2001 Lexus ES300 sensor

SWITCHES
33
The automatic light control sensor is on top of the
driver's side instrument panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument panel, and/or do
not affix anything on the windshield to block this sensor.
When the headlights come on, the lights automatically
turn off about 30 seconds after any of the doors is
opened and closed with the ignition key turned to the
ªACCº or ªLOCKº position. To turn them on again, turn
the ignition key to the ªONº position, or turn the headlight
switch off
and then twist the knob until the first or second
clickstop. If you are going to park for over one week,
make sure the headlight switch is off. Daytime Running Light System
The headlights turn on at reduced intensity when the
parking brake is released with the engine started, even
with the light switch in the ªOFFº position. They will not
go off until the ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel
lights, twist the knob to the first clickstop.
Twist the knob to the second clickstop to turn on the
headlights to full intensity for driving at night.
When setting the knob to the third clickstop (ªAUTOº),
the headlights will automatically adjust to full intensity
and/or turn on the other lights depending on the
darkness of the surroundings. Likewise, as the
surroundings
become brighter, the headlights will turn to
reduced intensity, ultimately turning off the other lights.
NOTICE
To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not leave the lights on longer than necessarywhen the engine is not running.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
63
(b) Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
This light and buzzer remind you to buckle up the driver's
seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to ªONº or ªSTARTº, the
reminder light and buzzer come on if the driver's seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt,
the light stays on and the buzzer stops after about 4 to
8 seconds.
(c) SRS Warning Light
This light comes on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position. It goes off after
about 6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags and
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.
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates
a malfunction somewhere in the parts monitored by the
warning light system. Contact your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible to service the vehicle.
 The light does not come on as described above.
 The light stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front passenger airbags fail. If the light flashes, the side
airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners fail.
(d) Discharge Warning Light
This light warns that the battery is being discharged.
If it comes on while you are driving, stop the vehicle, turn
off the engine, and check for the cause. Look first at the
engine drive belt.

If it is loose or broken, the generator will not charge
the battery properly.
 If the belt is O.K., there is a problem somewhere in the
charging system.
The engine ignition will continue to operate, however,
until the battery is discharged. Turn off the air
conditioning, blower, radio, etc., and drive directly to the
nearest Lexus dealer or repair shop.
NOTICE
Do not continue driving if the engine drive belt is broken or loose.

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
156
CAUTION
SRS side airbags inflate with considerable force. To
avoid potential death or serious injury when they inflate,
the driver and front passenger must:
 Wear their seat belts properly.
 Remain properly seated with their back upright and
against the seat at all times.
16E179
The 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 SRS airbags
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
157
16E023
The SRS front 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 front airbags will deploy if the severity of the
impact is above the designed threshold level,
comparable to an approximate 25 km/h (15 mph)
collision 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 front airbags may not deploy.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 ªunderridesº,
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 properly.