Scion FR-S. Service Manual - part 6

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1-7. Safety information

■

Operation

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag can function only when
the engine switch is in the “ON” position.

The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS side airbags and SRS curtain shield
airbags deploy independently of each other since each has its own impact
sensor. Therefore, they may not both deploy in the same accident. Also, the
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag deploys independently of the
driver’s and front passenger’s SRS front airbags in the steering wheel and
instrument panel.

An impact sensor, which senses impact force, is located in each of the left
and right center pillars, doors and rear wheel houses. Another impact sen-
sor, which also senses impact force, is located under the center of the rear
seats.

If the impact sensor that is located under the center of the rear seats and
one of the center pillar impact sensors or door impact sensors together
sense an impact force above a predetermined level in a side collision, the
control module causes both the SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag on
the impacted side to inflate regardless of whether the rear wheel house
impact sensor on the same side senses an impact. 

If the impact sensor that is located under the center of the rear seats and
one of the rear wheel house impact sensors together sense an impact force
above a predetermined level, the control module causes only the SRS cur-
tain shield airbag on the impacted side to inflate.

After the deployment, the SRS side airbag immediately starts to deflate. The
time required from detection of an impact to deflation of an SRS side airbag
after deployment is shorter than the blink of an eye. 

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Before driving

The SRS curtain shield airbag remains inflated for a while following deploy-
ment then slowly deflates.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag deploy even when no
one occupies the seat on the side on which an impact is applied.

When the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag deploy, a sudden,
fairly loud inflation noise will be heard and some smoke will be released.
These occurrences are a normal result of the deployment. This smoke does
not indicate a fire in the vehicle.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag are designed to deploy
in the event of an accident involving a moderate to severe side impact colli-
sion. They are not designed to deploy in most lesser side impact. Also, they
are not designed to deploy in most frontal or most rear impacts because
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag deployment would not help
the occupant in those situations. 
Each SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag are designed to func-
tion on a one-time-only basis.

SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag deployment depend on the
level of force experienced in the passenger compartment during a side
impact collision. That level differs from one type of collision to another, and it
may have no bearing on the visible damage done to the vehicle itself.

■

Example of the type of accident in which the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain shield airbag will most likely deploy

■

Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side airbag and
SRS curtain shield airbag are unlikely to deploy

There are many types of collisions which might not necessarily require SRS
side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag deployment. In the event of acci-
dents like those illustrated, the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield

 

air-

bag may not deploy depending on the level of accident forces involved.

A severe side impact near the front seat
activates the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain shield airbag.

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1-7. Safety information

The vehicle is involved in an oblique side-
on impact.

The vehicle is involved in a side-on
impact in an area outside the vicinity of
the passenger compartment.

The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or
similar object.

The vehicle is involved in a side-on
impact from a motorcycle.

The vehicle rolls onto its side or roof.

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■

Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side airbag and
SRS curtain shield airbag will basically not deploy

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag are not designed to
deploy in most cases if the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision or is struck
from behind. Examples of such accidents are illustrated.

In an accident where the vehicle is struck from the side more than once, the
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag deploy only once on the first
impact.

Example: In the case of a double side impact collision, first with one vehicle
and immediately followed by another from the same direction, once the SRS
side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag are activated on the first impact,
they will not be activated on the second.

The vehicle is involved in frontal collision
with another vehicle (moving or station-
ary).

The vehicle is struck from behind.

SRS curtain shield airbag

SRS side airbag

Second impact

First impact

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1-7. Safety information

CAUTION

■

If the SRS airbags deploy

Do not touch the SRS side airbag system components around the front seat
seatback with bare hands right after deployment. Doing so can cause burns
because the components can be very hot as a result of deployment.

After deployment, do not touch any part of the SRS curtain shield airbag sys-
tem (from the front pillar to the part of the roof side over the rear seat). Doing
so can cause burns because the components can be very hot as a result of
deployment.

■

SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag precautions

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain shield airbag are designed only to be
a supplement to the primary protection provided by the seat belt. They do
not do away with the need to fasten seat belts. It is also important to wear
your seat belt to help avoid injuries that can result when an occupant is not
seated in a proper upright position.

■

When to contact your Scion dealer

In the following cases, the vehicle will require inspection and/or repair. Con-
tact your Scion dealer as soon as possible.

●

Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.

●

The 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.

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●

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.

●

The pad section of the steering wheel
or dashboard is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.

●

The surface of the seats with the side
airbag is scratched, cracked, or other-
wise damaged.

●

The portion of the front pillars, rear pil-
lars or roof side rail garnishes (padding)
containing the curtain shield airbags
inside is scratched, cracked or other-
wise damaged.

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1-7. Safety information

CAUTION

■

SRS airbag precautions

Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags. 
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.

●

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.

●

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 the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm)
of inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro-
vides 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, simply 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.

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CAUTION

■

SRS airbag precautions

●

The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with considerable force, and
can cause death or serious injury especially if the front passenger is very
close to the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far from the air-
bag as possible with the seatback adjusted, so the front passenger sits
upright.

●

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 sys-
tem. Scion strongly recommends that all infants and children be placed in
the rear seats of the vehicle and properly restrained. The rear seats are
safer for infants and children than the front passenger seat. (

P. 107)

●

Do not sit on the edge of the seat or
lean against the dashboard.

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1-7. Safety information

CAUTION

■

SRS airbag precautions

●

Do not allow a child to stand in front of
the SRS front passenger airbag unit or
sit on the knees of a front passenger.

●

Do not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.

●

Do not lean against the door, the roof
side rail or the front, side and rear pil-
lars.

●

Do not allow anyone to kneel on the
passenger seat toward the door or put
their head or hands outside the vehicle.

●

Do 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.

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CAUTION

■

SRS airbag precautions

●

Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side
airbags inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags. Such
accessories may prevent the side airbags from activating correctly, disable
the system or cause the side airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in
death or serious injury.

●

Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS air-
bag components (

P. 69). 

Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.

●

Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air-
bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.

●

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. 

●

If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel
pad and front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have
them replaced by your Scion dealer.

●

Do not attach anything to areas such as
a door, windshield glass, side door
glass, rear quarter glass, front and rear
pillar or roof side rail.

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1-7. Safety information

CAUTION

■

Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components

Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifications
without consulting your Scion dealer. 
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing
death or serious injury.

●

Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags.

●

Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel,
instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear
pillars or roof side rails.

●

Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the
occupant compartment.

●

Installation of a grille guard (bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow plows,
winches.

●

Modifications to the vehicle's suspension system.

●

Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios and CD
players.

●

Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability.

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1-7. Safety information

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SRS airbag system monitors

A diagnostic system continually
monitors the readiness of the
SRS airbag system (including
front seat belt pretensioners)
while the vehicle is being driven.
The SRS warning light will show
normal system operation by illu-
minating for approximately 6
seconds when the engine switch
is turned to the “ON” position.

The following components are monitored by the indicator:

● Front sub sensor (right-hand side)
● Front sub sensor (left-hand side)
● Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
● Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)
● Frontal airbag module (front passenger’s side)
● Side airbag sensor (center pillar right-hand side)
● Side airbag sensor (center pillar left-hand side)
● Door impact sensor (right-hand side)
● Door impact sensor (left-hand side)
● Side airbag module (driver’s side)
● Side airbag module (front passenger’s side)
● Curtain shield airbag sensor (rear wheel house right-hand side)
● Curtain shield airbag sensor (rear wheel house left-hand side)
● Curtain shield airbag module (right-hand side)
● Curtain shield airbag module (left-hand side)

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1-7. Safety information

● Satellite safing sensor (under the center of the rear seats)
● Seat belt pretensioner (driver’s side)
● Seat belt pretensioner (front passenger’s side)
● Seat belt buckle switch (front passenger’s side)
● Front passenger’s occupant classification system sensor
● Front passenger’s occupant detection control module
● Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicator
● All related wiring

CAUTION

■

SRS warning light

If the warning light exhibits any of the following conditions, there may be a
malfunction in the seat belt pretensioners, SRS airbag system and/or front
passenger occupant classification system. Immediately take your vehicle to
your nearest Scion dealer to have the system checked. Unless checked and
properly repaired, the seat belt pretensioners, SRS airbag and/or front pas-
senger occupant classification system will not operate properly in the event
of a collision, which may increase the risk of death or serious injury.

●

Flashing or flickering of the warning light

●

No illumination of the warning light when the engine switch is first turned to
the “ON” position.

●

Continuous illumination of the warning light

●

Illumination of the warning light while driving

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1-7. Safety information

Before driving

Front passenger occupant classification system

Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant classifica-

tion system. Using the sensors installed under the seat cover, the

system detects the conditions of the front passenger seat and acti-

vates or deactivates the frontal airbag for front passenger seat. The

occupant classification system may not inflate the front passenger’s

SRS frontal airbag even when the driver’s SRS frontal airbag

deploys. This is not a malfunction. If the seat belt buckle switch and/

or front passenger’s occupant classification system have failed, the

SRS warning light will illuminate. Have the system inspected by your

Scion dealer immediately if the SRS warning light illuminates. 

If your vehicle has sustained impact, this may affect the proper func-

tion of the Scion advanced frontal airbag system. Immediately con-

tact your Scion dealer and have your vehicle inspected. Do not use

the front passenger seat while driving to your Scion dealer.

SRS warning light

Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light

“AIR BAG ON” indicator light

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1-7. Safety information

Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant
classification system

*1

■

Adult

*2

■

Child restraint system with infant

*6, *7, *8

Indicator/

warning light

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” 

indicator lights

“AIR BAG 

ON”

SRS warning light

Off

Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

Flashing

*3

Devices

Front passenger airbag

On

Front side airbag

*4

Front curtain shield airbag

*4

Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

*4

Indicator/

warning light

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” 

indicator lights

“AIR BAG 

OFF”

*9

SRS warning light

Off

Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Off

Front side airbag

*4

On

Front curtain shield airbag

*4

Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

*4

The front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicators show
you the status of the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag. When
the engine switch is turned to “ON” position, both the ON and OFF
indicators illuminate while the system is checked, after which both
indicators turn off. 
After that, one of the indicators illuminates depending on the status
of the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag determined by the
Scion advanced frontal airbag monitoring system.

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Before driving

■

Child

*5, *7

■

Unoccupied

■

There is a malfunction in the system

Indicator/

warning light

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” 

indicator lights

“AIR BAG 

OFF” or “AIR 

BAG ON”

*5

SRS warning light

Off

Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

Off or 

flashing

*3, *5

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Off or on

*5

Front side airbag

*4

On

Front curtain shield airbag

*4

Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

*4

Indicator/

warning light

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” 

indicator lights

“AIR BAG 

OFF”

SRS warning light

Off

Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Off

Front side airbag

*4

On

Front curtain shield airbag

*4

Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

*4

Indicator/

warning light

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” 

indicator lights

“AIR BAG 

OFF”

SRS warning light

On

Front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

Off

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Off

Front side airbag

*4

On

Front curtain shield airbag

*4

Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner

*4