wheel TOYOTA YARIS HATCHBACK 2009 Owner's Guide

66 1-3. Adjustable components (seats, mirrors, steering wheel)
NOTICE
nIf ice should jam the mirror
Do not operate the control or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray de-icer to
free the mirror.

79
1
Before driving
1-7. Safety information
Correct driving posture
Drive in a good posture as follows:
Sit upright and well back in
the seat. (→P. 3 8 )
Adjust the position of the
seat forward or backward to
e
nsure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed to the extent
required. ( →P. 3 8 )
Adjust the seatback so that
the controls are easily oper -
able.
Adjust the tilt positions of
the steering wheel down -
ward so the airbag is facing
your
chest. ( →P. 6 2 )
Lock the head restraint in
place with the center of the
h
ead restraint closest to the
top of your ears. ( →P. 4 8 )
Wear the seat belt correctly.
( → P. 5 2 )

83
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
Your vehicle is equipped with
ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag sys -
tem controls airbag deployment power
for the driver and front pas-
senger. The driver airbag system consists of the driver seat’s position
se
nsor etc. The front passenger’s airbag system consists of the front
passenger occupant classification sensor etc.
The main SRS airbag system components are shown above. The
SRS airbag
system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The
airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and an airbag
sensor.
In certain types of severe frontal or side imp
acts, the SRS airbag sys-
tem triggers the airbag inflators. A chemical rea
ction in the inflators
quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the motion
of the occupants.
n SRS warning light
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag
sensors, side and curtain shield airbag sensors, curtain shield airbag sen -
sors, driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch, front pas -
senger occupant classification system, AIR BAG ON indicator light, AIR
BAG OFF indicator
light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. ( →P. 3 0 8 )
n If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
l Bruising and
slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying
(inflating) SRS airbag.
l A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
l V
ehicles with side and curtain shield airbags: Parts of the airbag module
(steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as well as the front seats,
and parts of the front and rear pillars and roof side rail, may be hot for
several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
l V
ehicles without side and curtain shield airbags: Parts of the airbag mod -
ule (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as well as the front
seat
s may be hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.

87
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
n
When to contact your Toyota dealer
In the following cases, contact your Toyota dealer as soon as possible. Do
not disconnect the battery cables before contacting your Toyota dealer.
lAny of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
lThe front of the vehicle is damaged or
deformed, or was involved in an acci-
dent that was not severe enough to
cause the SRS airbags to inflate.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: A portion of a door is
damaged or deformed, or the vehicle
was involved in an accident that was
not severe enough to cause the SRS
side airbags and curtain shield airbags
to inflate.
l The pad section of the steering wheel
or dashboard near the front passenger
airbag is scratched, cracked, or other-
wise damaged.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: The surface of the seats
with the side airbag is scratched,
cracked or otherwise damaged.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: The portion of the front
pillars, rear pillars or roof side rail gar-
nishes (padding) containing the curtain
shield airbags inside is scratched,
cracked or otherwise damaged.

88 1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
l 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.
l 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 driver airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of infla-
tion, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) fr om your driver airbag provides 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 pedals 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, sim-
ply 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.

91
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
n
SRS airbag precautions
lVehicles with side airbags: Do not use seat accessories which cover the
parts where the SRS side airbags inflate as they may interfere with infla-
tion of the airbags.
l Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS air-
bag components shown on P. 82.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
l Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
l If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag has deployed, open a
door or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do
so. Wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
l Vehicles with curtain shield airbags: If the areas where the SRS airbags
are stored, such as the steering w heel pad and front and rear pillar gar-
nishes, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by your Toyota
dealer.
l Vehicles without curtain shield airbags: If the areas where the SRS airbags
are stored, such as the steering wheel pad are damaged or cracked, have
them replaced by your Toyota dealer.
lDo not attach anything to or lean any-
thing against areas such as the dash-
board or steering wheel pad.
These items can become projectiles
when SRS driver and front passenger
airbags deploy.
l Vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags: Do not attach anything
to areas such as the door, windshield
glass, side door glass, front and rear
pillars, roof side rail or assist grip.

92 1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nModification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications
without consulting your Toyota dealer.
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing
death or serious injury.
l Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags.
l Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel,
instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear
pillars or roof side rail.
l Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the
occupant compartment.
l Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kan-
garoo bar etc.).
l Modifications to the vehicle's suspension system.
l Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD
players.
l Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability.

117
2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
Starting on a steep uphill
Automatic transmission
With the brake pedal depressed, firmly set the parking brake
and shift the shift lever to D.
Gently depress the accelerator pedal.
Release the parking brake.
nParking the vehicle
Automatic transmission
With the shift lever in D, depress the brake pedal.
Set the parking brake. (→ P. 1 3 2 )
Shift the shift lever to P. (→ P. 1 2 8 )
When parking on a hill, if necessary, block the wheels.
Turn the engine switch off to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.
Manual transmission
With the clutch pedal fully depressed, depress the brake
pedal.
Set the parking brake. (→ P. 1 3 2 )
Shift the shift lever to N. (→ P. 1 3 0 )
When parking on a hill, shift the shift lever to 1 or R. If necessary,
block the wheels.
Turn the engine switch off to stop the engine.
Lock the door, making sure that you have the key on your
person.

120 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
nWhen driving the vehicle
lDo not shift the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the engine brake to not operate properly and lead to
an accident.
l Do not turn the engine off while driving.
The power steering and brake booster systems will not operate properly if
the engine is not running.
l Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( →P. 128,130)
l When stopped on an inclined surface, use the brake pedal and parking
brake to prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or forward and causing
an accident.
l Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents
that may result in death or serious injury.
l Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their bod-
ies are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
l Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
n When driving on slippery road surfaces
lSudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
l Sudden changes in engine speed, such as engine braking caused by up-
shifting or down-shifting, may cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an
accident.

124 2-1. Driving procedures
NOTICE
nAvoiding damage to vehicle parts
lDo not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for a
long time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
l When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
n If you hear a squealing or scrapin g noise while driving (brake pad wear
limit indicators)
Have the brake pads checked and replaced by your Toyota dealer as soon
as possible.
The rotor damage can result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or that of the brake discs are exceeded.
n If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually press the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
lIt may be difficult to control your vehicle.
l The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
l The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Replace a flat tire with a new one. ( →P. 320)
n When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle.
lEngine stalling
l Short in electrical components
l Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your Toyota dealer check the following.
l Brake function
l Changes in quantity and quality of eng ine oil, transaxle fluid, etc.
l Lubricant condition for the bearings and suspension joints (where possi-
ble) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.