sensor lexus LS400 1996 Audio System / 1996 LS400: SEAT BELTS, SRS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS
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Front seat belt pretensioners
The driver and front passenger's seat belts are
equipped with a pretensioner which is designed to be
activated in response to a severe frontal impact.
The airbag system and each pretensioner operates
independently because each has its own separate sensor.
A pretensioner sensor is located in each front seat belt
retractor assembly. When the pretensioner sensor detects
the shock of a severe frontal impact, the front seat belt is
quickly drawn back in by the retractor so that the belt snugly
restrains the front seat occupant.
When a seat belt pretensioner is activated, an operating
noise may be heard and a small amount of smoke±like gas
may be released. This gas is harmless and does not indicate
that a fire is occurring.
Once the seat belt pretensioner has been activated, the seat
belt retractor remains locked.CAUTION!
Do not modify, remove or strike the front seat belt
retractor assemblies or surrounding area. Doing any
of these may cause sudden operation of the front
seat belt pretensioners or disable the system, which
could result in personal injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries.
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This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS airbags are operating
properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system monitors the airbag
sensor assemblies, inflators, warning lights, interconnecting
wiring and power sources.The 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 deploy if the severity of the impact is
above the designed threshold level, comparable to an
approximate 20 km/h (14 mph) collision 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 deploy.
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 ªunderridesº, or goes under, the bed of
a truck).
It is possible with collision severity at the marginal level of
airbag sensor detection and activation that only one of your
vehicle's two airbags will deploy.
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COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
73 For the safety of all occupants, be sure to always wear seat
belts.
Collision from the side
Collision from the rear
Vehicle roll±over
The SRS airbags are not designed to inflate if the
vehicle is subjected to a side or rear impact, if it rolls
over, or if it is involved in a low±speed frontal collision.
Airbag sensor assembly
Steering wheel pad assembly (airbag and
inflator)
Passenger airbag module (airbag and inflator)
SRS airbag warning light
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensor.
In a severe frontal impact, sensors detect deceleration and
the system triggers the airbag inflators. Then a chemical
reaction in the inflators momentarily fills the airbags with
non±toxic nitrogen gas to help restrain the forward motion of
the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a fairly loud noise and
release some smoke along with the nitrogen gas. This is not
harmful and does not indicate a fire. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent minor skin irritation.
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Do not put objects on or in front of the dashboard
or steering wheel pad that houses the airbag
system. They might restrict inflation or cause
personal injury as they are projected rearward.
Do not modify, remove or open any component or
wiring, such as the steering wheel, column cover,
front passenger airbag cover, front passenger
airbag, or airbag sensor assembly. Doing any of
these may cause sudden SRS airbag inflation or
disable the system, which could result in personal
injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injuries.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag
system in some cases.
Installation of electronic items 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.), snow plow, winches or any other equipment
to the front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front
console, steering column, steering wheel or
dashboard near the front passenger airbag.