Page 80 of 437
62
1-7. Safety information
Airbag system componentsThe main SRS airbag system componen ts are shown above. The SRS air-
bag system is controlled by the airb ag sensor assembly. The airbag sen-
sor assembly consists of a safing sensor and an airbag sensor.
In certain types of severe frontal or side impacts, the SRS airbag system
triggers the airbag inflators. A chemica l reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to he lp restrain the motion of the occu-
pants. Knee airbags
Front passenger airbag
Curtain shield airbags
Side airbags
Side and curtain shield airbag
sensors
Curtain shield airbag sensors
SRS warning light
Driver airbag
Driver's seat belt buckle switch
Driver's seat position sensor
Airbag sensor assembly
Front airbag sensors
Page 81 of 437

63
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
■SRS warning light
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, seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, inte rconnecting wiring and power sources.
( P. 3 3 4 )
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying (inflating)
SRS airbag.
●A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as
well as the front seats, and parts of the front pillar and roof side rail, may be hot
for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
●The front windshield may crack.
■Operating conditions (front airbags)
●The SRS front airbags will deploy if the severity of the frontal impact is above the
designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate 15 mph (25 km/h) col-
lision when the vehicle impacts straight into a fixed barrier that does not move
or deform.
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 the vehicle is involved in an underride collision (e.g. a collision in
which the front of the vehicle "underrides", or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).
●It is possible that in some collisions where the forward deceleration of the vehi-
cle is very close to the designed thresh old level, the SRS front airbags and the
seat belt pretensioners ma y not activate together.
■Operating conditions (side and curtain shield airbags)
The SRS side airbags and curtain shield ai rbags are designed to inflate when the
passenger compartment is subjected to a severe impact from the side.
Page 85 of 437

67
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
●The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
●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 Admini stration ("NHTSA") advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is th e first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) 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 10 in. (250 mm) 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 dr ivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm)
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.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, ti lt it downward. This points the airbag
toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
Page 86 of 437

68
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
■SRS airbag precautions
●The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with considerable force, and can
cause death or serious injury especially if the front passenger is very close to the
airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far from the airbag as possible with
the seatback adjusted, so the front passenger sits upright.
●Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and children can be killed or seri-
ously injured by a deploying airbag. 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 seats of the vehicle
and properly restrained. The rear seats are the safest for infants and children.
( P. 7 2 )
●If the seat belt extender has been con-
nected to the driver's seat belt buckle but
the seat belt extender has not also been
fastened to the latch plate of the driver's
seat belt, the SRS driver's airbag system
will judge that the driver is wearing the seat
belt even though the seat belt has not been
connected. In this case, the driver's airbag
may not activate correctly in a collision,
resulting in death or serious injury in the
event of collision. Be sure to wear the seat
belt with the seat belt extender.
Page 90 of 437
72
1-7. Safety information
Child restraint systems
Points to rememberStudies have shown that installing a ch ild restraint on a rear seat is much
safer than installing one to the front passenger seat.
● Choose a child restraint system approp riate to the age and size of the
child.
● For installation details, follow the instructions provided with the child
restraint system.
General installation instructions ar e provided in this manual. (P. 7 5 )
Types of child restraints
Child restraint systems are classified into the following 3 types according
to the age and size of the child.
Infant seat
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly
restrained on the seat with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
The laws of all 50 states of the U.S.A. and Canada now require the use of
child restraint systems.
Page 91 of 437
73
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
Convertible seat
Booster seat
■When the child restraint system is not in use
Leave the child restraint system properly secured on the seat. Do not store the
restraint loosely on a passen ger seat or in the trunk.
■Selecting an appropriate child restraint system
Get an appropriate child restra int system for the child. If a child is too large for a
child restraint system, sit the child on a rear seat and use the vehicle's seat belt.
( P. 3 4 )
Page 92 of 437

74
1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on
the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a
child restraint system. In an accident, th e child can be crushed against the wind-
shield, or between you and the vehicle's interior.
●Lexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
●Never install a rear-facing child restrain t system on the front passenger seat. In
the event of an accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger air-
bag can cause death or serious injury to the child if the rear-facing child restraint
system is installed on the front passenger seat.
●A forward-facing child restraint system shou ld 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 front passenger airbag could inflate with considerable
speed and force. Otherwise, the child may be killed or seriously injured.
●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.
●Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front pillar or roof side rail from which the side air-
bags or curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in the child
restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield airbags
inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
●Make sure you have complied with all inst allation instructions provided by the
child restraint manufacturer and that the sy stem is properly secured. If it is not
secured properly, it may cause death or seri ous injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop or accident.
Page 93 of 437
75
1
1-7. Safety information
Before driving
Installing child restraints
Follow the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions. Firmly
secure child restraints to the outside rear seats using a seat belt or a child
restraint lower anchor belt. Attach the top strap when installing a child
restraint.
Seat belts equipped with a
child restraint locking mecha-
nism (ALR/ELR belts except
driver’s seat belt) ( P. 3 4 )
Child restraint lower anchor-
ages
Lower anchorages are pro-
vided for the outside rear seats.
(Buttons displaying the location
of the anchorages are attached
to the seats.)
Anchor bracket
(for top strap)
Anchor brackets are provided
for all rear seats.