2001 Lexus ES300 seat adjustment

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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.

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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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.

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168
16E126
Do not lean against the front door when the
vehicle is in use. The side airbag inflates with
considerable speed and force; you may be
killed or seriously injured.
 Do not apply excessive weight to the outer side
of the front seats on vehicles with side airbags.

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169
16E029
Do not allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on
the front passenger seat. The front airbag
inflates with considerable speed and force; the
child may be killed or seriously injured.
 Do not hold a child on your lap or in your arms.
Use a child restraint system in the rear seat.
For instructions concerning the installation of
a child restraint system, see ªChild restraintº
on page 175.

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172
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 the 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 insist on 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, kangaroobar, etc.), snowplow, winches or any otherequipment 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