2008 LEXUS RX400H Owners Manual

87
1-7. Theft deterrent system
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
■When the 12-volt battery is disconnected
Be sure to cancel the alarm system.
If the battery is discharged before canceling the alarm, the system may be triggered
when the battery is reconnected.
■When using the key to unlock the doors
Deactivate the alarm.
If the doors are unlocked using the key with the alarm operational, the alarm will be
triggered.

88
1-7. Theft deterrent system
RX400h_U
Theft prevention labels (U.S.A.)
These labels are attached to the
vehicle to reduce vehicle theft
by facilitating the tracing and
recovery of parts from stolen
vehicles. Do not remove under
penalty of law.

89
1
Before driving
RX400h_U
1-8. Safety information
Correct driving posture
Drive in a good posture as follows:
Sit upright and well back in
the seat. (→P. 4 9 )
Adjust the position of the seat
forward or backward to
ensure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed to the extent
required. ( →P. 4 9 )
Adjust the seatback so that
the controls are easily opera-
ble.
Adjust the tilt and telescopic
positions of the steering
wheel downward so the air-
bag is facing your chest.
(→ P. 65, 66)
Lock the head restraint in
place with the center of the
head restraint closest to the
top of your ears. ( →P. 5 7 )
Wear the seat belt correctly.
(→ P. 58)

90
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
CAUTION
■While driving
●Do not adjust the position of the driver’s seat while driving.
Doing so could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
●Do not place a cushion between the driver or passenger and the seatback.
A cushion may prevent correct posture from being achieved, and reduce the
effectiveness of the seat belt and head restraint, increasing the risk of death or
serious injury to the driver or passenger.
●Do not place anything under the front seats.
Objects placed under the front seats may become jammed in the seat tracks and
stop the seat from locking in place. This may lead to an accident. The adjustment
mechanism may also be damaged.
■Adjusting the seat position:
●Take care when adjusting the seat position to ensure that other passengers are
not injured by the moving seat.
●Do not put your hands under the seat or near the moving parts to avoid injury.
Fingers or hands may become jammed in the seat mechanism.

91
1
1-8. Safety information
Before driving
RX400h_U
SRS airbags
The SRS airbags inflate when the vehicle is subjected to certain types of
severe impacts that may cause significant injury to the occupants. They
work together with the seat belts to help reduce the risk of death or serious
injury.
Front airbags
Driver airbag/front passenger airbag
Can help protect the head and chest of the driver and front passen-
ger from impact with interior components.
Driver knee airbag
Can help provide driver protection.
Side and curtain shield airbags
Side airbags
Can help protect the torso of the front seat occupants.
Curtain shield airbags
Can help protect primarily the head of outside occupants.

92
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
Airbag system componentsYour vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag system
controls airbag deployment power for the driver and front passenger. The
driver airbag system consists of the driver seat’s position sensor etc. The
front passenger’s airbag system consists of the front passenger occupant
classification sensor etc.
The main SRS airbag system components are shown above. The SRS
airbag system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag
sensor assembly consists of a sa fing sensor and an airbag sensor.
Front passenger airbag
Curtain shield airbags
Side airbags
Occupant detection system
(ECU and sensors)
AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG
OFF indicator lights
SRS warning light
Driver airbag
Curtain shield airbag sensors
Side and curtain shield airbag
sensors
Driver's seat belt buckle switch
Driver's seat position sensor
Driver knee airbag
Airbag sensor assembly
Front airbag sensors
Front passenger’s seat belt
buckle switch

93
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
RX400h_UIn certain types of severe frontal or side impacts, the SRS airbag system
triggers the airbag inflators. A chemical reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the motion of the occu-
pants.
■SRS warning light
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 pas-
senger occupant classification system, AIR BAG ON indicator light, AIR BAG
OFF indicator light, front passenger's seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(
→ P. 3 8 9 )
■If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
●Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying (inflating)
SRS airbag.
●A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
●Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as well
as the front seats, and parts of the front pillar and roof side rail, may be hot for sev-
eral minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
●The front windshield may crack.
■Operating conditions (front airbags)
●The SRS front airbags will deploy if the severity of the frontal impact is above the
designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate 15 mph (25 km/h) colli-
sion when the vehicle impacts 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.

94
1-8. Safety information
RX400h_U
●The SRS front passenger airbag will not activate if there is no passenger sitting in
the front passenger seat. However, the front passenger airbag may deploy if lug-
gage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is fastened, even if the seat is unoccupied.
(→ P. 1 0 3 )
■Operating conditions (side airbags)
●The SRS side airbags are designed to inflate when the passenger compartment is
subjected to a severe impact from the side.
●The SRS side airbag on the passenger seat will not activate if there is no passen-
ger 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 fastened, even if the
seat is unoccupied. ( →P. 1 0 3 )
■Operating conditions (curtain shield airbags)
The SRS curtain shield airbags are designed to inflate when the passenger com-
partment is subjected to a severe impact from the side or vehicle rollover.
■Conditions under which the SRS airbags ma y deploy (inflate), other than a colli-
sion
The SRS front airbags may also deploy if a serious impact occurs to the underside of
your vehicle. Some examples are shown in the illustration.
The SRS curtain shield airbags may also deploy under the situations shown in the
illustration.
●Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard
surface
●Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
●Landing hard or vehicle falling
●The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal.
●The vehicle skids and hits a curb stone.