2003 Lexus ES300 dashboard

KEYS AND DOORS
13
When starting the engine, do not use the key in
proximity with other transponder keys (including the
flat key and keys of other vehicles), and do not press
other key plates against the key grip. Doing so may
prevent the engine from starting, or may cause the
engine to stop soon after it starts. If this happens,
remove the key once and then insert it again after
taking off other transponder keys (including the flat
key and keys of other vehicles) from the ring or while
gripping or covering them with your hand to start the
engine. Do not bend the key grip or flat key.
 Do not cover the key grip or flat key with any material
that cuts off electromagnetic waves.
 Do not knock the key or flat key hard against other
objects.
 Do not leave the key or flat key exposed to high
temperatures for a long period, such as on the
dashboard and hood under the direct sunlight.
 Do not put the key or flat key in water or wash it in an
ultrasonic washer.
 Do not use the key or flat key with electromagnetic
materials.

KEYS AND DOORS
16In the following cases, th
e battery in the key may be
discharged. If this is a case, replace it using a special
screwdriver.
 The remote control does not work.
 The operational range of wireless remote control becomes
extremely short.
 The indicator light on the key is dimmed or does not come
on.
For the replacement of the battery, see “Replacing the battery”
on page 20. You can also have the battery of the key replaced
by your Lexus dealer.
If you lose the wireless key , contact your Lexus dealer as soon
as possible to avoid the possibility of theft, or an accident. (See
“If you lose your keys or lock yourself out” on page 285.)
You can use up to 4 wireless remote control keys for the same
vehicle. Contact your Lexus dealer for detailed information.
The wireless remote control key is an electronic
component. Observe the following instructions in order
not to cause damage to the key.
 Do not leave the wireless remote control key on places
where the temperature becomes high such as on the
dashboard.
 Do not disassemble it.
 Avoid knocking it hard against other objects or dropping it.
 Avoid putting it in water.
Locking/Unlocking the doors
When you push the “LOCK” button on the key briefly, all
the doors can be locked from outside the vehicle.
At this time, one beep sounds and the turn signal lights flash
once.* However, when you push the “LOCK” button with any
door not closed securely, the buzzer sounds for 10 seconds.**
To stop the buzzer, close all the doors securely or push the
“UNLOCK” button. If the key is in the ignition switch, locking
cannot be done.
Make sure all the doors are locked when you leave the vehicle.
Push the “LOCK” button once again.
NOTE:
* The turn signal lights can be set not to flash and the beep
volume can be changed.
** The buzzer can be set not to sound if a door is not closed
securely.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
NOTICE
Do not push the “LOCK” button any longer than 2 to 3
seconds. Pushing the button longer activates an alarm.
For details, see page 18.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
11 7
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
The front of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration) was
involved in an accident that was not severe enough to 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, front
passenger and rear outside passengers in addition to the
primary safety protection provided by the seat belts.
 SRS front airbags
In response to a severe fr ontal impact, the SRS front
airbags work together with the seat belts to help reduce
injury by inflating. The SRS front airbags help to reduce
injuries mainly to the driver’s or front passenger’s head or
chest caused by directly hitting the steering wheel or
dashboard.
The front passenger airbag is activated even with no
passenger in the front seat.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
11 8Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic
module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the
driver and front passenger when the SRS front
airbags are inflated.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.
CAUTION
The driver or front passenger who is 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.
SRS side airbags
In response to a severe side impact, the SRS side airbags
for the driver or front passenger work together with the
seat belts to help reduce injury by inflating. The SRS side
airbags help to reduce injuries mainly to the driver’s or
front passenger’s chest.
The SRS side airbag on the passenger seat is activated even
with no passenger in the front seat.
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 and front passenger when the SRS side
airbags are inflated.
Be sure to wear your seat belt properly.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
125
In a severe frontal impact, the front airbag sensors detect
deceleration and the system triggers the front airbag inflators.
In a severe side impact, the side and curtain shield airbag
sensor and/or the curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the
side
and curtain shield airbag inflators and/or the curtain shield
airbag inflator. At this time, 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 airbag 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, parts of the front and rear pillars and roof side) 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 and rear outside passenger side seat
belt systems. The front and rear outside 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
collision, an unrestrained driver, front passenger or
rear outside passenger can move forward or
sideways 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 properly 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 “Seat belts” on
page 108.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
127
Move seat fully back
 A forwardfacing child restraint system should be
allowed to be installed 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 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 and curtain shield airbag inflate, because the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the
child.
 For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see “Child restraint” on page 133.
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use, since the front
airbags inflate with considerable speed and force.
Otherwise, 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
129
Do not allow a child to stand up or to kneel on the
front passenger seat, since the front airbag inflates
with considerable speed and force. Otherwise, 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 “Child restraint” on page 133.Do not put objects or your pets on or in front of the
dashboard or steering wheel pad that houses the
front 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 objects in their arms or on their knees.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
131
Do not use seat accessories 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, st rike or open any components, such as the
steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover,
front passenger airbag cover or airbag sensor
assembly. Doing so may cause sudden 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
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.
 Do not disassemble or repair the front and rear pillars
and roof side rail 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.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repairs and modifications.NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS in some
cases.
 Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway 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