2001 Lexus GS300 dashboard

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
94
16G136
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
The front parts of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration)
were involved in an accident that did not cause the front seat
belt pretensioners to operate.
Either front seat belt pretensioner assembly or surrounding
area is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
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.
16G020c

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 will not activate when no
passenger is sitting in the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
95 Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic
module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver when the front airbags are inflated.
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.
16G021b

Side airbags
In response to a severe side impact, the side airbags for
the driver or front passenger work together with the seat
belts to help reduce injury by inflating. The side airbags
help to reduce injuries mainly to the driver's or front
passenger's chest.
The side airbag on the passenger seat will not activate when
no passenger is sitting in the front seat.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic
module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver when the side airbags are inflated.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
100
16G144b

1Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
3Side and curtain shield airbag sensors
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5SRS warning light
6Airbag sensor assembly
7Front airbag sensors
8Curtain shield airbag module (airbag and inflator)
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 sensors.In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger
airbag sensors detect deceleration and the system triggers the
front airbag inflators. In a severe side impact, the side and
curtain shield airbag sensor triggers the side and curtain shield
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
102
16G059±2

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 airbags 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 and curtain shield 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 ºChild restraintº on page 108.
16G029a
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use. The front
passenger 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
104
16G031a
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 ºChild restraintº on page 108.
16G032
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
106
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 front airbags 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 insist on
modifications of this kind.
Do not disassemble or repair the front pillar and roof
side containing the curtain shield airbags. Such
changes may disable the system or cause the curtain
shield 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. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag
system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two±way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and side
structure of the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo 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 front passenger airbag or front
seats.