Page 36 of 87
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
145 The indicator comes on when the ignition key is
turned to the ºACCº or 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, front airbag sensors, inflators, seat
belt pretensioners, warning light, interconnecting wiring
and power sources. (For details, see ºService reminder
indicators and warning buzzersº on page 65 for
instructions.)
16G023
Page 37 of 87
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
146The driver and front passenger airbags and seat belt
pretensioners are designed to activate in response
to a severe frontal impact within the shaded area
between the arrows in the illustration.
There may be the case that the driver and passenger
airbags and seat belt pretensioners will not activate with
such an impact in which the occupant wearing the seat
belt correctly would not get serious injury.
The driver and front passenger airbags and seat belt
pretensioners will work if the severity of the impact is
above the designed threshold level, comparable to an
approximate 25 km/h (15 mph) collision in the U.S.A.
and 30 km (18 mph) collision in Canada when impacting
straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or deform.
If the severity of the impact is below the above threshold
level, the driver and front passenger airbags and seat
belt pretensioners may not work.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 it is involved in an underride collision (e.g.
a collision in which the nose of the vehicle ºunderridesº,
or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
It is possible with collision severity at the marginal level
of driver and passenger airbag sensor detection and
activation that only one of your vehicle's driver and front
passenger airbags and seat belt pretensioners will work.
For the safety of all occupants, be sure to always wear
seat belts.
Page 43 of 87
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
152
1Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensor assembly
4Seat belt pretensioner
5Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
6SRS warning light
7Airbag sensor assembly
8Front airbag sensor
The SRS airbag sensor assemblies consist of a safing
sensor and driver and front passenger airbag sensors.
In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger
airbag sensors detect 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 and residue along with
non±toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. This gas is
normally harmless, however, for those who have
delicate skin, it may cause minor skin irritation. Be sure
to wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent
minor skin irritation.
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, it may also cause minor burns or abrasions and
swellings.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub,
dashboard, front seats) may be hot for several minutes,
but the airbags themselves will not be hot. The airbags
are designed to inflate only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the driver and front
passenger airbags may break the windshield as the
vehicle buckles. In vehicles with a front passenger
airbag, the windshield may also be damaged by
absorbing some of the force of the inflating airbag.
Page 52 of 87
COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
161
Do not use accessories for the seats which
cover the parts where the side airbags should
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, front seats, airbag sensor
assembly or seat belt assemblies. Doing any of
these may cause sudden SRS operation or
disable the system, which could result in death
or serious injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats or surface of
the front seats with side airbags. Such
changes may disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate, resulting in death or
serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
death or serious injuries.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes
without consulting your Lexus dealer. Such
changes can interfere with proper operation of the
SRS in some cases.
Installation of electronic items 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.), snow plow, 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, front seats or seat belt
assembly.
