2001 Lexus IS300 airbag

2.
INTRODUCTION
ii
New vehicle warranty
Your new vehicle is covered by the following Lexus limited
warranties:

New vehicle warranty

Emission control systems warranty

Others
For further information, please refer to the ºOwner's Guideº,
ºOwner's Manual Supplementº or ºWarranty Bookletº.
Your responsibility for maintenance
It is the owner's responsibility to make sure the specified
maintenance is performed. Section 5 of this Owner's Manual
gives details of these maintenance requirements. Included in
Section 6 is general maintenance. For scheduled
maintenance information, pl ease refer to the ºOwner's Manual
Supplement / Maintenance Scheduleº.
Accessories, spare parts and modification of
your Lexus
A wide variety of non±genuine spare parts and accessories for
Lexus vehicles are currently available in the market. You
should know that Toyota does not warrant these products and
is not responsible for their performance, repair, or
replacement, or for any damage they may cause to, or adverse
effect they may have on, your Lexus vehicle. This vehicle should not be modified with non±genuine Lexus
products. Modification with non±genuine Lexus products
could af
fect its performance, safety or durability, and may even
violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or
performance problems re sulting from the modification may not
be covered under warranty.
Spark ignition system of your Lexus
The spark ignition system in your Lexus meets all
requirements of the Canadian Interference±Causing
Equipment Standard.
Installation of a mobile two±way radio system
As the installation of a mobile two±way radio system in your
vehicle could affect electronic systems such as the multiport
fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system,
cruise control system, anti±lock brake system, SRS airbag
system and seat belt pretensioner system, be sure to check
with your Lexus dealer for precautionary measures or special
instructions regarding installation.
Scrapping of your Lexus
The SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner devices in your
Lexus contain explosive chemicals. If the vehicle is scrapped
with the airbags and seat belt pretensioners left as they are,
this may cause an accident such as fire. Be sure to have the
systems of the SRS airbag and seat belt pretensioner removed
and disposed of by a qualified service shop or by your Lexus
dealer before you scrap your vehicle.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
41
(d) SRS Warning Light
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ºACCº or ºONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS airbags and front seat belt
pretensioners are operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side airbag sensors, door 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.
 When the ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or ºONº
position, the light does not come on, remains 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.
(e) 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.

SECTION 1 ± 6
69
INSTRUMENTS AND CONTROLS
Comfort adjustment
Front seats70
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . .
Trunk storage extension 76
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head restraints 77
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .
Tilt steering wheel 79
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . .
Outside rear view mirrors 79
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside rear view mirror 81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\

Seat belts 81
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airbags 90
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . . . .
Child restraint 102
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .\
. . . . . .

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
70
FRONT SEATS
(MANUAL TYPE)
Front seat precautions
CAUTION
The side airbags are installed in the driver and front
passenger seats. Observe the following precautions.
 Do not lean over the front door when the vehicle is in
use. The side airbag inflates with considerable speed
and force; you may be killed or severely injured.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or the surface of
the seats with side airbags. Such changes may
disable the system, or cause the side airbags to
inflate, resulting in death or serious injury. Consult
your Lexus dealer.
 Do not use accessories for the seats which cover the
parts where the side airbags should inflate. Such
accessories may prevent the side airbags from
activating correctly, causing death or serious injury.
Seat adjustment precautions
Adjust the driver's seat so that the foot pedals, steering wheel
and instrument panel controls are within easy reach of the
driver.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the seat while the vehicle is moving as
the seat may unexpectedly move and cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
 Be careful not to hit the seat against a passenger,
luggage or the rear seat.
 After adjusting the seat position, try sliding it forward
and backward to make sure it is locked in position.
 After adjusting the seatback, exert body pressure to
make sure it is locked in position.
 Do not put objects under the seats. The objects may
interfere with the seat±lock mechanism or
unexpectedly push up the seat position adjusting
lever; the seat may suddenly move, causing the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.
 While adjusting the seat, do not put your hands under
the seat or near the moving parts. You may catch and
injure your hands of fingers.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
73
Adjusting seat cushion front edge angle
SS16009
Turn the knob either way.
FRONT SEATS
(POWER TYPE)
Front seat precautions
CAUTION
The side airbags are installed in the driver and front
passenger seats. Observe the following precautions.
 Do not lean over the front door when the vehicle is in
use. The side airbag inflates with considerable speed
and force; you may be killed or severely injured.
 Do not modify or replace the seats or the surface of
the seats with side airbags. Such changes may
disable the system, or cause the side airbags to
inflate, resulting in death or serious injury. Consult
your Lexus dealer.
 Do not use accessories for the seats which cover the
parts where the side airbags should inflate. Such
accessories may prevent the side airbags from
activating correctly, causing death or serious injury.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
81
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
SV16011

1Day 2Night
When driving at night, pull the lever toward you to reduce
the glare from the headlights of vehicles behind you.
Before adjusting the mirror to the position with most clarity,
push the day±night change lever forward (daylight driving
position).
Remember that by reducing glare you also lose some rear view
clarity.
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 personal death or
injuries.
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus strongly urges that the driver and passengers in the
vehicle be properly restrained at all times with the seat belts
provided. Failure to do so could increase the chance of injury
and/or the severity of injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child
until the child becomes large enough to properly wear the
vehicle's seat belts. See ºChild restraintº on page 102 for
details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child should
sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using the vehicle's
seat belt. According to accident statistics, the child is safer
when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the seat belts should be worn
properly. Do not let the child sit on your lap. It does not provide
sufficient restraint. If an accident occurs and the seat belts are
not worn properly, the force of the rapid inflation of the airbag
may cause severe injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel on either rear or front
seats. An unrestrained child could suffer serious injury or
death during emergency braking or a collision.
Pregnant woman. Lexus recommends the use of a seat belt.
Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt
should be worn securely and as low as possible over the hips
and not on the waist.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
86
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the belt is not twisted.
 Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this
may prevent you from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
 If the seat belt does not function normally,
immediately contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use
the seat until the seat belt is fixed. It cannot protect
an adult occupant or your child from injury.
Front seat belt pretensioners
SV16069
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 by the
retractor 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
87
SV16061
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ºACCº or ºONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the front seat belt pretensioners are
operating properly.
The warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side airbag sensors, door side
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 38.)
SV16068

1Front airbag sensors
2Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
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.