1999 Lexus LS400 steering

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
132
Auto tilt away*
16L012-2
When the ignition key is removed, the steering
column moves forward away from the driver and
also tilts up for easy exit and entry.
When the key is inserted in the ignition switch, the
steering column returns to the previously set position.
NOTE: *This feature can be set inoperative. Ask your
Lexus dealer for details.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
16L016

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
152

Driver and front passenger airbags, and seat belt
pretensioners
Driver and front passenger airbags:In response to a severe frontal impact, the driver and
front passenger airbags work together with the seat
belts to help preventing or reduce injury by inflating,
in order to decrease the likelihood of the driver's or
front passenger's heads or chests from directly
hitting the steering wheel or dashboard.
Seat belt pretensioners:
In response to a severe frontal impact, the seat belts
are quickly drawn back in by the retractors so that
the belts snugly restrain the driver and front
passenger.
The front passenger airbag is activated even with no
passenger in the front seat.
The seat belt pretensioners are activated even with no
passenger in the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
153
CAUTION
The driver or front passenger too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard during airbag deployment can be
killed or seriously injured. Lexus strongly recommends
that:
The driver sit as far back as possible from the
steering wheel while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
 The front passenger sit as far back as possible from
the dashboard.
 All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using
the available seat belts.
16L173a

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
163


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
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 detects 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
170
16L034-2
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 things in their arms or on their
knees.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
172
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. Suchchanges 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 orcompact disc player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and sidestructure of the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroobar, etc.), snow plow, winches or any otherequipment to the front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front
end structure, console, steering column, steering wheel, dashboard near the frontpassenger airbag, front seats or seat belt
assembly.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
175
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible:

Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
 If either front seat belt does not retract or cannot be
pulled out due to a malfunction or activation of the
pretensioner. 
The front seat belt retractor assembly or surrounding
area has been damaged.
 The front part of the vehicle and portion of the doors
(shaded in the illustration) were involved in an
accident that did not cause the SRS to work.
 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.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before
contacting your Lexus dealer.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
203
16L040±1

1Bolt 2Anchor bracket 3Spacer
4. Insert a 15 mm (0.6 in.) spacer, and tighten down the
anchor bracket for your child restraint system with a bolt.
Torque the bolt to 16.5 ± 24.7 N´m (1.68 ±2.52 kgf´m,
12.2 ± 18.2 ft´lbf.).
To comply with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards, this model sold in Canada is provided with a
bracket set in the glove box, designed for use with any
of the 3 anchor locations shown in the illustration.
DRIVING POSITION MEMORY SYSTEM
The micro computer can memorize the position of the
driver's seat, the height of the shoulder belt anchor of the
driver's seat belt, and the positions of the tilt and
telescopic steering, and outside rear view mirrors. Two
different driving position profiles can be entered into the
computer's memory.
Recording a driving position in the computer's memory
can only be done when the ignition key is in the ºONº
position and the selector lever is in the ºPº position.
Setting a driving position
16L055