2001 Lexus IS300 Electrical Components / LEXUS 2001 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53437)

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SS16042
The SRS 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 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 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 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.).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.SV16019

1Collision from the rear
2Vehicle rollover
The SRS airbags are not designed to inflate if the vehicle
is involved in a rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is
involved in a low±speed frontal collision.
The side airbags are designed to inflate when the
passenger compartment area suffers a severe impact
from the side.

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SS16044

1Collision from the side at an angle
2Collision from the side to the vehicle body other than the passenger compartment
The side airbags may not inflate if the vehicle is subjected
to a collision from the side at certain angles, or a collision
to the side of the vehicle body other than the passenger
compartment as shown in the illustration.
SV16020

1Collision from the front
2Collision from the rear
3Vehicle rollover
The 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.

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94
SV16021

1Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard material
2Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbags may deploy if a serious impact occurs to
the underside of your vehicle. Some examples are shown
in the illustration.
SV16022

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

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95
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.
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 before a co llision, 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 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
ºSeat beltsº on page 81.
 Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously injured by the
deploying air bags. 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 ºChild restraintº on page 102 .

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SV16023
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.
SV16053

Move seat fully back
A forward±facing child restraint system should be
allowed to be put on the front seat only when it is
unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back as
possible, because the force of a deploying 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 ºChild restraintº on page 102.

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SS16052
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use. The 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.
SV16025
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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SS16056a
Do not allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the
front passenger seat. The 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 102.
SV16065
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.

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SV16066
Do not attach a cup holder or any other device or
object on or around the door. When the side airbag
inflates, the cup holder or any other device or object
will be thrown with great force, or the side airbag may
not activate correctly, resulting in death or serious
injury. Likewise, the driver and front passenger
should not hold things in their arms or on their knees.
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 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 consider
modifications of this kind.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury.