If you’re driving a Toyota Tundra or Tacoma you may have noticed a little button under the steering wheel column with the letters “RSCA.”
But what does that mean? And more importantly, what does it do? In this article, we’ll explain what the RSCA button is for and why you might need it. Keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
What is the RSCA Off Button in Toyota?
RSCA stands for “roll-sensing curtain airbags” so the RSCA off is simply a button that turns those airbags off. Toyota motor corporation is known for its safety features and they have been an industry leader in airbag technology since it invented them in the early 1990s.
The RSCA off button is located on the center console near the shifter. It is a small, red, rectangular button with the words “RSCA OFF” printed on it. Pushing this button will disable the curtain airbags on both the driver and passenger sides of the vehicle.
It is important to note that this does not turn off all of the airbags in the car, just the roll-sensing curtain airbags.
What is the Purpose of Having an RSCA Off Button in Your Car?
RSCA off is a unique safety feature introduced by Toyota. People are often curious as to why they need this feature:
Protection in Case of Roll-Over Accident:
One might think that how Toyota intends to keep you safe by disabling airbags. Well, the answer would reveal if you just take a look at the type of cars which have this button.
Most of these are light trucks, SUVs, and crossover vehicles. As you might have guessed, these are the vehicles that are more likely to roll over than others.
Now, in a rollover accident, the curtain airbags can deploy even if you are not wearing a seatbelt. And that is not good because the airbag can hit you in the face and cause serious injuries.
Plus, the curtain airbags can deploy even in a low-speed rollover accident and they have been known to cause serious injuries or even death in some cases.
So, the RSCA off button is there to give you the option to disable the curtain airbags if you think it would be safer for you not to have them deployed in a rollover accident.
Of course, this is just one scenario where having an RSCA off button can be useful.
Go Offroading Without Any Hassle:
There is another major reason why RSCA off button is there. We know what Toyota Tundra or Tacoma owners have in common. They all love to take their vehicles off-roading. And in many cases, they do not even think twice about going on an adventure with just the front airbags deployed.
But what they do not realize is that they are putting themselves and their passengers at a very high risk of serious injuries or even death if they were to roll over while only having the front airbags deployed.
The thing with curtain airbags is that they can be deployed even if there is a slight angle tilt in the vehicle. So, if you are going over bumpy terrain and your vehicle tilts even slightly let alone the extreme angles, the curtain airbags can deploy and hit you in the face or head, causing serious injuries.
This is why it is highly recommended that you always have the RSCA off button engaged when going off-roading. That way, you can avoid the possibility of the curtain airbags deploying and injuring you or your passengers.
Reasons Why You See Air Bags Warning on Your Dashboard
Your car is equipped with a crash sensor that deploys the airbags in the event of a collision. If the airbag system is not working properly, the warning light will come on. But there are several other reasons for which you might see the airbag warning light on your dashboard.
1. Minor Accidents:
Airbags have been known to deploy unexpectedly in certain accidents, even if there’s no impact with another vehicle. If this happens, it’s usually due to a manufacturing defect. In these cases, the airbags will need to be replaced.
If you’ve been in a minor accident, the crash sensor may have been activated even though the airbags didn’t deploy. This can cause the warning light to come on. In this case, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic to have the system checked out.
2. Battery Replacement:
If you’ve recently had your car’s battery replaced or jump-started, it’s possible that the airbag system has been reset. This can cause the warning light to come on.
3. Blocked Sensors:
The airbag system relies on sensors to detect when a collision has occurred. If these sensors are blocked by something, the system may not work properly. This can cause the warning light to come on.
4. Electrical Issues:
There are a number of electrical components in the airbag system, and if any of them aren’t working properly, the warning light will come on. This could be caused by a loose wire or a problem with the fuse.
5. Airbag Replacement:
If you’ve recently had your car’s airbags replaced, it’s possible that the warning light is coming on because they weren’t installed properly. In this case, you’ll need to take your car back to the mechanic who did the work.
6. ECU Malfunction:
The ECU, or electronic control unit, is the operating brain of your car. All sensors in the vehicle are connected to it, including the crash sensors If the ECU is not working properly, the airbag system may not function correctly. This can cause the warning light to come on.
How to Reset False Positive Warning of Curtain Airbags?
If the warning light is coming on for no reason, it’s likely that the system has been tripped by a false positive. There are a few things you can do to reset the system and get the light to turn off.
- First, check to make sure that nothing is blocking the sensors. If there’s something blocking the sensors, the system may think there’s a collision when there isn’t one.
- Next, try disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. This will reset the ECU and clear any false positives from the system.
- If neither of these things works, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic to have it checked out. They’ll be able to diagnose the problem and reset the system for you.
Conclusion
Offroading can get you into some pretty tough situations. Side curtain airbags are known to deploy unexpectedly in certain situations, which can cause serious injuries.
That’s why it’s important to have the RSCA off button engaged when you’re driving over rough terrain. This will prevent the curtain airbags from deploying and injuring you or your passengers.
This article has outlined what the RSCA off button does in Toyota cars and why you need it. Be sure to engage the RSCA off button when you’re driving over rough terrain to keep yourself and your passengers safe. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Question
Is it safe to drive while the roll-sensing curtain airbag (RSCA off) button is pressed?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to drive with the RSCA off button engaged. As we mentioned before, this button only disables the roll-sensing curtain airbags.
So, you will still have all of the other airbags in the car deployed in case of an accident. Plus, you can still engage the RSCA on the button at any time if you feel like you need the extra protection of the curtain airbags.
Pushing the RSCA off button is not going to put you or your passengers at any risk whatsoever. The RSCA off button is a safety feature introduced by Toyota that allows you to disable the roll-sensing curtain airbags.
This can be useful in a number of different scenarios, such as when you are going off-roading or if you are involved in a roll-over accident. Plus, it is perfectly safe to drive with the RSCA off button engaged.
How many side curtain airbags are there in Toyota Tundra and Tacoma?
There are two side curtain airbags in Toyota Tundra and Tacoma. These are located in the front and back of the vehicle. Other airbags are located in the driver and passenger seats, as well as in the front and back of the vehicle.
My car doesn’t have an RSCA off button. Does that mean my car doesn’t have roll-sensing curtain airbags?
No, not all cars have an RSCA off button. Some cars, such as the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma, come with this button standard. Other cars may have it as an optional feature. And still, other cars may not have it at all.
If your car doesn’t have an RSCA off button, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it doesn’t have roll-sensing curtain airbags. Many carmakers offer this safety feature without the button. So, you’ll need to check your car’s owners manual or you can find information on the independent Toyota enthusiast website.
Which Toyota cars have the RSCA Off button?
The RSCA Off button is standard on the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma. It is an optional feature on some other Toyota models, such as the Camry, Avalon, and Sienna.
What is a side curtain airbag?
A side curtain airbag is an inflatable bag that is designed to protect occupants in the event of a side impact or rollover accident. These airbags are typically located in the front and back of the vehicle.
What to do if your airbags open accidentally?
If you have an accident and your airbags open accidentally, it is very important to stay calm and follow the instructions of your emergency personnel. Do not try to remove yourself from the vehicle until you are instructed to do so.
If you are able, turn off the engine of your car and turn on your hazard lights. Once you are out of the car, move away from it and wait for help to arrive. If you have any injuries, do not try to move and wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
Is RSCA off feature really worth it?
The RSCA off feature is a great safety feature that can be very useful in certain situations. It is especially useful for those who love to go off-roading with their Toyota Tacoma or Tundra.
Of course, it is not without its drawbacks. The biggest drawback of having the RSCA off button engaged is that it disables the curtain airbags on both sides of the vehicle. So, if you were to get into an actual collision, you would not have the protection of the curtain airbags.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the RSCA off button only disables the curtain airbags. It does not turn off all of the airbags in the car. So, you will still have the protection of the front airbags.
In the end, it is up to you to decide if the RSCA off feature is something that you need or not. If you frequently go off-roading with your Toyota Tacoma or Tundra, then it might be a good idea to have the RSCA off button engaged. It is just like having OEM running boards or weathertech mats, which means it is optional.
