2000 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
157
16E171

1Collision from the front
2Collision from the rear
3Vehicle rollover
The SRS side airbags are not designed to inflate if
the vehicle is involved in a front or rear collision, if
it rolls over, or if it is involved in a low±speed side
collision.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
158
16E159

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

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
159
16E232

1Side airbag modules (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger (airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensor assemblies
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5SRS warning light
6Airbag sensor assembly
7Front airbag sensors
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor
and airbag sensor.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
160In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger
airbag sensor detects deceleration and the system
triggers the front airbag inflators. In a severe side
impact, the side airbag sensor triggers the side airbag
inflator.
Then a chemical reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non±toxic gas to help restrain the
forward or lateral 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 a minor skin irritation. Be
sure to wash off any residue as soon as possible to
prevent any potential 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
swelling.
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
161
CAUTION
The SRS airbag system 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 ensure 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 injury or being thrown
out of the vehicle. For instructions and precautions
concerning the seat belt system, see ªSeat beltsº on
page 132.
 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 ªChild restraintº on page 172 .

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
162
16E177
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
163
16L146

Move seat fully back
A forward±facing child restraint system should
be allowed to 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
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 ªChild restraintº on page 172.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
164
16E028
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.