2011 LEXUS RX350 Owners Manual

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1-7. Safety information
The main SRS airbag system components are shown above. The SRS air-
bag system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sen-
sor assembly consists of a safing sensor and an airbag sensor.
In 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.
nIf the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
lBruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying (inflating)
SRS airbag.
lA loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
lParts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and inflator) as
well as the seats, and parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof side rails, may
be hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
lThe windshield may crack.
lFor Safety Connect subscribers, if the SRS airbags deploy or in the event of a
severe rear-end collision, the system is designed to send an emergency call to
the response center, notifying them of the vehicle’s location (without needing to
push the “SOS” button) and an agent will attempt to speak with the occupants
to ascertain the level of emergency and assistance required. If the occupants
are unable to communicate, the agent automatically treats the call as an emer-
gency and helps to dispatch the necessary emergency services. (→P. 4 3 6 )

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1-7. Safety information
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Before driving
nSRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS front airbags)
lThe SRS front airbags will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds the
set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to an approximately 12 -
18 mph [20 - 30 km/h] frontal collision with a fixed wall 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.).
lIt is possible that in some collisions where the forward deceleration of the vehi-
cle is very close to the designed threshold level, the SRS front airbags and the
seat belt pretensioners may not activate together.
lThe SRS front passenger airbag will not activate if there is no passenger sitting
in the front passenger seat. However, the SRS front passenger airbag may
deploy if luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is fastened, even if the seat is
unoccupied. (→P. 7 5 )
nSRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags)
The SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags will deploy in the event of an impact
that exceeds the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to the impact
force produced by an approximately 3300 lb. [1500 kg] vehicle colliding with the
vehicle cabin from a direction perpendicular to the vehicle orientation at an
approximate speed of 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30

km/h
]).

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1-7. Safety information
nConditions under which the SRS airbags may deploy (inflate), other than a colli-
sion (SRS front airbags)
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.
nTypes of collisions that may not deploy the SRS airbags (SRS front airbags)
The SRS front airbags are generally not designed to inflate if the vehicle is involved
in a side or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is involved in a low-speed frontal colli-
sion. But, whenever a collision of any type causes sufficient forward deceleration of
the vehicle, deployment of the SRS front airbags may occur.
lHitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard
surface
lFalling into or jumping over a deep hole
lLanding hard or vehicle falling
lThe angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal.
lThe vehicle skids and hits a curb stone.
lCollision from the side
lCollision from the rear
lVehicle rollover

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1-7. Safety information
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Before driving
nTypes of collisions that may not deploy the SRS airbags
(SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags)
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.
The SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags are not generally designed to
inflate if the vehicle is involved in a frontal or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is
involved in a low-speed side collision.
lCollision from the side to the vehicle body
other than the passenger compartment
lCollision from the side at an angle
lCollision from the front
lCollision from the rear
lVehicle rollover

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1-7. Safety information
nWhen to contact your Lexus dealer
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
lAny of the SRS airbags has been inflated.
lThe front of the vehicle is damaged or
deformed, or was involved in an accident
that was not severe enough to cause the
SRS airbags to inflate.
lA portion of the doors is damaged or
deformed, or the vehicle was involved in an
accident that was not severe enough to
cause the SRS side airbags and curtain
shield airbags to inflate.
lThe pad section of the steering wheel,
dashboard near the front passenger airbag
or lower portion of the instrument panel is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.
lThe surface of the seats with the side air-
bag is scratched, cracked, or otherwise
damaged.
lThe portion of the front pillars, rear pillars
or roof side rail garnishes (padding) con-
taining the curtain shield airbags inside is
scratched, cracked, or otherwise dam-
aged.

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1-7. Safety information
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Before driving
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.
lThe driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.
lThe SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or
serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag. The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation,
placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag provides you with a
clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering
wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in several ways:

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1-7. Safety information
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
lThe SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with considerable force, and can
cause death or serious injury especially if the front passenger is very close to the
airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far from the airbag as possible with
the seatback adjusted, so the front passenger sits upright.
lImproperly seated and/or restrained infants and children can be killed or seri-
ously injured by a deploying airbag. 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 seats of the vehicle
and properly restrained. The rear seats are safer for infants and children than the
front passenger seat. (→P. 1 2 7 )
lIf the seat belt extender has been con-
nected to the driver's seat belt buckle but
the seat belt extender has not also been
fastened to the latch plate of the driver's
seat belt, the SRS driver's airbag system
will judge that the driver is wearing the seat
belt even though the seat belt has not been
connected. In this case, the driver's airbag
may not activate correctly in a collision,
resulting in death or serious injury in the
event of collision. Be sure to wear the seat
belt with the seat belt extender.

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1-7. Safety information
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Before driving
CAUTION
nSRS airbag precautions
lDo not sit on the edge of the seat or lean
against the dashboard.
lDo not allow a child to stand in front of the
SRS front passenger airbag unit or sit on
the knees of a front passenger.
lDo not allow the front seat occupants to
hold items on their knees.
lDo not lean against the door, the roof side
rail or the front, side and rear pillars.
lDo not allow anyone to kneel on the pas-
senger seats toward the door or put their
head or hands outside the vehicle.