2000 Lexus LS400 steering

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
136
Auto tilt away*
16L012b
When the ignition key is removed, the steering
column moves forward away from the driver and
also tilts up for easy exit and entry.
When the key is inserted in the ignition switch, the
steering column returns to the previously set position.
NOTE: *This feature can be set inoperative. Ask your
Lexus dealer for details.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
16L016

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
161
SRS AIRBAGS
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.
16L118c

Driver and front passenger airbags
In response to a severe frontal impact, the driver and
front passenger airbags work together with the seat
belts to help reduce injury by inflating. The driver
and front passenger airbags help to reduce injuries
mainly to the driver's or front passenger's head or
chest directly hitting the steering wheel or
dashboard.
The front passenger airbag is activated even with no
passenger in the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
162
CAUTION
The driver or front passenger too close to the steering
wheel or dashboard during airbag deployment can be
killed or seriously injured. Lexus strongly recommends
that:
The driver sit as far back as possible from the
steering wheel while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
 The front passenger sit as far back as possible from
the dashboard.
 All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using
the available seat belts.
16L173b

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
172

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
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 sensor.
In 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
179
16L034a
Do not put objects or your pets on or in front of
the dashboard or steering wheel pad that
houses the driver and front passenger airbag
system. They might restrict inflation or cause
death or serious injury as they are projected
rearward by the force of the deploying airbags.
Likewise, the driver and front passenger
should not hold things in their arms or on their
knees.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
181
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. Suchchanges 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 orcompact disc player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and sidestructure of the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, k angaroo
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 frontpassenger airbag or front seats.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
184In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible:

Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
 The front part of the vehicle and portion of the doors
(shaded in the illustration) were involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to cause the
SRS airbags to inflate.
 The surface of the seats with the side airbags or the
pad section of the steering wheel or front passenger
airbag cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
CHILD RESTRAINT
Child restraint precautions
Lexus strongly urges the use of child restraint
systems for children small enough to use them.
The laws of all fifty states in the U.S.A. and Canada now
require the use of a child restraint system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAE J1819.
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. See ºSeat beltsº on page 143 for
details.
CAUTION
For effective protection in automobile accidents and
sudden stops, children must be properly restrained
using a seat belt or child restraint depending on age
and size. Holding a child in your arms is not a
substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident,
the child can be crushed against the windshield, or
between you and the vehicle's interior if you are
unrestrained.
 Lexus strongly urges use of a proper child restraint
which conforms to the size of the child and is put on
the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear
seat than in the front seat.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
210
DRIVING POSITION MEMORYSYSTEM
The micro computer can memorize the position of the
driver's seat, the height of the shoulder belt anchor of the
driver's seat belt, and the positions of the tilt and
telescopic steering, and outside rear view mirrors. Two
different driving position profiles can be entered into the
computer's memory.
Recording a driving position in the computer's memory
can only be done when the ignition key is in the ºONº
position and the selector lever is in the ªNº or ªPº position.
Setting a driving position
16L055