2006 LEXUS LX470 airbag

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
137
16X028a
 1Collision from the side
2Collision from the rear
3Vehicle rollover
The SRS front airbags are not generally designed to inflate
if the vehicle is involved in a side or rear collision, if it rolls
over, or if it is involved in a lowspeed frontal collision.
But, whenever a collision of any type causes sufficient
forward deceleration of the vehicle, deployment of the
SRS front airbags may occur.
16X245
 1 Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard surface
2Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS front airbags may also deploy if a severe impact
occurs to the underside of your vehicle. Some examples
are shown in the illustration.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
138
16x604b
 1Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
2 Airbag sensor assembly
3Front passenger occupant classification
indicator light
4 Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
5 SRS warning light
6Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
7Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
8Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
9Driver’s seat position sensor
10Front airbag sensors
The SRS front airbag system consists mainly of the above
components, and their locations are shown in the illustration.
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensors. The front airbag sensors constantly monitor the forward
deceleration of the vehicle. If an impact results in a forward
deceleration beyond the designed threshold level, the system
triggers
the airbag inflators. At this time a chemical reaction in
the inflators very quickly fills the airbags with non−toxic gas to
help restrain the forward motion of the occupants. The front
airbags then quickly deflate, so that there is no obstruction of
the driver’s vision should it be necessary to continue driving.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a loud noise and
release some smoke and residue along with non −toxic gas.
This does not indicate a fire. This smoke may remain inside
the vehicle for some time, and may cause some minor irritation
to the eyes, skin or breathing. Be sure to wash off any residue
as soon as possible to prevent any potential skin irritation with
soap and water. If you can safely exit from the vehicle, you
should do so immediately.
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, primarily to the
head and chest, it may also cause other, less severe injuries
to the face, chest, arms and hands. These are usually in the
nature of minor burns or abrasions and swelling, but the force
of a deploying airbag can cause more serious injuries,
especially if an occupant’s hands, arms, chest or head is in
close proximity to the airbag module at the time of deployment.
This is why it is important for the occupant to; avoid placing any
object or part of the body between the occupant and the airbag
module; sit straight and well back into the seat; wear the
available seat belt properly; and sit as far as possible from the
airbag module, while still maintaining control of the vehicle.

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139
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover
and inflator) may be hot for several minutes after deployment,
so do not touch! The airbags inflate only once. The windshield
may be damaged by absorbing some of the force of the
inflating airbag.
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.
 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.
For instructions and precautions concerning the
seating position, see “Front seat precautions” on page
102.

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140
16X032a
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean against the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use, since the front
passenger airbag could inflate with considerable
speed and force. Anyone who is up against, or very
close to, an airbag when it inflates, can be killed or
seriously injured. Sit up straight and well back in the
seat, and always use your seat belt properly.
16X033b
 Lexus strongly recommends that all infants and
children be placed in the rear seat of the vehicle and
be properly restrained.
 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 162.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
141
16X655a
Do not put anything or any parts of your body on or
in front of the dashboard or steering wheel pad that
houses the driver and front passenger 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.
 Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify,
remove, strike or open any components, such as the
steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover,
dashboard near the front passenger airbag, front
passenger airbag cover, front passenger airbag or
airbag sensor assembly. Doing so may prevent the
front airbag system from activating correctly, cause
sudden activation of the system or disable the
system, which could result in death or serious injury.
 Do not use seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat
cover, that covers the front seat, or do not modify or
replace the upholstery of the front seat. Such
accessories or changes may prevent the front
passenger airbag system from activating correctly,
disable the system or cause the front passenger
airbag 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
repair and modification.
If you wish to modify your vehicle for a person with a
physical disability, consult y our Lexus dealer. It may
dangerously interfere with the SRS side airbags and
curtain shield airbags operation.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
142
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS front airbag
system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or CD player.
 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.
 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.
16x502a
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS front airbags 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 and indicator
light, front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch, seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, roll sensing of curtain
shield airbags off indicator light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 52.)

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
143
If 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
or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
The SRS warning light will come on and front passenger
occupant classification indicator light will indicate “OFF” if
there is a malfunction in the front passenger occupant
classification system.
16x605b
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
 The SRS front airbags have been inflated.
 The front of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration) was
involved in an accident that was not severe enough to cause
the SRS front airbags to inflate.

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144
The pad section of the steering wheel or dashboard (shaded
in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contacting
your Lexus dealer.
SRS SIDE AIRBAGS AND CURTAIN
SHIELD AIRBAGS
16x606
 1Curtain shield airbag 2Side airbag
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) side airbags
and curtain shield airbags are designed to provide further
protection for the driver, front and second seat
passengers in addition to the primary safety protection
provided by the seat belts.
In response to a severe side impact, the SRS side airbags and
curtain shield airbags works with the seat belts to help reduce
injury by inflating. The SRS side airbags help reduce injuries
mainly to the driver’s or front passenger’s chest and the SRS
curtain shield airbags help reduce injuries mainly to the
driver’s, front passenger’s or second seat passenger’s head
and can help the driver, front passenger and second seat
passengers to retain inside the vehicle.