2008 Lexus ES350 Owner's Manual

95
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●For effective protection in automobile accidents and sudden stops, a child must
be properly restrained, using a seat belt or child restraint system depending on
the age and size of the child. Holding a child in your arms is not a substitute for a
child restraint system. In an accident, the child can be crushed against the wind-
shield, or between you and the vehicle's interior.
●Lexus strongly urges the use of a proper child restraint system that conforms to
the size of the child, installed on the rear seat. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
●Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger seat even
if AIR BAG OFF indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an accident, the
force of the rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can cause death or seri-
ous injury to the child if the rear-facing child restraint system is installed on the
front passenger seat.
●A forward-facing child restraint system should allowed to be installed on the front
passenger seat only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat as far back as
possible even if AIR BAG OFF indicator light is illuminated, because the front
passenger airbag could inflate with considerable speed and force. Otherwise,
the child may be killed or seriously injured.
●Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a child restraint system on the
front or rear passenger seat. If installing a child restraint system with the seat belt
extender connected to the seat belt, the seat belt will not securely hold the child
restraint system, which could cause death or serious injury to the child or other
passengers in the event of collision.
●Do not allow the child to lean his/her head or any part of his/her body against the
door or the area of the seat, front pillar or roof side rail from which the side air-
bags or curtain shield airbags deploy even if the child is seated in the child
restraint system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain shield airbags
inflate, and the impact could cause death or serious injury to the child.
●Make sure you have complied with all installation instructions provided by the
child restraint manufacturer and that the system is properly secured. If it is not
secured properly, it may cause death or serious injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop or accident.

96
1-7. Safety information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Installing child restraints
Follow the child restraint system manufacturer's instructions. Firmly
secure child restraints to the rear seats using a seat belt or child restraint
lower anchorages. Attach the top strap when installing a child restraint.
Seat belts equipped with a
child restraint locking mecha-
nism (ALR/ELR belts except
driver’s seat belt) (→P. 50)
Child restraint lower anchor-
ages
Lower anchorages are pro-
vided for the outside rear seats.
(Buttons displaying the location
of the anchorages are attached
to the seats.)
Anchor bracket
(for top strap)
Anchor brackets are provided
for all rear seats.

97
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Installing child restraints using a seat belt (child restraint lock function belt)
■Rear facing  Infant seat/convertible seat
Place the child seat on the rear
seat facing the rear of the vehicle.
Run the seat belt through the child
seat and insert the plate into the
buckle. Make sure that the belt is
not twisted.
Fully extend the shoulder belt and
then allow it to retract slightly in
order to activate the ALR lock
mode.
Lock mode allows the seat belt to
retract only.
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

98
1-7. Safety information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)While pushing the child seat down
into the rear seat, allow the shoul-
der belt to retract until the child
seat is securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has
retracted to a point where there is
no slack in the belt, pull the belt to
check that it cannot be extended.
■
Forward facing  Convertible seat
Place the child seat on the seat
facing the front of the vehicle.
Run the seat belt through the child
seat and insert the plate into the
buckle. Make sure that the belt is
not twisted.
Fully extend the shoulder belt and
then allow it to retract slightly into
the ALR lock mode.
Lock mode allows the seat belt to
retract only.
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3

99
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)While pushing the child seat into
the rear seat, allow the shoulder
belt to retract until the child seat is
securely in place.
After the shoulder belt has
retracted to a point where there is
no slack in the belt, pull the belt to
check that it cannot be extended.
■
Booster seat
Place the booster seat on the seat
facing the front of the vehicle.
Sit the child in the booster seat. Fit
the seat belt to the booster seat
according to the manufacturer's
instructions and insert the plate
into the buckle. Make sure that the
belt is not twisted.
Check that the shoulder belt is cor-
rectly positioned over the child's
shoulder, and that the lap belt is as
low as possible. (→
P. 5 0)
STEP4
STEP1
STEP2

100
1-7. Safety information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)
Removing a child restraint installed with a seat beltPush the buckle release button
and fully retract the seat belt.
Installation with child restraint lower anchoragesWiden the gap between the seat cushion and seatback slightly. Type A
Latch the hooks of lower straps
onto the anchorages.
STEP1
STEP2
Canada only

101
1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)Type B
Latch the buckles onto the anchor-
ages.
If the child restraint has a top strap, the top strap should be latched onto
the anchorages. ( →P. 1 0 1 )
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint system indicates the presence of a lower
connector system.
Child restraint systems with a top strap
Secure the child restraint using a
seat belt or a lower anchors, and
lock the head restraint in place at
the lowest position.
STEP2
Canada only
STEP1

102
1-7. Safety information
ES350_U_(L/O_0708)Open the anchor bracket cover,
latch the hook onto the anchor
bracket and tighten the top strap.
Make sure the top strap is securely
latched.
STEP2
■Laws and regulations pertaining to anchorages
Anchorages conform to FMVSS225 or CMVSS210.2.
Child restraint systems conforming to FMVSS213 or CMVSS213 specifications
can be used.
This vehicle is designed to confirm to the SAE J1819.
CAUTION
■When installing a booster seat
Do not fully extend the shoulder belt to prevent the belt from going to ALR lock
mode: (
→P. 5 2 )
●ALR mode causes the belt to tighten only which could cause injury or discomfort
to the child.
●Do not allow the child to play with the seat belt or the child could be killed or seri-
ous injured.