2006 Lexus ES330 Descriptions of Functions For More Effective Use / OWNER'S MANUAL (OM33703U)

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
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To release the belt, press the buckle release button and
allow the belt to retract.
If the belt does not retract smoothly, pull it out and check for
kinks or twists. Then make sure it remains untwisted as it
retracts.
Seat belt comfort guides
The seat belt comfort guides are installed on the outboard
rear seats to relieve uncomfortableness from the shoulder
belt when it is applied closer to a child’s neck (at the age
of 10 or so), by pulling the shoulder belt a little forward.
Slide the seat belt comfort guide forward to adjust the
shoulder belt.
The seat belt comfort guide should not be in the forward
position for other purposes.

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CAUTION
Always make sure the shoulder belt is positioned
across the center of the shoulder. The belt should be
kept away from the neck, and should not fall off the
shoulder. Failure to observe these precautions could
reduce the effectiveness of the seat belt in an accident,
causing death or serious injury.
Seat belt extender
If your seat belts cannot be fastened securely because it is not
long enough, a personalized seat belt extender is available
from your Lexus dealer free of charge.
Please contact your local Lexus dealer to order the proper
required length for the extender. Bring the heaviest coat you
expect to wear for proper measurement and selection of
length. Additional ordering information is available at your
Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
When using the seat belt extender, observe the
following precautions. Failure to follow these
instructions could result in less effectiveness of the
seat belt restraint system in case of an accident,
increasing the chance of personal injury.
 Remember that the extender provided for you may
not be safe when used on a different vehicle, or for
another person or at a different seating position than
the one originally intended for.

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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.

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To connect the extender to the seat belt, insert the tab into
the seat belt buckle so that the “PRESS” signs on the
buckle release buttons of the extender and the seat belt
are both facing outward as shown.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
When releasing the seat belt, press on the buckle release
button on the extender, not on the seat belt. This helps prevent
damage to the vehicle interior and extender itself.
As far as the seat belt extender on the front passenger side is
concerned, do not fail to disconnect the extender from the seat
belt after the above operation in order to activate the front
passenger airbag correctly when getting into the vehicle next
time.
When not in use, remove the extender and store in the vehicle
for future use.
CAUTION
 After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the lap and shoulder portions of
the belt and the seat belt extender are 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 injury.

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Seat belt pretensioners
Both front seats and the two outboard rear seats are
equipped with seat belt pretensioners and are designed to
be activated in response to a severe frontal impact.
When the sensor detects a severe frontal impact, the seat belts
are quickly drawn back by the retractors so that the belts snugly
restrain the occupants.
The front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner will not activate
if no passenger is detected in the front passenger seat by the
front passenger occupant classification system. However, the
front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner may activate if
luggage is put on the seat, or the seat belt is buckled up
regardless of the presence of an occupant in the seat. (As for
the front passenger occupant classification system, see page
cxliii.) The outboard rear seat belt pretensioners are activated even
with no passenger in the outboard rear seats.
The seat belt pretensioners and SRS airbags may not operate
together in all collisions.

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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.

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CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open the seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, airbag sensor or surrounding
area or wiring. Failure to follow these instruction may
prevent the seat belt pretensioners from activating
correctly, cause sudden operation of the system or
disable the system, which could result in death or
serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.
 Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or CD player
 Repairs on or near the 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
 Repair made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure or console
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the seat belt pretensioners are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies,
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front passenger occupant classification system, “AIRBAG
OFF” indicator light, “AIRBAG ON” indicator light, front
passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page lviii for instructions.)

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cxxiiIf any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the
airbags or seat belt pretensioners. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
 The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position or remains on for more than 6 seconds.
 The light comes on while driving.
 If any seat belt does not retract or cannot be pulled out due
to a malfunction or activation of the relevant seat belt
pretensioner.
 The seat belt pretensioner assembly or surrounding area
has bees damaged.
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 seat belt pretensioners to operate.
 The seat belt pretensioner assembly or surrounding area is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.