2000 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
141
To connect the extender to the seat belt, insert the
tab into the seat belt buckle so that the ªPRESSº
signs on the buckle release buttons of the extender
and the seat belt are both facing outward as shown.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
When releasing the seat belt, press on the buckle
release button on the ext
ender, not on the seat belt. This
helps prevent damage to the vehicle interior and
extender itself.
When not in use, remove the extender and store in the
vehicle for future use.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
142
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the 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 contact 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
143
Front seat belt pretensioners
16E228
The driver and front passenger's seat belt
pretensioners are designed to be activated in
response to a severe frontal impact.
When the airbag sensor detects the shock of a severe
frontal impact, the front seat belt is quickly drawn back
in by the retractor so that the belt snugly restrains the
front seat occupants.
The seat belt pretensioners are activated even with no
passenger in the front seat.
Collisions occurring at certain speeds and angles may
cause the seat belt pretensioners and SRS airbags not
to operate all together.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
144
16E179
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is
turned to the ªACCº or ªONº position. It goes off
after about 6 seconds. This means the front seat belt
pretensioners are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see ªService reminder
indicators and warning buzzersº on page 60 for
instructions.)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
145
16E229

1Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
2SRS warning light
3Airbag sensor assembly
4Front airbag sensors
The seat belt pretensioner is controlled by the airbag
sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists
of a safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When a seat belt pretensioner is activated, an operating
noise may be heard and a small amount of smoke±like
gas may be released. This gas is harmless and does not
indicate that a fire is occurring.
Once the seat belt pretensioner has been activated, the
seat belt retractor remains locked.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
146
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open the front seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, airbag sensor or surrounding
area or wiring. Doing any of these may cause sudden
operation of the front seat belt pretensioners or disable
the system, which could result in serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in serious
injuries.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting your Lexus dealer. Suchchanges can interfere with proper operation of the
seat belt pretensioners in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile two±way radio, cassette tape player orcompact disc player
Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractorassemblies
Modification of the suspension system
Modification of the front end structure
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroobar, etc.), snowplow, winches or any otherequipment to the front end
Repair made on or near the front fenders, frontend structure or console

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
147
16E230

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
148This front seat belt pretensioner 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 or pretensioners.
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 the light
remains on.
 The light comes on or flashes while driving.
 If either front seat belt does not retract or can not be
pulled out due to a malfunction or activation of the
pretensioner.
 The front seat belt pretensioner assembly or
surrounding area has been damaged.
 The front part of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration)
was involved in an accident that was not severe
enough to cause the seat belt pretensioners to
operate.
 The front seat belt pretensioner assembly is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM (SRS)
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbags
are designed to provide further protection for the
driver and front passenger in addition to the primary
safety protection provided by the seat belts.