OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
131
CAUTION
Make sure the roll sensing of curtain shield airbags
off indicator light is not on.
When the roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off
switch is turned on (and the roll sensing of curtain
shield airbags off indicator light is on), the seat belt
pretensioners will not operate in a vehicle rollover
and turning off the seat belt pretensioners can
reduce the occupant protection which your vehicle
safety systems can provide to you in certain
accidents and increase the likelihood of death or
serious personal injuries.
16X676a
1
Airbag sensor assembly
2Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
3 SRS warning light
4Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
5Seat belt pretensioner assemblies
6Front airbag sensors
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.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
136
Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously injured by the
deploying airbags. 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 seat of the vehicle and properly restrained.
The rear seats are the safest for infants and children.
For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see “Child restraint” on page 162.The SRS front airbags are designed to deploy in severe
(usually frontal) collisions where the magnitude and
duration of the forward deceleration of the vehicle
exceeds the designed threshold level.
The SRS front airbags will deploy if the severity of the impact
is above the designed threshold level, comparable to an
approximate 25 km/h (15 mph) collision when the vehicle has
the impact 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 vehicle is very close to the designed
threshold level, the SRS front airbags and the seat belt
pretensioners may not activate together.
Always wear your seat belts properly.
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.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
146
Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously injured by the
deploying airbags. 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 seat of the vehicle and properly restrained.
The rear seats are the safest for infants and children.
For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see “Child restraint” on page 162.
12x600a
Roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off switch
The roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off switch can
turn off the curtain shield airbags in a vehicle rollover.
This switch should only be used in a situation where the
inflation is not desired (such as during extreme offroad
driving).
When you push the roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off
switch for a few seconds with the ignition switch on, the roll
sensing of curtain shield airbags off indicator light comes on
and the roll sensing function is turned off. When you push the
switch again, the indicator light goes off and the roll sensing
function is turned on.
In a severe side impact, the curtain shield airbag on the
impacted side will inflate even if the roll sensing function is
turned off.
If the ignition switch is turned to “ACC” or “LOCK” with the r\
oll
sensing function off and then the ignition switch is turned back
to “ON”, the roll sensing function will be back on automatically.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
150
16x607c
1Curtain shield airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
3Front passenger occupant classification
indicator light
4 Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
5 SRS warning light
6Curtain shield airbag sensor assembly
7Side and curtain shield airbag sensor assembly
8Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
9Airbag sensor assembly
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system consists
mainly of the above components, and their locations are
shown in the illustration.
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system is
controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sensor
assembly consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensors. In a severe side impact, the side and curtain shield airbag
sensor and/or the curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the
side airbag inflators and/or the curtain shield airbag inflators.
In a vehicle rollover, the airbag sensor assembly triggers the
curtain shield airbag inflator. At this time a chemical reaction
in the inflators very quickly fills the airbags with non
−toxic gas
to help restrain the forward or lateral motion of the front and
second seat occupants.
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, it may also
cause minor burns or abrasions and swelling.
Front seats as well as parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof
side rail may be hot for several minutes, but the airbags
themselves will not be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate
only once.