2000 Lexus ES300 airbag

iiiThis vehicle should not be modified with non±genuine
Lexus products. Modification with non±genuine Lexus
products could affect its performance, safety or
durability, and may even violate governmental
regulations. In addition, damage or performance
problems resulting from the modification may not be
covered under warranty.
Spark ignition system of your Lexus
The spark ignition system in your Lexus meets all
requirements of the Canadian Interference±Causing
Equipment Standard.
Installation of a mobile two±way radio
system
As the installation of a mobile two±way radio system in
your
vehicle could affect electronic systems such as the
multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel
injection system, cruise control system, anti±lock brake
system and Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), be
sure to check with your Lexus dealer for precautionary
measures or special instructions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Lexus
The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) in your
Lexus consists of driver and front passenger airbags,
side airbags and seat belt pretensioners. The SRS
device contains explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is
scrapped with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners
left as they are, this may cause an accident such as fire.
Be sure to have the SRS removed and disposed of by
a qualified service shop or by your Lexus dealer before
you scrap your vehicle.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
63
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to buckle up the driver's
seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ªONº or ªSTARTº, the
reminder light and buzzer come on if the driver's seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt,
the light stays on and the buzzer stops after about 4 to
8 seconds.
(c) SRS Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº 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.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on as described above.
 The light stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front passenger airbags fail. If the light flashes, the side
airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fail.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the
engine drive belt.

If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge
the battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however,
until the battery is discharged. Turn off the air
conditioning, blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to the
nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
11 4
CAUTION
The SRS side airbags are installed in the driver and front
passenger seats. Observe the following precautions.
Do not lean over the front door when the vehicle is in
use. The side airbag inflates with considerable speed
and force; you may be killed or severely injured.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or the surface of
the 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.
 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
132
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus strongly urges that the driver and passengers in
the vehicle be properly restrained at all times with the
seat belts provided. Failure to do so could increase the
chance of injury and/or the severity of injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system appropriate for the
child until the child becomes large enough to properly
wear the vehicle's seat belts. See ªChild restraintº on
page 172 for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child
should sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using
the vehicle's seat belt. According to accident statistics,
the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear
seat than in the front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the seat belts should
be worn properly. Do not let the child sit on your lap. It
does not provide sufficient restraint. If an accident
occurs and the seat belts are not worn properly, the force
of the rapid inflation of the airbag may cause death or
serious injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel on either rear
or front seats. An unrestrained child could suf fer serious
injury or death during emergency braking or a collision.
Pregnant woman. Lexus recommends the use of a
seat belt. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap
belt should be worn securely
and as low as possible over the hips and not on the waist.

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