2001 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
144To release the belt, press the buckle release button
and allow the belt to retract.
If the belt does not retract smoothly, pull it out and check
for kinks or twists. Then make sure it remains untwisted
as it retracts.
Seat belt extender
If your seat belts cannot be fastened securely because
it is not long enough, a personalized seat belt extender
is available from your Lexus dealer free of charge.
Please
contact your local Lexus dealer so that the dealer
can order the proper required length for the extender.
Bring the heaviest coat you expect to wear for proper
measurement and selection of length. Additional
ordering information is available at your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
When using the seat belt extender, observe the
following. Failure to follow these instructions could
result in less effectiveness of the seat belt restraint
system in case of vehicle accident, increasing the
chance of personal injury.
 Never use the seat belt extender if you can fasten the
seat belt without it.
 Remember that the extender provided for you may
not be safe when used on a different vehicle, or for
another person or at a different seating position than
the one originally intended for.
16E018±2

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
145
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
146
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
147
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 belts are quickly drawn
back in by the retractors so that the belts snugly restrain
the front seat occupants.
The front 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
148
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, side airbag sensors,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(For details, see ªService reminder indicators and
warning buzzersº on page 60 for instructions.)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
149
16E229

1Front seat belt pretensioner assemblies
2SRS warning light
3Airbag sensor assembly
4Front airbag sensors
The front seat belt pretensioner system mainly consists
of the above components, and their locations are shown
in the illustration.
The front seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the
airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly
consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When the front seat belt pretensioners are 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 front seat belt pretensioners have been
activated, the seat belt retractors remain locked.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
150
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 these instructions can result in death
or serious injuries.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without consulting your Lexus dealer. Suchchanges can interfere with proper operation of the
front 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
151
16E179
This front seat belt pretensioner system has a service
reminder indicator to inform the driver of operating
problems. If any 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 cannot be
pulled out due to a malfunction or activation of the
relevant front seat belt pretensioner.