1301-8. Safety information
Correct driving posture Drive in a good posture as follows:
Sit upright and well back in
the seat. ( P. 8 6 )
Adjust the position of the seat
forward or backward to
ensure the pedals can be
reached and easily
depressed to the extent
required. ( P. 8 6 )
Adjust the seatback so that
the controls are easily opera-
ble. ( P. 8 6 )
Adjust the tilt and telescopic
positions of the steering
wheel downward so the air-
bag is facing your chest.
( P. 105)
Lock the head restraint in
place with the center of the
head restraint closest to the
top of your ears. ( P. 9 7 )
Wear the seat belt correctly.
( P. 99)
1351-8. Safety information
1
Before driving Your vehicle is equipped with AD VANCED AIRBAGS designed based
on the US motor vehicle safety st andards (FMVSS208). The airbag sen-
sor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on information
obtained from the sensors etc. show n in the system components diagram
above. This information includes cras h severity and occupant informa-
tion. As the airbags deploy, a chemica l reaction in the inflators quickly fills
the airbags with non-toxic gas to he lp restrain the motion of the occu-
pants. ■
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 seats, parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof side rails, may be hot
for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.●
The windshield may crack.●
For Safety Connect subscriber s, 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. 6 2 6 )■
SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS front airbags) ●
The 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 in the following situa-
tions:
• If the vehicle strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign pole, which
can move or deform on impact
• If the vehicle is involved in an underride collision, such as a collision in which
the front of the vehicle “underrides”, or goes under, the bed of a truck
1381-8. Safety information
The SRS curtain shield airbags are not generally designed to inflate if the vehicle is
involved in a frontal or rear collision, if it pitches end over end, or if it is involved in a
low-speed side collision.
■
When to contact your Lexus dealer
In the following cases, the vehicle will require inspection and/or repair. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible. ●
Any of the SRS airbags has been inflated. ●
Collision from the front ●
Collision from the rear ●
Pitching end over end
●
The 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.
●
A 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.
●
The 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.
1401-8. Safety information
CAUTION■
SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.
Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury. ●
The 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.●
The 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:
• Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals
comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat.
Although vehicle designs vary, many dr ivers can achieve the 10 in. (250 mm)
distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, simply by reclining the
back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to
see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the
seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, ti lt it downward. This points the airbag
toward your chest instead of your head and neck.
The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still main-
taining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument
panel controls.
1431-8. Safety information
1
Before driving CAUTION■
SRS airbag precautions
●
If a vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS knee airbags will deploy, be sure
to remove it.●
Do not use seat accessories which cove r the parts where the SRS side airbags
inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags. Such accessories may
prevent the side airbags from activating co rrectly, disable the system or cause the
side airbags to inflate accidentally, resulting in death or serious injury.●
Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS airbag
components.
Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.
●
Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS airbags have
deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.
●
If breathing becomes diffic ult after the SRS airbags have deployed, open a door
or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off
any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.
●
If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and
front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by
your Lexus dealer. ●
Do not attach anything to or lean anything
against areas such as the dashboard, steer-
ing wheel pad or lower portion of the
instrument panel.
These items can become projectiles when
SRS driver, front passenger and knee air-
bags deploy. ●
Do not attach anything to areas such as the
door, windshield glass, side door glass,
front and rear pillars, roof side rail or assist
grip. ●
Do not hang coat hangers or other hard
objects on the coat hooks. All of these
items could become projectiles and may
cause death or serious injury, should the
SRS curtain shield airbags deploy.
1441-8. Safety information
CAUTION■
SRS airbag precautions ●
Do not place anything, such as a cushion, on the front passenger's seat. Doing so
will disperse the passenger's weight, wh ich prevents the sensor from detecting
the passenger's weight properly. As a re sult, the SRS front passenger airbag may
not deploy in the event of a collision.■
Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perfor m any of the followin g modifications with-
out consulting your Lexus dealer.
The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing death or
serious injury. ●
Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags●
Repairs, modifications, removal or replac ement of the steering wheel, instrument
panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear pillars or roof side
rails●
Repairs or modifications of the front fend er, front bumper, or side of the occupant
compartment●
Installation of a grille guard (bull bars, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow plows or winches●
Modifications to the vehi cle's suspension system●
Installation of elec tronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD players●
Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability
1702-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION●
Do not shift the shift lever to R while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.●
Do not shift the shift lever to D while the vehicle is moving backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle control.●
Moving the shift lever to N while the vehicle is moving will disengage the hybrid
system. Engine braking is not availabl e with the hybrid system disengaged.●
During normal driving, do not turn off the hybrid system. Turning the hybrid sys-
tem off while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, however,
power assist to the steering will be lost. This will make it more difficult to steer
smoothly, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
In the event of an emergency, such as if it becomes impossible to stop the vehicle
in the normal way: P. 7 9 5●
Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving down a
steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose effec-
tiveness. ( P. 1 8 6 )●
When stopped on an incline, use the brake pedal and parking brake to prevent
the vehicle from rolling backward or forward, causing an accident. ●
Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or outside
rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents, resulting
in death or serious injury.●
Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body are not
outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.●
Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit permits it, do
not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-speed capability
tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire failure, loss of control and
possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine whether the tires on
your vehicle are high-speed capability tires or not before driving at such speeds.
1752-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving CAUTION■
If the vehicle becomes stuck
Do not spin the wheels excessively when any of the tires is up in the air, or the vehi-
cle is stuck in sand, mud, etc. This may damage the driveline components or propel
the vehicle forward or backward, causing an accident.
NOTICE■
When driving the vehicle ●
Do not depress the accelerator and brake pe dals at the same time during driving,
as this may restrain driving torque.●
Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake pedals at
the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.■
When parking the vehicle
Always shift the shift lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to move or the
vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accel erator pedal is accidentally depressed.■
Avoiding damage to vehicle parts ●
Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for an
extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.●
When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid damag-
ing the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc. ■
If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering wheel
firmly and gradually depress the brak e pedal to slow down the vehicle.●
It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●
The vehicle will make abnormal sounds.
●
The vehicle will behave abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( P. 76 4 )