When Should an Airbag Inflate in my Toyota Sienna?
Frontal airbags are designed to inflate in moderate to severe frontal
or near-frontal crashes to help reduce the potential for severe
injuries mainly to the driver’s or right front passenger’s head and chest.
However, they are only designed to inflate if the impact exceeds a
predetermined deployment threshold. Deployment thresholds
are used to predict how severe a crash is likely to be in time for the
airbags to inflate and help restrain the Toyota Sienna occupants.
Whether the frontal airbags will or should deploy is not based on
how fast your Toyota Sienna is traveling. It depends largely on what you hit,
the direction of the impact, and how quickly your Toyota Sienna slows down.
Frontal airbags may inflate at different crash speeds. For example:
If the Toyota Sienna hits a stationary object, the airbags could inflate at
a different crash speed than if the Toyota Sienna hits a moving object.
If the Toyota Sienna hits an object that deforms, the airbags could inflate
at a different crash speed than if the Toyota Sienna hits an object that
does not deform. If the Toyota Sienna hits a narrow object
(like a pole), the airbags could inflate at a different crash speed
than if the Toyota Sienna hits a wide object (like a wall).
If the Toyota Sienna goes into an object at an angle, the airbags could
inflate at a different crash speed than if the Toyota Sienna goes straight
into the object. Thresholds can also vary with specific Toyota Sienna design.
All of the airbags in the Toyota Sienna will have the word AIRBAG embossed in the trim or on an attached label near the deployment opening.
For frontal airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear on the middle part of the steering wheel for
the driver and on the instrument
panel for the right front passenger.
With seat-mounted side impact airbags, the word AIRBAG will appear on the side of the
seatback closest to the door.
With roof-rail airbags, the word
AIRBAG will appear along the headliner or trim.
Airbags are designed to supplement
the protection provided by safety
belts. Even though today’s airbags
are also designed to help reduce
the risk of injury from the force of an
inflating bag, all airbags must
inflate very quickly to do their job.
Here are some important things to know about the airbag system:
You can be severely injured or
killed in a crash if you are not
wearing your safety belt — even
if you have airbags. Airbags are
designed to work with safety belts, but do not replace them.
Also, airbags are not designed to
deploy in every Toyota Sienna crash. In some
crashes safety belts are your only
restraint. Wearing your safety belt during a
crash helps reduce your chance
of hitting things inside the Toyota Sienna
or being ejected from it. Airbags
are “supplemental restraints” to
the safety belts. Everyone in your
Toyota Sienna should wear a safety belt
properly — whether or not there is
an airbag for that person.
A frontal Toyota Sienna collision that is not severe enough to need airbag protection will not activate the system. This
does not mean something is wrong with the airbag system.
If you do have a collision in your Toyota Sienna which deploys the airbags, any or all of the following may occur:
The nylon airbag material may sometimes cause abrasions
and/or skin reddening to the driver and front
passenger as the airbags deploy and unfold. The
abrasions are similar to friction rope burns or those
you might get sliding along a carpet or gymnasium
floor. They are not caused by contact with chemicals.
They are not permanent and normally heal quickly.
However, if you haven’t healed significantly within a
few days, or if you have any blistering, see your doctor immediately.
As the airbags deflate you may see some smoke-like
particles. The particles are a normal by-product of the
process that generates the nontoxic gas used for airbag
inflation. These airborne particles may irritate the skin,
eyes, nose, or throat. If you have skin or eye irritation,
rinse the area with cool water. For nose or throat
irritation, move to fresh air. If the irritation continues,
see your doctor. If these particles settle on your
clothing, follow the garment manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning.
It is not advisable to drive your Toyota Sienna after the
airbags have deployed. If you are involved in another
collision, the airbags will not be in place to protect you.
WARNING!
Modifications to any part of the airbag system could cause it to fail
when you need it. You could be injured if the airbag system is not
there to protect you. Do not modify the components or wiring,
including adding any kind of badges or stickers to the steering wheel
hub trim cover or the upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper or Toyota Sienna body structure.
Do not attempt to modify any part of your advanced airbag system.
The airbag may inflate accidentally or may not function properly if
modifications are made. Take your Toyota Sienna to an authorized dealer for
any advanced airbag system service. If your seat including your trim
cover and cushion needs to be serviced in any way (including removal
or loosening/tightening of seat attachment bolts), take the Toyota Sienna to
your authorized dealer. Only manufacturer approved seat accessories
may be used. If it is necessary to modify an advanced airbag system
for persons with disabilities, contact your authorized Toyota Sienna dealer.
Do not place or hang any items such as add-on video players on the
right front passenger seat back. The additional weight may cause the
Occupant Classification System to be unable to correctly classify the
right front occupant. This could allow the passenger frontal airbag to
inflate when it is not desired.
You need proper knee impact protection in a collision. Do not mount
or locate any aftermarket equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the airbag system yourself. Be
sure to tell anyone who works on your Toyota Sienna that it has an airbag system.
Airbags inflate with great force,
faster than the blink of an eye. Anyone who is up against, or very
close to, any airbag when it inflates can be seriously injured or killed.
Do not sit unnecessarily close to the airbag, as you would be if you
were sitting on the edge of your seat or leaning forward. Safety
belts help keep you in position before and during a crash. Always
wear your safety belt, even with airbags. The Toyota Sienna driver should sit as far
back as possible while still maintaining control of the Toyota Sienna.
Occupants should not lean on or sleep against the door or side
windows in seating positions with seat-mounted side impact airbags
and/or roof-rail airbags.
CAUTION
Children who are up against, or
very close to, any airbag when it
inflates can be seriously injured or
killed. Airbags plus lap-shoulder
belts offer protection for adults
and older children, but not for
young children and infants.
Neither the Toyota Sienna’s safety belt
system nor its airbag system is
designed for them. Young children
and infants need the protection
that a child restraint system can
provide. Always secure children
properly in your Toyota Sienna.
Does my Toyota Sienna have Airbags?
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