2000 Lexus GS300 sensor

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
143
Front seat belt pretensioners
16G132
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
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
16G022
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, side airbag sensor assemblies, front airbag
sensors, inflators, seat belt pretensioner assembly,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(For details, see ªService reminder indicators and
warning buzzersº on page 63.)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
145
16G134

1Front airbag sensor
2Seat belt pretensioner assembly
3SRS warning light
4Airbag sensor assembly
The seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly of the
above components, and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
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 death or serious
injury.
Failure to follow the instruction can result in death or
serious injury.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
153 The indicator comes on when the ignition key is
turned to the ºACCº or ºONº position. It goes off
after about 6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags
are operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag
sensor assembly, front airbag sensors, inflators,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(For details, see ºService reminder indicators and
warning buzzersº on page 63.)
16G023

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
154The SRS airbag system is designed to activate in
response to a severe frontal impact within the
shaded area between the arrows in the illustration.
The SRS airbags will work if the severity of the impact
is above the designed threshold level, comparable to an
approximate 25 km/h (15 mph) collision in the U.S.A.
and 30 km (18 mph) collision in Canada when impacting
straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or deform.
If the severity of the impact is below the above threshold
level, the SRS airbags may not work.
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably
higher if the vehicle strikes an object, such as a parked
vehicle or sign pole, which can move or deform on
impact, or if it is involved in an underride collision (e.g.
a collision in which the nose of the vehicle ºunderridesº,
or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).It is possible that in some collisions at the lower zone of
airbag sensor detection and activation the SRS airbags
and seat belt pretensioners will not operate all together.
For the safety of all occupants, always wear your seat
belts.
16G024

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
160

1Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensor assembly
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5SRS warning light
6Airbag sensor assembly
7Front airbag sensors
The SRS airbag system consists mainly of the above
components, and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor
and airbag sensors.
In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger
airbag sensors detect 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
169
Do not use accessories for the seats which
cover the parts where the side airbags 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 or airbag sensor
assembly. Doing any of these may cause
sudden SRS airbag inflation or disable the
system, which could result in death or serious
injury.
Do not modify or replace the seats or
upholstery of the front seats with side airbags.
Such changes may disable the system or cause
the side airbags to inflate accidentally,
resulting in death or serious injury. Consult
your Lexus dealer if you consider
modifications of this kind.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
death or serious injury.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes
without consulting your Lexus dealer. Such
changes can interfere with proper operation of the
SRS in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a
mobile two±way radio, cassette tape player or
compact disc player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and side
structure of the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo
bar, etc.), snowplow, winches or any other
equipment to the front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front
end structure, console, steering column,
steering wheel, dashboard near the front
passenger airbag or front seats.