COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
►Side airbags
In response to a severe side impact, the side airbags for the driver or front passenger work together with the seat belts to help reduce injury by inflating. The side airbags help to reduce injuries mainly to the driver’s or front passenger’s chest.
The side airbag on the passenger seat will not activate if there is no passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the side airbag on the passenger seat may deploy if luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is buckled up regardless of the presence of the occupant in the seat.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint system by the driver and passenger when the side airbags are inflated.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.
CAUTION The side airbags inflate with considerable force. To avoid potential death or serious injury when they inflate, the driver and front passenger must:
- Wear their seat belts properly.
- Remain properly seated with their back upright and against the seat at all times.
- Always make sure that the belt webbing is not twisted and runs freely through the guide when using it.
- Always adjust the seat belt webbing snugly, adjust the seat belt guide and seat position to assure proper fit and comfort of your seat belt.
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This indicator comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the "ON" position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assembly, front airbag sensors, side airbag sensors, occupant detection sensor, seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and power sources. (For details, see "Service reminder indicators and warning buzzers" on page 38.)
The front airbags are designed to deploy in severe (usually frontal) collisions where the magnitude and duration of the forward deceleration of the vehicle exceeds the designed threshold level.
The front airbags will work if the severity of the impact is above the designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate 25 km/h (15 mph) collision when the vehicle has the impact straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or deform.
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if the vehicle strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole, which can move or deform on impact, or if the vehicle is involved in an underride collision (a collision in which the front of the vehicle "underrides", or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
It is possible that in some collisions where the forward deceleration of the vehicle is very close to the designed threshold level, the front airbags and the seat belt pretensioners may not activate together.
For the safety of all occupants, always wear your seat belts properly.
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1 Collision from the side 2 Collision from the rear
3 Vehicle rollover
The front airbags are generally not designed to inflate if the vehicle is involved in a side or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is involved in a low-speed frontal collision. But, whenever a collision of any type causes sufficient forward deceleration of the vehicle, deployment of the front airbags may occur.
1 Collision from the side at an angle
2 Collision from the side to the vehicle body other than the passenger compartment
The side airbags may not inflate if the vehicle is subjected to a collision from the side at certain angles, or a collision to the side of the vehicle body other than the passenger compartment as shown in the illustration.
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1 Collision from the front 2 Collision from the rear 3 Vehicle rollover
The side airbags are not designed to inflate if the vehicle is involved in a front or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is involved in a low-speed side collision.
1 Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard material 2 Falling into or jumping over a deep hole 3 Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbags may also deploy if a serious impact occurs to the underside of your vehicle. Some examples are shown in the illustration.
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1 Side airbag module (airbag and inflator) 2 Airbag module for front passenger (airbag and inflator) 3 Side airbag sensors 4 Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator) 5 SRS warning light 6 Airbag sensor assembly 7 Front airbag sensors 8 Door side airbag sensors 9 Occupant detection sensor 10 Seat belt buckle switch
The SRS airbag system mainly consists of the above components, and their locations are shown in the illustration.
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensors.
The front airbag sensors constantly monitor the forward deceleration of the vehicle. If an impact results in a forward deceleration beyond the designed threshold level, the system triggers the airbag inflators. In a severe side impact, the side airbag sensor triggers the side airbag inflator. At this time a chemical reaction in the inflators very quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the forward or lateral motion of the occupants. The front airbags then quickly deflate, so that there is no obstruction of the driver's vision should it be necessary to continue driving.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a loud noise and release some smoke and residue along with non-toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. This smoke may remain inside the vehicle for some time, and may cause some minor irritation to the eyes, skin or breathing. Be sure to wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent any potential skin irritation with soap and water. If you can physically and safely exit the vehicle after a collision, you should do so at the first opportunity.
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Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a second, so the airbags must inflate with considerable force. While the system is designed to reduce serious injuries, primarily to the head and chest, it may also cause other, less severe injuries to the face, chest, arms and hands. These are usually in the nature of minor burns or abrasions and swelling, but the force of a deploying airbag can cause more serious injuries, especially if an occupant's hands, arms, chest or head is in close proximity to the airbag module at the time of deployment. This is why it is important for the occupant to; avoid placing any object or part of the body between the occupant and the airbag module; sit straight and well back into the seat; wear the available seat belt properly; and sit as far as possible from the airbag module, while still maintaining control of the vehicle.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) may be hot for several minutes after deployment, so do not touch! The airbags inflate only once. The windshield may be damaged by absorbing some of the force of the inflating airbag.
CAUTION
- The SRS airbag system is designed only as a supplement to the primary protection of the driver side and front passenger side seat belt systems. The front seat occupants can be killed or seriously injured by the inflating airbags if they do not wear the available seat belts properly. During sudden braking just before a collision, an unrestrained driver or front passenger can move forward or sideways into direct contact with or close proximity to the airbag which may then deploy during the collision. To ensure maximum protection in an accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly. Wearing a seat belt properly during an accident reduces the chances of death or serious injury or being thrown out of the vehicle. For instructions and precautions concerning the seat belt system, see "Seat belts" on page 103.
- 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 system. Lexus strongly recommends that all infants and children be placed in the rear seat of the vehicle and properly restrained. The rear seat is the safest for infants and children. For instructions concerning the installation of a child restraint system, see "Child restraint" on page 126.
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188A34
- Never put a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat because the force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury to the child.
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▶Move seat fully back
- A forward-facing child restraint system should be allowed to be put on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back as possible, because the force of the deploying front passenger airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child.
- Do not allow the child to lean against the door or around the door even if the child is seated in a child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, because the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
For instructions concerning the installation of a child restraint system, see "Child restraint" on page 126.
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- Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean against the dashboard when the vehicle is in use, since the front passenger airbag inflates with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, you may be killed or seriously injured. Sit up straight and well back in the seat, and always use your seat belt properly.
- Do not lean against the door when the vehicle is in use, since the side airbag inflates with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, you may be killed or seriously injured. Special care should be taken especially when you have a small child in the vehicle.
- Sit up straight and well back in the seat, distributing your weight evenly in the seat. Do not apply excessive weight to the outer side of the front seats on vehicles with side airbags.
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188A38a
- Do not get your head closer to the area where the side airbag inflates, since the side airbag inflates with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, you may be killed or seriously injured. Special care should be taken especially when you have a small child in the vehicle.
186A383
- Do not allow a child to stand up or kneel on the front passenger seat, since the front passenger airbag inflates with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, the child may be killed or seriously injured.
- Do not hold a child on your lap or in your arms. Use a child restraint system in the rear seat. For instructions concerning the installation of a child restraint system, see "Child restraint" on page 126.
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● Do not put objects or your pets on or in front of the dashboard or steering wheel pad that houses the driver and front passenger airbag system. They might restrict inflation or cause death or serious injury as they are projected rearward by the force of the deploying airbags. Likewise, the driver and front passenger should not hold objects in their arms or on their knees.
● Do not attach a cup holder or any other device or object on or around the door. When the side airbag inflates, the cup holder or any other device or object will be thrown with great force, or the side airbag may not activate correctly, resulting in death or serious injury. Likewise, the driver and front passenger should not hold objects in their arms or on their knees.
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- Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the side airbags inflate. Such accessories may prevent the side airbags from activating correctly, causing death or serious injury.
- Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify, remove, strike or open any components, such as the steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover, front passenger airbag cover or airbag sensor assembly. Doing so may cause sudden front airbags inflation or disable the system, which could result in death or serious injury.
- Do not modify or replace the seats or upholstery of front seats equipped with side airbags. Such changes may disable the system or cause the side airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any repairs and modifications.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag system in some cases.
- Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile two-way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc player.
- Modification of the suspension system.
- Modification of the front end structure and side structure of the passenger compartment.
- Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar, etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to the front end.
- Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end structure, console, steering column, steering wheel, dashboard near the front passenger airbag or front seats.
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This SRS airbag system has a service reminder indicator to inform the driver of operating problems. If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction of the airbags. Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.
- When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the light does not come on, stays on or flashes.
- The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the front airbags have a problem. If the light flashes, the side airbags have a problem.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible:
- Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
- The front of the vehicle and portion of the doors (shaded in the illustration) was involved in an accident that was not severe enough to cause the SRS airbags to inflate.
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- The surface of the seats with the side airbags or the pad section of the steering wheel or front passenger airbag cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
CHILD RESTRAINT
Child restraint precautions
Lexus strongly urges the use of child restraint systems for children small enough to use them.
The laws of all 50 states in the U.S.A. and Canada now require the use of a child restraint system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAE J1819.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child should sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using the vehicle's seat belt. See "Seat belts" on page 103 for details.
⚠ CAUTION
- For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on age and size. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the windshield, or between you and the vehicle's interior if you are unrestrained.
- Lexus strongly urges use of a proper child restraint system which conforms to the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
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- Never put a rear-facing child restraint system on the front seat. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the airbag can cause death or serious injury if a rear-facing child restraint system is put on the front seat.
- A forward-facing child restraint system should be allowed to be put on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back as possible, because the force of the deploying front passenger airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child.
- Make sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided by the child restraint manufacturer and that the system is properly secured.
- Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other passengers in the event of collision.
- Do not allow the child to lean against the door or around the door even if the child is seated in a child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, because the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
Child restraint system
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly restrained on the seat with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. You must carefully consult the manufacturer's instructions which accompany the child restraint system.
To provide proper restraint, use a child restraint system following the manufacturer's instructions about the appropriate age and size of the child for the restraint system.
Install the child restraint system correctly following the instructions provided by its manufacturer of the system. General directions are also provided under the following illustrations.
The child restraint system should be installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
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CAUTION
- Never put a rear-facing child restraint system on the front seat. In the event of an accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the airbag can cause death or serious injury if a rear-facing child restraint system is put on the front seat.
- A forward-facing child restraint system should be allowed to be put on the front passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back as possible, because the force of the deploying front passenger airbag could cause death or serious injury to the child.
- Do not allow the child to lean against the door or around the door even if the child is seated in a child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbag inflates, because the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
- After installing the child restraint system, make sure it is secured in place according to the manufacturer's instructions. If it is not restrained securely, it may cause death or serious injury to the child in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
When not using the child restraint system, keep it secured with the seat belt or place it in the trunk or somewhere other than in the passenger compartment. This will prevent it from injuring passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
Your vehicle has anchor brackets for securing the top strap of a child restraint system.
For instructions about how to use the anchor bracket, see "Using a top strap" on page 141.
Types of child restraint system
Child restraint systems are classified into the following 3 types depending on the child's age and size.
(A) Infant seat (B) Convertible seat (C) Booster seat
Install the child restraint system following the instructions provided by its manufacturer.
Child restraint lower anchorages approved for your vehicle may also be used. See "Installation with child restraint lower anchorages" on page 143.
(A) Infant seat
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INSTALLATION WITH 3-POINT TYPE SEAT BELT (A) Infant seat installation
An infant seat is used in rear-facing position only.
(B) Convertible seat
(C) Booster seat
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