Your Toyota Tacoma is equipped with a front passenger occupant classification system. The system monitors the conditions of the front passenger seat and, based on the detected status, activates or deactivates the following SRS airbags as appropriate.
- SRS front passenger airbag
- SRS front passenger knee airbag
System components
- SRS warning light
- Front passenger's seat belt reminder light
- "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light
- "AIR BAG ON" indicator light
Front passenger occupant classification system conditions and operation
The operating status of the front passenger occupant classification system varies according to who or what is detected on the front passenger seat. The following illustrations show the corresponding system conditions for an adult, child, child restraint system, unoccupied seat, and system malfunction.
Adult*1
Child*4
Child restraint system with infant*5
Unoccupied
System malfunction
*1: The system recognizes a person of adult size as an adult. If a smaller
adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may not identify that person
as an adult depending on their physique, seating position, and posture.
*2: Applies when the front passenger is wearing a seat belt.
*3: Applies when the front passenger is not wearing a seat belt.
*4: For some children, including a child sitting directly on the seat, in a booster seat, or in a
convertible
seat, the system may not recognize the occupant as a child. The child's
physique and seating posture are among the factors that
may affect classification.
*5: Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger
seat. A forward-facing child restraint system should be installed on
the front passenger seat only when doing so is unavoidable and the applicable instructions are followed.
*6: If the applicable indicator light is not illuminated, refer to this manual for instructions on
properly installing and checking the child restraint system.
WARNING
Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
Observe the following precautions concerning the front passenger occupant classification system. Correct seating position and proper use of the seat belt are important for accurate system operation.
Failure to follow these precautions may result in death or serious injury.
- Wear the seat belt properly and make sure it is correctly positioned before the Toyota Tacoma is driven.
- Make sure the front passenger's seat belt plate has not been left inserted in the buckle before someone sits in the front passenger seat. An incorrectly buckled belt may affect how the system determines the occupant's status.
- When using a seat belt extender for the front passenger seat, make sure the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light is not illuminated. If the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator is illuminated, disconnect the extender tongue from the seat belt buckle and reconnect the seat belt correctly. Reconnect the seat belt extender only after confirming that the "AIR BAG ON" indicator light is illuminated. Using the seat belt extender while the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator light remains illuminated means the SRS airbags for the front passenger will not activate, which could result in death or serious injury in the event of a collision.
- Do not place a heavy load on the front passenger seat or related equipment, such as the seatback pocket, because additional weight may interfere with occupant classification.
- Do not place additional weight on the front passenger seat by resting your hands or feet against the front passenger seatback from the rear passenger area.
- Do not allow a rear passenger to lift the front passenger seat with their feet or push strongly against the seatback with their legs. Pressure applied from behind may affect the system's ability to classify the front passenger correctly.
- Do not place objects under the front passenger seat, where they could interfere with the seat or components associated with the occupant classification system.
- Do not recline the front passenger
seatback so far that it
contacts a rear seat. Such contact may
cause the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator
light to illuminate,
indicating that the SRS
airbags for the front passenger
will not activate in the event of a
severe collision. If the seatback
touches the rear seat, return it to a position where
there is no contact between the seats.
Keep the front passenger seatback as upright as practical while the Toyota Tacoma is moving so the occupant can maintain a proper seating position.
Excessively reclining the seatback may also reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt system and affect occupant protection.
- If an adult occupies the front passenger
seat, the "AIR BAG ON"
indicator light should be illuminated. If
the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator
is illuminated, ask the passenger
to sit upright and well back in
the seat, place both feet on the floor, and
wear the seat belt correctly.
If the "AIR BAG OFF" indicator continues to remain illuminated after the seating position has been corrected, either ask the passenger to move to the rear seat or, if that is not possible, move the front passenger seat fully rearward.
- If it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat, install and secure the child restraint system in the proper order and according to the applicable instructions.
- Do not modify, remove, or improperly alter the front seats, as changes to the seat structure may affect operation of the Toyota Tacoma occupant classification system.
- Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to a severe impact. Doing so may cause the SRS warning light to illuminate and indicate a malfunction of the front passenger occupant classification system. If this occurs, contact your Toyota dealer immediately and have the system inspected.
- Child restraint systems installed on a rear seat should not contact the front seatbacks. Maintain sufficient clearance so the front passenger seat is not pushed or loaded from behind.
- Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers the seat cushion surface or alters how the occupant's weight is applied to the seat.
- Do not modify or replace the upholstery of the front seat without consulting your Toyota dealer, as changes to the seat surface or internal structure may affect proper system operation.
