Lexus GS300 2000 Comfort Adjustment

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
153 The indicator comes on when the ignition key is
turned to the ºACCº or ºONº position. It goes off
after about 6 seconds. This means the SRS airbags
are operating properly.
The SRS warning light system monitors the airbag
sensor assembly, front airbag sensors, inflators,
warning light, interconnecting wiring and power sources.
(For details, see ºService reminder indicators and
warning buzzersº on page 63.)
16G023

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
154The SRS airbag system is designed to activate in
response to a severe frontal impact within the
shaded area between the arrows in the illustration.
The SRS airbags will work if the severity of the impact
is above the designed threshold level, comparable to an
approximate 25 km/h (15 mph) collision in the U.S.A.
and 30 km (18 mph) collision in Canada when impacting
straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or deform.
If the severity of the impact is below the above threshold
level, the SRS airbags may not work.
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 it is involved in an underride collision (e.g.
a collision in which the nose of the vehicle ºunderridesº,
or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).It is possible that in some collisions at the lower zone of
airbag sensor detection and activation the SRS airbags
and seat belt pretensioners will not operate all together.
For the safety of all occupants, always wear your seat
belts.
16G024

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
155

1Collision from the rear
2Vehicle rollover
The SRS airbags are not designed to inflate if the
vehicle is involved in a rear collision, if it rolls over,
or if it is involved in a low±speed frontal collision.
The side airbags are designed to inflate when the
passenger compartment area suffers a severe
impact from the side.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
156
16G025

1Collision from the side at an angle
2Collision from the side to the vehicle body
other
than the passenger compartment
The side airbags may not inflate 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 as shown in
the illustration.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
157
16G109

1Collision from the front
2Collision from the rear
3Vehicle rollover
The side airbags are not designed to inflate if the
vehicle is involved in a front or rear collision, if it
rolls over, or if it is involved in a low±speed side
collision.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
158
16G108

1Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard
material
2Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbags may deploy if a serious impact
occurs to the underside of your vehicle. Some
examples are shown in the illustration.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
159
16G056a

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
160

1Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
3Side airbag sensor assembly
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5SRS warning light
6Airbag sensor assembly
7Front airbag sensors
The SRS 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 sensors.
In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger
airbag sensors detect deceleration and the system
triggers the front airbag inflators. In a severe side
impact, the side airbag sensor triggers the side airbag
inflator. Then a chemical reaction in the inflators quickly
fills the airbags with non±toxic gas to help restrain the
forward or lateral motion of the occupants.When the SRS operates, it produces a fairly loud noise
and release some smoke and residue along with
non±toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. This gas is
normally harmless; however, for those who have
delicate skin, it may cause a minor skin irritation. Be
sure to wash off any residue as soon as possible to
prevent any potential skin irritation.
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, it may also cause minor burns or abrasions and
swelling.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub,
dashboard, front seats) may be hot for several minutes,
but the airbags themselves will not be hot. The airbags
are designed to inflate only once.
A crash severe enough to inflate the driver and front
passenger airbags may break the windshield as the
vehicle buckles. In vehicles with a front passenger
airbag, the windshield may also be damaged by
absorbing some of the force of the inflating airbag.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
161
CAUTION
The SRS airbag system is designed only as a
supplement to the primary protection of the driver
side and front passenger side seat belt systems. The
front seat occupants can be killed or seriously
injured by an inflating airbag if they do not wear the
available seat belts. During sudden braking just
before a collision, an unrestrained driver or front
passenger can move forward into direct contact with
or close proximity to the airbag which may then
deploy during the collision. To ensure maximum
protection in an accident, the driver and all
passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts.
Wearing a seat belt during an accident reduces the
chances of death or serious injury or being thrown
out of the vehicle. For instructions and precautions
concerning the seat belt system, see ºSeat beltsº on
page 133.
Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously 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 seat of the vehicle and properly restrained.
The rear seat is the safest for infants and children.
For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see ºChild restraintº on page 173 .

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
162
16G057a
Never put a rear±facing child restraint system
on the front seat because the force of the rapid
inflation of the front passenger airbag can
cause death or serious injury to the child.