2009 Lexus GS450h Owner's Manual

120
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Front passenger occupant classification system precautions
●If an adult sits in the front passenger seat, the “AIR BAG ON” indicator light is illu-
minated. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is illuminated, ask the passenger to sit
up straight, well back in the seat, feet on the floor, and with the seat belt worn cor-
rectly. If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator still remains illuminated, either ask the pas-
senger to move to the rear seat, or if that is not possible, move the front passenger
seat fully rearward.
●When it is unavoidable to install a forward-facing child restraint system on the
front passenger seat, install the child restraint system on the front passenger seat
in the proper order. (→P. 1 2 5 )
●Do not modify or remove the front seat.
●Do not kick the front passenger seat or subject it to severe impact. Otherwise,
the SRS warning light may come on to indicate a malfunction in the detection sys-
tem. In this case, contact your Lexus dealer immediately.
●Do not use a seat accessory, such as a cushion or seat cover, that covers the seat
cushion surface.
●Child restraint systems installed on the rear seat should not contact the front seat-
backs.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 120 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

121
1
1-8. Safety information
Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Child restraint systems
Points to rememberStudies have shown that installing a child restraint on a rear seat is much
safer than installing one to the front passenger seat.
● Choose a child restraint system that suits your vehicle and is appropri-
ate to the age and size of the child.
● For installation details, follow the instructions provided with the child
restraint system.
General installation instructions are provided in this manual. ( →P. 1 2 5 )
Types of child restraints
Child restraint systems are classified into the following 3 types according
to the age and size of the child. Rear facing  Infant seat/convertible seat
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must itself be properly
restrained on the seat with the lap portion of the lap/shoulder belt.
The laws of all 50 states of the U. S.A. and Canada now require the use of
child restraint systems.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 121 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

122
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Forward facing  Convertible seat
Booster seat
■Selecting an appropriate child restraint system
●Use a child restraint system appropriate for the child until the child becomes
large enough to properly wear the vehicle’s seat belt.
●If a child is too large for a child restraint system, sit the child on a rear seat and
use the vehicle’s seat belt.
( → P. 74 )
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 122 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

123
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Using a child restraint system
The use of a child restraint system not suitable for the vehicle may not properly
secure the infant or child, resulting in death or serious injury.
■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 the “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 may be installed on the front passenger
seat only when it is unavoidable. A child restraint system that requires a top tether
strap should not be used in the front passenger seat since there is no top tether
strap anchor for the front passenger seat. Adjust the seatback as upright as possi-
ble and always move the seat as far back as possible even if the “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 a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 123 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

124
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
CAUTION
■Child restraint precautions
●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, sudden swerve or an accident.
■Child restraint lock function belt precaution
Do not allow children to play with the child restraint lock function belt. If the belt
becomes twisted around a child’s neck, it will not be possible to pull the belt out
leading to choking or other serious injuries that could result in death.
If this occurs and the buckle cannot be unfastened, scissors should be used to cut
the belt.
■When the child restraint system is not in use
●Keep the child restraint system properly secured on the seat even if it is not in use.
Do not store the restraint unsecured in the passenger compartment.
●If it is necessary to detach the child restraint system, remove it from the vehicle or
store it securely in the trunk. This will prevent it from injuring passengers in the
event of a sudden stop, sudden swerve or accident.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 124 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

125
1
1-8. Safety information
Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Installing child restraints
Follow the child restraint system manufacturer’s instructions. Firmly
secure child restraints to the rear seats using the LATCH anchors or a seat
belt. Attach the top tether strap when installing a child restraint.
The lap/shoulder belt can be used if your child restraint system is not com-
patible with the LATCH (Lower Anchor s and Tethers for Children) system.
Child restraint LATCH
anchors
LATCH anchors are provided
for the outboard rear seats.
(Buttons displaying the location
of the anchors are attached to
the seats.)
Seat belts equipped with a
child restraint locking mecha-
nism (ALR/ELR belts except
driver’s seat belt)
Anchor bracket
(for top tether strap)
Anchor brackets are provided
for all rear seats.
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 125 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

126
1-8. Safety information
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Installation with LATCH system
Type A Widen the gap between
the seat cushion and seat-
back slightly.
Latch the hooks of the
lower straps onto the
LATCH anchors.
If the child restraint has a
top tether strap, the top
tether strap should be
latched onto the top tether
strap anchor.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
Canada only
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 126 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM

127
1-8. Safety information
1
Before driving
GS_HV_U (OM30B44U)
April 27, 2009 10:09 am
Ty p e BWiden the gap between
the seat cushion and seat-
back slightly.
Latch the buckles onto the
LATCH anchors.
If the child restraint has a
top tether strap, the top
tether strap should be
latched onto the top tether
strap anchor.
For owners in Canada:
The symbol on a child restraint sys-
tem indicates the presence of a
lower connector system.
Canada only
STEP1
STEP2
STEP3
GS450h_HV_U.book Page 127 Monday, April 27, 2009 10:10 AM