the first
few minutes with the windows open.
After the excess heat has blown away,
close the windows.ProCarManuals.com

120BI-LEVEL positionÐThis position directs
the air flow to face level and the floor. Ex-
cept in ventilation, the air to the floor is
slightly warmer than that to face level.
FLOOR positionÐThis position directs
the air flow mostly to the floor.
FLOOR/WINDSHIELD position Ð This
position directs air flow to the wind-
shield as well as the floor.
WINDSHIELD positionÐThis position di-
rects air flow to the windshield and front
side windows.
(f) Operating tips

Be sure the air inlet grilles in front of the
windshield are not blocked by leaves
or other obstructions.

If air flow control is not satisfactory,
check the dashboard vents. (See
Side ventsº or Lower ventº.)

When driving on dusty roads, close all
windows. If dust thrown up by the ve-
hicle is still drawn into the vehicle after
closing the windows, it is recom-
mended that the air intake control le-
ver be set to the OUTSIDE AIR posi-
tion and the fan speed control knob
anywhere except the OFFº position.
If following another vehicle on a dusty
road, or driving in windy and dusty con-
ditions, it is recommended that the air
intake control lever be temporarily set
to the RECIRCULATED AIR position,
which will close off the outside pas-
sage and prevent outside air and dust
from entering the vehicle interior.
The side vents may be opened or
closed as shown.
Side vents
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