OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
168
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the front seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two way radio, cassette tape player or CD player
Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies
Modification of the suspension system
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 or console
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the front 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, “AIRBAG ON”
indicator light, “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s
seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 74.)
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174
1Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
2Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
3“AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
4SRS warning light
5Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
6Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
7Driver’s seat position sensor
8Knee airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
9Airbag sensor assembly
10Front airbag sensors
11Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
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 sensor. The 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 safety exit from the vehicle, you
should do so immediately.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
179
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS 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, “AIRBAG ON”
indicator light, “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s
seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 74.)
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.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the SRS driver and front
passenger airbags and/or front passenger occupant
classification system, “AIRBAG ON” indicator light and
“AIRBAG OFF” indicator light fail. If the light flashes, the SRS
side and curtain shield airbags have a problem.
The SRS warning light and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light will
be illuminated if there is a malfunction in the front passenger
occupant classification system.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
186
1Curtain shield airbag modules (airbag and inflater)
2Side airbag modules (airbag and inflator)
3Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
4“AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
5SRS warning light
6Curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
7Side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
8Airbag sensor assembly
9Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
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 sensor.
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.
At this time a chemical reaction in the inflators quickly fills the
airbags with non −toxic gas to help restrain the lateral motion
of the occupants.
In a vehicle rollover, the airbag sensor assembly triggers the
curtain shield airbag inflator. At this time, a chemical reaction
in the inflators quickly fills the airbags with non −toxic gas to
help restrain the lateral motion of the occupants. When the airbags inflate, they produce a fairly 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 se rious 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.
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.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
191
The indicator comes on when the ignition key 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 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, “AIRBAG ON”
indicator light, “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s
seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 74 for instructions.)
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.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the SRS driver and front
passenger airbag and/or front passenger occupant
classification system, ”AIRBAG ON” indicator light and
“AIRBAG OFF” indicator light have a problem. If the light
flashes, the SRS side and curtain shield airbags have a
problem.
The SRS warning light and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light will
be illuminated if there is a malfunction in the front passenger
occupant classification system.
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193
FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANTCLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant
classification system. This system detects the conditions
1 — 4 in the table shown below, 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 in
determining conditions 1 — 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. seatback pocket or armrest).
Attach a commercial seatback table, etc. to the front
passenger seat seatback.
Put weight on the front passenger seat by putting your
hands or feet on the seatback from the rear passenger seat.
“AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator and front
passenger’s seat belt reminder light
SRS warning light
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
194The “AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights will
be illuminated when the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position
and a child or child restraint system is in the front
passenger seat (see table condition 2). This indicates
that in the event of a severe frontal or passenger’s side
impact, the front passenger airbag and side airbag on the
front passenger seat are deactivated and will not deploy.
If the front passenger occupant classification system
determines that a person of adult size sits in the front
passenger seat but the “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light is
illuminated, one of the following is likely to have occurred:
The rear passenger lifts the front passenger seat cushion
with their legs.
Objects are placed under the front passenger seat.
A front passenger seat seatback is in contact with a rear
seat.
To ensure the system correctly detects an adult sitting in the
front passenger seat, make sure the above do not happen.
Make sure the “AIRBAG ON” indicator light is illuminated when
an adult sits in the front passenger seat. If the “AIRBAG OFF”
indicator light is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit up
straight, well back in the seat, and with the seat belt worn
correctly. If the “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light still remains
illuminated, either ask the passenger to move to the rear seat,
or if that is not possible, move the front passenger seat fully
rearward. The “AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light will
be initially illuminated when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position. It will remain for about four seconds
and then go off. After about two seconds, the front
passenger occupant classification system operates and
judges whether to turn the indicator light on or not.
The SRS warning light and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light
will be illuminated if there is a malfunction in the front
passenger occupant classification system.
OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
195
Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant classification s\
ystem
Condition detected by the front
passenger occupant
classification system
Indicator/warning lightDevices
“AIRBAG ON” and
“AIRBAG OFF”
indicator lights
SRS
warning light
Front
passenger’s seat belt
reminder light
Front
passenger airbagSide airbag
on the frontpassenger seatCurtain
shield airbag in the frontpassenger sideFront
passenger’s seat belt
pretensioner
1Adult*1“AIRBAG ON”OffFlashing*4Activated
2Child *2 or child
restraint system*3“AIRBAG OFF”OffFlashing*4Deactivated
Activated
Activated
3UnoccupiedNot
illuminatedOffOffDeactivatedDeactivated
4There is a
malfunction in the
system“AIRBAG OFF”OnOffDeactivatedActivated
*1: The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller ad\
ult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as a child depending on his/her physique and posture.
*
2: When a larger child who has outgrown a child restraint system sits in the front\
passenger seat, the system may recognize him/her as an adult depending on his/her physique or posture.
*
3: Never install a rear −facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat. A forward −facing child restraint system should
only be installed on the front passenger seat when it is unavoidable. (\
See “Child restraint system” as for installing the chil d
restraint system.)
*
4: In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.