For the seat belt to provide effective restraint, it must be positioned correctly across the occupant's body. Before driving the Toyota Tacoma, check that the belt lies flat, remains properly routed, and allows you to maintain a natural upright seating position.
- Extend the shoulder belt so that it passes fully over the shoulder and across the chest, but does not come into contact with the neck or slide off the shoulder. Make sure the belt remains comfortably positioned without being trapped under the arm.
- Position the lap belt as low as possible over the hips. It should fit snugly across the pelvic area rather than resting high across the abdomen.
- Adjust the position of the seatback so that you can sit upright and well back in the seat. Avoid excessive reclining, as this may prevent the seat belt from remaining in its intended position.
- Do not twist the seat belt. Confirm that both the lap and shoulder portions lie flat against the body before the Toyota Tacoma begins moving.
Child seat belt usage
The seat belts of your vehicle were principally designed for occupants of adult size. Children may require a suitable child restraint system until they are large enough to use the vehicle's seat belt correctly and safely.
- Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child's size and needs until the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt. The restraint should be installed and used according to the applicable instructions.
- When the child becomes large enough to properly wear the vehicle's seat belt, follow all instructions regarding correct seat belt usage. Make sure the shoulder and lap portions are positioned appropriately before traveling.
Seat belt extender
If a Toyota Tacoma seat belt cannot be fastened securely because it is not long enough, a personalized seat belt extender is available from your Toyota dealer free of charge. The extender is intended for the specific person and seating position for which it was provided, so it should not be treated as a universal accessory.
WARNING
Using a seat belt extender
Observe the following precautions when using a seat belt extender to reduce the risk of injury in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving, or an accident.
Failure to follow these precautions may result in death or serious injury.
- Do not wear the seat belt extender if you can securely fasten the seat belt without using the extender. Use the extender only when it is actually required for proper fastening.
- Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system because the belt may not securely hold the child restraint system in its intended position, increasing the risk of death or serious injury in the event of an accident.
- The personalized extender may not provide safe restraint when used in another vehicle, when used by another person, or when fitted to a different seating position from the one for which it was originally intended. Use it only in the specified Toyota Tacoma seating position and for the intended occupant.
NOTICE
When using a seat belt extender
When releasing the seat belt, press the buckle release button on the extender rather than the release button on the vehicle's seat belt buckle.
Following this procedure helps prevent unnecessary contact or damage to the vehicle interior and protects the extender itself during regular use.
Fastening and releasing the seat belt (except for the rear center seat)
- To fasten the seat belt, insert the plate fully into the buckle until a distinct click is heard. After fastening, gently pull on the belt to confirm that the plate is securely locked in the buckle.
- To release the seat belt, press the release button A and allow the belt to retract in a controlled manner.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor normally, firmly pull the belt once and then release it. After the locking mechanism resets, pull the belt out again slowly and smoothly.
Emergency locking retractor (ELR)
The emergency locking retractor is designed to lock the belt during a sudden stop or on impact. It may also lock if the occupant leans forward too quickly. When this occurs, allow the belt to retract slightly and then move slowly. A smooth, gradual motion will allow the belt to extend so that the occupant can move within the normal seating area while remaining restrained.
Automatic locking retractor (ALR)
The automatic locking retractor is another operating mode of the seat belt retractor used for specific restraint applications. When this mode is engaged, the belt behaves differently from normal ELR operation, so follow the applicable Toyota Tacoma instructions carefully when using this function.
When a passenger's shoulder belt is pulled out completely and then allowed to retract even slightly, the belt enters a locked mode and cannot be extended further. This function is used to help secure a child restraint system (CRS) firmly in position. To return the Toyota Tacoma seat belt to normal operation, allow the belt to retract completely into the retractor and then pull it out again slowly.
After using the seat belts on the outboard rear seats
After the outboard rear seat belts have been used, stow each seat belt buckle in the designated pocket. Proper storage helps keep the rear seating area organized and prevents the buckles from being left in an incorrect position.
Fastening the seat belt (for the rear center seat) [Vehicles with rear seats]
For Toyota Tacoma models equipped with rear seats, fasten the rear center seat belt in the correct sequence so that both plates are securely connected to their corresponding buckles.
1. Take out the seat belt plates from their stored position and make sure the belt is not twisted before fastening it.
2. Insert plate A fully into buckle B until a distinct click is heard. Gently pull on the belt afterward to confirm that the plate is securely locked in the buckle.
3. Insert plate C fully into buckle D until a click is heard. Verify that both connections are secure before the rear center seat is occupied.
WARNING
When using the rear center seat belt
Do not use the rear center seat belt if either of its buckles is released. Both connections must be properly secured before an occupant uses the rear center seating position.
Fastening only one of the buckles does not provide the intended restraint and may result in death or serious injury in the event of sudden braking or a collision.
Releasing and stowing the seat belt (for the rear center seat) [Vehicles with rear seats]
When the rear center seat belt is no longer required, release and stow it carefully using the following procedure. Allow the belt to retract in a controlled manner to prevent the plates or belt webbing from striking the Toyota Tacoma interior.
1. To release plate C, press the release button E on buckle D and remove the plate from the buckle.
2. To release plate A, insert the mechanical key or plate C into the release hole on buckle B. Apply only the amount of pressure necessary to release the plate.
After plate A has been released, allow the seat belt to retract slowly while guiding it by hand. Controlled retraction helps prevent the belt from twisting and reduces the chance of the metal plates contacting nearby interior trim.
3. Stow plates C and A in the designated holder.
To secure them correctly, firmly insert the plates fully into the holder until they are positioned at the back. Check that neither plate is loose or protruding from its intended storage location.
4. Stow the seat belt buckle in the designated pocket after the belt and plates have been properly stored.
Emergency locking retractor (ELR)
The Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) allows normal occupant movement but will lock the seat belt during a sudden stop or on impact. The retractor may also lock if the occupant leans forward too quickly or pulls the belt abruptly. If this happens, allow the belt to retract slightly and then pull it out again using a slow, smooth motion. This allows the belt to extend normally so that the occupant can move comfortably while remaining properly restrained.
Automatic locking retractor (ALR)
When a passenger's shoulder belt is completely extended and then allowed to retract even slightly, the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode is engaged and the belt becomes locked at progressively shorter positions, preventing it from being extended again. This function is used to help hold an appropriate child restraint system (CRS) securely in place. To cancel the locking mode and restore normal Toyota Tacoma seat belt operation, allow the belt to retract fully into the retractor and then pull the belt out again slowly.
