OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
145
The SRS side airbag on the passenger seat will not activate if
there is no passenger sitting in the front passenger seat.
However, the side airbag on the passenger seat may deploy
if luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is buckled up
regardless of
the presence of the occupant in the seat. (As for
the front passenger occupant classification system, see “Front
passenger occupant classification system” on page 157.)
Roll sensing function:
In response to a vehicle rollover, the curtain shield airbags on
both sides inflate. The curtain shield airbags work together
with the seat belts to help to reduce injuries mainly to the
driver’s head, front passenger’s head and second seat
passengers’ heads and can help the driver, front passenger
and second seat passengers to retain inside the vehicle.
The SRS curtain shield airbag on the passenger side is
activated even with no passenger in the front seat or second
seat.
The SRS curtain shield airbags may activate even when the
side airbags are not activated.
Always wear your seat belt properly.
CAUTION
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system
is designed only as a supplement to the primary
protection of the driver, front and second outboard
seat passenger seat belt systems. The front and
second seat occupants can be killed or seriously
injured by the inflating airbags if they do not wear the
available seat belts properly . During sudden braking
just before a collision, an unrestrained driver, front
passenger or second seat passenger can move
forward or sideways into direct contact with or close
proximity to the airbag which may then deploy during
the collision. To ensure maximum protection in an
accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle
must wear their seat belts properly. Wearing a seat
belt properly during an accident reduces the chances
of death or serious injury or being thrown out of the
vehicle. For instructions and precautions
concerning the seat belt system, see “Seat belts” on
page 121.
Do not allow anyone to lean his/her head or any part
of his/her body against the door or the area of the
seat, front pillar, rear pillar or roof side rail from which
the SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag deploy
even if he/she is a child seated in the child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the SRS side airbag and
curtain shield airbag inflate, and the impact of the
deploying airbags could cause death or serious
injury to the occupant.
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.
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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
147
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 curtain
shield airbags will not inflate in a vehicle rollover.
Turning off the curtain shield airbags 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 injuries.
16x526
1 Collision from the side at an angle
2Collision from the side to the vehicle body other
than the passenger compartment
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system may
not activate if the vehicle is subjected to a collision from
the side at certain angles, or a collision to the side of the
vehicle body other than the passenger compartment as
shown in the illustration.
The SRS side airbags are designed to inflate when the
passenger compartment area suf fers a severe impact from the
side.
The SRS curtain shield airbags are designed to inflate when
the passenger compartment area suffers a severe impact from
the side or vehicle rollover.
Always wear your seat belts properly.
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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.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
151
CAUTION
SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags inflate with
considerable force. To reduce the possibility of death
or serious injury when they inflate, the driver, front
passenger and rear outboard passengers must:
Wear their seat belts properly.
Remain properly seated with their backs upright and
against the seats at all times.
16x520a
Do not allow anyone to lean against the door when
the vehicle is in use, since the side airbag and curtain
shield airbag could inflate with considerable speed
and force. Otherwise, he/she may be killed or
seriously injured. Special care should be taken
especially when you have a small child in the vehicle.
Sit up straight and well back in the seat, distributing
your weight evenly in the seat. Do not apply
excessive weight to the outer side of the seats with a
side airbag,and to the front pillar, rear pillar, and roof
side rail with a curtain shield airbag.
Improper sitting and wearing of the seat belts may
not retain you inside the vehicle.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
155
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 your Lexus dealer. It may
dangerously interfere with the SRS side airbags and
curtain shield airbags operation.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS side airbag
and curtain shield airbag system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two way radio, cassette tape player or CD player.
Modification of the side structure of the passenger
compartment.
Repairs made on or near the console, or front seats.
16x502a
This indicator comes on when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds.
This means the SRS side airbags and curtain shield
airbags are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airba g 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
156If 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.
16x608a
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
157
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
Any of the SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags have
been inflated.
The portion of the doors (shaded in the illustration) were
involved in an accident that was not severe enough to cause
the SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags to inflate.
The surface of the seats with the side airbags (shaded in the
illustration) is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
The portion of the front, center and rear pillar garnish, roof
interior containing the curtain shield airbags inside (shaded
in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contacting
your Lexus dealer.
FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant
classification system. This system detects the conditions
1. through 4. in the table on page 160 and based on these
conditions activates or deactivates the following
systems;
Front passenger airbag
Side airbag on the front passenger seat
Front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner
The system monitors the weight and load on the front
passenger seat, and the seat belt buckle switch to
determine conditions 1. through 4.
In order for the system to detect the conditions correctly,
do not do any of the following:
Apply a heavy load to the front passenger seat or equipment
(e.g. armrest).
Attach a commercial seatback table, etc. to the front
passenger seatback.
Put weight on the front pa ssenger seat by putting your
hands or feet on the seatback from the rear passenger seat.