1999 Lexus LS400 lexus LS400 1999 Electrical Components / LEXUS 1999 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50514U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
161
16L212

1Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard
material
2Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS may operate if a serious impact occurs to
the underside of your vehicle. Some examples are
shown in the illustration.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
162
16L193±1

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
164
CAUTION
The SRS 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 an
inflating airbag if they do not wear the available seat
belts. During sudden braking just before a collision,
an unrestrained driver or front passenger can move
forward into direct contact with or close proximity to
the airbag which may then deploy during the
collision. To obtain maximum protection in an
accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle
must wear their seat belts. Wearing a seat belt during
an accident reduces the chances of death or serious
injuries or being thrown out of the vehicle. For
instructions and precautions concerning the seat
belt system, see ºSeat beltsº on page 139.
 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 ºChild restraintº on page 176 .

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
165
16L180a
Never put a rear±facing child restraint system
on the front seat because the force of the rapid
inflation of the front passenger airbag can
cause death or serious injury to the child.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
166
16L146

Move seat fully back
A forward±facing child restraint system should
be allowed to 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
against 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. For instructions
concerning the installation of a child restraint
system, see ºChild restraintº on page 176.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
167
16L033
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over
the dashboard when the vehicle is in use. The
airbags inflate with considerable speed and
force; you may be killed or seriously injured.
Sit up straight and well back in the seat, and
always use your seat belt.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
168
16L178±2
Do not lean against the front door when the
vehicle is in use. The side airbag inflates with
considerable speed and force; you may be
killed or seriously injured.
 Do not apply excessive weight to the outer side
of the front seats on vehicles with side airbags.
 The child head should not be leaned against
the vicinity of the part where the side airbag
activates.