OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
130
Seat belt pretensioners
16X620
The driver and front passenger seat belt pretensioners are
designed to be activated in response to a severe frontal
impact or a vehicle rollover.
When the sensor detects a severe frontal impact or a vehicle
rollover, the front seat belts are quickly drawn back by the
retractor 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
157.)
The seat belt pretensioners and SRS airbags may not operate
together in all collisions.
16x503b
Roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off indicator light
The seat belt pretensioners will not operate in a vehicle rollover
if the roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off indicator light is
on. For details, see “Roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off
switch” on page 45.
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.
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133
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 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 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.) If any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the
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.
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 been damaged.
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.
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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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
two way 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.)
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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.
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
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.