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Finish
INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
lxxxvi
OVERHEAD CONSOLE BOX
To use the overhead console box, push the lid.
CAUTION
To reduce the chance of injury in case of an accident
or a sudden stop, always keep the overhead console
box closed while driving.
As this box is designed for holding eyeglasses, do
not place any object heavier than approximately 60 g
(0.13 lb.) in it. Heavier objects may cause the box to
open and the contents to fly out resulting in injuries.
NOTICE
During hot weather, the interior of the vehicle becomes
very hot. Do not leave anything flammable or
deformable such as a lighter, glasses, etc. inside.
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EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
xciii
HOOD
1. To open the hood, pull the hood lock release lever under
the instrument panel. The hood will spring up slightly.
2. Insert your fingers under the hood, push up the
auxiliary catch lever and lift the hood.
Before closing the hood, check to see that you have not
forgotten any tools, rags, etc. Then lower the hood and make
sure it locks.
CAUTION
Before driving, be sure that the hood is securely locked.
Otherwise, the hood may open unexpectedly while
driving and an accident may occur.
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EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
xcvi
Internal trunk release handle
If a person is locked in the trunk, he/she can pull down the
phosphorescent handle on the inside of trunk lid to open
the trunk lid.
The phosphorescent (glow−in− the− dark) handle will continue
to glow for a time after the trunk lid is closed. Exposing the
handle to stronger light will cause it to glow longer.
CAUTION
Always lock the trunk lid and all doors, and keep
away the vehicle keys out of children’s reach.
Never leave children unattended in the vehicle.
Unsupervised children may lock themselves in the
vehicle or trunk and suffer serious injuries or death.
Page 112 of 442
EXTERIOR EQUIPMENT
xcviii
2. To remove the fuel tank cap, turn the cap
counterclockwise by 90 degrees (to the pressure point
1), and then turn it an additional 30 degrees (to point
2). Pause slightly before removing it.
It is not unusual to hear a slight swoosh when the cap is
opened.
3. The removed cap can be stored on the back side of the
fuel filler door.
Position the cap so that the hooks point to the left and right, and
set it in the receptacle on the back side of the door.
Page 119 of 442

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
cv
SEATS
While the vehicle is being driven, all vehicle occupants should
have the seatback upright, sit well back in the seat and properly
wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle unless the occupants are
properly seated. Do not allow any passengers to sit
in the luggage compartment or cargo area. Persons
not properly seated and/or not properly restrained by
seat belts can be severely injured in the event of
emergency braking or a collision.
During driving, do not allow any passengers to stand
up or move around between seats. Otherwise, severe
injuries can occur in the event of emergency braking
or a collision.
FRONT SEATS
Front seat precautions
Driver seat
CAUTION
The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force,
and can cause death or serious injury especially if the
driver is very close to the airbag. The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50 — 75
mm (2 — 3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10
in.) from your driver airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is measured from the
center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you
sit less than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change
your driving position in several ways:
Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.
Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle
designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way
forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes
it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
cxiii
Fastening front and rear seat belts
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up straight and well back
in the seat. To fasten your belt, pull it out of the retractor
and insert the tab into the buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size and the
seat position.
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on
impact. It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly. A slow,
easy motion will allow the belt to extend, and you can move
around freely. When a passenger’s shoulder belt is completely extended and
is then retracted even slightly, the belt is locked in that position
and cannot be extended. This feature is used to hold the child
restraint system securely.
(For details, see “Child restraint” on
page cxlvii.) To free the belt again, fully retract the belt and then
pull the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly pull
the belt and release it. You will then be able to smoothly pull
the belt out of the retractor.
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, because it cannot
protect an adult occupant or your child from death or
serious injury.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
cxvii
If the seat belt extender has been connected to the
driver’s seat belt buckle without wearing the seat belt
when using the extender in the driver’s seat, the SRS
driver’s airbag system will judge that the driver wears
the seat belt even if not wearing it. In this case, the
driver’s airbag may not activate correctly, causing
death or serious injury in the event of collision. Be
sure to wear the seat belt with the seat belt extender.
Make sure the “AIRBAG ON” indicator light is
illuminated when using the seat belt extender for the
front passenger seat. If the “AIRBAG OFF” indicator
light is illuminated, disconnect the extender tongue
from the seat belt buckle, then reconnect the seat
belt. Reconnect the seat belt extender after making
sure the “AIRBAG ON” indicator light is illuminated.
If you use the seat belt extender while the “AIRBAG
OFF” indicator light is illuminated, the front
passenger airbag and side airbag on the front
passenger side may not activate correctly, which
could cause death or serious injury in the event of
collision.
Be sure to wear the seat belt without the seat belt
extender if you can fasten the seat belt without the
extender.
Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a
child restraint system on the front or rear passenger
seat. If installing a child restraint system with the
seat belt extender connected to the seat belt, the seat
belt will not securely hold the child restraint system,
which could cause death or serious injury to the child
or other passengers in the event of collision.
Page 134 of 442
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
cxx
1Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
2Front seat belt pretensioner assemblies
3Rear seat belt pretensioner assemblies
4SRS warning light
5Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
6Front airbag sensors
7Airbag sensor assembly
The seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly of the above
components, and their locations are shown in the illustration.
The seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the airbag sensor
assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing
sensor and airbag sensor.
When the seat belt pretensioners are activated, an operating
noise may be heard and a small amount of non− toxic gas may
be released. This does not indicate that a fire is occurring. This
gas is normally harmless.
Once the seat belt pretensioners have been activated, the seat
belt retractors remain locked.