Lexus ES330 2004 Destination Input and Route Guidance / LEXUS 2004 ES330 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM33633U)

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
126It 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.
Always wear your seat belts properly.

1Collision from the side
2Collision from the rear
3Vehicle rollover
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 collision.
But, whenever a collision of any type causes sufficient
forward deceleration of the vehicle, deployment of the
SRS front airbags may occur.

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127

1Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard surface
2Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3Landing hard or vehicle falling
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.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
128

1Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
2Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
3SRS warning light
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5Driver's seat position sensor
6Driver's seat belt buckle switch
7Front passenger's seat belt buckle switch
8AIRBAG OFFº and AIRBAG ONº indicator lights
9Front airbag sensors
10Airbag sensor assembly
The SRS front airbag system consists mainly of the above
components, and their locations are shown in the illustration.
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensor.The front airbag sensors constantly monitor the forward
deceleration of the vehicle. If an impact results in a forward
deceleration beyond the designed threshold level, the system
triggers the airbag inflators. At this time a chemical reaction in
the inflators very quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to
help restrain the forward motion of the occupants. The front
airbags then quickly deflate, so that there is no obstruction of
the driver's vision should it be necessary to continue driving.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a loud noise and
release some smoke and residue along with non-toxic gas.
This does not indicate a fire. This smoke may remain inside the
vehicle for some time, and may cause some minor irritation to
the eyes, skin or breathing. Be sure to wash off any residue as
soon as possible to prevent any potential skin irritation with
soap and water. If you safely exit from the vehicle, you should
do so immediately.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a second,
so the airbags must inflate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious injuries, primarily to the
head and chest, it may also cause other, less severe injuries
to the face, chest, arms and hands. These are usually in the
nature of minor burns or abrasions and swelling, but the force
of a deploying airbag can cause more serious injuries,
especially if an occupant's hands, arms, chest or head are in
close proximity to the airbag module at the time of deployment.
This is why it is important for the occupant to: avoid placing any
object or part of the body between the occupant and the airbag
module; sit straight and well back into the seat; wear the
available seat belt properly; and sit as far as possible from the
airbag module, while still maintaining control of the vehicle.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
129 Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover
and inflator) may be hot for several minutes after deployment,
so do not touch! The airbags inflate only once. The windshield
may be damaged by absorbing some of the force of the
inflating airbag.
CAUTION
The driver or front passenger who is too close to the
steering wheel or dashboard during airbag deployment
can be killed or seriously injured. Lexus strongly
recommends that:
The driver sit as far back as possible from the
steering wheel while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
The front passenger sit as far back as possible from
the dashboard.
All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using
the available seat belts.
If the seat belt extender has been connected to the
driver's seat belt buckle without wearing the seat belt
when using the extender in the driver's seat, the SRS
driver's airbag system will judge that the driver wears
the seat belt even if not wearing it. In this case, the
driver's airbag may not activate correctly, causing
death or serious injury in the event of collision. Be
sure to wear the seat belt with the seat belt extender.
For instructions and precautions concerning the
seating position, see Front seat precautionsº on page
105.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
130
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use, since the front
passenger airbag could inflates with considerable
speed and force. Anyone who is up against, or very
close to, an airbag when it inflates, can be killed or
seriously injured. Sit up straight and well back in the
seat, and always use your seat belt properly.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
131
Lexus strongly recommends that all infants and
children be placed in the rear seat of the vehicle and
be properly restrained.
Do not hold a child on your lap or in your arms. Use
a child restraint system in the rear seat. For
instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see Child restraintº on page 156.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
132
Do not put anything or any part of your body on or in
front of the dashboard or steering wheel pad that
houses the front airbag system. They might restrict
inflation or cause death or serious injury as they are
projected rearward by the force of the deploying
airbags. Likewise, the driver and front passenger
should not hold objects in their arms or on their
knees.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
133
Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify,
remove, strike or open any components, such as the
steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover,
front passenger airbag cover, front passenger airbag
or airbag sensor assembly. Doing so may prevent the
front airbag system from activating correctly, cause
sudden activation of the system or disable the
system, which could result in death or serious injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS front airbag
system in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two-way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player
Modification of the suspension system
Modification of the front end structure
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure, console, steering column, steering wheel
or dashboard near the front passenger airbag

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
134
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ONº position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS front airbags are operating properly.
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 passenger occupant classification system, AIRBAG
OFFº indicator light, AIRBAG ONº indicator light, front
passenger's seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. (For details, see
Service reminder indicators and warning buzzersº on page 55
for instructions.)If any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the airbags or seat belt pretensioners. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.
When the ignition key is turned to the ONº position, the light
does not come on or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
135
16E549
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
The SRS front airbags have been inflated.
The front of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration) was
involved in an accident that was not severe enough to cause
the SRS front airbags to inflate.The pad section of the steering wheel or front passenger
airbag cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.