’04 MATRIX_U (L/O 0307)
iii
2004 MATRIX from Oct. ’03 Prod. (OM12861U)
Important information about your Toyota
Occupant  restraint  systems
Toyota  encourages  you  and  your  family  to  take  the  time  to
read  Section  1−3  of  this  Owner’s  Manual  carefully.  In
terms  of  helping  you  understand  how  you  can  receive  the
maximum  benefit  of  the  occupant  restraint  systems  this
vehicle  provides,  Section  1−3  of  this  Owner’s  Manual  is
the  most  important  Section  for  you  and  your  family  to
read.
Section  1−3  describes  the  function  and  operation  concern-
ing  seats,  seat  belts,  SRS airbags  and  child  restraint  sys-
tems  of  this  vehicle  and  some  potential  hazards  you
should  be  aware  of.  These  systems  work  together  along
with  the  overall  structure  of  this  vehicle  in  order  to  provide
occupant  restraint  in  the  event  of  a  crash.  The  effect  of
each  system  is  enhanced  when  it  is  used  properly  and
together  with  other  systems.  No  single  occupant  restraint
system  can,  by  itself,  provide  you  or  your  family  with  the
equal  level  of  restraint  which  these  systems  can  provide
when  used  together.  That  is  why  it  is  important  for  you and
your  family  to  understand  the  purpose  and  proper  use  of
each of  these  systems and how  they  relate  to each other.
The  purpose  of  all  occupant  restraint  systems  is  to  help
reduce  the  possibility  of  death  or  serious  injury  in  the
event  of  a  collision.  None  of  these  systems,  either  individ-
ually  or  together,  can  ensure  that  there  is  no  injury  in  the
event  of  collision.  However,  the  more  you  know  about
these  systems  and  how  to  use  them  properly,  the  greater
your  chances  become  of  surviving  an  accident  without
death or  serious  injury.
Seat  belts  provide  the  primary  restraint  to  all  occupants  of
the  vehicle,  and  every  occupant  of  the  vehicle  should wear
seat  belts  properly  at  all  times.  Children  should  always  be
secured  in  child  restraint  systems  that  are  appropriate  for
their  age  and  size.  SRS  (Supplemental  Restraint  System)
airbags  are,  as  their  names  imply,  designed  to  work  with,
and  be  supplemental  to,  seat  belts  and  are  not  substitutes
for  them.  SRS  airbags  can  be  very  effective  in  reducing
the  risk  of  head and  chest  injuries  by  preventing  contact  of
the head and  chest  with  interior portions  of  the  vehicle.