2001 Lexus GS300 ignition

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
80
Auto tilt away*
16G012b
When the ignition key is removed, the steering column
moves forward away from the driver and also tilts up for
easy exit and entry.
When the key is inserted in the ignition switch, the steering
column returns to the previously set position.
NOTE: *This feature can be set inoperative. Ask your
Lexus dealer for details.
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
16G013
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the side of your
vehicle in the mirror.
When the inside rear view mirror darkens in ºAUTOº mode, the
outside rear view mirrors also darken to reduce the reflection
of the headlights of the following vehicle. For details, see
ºInside rear view mirrorº on page 82.
When you push the rear window defogger switch, the heater
panels in the outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear the
mirror surface.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving.
It may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and
an accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
82
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
16G015a
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the rear of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Pushing the switch changes the mode between ºAUTOº
and ºDAYº.
The indicator comes on when the ºAUTOº mode is selected.
ºDAYº mode: The mirror surface is normal.
ºAUTOº mode: If the mirror detects light from the
headlights of the vehicle behind you, the mirror surface
darkens slightly to reduce the reflected light.
When the inside rear view mirror surface changes, the outside
rear view mirror surfaces will also become darker.
When the ignition key is inserted and turned on, the inside rear
view mirror always turns on in the ºAUTOº mode.When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a little
longer for the mirror to darken in response to the detection of
headlights.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving. It
may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an
accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
83
Compass (Some models)
16g220
The compass indicates the direction in which the vehicle
is heading. The illustration shown above indicates the
vehicle is heading north.
Displays
Directions
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NWNorth
Northeast
East
Southeast
South
Southwest
West
Northwest
Pushing the button for longer than 3 seconds turns on or
off the compass display.
The compass may not show the correct direction in the
following conditions:
The vehicle is stopped immediately after turning.
The compass does not adjust while the vehicle is stopped.
The ignition switch is turned off immediately after turning.
The vehicle is on an inclined surface.
The vehicle is in a place where the earth's magnetic field is
subject to interference by artificial magnetic fields
(underground parking, under a steel tower, between
buildings, roof parking, near a crossing, near a large
vehicle, etc.).
The vehicle is magnetized. (There is an magnet or a metal
object near the inside rear view mirror.)
The battery has been disconnected.
Any door is open.
The compass works to calibrate the direction automatically
while the vehicle in in motion, if deviation is small.
For obtaining additional precision or for complete calibrating,
see ªCALIBRATING THE COMPASSº below.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
92
16G022
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the 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, curtain
shield airbag sensors, front seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. (For details, see ºService reminder indicators and
warning buzzersº on page 41.)
16G134

1Front airbag sensor
2Front seat belt pretensioner assembly
3SRS warning light
4Airbag sensor assembly
The front seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly 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
93
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 the instruction 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 front seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two±way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.
Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure.
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 or console.
16G022
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 pretensioners. Contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible to service the vehicle.
When the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position, the light
does not come on or flashes.
The light 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
pretensioner.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
97
16G022
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ºONº 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, curtain
shield airbag sensors, front seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and power
sources. (For details, see ºService reminder indicators and
warning buzzersº on page 41.)
16G023
The front airbags are designed to activate in response to
a severe frontal impact within the shaded area between
the arrows in the illustration.
The front airbags will work if the severity of the impact is above
the designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate
25 km/h (15 mph) collision in the U.S.A. and 30 km (18 mph)
collision in Canada 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 front airbags may not work.
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 ºunderridesº, or goes under, the bed of a truck,
etc.).

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
107
16G022
This SRS airbag system has an indicator to inform the driver
of operating problems. If either of the following conditions
occurs, this indicates a malfunction of the airbags. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the vehicle.
When the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position, the light
does not come on, 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 fail.16G142b
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
The front part of the vehicle and portion of the doors (shaded
in the illustration) were involved in an accident that was not
severe enough to cause the SRS airbags to inflate.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
127
DRIVING POSITION MEMORY
SYSTEM
The micro computer can memorize the position of the driver's
seat, and the positions of the tilt and telescopic steering, and
outside rear view mirrors. Two different driving position
profiles can be entered into the computer's memory.
Recording a driving position in the computer's memory can
only be done when the ignition key is in the ºONº position and
the selector lever is in the ºPº position.
Setting a driving position
16G064a
1. Adjust the driver's seat, tilt and telescopic steering and
outside rear view mirrors to the desired position.
2. While pushing the ºSETº button, push button º1º or º2º
until the signal beeps.The beep sound means that the positions are recorded in the
computer's memory.
By repeating these two steps and pressing the remaining
button, the driving position for another driver can be recorded.
To set a new memorized position, select the desired position
and perform step 2. The previous memory will be erased and
the new position will be set.
To make only slight changes to an already memorized position,
the easiest way is to first activate the memorized position, then
make the desired changes and perform step 2 above.
Activating a memorized position
16G065a
When you push button º1º or º2º, the driving position will
be automatically adjusted to the position recorded for that
button.