2001 Lexus ES300 Owner's Manuals (in English)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
160
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
161
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 front airbags may deploy if a serious
impact occurs to the underside of your vehicle.
Some examples are shown in the illustration.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
162
16E232

1Side airbag modules (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger (airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensors
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 sensor.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
163
In a severe frontal impact, the 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
164
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 the inflating airbags if they do not wear the
available seat belts properly. During sudden braking
just bef ore 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
properly. Wearing a seat belt properly 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 136.
 Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously injured by the
deploying ai rbags. 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 175 .

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
165
16E177
Never put a rear±facing child restraint system
on the front passenger seat because the force
of the rapid inflation of the front passenger
airbag can cause death or serious injury to the
child.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
166
16L146

Move seat fully back
A forward±facing child restraint system should
be allowed to be put on the front passenger
seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move
the seat as far back as possible, because the
force of the deploying front passenger 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 175.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
167
16E028
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over
the dashboard when the vehicle is in use. The
front 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 properly.