Lexus ES300 2000 Owner's Manuals (in English)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
131
Adjust the m
irror so that you can just see the rear of
your vehicle in the mirror.
Pushing the switch changes the mode between
ªAUTOº and ªDAYº.
The indicator comes on when the ªAUTOº mode is
selected.
ªDAYº mode: The mirror surface is normal.
ªAUTOº mode: If the mirror detects light from the
headlights of the vehicle behind you, the mirror
surface darkens slightly to reduce the reflected
light.
When the inside rear view mirror surface changes, the
driver's side outside rear view mirror surface will also
become darker.
When the ignition key is inserted and turned on, the
inside rear view mirror always turns on in the ªAUTOº
mode. When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a
little longer for the mirror to darken in response to the
detection of headlights.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving. It
may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle and an
accident may occur resulting in personal injuries.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
132
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus strongly urges that the driver and passengers in
the vehicle be properly restrained at all times with the
seat belts provided. Failure to do so could increase the
chance of injury and/or the severity of injury in accidents.
Child. Use a child restraint system appropriate for the
child until the child becomes large enough to properly
wear the vehicle's seat belts. See ªChild restraintº on
page 172 for details.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child
should sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using
the vehicle's seat belt. According to accident statistics,
the child is safer when properly restrained in the rear
seat than in the front seat.
If a child must sit in the front seat, the seat belts should
be worn properly. Do not let the child sit on your lap. It
does not provide sufficient restraint. If an accident
occurs and the seat belts are not worn properly, the force
of the rapid inflation of the airbag may cause death or
serious injury to the child.
Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel on either rear
or front seats. An unrestrained child could suf fer serious
injury or death during emergency braking or a collision.
Pregnant woman. Lexus recommends the use of a
seat belt. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap
belt should be worn securely
and as low as possible over the hips and not on the waist.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
133
Injured person. Lexus recommends the use of a seat
belt. Depending on the injury, first check with your doctor
for specific recommendations.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
134
CAUTION
Persons should ride in their seats properly wearing
their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer serious
bodily injury or death in the event of sudden braking or
a collision.
When using the seat belts, observe the following:
Use the belt for only one person at a time. Do not use
a single belt for two or more people ± even children.
 Avoid reclining the seatbacks too much. The seat
belts provide maximum protection when the
seatbacks are in the upright position. (See
ªAdjusting seatback angleº on page 118.)
 Be careful not to damage the belt webbing or
hardware. Take care that they do not get caught or
pinched in the seat or doors.
 Inspect the belt system periodically. Check for cuts,
fraying, and loose parts. Damaged parts should be
replaced. Do not disassemble or modify the system.
 Keep the belts clean and dry. If they need cleaning,
use a mild soap solution or lukewarm water. Never
use bleach, dye, or abrasive cleaners ± they may
severely weaken the belts. (See ªCleaning the
interiorº on page 476 for instructions.)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
135
Replace the belt assembly (including bolts) if it
has been used in a severe impact. The entire
assembly should be replaced even if damage is
not obvious.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
136
Fastening front and rear seat belts
16E014a
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up straight and
well back in the seat. To fasten your belt, pull it out
of the retractor and insert the tab into the buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size
and the seat position.
The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on
impact. It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly.
A slow, easy motion will allow the belt to extend, and you
can move around freely.When a passenger's shoulder belt is completely
extended and is then retracted even slightly, the belt is
locked in that position and cannot be extended. This
feature is used to hold the child restraint system
securely.
(For details, see ªChild restraintº on page 172.)
To free the belt again, fully retract the belt and then pull
the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly
pull the belt and release it. You will then be able to
smoothly pull the belt out of the retractor.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
137
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the belt is not twisted.
 Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this
may prevent you from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
 If the seat belt does not function normally,
immediately contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use
the seat until the seat belt is fixed. It cannot protect
an adult occupant or your child from injury.
16E015a

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
138Adjust the position of the lap and shoulder belts.
1
Position the lap belt as low as possible on your hips
± not on your waist.
2 Adjust it to a snug fit by pulling the shoulder portion
upward through the latch plate.
CAUTION
Both high±positioned lap belts and loose±fitting
belts could cause serious injuries due to sliding
under the lap belt during a collision or other
unintended result. Keep the lap belt positioned as
low on hip as possible.
 For your safety, do not place the shoulder belt under
your arm.
16E016a

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
139


Front seat belts only
Adjust the shoulder anchor position to your size.
To raise the anchor position, push the anchor up. To
lower the anchor position, support the anchor while you
push the l
ock release button then slide the anchor down.
After the adjustment, make sure the anchor is locked in
position.
CAUTION
Always make sure the shoulder belt is positioned
across the center of your shoulder. The belt should be
kept away from your neck, but not falling off your
shoulder. Failure to do so could reduce the amount of
protection in an accident and cause severe injuries in a
collision.
16E017a

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
140To release the belt, press the buckle release button
and allow the belt to retract.
If the belt does not retract smoothly, pull it out and check
for kinks or twists. Then make sure it remains untwisted
as it retracts.
Seat belt extender
If your seat belts cannot be fastened securely because
it is not long enough, a personalized seat belt extender
is available from your Lexus dealer free of charge.
Please
contact your local Lexus dealer so that the dealer
can order the proper required length for the extender.
Bring the heaviest coat you expect to wear for proper
measurement and selection of length. Additional
ordering information is available at your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
When using the seat belt extender, observe the
following. Failure to follow these instructions could
result in less effectiveness of the seat belt restraint
system in case of vehicle accident, increasing the
chance of personal injury.
 Never use the seat belt extender if you can fasten the
seat belt without it.
 Remember that the extender provided for you may
not be safe when used on a different vehicle, or for
another person or at a different seating position than
the one originally intended for.
16E018±2