1998 Lexus ES300 airbag off

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
32
If the brake fluid level is correct ...
Have the warning system checked by your Lexus dealer.
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
Once the ignition key is turned to ºONº or ºSTARTº, the reminder light and
buzzer come on if the driver's seat belt is not fastened. Unless the driver
fastens the belt, the light stays on and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8
seconds.
(c) SRS Warning Light
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºACCº o\
r
ºONº position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This means the SRS is
operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assemblies,
inflators, seat belt pretensioners, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction
somewhere in the parts monitored by the warning light system. Contact your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.

The light does not come on as described above.
 The light stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front passenger air\
bags fail.
If the light flashes, the side airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fa\
il.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn off the engine, and
check for the cause. Look first at the engine drive belt.
 If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge the battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however, until the battery is
discharged. Turn off the air conditioning, blower, radio, etc., and drive
directly to the nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
70
16E125±1

Side airbags
Side airbags:
In response to a severe side impact, the side airbag for the driver or front
passenger works together with the seat belt to help preventing or
reducing injury by inflating, in order to decrease the impact mainly on the
driver or front passenger's chest.
The side airbag on the passenger seat is activated even with no passenge\
r in
the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt.
CAUTION
SRS side airbags inflate with considerable force. To avoid
potential death or serious injury during inflation of a side
airbag, Lexus strongly recommends that the driver and front
passenger;
 Wear their seat belt.
 Remain properly seated with their back against the seat at
all times.
16E022
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to the ºACCº o\
r
ºONº position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This means the SRS is
operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag sensor assemblies,
inflators, seat belt pretensioners, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT73
16E136

Vehicle roll±over
The side airbags are not designed to inflate if the vehicle is rolled over.
If the impact on the body of the passenger compartment is not strong as
illustrated above, the relevant side airbag may not inflate.
16L137

1 Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Front passenger airbag module (airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensor assembly
4Seat belt pretensioner
5Steering wheel pad assembly (airbag and inflator)
6SRS warning light
7Driver and front passenger airbag sensor assembly
The SRS airbag sensor assemblies consist of a safing sensor and driver and
front passenger airbag sensor.
In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger airbag sensor d\
etects
deceleration and the system triggers the front airbag inflators and seat belt
pretensioners. In a severe side impact, the side airbag sensor triggers the side
airbag inflator. Then a chemical reaction in the inflators momentarily fills the
airbags with non±toxic gas to help restrain the forward or lateral motion of \
the
occupants. Then the inflators fill the airbags and the seat belts are quickly
drawn back in by the retractors to help restrain forward motion of the
occupants.
When the SRS operates, it produces a fairly loud noise and release some
smoke along with non±toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. Be sure to wash
off any residue as soon as possible to prevent minor skin irritation.
Deployment of the airbags happen in a fraction of a second, so the airbags
must inflate with considerable force. While the system is designed to reduc\
e

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
92
16L152

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. Do not allow
the child to lean over the front door or around the front door
even if the child is seated in a child restraint system. It is
dangerous if the side airbag inflates, and the impact could
cause death or serious injury to the child.
16E116±2
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 ºSeat beltsº
on page 64 for details.
CAUTION
 Always make sure the shoulder belt is positioned across the
center of child's shoulder. The belt should be kept away
from child's neck, but not falling off child's shoulder.
Failure to do so could reduce the amount of pr otection in an
accident and cause serious injuries in a collision.

BODY237
CLEANING THE INTERIOR
CAUTION

Be careful not to splash water or spill liquid on the floor.
This may prevent the side airbags from activating
correctly, resulting in serious injury.

Do not wash the vehicle floor with water, or allow water to
get onto the floor when cleaning the vehicle interior or
exterior. Water may get into audio components or other
electrical components above or under the floor carpet (or
mat) and cause a malfunction; and it may cause body
corrosion.
Leather Interior
The selected leather is used in your Lexus. Due to a leather product, some\
parts of leather may be rough, uneven or scratched originally.
To keep good appearance, we recommend you to clean it periodically twice
a year.
Remove dirt on the leather in the following ways:
1. Wipe it off lightly using a soft cloth (e.g. gauze) dampened with 5%
solution of neutral detergent for wool.
2. Wring water from a clean cloth and thoroughly wipe off all traces of
detergent with it.
3. Wipe off the surface of the leather with a dry soft cloth. Allow the leather
to dry in a ventilated shaded area. Excess of wet may cause the hardeni\
ng or
shrinking of the leather.
NOTICE

Dirt or sand adhered to the leather may damage the treated surface
and cause it to wear earlier. Remove dirt or sand using a vacuum
cleaner.

If a stain should fail to come out with a neutral detergent, apply a
cleaner that does not contain an organic solvent.

Never use organic substances such as benzine, alcohol or gasoline, or
alkaline or acid solutions for cleaning the leather as these could cause
discoloring.

Use of a nylon brush or synthetic fiber cloth, etc. may scratch the fine
grained surface of the leather.

Mildew may develop on soiled leather upholstery. Be especially
careful to avoid oil spots. Try to keep your upholstery always clean.

Long exposure to direct sunlight may cause the leather surface to
harden and shrink. Keep your vehicle in a shaded area, especially in
the summer.

The interior of your vehicle is apt to heat up on hot summer days, so
avoid placing on the upholstery items made of vinyl or plastic or
containing wax as these tend to stick to leather when warm.

Improper cleaning of the leather upholstery could result in
discoloration or staining.