1997 Lexus ES300 airbag

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75
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.
The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position, or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
The SRS airbags have been inflated.
The front part of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration) was
involved in an accident not of the extent to cause the SRS
airbags to inflate.

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76
The pad section of the steering wheel or front passenger
airbag cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before
contacting your Lexus dealer.
CHILD RESTRAINT
Child restraint precautions
Lexus strongly urges the use of child restraint system
for children small enough to use it.
The laws of all fifty 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 ªSeat beltsº on page 63 for details.
CAUTION!
For effective protection in automobile accidents
and sudden stops, children must be properly
restrained using a seat belt or child restraint
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 conforms to the size of the child on the
rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear
seat than in the front seat.
Never install of 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 installed on the front seat.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not install a
forward±facing child restraint system on the front
seat.

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77
A forward±facing child resistant system should
be put on the front seat only when it is
unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back
as possible, because the force of a deploying
airbag could cause death or serious injury to the
child. Make sure you have compiled with all
installation instructions provided by the child
restraint manufacturer and that the system is
properly secured.
Child restraint system
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must
itself be properly restrained on the seat with either the
lap or the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt. You must
carefully consult the manufacturer's instructions
which accompany by your 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.
CAUTION
Never install of 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.
Unless it is unavoidable, do not put a
forward±facing child restraint system on the front
seat.
,A forward±facing child restraint system should
be put on the front seat only when it is
unavoidable.. Always move the seat as far back
as possible, because the force of deploying
airbag 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
injuring passengers in the event of a sudden stop or
accident.
Your vehicle has anchors for securing the strap of a child
restraint system. The anchor nuts are welded beneath the
sheet metal to permit installation of an anchor bracket for a
child restraint system.

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80
CAUTION!
Never put a rear±facing child restraint system in the
front seat because the force of the rapid inflation of
the passenger airbag can cause death or serious
injury to the child.
1. Run the center lap belt through or around the infant seat
following the instructions provided by its manufacturer and
inserting the tab into the buckle taking care not to twist the
lap belt. Keep the lap portion of the belt tight.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and
buckle are locked and that the lap belt is not
twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this
may prevent you from properly latching the tab
and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally,
immediately conact your Lexus dealer. Do not use
the seat until the seat belt is fixed. It cannot
protect an adult occupant or your child from
injury.!

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CAUTION
Never put a rear±facing child restraint system in
the front seat because the force of the rapid
inflation of the passenger airbag can cause death
or serious injury to the child.!
Move seat fully back
A forward±facing child restraint system should be
put on the front seat only when it is unavoidable.
Always move the seat as far back as possible,
because the force of the deploying airbag could
cause death or serious injury to the child.

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87
Move seat fully back
CAUTION!
A forward±facing child restraint system should be
put on the front seat only when it is unavoidable.
Always move the seat as far back as possible,
because the force of a deploying airbag could
cause death or serious injury to the child.
1. Sit the child on a booster seat. Run the lap and shoulder
belt through or around the booster seat and child following
the instructions provided by its manufacturer and insert the
tab into the buckle.
Make sure the shoulder belt is correctly across the child's
shoulder and that the lap belt is positioned as low as possible
on child's hips. See ªSeat beltsº on page 63 for details.
CAUTION
Always make sure the shoulder belt is positioned
across the child's shoulder. The belt should be
kept away from the child's neck, but not falling off
child's shoulder. Failure to do so could reduce
the amount of protection in an accident and cause
serious injuries in a collision.!